English Other Esoteric practices

Hello everyone,

I am in the confidence of some of the masters of
this wondrous power, and have witnessed many startling
exhibitions of thought transference, but as the promise of
secrecy was exacted from me by these friends, my lips are of
course sealed. Outside of these considerations, it would be of
very doubtful wisdom to spread, broadcast, information of this
nature, which would place within the means of unscrupulous
persons the power to work their wills upon their fellow men.
***Even as it is***, fragments of this occult knowledge have leaked
out and have been misused

Does "even as it is" mean however (implying "although I didn't do that, i.e. I did not reveal those secrets")?
Or does it mean something like "even in the situation as it is now (implying "even in the current state of affairs")"

Thank you.