Category: The Key To Theosophy (1889): H. P. Blavatsky

"Enq:  Then you regard self-sacrifice as duty?   Theo:  We do; and explain it by showing that altruism is an integral part of self-development. But we have to discriminate. A man has no right to starve himself to death that another man may have food, unless the life of that man is obviously more useful [...]

"Enq:  Could you make your idea clearer by giving an instance?   Theo:  There are many instances to illustrate it in history. Self-sacrifice for practical good to save many, or several people, Theosophy holds as far higher than self-abnegation for a sectarian idea, such as that of "saving the heathen from damnation", for instance.   [...]

"Enq:  Is equal justice to all and love to every creature the highest standard of Theosophy?   Theo:  No; there is an even far higher one.   Enq:  What can it be?   Theo:  The giving to others more than to oneself - self-sacrifice. Such was the standard and abounding measure which marked so pre-eminently [...]

"Enq:  How does this bear on the fourth of the principles you mentioned, viz., Reincarnation?   Theo:  The connection is most intimate. If our present lives depend upon the development of certain principles which are a growth from the germs left by a previous existence, the law holds good as regards the future.   Once [...]

"Enq:  Agreed. But who is to decide whether social efforts are wise or unwise?   Theo:  No one person and no society can lay down a hard-and-fast rule in this respect. Much must necessarily be left to the individual judgement. One general test may, however, be given. Will the proposed action tend to promote that [...]

"Enq:  All this is very well as a general principle, but how would you apply it in a concrete way?   Theo:  Look for a moment at what you would call the concrete facts of human society. Contrast the lives not only of the masses of the people, but of many of those who who [...]

"Enq:  How, then, should Theosophical principles be applied so that social cooperation may be promoted and true efforts for social amelioration be carried on?   Theo:  Let me briefly remind you what these principles are - universal Unity and Causation; Human Solidarity; the Law of Karma; Reincarnation. These are the four links of the golden [...]

"Enq:  But surely the T. S. does not stand altogether aloof from the social questions which are now so fast coming to the front?   Theo:  The very principles of the T.S. are a proof that it does not - or, rather, that most of its members do not - so stand aloof.   If [...]

"Enq:  The Theosophical Society is not, then, a political organization?   Theo:  Certainly not. It is international in the highest sense in that its members comprise men and women of all races, creeds, and forms of thought, who work together for one object, the improvement of humanity; but as a society it takes absolutely no [...]

"Enq:  When would you consider such due not given?   Theo:  When there is the slightest invasion of another's right - be that other a man or a nation; when there is any failure to show him the same justice, kindness, consideration or mercy which we desire for ourselves.   The whole present system of [...]