ies well
known and respected in Western lands, such as the Society for Psychical
Research, and the prominent scientists interested in the work of the said
society. In this way I have sought to furnish the Western student with
examples, cases, and illustrations familiar to him, and easily referred
to. Had I cited Indian cases, I might be accused of offering proof that
could not be easily verified; and quoting persons unknown to my readers.
There is a wealth of such cases and illustration in India, naturally, but
these as a rule are traditional and not available in printed form; and
these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western student.
I must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases and
illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely Western, the
principles they illustrate and prove are among the oldest known to Hindu
occult science and philosophy. In fact, having been accepted as proved
truth in India, for centuries past, there is very little demand for
further proof thereof on the part of the Hindus. In the Western world,
however, these things are comparatively new, and must be proved and
attested accordingly. So, as I have said, I have cut the cloth of my
instruction to conform with the pattern favored for the Western garment of
knowledge. So far as the illustrations and cases, the quotations and
citations are concerned--these are purely Western and familiar to the
student. But, when it comes to the principles themselves, this is another
matter--I must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth of
Hindu thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their
roots must dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has stood
the storms and winds of thousands of years. But the branches of this
mighty tree are wide-spreading, and there is room for many Western
students to rest in its shade and shelter.
In these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little books,
entitled "The Astral World," and "The Human Aura," respectively. To those
who are interested in these subjects, I recommend these little books; they
are sold at a nominal price, and contain much that will be helpful to the
student of Hindu Occult Science. They are not required, however, to
complete the understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons,
and are mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the
student who wishes to take little "side excursions"
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