Masters of the East

''There is so much being printed at the present time regarding spiritual matters, and there is such a great awakening and seeking for the truth regarding the great teachers of the world, that I am prompted to place before you my experience with the Masters of the Far East.

   In this book I am not attempting to expound upon a new cult or religion: I am only giving a resume of our experience with the Masters, in which I am undertaking to show the great fundamental truths of their teaching.

  These Masters are scattered over a wide territory and, since our metaphysical research covered a large portion of India, Tibet, China and Persia, no attempt to authenticate these experiences is made ...

   ... We had been in India about two years, doing regular routine research work, when I met the Master known in these writings as Emil. While walking along a street in the city where we were staying, my attention was attracted to a crowd. I saw the center of attention was one of the street magicians, or fakirs, that are so common in that country. As I stood there I noticed beside me an elderly man who was not of the same caste as those about him. He looked at me and asked if I had been long in India. I replied, ''About two years.''  He asked ''Are you English?'', I answered ''American.''

    I was surprised and very much interested to find one who spoke English I asked him what he thought of the performance then going on. He answered, ''Oh, it is a common occurrence in India. These fellows are called fakirs, magicians and hypnotists. They are all the name implies; but underneath it all is a deeper meaning that few discern, and

good will come of it some day.''

(Baird T. Spalding: LIFE AND TEACHING OF THE MASTERS OF THE EAST , 

VOLUME 1, DeVorss & Company, 1937)