| Revision as of 01:31, 23 January 2007 editIxfd64 (talk | contribs)Edit filter managers, Administrators69,922 editsm Reverted edits by 218.167.167.67 (talk) to last version by Nevhood← Previous edit | Revision as of 01:35, 23 January 2007 edit undo218.167.167.67 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| [[Image:Emb logo.gif|frame| Emblem of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) | |||
| {{Theosophy}} | {{Theosophy}} | ||
| '''Theosophy''', literally "wisdom of the divine" (in the ]), designates several bodies of ideas. |
described at ]] '''Theosophy''', literally "wisdom of the divine" (in the ]), designates several bodies of ideas. The term has been used, for example by the] philosopher ], as well as by certain followers of ] and ]. The term may also refer to the kind of ] taught by ]. | ||
| A formal definition from the '']'' describes Theosophy as "any of various philosophies professing to achieve a knowledge of ] by spiritual ], direct ], or special individual revelation; esp. a modern movement following ] and ] teachings, and seeking universal brotherhood." |
A formal definition from the '']'' describes Theosophy as "any of various philosophies professing to achieve a knowledge of ] by spiritual ], direct ], or special individual revelation; esp. a modern movement following ] and ] teachings, and seeking universal brotherhood." | ||
| The "modern movement" alluded to here--though in fact non-theistic--is the ] founded by ] and ] in 1875. This society has since split into a number of organizations, some of which no longer use the term "theosophy". Members of this tradition view Theosophy as a "body of truth" that may be found in various ancient philosophies as well as world religions. They emphasize a distinct body of teachings received from the Masters of the ], through Blavatsky and others, describing the spiritual evolution of the universe and humanity. | |||
| Adherents of Theosophy maintain that it is a "body of ]" that forms the basis of all religions. Theosophy, they claim, represents a modern face of ], "the eternal truth," as the proper religion. | |||
| The motto of the parent society is : "There is no religion higher than Truth." | |||
| ==The three objects== | |||
| There are three objects to which one must assent in order to join the Theosophical Society (Adyar). They are: | |||
| *To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color. | |||
| *To encourage the comparative study of religion, philosophy and science. | |||
| *To investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in humanity. | |||
| ==Basic Theosophical beliefs== | |||
| ===Consciousness is universal and individual=== | |||
| According to Theosophy, ] does not operate by chance. Every event, past or present, happens because of laws which are part of a ]. Theosophists hold that everything, living or not, is put together from basic building blocks evolving towards ]. H.P. Blavatsky's Theosophy is non-theistic, however some of her followers seem closer to theistic attitudes. | |||
| === Man is "provisionally" immortal=== | |||
| Theosophists believe that all human beings in their "]" are immortal, but their lower personalities are unconscious of the link with their eternal ] and will perish. | |||
| ===Reincarnation is universal=== | |||
| Like esoteric ], from which much of Theosophical thought springs, Theosophy teaches that beings have attained the human state through myriad ]s, passing through the mineral, plant and animal stages since before the birth of life on earth. However, Theosophy differs from the esoteric belief that regression is possible. Humans cannot reincarnate as ]s or ]s again except in the rare cases of disintegrating "lost souls." Conversely, humans are considered only the ] of physical life on ] and not the end stage of evolution, which continues for further stages, including the form of the ] or Buddhic beings. | |||
| ===Karma=== | |||
| Theosophy is similar to the beliefs of the ] ] sect concerning ], ] and ]. Theosophy teaches that evil and good are the result of differentiation of spirit/matter in a cycle of becoming. There is a natural involution of spirit into matter followed by an evolution of matter back into spirit. The purpose of the Universe is for spirit to manifest itself self-consciously through seven stages. | |||
| ===Universal brotherhood=== | |||
| Theosophy teaches that every thing of whatever kind is from one divine source. All things are "]s" in reality. All monads potentially possess the same principles and their forms and natures are an expression of their present consciousness level. | |||
| ===Evolution=== | |||
| Theosophists believe that ], ], ], the arts, commerce, and philanthropy, among other "virtues," lead humans ever closer to "the Absolute." | |||
| Planets, solar systems and even galaxies are seen as conscious beings, fulfilling their own evolutionary paths. | |||
| The spiritual units of the universe are the monads, which at different times may manifest as planets, angels, human beings or in various other forms. | |||
| Theosophists also believe that human civilization, like all other parts of the universe, develops through cycles of seven stages. Thus, in the first age, humans were pure spirit; in the second age, they are known as ]; in the third as ]; and in the fourth, ]. Since Atlantis was the of the cycle, the present fifth age is a time of reawakening humanity's psychic gifts. | |||
| ===The Septenary=== | |||
| ]] | |||
| Theosophy, as well as many other esoteric groups and ] societies, claims that the universe is ordered by the number ]. The reincarnating unit, the monad, consists of the two spiritual constituents of a sum of ]: | |||
| * The first body is called ''sthula-sarira'' (Sanskrit, from ''sthula'' meaning coarse, gross, not refined, heavy, bulky, fat in the sense of bigness, conditioned and differentiated matter + ''sarira'' to molder, waste away). A gross body, impermanent because of its wholly compounded character. The physical body is usually considered as the lowest substance-principle. The physical form is the result of the harmonious coworking on the physical plane of forces and faculties streaming through their astral vehicle or linga-sarira, the pattern or model of the physical body. | |||
| *The second body is called ''Linga-Sarira'', (Sanskrit, from ''linga'' meaning characteristic mark, model, pattern + ''sarira'', from the verbal root sri to moulder, waste away). A pattern or model that is impermanent; the model-body or astral body, only slightly more ethereal than the physical body. It is the astral model around which the physical body is built, and from which the physical body flows or develops as growth proceeds. | |||
| *The third body is ] (Sanskrit, from ''pra'' before + the verbal root ''an'' to breathe, to live). In theosophy, the breath of life. This life or prana works on, in, and around us, pulsating unceasingly during the term of physical existence. Prana is "the radiating force or Energy of Atma -- as the Universal Life and the One Self, -- its lower or rather (in its effects) more physical, because manifesting, aspect. Prana or Life permeates the whole being of the objective Universe; and is called a 'principle' only because it is an indispensable factor and the ] of the living man. | |||
| *The fourth principle is ] (Sanskrit, from the verbal root ''kam'' meaning to desire). Desire; the desire principle is the driving, impelling force. Born from the interaction of atman, buddhi, and manas, kama per se is a colorless force, good or bad according to the way the mind and soul use it. It is the seat of the living electric impulses, desires, aspirations, considered in their energic aspect. | |||
| *The fifth principle is ] (Sanskrit, from the verbal root ''man'' meaning to think). The seat of mentation and egoic consciousness; in humanity Manas is the human person, the reincarnating ego, immortal in essence, enduring in its higher aspects through the entire manvantara. When imbodied, manas is dual, gravitating toward buddhi in its higher aspects and in its lower aspects toward kama. The first is intuitive mind, the second the animal, ratiocinative consciousness, the lower mentality and passions of the personality. | |||
| *The sixth principle or vehicle is ] (Sanskrit, from the verbal root ''budh'' to awaken, enlighten, know). The vehicle of pure, universal spirit, hence an inseparable garment or vehicle of atman. In its essence of the highest plane of akasa or alaya. In man buddhi is the spiritual soul, the faculty of discriminating, the channel through which streams divine inspiration from the atman to the ego, and therefore that faculty which enables us to discern between good and evil -- spiritual conscience. The qualities of the buddhic principle when awakened are higher judgment, instant understanding, discrimination, intuition, love that has no bounds, and consequent universal forgiveness. | |||
| *The seventh is called ] (Sanskrit). Self; pure consciousness, that cosmic self which is the same in every dweller on this globe and on every one of the planetary or stellar bodies in space. It is the feeling and knowledge of "I am," pure cognition, the abstract idea of self. It does not differ at all throughout the cosmos except in degree of self-recognition. It may also be considered as the First Logos in the human microcosm. During incarnation the lowest aspects of atman take on attributes, because it is linked with buddhi, as the buddhi is linked with manas, as the manas is linked with kama, etc. | |||
| See: | |||
| ==A brief history of Theosophy== | |||
| === Background === | |||
| Theosophists trace the origin of Theosophy to the universal striving for spiritual knowledge that existed in all cultures. It is found in an unbroken chain in ] but existed in ancient ] and also in the writings of ] (]-] ]), ] (]-]) and other ], as well as ] (]-]). Some relevant quotations: | |||
| : ''...we are imprisoned in the body, like an oyster in his shell.'' | |||
| : — The Socrates of Plato, ''Phaedrus'' | |||
| : ''To the philosopher, the body is "a disturbing element, hindering the soul from the acquisition of knowledge..."'' | |||
| : ''...what is purification but...the release of the soul from the chains of the body?'' | |||
| : — The Socrates of Plato, ''Phaedo'' | |||
| === The Theosophical Society === | |||
| Modern Theosophical ], however, begins with Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (]-]) usually known as ]. In ] she founded the ] in ] together with ], who was a ], ] and ]. Madame Blavatsky was a world traveller who eventually settled in ] where, with Olcott, she established the headquarters of the Society. She claimed numerous psychic and spiritualist powers. Her first major book '']'' (1877) presented elements mainly from the Western wisdom tradition based on her extensive travels in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Her second major work '']'' (1888), a commentary on '']'', is based on esoteric Buddhism and also Hinduism. These writings became the basic pillars of the Theosophical movement, together with '']'', purported to originate with highly evolved humans directing HPB and the Theosophical Society | |||
| Upon Blavatsky's death in ], several Theosophical societies emerged following a series of ]. ] became leader of the society based in ] India, while ] split off the American Section of the Theosophical Society in New York which later moved to ], ], and ] under a series of leaders: ], ], ], ], ], and in March 2006 ]. The great ] writer ] was a member of the Point Loma group, and wrote many articles for its newsletter. Yet another international theosophical organization, the ], was formed by ]. He went to Point Loma in 1900 to help Katherine Tingley, left in 1904, and founded his society in 1909. | |||
| ] created a successful branch of the ] in Germany. He focused on a Western esoteric path that incorporated the influences of Christianity and natural science, resulting in tensions with ]. (cf. ]) — having already founded his own ] a month earlier — after he refused members of the ] membership in the German Section, opposing the theosophical principle of admitting members from all religious persuasions. The great majority of German-speaking theosophists, as well as several others, joined Steiner's new society. (Steiner later became famous for his ideas about education, resulting in an international network of "]s.") | |||
| In North London, another splinter group split off to form the Palmers Green Lodge under the leadership of the occultist and colonial adventurer, ]. The Palmers Green Lodge published the journal ] which published, among others, Rainbow Circle writers like ] and ]. After the death of William Quan Judge, another society, the ], emerged, recognizing no leader after Judge; it is now based in ]. | |||
| Other organizations based on the theosophical teachings include ], ], ], The Bridge to Freedom, The Summit Lighthouse / ], and The Temple of The Presence. | |||
| === Influence === | |||
| At its strongest in membership and intensity during the ] the parent Theosophical Society (or ]) had around 7,000 members in the ]. | |||
| The largest section of The Theosophical Society , the Indian section, at one time had more than 20 000 members, now reduced to around 10 000. | |||
| Theosophy was closely linked to the Indian independence movement; The ] being founded during a Theosophical conference, and many of its leaders, including ] being associated with theosophy. | |||
| The present-day ] is to a considerable extent based on the teachings originating with H. P. Blavstky. | |||
| ]s who investigated Theosophy, aside from the ]s listed below, include ], ], ], ], ], and ], in ], and ], ], ], ], and ]<ref>Carter, Steven R. ''James Jones: An American Literary Orientalist Master''. Urbana and Chicago: U of Illinois P, 1998, ISBN 0-252-02371-4</ref> in America. | |||
| ===Music=== | |||
| Composers such as ], ], and most famously ] were Theosophists whose beliefs influenced their music, especially by providing a justification or rationale for their ]. According to Rudhyar, Scriabin was "the one great pioneer of the new music of a reborn Western civilization, the father of the future musician." (Rudhyar 1926b, 899) and an antidote to "the Latin reactionaries and their apostle, ]" and the "rule-ordained" music of "]'s group." (Ibid., 900-901) Scriabin devised a ] ], often called his "mystic" chord, and before his death Scriabin planned a multimedia work, to be performed in the Himalayas, that would bring about the ], "a grandiose religious synthesis of all arts which would herald the birth of a new world." (AMG ). This piece, ''Mysterium'', was never realized. | |||
| ===20th-century literary references to Theosophy=== | |||
| *In ]'s novel, ] (1910), there are several references to the Schlegel siblings' study and participation in Theosophy, as well as a mention of ]. The characterization serves to highlight the Schlegel's (who were German) non-conformist, liberal and artistic pursuits - considered radical and inappropriate by the upper-class ] society into which Margaret Schlegel was to marry. | |||
| *In ]'s novel, '']'', Knauer asks Emil if Emil is a theosophist. | |||
| *Theosophy is mocked in several episodes of ]'s ] (1922). | |||
| *In the play '']'' (1924) by ], which is set in pre-independence ], one of the secondary characters is a Theosophist. This character is quite shallow, and through him O'Casey parodies theosophy as an intellectual ]. | |||
| *] read W. Scott-Elliot's ''The Story of Atlantis & Lost Lemuria'' and altered Theosophical ideas in his short story, "] (1928)." | |||
| *] met Madame Blavatsky and Annie Besant in India in about 1893, shortly after Besant had joined the Society. He declined invitations to join, but said the meeting induced him to study his own background in ]. He mentions this, and his further study of Theosophy during 1903 as published in his autobiography, '']'' (1927–29). | |||
| *] utilizes Theosophy as a plot point in his novel ''The List of 7'' (1993) and features Madame Blavatsky as a minor character. | |||
| *The novel ] by ] includes a minor character who is a Theosophist. | |||
| *A ] ] called ] includes a Theosophist as a main character. | |||
| ==Notes== | |||
| <references /> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| *] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ], Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ==References== | |||
| * Blavatsky, Helena: ''The Key to Theosophy'', ISBN 0-911500-07-3 | |||
| * ]. ''Theosophy: History of a ]'' (2004), Sophia Perennis. ISBN 0-900588-79-9 | |||
| *Roth, Christopher F., "Ufology as Anthropology: Race, Extraterrestrials, and the Occult." In ''E.T. Culture: Anthropology in Outerspaces,'' ed. by Debbora Battaglia. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2005. | |||
| * Washington, Peter ''Madame Blavatsky's Baboon: Theosophy and the Emergence of the Western Guru'' (1993), London: Secker & Warburg. ISBN 0-436-56418-1 | |||
| * | |||
| {{-}} | |||
| {{Theosophy series}} | {{Theosophy series}} | ||
| {{spirituality-stub}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Line 168: | Line 23: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 01:35, 23 January 2007
Theosophy, literally "wisdom of the divine" (in the Greek language), designates several bodies of ideas. The term has been used, for example by the neo-Platonist philosopher Ammonius Saccas, as well as by certain followers of Emanuel Swedenborg and Jacob Boehme. The term may also refer to the kind of Kabbalah taught by Isaac Luria.
A formal definition from the Concise Oxford Dictionary describes Theosophy as "any of various philosophies professing to achieve a knowledge of God by spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual revelation; esp. a modern movement following Hindu and Buddhist teachings, and seeking universal brotherhood."
The "modern movement" alluded to here--though in fact non-theistic--is the Theosophical Society founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott in 1875. This society has since split into a number of organizations, some of which no longer use the term "theosophy". Members of this tradition view Theosophy as a "body of truth" that may be found in various ancient philosophies as well as world religions. They emphasize a distinct body of teachings received from the Masters of the Great White Brotherhood, through Blavatsky and others, describing the spiritual evolution of the universe and humanity.
| Theosophy | |
|---|---|
| Theosophical Society founders | |
| People | |
| Theosophical texts | |
| Philosophical concepts | |
| Institutions | |
| Publications | |
| In relation to ... | |
| Related | |
 | This spirituality-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |