Theosophical Society - theosophy

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There is no religion higher than truth

The cool thing about the Theosophical Society is that it is a great place to learn about religion, philosophy, science and metaphysics - without having to commit to any dogmas or a specific spiritual path. Each member can remain in whatever religion they choose - as long as they respect each other's beliefs and practices.

The three objects of the Theosophical Society

  1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
  2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
  3. To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

Concepts first popularized in the West by the Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society was the first to popularize Eastern concepts for a Western audience. Here are links to articles by theosophists on concepts that have become dictionary words (or almost).
Akasha
In the 19th century western science was still considering the 'Ether' as a scientific concept. The Indian version of Ether (though a lot more subtle) is Akasha.
Karma (and reincarnation)
The concept of reincarnation has a long history in Western thought, starting with Pythagoras. Blavatsky added the Indian concept of Karma - which clarifies the doctrine considerably.
Holism: the Unity of All Life
The absolute unity of all - Blavatsky didn't call it holism yet, but the fundamental insight that everything is connected is there.
Chakra and Aura
The word 'chakra' is from Sanskrit. Leadbeater popularized the concept, but it was known in Indian texts on yoga. The word Aura has a long history in the west, but the use it currently has as something everybody has started with Leadbeater.
The Great White Brotherhood and Masters
Discussion by theosophists about the masters and the Great White Brotherhood.

Theosophy FAQ's

Frequently asked questions about theosophy
Theosophical Abbreviations
Making sense of articles theosophists write for each other.
Are all theosophists atheists?
No.Theosophists come in all shapes and sizes. I've met them atheist,deist, monotheist, polytheist, pantheist and agnostic (have I left any option out?).
FAQ on the Theosophical Movement - Katinka Hesselink Net
Several questions on the TM: where to find lodges, how to become a member etc.
What is White Lotus Day?
The death of H.P. Blavatsky commemorated by theosophists worldwide.
Gender neutral objects to the Theosophical Society
Why is the language of the three objects of the Theosophical Society not gender neutral?

History of the Theosophical Society

Starting 1875, New York

The Theosophical Society was started by a group of 16 people in New York, 1875. They were mostly interested in Spiritualism and the theories behind the phenomena. Many of those present had a background in the Western Esoteric tradition. They were Freemasons, mediums and practical occultists.

Among those present three went on to keep the flame alive: H.P. Blavatsky, H.S. Olcott and the youngster W.Q. Judge.

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky remains best known today. Her work The Secret Doctrine is still a classic and new age best seller. She is seen by historians of modern day spirituality as the founding mother of New Age spirituality. Many of the themes in that movement are present in her work:
  1. the unity of all
  2. reincarnation and karma
  3. clairvoyance and paranormal effects in general
  4. divination methods
  5. Life after death

H.S. Olcott was the president of the Theosophical Society till his death in 1908. He worked tirelessly for Eastern religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and even Zoroastrianism (the Indian Parsis). To this day he is remembered for his work for Buddhism, education and even journalism in Sri Lanka.

W.Q. Judge did not join Blavatsky and Olcott when they traveled to India in 1878. He stayed behind in the United States and only slowly became a prominent member. Among theosophists he is well known as a writer of articles and stories that popularize Blavatsky's ideas. Shortly before his death (and after Blavatsky's) there was a quarrel with Annie Besant and Olcott on one side and Judge on the other. This lead to the split of the Theosophical Society into several rival groups. The movement has never been united since.

Theosophical Movement FAQ: on the different Theosophical groups.
A theosophical chronology
Theosophical reflections

Theosophy books

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Jiddu Krishnamurti & Annie Besant

More theosophical controversy

Blavatsky was controversial in her day. She swore, smoked and knew how to stir up trouble.

Annie Besant was also no stranger to publicity. She was not only the most acclaimed speaker of her day - she was also a woman. That alone would have kept the papers writing about her. But there was more: She lost custody of her kids in a widely publicized divorce. From preacher's wife she turned atheist. She fought for contraception and the rights of factory workers: every step of her career was the talk of the town.

When this atheist turned theosophist, her very public explanation made heads turn. Had she finally lost her mind? Well, no. She had merely read Blavatsky The Secret Doctrine and had felt it to be the solution to many of her questions.

When she went to India, she started out merely a theosophical lecturer. Where Blavatsky and Olcott had been more interested in Buddhism, Annie Besant became interested in Hinduism. She taught herself Sanskrit and with the help of a Brahmin friend translated the Bhagavad Gita.

After Olcott passed on, she became president of the Theosophical Society. She also became very active in the fight for independence that the Indian people were starting to fight for.

With the help of C.W. Leadbeater, her colleague, she found and raised a young Brahmin boy: Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Together they would raise the boy to be the new 'world teacher'. This outraged Rudolf Steiner and ultimately caused him to quit the Theosophical Society.

Though
Krishnamurti renounced the organization they founded for him (The Order of the Star of the East), he did become a world teacher. He traveled all over the world to give talks and meet people for the rest of his life.

This was a big disappointment to the people around him - as well as a scandal.

Yet the current president of the Theosophical Society, Mrs Radha Burnier, was a student of Krishnamurti's. It is her policy to learn from Krishnamurti what we can and to integrate that into theosophical life. Her article walking without crutches exemplifies the essence of Krishnamurti's teachings: ultimately each of us has to find truth, right living and love in our own hearts and minds. No one else can do more then point the way.

The Theosophical Society and the paranormal

The Theosophical Society had always been a place where the paranormal was taken seriously. In the 19th century this focused around the Mahatmas. Early in the 20th century the TS branched out.

Aura's were discovered and investigated and sensationalist reports started coming in as well. One of these was later known as the Cottingley Fairy Photographs.
This lens isn't by me, but it's too good to not be featured here.
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Theosophical people & themes

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H.P. Blavatsky, principle founder of the Theosophical Society

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  • Reply
    sivavetukuri May 17, 2011 @ 3:35 pm | delete
    I found Very deep Spiritual knowledge in theosophical society Books. Excellent Lens.
  • Reply
    dr_eagleeye Feb 22, 2011 @ 7:11 am | delete
    Great, but don't you agree with me that in some religions these three objects are found but the problem is that some people of the followers of these religions don't practice them??

    In Islam Muhammad (PBUH) say's "There is no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab or black and white except with conscious (to be a good human)" >> this is my own translation of this saying....

    Also he say's "Seek knowledge even if it is in China" as china was the most far from the Arabs...

    And there are about 800 area in the Quran promoting science and seeking knowledge I will mention only one example which was the first word sent to Prophet Muhammad from the Quran and it is "Read in the name of your God who created. Created human from a leach-like structure..." So in this verse there was not only an order to read religious things but also referring to a scientific fact which is one of the stages of development of human embryo...

    ==========

    dr_eagleeye from how to lose weight fast | how to lose belly fat
  • Reply
    LindaJM Oct 20, 2009 @ 9:01 pm | delete
    Fascinating lens... I found Theosophy books (mostly by Annie Besant and C.W. Leadbeater) when I was in college many long years ago, and read them one right after another... they drew me in and I always wanted to know more. Your lens has taught me a few things too. (Blessing with 5*)
  • Reply
    susannaduffy Oct 10, 2008 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    I had forgotten all about Theosophy. I used to attend lectures on a Sunday evening about 30 years ago with a friend and we had hot chocolate afterward. i think I remember the hot chocolate more than I remember Madame Blavatsky. It was a delight to read about it again
  • Reply
    Positive-quotes Jul 19, 2008 @ 1:14 pm | delete
    Really nice lens urs...Good work..

    Best regards from
    spiritual quotes
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Author of this page: Katinka Hesselink

Author of this page: Katinka HesselinkKatinka Hesselink has been fascinated with religion for as long as she can remember. She started studying theosophy and the world religions in earnest when she was 19. She loves reading books about any and all the spiritual traditions, and reviews them online.

She even did a stint of university studying World Religion, specializing in Buddhism and Indian religions.

She has gathered inspiring quotes and informative articles on Buddhism, Sufism, Mystic Christianity and of course theosophy on her website Katinka Hesselink Net. On her popular spiritual blog All Considering she shares her knowledge, experiences and thoughts on spiritual topics.
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