Truth lingers even now among the masses. But it is only in the trans-Himalayan fastnesses that the Esoteric “Good Law,” or the “Heart’s Seal,” lives to the present day in all its pristine purity. Neither the Indian nor the Buddhist system can be understood without a key, nor can the study of comparative religion become a “science” until the symbols of every Religion yield their final secrets. The “Eye Doctrine” means dogma and dead-letter form, church ritualism intended for those who are content with exoteric formulæ. The “Heart Doctrine,” or the “Heart’s Seal” is the only real one. The essential difference between the “Eye” and the “Heart,” or the outward form and the hidden meaning, i.e., Cold Metaphysics versus Divine Wisdom, is clearly demonstrated in several volumes on Chinese Buddhism, written by sundry missionaries. It is useless to enumerate an endless string of the finest Oriental scholars who are credited with having exposed to view the ancient Hindu world, by revealing the sacred and secret books of Buddhism. But the world they revealed has never been veiled. Is it those who belong to the most anthropomorphic religion in the world, who have a right to take ancient Philosophers to task for an exaggerated religious awe and veneration? The pseudo-Buddhism of Joseph Edkins is unmasked. We fear the learned writer is on a false track as to Nirvana and Amita-Buddha. When the misuse of dogmatic Buddhist Scriptures had reached its climax, and the true spirit of the Buddha’s Philosophy was nearly lost, several reformers appeared from India, who established an oral teaching. Lord Buddha states that it is better to believe in a future life, in which happiness or misery can be felt: for, if the heart believes therein, it will abandon sin and act virtuously; and, even if there is no rebirth, a good life will bring a good name, and the reward of men. But those who believe in extinction at death will not fail to commit any sin that they may choose because of their disbelief in a bright and glorious future. Why has Truth to hide like a tortoise within its shell? Because no one can be entrusted with the knowledge of the Secret Science before his time.

The Heart Doctrine is enshrined like a pearl within the shell of every religion. Altruism, or the universal code of Higher Ethics, is its moral basis as embodied in “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” The Eye Doctrine is mere head-learning: a non-issue for the masses and for those who, though capable and fit, are unwilling to serve anyone but themselves. We are mad, not only individually, but nationally. We check manslaughter and isolated murders; but what of war and the much-vaunted crime of genocide? Theosophy is the pith and marrow of the Heart Doctrine, for its noble aim is the “Great Renunciation of self.” Service to, and love of, humanity is every true Theosophists’ religion and dogma. For pure love creates, selfish love corrupts. The one is sympathy; the other, fascination. The one is pure and holy; the other, evil and unnatural. Self-love is love misdirected and misapplied but love, nonetheless. For, the loving essence can never be extinguished but only perverted. Live for Humanity, the great Orphan, the only disinherited one upon this earth. The White Lodge aims to help us humanise our animal nature and thus awaken compassion for our fellow men and all that lives. After death one can choose between personal rest in Devachan and altruistic service on Earth. Spurning Devachan and remaining on Earth for the salvation of mankind, the Elect are the germ of a Hierarchy which never died since “there was no more going up and down” for Them. All workers for the Lodge are helped out of Devachan, if they consent.

The Crisis: People who are in rebellion are not the only ones with hard hearts. The dictionary defines hard when it applies to matters of the heart as being "cold; insensitive; callous; unfeeling; unyielding." This malady has stricken every Christian in some area of their life. This is what keeps us from hearing the voice of the Lord and being led by Him in our everyday lives. The Cause: The condition of our heart is determined by what we focus our attention on. It doesn't matter what we know, it's what we think on that controls whether our hearts is hard or soft (Proverbs 23:7). Once this is understood, this same law that will sensitize us towards God can be used to harden us towards the devil. The Cure: The Cure for a hardened heart is a total commitment to keep our minds stayed on the Lord. This teaching will give you one of the clearest understandings of the relationship between faith and unbelief that you have ever had.