I would suggest that the following extract from
H.P. Blavatsky is as relevant today as it was
when first written. In fact, every sentence of
this extract is full of meaning and students
would do well to ponder on the implications found
in H.P.B.'s words.

First the quote and then some questions:
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". . . A new and rapidly growing danger. . . is
threatening . . . the spread of the pure Esoteric
Philosophy and knowledge. . . . I allude to
those charlatanesque imitations of Occultism and
Theosophy. . . . By pandering to the prejudices
of people, and especially by adopting the false
ideas of a personal God and a personal, carnalized
Saviour, as the groundwork of their teaching, the
leaders of this 'swindle' (for such it is) are
endeavoring to draw men to them and in particular
to turn Theosophists from the true path."

". . . A close examination will assuredly reveal. . .
materials largely stolen . . . from Theosophical
writings. . . [and] distorted and falsified so as
to be palmed off on the unwary as revelations of
new and undreamed of truths. But many will neither
have the time nor the opportunity for such a thorough
investigation; and before they become aware of the
imposture they may be led far from the Truth. . . .
Nothing is more dangerous to Esoteric Truth than the
garbled and distorted versions disfigured to suit
the prejudices and tastes of men in general."

H. P. Blavatsky in "E.S. Instruction No. I.", 1889.
Quoted from: http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/ests1p2.htm
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Notice that H.P.B. states that there are in fact
"IMITATIONS of Occultism and Theosophy".

When H.P.B. contrasts "PURE Esoteric Philosophy
and knowledge" with "garbled and distorted versions"
of Esoteric Truth, what is the STANDARD by which
she can judge that one was PURE while the other
was GARBLED and DISTORTED?

How would a student of H.P.B.'s writings distinguish
BETWEEN the pure and distorted versions?

Why does H.P.B. use the terms DANGER and DANGEROUS
to describe these IMITATIONS of Occultism and Theosophy?

Notice that H.P.B. warns that many students "may be led
far from the Truth." What is she referring to?

Daniel
http://hpb.cc