The Voice of the Silence, which contains chosen fragments from the Book of the Golden Precepts, is particularly meant for the daily use of Lanoos or disciples, and is therefore appropriately "Dedicated to the Few," those few ready to follow the words of Wisdom enshrined therein. This book, translated and annotated by H.P.B., is in a poetic language and is full of beautiful and inspiring images and expressions. On page 71, the question is raised whether one is justified in using for one's own benefit the gifts and powers acquired through laborious efforts, and the answer is supplied.

Nay, O thou candidate for Nature's hidden lore! If one would follow in the steps of holy Tathagata, those gifts and powers are not for Self. (p. 72)

So, from the very start, it has to be impressed upon the mind of the individual that he is not working for his own reward of rest and bliss, that he has to follow the path of renunciation deliberately, the path trodden by the great Buddhas of Compassion, to confer benefit upon others and point out the way in all humility.

What is Nature's hidden lore? Usually, Nature is considered to be what we see around us: the great mountains, the vast oceans, the starry firmament with two great orbs of light, the sun and the moon, the luxurious vegetation, the running rivers and the green fields and woods, the birds singing their divine melodies as they soar heavenward, a variety of animal species and crawling creatures—all these combined together are termed as Nature. That which is hidden is supposed to be in the mines and under the crust of the earth, in the depths of the sea and beyond the skies, within our and other creatures' physical constitution and structure, and so there are various branches of knowledge for each department—mineralogy and geology, zoology and botany, astronomy and astrology, biology and physiology, and so forth. Science perceives visible objects and tries to probe the mysteries concealed behind them. It dissects the human body but cannot find the soul of man because the latter is not objective but pertains to something higher and diviner, to the spiritual plane which science does not recognize. Therefore, in order to study and master Nature's hidden lore, one has to realize that there is something within the physical and objective, the invisible aspects of nature and man.

As the individual treads the spiritual path he comes to realize that the changing panorama of the objective world is but a reflection of the inner, invisible world, and he tries to explore and understand it in order to reach the supreme reality back of all manifestation. H.P.B. states in Isis Unveiled, in the Ten Propositions of Oriental Psychology, that both nature and man are triune. There is the physical, objective aspect of nature as of man; then the inner, energizing aspect; and both these are constantly changing. But above these two aspects is the Spirit, eternal and immortal. We are further told that when the inner man tries to unite with the divine Spirit he becomes an immortal entity. H.P.B. states in the same work (I, xvi): "The universe is the combination of a thousand elements, and yet the expression of a single spirit—a chaos to the sense, a cosmos to the reason." From the point of view of the sense-life, this universe is full of confusion, meaningless and purposeless, and therefore chaotic. But when an individual reflects upon the subject, meditates and tries to understand the source and nature of the universe, the operation of the just and divine law, then naturally it is a cosmos where order and harmony prevail. The Voice of the Silence advises the candidate to learn about the voidness of the seeming full, the fulness of the seeming void. Usually, what can be seen and felt and touched is considered a reality, and what is invisible is not even recognized, though it is the animating, energizing aspect of the physical and so more real than the physical. It is only by helping Nature and working on with her that true wisdom is gained.

What do we mean by helping Nature? In The Secret Doctrine (I, 200) it is stated: "Man ought to be ever striving to help the divine evolution of Ideas, by becoming to the best of his ability a co-worker with Nature in the cyclic task." So, to help Nature one has to be deliberately active on the mental plane and generate such ideas as will assist the progress of human evolution. Ideas rule the world, hence the necessity of correct ideation and meditation so as to become a regular co-worker with Nature in its cyclic work. Nature works rhythmically, harmoniously, and so should we, so as not to create disturbances unnecessarily through wrong thinking and acting.

For pure thinking and right living the brain, the mind and the heart need to be cleansed. The brain is the exhaustless generator of force and form, and each human being is responsible for the force he generates and the forms he creates in his mind. The brain is the instrument of the mind and both are interlinked and interdependent and the very matter of the brain can be changed through right ideation. Purity of motive and of the emotional nature will cleanse the heart. Then only will man begin to help the divine evolution of ideas and become a co-worker with Nature in the cyclic task. "Nature is not 'a fortuitous concurrence of atoms,'" says H.P.B. in her Preface to The Secret Doctrine. And she further states that "the occult side of Nature has never been approached by the Science of modern civilization." So the divine evolution of ideas has to be stretched upward and onward through understanding the occult side of Nature, and made manifest through daily actions.

To work with Nature means not to go against her just laws and her order and harmony. A wise farmer prepares the soil to plant the proper seeds at the proper time, and takes advantage of the law of cycles. Human beings neglect to prepare the soil of the mind to plant the seeds of wisdom because they are allured by a hundred cords of desire and sense inclinations. So they are frustrated in their efforts to reap a good harvest. It is important to keep a vigil over the mind and heart activities and turn them in the right direction. Once they are purified they can become useful instruments of the soul, who is their owner. Then they can become perfect channels for the flowing of the waters of wisdom from within oneself, for the benefit of all.

The cyclic law operates everywhere in Nature and in man's own being. It is divine, so if man works with the law he works with Nature and becomes one of her creators to whom she makes obeisance. Summing up the Ten Points of Oriental Psychology, H.P.B. states: "MAGIC is spiritual WISDOM; Nature, the material ally, pupil and servant, of the magician. One common vital principle pervades all things, and this is controllable by the perfected human will." Nature's hidden lore is spiritual wisdom. It can be obtained only when one is in attunement with the whole of Nature, man's ally, pupil and servant, for the one divine principle is the underlying essence of everything and man is able to control it through his perfected will.

The Declaration of the United Lodge of Theosophists is full of noble and lofty ideas and prescribes the remedy for the chaotic condition of the world. The U.L.T. is fully occupied in disseminating the Fundamental Principles of Theosophy, which if applied in daily life would bring one to a truer realization of the SELF and a profounder conviction of Universal Brotherhood. Similarity of aim, purpose and teaching is the common basis for unity. It should be of such great strength as to be unassailable. Finally, it is stated that "The True Theosophist belongs to no cult or sect, yet belongs to each and all." Living for and as the Self of all creatures, trying to understand the essence underlying all religions and philosophies, the true student does not belong to any particular cult or sect. So the U.L.T. Declaration inspires everyone to strive to help the divine evolution of ideas, become a co-worker with Nature in its cyclic task, and gradually acquire Nature's hidden lore, remembering always to follow in the footsteps of the holy Tathagata, and offering what is acquired in the service of humanity.

He who teaches Theosophy preaches the gospel of good-will; and...he who preaches the gospel of good-will, teaches Theosophy.

—H. P. Blavatsky