Why I Do Not Return to India
By H. P. Blavatsky
(This letter was written in April 1890 but was not published in the Theosophist until January 1922.)
H.P. Blavatsky’s last message, her “Open Letter”, was withheld from scrutiny for 32 years by Adyar – one should ask themselves, why? It is one of the most important documents of “source material” but few people have taken it seriously, probably because of its uncomfortably truthful content. The Adyarites, “the Âryâvartas”, have especially refused to acknowledge its message. Over the ensuing years, members became accustomed to the status quo and did not investigate the real reasons for Blavatsky’s departure from Adyar in 1885. Blavatsky advised the importance of not taking as the final word anything she or anyone else in a position of authority might say or write but to investigate everything for themselves. To this day some members would rather blindly accept the current narrative.
Because this letter has been ignored, perhaps simply overlooked, the movement has shifted from being guided by Adepts to being controlled by successive leaders of the Society, and has deteriorated. A few pockets within the movement have strived to maintain their allegiance to Blavatsky and her Teachers. This was mostly due to the “Back To Blavatsky” movement, a rallying call to all theosophists, a phrase coined by B.P. Wadia (1881-1958) in May 1920, [CT,1, 40] two years before the “Open Letter” was published.
Olcott appears to have completely misunderstood the message of Blavatsky’s “Open Letter”. He received it in late August; a few months later he wrote to her stating that he was considering retiring, then in November he asked her to take the office of President. Before Blavatsky penned her letter, but after she started the Esoteric Section, Olcott had developed nasty resentments toward her, until the Mahatmas intervened with a warning. Olcott was not a member of the Esoteric Section. It seems that at this point, Olcott still held some resentment and was in denial.
Blavatsky’s message was perfectly clear when she wrote “Thenceforth let it be clearly understood that the rest of my life is devoted only to those who believe in the Masters, and are willing to work for Theosophy as They understand it, and for the T.S. on the lines upon which They originally established it.”
The “Open Letter” which follows is a very important document and merits close study by all.
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