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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. 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
- To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
- To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
- To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.
Theosophical Society Links
The Theosophical Society
Articles about the history, aims and objects of th more...1 point
Theosophical Society in America (United States)
The theosophical society is a nonsectarian undogma more...0 points
The Theosophical Society-Adyar
The Theosophical Society, a worldwide body whose p more...0 points
Concepts first popularized in the West by the Theosophical Society
- 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.
Theosophy FAQ's
- 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
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:
- the unity of all
- reincarnation and karma
- clairvoyance and paranormal effects in general
- divination methods
- 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
Theosophy books
Theosophia: Hidden Dimensions of Christianity
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Amazon Price: $17.06 (as of 05/10/2008)
The Etheric Double (Theosophical Classics Series)
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Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 05/10/2008)
Jiddu Krishnamurti & Annie Besant
More theosophical controversy
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.
More theosophy books: themes
How the World Can Be the Way It Is: An Inquiry for the New Millennium into Science, Philosophy, and Perception
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The Seven Rays Made Visual: An Illustrated Introduction to the Teaching on the Seven Rays
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Theosophist weblog on wordpress
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byTheosophy blog on myspace
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byA selection of my Theosophy Lenses
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Annie Besant
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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...
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Blavatsky : Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
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Blavatsky compared the science of her day, studied the world religions and came up with her own synthesis, which she called 'theosophy', or ancient wisdom.
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Jiddu Krishnamurti
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Jiddu Krishnamurti was famous in his lifetime for first being raised as a 'world teacher' and then renouncing the organisation founded in his honor. Paradoxically he spent the rest of his life teaching all over the world: lecturing, talking to people...
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Rudolf Steiner the founder of Anthroposophy
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Founder of Waldorf education, alternative farming methods (bio-dynamic farming), alternative health practices and dietary advice - Rudolf Steiner was way ahead of his time. Rudolf Steiner was quite a learned man. He was an expert on Goethe's scienti...
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Karma and Reincarnation
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Karma and reincarnation are linked. Karma is the idea that what we do and have done influences our circumstances, talents and options. Reincarnation means that what we do and think will not just influence our present life, but also our future ex...
Blavatsky blog on Myspace
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byTheosophical Society: institutional issues blog
There are elections going on in the Theosophical Society Adyar - and we actually have two legitimate candidates. Exciting times...
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byReader Feedback
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julieashcroft
Hi, Posted May 06, 2008 |
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charlino
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Great lens! I voted 5 stars - I invite you to check out mine too, and rate it for me! Live Streaming Video Posted August 02, 2007 |
Hi Katrinka,
I have been wondering if you will be making an appearance at Olcott this summer?
Hugs, Pat Phipps~~pphipps@usa.com
Posted May 26, 2007
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Spiritual Lenses - Katinka Hesselink Net - Religion and Spirituality resources
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A lensography of my best spirituality lenses as well as a summary of my website. I feature information from various religious traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Fourth Way and Theosophy. I also pay attention to various spiritual teachers, whether the...
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