Theosophical Society,
H P Blavatsky
The Concept of “The Masters”
Theosophists
believe that there are those who possess full, or at
least extraordinary, knowledge of the Divine Wisdom,
and have devoted their
existence to showing us the way to the truth. They
are called by many names,
but Theosophists usually refer to them as the
Masters or the Mahatmas. Other terms in use are in Theosophical literature are
Teachers, Elder Brothers, Sages Rishis, Adepts and
Seers.
Literally
the word Mahatma means Great Soul or Great Self and this term describes an
individual who has evolved through and learned all that the human situation has
to teach, who has mastered the laws of nature involved in human existence, and
who has therefore graduated from that stage to a more advanced stage in the
evolutionary scheme
The
Masters have evolved to the highest levels of existence. They have evolved to
such an extent that they have escaped the cycle of death and rebirth and choose
to reincarnate in human form in order to help humanity. They
have complete control over their lives. They are not controlled by karma, for
they can surpass it. They can exist in spirit (consciousness) or in matter, or
in a combination of the two. They are as close to the Divine as possible, and
they know the truth.
The
significance of their existence is that they provide examples and a sort of
proof that Theosophy is real, and that there is a higher level in life than our
present existence here on Earth. Masters often take on "students" who
show promise of evolving quicker than the rest of humanity. These students must
be pure, moral and compassionate, and untainted by any negative thoughts or
feelings Although this was a subject of some
controversy, Blavatsky claimed to be a "student" of the Masters, and
they communicated with her in person.
Theosophical Society,