The Many lives of Annie Besant Wood
Minister's wife, student of medicine, raised a prophet, reformer, secularist and more. Annie Besant (1847-1933) was many things in her lifetime - and living in the 19th and early 20th century, all of those things were revolutionary for a woman to be doing.
[Many of the below were not true during her whole life - as they are obviously incompatible.]
She was a medicine student, when women weren't yet allowed into most colleges. Her degree was withheld from her on a technicality.
She was a Reformer and Secularist. Fighting in print and on the lecture platform for causes she believed in. In her English days: freedom of thought, women's rights, secularism, birth control, Fabian socialism and workers' rights.
She was a famous lecturer that drew breath bound crowds.
She was a socialist and even a marxist for a while.
She was a theosophist - losing her trust in atheism and regaining her interest in the religious and spiritual aspects of life. She wrote a lot of books, held hundreds of lectures and raised Jiddu Krishnamurti. more on Annie Besant as a theosophist
She was the second President of Theosophical Society.
She was a president of the Indian National Congress which fought to get independence for India.
Admired by Mahatma Gandhi - she felt his methods weren't peaceful enough. His peaceful methods were still too violent. Given the result - she may not have been all wrong. The bottom line: she fought for what she believed in.
Three of the reasons I love Annie Besant
- She cared deeply about the needs of humanity
- She went into anything she believed in with hart and soul
- She knew how to be a leader of men, when few women got that chance
Service - a Annie Besant Quotes
From 'The Duties of the Theosophist', quoted in 'Daily Meditations on the Path and Its qualifications', p. 9
What are we here for, save to help each other, to love each other, to uplift each other?
From 'The Laws of the Higher Life', quoted in 'Daily Meditations on the Path and Its qualifications', p.10
Annie Besant Short Bio
Annie Wood Besant (; Clapham, London October 1 1847 - September 20, 1933 in Adyar, India) was a prominent Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator.
Control of the Tongue! - an Annie Besant quote
From 'The Masters and the Way to Them', quoted in 'Daily Meditations on the Path and Its qualifications', p.8
Books by Annie Besant
The Ancient Wisdom: An outline of theosophical teachings
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The Power of Thought: A Twenty-First Century Adaptation of Annie Besant's Classic Work Thought Power
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Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
The value of Devotion - an Annie Besant quote
From 'The Value of Devotion', quoted in 'Daily Meditations on the Path and Its qualifications', p.4
Victorian Besant
Men suffer from themselves... - an Annie Besant quote
From 'In the Outer Court', quoted in 'Daily Meditations on the Path and Its qualifications', p. 3
Annie Besant's Mantra
This mantra is used in the Theosophical Society Adyar all over the world
Oh hidden Life
Vibrant in every atom
Oh hidden Light
Shining in every creature
Oh Hidden Love
Embracing all in Oneness
May all who feel themselves
As one with Thee
Know they are therefore
One with Every Other
Oh Hidden Life by Annie Besant, the Theosophical Mantra
So, what do you think of Annie Besant?
More about Annie Besant
Annie Besant - the theosophist
Articles by and about Annie Besant - with links.1 point
Besant, Annie - more Besant links
on the ODP0 points
What is true Religion?
From 'The Place of Religion in National Life' (1918), found in 'Annie Besant on the Brotherhood of Religions'.
What do you think about this lady?
Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves...
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