Introduction to the Talk
Pekka Ervast (1875-1934) was a Finnish writer, thinker, theosophist, mystic and occultist. Ervast’s profound spiritual experiences during childhood and youth inspired him to reflect on the meaning of life. He delved into the questions of what life and death are, the meaning of life, and what different religions and thinkers taught about these matters. Before the turn of the twentieth century, Ervast became acquainted with Theosophy, including the works of H. P. Blavatsky (1831–1891). His own spiritual experiences, which he shared with great openness, convinced him of his mission in life. He was instrumental in the birth and spread of the Theosophical movement in Finland. The Theosophical Society was officially founded in Finland in 1907. Ervast served as its General Secretary from its inception until 1919, after which he established the Finnish Rosy Cross (‘Ruusu-Risti’ in Finnish) in 1920. An outline of his life is provided at https://theosophy.wiki/en/Pekka_Ervast.
The following talk discusses the three streams of occult inspiration (black, grey, and white) and related esoteric guidance. War atrocities manifest black inspiration, although there are karmic reasons for wars. Furthermore, the Anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) discusses how certain malicious secret brotherhoods operate behind the scenes: https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA178/English/RSPC1947/19171106p01.html. In Theosophy, these brotherhoods are called “Brothers of the Shadow.”
The occult inspiration of the black and grey esoteric schools strengthens selfishness and pride in an aspirant. However, this may initially take an innocent form. For instance, at first glance, positive thinking and manifestation of good things for oneself (e.g., The Secret) are quite benevolent ideas. However, this message is essentially about narcissism and depicting oneself as the center of the universe. The white inspiration is very different. It invites aspirants to self-education to become more compassionate and less selfish. The aim is to become a servant of others and, eventually, a servant of humanity. One does not look for any occult powers for personal gain. Importantly, supersensible abilities will come only through ethical transformation.
Ervast gave this talk in 1931. Almost 100 years later, there is no reason to expect that the occult streams he discusses would have ceased to exert their influence in the contemporary world.
Esoteric Schools and the Occult World
In speaking of esoteric schools and the occult world, the first task is to explain what is meant by one or the other, the occult world, and what esoteric schools are. One could say briefly that esoteric schools, teachers and groups are those which offer people more knowledge than is usually offered in the schools and colleges of the world. This is the idea, at least of all esoteric education, that knowledge can be gained, that knowledge can be acquired about things that cannot otherwise be obtained.
Secret instruction is given, directly and for a fee, on how to develop various inner abilities. It is clear that these abilities are aimed at helping a person to succeed in the world and to become a powerful personality who can control others and influence others in this way; if she asks for a loan of money, the other person cannot refuse her request, because she herself is such a powerful personality, she can look others in the eye and act and present herself in such a way that the other person is won over. Such instructions are widely disseminated, especially in America, England, and other parts of Europe.
Since the birth of the New Thought movement in the late 1860s, special personal development to seekers willing to learn has been offered. People were under the impression that this was something like esotericism, and these were esoteric teachers and schools who had a great deal of knowledge about the structure of the world and the human psyche and could advise others to awaken all kinds of mysterious abilities within themselves. Some groups promise clairvoyance, clairsentience, and all sorts of mysterious abilities that all truth seekers believe belong to an evolved human being. Therefore, the truth seeker may ask herself: ─ What if I enroll in that group and receive such special teaching that I can develop myself?” All people who seek truth know that we humans must develop spiritually. This is clear to every truth seeker. And many can fall into the trap of seeking instruction from such teachers and schools.
There is always one characteristic of those who offer this kind of rapid secret development: they take payment. It is good to bear that in mind because when we think objectively about esoteric schools and what they should be, we then say, as truth seekers, that an esoteric school is a school that, of course, has its way of developing a person. However, the esoteric school should not teach in such a way that one becomes more power-hungry and selfish than before and uses these abilities to one’s advantage and the detriment of others. This is what we severely criticize when we think of the esoteric school. We think of the esoteric school as something quite different. Then we think only of a school that could teach people how to develop in goodness and unselfishness as servants and helpers of humankind. It is not a question of one’s personality and abilities, which could be abused, but of such development that would benefit all humankind.
When we think of esoteric schools – there are many in the world – we also think of the occult world and what we mean by the occult world. What is it? It is not the same as the spiritual world or the invisible world because the spiritual or the invisible world is an infinitely broad concept. The relationship is similar to if we think of a school in this visible world. Usually, in our world, schools lead to universities ─ and then we understand that teachers, curricula, and some higher educational institutions are behind that school. Now, the relationship is the same when we think of esoteric schools. Then we ask: what is behind these schools? Who is behind it? What are those teachings aiming at?
We understand that if, in this occult world, there are such diverse beings who can influence our aspirations, then it is natural that we should be aware of the quality of these occult beings. And now, if we ask, what quality of occult self-consciousness exists in the spiritual world? The answer is that there are many kinds, but we can divide these occult forces, these self-conscious spiritual powers, into three kinds. It is usual to call them by color names and to say that these forces of beings are black, grey, and white.[1] And when we look at these different groups of spirits, we immediately see how their influence is manifested in all esoteric endeavors here on earth.
First of all, if we take the so-called “blacks,” we see that they do not form any direct brotherhood. They may have some sort of organization, but it is then based on the fact that some are not yet as black as others, but when they become black, they no longer form any brotherhood but are rather flowers of individuality and are quite their own, and may rather be divided and at war with each other than be united. For it is in their nature and mission that they are entirely independent and selfish. Their independence is very pronounced because they are so independent that they are all alone; they feel that the whole world is their enemy, which they must overcome and exploit as much as possible. These blacks are not so numerous; there is no need to fear that there are very many blacks in humanity. The real blacks were in Atlantis and were much wiser creatures than we are. They were at the height of selfishness. But our part in being black is that we can become students of blacks. Some people have gone so far over time that they themselves have become black magicians. This is not an ideal subject to talk and write about, but it is good for us to understand that such a possibility exists, that there is a possibility of blackness, and that there are those who aspire and are well on the way to slipping into black magic. Black magic is wrong for all people who are even slightly striving to move forward spiritually.
In what way is the color of black magic seen in esoteric schools? In what way do esoteric groups, schools, or teachers actually offer teachings that can lead to the left-hand path? It appears in this way and has the effect ─ this black program that people are told in speeches or writings ─ or even a secret voice within the person is heard: “You must strive for knowledge and power, and strive for knowledge and power for its own sake, so that you may have knowledge and power.” ─ They have in some respects a glamorous program. They say absolutely: “No profit motive, you must have power over everything; over people, all living beings, over the forces of nature, over spiritual beings, over all gods; seek power!” It is like some kind of political inspiration within a human being. It is this call to aspire to power, to that knowledge which is power, which in itself is so wonderful ─ it gives power over everything ─ it is this black inspiration. And it can seem quite innocent and enchanting to a person initially. Why should I not seek power, because when I have power, I turn the whole world around! Knowledge, wealth, and power are what she wants to get, and if a person falls for it, she goes in small steps towards the left-hand path.
She may perhaps live very nicely, comfortably, and seemingly all happily. Maybe she will be very successful. But then, however, there will be great suffering and hardship because life itself, life’s school, will resist, will react, and will try to recapture the erring human soul. But the human herself, perhaps having become convinced that this is the best school, is offended; she puts up a hard fight and strives for ever greater power, knowledge, wealth, and success. This inspiration is black; we see it in various esoteric teachings. As soon as we see such an exhortation that a human should get into power and strive above others, above the forces of nature, we have to look askance at such an exhortation, for it is not from a good source.
Then, we have another set of spirits in the unseen world, one that is wider than those blacks. It is organized; it is a brotherhood. They are called “the greys.” These grey brothers also have their training and purpose. If you can say that the purpose of the blacks is to hinder all spiritual development and to be opponents of God’s plans, enemies and adversaries of God, then you can say of the greys that their philosophy is that humankind must develop as coldly rational as possible, but humans cannot develop without suffering. These grey powers in the invisible world have laid particular stress on that suffering in humanity and hold as their philosophy of life that humanity can get nowhere without suffering. They believe in no harmony, light, or beauty, only suffering and pain. Therefore, their philosophy of life is that humankind should suffer as much as possible to develop reason, and reason will not develop unless one goes through the pain of hell. It is true; if harmony is one teacher of life, pain is another. Their program can appear somewhat attractive and sensible.
The greys also believe that human development is slow, and they have a remarkable point in their philosophy about the education of people. And people feel a great attraction to their philosophy. People feel that that is true and are moved in their hearts and minds. The grey brothers say, “Humans cannot know anything, nor in any way develop and become rational without experience. So you must experience everything. You have been given all kinds of animal desires and instincts precisely to help you develop. You have to give free reign to all your animal desires and instincts. You must not hinder them in any way because then you will become an unhappy person. Then, you will only raise everything that keeps your subconscious on the threshold. There will be all kinds of conflicts. Remember that you do not stand in the way of any lust; do not put any obstacles in the way. When you experience, you will be wise.” ─ Doesn’t this sound very familiar?
It is much offered to us. Young people just swallow it. A young person may think: I will go into life and have experiences. When I have watched young people talk about having to live life and experience it, I have seen what they consider their guidelines: “You don’t always have to read and study books; you have to live.” Young people may call it an experience of life if they get so drunk that others have to accompany them home then can they really experience life. That’s the philosophy of the greys.
The greys instill the philosophy into people’s heads that you must live and experience, and then young, innocent people take it up. And that is why we can even find esoteric schools which explicitly say that the only way to get rid of lust, any lust, is to satisfy it. When you satisfy lust, then it eventually gets tired, and that’s where it dies. So these brilliant philosophers say: just satisfy all your desires; that’s how they die. And the inexperienced person may take hold of it and believe she can live rightly in it. And that is one of the greatest lies in the world ─ wise people say. For instance, H. P. Blavatsky’s The Voice of the Silence advises that lust cannot be extinguished if satisfied and followed; it only grows greater and eventually leads to despair. One will seek more and more variety to satisfy it, but in the end, one will end up in despair. One cannot be free from one’s desires except by dying or becoming ill. In the afterlife, one is forced to let go of these desires, and the suffering and pain are indescribable.
Then we come to the third occult spiritual group in the world, ─ whose influence and outlook on life are quite different. It is the whites and a white occult world. Their philosophy of life says directly and explicitly: “The ideal which must be set before people is the perfect human being, the helper and servant of all.” Only such a person is truly a savior who gives her life for others and the good of others. One cannot become such unless one begins on that path at once. In other words, one can start on that path sooner or later, but one will not get on that path unless one immediately decides, “I want to serve and be of service. I want to know and gain skills just to serve and help; there can be no other motive.” Of course, serving and helping can carry such connotations that I do not want to serve for any other purpose but God. It is the same thing for one who loves God, serves others.
Hence the whites set before us that quite different philosophy of life. They say: “Humans have experienced everything evil and selfish over millions of years. No need to think: ─ oh, oh! I have not experienced the pleasure of that and that animal lust. ─ We have experienced everything to an awful extent, again and again. That is what you have all so experienced that you should now experience something else, for without experience, humans are not wise. But why should you always want to experience all the evil, selfishness, and animal emptiness you have already experienced? You have to experience the good, beautiful, pure, and true. Now, you have to feel that you are human beings, no longer semi-creatures who have just emerged from the animal kingdom. Your homeland is up high, where your higher self is. Say goodbye to all vain, selfish desires. Say, I am a human being, a noble being. I want everything that is good. I want to invent something new and good. I, too, have received the precious pearl that everyone has received. That pearl must be sought. It means the very good and beautiful thing that one can be. It is not only a question of performing beautiful deeds; it is a question of being something. Be noble, and your deeds will be noble, ─ pure, and your deeds will be pure ─ good, and your deeds will be good.”
Therefore, the inspiration of these White Brothers resonates not only with every human being but also in literature, speech and words, and esoteric schools.
These esoteric schools are truly white, true schools of life, which teach selflessness, turning human’s gaze away from these worldly illusions upwards. Not in the sense that they make her a dreamer, that her mind is drawn to the clouds and she forgets this world. No, only they turn her inward spirit away from these worldly things, that her heart may not be attached to those things which “the moth eats, and the rust eats away.” (Matthew 6:19). They turn her heart to those things that are heavenly, so she does not become a dreamer, but this whole life is a most interesting school, and she wants to do her work as well as possible so that if someone were lazy and careless in her work before, she will now receive a revival. She finds that she must become eminently diligent and accurate in all her worldly duties.
Another thing is that she may not take on new duties but wants to have time for higher things. But another thing is that she knows that she cannot be freed from any earthly, karmic duties except by doing them well, as Jesus says in the Gospel, “Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:26). We cannot get away with anything by not paying our debts, but only by paying to the last penny what we owe to the world. We must do our work better than before; then, the inspiration of the whites will live in us. And the esoteric school that points in that direction is the white school.
We can criticize all the esoteric teaching offered in the world simply on these kinds of moral principles. It is the blacks who give way to our selfishness and say that we must seek power, knowledge, high position, success, and secret power over people; the grey inspiration is the one that pulls the wool over our eyes by telling us that we must only ever experience what we have experienced for millions of years; we are not prepared to experience anything else. The white inspiration is the one that says: “No selfish power. Do not want to experience that old selfishness anymore. Let the light shine on this dark humanity. Let us look for service opportunities and new ideas so that we can be useful in the world. So that in the manifested world, we can fulfill the Father’s will and serve God. Now we have to think about that.”
Of course, there is much that is good in human beings. In religions, we see many people who seem to sense this and who want with all their hearts – as they themselves say – to be freed from their sins and to overcome their weaknesses and sins. But religions do not have the self-conscious self-education that esoteric schools can offer, the self-conscious understanding that one has to educate oneself and become something. Religions cannot provide it because they have forgotten their occult, esoteric philosophy of life. Although their purpose is good, their knowledge is poor. That is why it has always been, and will be, very important to have esoteric schools and teachers and esoteric self-education.
Antti Savinainen, PhD, is a Finnish high-school physics instructor. He has been a member of the Finnish Rosy Cross, a part of the Finnish Theosophical movement, for over thirty years. He writes regularly on Theosophical and Anthroposophical themes, both in Finnish and English. Some of his articles, among other Theosophical content, are available here: https://m.youtube.com/@ruusu-ristisiilinjarvi7530/videos
1 These have nothing to do with ethnicity or skin color—editor’s note.
Hermes Risen 