Theosophy

[Skull]

Divine Wisdom (or theosophy) is timeless, but it does have eras when it is more public than others. In 1875 the Theosophical Society was formed by Helena Blavatsky. Blavatsky laid the philosophical and ethical foundation for Interfaith relations and well as much of the "New Age" teachings.

Here is a link to get one started: http://davidpratt.info/

[Honza]

Theosophy: any number of philosophies maintaining that a knowledge of God may be achieved through spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual relations, especially the movement founded in 1875 as the Theosophical Society by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott.

ORIGIN: mid 17th Century, from medieval Latin "theosophia", from late Greek, from "theosophos" 'wise concerning God', from "theos" 'God' + "sophos" 'wise'.

[Gracey]

thanks Skull for the link that has a wealth of information.

[Skull]

thanks Skull for the link that has a wealth of information.

You are very welcome Gracey.

Here is Pratt's short compilation on modern Theosophy and the Theosophical Society: http://davidpratt.info/theos-ts.htm (http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/redir.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fdavidpratt.info%2Ftheo s-ts.htm)

[Skull]

Geoffrey Farthing's short list of key ideas of original Theosophy as taught by Blavatsky's Adept gurus:

http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/2scope.htm

[Roselove]

interesting I've always wanted to look more in depth at this, thank you! will read it!

[Skull]

G de Purucker's expounds on the theosophical notion of humans who have, over many lives, become Masters of their lower nature. They now radiate from their True Nature. Some are in bodies of flesh, some in subtle bodies. All are bodhisattvas - enlightened beings who live to help other beings advance spiritually.

http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/books/mas-oc/mapo-gdp.htm#reader

[Skull]

deleted post

[Skull]

Another theosophical site that has both noble content and beautiful pages:

http://www.philaletheians.co.uk/

[Bluegreen]

Has anyone actually read The Secret Doctrine?

[Skull]

Has anyone actually read The Secret Doctrine?

Yes, I have. Here it is online:

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sd/sd-hp.htm

[Squatchit]

Fashion plays a big part. I've heard of Blavatsky because of my interests in OBEs. Fashion comes and goes.

Spirituality and all it encompasses seems to be the theme of the day. :wink:

Christianity (at least in the UK) is taking a huge back seat for the time being (hurrah)...but no doubt it will return.

Cycles. Even bicycles. :smile:

[Skull]

Volume one, with 2 & 3 to follow soon, are now available for free from Theosophical University Press. Judge was a disciple of Blavatsky and his theosophical writings are an excellent introduction to Theosophy.

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/wqj-echoes/wqj-echoes-hp.htm (http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/wqj-echoes/wqj-echoes-hp.htm)

[Skull]

I am happy to announce that all volumes of Dara Eklund's compilation, Echoes of the Orient, are now online as PDF eBooks. These three volumes of WQ Judge's teachings, plus the Index, are freely available thanks to the hard work and generosity of Theosophical University Press.

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/wqj-echoes/wqj-echoes-hp.htm

[Skull]

One of the best teachers of Theosophy was WQ Judge. Fortunately, much of this writings are still in print after 100 plus years:

http://www.iswara.com/wqj.html

[Saspian]

Theosophy: any number of philosophies maintaining that a knowledge of God may be achieved through spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual relations, especially the movement founded in 1875 as the Theosophical Society by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott.

ORIGIN: mid 17th Century, from medieval Latin "theosophia", from late Greek, from "theosophos" 'wise concerning God', from "theos" 'God' + "sophos" 'wise'.
To my knowledge Theosophy places an extreme emphasis on gurus. For example Hoot Koomi allegedly tutored Blavatsky.Annie Bessant, a former atheist leader was very prominent in London, later to gain high Theosophist status. Krishnamurti was designated to become god, or at least high priest of the movement; he declined.

Theosophists hold some strange notions regarding our genisis in Atlantas, Lumeria and other places......root races. Their Heaven, Devachan, is said to offer souls a review of past life and some opportunity to have input relevant to the next.................:confused:

[Skull]

Saspian,

Study The Ocean of Theosophy by WQ Judge, it is in PDF form at several sites.

[Saspian]

Thanks Skull, will check it out.:wink:

[michaelsherlock]

Has anyone actually read The Secret Doctrine?

I have and I quote it in my book which comes out this Fall/Autumn!

[michaelsherlock]

To my knowledge Theosophy places an extreme emphasis on gurus. For example Hoot Koomi allegedly tutored Blavatsky.Annie Bessant, a former atheist leader was very prominent in London, later to gain high Theosophist status. Krishnamurti was designated to become god, or at least high priest of the movement; he declined.

Theosophists hold some strange notions regarding our genisis in Atlantas, Lumeria and other places......root races. Their Heaven, Devachan, is said to offer souls a review of past life and some opportunity to have input relevant to the next.................:confused:

Have you heard what Krishnamurti said on the day he was supposed to take the reigns of a new Theosophical Society branch?

He told the story of a man walking along with the devil. They come across another man crying as he was bending down to pick something up. The man walking with the devil asked; What is that guy doing? The devil answered he found a piece of truth! Following this, man enquired of the devil, so why is he crying? The Devil answered; I am putting him in charge of organizing it!

I think this speaks quite clearly with regards to Krishnamurtis objections to become tied down to a particular group's beliefs!

[Saspian]

Have you heard what Krishnamurti said on the day he was supposed to take the reigns of a new Theosophical Society branch?

He told the story of a man walking along with the devil. They come across another man crying as he was bending down to pick something up. The man walking with the devil asked; What is that guy doing? The devil answered he found a piece of truth! Following this, man enquired of the devil, so why is he crying? The Devil answered; I am putting him in charge of organizing it!

I think this speaks quite clearly with regards to Krishnamurtis objections to become tied down to a particular group's beliefs!
Thanks m.s. a very pertinent point, well worth remembering......

[Bluegreen]

Theosophy: any number of philosophies maintaining that a knowledge of God may be achieved through spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual relations, especially the movement founded in 1875 as the Theosophical Society by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott.


Not according to what it says here:

An Omnipresent, Eternal, Boundless, and Immutable Principle on which all speculation is impossible, since it transcends the power of human conception and could only be dwarfed by any human expression or similitude. It is beyond the range and reach of thought -- in the words of Mandukya [Upanishad] "unthinkable and unspeakable." -- The Secret Doctrine 1:14

[Bluegreen]

To my knowledge Theosophy places an extreme emphasis on gurus. For example Hoot Koomi allegedly tutored Blavatsky.Annie Bessant, a former atheist leader was very prominent in London, later to gain high Theosophist status. Krishnamurti was designated to become god, or at least high priest of the movement; he declined.

Theosophists hold some strange notions regarding our genisis in Atlantas, Lumeria and other places......root races. Their Heaven, Devachan, is said to offer souls a review of past life and some opportunity to have input relevant to the next.................:confused:

Krishnamurti was considered by Theosophists to be the new World Teacher, the Maitreya.

Are their notions regarding the origin of our species which appeared in five different places on this planet (white, brown, red, yellow, and black) any stranger than that we were 'seeded' by aliens? It is certainly much more likely than being descended from one man and one woman. We would all be drooling idiots if that were the case, that is if we survived that long.

The Theosophists' Devachan or heaven (what's in a name?) sounds much like what I read in NDEs.

[Skull]

A spiritual classic by William Q Judge:

http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/Aletters.htm

[Skull]

A fine site with many PDFs of ancient texts:

http://www.universaltheosophy.com/

[Skull]

Another recent site on Theosophy:

http://www.dailytheosophy.net/

[Skull]

This is the TS Pt Loma of Holland holding a two-day event on Spirituality. Each session is archived and has both Dutch & English speakers and translations.

http://new.livestream.com/isisfoundation

[Skull]

A quick survey and introduction to Divine Wisdom:

http://www.dailytheosophy.net/01-1-introduction-to-theosophy/

[Skull]

A recently revised old polemic:

http://www.philaletheians.co.uk/Study%20notes/Theosophy%20and%20Theosophists/In%20Theosophy’s%20Shadow%20Vanity%20Whispers.pd f

[Skull]

From Purucker's Dialogues:

Student — Does not the aspirant himself have to make every effort to win the victory?

G. de P. — Certainly, he must walk every step along the pathway to victory. He is not carried there. Every step he himself must take. How could it be otherwise? Human adults are not fed like babes. We feed ourselves, we inform ourselves, we teach ourselves, we make our own way in the world; and if that is a necessity in ordinary human existence, I can tell you that it is tenfold the same necessity in the esoteric life. There we must ourselves win everything. And why? Because we are simply bringing out what is within us, our own will, our own consciousness, must become awakened, fully awakened, and by our own efforts.

You cannot see unless you use your own faculty of vision. You cannot understand by some one else's understanding. Is not that clear? You must gain everything you ever have in the esoteric training. And that is why, to those who do not understand, there are aspects of the esoteric training which may seem to be a little hard, because people in the Occident have been brought up with the idea that they must be carried to victory, saved by the "blood of the Lamb," and all that kind of tommyrot.

This reminds me of the teaching of the Blackies, of the Brothers of the Shadow, with the aim of sending you to sleep, trying to down the individual spiritual impulses of your own being!

No! The opposite is the truth. You cannot live by trusting to someone else to live for you. You yourself must awaken in your own soul the holy flame. And it is the same with every other step in spiritual and intellectual progress that you make. How can you experience the unspeakable delight of compassion, the ineffable feeling of being at one with the All, by hearing that some one else has thus achieved? You yourself must be the vehicle of the inner light, must gain it. It is both in you and above you, invigorating you and inspiring you. Be it!

[kenowe]

thanks Skull for the link that has a wealth of information.


i am agree

[Skull]

It is small wonder indeed that the world is in the perilous state in which it now finds itself, if its shaky ethical sense is founded on no more stable and stronger foundation than that derived from a materialism which bases the loftiest and noblest intuitions of the human spirit upon appetites, impulses, and the beastly qualities which man shares with the most savage representatives of the animal kingdom!

The causes of such materialistic nightmares, for they are nothing but scientific nightmares, have arisen in a complete, and in certain cases it would almost seem in a willful, ignoring or turning aside from every noble quality and impersonal attribute which the human constitution contains. One might well ask the scientific gentlemen whether they have never known of other qualities, attributes, impulses, powers, and faculties in the human constitution, besides those beastly instincts which we share with the beast, and which, when unleashed, sink man to depths of depravity that even the beasts are incapable of reaching.

The argument becomes immediately preposterous, because it wilfully turns its face away from everything that the human constitution contains which makes man man, that has built the great civilizations of the past, that has brought about the efflorescence of all the activities of human genius, that has established the great works of moral splendor and intellectual light which have given hope and inspiration and inestimable comfort to the human race for ages past. On the basis itself that these materialistic evolutionists lay down, they fail to show any origins for such sublime qualities in the human soul as self-forgetful devotion, impersonal love, the strong ethical instinct of altruism, and the spiritual and intellectual fruits of its activity which the human spirit has produced in the world.

Purucker, The Esoteric Tradition, 1:291-2

[Skull]

Her magnum opus, The Secret Doctrine is now online for free in a handsome pdf by TS Pasadena:

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sd-pdf/sdpdf-hp.htm

[Skull]

An excerpt from the new pdf of The Secret Doctrine:

The fundamental Law in that system, the central point from
which all emerged, around and toward which all gravitates, and upon
which is hung the philosophy of the rest, is the One homogeneous
divine Substance-Principle, the one radical cause.

It is called “ Substance-Principle,” for it becomes “ substance ” on the
plane of the manifested Universe, an illusion, while it remains a
“ principle ” in the beginningless and endless abstract, visible and
invisible Space. It is the omnipresent Reality : impersonal, because it
contains all and everything. Its impersonality is the fundamental conception
of the System. It is latent in every atom in the Universe, and is the
Universe itself.

[Skull]

A story of ancient Egypt that has lessons for modern spiritual aspirants:

http://www.philaletheians.co.uk/Study%20notes/Black%20versus%20White%20Magic/The%20Idyll%20of%20the%20White%20Lotus.pdf

[Skull]

The collected writings of this Sanskrit scholar and Theosophist are now available. Here is a taste from one volume of the new series of books, Hidden Wisdom vol. III, p. 492:


So, calling to our aid the divine powers that touch our
consciousness from above, we are once more to reverse the inversion
of Buddhi; to invoke our inherent sense of Truth, that we may see
things as they really are, and may then break the fascination of things
perceived and the thrill of feeling; that we may also discern the true
character of the usurping and tyrannous personal self and invoke the
power of the God within us, and all co-operating divine powers, to
break the tyrant’s domination, so that the man may rightly worship
and render obedience to the God. We are to invoke the divine
powers of Beauty and Holiness, perpetually shining on our
consciousness from above, in order that we may be so enkindled with
the beauty of holiness, that we may be not only willing, but ardently
eager, progressively to subject the lower in us to the higher, the worse
to the better.

[Miss Hepburn]

This is some thread Skull...I'm glad you've kept it up!
Fantastic links...haven't seen Bluegreen forever.
Misplaced your email address, computer issues, if you read this BG.

[primalbliss]

Hello friends,

Thanks for this thread... Im new to the forum and have long been a big fan of the theosophical movement... this is the no-nonsense, honest spirituality that really inspires me... tales of miracles are boring by comparison!

Hugs,
Lucas

[Skull]

Here are all the Johnston series of translations & articles:

http://www.universaltheosophy.com/kshetra-books/

[Skull]

One of the early leaders of the TS Point Loma used this Invocation based on theosophical notions:

INVOCATION

O my Divinity! thou dost blend with the
earth and fashion for thyself Temples
of mighty power.

O my Divinity! thou livest in the heart-life
of all things and dost radiate a Golden Light
that shineth forever and doth illumine even the
darkest corners of the earth.

O my Divinity! blend thou with me that
from the corruptible I may become Incorruptible;
that from imperfection I may become
Perfection; that from darkness I may
go forth in Light.

[Skull]

The November issue is on brain and consciousness:

http://www.blavatskyhouse.org/pdf/LuciferEN_Vol3_2014.pdf

[Skull]

Man must have confidence in himself. Even though he does not fully believe, he can at least imagine the possibility of the truth of the optimistic and sublime teachings of Theosophy, not only as to the Immortality of man, and his essential Divinity, but as to his opportunities for the larger experience that follows from many lives, in different schools of learning, from age to age.

And that will carry him on in thought to a point where he can presume to think of the perfectibility of man; where he can believe, perhaps, that there is a state of consciousness that is an open way to the Light, that will give to him and to all a viewpoint of the possibility of a great Central Source of Light and Love and Power - Infinite Duty.

[Skull]

There is but ONE Eternal Truth, one universal, infinite and changeless Spirit of Love, Truth and Wisdom, impersonal, therefore bearing a different name with every nation, one Light for all, in which the whole Humanity lives and moves, and has its being.

Like the spectrum in optics, giving multicoloured and various rays, which are yet caused by one and the same sun, so theologies and sacerdotal systems are many. But the Universal religion can only be one, if we accept the real, primitive meaning of the root of that word. We, Theosophists, so accept it; and therefore say:

We are all brothers—by the laws of Nature, of birth, and death, as also by the laws of our utter helplessness from birth to death in this world of sorrow and deceptive illusions. Let us, then, love, help, and mutually defend each other against this spirit of deception; and while holding to that which each of us accepts as his ideal of truth and reality—i.e., to the religion which suits each of us best—let us unite ourselves to form a practical ‘nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, creed or color.'’

HP Blavatsky in "What Good has Theosophy Done in India"

[Skull]

The essence of true love is self-forgetfulness, and to this rule there are no exceptions.

If a man’s heart and mind are filled solely with a personal love, then he loves this but he does not love that; he loves something over there, but he does not love some other thing here, or vice versa — in other words, his love is limited in direct ratio with its personal character. That is the kind of love that is not wholly true, that is limited.

Impersonal love is lovely, beautiful, and has no trace of the things that we all dislike. It is always kindly to everything and to everybody — to beings and things both great and small; it is intuitive.

From G. de Purucker's Golden Precepts

[Skull]

Psychic cravings are but another form of materialism. For by “materialism” is meant not only an anti-philosophical negation of pure spirit, and, even more, materialism in conduct and action — brutality, hypocrisy, and, above all, selfishness — but also the fruits of a disbelief in all but material things, a disbelief which has increased enormously during the last century, and which has led many, after a denial of all existence other than that in matter, into a blind belief in the materialization of Spirit.

Blavatsky's 1888 letter to American Theosophical Convention

[Skull]

A sterling, vast view of theosophy that goes far beyond the existing Theosophic groups:

Men cannot all be Occultists, but they can all be Theosophists. Many who have never heard of the Society are Theosophists without knowing it themselves; for the essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of the divine with the human in man, the adjustment of his god-like qualities and aspirations, and their sway over the terrestrial or animal passions in him.

Kindness, absence of every ill feeling or selfishness, charity, goodwill to all beings, and perfect justice to others as to oneself, are its chief features. He who teaches Theosophy preaches the gospel of goodwill; and the converse of this is true also — he who preaches the gospel of goodwill, teaches Theosophy.

Blavatsky in an 1888 open letter.

[Skull]

http://www.blavatskyhouse.org/pdf/LuciferEN_Vol1_2015.pdf

[Arcturus]

The Structure and Function of the Chakras

A case study of how a clairvoyant perceives a patient's chakras and their correlation with the body. A conventional doctor confirms physical aspects of what Dora Kunz can see energetically. It's a good vid.

http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=7A3A0FBE-3DE9-461F-84AC-38541E04C26E&file=AD52ADB1-BB8E-425D-8945-6C277C1920E7#AD52ADB1-BB8E-425D-8945-6C277C1920E7file=7352905F-ED80-41E5-AA69-F1341A9395E5

Theosophical Society of America.

[Skull]

Soon after the death of WQ Judge in 1896, Russell penned this inspired article for theosophists:
************************

SELF-RELIANCE
A. E. - George Russell

Perhaps it is now while we are in a state of transition, when old leaders have gone out of sight and the new ones have not yet taken their place in the van, that we ought to consider what we are in ourselves. Some questions we ought to ask ourselves about this movement: where its foundations were laid? what the links are? where is the fountain of force? what are the doors? You answer the first and you say "America," or you say "India." But if that old doctrine of emanations be true it was not on earth but in the heavenworld where our minds immortal are linked together. There it was born and well born, and grew downwards into earth, and all our hopes and efforts and achievements here but vaguely reflect what was true and perfect in intent above, a compact of many hearts to save the generations wandering to their doom. Wiser, stronger, mightier then we were those who shielded us in the first years; who went about among us renewing memory, whispering in our hearts the message of the meaning of life, recalling the immemorial endeavor of the spirit for freedom, knowledge, mastery. But it is our movement and not the movement of the Masters only. It is our work we are carrying on; our own primal will we are trying to give effects to. Well may the kingly sages depart from bodies which were torment and pain to them. They took them on for our sakes, and we may wave there a grateful farewell below and think of the spheres invisible as so much richer by their presence, more to be longed for, more to be attained. I think indeed they are nearer heart and mind there than here. What is real in us can lose no brotherhood with such as they through death. Still flash the lights from soul to soul in ceaseless radiance, in endless begetting of energy, thought and will, in endless return of joy and love and hope. I would rather hear one word of theirs in my heart than a thousand in my ears. I would rather think of my guide and captain as embodied in the flame than in the clay. Although we may gaze on the grave, kindly face living no more, there can be no cessation of the magic influence, the breath of fire, which flowed aforetime from the soul to us. We feel in our profoundest hearts that he whom they call dead is living, is alive for evermore.

He has earned his rest, a deep rest, if indeed such as he cease from labor. As for us, we may go our ways assured that the links are unbroken. What did you think the links were? That you knew some one who knew the Masters? Such a presence and such a Companion would indeed be an aid, a link. But I think wherever there is belief in our transcendent being, in justice, our spiritual unity and destiny, wherever there is brotherhood, there are unseen ties, links, shining cords, influx from the unbroken communication with the divine. So much we have in our own natures, not enough to perfect us in the mysteries, but always enough to light our path, to show us our next step, to give us strength for duty. We should not always look outside for aid, remembering that some time we must be able to stand alone. Let us not deny our own deeper being, our obscured glory. That we accepted [8] these truths, even as intuitions which we were unable intellectually to justify, is proof that there is that within us which has been initiate in the past, which lives in and knows what in the shadowy world is but a hope. There is part of ourselves whose progress we do not comprehend. There are deeds done in unremembered dream, and a deeper meditation in the further unrecorded silences of slumber. Downward from sphere to sphere the Immortal works its way into the flesh, and the soul has adventures in dream whose resultant wisdom is not lost because memory is lacking here. Yet enough has been said to give us the hint, the clue to trace backwards the streams of force to their fount. We wake in some dawn and there is morning also in our hearts, a love, a fiery vigor, a magnetic sweetness in the blood. Could we track to its source this invigorating power, we might perhaps find that as we fell asleep some olden memory had awakened in the Soul, or the Master had called it forth, or it was transformed by the wizard power of Self and went forth to seek the Holy Place. Whether we have here a guide, or whether we have not, one thing is certain, that behind and within the "Father worketh hitherto." A warrior fights for us. Our thoughts tip the arrows of his quiver. He wings them with flame and impels them with the Holy Breath. They will not fail if we think clear. What matters it if in the mist we do not see where they strike. Still they are of avail. After a time the mists will arise and show a clear field; the shining powers will salute us as victors.

I have no doubt about our future; no doubt but that we will have a guide and an unbroken succession of guides. But I think their task would be easier, our way be less clouded with dejection and doubt, if we placed our trust in no hierarchy of beings, however August, but in the Law of which they are ministers. Their power, though mighty, ebbs and flows with contracting and expanding nature. They, like us, are but children in the dense infinitudes. Something like this, I think, the Wise Ones would wish each one of us to speak: "O Brotherhood of Light, though I long to be with you, though it sustains me to think you are behind me, though your aid made sure my path, still, if the Law does not permit you to act for me today, I trust in the One whose love a fiery breath never ceases; I fall back on it with exultation; I rely upon it joyfully." Was it not to point to that greater life that the elder brothers sent forth their messengers, to tell us that it is on this we ought to rely, to point us to grander thrones than they are seated on? It is well to be prepared to face any chance with equal mind; to meet the darkness with gay and defiant thought as to salute the Light with reverence and love and joy. But I have it in my heart that we are not deserted. As the cycles wend their upward way the heroic figures of the dawn reappear. Some have passed before us; others in the same spirit and power will follow: for the new day a rearisen sun and morning stars to herald it. When it comes let it find us, not drowsy after our night in time, but awake, prepared and ready to go forth from the house of sleep, to stretch hands to the light, to live and labor in joy, having the Gods for our guides and friends.

[Skull]

President of the Adyar TS from 1953-73; quotes from this wise one:

The Theosophical Society was not founded as a movement to teach people to be good in the conventional sense—that is, not rob, murder, deceive, or perpetrate such patently injurious acts as unfortunately are very prevalent in these days. Nor was this Society meant to be a school of occultism.

A letter from one of the Mahatmas makes that very clear. He says: “Rather perish the T. S. with both its hapless Founders than that we should permit it to become no better than an academy of magic, a hall of occultism.”
These are striking and ringing words. Nor is the Society meant merely to satisfy intellectual curiosity or provide a forum to amuse ourselves when we feel bored by discussing various intellectual themes. It was founded with the exalted purpose of promoting the spiritual regeneration of man.

[Skull]

There is but one Eternal Truth, one universal, infinite and changeless spirit
of Love, Truth and Wisdom; impersonal, therefore bearing a different name
in every nation; one light for all, in which the whole Humanity lives and moves,
and has its being.
Like the spectrum in optics giving multicolored and various
rays, which are yet caused by one and the same sun, so theologized and sacerdotal
systems are many. But the universal religion can only be one if we accept the
real primitive meaning of the root of the word. We Theosophists so accept it;
and therefore say we are all brothers — by the laws of nature, of birth, of death,
as also by the laws of our utter helplessness from birth to death in this world
of sorrow and deceptive illusions.
Let us then love, help and mutually defend
each other against the spirit of deception; and while holding to that which each
of us accepts as his ideal of truth and unity — i. e. to the religion which suits
each of us best — let us unite to form a practical nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood
of Humanity without distinction of race, creed or color.

[Skull]

A good online theosophical magazine:

http://www.theosophyforward.com

[Astral Jane]

Thanks for sharing all this. Theosophists get a bad rap from certain paranoid fundamentalist mentalities who have been brainwashed against it.
The Theosophists and Spiritualists were infiltrated by the Dark to subvert them and pollute them to ruin them for future generations who would believe the propaganda that they were all Satanic.
But the reality was these studies and the Spirit coming thru them was too full of Light and Truth so it threatened the Powers that Be which have been dominated by Darkness and Tremendous Evil for millennia here on Earth.
Their obstacles were too great and they did not have the Defense they needed against this infiltration and twisting them into something they were not, to serve the Dark. Humanity has been blinded from its own history for too long.

[Skull]

Yes Jane, the ignorant, hostile dark forces are always passionate and active. So no point in expecting any True Teaching to remain pristine forever or even for a long time. Corruption will manifest.
The flame of Divine Wisdom will never be extinguished and will always remain for those virtuous ones who seek it, to share with others.

[Skull]

Secret Doctrine Dialogues wherein HP Blavatsky discusses her major work, can be ordered via Amazon - $35 plus $4 shipping.

[Astral Jane]

What do you like about Blavatsky?

[Skull]

What do you like about Blavatsky?

What is not to like; moral courage, both a sharp and profound thinker, psychic, altruist, etcetera.

[Skull]

Matthew Webb writes that his survey will be a chapter in a book edited by a Turkish professor.

http://blavatskytheosophy.com/theosophy-an-explanation-and-overview/

[Skull]

For 2015 - On May 8, 1891 the brilliant, noble soul Helena Blavatsky left her body. The 8th of May has ever since been called White Lotus Day to honor her purity of devotion to the bodhisattva Cause seeking to help mankind become more selfless.

"Many who have never heard of the Society are Theosophists without knowing it themselves; for the essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of the divine with the human in man, the adjustment of his god-like qualities and aspirations, and their sway over the terrestrial or animal passions in him. Kindness, absence of every ill feeling or selfishness, charity, goodwill to all beings, and perfect justice to others as to oneself, are its chief features. He who teaches Theosophy preaches the gospel of goodwill; and the converse of this is true also — he who preaches the gospel of goodwill, teaches Theosophy."

HPB's letter to the 1888 American Convention

[Skull]

The annual International Theosophy Conference will be held in the Netherlands this August 2015. Here is the tentative program focused on HP Blavatsky:

http://www.theosconf.org

[metal68]

I always find Theosophy mentioned in almost any paranormal/afterlife book I come across nowadays. Rudolph Steiner is mentioned a lot. Trouble is these people tend to get readily dismissed as crackpots, lumped in with all the fake ectoplasm tricks and even worse linked in with the Thule society, Neonazis and Vril technology.

[metal68]

For 2015 - On May 8, 1891 the brilliant, noble soul Helena Blavatsky left her body. The 8th of May has ever since been called White Lotus Day to honor her purity of devotion to the bodhisattva Cause seeking to help mankind become more selfless.

"Many who have never heard of the Society are Theosophists without knowing it themselves; for the essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of the divine with the human in man, the adjustment of his god-like qualities and aspirations, and their sway over the terrestrial or animal passions in him. Kindness, absence of every ill feeling or selfishness, charity, goodwill to all beings, and perfect justice to others as to oneself, are its chief features. He who teaches Theosophy preaches the gospel of goodwill; and the converse of this is true also — he who preaches the gospel of goodwill, teaches Theosophy."

HPB's letter to the 1888 American Convention

Question?? Has her spirit ever made contact via a credible medium and has the message been, as much as is possible, fully validated??

[Skull]

Question?? Has her spirit ever made contact via a credible medium and has the message been, as much as is possible, fully validated??

No. As a matter of record Blavatsky wrote this promise to never visit mediums after her death:

While it is yet time, both the founders [Olcott & HPB] of the Theosophical Society place upon record their solemn promise that they will let trance mediums severely alone after they get to “the other side.” If after this, any of the talking fraternity take their names in vain, they hope that at least their theosophical confrères will unearth this paragraph and warn the trespassers off their astral premises.

[metal68]

Did anyone ever claim this contact though? I guess, they would have proven themselves as fraudulent?

Strange though that she wouldn't want to make contact? Was that the same with Steiner??

[Skull]

This universe is regarded by many modern astronomers as dead, except for a
little patch of life on this and possibly a few other planets. But according to the view
I am putting forward, which is also the ancient view, it is a universe of life. Life is
everywhere—even in the smallest speck—though manifested in different degrees,
matter being its vehicle or medium. Since you cannot ask for a material proof of a
non-material reality, any more than you can ask for proofs of the so-called geometry
of space, you have to regard this view—the essential independence of life—as a
hypothesis, which, the more you consider it in relation to facts of our experience,
confirms itself all the more.
If life is not a mere patch on matter, bound to consume itself like a brush-fire, and
if life is in every particle, then it is a universe of evolution. We know that life in any
form has this extraordinary quality, which not only grows, reproduces, and adapts,
but also brings out of a seemingly inexhaustible store new species, new capacities,
new ways and methods of action. In other words, it ascends.
Life means consciousness—the capacity to respond, to register, to be aware—and
consciousness gives rise to intelligence. Although we see this intelligence in the
activities of Nature, we see its unfettered action in man who constitutes at present,
at least in his own estimation, the summit of evolutionary progress. But is this the
summit or are there higher heights to be reached? The future will show.

From "Our Place in the Universe"

[Skull]

This morning, Pacific time, the Summer Solstice of 2015 occurred. Here is a little of G. de Purucker's teachings on this Great Renunciation, from his The Four Sacred Seasons booklet:

Summer Solstice

We now celebrate the third of the great spiritual and psychical events of the esoteric year, the initiation cycle centering in the Summer Solstice; we celebrate in teaching and by spiritual and intellectual suggestion the actual events of the initiations which take place at this time elsewhere on the surface of the globe.

It is a most suggestive thought, and one that we should carry with us always — each one of us as his or her most prized ideal — that anyone belonging to the outer ring of the mystic Body can, if he or she so will, some day pass from the outer ring to an inner ring, and from that inner ring to one still nearer the center; and so on, until finally, if the disciple prevail in the conquest of self and in the enlargement of consciousness, he shall one day reach the center, and thence by his own will and act be swept into the initiatory life-currents which will bear him on the mystic pilgrimage, on the esoteric round of experience, and return a willing and self-conscious renouncer of what he knows he can get, but which he refuses in order to remain and to help the world as one of the stones in the Guardian Wall surrounding humanity.

[Skull]

The power to know does not come from book-study nor from mere philosophy, but mostly from the actual practice of altruism in deed, word, and thought; for that practice purifies the covers of the soul and permits that light to shine down into the brain-mind. As the brain-mind is the receiver in the waking state, it has to be purified from sense-perccption, and the truest way to do this is by combining philosophy with the highest outward and inward virtue.

HPB in Collected Writings IX:400-G - "Conversations on Occultism"

[Skull]

There are no dark places in the chambers
of the Soul: it is wholly an abode of living light
and knowledge. We need not look outside ourselves
for the grandeur and the aid our hearts
are craving. The secret and key to all situations
is in the heart. All truth is within. It has been
on those inner planes for ages, and still lies sleeping
in the Spirit of Man.

No one can tell it in words; no one can
convey it in speech or writing; none can reveal
to you the Secret of Life. Keys and hints may
be given; enthusiasms may be awakened; hearts
may be aroused and minds stimulated to thought;
but the Reality is a thing each one must find
for himself.

Greater than all the books that ever were
written; greater than all the wisdom the Teachers
of old brought to mankind, are the Books of
Revelation a man may read in within himself.

Move out into the fields of thought where
Reality is, and you will have left your volumes
of theology behind; and you will have ceased to
do injustice to your own Soul. Your personal
god will have died a natural death in your mind;
he will be sitting no longer aloof in space nursing
his moods of love or revenge, or cutting you off
after a single lifetime from all opportunity to
gain experience or do service and shutting out
the splendor of infinite and eternal existence from
you: all that fantastic creation of human brainminds
will have vanished away.

Katherine Tingley The Gods Await

[Skull]

Remembering the word of Masters: 'He who does what he can and all that he can, and all that he knows how to do, does enough for us.' This task includes that of divesting yourself of all personality through interior effort, because that work, if done in the right spirit, is even more important to the race than any outward work we can do.
W.Q. Judge, from letter 14 in Letters That Have Helped Me

[Skull]

A newish blog on theosophic topics:

https://circleofasia.wordpress.com

[durgaa]

It should be stated that the original theosophists [Blavatsky, Judge etc] had nothing to do with the later, Adyar society of Bessant, leadbeater [an evil paedophile apparently - even krishnamurti said so [leadbeater was his mentor and possibly abused him]. Personally, l believe krishnamurti was a fraud as well [please don't use the 'out of context' quote by anandamayima to try and disprove this; not unless you post the full quote, which means something entirely different.
The original theosophy is now called ULT, l believe, and on their site they explain their position very clearly. They dissociate with ppl like Bessant and Steiner [they accuse steiner of spreading lies and trying to christianize theosophy - theosophy is based on buddhist teachings and are fiercely opposed to mainstream christianity]..
lt's also said that Blavatsky might have been taught by the occultist Max Theon [his wife Alma was an incredible occultist]..

The site below is devoted to the original teachings, and has many articles.. BTW l'm not a theosophist, but some of their stuff is interesting:

http://blavatskytheosophy.com/articles/

[Deepsoul]

Hi Skull, Loved reading your posts a few pages back ,I think I might be a theosophist,, Peace, Love Joy and Service Deepsoul and all glory to the Divine.

[Skull]

Starting in January 2016 the Theosophical Society, Point Loma, will put introductory talks on Theosophy online:

http://www.blavatskyhouse.org/Theosophical_Society/International

[Skull]

There is a hunger in the human heart for beauty; there is a longing in the human soul for
harmony and for peace; there is an unceasing aspiration in the human mind for an understanding
of the problems of the Universe; and all these qualities of heart and soul and mind are
fundamentally one, arising out of that amazing spiritual fire which dwells in the inmost of the
inmost of every human being, and which is a reflexion in his human character of the Divine
Flame which is fundamentally the Spiritual Man; and this flame is the core of his being.

Men yearn for truth; they yearn for light; they yearn for peace and happiness; and alas, in how
slight a degree is this divine hunger satisfied! It is unsatisfied because men will not self-consciously
realize who they are, what they are, in the core of themselves; their human
consciousness refuses to recognize the living existence in them of this Divine Flame of the spirit.

Nevertheless, there is through the ages a pressure towards this realization, and when recognition
comes, then indeed breaks the splendor of the spirit on the mind and illuminates it divinely. The
man's soul is then moved: and the very depths of his being are stirred, for he recognises not only
his kinship with -- in the abstract sense -- but his fundamental oneness with, the Universe of
which he is a child, an inseparable part.

G. de Purucker

[Shivani Devi]

Divine Wisdom (or theosophy) is timeless, but it does have eras when it is more public than others. In 1875 the Theosophical Society was formed by Helena Blavatsky. Blavatsky laid the philosophical and ethical foundation for Interfaith relations and well as much of the "New Age" teachings.

Here is a link to get one started: http://davidpratt.info/
Namaste.

Time for my input on the subject of Theosophy.

Back in the late '70's, 'anything Hindu' was pretty scarce around Sydney, Australia, so I spent most of my youth alternating between the Adhyar Library and the Hare Krishna Temple.

I read about the founder, Madam Blavatsky and began to study the Secret Doctrine in earnest (I could only get half-way through Isis Unveiled). All I could do was say; 'oh...kay interesting'.

I don't know what it was, but I was just 'turned off' by her and couldn't put my 'spiritual finger' on it.

However, it was the Theosophical Society which gave me my 'grounding knowledge' in Kundalini Yoga when I was about 18. I saw a book on the shelf called 'The Serpent Power" by Sir John Woodrofe (Arthur Avalon) and I was like...hmmmm...that looks interesting *yoink*.

After that, I became very interested in an older member called Geoffrey Hodson and I must have listened to all his cassette lectures over and over and over (ad nauseum). Geoffrey Hodson's 'Kundalini tape' and Swami Yogananda's 'Awake In The Cosmic Dream' tape nearly wore my walkman out playing them for about 2 years solid.

After this, I moved on to all the sacred Kundalini and tantric texts, as well as getting into all the works of Pundit Gopi Krishna and then going off on a 'Tibetan tangent' with The Tibetan Book of the Dead - Evans Wentz, the Tibetan Book of Great Liberation - Evans Wentz and the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu.

Yes, I am one who believed Tuesday Lobsang Rampa was the 'real deal' before they discovered he was only a plumber named Cyril from Bristol, England! - that was the 'scandal of the day' back then...

Anyway, look at me rabbit on...I'll have to go and pay my Theosophist pals up in Sydney another visit one of these days...it's been like 30 years.

Aum Namah Shivaya

[Skull]

When a man is whole, he is well, he is healed; and this more than anything else is the work of the Theosophical Society, spiritually, morally, and intellectually speaking: to make men whole... so that there shall be a divine fire running through the man, through the spiritual and intellectual and psychical and astral and physical — and best of all for us humans, the moral, the child of the spiritual. Then we are whole, we are in health, for our whole being is in harmony.

Thus, then, the work of the Theosophical Society is so to change the hearts and minds of men that their lives shall be changed, and therefore the lives of the peoples of the earth. What is this but healing at its roots instead of healing the symptoms? The god-wisdom goes to the very root of the disease, and cuts it; and the successful theosophist is not he who can preach the most and say the most in the most fascinating way, but he who lives his theosophy. "Theosophist is who Theosophy does."

Purucker in Wind of the Spirit

[Skull]

These often have a strong intellectual leaning, but it is good to stretch our minds.

http://www.universaltheosophy.com/kshetra-books/

[ian77]

Hello all,try this link.I think you will find it very interesting http://www.thewordfoundation.org.Or search for The Word Foundation and Thinking and Destiny.

[Skull]

Hello all,try this link.I think you will find it very interesting http://www.thewordfoundation.org.Or search for The Word Foundation and Thinking and Destiny.

Thinking and Destiny is not all that interesting Ian.

Percival started out a theosophist using the terms and ideas of Blavatsky. But over the years, in building his individual intellectual structure, he began coining words and replacing Blavatsky terminology with his own.

That he was free to do, but the end result, for the average person, is that one has to become a Percival-ist and learn another system distinct from Theosophy, yet one not very different.

The major lack, is that altruism and brotherhood are buried under many pages explaining the function of mind & thought in varied planes or realms. In short, too metaphysical for my taste.

[ian77]

I do not think Percivals system is in any way related to Blavatskys theosophical terminology.
Percival wrote about what he discovered from being conscious of consciousness.Blavatsky,as far as I am aware,never wrote about the Triune Self and the regeneration of the perfect,immortal,sexless physical body.She never wrote about democracy as Self government.

[Skull]

An interesting study of the Esoteric Section teachings of Blavatsky:

http://www.philaletheians.co.uk/major-works/the-true-colours-of-man.pdf

[Skull]

The power to know does not come from book-study nor from mere philosophy, but mostly from the actual practice of altruism in deed, word, and thought; for that practice purifies the covers of the soul and permits that light to shine down into the brain-mind. As the brain-mind is the receiver in the waking state, it has to be purified from sense-perception, and the truest way to do this is by combining philosophy with the highest outward and inward virtue.

HP Blavatsky in her Collected Writings, vol. 9:400G

[Skull]

HE who clings to self is his own enemy, and is surrounded by enemies. He who relinquishes self is his own saviour, and is surrounded by friends like a protecting belt. Before the divine radiance of a pure heart all darkness vanishes and all clouds melt away, and he who has conquered self has conquered the universe. Come, then, out of your poverty; come out of your pain; come out of your troubles, and sighings, and complainings, and heartaches, and loneliness by coming out of yourself. Let the old tattered garment of your petty selfishness fall from you, and put on the new garment of universal Love. You will then realise the inward heaven, and it will be reflected in all your outward life.

Our True Self is revealed as we live from within its nature, which is Universal Love. But dropping our petty lower self is needed first.

[Skull]

The ethics of life propounded by Jesus are not different from those found in theosophy, but the latter holds in its doctrines a compelling power which is absent from Christianity and from those systems which require a man to be good for virtue's sake alone. It is not easy to practice virtue for the simple reason that we ought to do so, since the desire for reward is inherent in humanity, and is a reflection of the evolutionary law which draws the universe ever upward to higher points of development. A man reads the command of Jesus to turn the other cheek to the smiter, to resist not evil, to forgive without stint, and to take no thought for the morrow, and then - pauses. His next thought is that such a canon is wholly utopian, and would if followed subvert society. In this he is sustained by eminent authority as well as by example, for a great Bishop has declared that no state can exist under such a system.

Theosophic doctrine, however, on either the selfish or spiritual line of life, convinces that the moral law must be obeyed. If we regard only the selfish side, we find when people are convinced that evil done in this life will be met with sure punishment in another reincarnation, they hesitate to continue the old careless life when they lived for themselves alone.

Hence practical theosophy must enter into every detail of life in our dealings with others and our discipline of ourselves. It reminds us that we should be more critical of ourselves than of others, that we must help all men if we are to be helped ourselves. And herein the theosophist may escape the accusation of selfishness, for if in desiring to lay up for a future incarnation a store of help from others by giving assistance now himself, he does so in order that he may then be in a still better position to help humanity, there is no selfishness. It is the same as if a man were to desire to acquire this world's goods in order to help those dependent on him, and surely this is not selfish.

The practical theosophist adds to his charitable deeds upon the material plane the still greater charity of giving to his fellow men a system of thought and life which explains their doubts while it furnishes a logical reason for the practice of virtue. He extinguishes a hell that never could burn, and the terrors of which soon faded from the mind of the sinners; but he lights the lamp of truth and throws its beams upon the mortal's path so that not only the real danger, the real punishment, can be seen, but also the reward and compensation.

The civilized man cannot be guided by fear or superstition, but reason may take hold of him. Theosophy being not only practicable but also reasonable as well as just, its doctrines are destined to be those of the civilized man. They will gradually drive out the time-worn shibboleths of the theologian and the scientist, giving the people of coming centuries a wisdom-religion deeply-based and all-embracing.

Were theosophical practice universal, we should not see the unjust Judge plotting beforehand with the officials of a railroad company about the decision he should render, nor the venal public officer engaged with the Judge and the officials in arranging the virtuous protest to be offered in court against the foreordained decree, for both would fear to rouse a cause which in their next life might issue in unjust accusation and punishment. Nor would men save their lives, as now they often do, at another's expense, since in succeeding incarnations that person might be the means of depriving them of life twice over. The rich man who now hoards his wealth or spends it on himself alone would not be thus guilty, seeing that, as compensation in another life, his friends would forsake him and nature seem to withdraw subsistence.

The practical theosophist will do well if he follows the advice of the Masters now many years in print, to spread, explain, and illustrate the laws of Karma and Reincarnation so that they may enter into the lives of the people. Technical occultism and all the allurements of the Astral Light may be left for other times. Men's thoughts must be affected, and this can only be done now by giving them these two great laws. They not only explain many things, but they have also an inherent power due to their truth and their intimate connection with man, to compel attention.

Once heard they are seldom forgotten, and even if rebelled against they have a mysterious power of keeping in the man's mind, until at last, even against his first determination, he is forced to accept them. The appreciation of justice is common to all, and the exact justice of Karma appeals even to the person who is unfortunate enough to be undergoing heavy punishment: even if, ignoring justice, he does good in order to make good Karma, it is well, for he will be reborn under conditions that may favor the coming out of unselfish motive.

"Teach, preach, and practice this good law for the benefit of the world, even as all the Buddhas do."

[Skull]

IT takes some courage, I mean the true courage of the Seer, whom naught can daunt and none may stay, to oppose a world's thought-currents, and for this sublime work are called forth the truest heroism, the sublimest intellectual vision, and the deepest spiritual insight. These last prevail always. Sometimes he who runs counter to the world's thought-currents loses what the world esteems highest: reputation, fortune, even perhaps life. But his work - that is never lost!
That is what H.P. Blavatsky did. And that is what the Theosophical Society has been doing ever since her time, in certain ways opposing a world's lower thought-currents and prevailing in the end. It is a strange paradox of our life on this earth that the noblest things call for sacrifice, and yet it is one of the most beautiful; so that the Theosophist may say with the proud boast of the Christian Church - and I deem it true, and even truer than in their case - that the blood of its martyrs is the seed of its success, and of its victory. The world is ruled by ideas, and an inescapable truth it is also that the world's lower thought-currents must be opposed by ideas higher than they. It is only a greater idea which will capture and lead captive the less idea, the smaller. Graecia capta Romam victricem captam subducit. "Captured Greece leads conquering Rome captive."
What is this Theosophical Movement which was so magnificently voiced in some of its teachings by H.P. Blavatsky, but a series, an aggregate, of grand ideas? Not hers, not collected by her from the different great thinkers of the world; but the god-wisdom of the world; and she brought together the world's human wisdom in order to bulwark, for the weaker minds who needed such bulwarking, the grand verities shining with their stellar light, and bearing the imprint of divinity upon them. Some men cannot see the imprints of divinity. Forsooth, they say, it is to be proved! They must put the finger into the nail-mark, into the hole. Millions are like that, they have not learned to think yet.
So the only way to conquer ideas is to lead them captive by grander ones; and that is what Theosophy does: it is a body of divine ideas - not H.P. Blavatsky's, who was but the mouthpiece in this day of them, but the ancient god-wisdom of our earth, belonging to all men, all nations, all peoples, all times; and given to protoplastic mankind in the very dawn of this earth's evolution by beings from higher spheres who had learned it themselves from beings higher still - a primeval revelation from divinities. The echo of this revelation you will find in every land, among every people, in every religion and philosophy that has ever gained adherents.
When H.P. Blavatsky brought our modern Theosophy to this world in our age, she did not bring something new, she brought the cosmic Wisdom, the god-wisdom studied by the Seers, as understood on this earth, which had been stated in all other ages preceding that in which she came. She merely repeated what she had been taught; the same starry Wisdom, divine in origin: Science because voicing nature's facts; Religion because raising man to divinity; Philosophy because explanatory of all the problems that have vexed human intelligence. No vain boast this - aye, no empty words; no vain boast I repeat, but truths which are provable by any thinking man or woman who will study our blessed god-wisdom faithfully and honestly.
It was an amazing world to which H.P. Blavatsky came, a world held by - the Western world I am now speaking of - held by one slender, yet in a way faithful, link to Spirit, to wit the teachings of the Avatara Jesus called the Christ, nevertheless held to by faith alone and by the efforts of a relative few in the Churches. On the other hand, millions, the major part of the men and women of the west, absolutely psychologized - by what? Facts? No! By theories, postulates, ideas, which had gained currency because they were put forth aggressively and with some few natural facts contained in them. Why, all the science of those days practically now is in the discard, and the scientists themselves have been the discarders, the later generations of scientists have themselves overthrown the overthrower of man's hope in those days.
It was in such a time that H.P. Blavatsky came, and almost single-handed in an era when even in the home-life, in society so-called, it was considered exceedingly bad form even to speak of the "soul" in a drawing-room; it was considered a mark of an inferior intelligence. Alone, she wrote her books, challenging the entire thought-current of the western world, backed as it was by authority, backed by so-called psychology, backed by everything that then was leading men astray. And today we Theosophists happen to know that her books are being read, mostly in secret, by some of the most eminent ultra-modern scientific thinkers of our time. What did she do? Mainly she based her attack on that world-psychology on two things: that the facts of nature are the facts of nature and are divine; but that the theories of pretentious thinkers about them are not facts of nature, but are human theorizings, and should be challenged, and if good accepted pro tempore, and if bad, cast aside. She set the example; and other minds who had the wit to catch, to see, to understand, to perceive what she was after, gathered around her. Some of the men eminent in science in her time belonged to the Theosophical Society, although they rarely worked for it. They lent their names to it occasionally. But she captured them by the ideas she enunciated, and these men did their work in their own fields. That indeed already was much.
Consider her titanic task: that of changing the shifting and varying ideas of a body of earnest scientific researchers after nature's facts: replacing these shifting ideas, then called science - which had for nearly two hundred years been casting out all that innumerable centuries of human experience had shown to be good and trustworthy - replacing these, I say, with thoughts that men could live by and become better by following, thoughts that men could die by with hope and in peace; and bringing these back into human consciousness by the power of her own intellect voicing the immemorial traditions of the god-wisdom which she brought to us!

- Theosophical Forum, Dec., 1938 - by G. de Purucker

[Skull]

“Nine-tenths of the people will reject the most overwhelming evidence, even if it be brought to them without any trouble to themselves, only because it happens to clash with their personal interests or prejudices; especially if it comes from unpopular quarters.”

Excerpt From: H.P. Blavatsky. CW - VOLUME XIII.

[Skull]

By Boris de Zirkoff [Theosophia 1949]

It should be constantly borne in mind, when discussing ideas and events pertaining to the Theosophical Movement, that Theosophy is primarily and essentially a way of life.

It is not merely a system of technical teachings or a body of doctrines intended for the intellectual gratification of voracious minds who delight in filling the spiritually barren chambers of their intellect with high-sounding terms.

It can never be too often repeated that Theosophy is above everything else an ethical doctrine, a pattern of ethical behavior, and a manner of ethical conduct. These Ethics are based on sublime teachings embodying the facts of Nature's structure and operation. But these teachings alone, unrelated to the way of life, and considered as a mere intellectual system of thought, are not only sterile, but positively mischievous and productive of a subtle brand of selfishness and moral stagnation.

Therein lies the danger of an intellectual approach to the teachings of the Ancient Wisdom. This danger can be avoided only by a sincere and constant effort on the part of the student to put into practice the precepts he has intellectually learned, and to apply in daily life those basic thoughts which he has understood to be the foundation-stones of spiritual life.

In this way he will avoid the danger of severing his mind and heart from the collective mind and heart of mankind, or the community of which he is an integral part. There are students who have achieved a very profound understanding of the purely intellectual aspect of the theosophical teachings, but who remain nevertheless ethically sterile members of their community. They are aloof in their attitude to life, and bear no vital relation to the human sorrows and problems surrounding them. They live in self-made ivory towers, unconcerned in what is going on around them, usually unperceived by others, and probably largely undisturbed.

There are others who may or may not have achieved a thorough grasp of the intellectual intricacies of the Ancient Wisdom, but whose minds and hearts are attuned to the wide-spread suffering of men and women, in their blind search for release. They keep their contact with mankind, they share the collective sorrow and joy which are part of the web of life, and they carry their growing understanding of Nature's truths into the midst of the teeming millions, where the need for Light is the greatest.

It is essential for the student of the age-old wisdom to keep at all times his link with mankind alive and strong. It is his only way of ultimately understanding the cause of human misery and pain, as well as of human pleasure and joy - and this not by immersing himself in them, but by attuning his heart and mind to their vibratory rate and gathering intuitively, intellectually, and psychically, an awareness of the states of consciousness which these various conditions offer for the growth of the soul.

It is of great importance that the student of Theosophy become a constructive part of the community in which he lives, a center of light and knowledge, emanating warmth of soul and strength of character, for others to observe and partake. He should be - in some unobtrusive manner - a source of information regarding the laws of life and of new courage and hope to those who are in trouble; and he should in due course of time become recognized as a fountain-head of ideas and plans which, if listened to and carried out, would improve the ethical climate of the community and raise its moral and intellectual standard above the average. Such things have taken place more than once, and they can be repeated in a thousand other instances, if only the majority of students were to "descend" from their lofty tower of mere intellectual thinking, and forge the necessary links of human compassion and interest which are so essential to this purpose.

It is supposed by some people, that our individual efforts can at best be but very small and their influence negligible. This is the type of shallow thinking which does not take into consideration some of the main factors contained in this equation. It should be distinctly remembered that spiritual thought is a great deal more powerful than mere mentation, and the latter more powerful than mere wishful thinking. The range of creative spiritual thought has not yet been determined, and the manner in which it brings about its effects is largely unknown, except to trained and advanced occultists who deal with these matters experimentally.

Every thought directed towards true spirituality - which is invariably one with selflessness, impersonality and sympathy for others - has an enormous range, potency, momentum and intensity, as compared with mere intellectual thinking or perchance mere mental and emotional "wishing." It strikes like lightning upon responsive minds and hearts, and contains within itself alchemical powers of self-perpetuation and re-creation unknown on any of the lower planes of human action. It is also in league with the rest of the spiritual agencies at work continuously in the world. The result is that a definite spiritual effort on the part of one student, in a given direction, may very well give rise to a chain-reaction of effects the range of which would seem to be quite inexplicable on purely mechanistic grounds. Spiritual thought has its own repercussions on other planes. The laws of "thought-resonance" and of "thought-overtones and -undertones" are practically unknown to modern science, and constitute a higher type of science which is known in its fullness but to high initiates, though each one of us can learn at least its ABC.

The carrying out of true, social reforms directed to the amelioration of the conditions under which most of humanity lives today, is not a matter of money, political power, personal fame, or worldly influence. It is primarily a matter of spiritual creative thinking, mostly on the part of a few. One thought given birth to at the cyclically right time, and directed into the first open channel that may present itself, can impregnate a large number of human minds and hearts, each one of which becomes a center of outgoing spiritual force directed towards the same objective. The cumulative result of this chain-reaction has at times produced some very startling results, responsible for some of the most important events in social reform and the development of modern scientific thought. Among these results could be mentioned such widely separate movements and events as the Keltic Literary Revival, the National Independence of India, the Abolition of Slavery in the U.S.A., the Discovery of the Electron, the Therapeutic Usage of Music, the abrogation of a number of restrictive covenants based on racial discrimination, and a number of other marked changes which have taken place in recent times upon the stage of human history, both in the Orient and the Occident.

Lest we be misunderstood, it should be stated here unequivocally that the Theosophical Movement is strictly and traditionally non-political and un-sectarian, paying no attention to, and engaging in none of the political controversies of the day, which are here today and gone tomorrow, to be probably superseded by other controversies and arguments. But while it is non-political as a Movement, it not only recognizes the right of every student of Theosophy to take part, if he pleases, in whatever may be constructive and useful in the political set up of his respective land, but actually urges him to partake, as an individual, as a citizen or subject, and as a professed humanitarian, in the process of just, enlightened and progressive social reforms whose aim is, as expressed by one of the Masters, "the amelioration of the condition of the poor." And not only is he urged to participate in this process, but expected to take individual initiative to originate new movements and moves aimed at the eradication of corruption and evil in the social structure of the day, by means of humanitarian, social measures and reforms, free of party politics and devoted to the welfare of all mankind, irrespective of race, creed, color, political affiliations or religious background.

Universality is the key-note of a true Theosophist. Wherever sectarianism and parochialism show their ugly faces, Theosophy can exist only in name. When manifesting in universality of views and the highest embodiment of Ethics, it becomes a living power in the hearts of men.

[Reprinted in The Theosophist March 2016]

[Skull]

There are three truths which are absolute, and which cannot be lost, but yet may remain silent for lack of speech.

The soul of man is immortal, and its future is the future of a thing whose growth and splendor has no limit.

The principle which gives life dwells in us, and without us, is undying and eternally beneficent, is not heard or seen or smelt, but is perceived by the man who desires perception.

Each man is his own absolute lawgiver, the dispenser of glory or gloom to himself; the decreer of his life, his reward, his punishment.

These truths, which are as great as is life itself, are as simple as the simplest mind of man. Feed the hungry with them.

From The Idyll of the White Lotus

[Skull]

The law of laws of the universe is self-forgetfulness, not concentration of attention upon one’s personal freedom, not even upon your individuality. The primal law of the universe is living unto all things, not the doctrine that each must live for himself in order to develop for himself the spiritual powers within. The latter is true enough as a bald and imperfect statement; but it is also misleading, dangerous, unwise, and therefore unholy as a statement of esoteric training, unless properly qualified — always qualified with the accompanying doctrine: Give up thy life if thou wouldst find it. Live to benefit mankind, for this is the first step. If you will have the sun, then leave the earth and its clouds.

Purucker, Golden Precepts

[Skull]

When a man acts harmoniously, he acts in accordance with the universal scheme and law; and harmony in consciousness and thought and therefore in action is what men understand by the term ethics. Ethics are not a convention; morals are not a convention; they are rooted in the harmony, in the central laws, of being; they are based on the very structural harmony of the universe.

This instinct of ethics thus springs from within your inner constitution. It comes forth from your spiritual being recognizing harmony, order, the stateliness and majesty of beauty — beauty in thought, beauty in aspiration and feeling, beauty in action.

Purucker, Golden Precepts

[FallingLeaves]

Once heard they are seldom forgotten, and even if rebelled against they have a mysterious power of keeping in the man's mind, until at last, even against his first determination, he is forced to accept them. The appreciation of justice is common to all, and the exact justice of Karma appeals even to the person who is unfortunate enough to be undergoing heavy punishment: even if, ignoring justice, he does good in order to make good Karma, it is well, for he will be reborn under conditions that may favor the coming out of unselfish motive.

"Teach, preach, and practice this good law for the benefit of the world, even as all the Buddhas do."

while all you say sounds good, in my experience it fails on the basis that any attempt to avoid bad karma ultimately just creates a different kind of bad karma. So attempted avoidance of bad karma is not a path I would now tread. I have to live with the consequences for what I do, and that is that.

[Skull]

while all you say sounds good, in my experience it fails on the basis that any attempt to avoid bad karma ultimately just creates a different kind of bad karma. So attempted avoidance of bad karma is not a path I would now tread. I have to live with the consequences for what I do, and that is that.

Karma means both actions and the fruits or results. Judge says that avoidance of the bad effects is not possible, but lessening that effect is possible by manifesting good actions. Those good karmic deeds or thoughts or words will set in motion new karma and meld with any past good karma to produce future goodness.

One of the Aphorisms on Karma says, in part: "(13) The effects [of negative karma] may be counteracted or mitigated by the thoughts and acts of oneself or of another..."

[Baile]

Judge says that avoidance of the bad effects is not possible, but lessening that effect is possible by manifesting good actions.That is just one human being's very restrictive, extremely dogmatic interpretation. The soul is the lone judge in determining if and how its karma plays out. There are no set laws, Spirit cannot and does not force the soul to "face its bad effects." Again, the soul alone determines that for itself; which karmic responsibilities it will take up, and how it will face them.

[Skull]

No Baile, Mr Judge is just repeating what generations of Buddhists & Hindus teach. Since neither 'soul' nor 'spirit' has body, speech or mind, and those are the actors which create good or bad karma, therefore the fruit or effect of karma manifests through body, speech or mind. Avoidance of good or bad effects is not possible, for Karma is the law.

[Baile]

No Baile, Mr Judge is just repeating what generations of Buddhists & Hindus teach. Since neither 'soul' nor 'spirit' has body, speech or mind, and those are the actors which create good or bad karma, therefore the fruit or effect of karma manifests through body, speech or mind. Avoidance of good or bad effects is not possible, for Karma is the law.As I said, it's a restrictive view, whatever the source. It is nothing other than one particular understanding, from one particular POV and consciousness perspective. That which you stated is a religious interpretation (Buddhists & Hindus, as you said). The spiritual-occult understanding, the one I shared, is from another, less dogmatic, non-religious wisdom perspective.

Is there cause and effect? Yes. Is the soul bound by its karma? No. The soul chooses which karmic responsibilities it deems necessary and worthwhile to its continued growth and evolution, and which karmic ties it can simply discard and let go.

I'll tell you what the difference is; it is a universal truth relevant to any discussion highlighting the difference between religious belief and esoteric understanding. Religion views the human being and soul as subservient to Spirit, under the strict guidance and direction and control of a "God" and/or Spirit laws. Whereas esoteric understanding views the human being and soul as its own source of guidance and direction. The soul is in complete control of its evolution and takes full and conscious responsibility for its karma. It is never bound by so-called "God's will" or by any of the strict and inflexible Spirit laws and soul-hurdles the various religions have invented and would have us believe.

[Skull]

Nice speculations Baile; what (other than your own opinion) is your source for these 'esoteric' views? Considering that neither Buddhism nor Jainism have a 'God' and are both non-theistic, you might wish to investigate their view of Karma.

[Baile]

Nice speculations Baile; what (other than your own opinion) is your source for these 'esoteric' views? Considering that neither Buddhism nor Jainism have a 'God' and are both non-theistic, you might wish to investigate their view of Karma.God as in Christianity, that's why I included that comment. As with all religions, Christianity is bound by irreducible beliefs and tenets, as are Buddhism and Hinduism. Christianity asserts God (as opposed to the spiritual laws of cause and effect), is in charge and in control of the soul's destiny. Pisces Age religions identify the source of control as external (God; immutable spiritual laws). Aquarius Age wisdom identifies the source of control as inner and personal (the Self; self-regulating karma). So one's understanding on this subject depends on whether they are approaching the question from a Pisces Age religious perspective, or an Aquarius Age consciousness perspective.

[Skull]

Still not giving the source of these notions...?

[Arcturus]

Theosophy UK "The Mahatma letters" https://youtu.be/aAg0ZQFQhNc

I believe the British Museum holds many of these letters, supposedly from Ascended masters that were sent, precipitated or found in strange places. I've read some of them and you can hear the intelligence. Not that I hold to them being sent by the the Brothers. The ink has some very strange qualities supposedly. No doubt they've been "debunked" too but what hasn't..a good watch.

[Skull]

The Masters were not 'ascended' but physical men who were seen and met by others besides Blavatsky.
The odd features of their letters, like the impressed ink, are mentioned in:

Barborka, Geoffrey A. The Mahatmas and Their Letters.

[Arcturus]

By ascended I mean enlightened. Is that not so or have I used "ascended" differently? I realise Blavatsky met some or one, at least, in the in the flesh but can they not materialise a human form? Even if they were incarnated at the time they're still enlightened no?

[Floatsy]

Enlightenment is not a myth.

[Skull]

By ascended I mean enlightened. Is that not so or have I used "ascended" differently? I realise Blavatsky met some or one, at least, in the in the flesh but can they not materialise a human form? Even if they were incarnated at the time they're still enlightened no?

Many levels of bodhi or enlightenment and Blavatsky's teachers all had a superior bodhi, but they were not buddhas or high bodhisattvas.

"Ascended Masters" is terminology that is used by I AM and other pseudo-theosophical groups. Their 'masters' are not physical, but are on some higher plane.

[Skull]

Franz Hartmann's Rosicrucian Rules

1. Love God above all.
To “love God” means to love wisdom and truth. We can love God in no other way than in being obedient to Divine law; and to enable us to exercise that obedience conscientiously requires knowledge of the law, which can only be gained by practice.
2. Devote your time to your spiritual advancement.
As the sun without leaving his place in the sky sends his rays upon the earth to shine upon the pure and the impure, and to illuminate even the most minute material objects with his light; likewise the spirit of man may send his mental rays to obtain knowledge of all terrestrial things; but there is no need that the spirit should thereby lose its own divine self-consciousness, and be itself absorbed by the objects of its perception.
3. Be entirely unselfish. Spiritual knowledge begins only where all sense of self ceases.
Where the delusion which causes man to imagine himself to be a being separated and isolated from all others ends, there he begins to realize his true state as an all-embracing universal and divine self-conscious power.
4. Be temperate, modest, energetic, and silent.
The door to the inner temple is called “Contentement”; but no animal can enter therein, only he who walks uprightly, being conscious of his true dignity as a human being. Without energy, nothing can be accomplished; and only in the silence, when all thoughts and desires are at rest, can the Divine harmonies penetrate to the internal ear.
5. Learn to know the origin of the METALS contained within thyself.
Ignorance is the cause of suffering. That which is material must be crucified and die, so that that which is spiritual may be resurrected and live.
6. Beware of quacks and pretenders.
He who claims to be in possession of knowledge knows nothing; only he through whom the Word of wisdom speaks is wise.
7. Live in constant adoration of the highest good.
The worm seeks for pleasure among abomination and filth; but the free eagle spreads his wings and rises up towards the sun.
8. Learn the theory before you attempt the practice.
He who travels with a trustworthy guide will be safer than he who refuses to profit by the experience of another.
9. Exercise charity towards all beings.
All beings are one in the spirit; divided from each other merely by the illusion of form. He who is charitable towards another form in which the universal One Life is manifest, saves suffering to his own self.
10. Read the ancient books of wisdom.
Books are to the unripe mind that which the mother’s milk is to the nursling. We must receive drink from others until we have gained sufficient strength and experience to descend to the living fountain within ourselves, and to draw from there the water of truth.
11. Try to understand their secret meaning.
That which is external may be seen with the external eye; but that which is spiritual can only be seen with the eyes of the spirit.
(From In the Pronaos of the Temple of Wisdom, Chapter 7, 1890)

[Starman]

Paul Foster Case’s Builders of the Adytum (BOTA), or inner temple, taught principles similar to those of the Order of the Golden Dawn, and also had similar precepts.

They called these precepts “The Pattern on the Trestleboard” which paralleled Divine Emanations of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. They are both an affirmation and a meditational technique to help the spiritual aspirant attain to a more conscious expression. A tenfold picture of the destiny of man in the evolutionary scheme as revealed by the Secret Wisdom. According to BOTA this Pattern on the Trestleboard aided in helping to develop higher cosmic attributes.

0. All the Power that ever was or will be is here now.

1. I am a center of expression for the Primal Will-to-Good which eternally creates and sustains the Universe.

2. Through me its unfailing Wisdom takes form in thought and word.

3. Filled with Understanding of its perfect law, I am guided, moment by moment, along the path of liberation.

4. From the exhaustless riches of its Limitless Substance, I draw all things needful, both spiritual and material.

5. I recognize the manifestation of the Undeviating Justice in all the circumstances of my life.

6. In all things, great and small, I see the Beauty of the Divine Expression.

7. Living from that Will, supported by its unfailing Wisdom and Understanding, mine is the Victorious Life.

8. I look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of the Eternal Splendor of the Limitless Light.

9. In thought and word and deed, I rest my life, from day to day, upon the sure Foundation of Eternal Being.

10. The Kingdom of Spirit is embodied in my flesh.

[Shivani Devi]

I'm just resubbing to this thread. I'll have to re-read it.

“It is on the acceptance or rejection of the theory of the Unity of all in Nature, in its ultimate Essence, that mainly rests the belief or unbelief in the existence around us of other conscious beings besides the Spirits of the Dead.”- HPB

NECRO EXPERIENTIAL TRUTH!!! ^^^^^

[O]

thanks Skull for the link that has a wealth of information.
Is that a Peke in your pic???:smile:

[Skull]

A newsletter from the Friends of Theosophical Archives, with much of historical interest regarding Theosophy.

http://hypatia.gr/fota/index.php/newsletter

They are also on Facebook.

[Skull]

Blavatsky's major work, The Secret Doctrine, is difficult to follow for many. So these References that the TS Pasadena have put online are a big help:

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sdrefs/sdrefs-hp.htm

[Skull]

Running from 11 to 14 August, here is the Program and readings related to it and the Study Circles:

http://itcconferencesantabarbara.org

[Skull]

The 2016 International Theosophy Conference, which brings together the varied branches of the movement is nearly over. But all the sessions were videotaped and will remain at Livestream for a time:

http://livestream.com/blavatskyhouse

[Skull]

No permanent progress is possible through fostering the
illusion of separateness, and that man’s true duty at all times and in all
circumstances is the love of his kind and the preservation of harmony
around him.

W.Q. Judge, writing in 1890; from Echoes of the Orient 1:181

[Skull]

Theosophical Society Pasadena has made many of their HTML books into free PDF e-books; over 60 it appears!

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/tup-ebooks.htm

[Kate Matthews]

Theosophical Society Pasadena has made many of their HTML books into free PDF e-books; over 60 it appears!

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/tup-ebooks.htm


Thank you for posting this! :hug3:

[Injeeai]

This is a wonderful thread and filled with so much material for me to research and understand about Theosophy. Thank you for this wealth of information!

[Skull]

Glad you find the thread of value, Injeeai & Kate. Keep on aspiring and thinking!

[Skull]

Magnetic emanations are constantly radiating from every human
being. Their influence is present in the person's shadow, in his photo or
picture as well as everything else with which his aura comes into
contact.
It is interesting in this connection to refer to the "Chhaya
grahini" (Shadow-Catcher), mentioned in Ramayana which was able to
arrest the aerial progress of Hanuman by seizing on his shadow on the
surface of the Sea.
It is a well-known fact that the figure of a person or his picture
is a great help to a black magician who intends to affect him
by his infernal art.

Blavatsky Collected Writings VI:341

[Skull]

Interesting issue for 2016 on man's rights and duties for this lifetime and future ones:

http://www.blavatskyhouse.org/pdf/Lucifer-EN-No1-2016.pdf

[Skull]

There is a wonderful French proverb which runs thus: Tout com-prendre, c'est tout pardonner: To understand everything is to forgive all. To understand all the hid causes, the results, the past destiny, the present strength, the temptation, the virtue, whatever it may be — to understand all this is to have divine knowledge, and it means to forgive. It is a wonderful proverb and must have been uttered, I venture to say, first by some human being who had a touch of illumination.

G. de Purucker "The Heritage of Man is Man Himself."

[redstone]

Magnetic emanations are constantly radiating from every human
being. Their influence is present in the person's shadow, in his photo or
picture as well as everything else with which his aura comes into
contact.
It is interesting in this connection to refer to the "Chhaya
grahini" (Shadow-Catcher), mentioned in Ramayana which was able to
arrest the aerial progress of Hanuman by seizing on his shadow on the
surface of the Sea.
It is a well-known fact that the figure of a person or his picture
is a great help to a black magician who intends to affect him
by his infernal art.

I have seen some weird photos of myself with a light mist over my head...and the picture area around it is distorted, not just on one picture but on a few. I think someone has been infernalising me! :D

[Skull]

"Esotericism, pure and simple, speaks of no personal God; therefore are we considered as Atheists. But, in reality, Occult Philosophy, as a whole, is based absolutely on the ubiquitous presence of God, the Absolute Deity; and if IT Itself is not speculated upon, as being too sacred and yet incomprehensible as a Unit to the finite intellect, yet the entire Philosophy is based upon Its Divine Powers as being the Source of all that breathes and lives and has existence.

In every ancient Religion the ONE was demonstrated by the many. In Egypt and India, in Chaldæ and Phœnicia, and finally in Greece, the ideas about Deity were expressed by multiples of three, five and seven; and also by eight, nine and twelve great Gods, which symbolized the powers and properties of the One and Only Deity. This was related to that infinite subdivision by irregular and odd numbers to which the metaphysics of these nations subjected their ONE DIVINITY.

Thus constituted, the cycle of the Gods has all the qualities and attributes of the ONE SUPREME AND UNKNOWABLE; for in this collection of divine Personalities, or rather of Symbols personified, dwells the ONE GOD, the GOD ONE, that God which, in India, is said to have no Second."

Blavatsky in Esoteric Instructions pp. 99-100

[Skull]

We learn through our faults. Sorrow, pain, and suffering, are
our best teachers; and let me say here: Do not seek to be ‘good’;
seek to be impersonal, and you will be good automatically, unconsciously.

The man who seeks to be ‘good’ is exercising one kind
of spiritual selfishness; for, in the first place, he seeks something
for himself. It is better to be good than to be bad; but the royal
road, the highway to the mountain-tops, is impersonality; for the
truly and spiritually impersonal man never does an evil deed. If
he did so he would be very personal. The impersonal man never
does a selfish deed. If he did so he would be very personal, very
selfish. If the impersonal man were to turn a deaf ear to a cry for
help: turn a deaf ear to the pleadings of compassion and pity: he
would be very personal. His impersonality would be but a garment,
a mask, a mockery.

But he whose vision is clear, whose heart is at peace, whose
mind is tranquil, seeks neither for good nor for evil; for his whole
heart is set on the supernal light within, the supreme spiritual
guide.

G. de Purucker

[Skull]

As a general rule, and save in certain cases
due to karman, as for instance in certain cases of those who die in
childhood or in early youth, the Reincarnating Ego is born into a
different race when it returns to earth, into a different time, into
different surroundings, and other environments.

G. de Purucker

[Skull]

When I was a boy of twelve I came upon a Buddhist quotation which fascinated imagination, mind, and heart. I think it was one of the things which in this life awoke me more than any other thing that I can recollect; at any rate it was one of the first. It is pure Theosophy and genuine Buddhist doctrine. It is this: the Lord Buddha is speaking, and I am paraphrasing somewhat his words in order to make them clearer:

"O disciples, never let discouragement enter into your souls. See you suffering in the world, see you unhappiness and pain and ignorance, misery and distress which wring the heart? Disciples, all things are destined to pass into Buddhahood: the stones, the plants, the beasts, all the component atoms of these, each and every one, aye, and sun and moon and stars and planets — all in future ages will become Buddha. Each one will become a Buddha."

What a marvelous picture! How it quiets the heart and stills the mind; for if one atom, one man, become a Buddha, everything will, for this universe is one, broken into multitudes during Manvantara or manifestation; rooted in that One, living from it, and by it. In it we live and we move and have all our being. Therefore some day, somewhere in the incalculable aeons of what we call the future, all now of the multitudes, suns and stars, planets, comets, gods, men, animals, plants, stones, atoms, elements, worlds, everything, each as individual, is destined for Buddhahood.

When I read that -- I have given you the expanded gist of what I heard -- for nearly three months I went around in a daze of spiritual delight and inner reawakening. To this day I could not tell you whether I ate or drank or slept. I know I must have done so, but I have no recollection of anything except light; and the raising of the eyes inner and outer, upward and inward. Just that thought broke open the doors closed when I drank of the waters of Lethe, of forgetfulness, when last I died. The doors opened and the light came in, began to come in.

G. de Purucker, from his Wind of the Spirit

[Skull]

How grand indeed shines the light of truth upon the face of the man whose heart is enlightened by the sense of his oneness with all; and what pathos there is when the sense of separateness drives him away from his oneness with other men.

Purucker, from his Wind of the Spirit

[Skull]

For this era especially...

http://www.universaltheosophy.com/articles/johnston/uncomfortable-brothers/

[Skull]

There is one thing I learned when I was a boy, and I learned it well, and it has been one of my best friends
ever since. It is that I can learn from everything, and that if I allow a single day to pass without increasing my
store of wisdom, without enlarging and enriching my inner life, by however small an increment, that day is a
lost day in my life. Too many of us are asleep; we sleep and dream. We dream dreams, and all too often these
dreams are evil dreams, for they are the upsurgings of the lower, personal, easily self-satisfied ego of ours.
But others of us dream visions of incomparable beauty — and I mean not merely physical beauty, but beauty
of any kind: spiritual beauty, intellectual beauty, ay, even beauty of wondrous nature around us. And every
such new envisioning of a marvel awakens us by just so much. Oh, how we sleep, and are forgetful of what
we are and of the richness around us which is ours for the taking, ours if we will take it! For there is naught
that stands in the way of taking except oneself. There are none so blind as they who refuse to see; none so
deaf as they who refuse to hear; and, on the other hand, none so wise as they who meet every new experience
in life's wondrous adventure with the feeling: there is an angel behind this for me. I must discover him; learn
what that angelic messenger is trying to tell me. Every experience is such.

Wind of the Spirit

[Skull]

Thousands of men and women who belong to no church, sect, or society, who are neither Theosophists nor Spiritualists, are yet virtually members of that Silent Brotherhood the units of which often do not know each other, belonging as they do to nations far and wide apart, yet each of whom carries on his brow the mark of the mysterious Karmic seal—the seal that makes of him or her a member of the Brotherhood of the Elect of Thought. Having failed to satisfy their aspirations in their respective orthodox faiths they have severed themselves from their Churches in soul when not in body, and are devoting the rest of their lives to the worship of loftier and purer ideals than any intellectual speculation can give them. How few, in comparison to their numbers, and how rarely one meets with such, and yet their name is legion, if they only chose to reveal themselves. Under the influence of that same passionate search for “life in spirit” and “life in truth,” which compels every earnest Theosophist onward through years of moral obloquy and public ostracism; moved by the same dissatisfaction with the principles of pure conventionality of modern society, and scorn for the still triumphant, fashionable thought, which, appropriating to itself unblushingly the honoured epithets of “scientific” and “foremost,” of “pioneer” and “liberal,” uses these prerogatives but to domineer over the fainthearted and selfish—these earnest men and women prefer to tread alone and unaided the narrow and thorny path that lies before him who will neither recognize authorities nor bow before cant.

Collected Writings XII:125-6 - "The Cycle Moveth" article.

[Skull]

If we all lived in the consciousness and
the conviction of our own great possibilities,
we should realize that we are souls, and that
we too have divine privileges far beyond anything
that we know of or even think of. Yet
we throw these aside, because they are not
acceptable to our limited, personal selves.
They do not fit in with our preconceived ideas.

So we forget that we are a part of the
divine Scheme of Life, that the meaning of
life is sacred and holy; and we allow ourselves
to drift back into the vortex of misunderstanding,
misconception, doubt, unhappiness, and despair.

That soul steps out on the path of self-directed evolution
- evolution directed by his own higher
nature; and he moves along that road with
a conviction that the ultimate relative
perfection of man is assured.

A soul that starts on the path that I
have spoken of, finds the companionship of
his own essential divinity.

As he moves forward, he will begin to
find the reality of things which he had formerly
ignored. Sacred blessings will come
to him without money and without price.
He will find the beginning of great joy, the
beginning of a new life, the beginning of
sublime efforts, and a quality of courage that
will enable him to proclaim from the housetops
and the mountain-tops, anywhere and
everywhere, that man is essentially divine:
and that is the voice and the music of the
soul, seeking expression in the hearts of men.

Katherine Tingley

[Skull]

Mr Judge's answer points out that one encompassing definition of Theosophy for all times and persons is not possible, or desirable.

The fundamental question, “What is the criterion of Theosophy?” calls for an answer. Has Theosophy the power of growth, progress, and advancement in line with all new expositions of truth? In the minds of many the writings of H.P.B. are regarded as the infallible oracles of Theosophy. But in time criticism is sure to do its work. Consequently it is necessary soon to give out a definition of it much broader, simpler, and more unequivocal than any heretofore offered.

W.Q. Judge — This is in fact a request to formulate and promulgate a dogmatic statement of Theosophy as we understand it. That is, to go completely back on the genius of the Theosophical movement, which is for the destruction of dogmatism. The strength of Theosophy lies in the fact that it is not to be defined. It is the wisdom of the gods, or of nature. This means that evolution, slowly progressing, will bring out new truths and new aspects of old truths, thus absolutely preventing any dogmas or “unequivocal definitions.” Were we to make and declare a definition of Theosophy it would be only the words of those who participated in drawing it up, and not acceptable to all. And were it possible that all would accept, then would be sounded the doom of the movement. Hence the reply to the question, “What is the criterion of Theosophy?” is that it is found in each man’s perception of the Truth: therefore there is no single criterion.

If any persons regard H.P.B.’s writings as the infallible oracles of Theosophy, they go directly against her own words and the works themselves; they must be people who do not indulge in original thinking and cannot make much impression on the times.

As for the Theosophical Society, the moment it makes a hard and fast definition of Theosophy it will mark the first hour of its decay.

Inasmuch as Theosophy is the whole body of truth about man and nature, either known now or hereafter to be discovered, it has the “power of growth, progress and advancement,” since every new truth makes it clearer. But among the truths will not be reckoned at any time the definitions, dogmas, creeds or beliefs laid down by man.

From Echoes of the Orient vol. II:379-80

[Skull]

Spirituality is on its ascending arc, and the animal or physical impedes it from steadily progressing on the path of its evolution only when the selfishness of the personality has so strongly infected the real inner man with its lethal virus, that the upward attraction has lost all its power on the thinking reasonable man.
In sober truth, vice and wickedness are an abnormal, unnatural manifestation, at this period of our human evolution — at least they ought to be so. The fact that mankind was never more selfish and vicious than it is now, civilized nations having succeeded in making of the first an ethical characteristic, of the second an art, is an additional proof of the exceptional nature of the phenomenon.

H.P. Blavatsky in The Secret Doctrine II:110

[Skull]

On the 8th of May in 1891, the noble Helena Blavatsky died. In grateful remembrance of her life given for the mind and life of humanity.

The power to know does not come from book-study nor from mere philosophy, but mostly from the actual practice of altruism in deed, word, and thought; for that practice purifies the covers of the soul and permits that light to shine down into the brain-mind. As the brain-mind is the receiver in the waking state, it has to be purified from sense-perception, and the truest way to do this is by combining philosophy with the highest outward and inward virtue.

[Skull]

This August the ITC conference will be in Philadelphia. Here are readings on the main subjects: Universal Brotherhood, Nucleus and Healing.

http://www.theosophyconferences.org/index.php/readings/

Typos and highlighting abound.

[Skull]

We have opportunities continuously of
making every day an Easter-festival, a day
of the resurrection or the evoking of the spiritual
side of our natures; for every man is a
Christ in degree. But we and our ancestors
before us have been moving along under the
psychology of the ages, half-blinded with the
teaching that Jesus alone was the special son
of God, and that the rest of humanity were
miserable sinners whose only salvation lay
in something outside themselves. Such a
conception deprives humanity of its rightful
spiritual heritage.

Katherine Tingley

[Skull]

An overview of Theosophy, that is also available in print:

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gdpmanu/ryan-wh/man_what_is_theosophy.pdf

[Skull]

We figure to ourselves Intellect as an ethereal sea, which ebbs and flows, which surges and washes hither and thither, carrying its whole virtue into every creek and inlet which it bathes. To this sea every human house has a water front. But this force, creating nature, visiting whom it will and withdrawing from whom it will, making day where it comes and leaving night when it departs, is no fee or property of man or angel. It is as the light, public and entire to each, and on the same terms.

R.W. Emerson, "Natural History of Intellect"

[Skull]

The theosophical movement is far older than the presentation that Blavatsky gave.

Here is a theosophist, yet not a member of any group inspired by Blavatsky:

The central aim of Vedanta is to bring all to one unifying understanding, yet to let each one follow his own particular form of faith. When we try to force sameness of thought, it bars spiritual progress; but when we admit the possibility of perfect unity in variety, then each one is able to advance in his own way.

Vedanta realizes that as long as there are such differences in human temperament and mind, we cannot expect all to worship in the same manner. To destroy diversity in life would be to destroy much of its beauty and sublimity. Therefore Vedanta includes in its scope all forms of thought.


From Emerson and Vedanta by Swami Paramananda

[Skull]

Latest issue of 2017 Lucifer magazine:

http://www.blavatskyhouse.org/pdf/Lucifer-English-August_2017.pdf

[Skull]

Theosophical Search, a recent site, it may turn out to be useful across all sorts of sites and writings:

http://www.joehasiewicz.com/tws/web/

[Kate Matthews]

Thank you.

[Nambmeks]

[Nambmeks]

[Nambmeks]

[Nambmeks]

[Skull]

Theosophy teaches, as foremost of all virtues, altruism and self-sacrifice, brotherhood and compassion for every living creature, without, for all that, worshipping Man or Humanity.

Blavatsky

[Skull]

A blog by contemporary theosophist, Vic Hao Chin:

https://insightsonlife.net

[JOHN44]

In his age and all the others they are all shown how to give it agefull truth tto the nation of the soil that has been their at a passing of 73 they change their insight via instruction

[JOHN44]

for the of a day no days is present at any givens to an untold I have seen the Vase of unknowns I have breathedin thee ages known only to be betrayed by the exsisting truth of flesh that guides via a book written in time never given try verse 44 122;98 Igiveth you no never givens of my unclean members for I am he who never knows His Own name for your time shall serve me well

[JOHN44]

not dante 's retrurn :mad:

[JOHN44]

any thought of truth i have knowledge of for time is shared but there is an means of capture well of you see it I dwell to a shadow of the grace bestowed for he can dwell in time they will say yet he knew of the age given and now time is to start for you had your chance they will never allow me to give again it has been betrayed

[FallingLeaves]

(bemusedly) i don't know which is worse - people not saying there is something to have or what the expectations are to get it... but being very 'in your face' once they can say that some 'valuable opportunity' has passed you by

or people saying quite clearly what to and what you are going to get, then rigging the game so it isn't possible to do valuable things or get valuable results.

But I guess I get what I deserve.

Sigh.

[AtTheHawksWell]

(bemusedly) i don't know which is worse - people not saying there is something to have or what the expectations are to get it... but being very 'in your face' once they can say that some 'valuable opportunity' has passed you by

or people saying quite clearly what to and what you are going to get, then rigging the game so it isn't possible to do valuable things or get valuable results.

But I guess I get what I deserve.

Sigh.A good place to start to get clarity with your questions would be to click on the link the OP provided in post #146. The first article is entitled, "The Life-Changing Effects of Optimism." This is really the very opposite of "I get what I deserve, sigh" capitulation. Freely choosing optimism as a path, one learns to see and experience that all life is indeed shaped via one's choices: by the beliefs one chooses to hold onto (or not hold onto), and by the degree with which one steps consciously and purposefully into life.

There is no game and life certainly is not rigged. There are of course karmic considerations, yes. But we all have those. And while our karma cannot hold us back, it can bind us if we let it. We can choose indolence, and we can choose not to progress, and we can choose capitulation. But it's not life or karma that does that; that's simply the individual, choosing that for themselves. And quite often choosing it out of a place of negativity and pessimism. Thus the appropriateness and wisdom of article.

[AtTheHawksWell]

Oh that's interesting. FallingLeaves, I see it was you who responded to a post of mine back in December. I had written that given all belief is simply a choice we make for ourselves, why not believe in the best instead of the worst? You replied with a statement about optimism (belief in the best) as "self-serving super-hype," and a further comment that "the bubble IS going to burst."

It sounds like you struggle with remaining positive. That's a difficult one, I did as well for many years. It's a real soul-struggle of our times in truth, for millions if not billions of people on this planet. All the best.

[FallingLeaves]

Oh that's interesting. FallingLeaves, I see it was you who responded to a post of mine back in December. I had written that given all belief is simply a choice we make for ourselves, why not believe in the best instead of the worst? You replied with a statement about optimism (belief in the best) as "self-serving super-hype," and a further comment that "the bubble IS going to burst."

It sounds like you struggle with remaining positive. That's a difficult one, I did as well for many years. It's a real soul-struggle of our times in truth, for millions if not billions of people on this planet. All the best.

i was going to post something elsewhere to night but felt that I shouldn't.

But since you are on about it here, one of the points was that I feel that 'positiveness' as practiced by people is rife with the notion of how to get things and/or how to get others to give you things, as well as dreams of what the future can be like... and as it turns out if you want a truly unimpeded view of what is here/now you don't have any choice but to step away from notions of what you can get for yourself, or notions of a rosy future. Step away from positiveness as practiced by the world. Not that that seems like a valid choice though...

But also it is darned *hard* to be positive and the ONLY motivation I can find for going to the effort is that others say they would appreciate me more if I were like them and just went for it. But I know from experience, that being what others want me to be jsut for the prospect of getting kudos isn't for me... because quite honestly, any time I've tried it took a lot of effort, then the others didn't even pay up. And I am definitely not going to assume that future effort will be rewarded any more than past effort was at this point. What was that about the definition of insanity?

So I guess positivity isn't for me. At least not the way you are likely to be defining the word. (shrugs).

[Skull]

It is an old saw, tired for many, but still and all, if one has a little, that little can leaven the positive-negative seesaw. Contentment, even confidence results from Faith in one's True Nature being part of the only Reality.

Our conventional self is a phantom, always craving more pleasant and less unpleasant. It is to be ignored as much as possible.

Then rest assured that our buddha-nature or christ-nature or godly-nature is what IS and IT can be known.

[AtTheHawksWell]

Contentment, even confidence results from Faith in one's True Nature being part of the only Reality.Wise words. Really about all one can say when all is said and done. Individuals either understand that - have come to conscious recognition of that truth - or they have yet to. From my experience, the planet-wide struggle we see today - the chronic pessimism, negativity and even anger towards life - is a result of humanity having lost that faith and understanding of one's true nature. And an understanding of the one Reality as you put it, which Theosophy and spiritual science can indeed point one towards.

[AtTheHawksWell]

But also it is darned *hard* to be positiveFallingLeaves, when the human being comes to a soul understanding regarding truth of life, incarnation and existence, positivity becomes the natural and constant state. For example, when the human being finally understands there is no death, and that the soul is eternal, there is no longer any fear of death. And in that space where fear and terror of life once resided, joy and gratitude blossoms.

[Skull]

A new topical compilation of some of Blavatsky's The Secret Doctrine, put together by Fiona Odgren. Have not read it yet, but it will have an appeal to those who wish not to read the entire 1400 pages of the original.

http://www.powells.com/book/timeless-truths-of-the-secret-doctrine-9781490782263#SR

Also in hardcover...

[Skull]

I feel that the work of the Theosophical Society should consist primarily in an understanding of the nature of life—as it is in ourselves, as it is in others; in plants, in animals; everywhere, the one Life of which the great Teachers have spoken—and in understanding the nature of consciousness which is interblended with life and is really an aspect of life.

N. Sri Ram

[Skull]

Copy of Timeless Truths arrived and it will not cause those with poor vision to squint - maybe 16 pt type! Nice little glossary, but no index, several photos of the principals involved with HPB in SD project, Masters included. She quoted from the Theosophical University Press edition

Odgren's Foreword about the production of The Secret Doctrine is thorough & good, yet she does not say how she chose the 56 "major themes" in this compilation. They are arranged alphabetically starting with the Absolute One Eternal Be-ness, then Angels etc.

It is a unique approach and will, because of its wide range of themes in all three areas of Science, Philosophy and Religion, attract a differing group of thinkers. The Stanzas of Dzyan are not emphasized or quoted much, which is just as well, for they are off putting to many.

Hard & soft cover.

[Skull]

Program of Conference in Italy, mid-October 2018:

http://europeanschooloftheosophy.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DratProgram-2018-2.pdf

[Skull]

A child, as much as a man, resents a punishment, or even a reproof he believes to be unmerited, far more than he does a severer punishment, if he feels that it is merited. Belief in Karma is the highest reason for reconcilement to one's lot in this life, and the very strongest incentive towards effort to better the succeeding re-birth.

Blavatsky in The Key to Theosophy

[Zysiphez]

I have been interested in Theosophy for quite a while. While I never 'subscribed' to it, I've always found it to contain so many intriguing aspects as well as mysteries.

It certainly gave birth to bringing the 'ancient aliens' concept to public attention, the mahatmas, Atlantis, Aryans, comparative region, post-Buddhism, and many others.

The Secret Doctrine is absolutely a great book (regardless of what the conclusions one might or might not have over it's validity), as it The Voice Of The Silence. The mysterious and still not rediscovered "Book of the Golden Precepts/Book Of Dzyan" is also an incredibly fascinating thing (featured within those two books) to contemplate about.

Both Dion Fortune and Alice Bailey both produced some interesting Theosophical literature (even though they are generally considered "out" by orthodoxy)

[inavalan]

If you're interested, you can download (free only today):

The Key to Theosophy

Being a Clear Exposition, in the Form of Question and Answer, of the Ethics, Science, and Philosophy for the Study of Which the Theosophical Society Has Been Founded

by H. P. Blavatsky

from: https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/TheKeytoTheosophy_10004474

[Skull]

A video full of theosophic ideas & practices:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47WBh--ez_Q

As for a free Key to Theosophy, here it is along with many other free e-books on Theosophy:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/tup-ebooks.htm

[Skull]

A good, sympathetic biography of Helena Blavatsky, who died 8 May, 1891, is now in PDF format:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/cranston/HPB-Cranston_ebook.pdf

[Skull]

Immortality is possible, but only with conditions fulfilled.

No noble thought, no grand aspiration, desire, or divine immortal love,
can come into the brain of the man of clay and settle there, except
as a direct emanation from the higher to, and through, the lower
Ego; all the rest, intellectual as it may seem, proceeds from the
‘shadow,’ the lower mind, in its association and commingling with
Kāma, [passions] and passes away and disappears for ever. But the
mental and spiritual ideations of the personal ‘I’ return to it, as parts of
the Ego’s essence, and can never fade out. Thus of the personality
that was, only its spiritual experiences, the memory of all that
is good and noble, with the consciousness of its ‘I,’ blended with
that of all the other personal ‘I’s’ that preceded it, [in previous lifetimes]
survive and become immortal.

Blavatsky

[Zeke55]

Alvin Boyd Kuhn is good.

[Skull]

Ethics over intellect & egotism is the key:

Happiness
cannot exist where Truth is absent. Erected upon the shifting sands of
human fiction and hypotheses, happiness is merely a house of cards
tumbling down at the first whiff; it cannot exist in reality as long as
egotism reigns supreme in civilized societies. As long as intellectual
progress will refuse to accept a subordinate position to ethical progress,
and egotism will not give way to the Altruism preached by Gautama and
the true historical Jesus (the Jesus of the pagan sanctuary, not the Christ
of the Churches), happiness for all the members of humanity will remain
a Utopia.

Blavatsky

[Zeke55]

Alvin Boyd Kuhn is good.
Yes he is extremely knowledgeable.

[Skull]

President Tim Boyd talking about Theosophy at Singapore conference; he begins at 7 minutes:

https://youtu.be/mFGLcXOyu1s

[Skull]

The law of karma and rebirth powerfully affects human life. Here is a little from Christmas Humphreys booklet Karma and Rebirth:

Only by studying, and to some extent grasping, an outline of the Wisdom of which Karma and Rebirth are part can the meanest vision of the doctrine be attained, and even then it is difficult to examine it apart from the Wisdom itself from which, as sunlight in the air, it is inseparable. Yet the difficulty is largely of our own making. For centuries the Western mind has been building up an utterly false notion of a separate ‘I’, and it is hard for us to grasp a view of existence in which the separative self is viewed as an illusion and the father of all suffering. It follows, whether or not the idea be pleasing to the scholar mind, that only he who treads the Way which leads to the end of separative self-hood will attain to understanding of the Wisdom wherein self, as something separate, can have no abiding-place.

Study, deep study, quiet meditation on the living principles revealed in that study, and the constant, self-regardless application of those principles to daily life, these alone will provide the final ‘proof’ of the laws of Karma and Rebirth, and only he who knows them thus will be in a position to offer to the West, by the written and the spoken word and by the force of character, the Wisdom of which the West has so abundant and so urgent need.

Christmas Humphreys, 1942

[Skull]

In 1887 Charles Johnston a Sanskrit scholar & friend of Blavatsky interviewed her:

http://www.philaletheians.co.uk/study-notes/blavatsky-tributes/blavatsky-interviewed-by-charles-johnston.pdf

[Skull]

Deeply sensible of the Titanic struggle that is now in progress between materialism and the spiritual aspirations of mankind, our constant endeavor has been to gather into our several chapters, like weapons into armories, every fact and argument that can be used to aid the latter in defeating the former. Sickly and deformed child as it now is, the materialism of To-Day is born of the brutal Yesterday. Unless its growth is arrested, it may become our master. It is the ******* progeny of the French Revolution and its reaction against ages of religious bigotry and repression. To prevent the crushing of these spiritual aspirations, the blighting of these hopes, and the deadening of that intuition which teaches us of a God and a hereafter, we must show our false theologies in their naked deformity, and distinguish between divine religion and human dogmas. Our voice is raised for spiritual freedom, and our plea made for enfranchisement from all tyranny, whether of SCIENCE or THEOLOGY.

Isis Unveiled, Blavatsky's first book of 1877.

[Skull]

Student.—How is one to know when he gets real occult information from the Self within?

Sage. [HPB]—Intuition must be developed and the matter judged from the true philosophical basis, for if it is contrary to true general rules it is wrong. It has to be known from a deep and profound analysis by which we find out what is from egotism alone and what is not; if it is due to egotism, then it is not from the Spirit and is untrue. The power to know does not come from book-study nor from mere philosophy, but mostly from the actual practice of altruism in deed, word, and thought; for that practice purifies the covers of the soul and permits that light to shine down into the brain-mind. As the brain-mind is the receiver in the waking state, it has to be purified from sense-perception, and the truest way to do this is by combining philosophy with the highest outward and inward virtue.

Student.—Tell me some ways by which intuition is to be developed.

Sage.—First of all by giving it exercise, and second by not using it for purely personal ends. Exercise means that it must be followed through mistakes and bruises until from sincere attempts at use it comes to its own strength. This does not mean that we can do wrong and leave the results, but that after establishing conscience on a right basis by following the golden rule, we give play to the intuition and add to its strength. Inevitably in this at first we will make errors, but soon if we are sincere it will grow brighter and make no mistake. We should add the study of the works of those who in the past have trodden this path and found out what is the real and what is not. They say the Self is the only reality. The brain must be given larger views of life, as by the study of the doctrine of reincarnation, since that gives a limitless field to the possibilities in store. We must not only be unselfish, but must do all the duties that Karma has given us, and thus intuition will point cut the road of duty and the true path of life.

From “Conversations on Occultism”.

[Skull]

The dual nature of our mind is an old, and true notion. So removing vice and fostering virtue is the path to realization & benefitting self & others.

The whole of our literature proves that real Theosophists, worshipping universal wisdom, worship in reality the same wisdom which has been proclaimed by St. James in the third chapter of his Epistle [verse 17], i.e., “the wisdom that is from above (δοΦία ἄνωθεν [which] is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy,” avoiding, on the advice of the same Apostle [verse 15], wisdom that “is earthly, sensual, devilish (ψυχική δαιμονιώδης).”

Blavatsky

[Skull]

"Abuse of power, whether it proceeds from excess of wisdom or ignorance is alike obnoxious in its effects. Besides, the clergy are silenced now. Their protests would at this day [1877] be scarcely noticed in the world of science. But while theology is kept in the background, the scientists have seized the scepter of despotism with both hands, and they use it, like the cherubim and flaming sword of Eden, to keep the people away from the tree of immortal life and within this world of perishable matter."

Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled

[Skull]

Modern Theosophy started with HP Blavatsky, WQ Judge and others. Here is a later follower of HPB writing on the subject of Adepts or Masters of Wisdom:

http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/books/mas-oc/mapo-gdp.htm#contents

From the Introductory:

It is our Theosophical teaching that greater men even than those geniuses to whom I have last above alluded exist in the world at the present time and existed in past times; and they have lived and taught and guided their fellowmen; and these Great Ones compose a spiritual Brotherhood of the Great Sages and Seers of the human race. These are what are called the Theosophical Mahatmans. They are the Elder Brothers of mankind. They are men, not spirits. They are men who have evolved through self-devised efforts in individual evolution, always advancing forwards and upwards until they attained the lofty supremacy that now they hold. They were not so created by any extra-cosmic Deity, but they are men who have become what they are by means of inward spiritual striving, by spiritual and intellectual yearning, by aspiration to be greater and -- better, nobler and higher. They are not what they are by any favoritism either of a god or of Fate, but have merely run ahead of the great multitude of men. There they stand; they are Helpers, they are Seers, they are Sages. They have naught that they have by way of gift. All that they have -- which means all that they are -- all that they have evolved to, all that they have become, they have gained by self-devised efforts in individual evolutionary growth.

[Skull]

The adept hierarchy is as strictly a product of nature as a tree is: it has definite and indispensable purpose and function in the development of the human race: this function is to keep open the upward path, through which descend the light and leading, without which our race would require to make each step by the wearisome, never ending method of trial and failure in every direction, until chance showed the right way. In fact the function of the adept hierarchy is to provide religious teachers for the stumbling masses of mankind.

But this path is eminently dangerous to those who do not hold the talisman which ensures safety; this talisman is a perfectly unselfish, self-forgetting, self-annihilating devotion to the religious good of mankind, a self-abnegation, which is not temporal, but must have no end for ever, and the object of which is the religious enlightenment of the human race.

T. Subba Row (d. 1890)

[Skull]

Whether imposed with legislation or embraced by practical or depressed people, suicide is a disaster in many ways. Here is one of Blavatsky's remarks about it:

If you mean by such desire [to quit life as] "suicide," then I say, most decidedly not. Such a result can never be a "natural" one, but is ever due to a morbid brain disease, or to most decided and strong materialistic views. It is the worst of crimes and dire in its results.
But if by desire, you mean simply aspiration to reach spiritual existence, not a wish to quit the earth, then I would call it a very natural desire indeed.
Otherwise voluntary death would be an abandonment of our present post and of the duties incumbent on us, as well as an attempt to shirk Karmic responsibilities, and thus involve the creation of new Karma.

[Skull]

Many spiritual seekers think Alice Bailey is a theosophist akin to Blavatsky - not so. Bailey is weak tea and often in key areas distorts Theosophy.

http://blavatskyarchives.com/In_Theosophys_Shadow_Vanity_Whispers.pdf

[Skull]

Plotinus on Voluntary Death, by Elias

Plotinus writes a treatise in one book on the reasonableness of exiting
from life and does not accept any one of the five reasons given for this.
For he says that just as god does not stop being providential for us, but
we make ourselves unfit and believe that god is far from us when he is
equally present to us, as those who are purified make clear, having seen
god themselves and consorted with him; and just as the sun shines its
light equally to all, although bats, unfit for the light, flee it and are not
illuminated by it, believing that the sun is darkness and not the source of
light, so the philosopher should imitate god and the sun, not being
careless of the body just because they care for the soul, but taking
providential care of it until such time as it becomes unfit, distancing
itself from its association with the soul. For it is absurd to exit before
one’s time, which is when the one who joined the body and soul together
loosens the bond.

[Skull]

Taken by email or post, here are several offerings to learn about Theosophy:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/h_corresp.htm

[Whitemage]

Many spiritual seekers think Alice Bailey is a theosophist akin to Blavatsky - not so. Bailey is weak tea and often in key areas distorts Theosophy.

This apparent division between Theosophy and Bailey, is purely distraction from the teachings of both, it is just peoples personalities trying to keep us locked in our lower nature.

Blavatsky, Bailey, every single being that has ever brought even the smallest amount light into the darkness works with the Spiritual Hierarchy, The Ascended Masters, the Council of God, whatever you wish to call them.

Any apparent division or separation is either an illusion of perspective, a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to spread disharmony.

All Lightworkers serve the same team.

Light, Love and Power to you!

[Skull]

Whitemage, as the author of the Theosophy's Shadow article wrote:

This short piece is not about whether Bailey's writings are inspiring, wonderful or contain any truth; but simply whether HPB and AAB had the same mentors, as claimed by Bailey.

So the motives you impute to him are strictly your own. Unless you are a psychic with 100% accuracy in reading the motives of writers.

[Whitemage]

@Skull

I think you missed my point my friend, disputing this claim or that claim about whatever is true from this point of view or that point of view, is just a distraction from our lower nature and impedes us from connecting with our higher selves.

Whomever mentored who is irrelevant to the work of bringing light, and disparaging other light workers because you don't agree with or think false some claim or belief only helps deepen the darkness.

Find your own truth, if the teachings within Theosophy ring true to you discover them deeply and bring them into your heart and share your knowledge with other seekers...

Good journeys, Light, Love and Power to you!

(P.S. As I'm sure you know, no psychic is 100% accurate)

[inavalan]

A lot of confusion and frustration arises from the tone people use in their posts. You have to pay special attention to convey your tone in writing. Also, most people forget to make clear that they express their own opinions, or quote others' (to make that clear to others, and to themselves too). Many posts sound more sententious than they are meant to be, and than they should be.

[FallingLeaves]

never mind. Back to being impertinent I guess...

[Skull]

Remember that the only God man comes in contact with is his own God, called Spirit, Soul and Mind, or Consciousness, and these three are one.

But there are weeds that must be destroyed in order that a plant may grow. We must die, said St. Paul, that we may live again. It is through destruction that we may improve, and the three powers, the preserving, the creating and the destroying, are only so many aspects of the divine spark within man.

HP Blavatsky

[BigJohn]

Divine Wisdom (or theosophy) is timeless, but it does have eras when it is more public than others. In 1875 the Theosophical Society was formed by Helena Blavatsky. Blavatsky laid the philosophical and ethical foundation for Interfaith relations and well as much of the "New Age" teachings.

Here is a link to get one started: http://davidpratt.info/


If it wasn't for Colonel Olcott and his purse, the original theosophical society would never have gotten off the ground.

Remember, it was Madame Blavatsky who sought out Colonel Olcott.

[MAYA EL]

Blavatsky is a witch that put things into motion to allow certain people to be in power and control the minds of many people across the world. A truly destructive woman.

[Skull]

Remember, it was Madame Blavatsky who sought out Colonel Olcott.

Only at the request of her Master, who said "choose Olcott". Olcott had the same Brother for Master as HPB did.

HPB was also told to found a "philosophic-religious society". So it would have happened with or without Olcott's money.

[inavalan]

Blavatsky is a witch that put things into motion to allow certain people to be in power and control the minds of many people across the world. A truly destructive woman.

Many others, among them Einstein, have / had a different opinion about Blavatski.

Einstein and The Secret Doctrine (https://theosophy.wiki/en/Albert_Einstein#Einstein_and_The_Secret_Doctrine)

... Einstein had a copy of Madame Blavatsky's book The Secret Doctrine on his table all the time. ... the book, which "was heavily notated and underlined, and that the margins were covered with scribbles and other markings ...
Have you read anything Blavatski wrote? This was a rhetorical question ... don't answer! I don't care.

[MAYA EL]

Do you know Einstein personally?

[BigJohn]

Only at the request of her Master, who said "choose Olcott". Olcott had the same Brother for Master as HPB did.

HPB was also told to found a "philosophic-religious society". So it would have happened with or without Olcott's money.
The Masters came about later. The person who was conducting the lecture on Elementals presented such interesting information that some in the group decided to create their own organization the Theosophical Society.

Olcott was the Society's president.

[Skull]

The Masters came about later. The person who was conducting the lecture on Elementals presented such interesting information that some in the group decided to create their own organization the Theosophical Society.

Olcott was the Society's president.

The Brothers were always there. The use of terms Masters or Mahatmas for them came about when Olcott & HPB moved to India.

Even before George Felt's lecture in Sept. of 1875 HPB received this order from her Master in July:

Scrapbook, Vol. I, p. 58, may be found at the bottom of the page the following important note written by H.P.B. in pen and ink:] Orders received from India direct to establish a philosophico-religious Society and choose a name for it—also to choose Olcott. July 1875.

Then, around the end of August, discussion about starting this Society occurred:

Between Aug. 28 and Sept. 4—Gathering held in H.P.B.'s rooms, 46 Irving Place, New York. In H.P.B.'s own words: “On that evening the first idea of the Theos. Society was discussed.” (Vide Rev. Dr. J. H. Wiggin's account, The Liberal Christian, Sept. 4, 1875; H.P.B.'s comments in Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 54-55; ODL, I, 114-15).

From HPB's Collected Writings, vol. I:180 & 66

[Skull]

This book by G. de Purucker is out of print, but some used copies may be out there. Here are the first six chapters, lightly edited from The Theosophical Path issues in 1929-30:

https://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/theos/th-hpbm.htm

[Miss Hepburn]

Many others, among them Einstein, have / had a different opinion about Blavatski.

Einstein and The Secret Doctrine (https://theosophy.wiki/en/Albert_Einstein#Einstein_and_The_Secret_Doctrine)
Thank you.
I never saw this thread yrs ago....I miss Bluegreen.
Gosh, the memories...I spoke at a Theosp. Society once in 1973 in FL, USA...I was sure a confident person, then...
They liked me and commented on my aura. Sweet of them.
Ah, memories. LOL :tongue: I liked them.

[Skull]

G. de Purucker from Blavatsky the Mystery, ch. 6:

Oh! if men and women of the Occident could only get the conviction of the existence within themselves of the individual's living god as the fountain of his noblest parts, what a revolution in human thinking it would bring about! If they could only get the conviction, as they will in time most assuredly, that at the core of each one of them, at the heart of the heart of each one of them, is this glorious Sun of consciousness: then indeed not only would their lives change immensely for the better, not only would human relations be softened and refined, not only would the horrors attending our present civilization disappear as do the mists before the morning sunlight, but to the individual himself there would come inspiration, a sense of high human dignity, a sense of well-being, and of undeveloped power -- which both intuition and instinct would then tell them could only be developed through altruistic use. And could this idea become the conviction of their minds and the persuasion of their hearts, then indeed should we be members of a new race, enlightened with an all-embracing and high racial consciousness, and the Theosophical ideal of Universal Brotherhood would follow fully and in completeness as a necessary sequence. Our fellow human beings would act, think and dwell among each other almost as a race of incarnate gods -- for that in the name of holy Truth is just what we human beings are.

[Skull]

I still prefer books & written word, but many like videos, so here are some recent ones:

https://www.youtube.com/user/blavatskyhouse/videos

[Kate Matthews]

Nice to see your post again Skull. I prefer books & written word too.

[Skull]

A short survey by William Q Judge, a friend of Blavatsky:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/wqj-ep/th-wqjep.htm

[Skull]

Another way of describing Theosophy:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/pere_wis.htm

[Skull]

Timeless articles by Blavatsky & Judge on denunciation or hatred of persons:

https://www.philaletheians.co.uk/study-notes/living-the-life/denunciation-is-not-a-duty.pdf

[Skull]

One who has reached to the full comprehension of the name and nature of a theosophist will sit in judgment on no man or action.

Letter from a Master, see HPB's CW VIII:146ff or Letters From The Masters Second series, letter 82.

[Skull]

May 8 is White Lotus Day, the day HP Blavatsky died. She suggested reading some of Edwin Arnold's Light of Asia on the anniversary of her death. Here is a little from it...

That night the wife of King Suddhôdana,
Maya the Queen, asleep beside her Lord,
Dreamed a strange dream; dreamed that a star from heaven —

Splendid, six-rayed, in color rosy-pearl,
Whereof the token was an Elephant
Six-tusked and whiter than Vahuka’s milk —

Shot through the void and, shining into her,
Entered her womb upon the right. Awaked,
Bliss beyond mortal mother’s filled her breast,
And over half the earth a lovely light
Forewent the morn. The strong hills shook; the waves
Sank lulled; all flowers that blow by day came forth
As ‘twere high noon; down to the farthest hells
Passed the Queen’s joy, as when warm sunshine thrills
Wood-glooms to gold, and into all the deeps
A tender whisper pierced. “Oh ye,” it said,
“The dead that are to live, the live who die,
Uprise, and hear, and hope! Buddha is come!”

[Skull]

David Pratt has compiled a great deal of teachings about disease, epidemics and fear mongering:

http://davidpratt.info/ozone.htm

[inavalan]

David Pratt has compiled a great deal of teachings about disease, epidemics and fear mongering:

http://davidpratt.info/ozone.htm
Thanks ... That woman was (positively) amazing!

What is (negatively) amazing is the narrow mindedness of much of the contemporary science, more than hundred years later, after much technological progress.

[Skull]

Many pdf e-books, plus some titles in Spanish, Italian, Russian and Swedish:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/tup-ebooks.htm#italian

[Skull]

Based on ancient Egyptian rite, this Purucker article reveals the depth and beauty symbolized by the ritual.

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/forum/f21n11p481_the-weighing-of-the-heart.htm

[Skull]

Purucker on deeper meaning of Satan or Devil:

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sunrise/01-51-2/s01n09p261_the-adversary.htm

[Skull]

During WW II some theosophists used broadcasts to try and lessen the hatred in the atmosphere.

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/forum/f20n01p10_broadcast-from-shanghai-i.htm

[inavalan]

During WW II some theosophists used broadcasts to try and lessen the hatred in the atmosphere.

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/forum/f20n01p10_broadcast-from-shanghai-i.htm
Haven't read the linked article, but the idea of reducing conflictual atmosphere through lessening the hatred (so actual and acute these days) is sound. No wonder theosophist promoted and tried it. Most broadcasting these days goes the opposite way.

It also works for regulating weather, climate, pandemics, and other energetic systems.

[Skull]

Purucker, from Wind of the Spirit article on "Occult Teachers and Disciples".

Undaunted by the conditions, we Theosophists keep on hammering
and hammering and hammering these truths home, by book,
by precept, by example, and by teaching from the lecture-platform.
In every way possible we try to show our fellow human beings the
way to peace, the way to happiness, yea, even the way to success, by
changing the hearts of men - which means changing their minds
and therefore the conditions in which they live.

[Skull]

"Theosophy Downunder" is the latest magazine from OZ:


http://theosophydownunder.org/australiantsnewsletterseptember2020.pdf

[HITESH SHAH]

"Theosophy Downunder" is the latest magazine from OZ:


http://theosophydownunder.org/australiantsnewsletterseptember2020.pdf

I read many pages and all those were very informative and balanced in outlook .Thanks for posting .

[GlitterRose]

[QUOTE=Skull]During WW II some theosophists used broadcasts to try and lessen the hatred in the atmosphere.



This is interesting because I have heard it said that Blavatsky's Theosophy had a racist bent. Others say it has been largely misunderstood.

[Kate Matthews]

Thank you Skull.

[Skull]

[QUOTE=Skull]During WW II some theosophists used broadcasts to try and lessen the hatred in the atmosphere.



This is interesting because I have heard it said that Blavatsky's Theosophy had a racist bent. Others say it has been largely misunderstood.

Not true about racism, HPB was very misunderstood.

[inavalan]

During WW II some theosophists used broadcasts to try and lessen the hatred in the atmosphere.

This is interesting because I have heard it said that Blavatsky's Theosophy had a racist bent. Others say it has been largely misunderstood.
That's a way to spread rumors. You don't know, but you wonder. You wouldn't want to be at the receiving and of a rumor of being racist, would you? Beside, what was the context when Blavatsky lived?

[sentient]

That's a way to spread rumors. You don't know, but you wonder. You wouldn't want to be at the receiving and of a rumor of being racist, would you? Beside, what was the context when Blavatsky lived?
You wouldn't want to be at the receiving end of racist rumours either.

http://theology101.org/the/sd/sd2-1-08.htm
The First men were Chhayas (1) ; the second, the "Sweat-born" (2), the Third, "Egg-born," and the holy Fathers born by the power of Kriyasakti (3); the Fourth were the children of the Padmapani (Chenresi) (4).

The MONADS of the lowest specimens of humanity (the "narrow-brained"* savage South-Sea Islander, the African, the Australian)

Here the inferior Races, of which there are still some analogues left -- as the Australians (now fast dying out) and some African and Oceanic tribes -- are meant. "They were not ready" signifies that the Karmic development of these Monads had not yet fitted them to occupy the forms of men destined for incarnation in higher intellectual Races. But this is explained later on.

Fourth Race were the children of Padmapani, may find its explanation in a certain letter from the Inspirer of "Esoteric Buddhism" quoted on p. 68. "The majority of mankind belongs to the seventh sub-race of the Fourth Root-Race -- the above-mentioned Chinamen and their off-shoots and branchlets. (Malayans, Mongolians, Tibetans, Hungarians, Finns, and even the Esquimaux are all remnants of this last offshoot.)"
LOL!
https://i.imgur.com/iDem8X9.jpg

*

I miss having a theosophical bookshop in town. They always provided such an excellent service providing books from various beliefs.
Never read Blavatsky though :rolleyes:
And of course I hate this "Higher intellectual Races" ...“Inferior race” B-S*.

*

[inavalan]

You wouldn't want to be at the receiving end of racist rumours either.

http://theology101.org/the/sd/sd2-1-08.htm

LOL!
https://i.imgur.com/iDem8X9.jpg

*

I miss having a theosophical bookshop in town. They always provided such an excellent service providing books from various beliefs.
Never read Blavatsky though :rolleyes:
And of course I hate this "Higher intellectual Races" ...“Inferior race” B-S*.

*We wasted my time ...

[GlitterRose]

That's a way to spread rumors. You don't know, but you wonder. You wouldn't want to be at the receiving and of a rumor of being racist, would you? Beside, what was the context when Blavatsky lived?

I was interested in what people who know more about Theosophy have to say about it.

[bobjob]

I was interested in what people who know more about Theosophy have to say about it.

Why not 'go to the horse's mouth' and do some research? That way you'll find out for yourself..... https://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

[Skull]

I was interested in what people who know more about Theosophy have to say about it.

Or with even more sources...

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/h_tsintro.htm

[Arjhan]

I must admit that I have but a passing interest in Theosophy. However, I am glad to see that people are keeping the knowledge alive. The New Age community of today seems to have forgotten this part of their past for the most part.

The following are the few other souces I know for books and collections on Theosophy, besides what has been presented in this thread. I can't speak for what authors are best to read and which to avoid, only that these links simply provide a plethora of books and articles to peruse :smile:

Internet Sacred Text Archive
https://www.sacred-texts.com/the/index.htm

Internet Archive (sorted by creator)
https://archive.org/details/texts?and[]=Theosophy&sin=&sort=creatorSorter&page=2

Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=theosophy&submit_search=Go!&sort_order=title

[GlitterRose]

Why not 'go to the horse's mouth' and do some research? That way you'll find out for yourself..... https://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

I thought by going to the Theosophy section on Spiritual Forums, I was going to the horse's mouth, because the Theosophists on the forum would be here.

Thanks to everyone for the links, though.

[BigJohn]

Or with even more sources...

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/h_tsintro.htm

As I read this post, I just happen to be in Pasadena. I come here about once a month.

Is there a physical address?
Can a person pick up books here?

[Skull]

As I read this post, I just happen to be in Pasadena. I come here about once a month.

Is there a physical address?
Can a person pick up books here?

Normally yes, but with virus rules now?? Call the phone number and see if they will open up for you.

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/h_tlc.htm

[Skull]

This site is a useful one regarding Theosophy:

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com

[BigJohn]

Normally yes, but with virus rules now?? Call the phone number and see if they will open up for you.

https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/h_tlc.htm

Thanks for your nice reply.

Next time out I will see..........

Do you know what time they open and what time they close?

[Kate Matthews]

I'm purchasing Divine Healing of Mind and Body by M. MacDonald-Bayne to read now. I've heard some great things about it. Have you read or heard about this book?


Several years ago I read a PDF free download of his book Beyond the Himalayas which was a fantastic read if anyone is interested.

[Skull]

The latest from TS in Australia, also archived back to 2000:

http://theosophydownunder.org/australiantsnewsletterdecember2020.pdf

[Skull]

I'm purchasing Divine Healing of Mind and Body by M. MacDonald-Bayne to read now. I've heard some great things about it. Have you read or heard about this book?


Several years ago I read a PDF free download of his book Beyond the Himalayas which was a fantastic read if anyone is interested.

Nope, do not recall him, but I am old & memory is porous.

[Skull]

The function of Theosophists is to open mens hearts and understandings to charity, justice, and generosity, attributes which belong specifically to the human kingdom and are natural to man when he has developed the qualities of a human being. Theosophy teaches the animal-man to be a human-man; and when people have learned to think and feel as truly human beings should feel and think, they will act humanely, and works of charity, justice, and generosity will be done spontaneously by all.

Blavatsky

[Miss Hepburn]

I'm purchasing Divine Healing of Mind and Body by M. MacDonald-Bayne to read now.
Looked it up ...ordered it immediately! Thank you! :icon_cool:

[Kate Matthews]

Looked it up ...ordered it immediately! Thank you! :icon_cool: I really think you'll love it. :hug3:
You're welcome.

[Skull]

Let the seeker know, once for all, that the virtues cannot be discarded or ignored; they must be made a part of our life, and their philosophical basis must be understood.

The life of virtue accumulates much merit; that merit will at some time cause one to be born in a wise family where the real practice of concentration may begin; or it may cause one to be born in a family of devotees or those far advanced on the Path, as said in Bhagavad Gita.

William Q Judge

[Skull]

As for human nature in general, it is the same now as it was a million of years ago: Prejudice based upon selfishness; a general unwillingness to give up an established order of things for new modes of life and thought — and occult study requires all that and much more —; pride and stubborn resistance to Truth if it but upsets their previous notions of things, — such are the characteristics of your age, and especially of the middle and lower classes.

Mahatma Letters, from 1880s

[Skull]

Daniel Caldwell a theosophist whose Blavatsky Study Center is a gold mine of theosophy, has a new book on those who have met Adepts or Mahatmas. It is titled A Casebook of Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas. There are many cases of people meeting them.

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/daniel-caldwell/a-casebook-of-encounters-with-the-theosophical-mahatmas/hardcover/product-njpm24.html?page=1&pageSize=4

[Skull]

That season sacred to the ancients and some today is here again. G. de Purucker outlines some of the holiness that becomes available:

https://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/seasons/4s-gdpw.htm

[Skull]

There is a test by which one can make
certain whether something that springs into
the mind comes from the Higher Self, or
whether it is merely from some desire or
colored by some desire. Here is your test,
and an easy one. The Higher Self is impersonal;
it is self-forgetful; it is kind; it is
loving; it is pitiful; it is compassionate; it
has sublime inspirations. From Golden Precepts of Esotericism by Purucker

[Kate Matthews]

Beautiful!



From Golden Precepts of Esotericism by Purucker

[Skull]

The duty of defending a fellow-man stung by a poisonous tongue during his absence, and to abstain, in general, “from condemning others” is the very life and soul of practical theosophy, for such action is the handmaiden who conducts one into the narrow Path of the “higher life,” that life which leads to the goal we all crave to attain. Mercy, Charity and Hope are the three goddesses who preside over that “life.” To “abstain” from condemning our fellow beings is the tacit assertion of the presence in us of the three divine Sisters; to condemn on “hearsay” shows their absence.

Blavatsky, from Is Denunciation a Duty? article.

[inavalan]

Blavatsky, from Is Denunciation a Duty? article.
Blavatsky was an extraordinary person. They would "crucify" her today in social media, and main-stream media.

[Skull]

Another extraordinary theosophist was AE - George Russell, the Irish poet, worker for brotherhood, mystic and artist.

Here is the young AE talking to the Dublin Lodge of the TS in 1894:

https://www.teozofija.info/Russell_How.htm

[Skull]

We are continually called upon to give comfort, and it is a problem to many what to say.

AE continues...

http://www.teozofija.info/Russell_Comfort.htm

[Skull]

That which we call self-sacrifice is in reality the proclamation of our own universal nature.

George W. Russell

[Skull]

Spiritual living from those who did so...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j93amygUWM

[Skull]

From Isis Unveiled:

Our Ego, that which lives and thinks and feels
independently of us in our mortal casket, does more than
believe. It knows that there exists a God in nature, for the
sole and invincible Artificer of all lives in us as we live in
Him. No dogmatic faith or exact science is able to uproot
that intuitional feeling inherent in man, when he has once
fully realized it in himself.
Blavatsky