There is no religion higher than truth
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...2 points
Theosophy | All Considering
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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
Theosophy Books - theosophical inspiration
Links to book reviews of theosophical books and a 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.
- The Great White Brotherhood and Masters
- Discussion by theosophists about the masters and the Great White Brotherhood.
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: $18.95 (as of 11/22/2009) 
The Etheric Double (Theosophical Classics Series)
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Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 11/22/2009)
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.
The Theosophical Society and the paranormal
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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The Cottingley Fairy Photographs
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The story of two young girls and the photographs that created controversy, hope and curiosity for over 63 years. Elsie Wright was 16 and her cousin, Frances Griffiths, was 10 in 1917 when the first two photographs of the famous Cottingley Fairies we...
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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Theosophical people & themes
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Jiddu Krishnamurti, world teacher
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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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Karma and Reincarnation: are we reborn?
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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...
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Rudolf Steiner the founder of Anthroposophy
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Introducing the founder of Waldorf education, alternative farming methods (bio-dynamic farming), alternative health practices and dietary advice - Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was way ahead of his time. Rudolf Steiner was quite a learned man. He was a...
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Annie Besant, teacher, lecturer, secularist and theosophist...
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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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W.Q. Judge - theosophy Books
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William Quan Judge is a well respected early theosophical author who, unlike others, did not make a name for himself outside the movement. He worked himself up from poverty to become a lawyer, in his 'outside' life. Inside the TS he was the young par...
More about Theosophy
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Theosophy Blogs & Forums: religious and interfaith debate
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The latest from theosophists online. Find out what theosophical blogs have updated recently, what the theosophical forums are talking about etc.
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Theosophy Books - theosophical inspiration
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Links to book reviews of theosophical books and a selection of the most famous and inspirational books in the theosophical movement. Books by Annie Besant, W.Q. Judge, C.W. Leadbeater, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Rudolf Steiner, H.P. Blavatsky and more.
Theosophy blog on myspace
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byH.P. Blavatsky, principle founder of the Theosophical Society
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Mme 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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The Best H.P. Blavatsky Books
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Blavatsky's public life was spent doing two things: writing and organizing the Theosophical Society. This lens introduces her books: The Secret Doctrine, Isis Unveiled, The Key to Theosophy, The Voice of the Silence, Caves and Jungles of Hindustan, t...
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Quiz: Test your knowledge about Blavatsky
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Test your knowledge, your mettle, your trivia (not trivial) pursuit, your multiple choice skills. I've put together some hard and simple questions about the founding mother of the New Age Movement.
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The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy
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It unites science and religion in a unique synthesis. Changed my life and my world view completely. Contains many of the themes of the modern New Age movement like: karmic evolution, Atlantis, parapsychology, Unity of All Life/everything, unity of al...
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H.P.B. The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky
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Blavatsky is a monumental figure in the history of religion - East AND West. This book tracks her life, the many controversies around her, her ideas, and her influence.
Blavatsky blog on Myspace
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Reply
- LindaJM LindaJM Oct 20, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
- 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*)
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Reply
- theosophist theosophist Aug 9, 2009 @ 2:11 am
- Theosophical Society is in a crisis due to allegations of corruption & violation of rules
The rules and regulations and bylaws can be found at www.theosophyforward.com
(e-mails received, and internet postings, on some allegations that need investigation)
Allegations Corruption & Violation of Rules that need to be examined: There are serious issues plunging the Theosophical Society into crisis. At least two major issues plague the International Headquarters in Adyar and the Society. One is corruption in the form of nepotism, casteism and favoritism practiced by Radha Burnier and her henchmen by abuse of her power and another, much more serious one, is violations of rules of the Society. For more details please visit http://www.teozofija.info/tsmembers/tsindex.htm
And please do share this with all members of the Society to create awareness of the crisis facing the Society and also write to the General Council members to make invalid all the illegal actions such as the attempted election of four additional members to the General Council and the Vice-President last year - all nominated by Radha Burnier. The list of many General Council members can be taken from http://www.ts-adyar.org/directory.html
All members of the Society should be familiar with the Constitution and Rules & Regulations of the Society. Each member is entitled for a copy.
Please ask for a copy from your national secretary or president or write for a copy to The International Secretary, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai (Madras), 600020 India. e-mail: theossoc@dataone.in; intl.hq@ts-adyar.org
Also see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/52601
http://theosophical.ning.com/forum/topics/when-winter-refuses-to-let-up
http://www.theosophyforward.com/
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Reply
- susannaduffy susannaduffy Oct 10, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
- 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
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Reply
- Positive-quotes Positive-quotes Jul 19, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
- Really nice lens urs...Good work..
Best regards from
spiritual quotes
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Reply
- Tiddledeewinks Tiddledeewinks Jun 29, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
- Interesting lens. I didn't know about this, but I have heard of Rudolph Steiner. I'm reading the book "The Science of Mind" by Ernest Holmes.
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