The Idyll of the White Lotus

The Idyll of the White Lotus is a story told in all ages and among every people. It is the tragedy of the soul. Attracted by desire it stoops to sin; brought to itself by suffering it turns for help to the redeeming spirit within and in the final sacrifice achieves its apotheosis and sheds a blessing on mankind. It is a story of initiation written in tender and beautiful language and bears on its face the stamp of verdicity in simplicity and dignity. Behold I stood alone one among many an isolated individual in the midst of a united crowd. And I was alone because among all the men my brethren who knew I alone was the man who both knew and taught. I taught the believers at the gate and was driven to do this by the power that dwelleth in the sanctuary. I had no escape for in that deep darkness of the most sacred shrine I beheld the light of the inner life and was driven to reveal it and by it was I upheld and made strong. For indeed although I died it took ten priests of the temple to accomplish my death and even then they but ignorantly thought themselves powerful. Mabel Collins was a writer of popular occult novels a fashion writer and an anti-vivisection campaigner. She was a theosophist and author of over 46 books.