The Pathway to Perfection-A Treatise on the Path of Swift Unfoldment

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

In this book, which is a successor to his earlier work, Meditations on the Occult Life, Geoffrey Hodson communicates the essence of the teachings of Theosophy on the path of swift unfoldment. It gives us some understanding of the whole process of man's evolution to a state of perfection. The reader glimpses the opportunities, difficulties, pitfalls and ups and downs of the entire journey from Man to Superman.

GEOFFREY HODSON was born and educated in England. During the first world war he served with distinction in the British Army and afterwards became actively interested in Theosophical studies. He carried out occult research in collaboration with medical men, physicists, anthropologists and archeologists.

For some sixty years Mr Hodson lectured for the Theosophical Society, speaking in America, England, Europe, South Africa, India, New Zealand, Australia and the Far East. He was the author of about forty Theosophical and other books, dealing with such topics as meditation, the spiritual life, health and disease, and the life and powers of the occultist. He carried out special and first-hand investigation of fairies and angelic evolution.

Mr Hodson was four times Director of Studies at the School of the Wisdom at the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai.

He was awarded the Subba Row Medal in 1954 for his contribution to Theosophical literature.

THIS book is a successor to my former work, Meditations on the Occult Life. Both were written in the meditative state which can follow the practice of contemplation. The mind can then be receptive, whether from without or from within, to a commentary upon subjects with which it has been occupied.

In Hindu logic there are three modes of obtaining knowledge. One is called Pratyaksha (in Sanskrit), meaning actually seeing. The second is called Anumāna, meaning inference or deduction. The third is called Śruti, meaning that which is heard. The products of Śruti are referred to as Aptavākya, meaning words of people who can be trusted.

The contents of this second book in the series, like those of the first, whilst imperfectly conveyed, could be classified as Śruti. They are not offered as my own production, not as Pratyaksha or Anumāna, but as Śruti.

MAN as man is a bundle of weaknesses, a concatenation of disabilities. Superhuman man is compact of strength and beyond all human limitations. The difference between them is well-nigh incalculable by man, who, nevertheless, contains within himself the germ of superhumanity.

The change from man to Superman, if it is to be accomplished with abnormal speed, demands the utmost effort. Man possesses the power swiftly to make the change, but success will remain beyond his reach as long as he is but half-hearted in his endeavour.

The heights are so colossal and the strain so severe that success only becomes possible when the whole being is dedicated without reserve to the great Quest. The aspirant must evoke all the powers of the Soul and direct them with uttermost sincerity and will to the sublime objective; for then alone can man quickly achieve superhumanity.

Insincerity is amongst the greatest of all hindrances on the Occult Path. Insincerity corrodes the integrity of the Soul, destroys the new growth as rapidly as it is made and mars the beauty of the opening bud, of which as canker it eats away the heart. Insincerity also bars the passage of pure reason as it seeks to illumine the brain.

Half-heartedness renders occult development impossible; for only with his whole Soul, with every part of his nature and with all his will applied to the great endeavour, may the aspirant attain the heights in advance of the normal time.

Supermen exist. They once were men. Ages ago they awoke to the Quest, felt the stirring of Monadic¹ fire and, gradually gathering strength, they embarked upon the steep, strait, narrow way which they knew would take them to their goal. Steadfastly enduring, rarely yielding, in growing self-mastery they ascended the heights and reached the goal.

The existence and the attainment of Supermen are the assurance to every man that the goal exists and is attainable. Let none doubt, therefore. Let there be neither misgiving nor questioning concerning this supreme endeavour. Success is utterly assured for all who steadfastly endure to the triumph of the end.