PB on Dissemination

1

The most effective method of propagating spiritual truth in this modern age is undoubtedly the radio. The printed word can only be a secondary medium. But propaganda is not quite the same as education. Radio propaganda is the most effective of all methods for bringing new ideas to people who have never heard them before, and for inspiring individuals with right feeling and enthusiasm. But the printed word is necessary where deep thinking and repeated reflection are required in order to master difficult points. Therefore the awakening of unenlightened people and the encouragement of enlightened beginners to spiritual truth is best done through the radio, but the instruction and assistance of more advanced students is best done through the printed word. An adequate scheme should cover both methods. The printed word is essential chiefly for the intermediate and advanced students who are scattered in various parts of the world in loneliness and isolation and who have no personal teacher to instruct them.

2

The work of providing copies of P.B.'s books for local public libraries where they are not yet available is a constructive one. It is a more effective method of spiritual propagation than costlier methods. It breeds good karma.

3

The human race has evolved to a point where its condition of receptivity to these teachings is more favourable than at any previous time.

4

There are great truths which the world needs today but which the world is not consciously seeking for and therefore will not readily accept. Those who have found these truths, tested their correctness and worth, are consequently not willing to engage in the futile path of aggressive proselytizing. They quietly make the truth available to whosoever is willing to take the trouble to seek it out.

5

One deplorable result of this wealth of knowledge and revelation which has poured into common accessibility during the past hundred and fifty years is increased charlatanry and confused sincerity.

6

These truths, which were formerly kept wholly esoteric and narrowly confined to an intellectually privileged elite, must now be given to the widest possible audience because humanity's position is so precarious. The old secrecy has outlived its usefulness.

7

Whatever misinterpretation or misuse will be made by unready persons of the teachings thus disclosed, enough compensation will be achieved by the benefit conferred on those who are ready.

8

In the twentieth century such secrecy has become superfluous. The deepest truths of man's inner nature have already been published to the whole world. The most recondite teachings have been publicly proclaimed in nearly every modern language.

9

We do not need to persuade or convert others to philosophy but we ought to offer them the material which they can investigate as and when they feel inclined to do so.

10

From the moment that these teachings were printed and circulated, they became public property and lost their esoteric character.

11

Those who do not like philosophy and cannot understand it are simply not ready for it. We cannot compel them to take it up. But we can keep it available for them, whenever the time comes that they do feel a need for it.

12

The time has come when it is dangerous not to divulge these straight truths to everybody but to keep them back from everybody. The lack of spiritual reverence and the lowness of moral tone, the ignorance of karmic consequences and the violence of greed and hatred--these are the things today which are immensely dangerous to humanity--not the divulgements of philosophy.

13

The custodians of esoteric truth do not pursue a spendthrift policy. They do not give it away indiscriminately. They are not satisfied with its value being recognized by few people outside themselves. But there is nothing much they can do about it. The upward development of mankind can no more be forced than can the upward growth of an oak tree.

14

It would be a lunatic's dream to look forward to a widespread favourable result of our humble effort at making these teachings more readily available than in the past. We shall respect our responsibilities and opportunities in this matter and not betray them. But at the same time we shall insist on seeing things as they are and shall recognize that only a select few are already attuned to receive such ideas. The others will have to be taught, slow step by slow step, by life and time.

15

A time comes when we see at last that all the mind has gathered from its schooling is information, when what it needs and hungers for even more deeply is revelation. The faintest clue or hint from a higher source would be enough; how much more the fullness of a glimpse.

16

But when we say that philosophy must today make itself available to the public we do not mean obtrude itself upon the public. It is too conscious of the inequalities of character, intelligence, aspiration, and intuition to delude itself into the belief that it could ever become popular or attractive to the multitude.

17

The philosophic attitude does not hoard truth like a miser in complete secrecy, yet it does not proclaim it openly like a town crier. It gladly feeds those who are hungry for it, but no others.