What is Theosophy?

Nick the Pilot said:
Pohaika Wahine,

A big Mahalo for your post. All of us here are in the business of "planting seeds".

If you need any help with the scanning, let me know. (I am Microsoft-certified and very computer-friendly.)

A hui ho kua,

Nick
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mahalo nui nick .... yes, I could use some help .... if you send me your e-mail (you can sent it in the PM section) I'll scan it and send it to you, then perhaps you can post it for me .... it is a pretty rough drawing since I copied it ,when I was on one of the islands, in my journal .... me ke aloha pumehana, pohaikawahine
 
I was doing some reading this morning, and came across an overview of what Theosophy has to say about Humanity's place in the Divine Plan. This is excerpted from a 1990-91 Centennial publication of the Indian Theosophical Society:
  • One Life pervades the universe and sustains it. The universe is not just a place where nature's forces operate by chance. Every event that has happened from the beginning of time has happened according to certain laws inherent in the universe. These laws are the expressions of a Consciousness of Life. Everything that exists, from the electron to the largest star is impregnated with that Consciousness.
  • The phenomenal universe is the manifestation of an eternal, boundless and immutable Principle beyond the range of human understanding. This fundamental Reality is far beyond our grasp, and that is why sages and saints have called it Law, Heaven, the Great Architect, Evolution. Each man, according to his temperament and his experience, must determine how he will regard the Consciousness which directs everything.
  • Spirit (or consciousness) and matter are the two polar aspects of the Ultimate Reality. These two with the interplay between them comprise a trinity from which proceed innumerable universes, which come and go in an endless cycle of manifestation and dissolution, all being expressions of that Reality.
  • There are many solar systems of which ours is one. Every Solar System is an orderly scheme governed by laws of nature that reflect transcendental intelligence. "Deity is Law", said H.P. Blavatsky. The visible planets of the solar system are its densest parts; it also contains invisible worlds of exceedingly tenuous matter interpenetrating the physical. The entire system is the scene of a great scheme of evolution.
  • The spirit of Man (often called the soul) is in essence identical with the Supreme Spirit, all pervasive Consciousness "that Unity (as Emerson put it), that Oversoul, within which every man's particular being is contained and made one with all other". The gradual unfolding of this latent divinity takes place by means of a process of reincarnation, in accordance with the Cyclic Law, seen everywhere in Nature, of periods of activity alternating with periods of rest and assimilation. Men and women are units of consciousness.
  • The nature of God resides in every man and woman, and we are not these bodies which perish; they are only garments which we wear for a while and cast aside. We are immortal souls. The perfection of God dwells in us also, for we "live and move and have our being" in Him. But we are unconscious of our Divine Nature.
  • Our birth is as the entrance into a workshop or laboratory, where we work slowly to unfold our faculties and realize our true nature. But it is not possible to realize the divine nature in us by the experiences of one lifetime. So, we reincarnate again and again. We enter the phenomenal world, we are born, we grow, we act, we finish our work and we return. Our return is death. After a rest in heaven, growing by realizing the joys we planned but did not achieve, we return to birth again, more purified, stronger, wiser, to work again, so as to become more perfect in thought and feeling and action. This is reincarnation.
  • "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap". This is the law of Karma, under which men weave their own destiny through the ages. This is the great hope for humanity, for man can indeed become the master of his future by what he does in the present. As we live and act, sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. We do good and we do evil, guided by our altruism or our selfishness. When we do evil, we create discord in the universal harmony, and we must restore that harmony. The evil we did must be balanced by new good; the good we did must be reshaped to a more far reaching good. This process of sowing and reaping is called Karma. It is a law of readjustment of forces which a man sets into motion by every one of his thoughts, words and deeds. Since all the units of consciousness or the souls are divine, all souls are equal. There are young souls and old souls, according to their experiences but all are brothers. In spite of every difference of birth, capacity, environment; of race, creed, sex, caste or color; of goodness or wickedness - all men form an indivisible Brotherhood. All of us, high or low, ignorant or wise, make a chain, and the stronger grow by helping the weaker. Brotherhood is the Law of growth for all men.
Any of these look like good points for discussion? For me these were a good summary of many of the topics currently being explored on various threads at CR these days ...

Namaskar,

Andrew

P.S. - the word Hiranyagarbha, whose meaning I had temporarily misplaced, has been on my mind for several days. After reading about it while ago, the first point (above) makes all the sense in the world. ;) :)
 
Nick the Pilot said:
Andrew,

How do you define Hiranyagarbha? (Different definitions exist.)
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I don't! lol

I cheated, by going here, and finding out that it is the Golden, Cosmic Egg.

In connection with this, and the Divine Feminine (Kuan Yin/Lady Mary) ... I've always been intrigued by Manly Hall (or Augustus Knapp)'s image from Secret Teachings of All Ages ... of the "Celestial Virgin with Sun God in Her Arms" (6th one down on this page).


Now consider the following description & explanation of one of the Visions from the Revelation of St. John the Divine, from the final book of the Christian Bible .... as provided by Master H. (Hilarion) in Teachings of the Temple, Lesson 72:
The Eternally Feminine is symbolized in the woman who is "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head."​
The symbol has been interpreted astrologically many times, but the average astrologer is so handicapped by his lack of knowledge of the secret planets and their influences, that he gains but a limited concept of the magnitude and importance of the symbol as a whole. The eternally feminine - the Great Mother - as represented on the earth plane by Astarte and Isis by the ancients, by the Virgin Mary of the Christian era and relatively by every woman incarnated who has borne a child, is in reality "clothed with the sun" - the Father - as Mary was "overshadowed by the Holy Ghost" - the spirit of the Godhead, the Father. The Moon, the feminine symbol, is "under the feet of the woman," for the reason that the Moon typifies the lower aspect, the travail of childbirth, and the malefic forces which deceive, intoxicate and cause great suffering to the feminine - the negative aspect of life. With the attainment of sufficient power of a spritual nature, woman will be able to dominate and transmute the forces which have hitherto held her in subjection, thus bringing them "under her feet," the feet symbolizing Understanding.​
The twelve stars symbolize the twelve dominant vital forces of the universe, the gaining control of which - using them to crown her efforts - will be the fruit of the travail of woman; and thus will be vindicated the action of the law of compensation for past suffering.​
...​
A short horizontal bar, a figure of the new moon with horns up underneath the bar, a small five-pointed star with the figure twelve below it placed over the bar, and a small golden colored sphere over all, would indicate to the enlightened all that is contained in the before mentioned cosmic symbol as expressed in words. The colors in which the different features of the symbols were outlined would indicate the spheres of action upon which the manifestation of the prophecy was to occur.​
This is something I read a week or more ago, when on another thread, there was discussion of the Revelation of St. John. I wondered if I might have an opportunity of sharing it, since it was extremely interesting to me ... but I didn't see how it really fit in. Until now. :)


Here is part of the introduction to the lesson, by the same Master:
Among many wonderfully prepared parchments and papyrus leaves, done in exquisitely illumined text, the work of many disciples through generation after generation, there now lies in the secret chambers of an ancient Order of the Initiates one which contains a full interpretation of the "Visions" as seen by John, "the beloved disciple," while undergoing his final initiation, in preparation for his translation.​
These visions have been wisely termed the Revelation, yet they are only revelation to the initiated, for in all the archives of philosophical and sacred literature, there is nothing which begins to compare with those ancient works in esoteric significance; nothing so trustworthy or more vitally important to the whole human race. Their half-revealed lights, their dark shadows, the effects of righteously administered justice, are strongly enough cast to enlighten the intuitional student sufficiently to arouse him to necessary investigation, while the more deeply concealed truths are so perplexing as to discourage the most able scholars unless spiritual enlightenment has been vouchsafed them, either by spiritual illumination or by individual effort of the "Brothers of Compassion," who alone hold the keys to obscure Biblical symbology.​
The Visions of John, though expressed in somewhat different language than have been similar visions seen by others, are the visions which every initiate of the Ancient Orders of the Priesthood, the Sons of Hermes, the Order of the Saviours of mankind, must necessarily behold when he reaches the degree of full illumination. Naturally each initiate would express his visions and experiences in different language, using different terminology from others, but the differences to be found would be very slight, and would concern unimportant details. All the main features would be found to be identical.​
And that brings us back to the Hiranyagarbha, which might have a correspondence in our own, microcosmic being to the Auric Egg as described by Leadbeater ... (?)

... not to mention the Orphic, or World Egg, which I take to by the same as Hiranyagarbha?


cheers,

andrew
 
At some point I have to ask... "Who wrote your religion?" Not that the undertones in all things might be valid, but I question if they are being seen by face value or examined for their internal principles. I have been into watching the 'Stargate' series of shows which overtly combines a number of elements from religions into a sci-fi, but with some undertones that are interesting to consider and challenge. Some I do find ugly and I enjoy looking for the words to explain why. While I look for similarities, I am drawn to also look for differences because it is in the differences where a lot more information is contained. Just because there are similarities or common elements from one story or religion to another doesn't make them truth, and the differences that get dropped are not necessarily false lies.

It seems like any movie, media, or manifesto can become a religion... if a person were to actually be encouraged to believe and do something in it, or to accept a value from it. Many beliefs are not spoken, but are absorbed. So then I tend to ask some people... "Who wrote your religion?"
 
Cyberpi,

Theosophy, as it is studied in the world today, is mainly based on the writings of Madame Blavatsky, a women who lived in the 1800's. As Thomas has so kindly pointed out, Theosophy goes back into history. However, when people refer to Theosophy, they are usually referring to the philosophy that sprang up as the result of Blavatsky's writings.

There is an international Theosophical Society, and about 30,000 people around the world call themselves Theosophists.

~~~

I, too, find looking at differences to be enlightening.
 
Nick and Andrew, just thought I'd bring your attention to a book I recently finished, "Is There An Afterlife? A Comprehensive Overview of the Evidence," by David Fontana, Ph.D. who is a fellow of the British Psychological Society and vice president of the Society for Psychical Research. Fascinating compendium of research on all matters spiritual/paranormal. Thought you guys might be interested as his conclusions re the nature of consciousness/life beyond the material realm is quite compatible with/supportive of a number of Theosophical beliefs. have a good one, earl
 
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Earl,

Thanks for the information. Hopefully, I will get a chance to look at the book soon.

As we say in Hawai'i, Mahalo nui loa!
 
Nick, to be more precise re that book, of course that book deals with evidence re the ability of mind/"soul" to manifest in quasi-independent ways both during and following "life" here. But does not address in any way the many specific detailed beliefs you have re cosmology, etc. Most of the book is about simply marshalling the evidence for this ability but the part that most interested me was the man's suggested possible conclusions re the nature of the afterlife. The conclusions he drew however tentatively based on the actual evidence (does a nice job looking at that evidence objectively) include, (beyond the likelihood of an afterlife), that there exists a number of dimensions or "levels" of existence beyond this plane of existence through which a mind/soul may advance. Each level is marked by increasingly more "formless" existence, including in the sense that our perceptions of the self-other divide becomes more permeable and fluid as we sense ever deepening awareness of the unity underlying it all. He has worked with that instrumental transcommunication researcher Anabel Cardoso (that I recently made mention of in another thread) whose "spirit communicators" had put it as that they "lived in the consciousness of each other-" a very poetic way of saying that. Some of his conclusions would fit Buddhist understanding in that they traditionally posit various "lokas" or dimensions of being which they label as "hell, animal, hungry ghost, or deva" realms for instance. Buddhists do speak of meditative awareness developing increasing knowledge of more formless reality though do not that I know speak of these realms relative to degrees of formlessness. Fontana does conclude that in the afterlife one "dwells" in realms akin to one's state of mind-so that those who have lived in hellish or "hungry" ways will inhabit afterlife realms that reflect those states-again somewhat akin to Buddhist notions. Don't believe he even once used the term "God" in that book though did hint at believing some form of Divine "intelligence" was part of the fundamental unity or Source of it all. Unlike the Buddhist notion of all sense of self disappearing upon "rebirth" into any of those realms, he suggests we retain some sense of it though ever changing until we perhaps reach the most formless relm where all notions of self and other become meaningless. Again it is interesting to me that when 1 delves into paranormal research, be it near-death or other types-so often the "facts" are rather supportive of "New Age" beliefs as one might glean from this summary and, of course, Theosophy might be said to have been a precursor of New Age thought. have a good one, earl
 
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Earl, You said,
"...that book deals with evidence re the ability of mind/"soul" to manifest in quasi-independent ways both during and following "life" here."​

--> That brings up an important topic, the need to "prove" things like reincarnation. I have always steered away from trying to prove such things. As the saying goes, for those who believe, no proof is required. For those who do not believe, no proof is enough. But for those who are seeking and have yet to come up with answers, I suppose such "proof" is helpful.
"Most of the book is about simply marshalling the evidence for this ability but the part that most interested me was the man's suggested possible conclusions re the nature of the afterlife."​

--> It is a noble effort. I have previously posted a link to the Reincarnation Forum, where people are collecting such case histories.
"...there exists a number of dimensions or "levels" of existence beyond this plane of existence through which a mind/soul may advance."​

--> This is a basic Theosophical teaching, and it makes a lot of sense to me.
"Each level is marked by increasingly more "formless" existence...."​

--> Andrew and I have had a discussion on how the higher levels have no form at all. (I suppose this is a difficult concept to grasp for people who conceive of the afterlife as only Heaven.)
"...including in the sense that our perceptions of the self-other divide becomes more permeable and fluid as we sense ever deepening awareness of the unity underlying it all."​

--> This is the very definition of Theosophical Nirvana. In Nirvana, separateness disappears. I will be able to truly experience what it means for you to be you, and vice versa.
"...lived in the consciousness of each other...."​

--> Can you imagine being able to live in the consciousness of every living being in the universe? I am very much looking forward to it.
"Some of his conclusions would fit Buddhist understanding in that they traditionally posit various "lokas" or dimensions of being which they label as "hell, animal, hungry ghost, or deva" realms for instance."​

--> Theosophy has the same levels, but by other names. (This gets into the differences between Theosophy and Buddhism, which would make a good thread.)
"Buddhists do speak of meditative awareness developing increasing knowledge of more formless reality though do not that I know speak of these realms relative to degrees of formlessness."​

--> So do Theosophists. Regarding formlessness, the spirit worlds are divided into a long chain of dimensions, each one less dense than the one below it, all the way up to the worlds of formelssness (of which we can only imagine).
"Fontana does conclude that in the afterlife one "dwells" in realms akin to one's state of mind-so that those who have lived in hellish or "hungry" ways will inhabit afterlife realms that reflect those states-again somewhat akin to Buddhist notions."​

--> This makes a lot of sense to me, and fits into my belief system nicely.
"Don't believe he even once used the term "God" in that book though did hint at believing some form of Divine "intelligence" was part of the fundamental unity or Source of it all."​

--> This is exactly what Theosophy teaches. (Theosophy and Buddhism are very similar.)
"Unlike the Buddhist notion of all sense of self disappearing upon "rebirth" into any of those realms, he suggests we retain some sense of it though ever changing until we perhaps reach the most formless relm where all notions of self and other become meaningless."​

--> The concept of no-soul is one of the ideas that divide Buddhism and Theosophy. Buddhism also teaches a person is annihilated upon entering Nirvana (something I rejected a long time ago). Theosophy teaches only the lower aspects of a person are annihilated upon entering Nirvana.
"...when 1 delves into paranormal research, be it near-death or other types-so often the "facts" are rather supportive of "New Age" beliefs...."​

--> That is why I am such a big supporter of the New Age movement.
"...Theosophy might be said to have been a precursor of New Age thought."​
--> Theosophy started the New Age movement back in the 1800's. Imagine, if you will, the religious scene in New York City in 1875. The two main New Age concepts, reincarnation and karma were unheard of, religions like Buddhism and Hinduism were virtually unknown, and “New Age” bookstores had yet to appear. Into the middle of all this, Madame Blavatsky brought her new and revolutionary ideas. Two of the most important ideas she taught were karma and reincarnation. Today, karma and reincarnation are familiar words to most Americans. Not so in 1875. Theosophy takes credit for popularizing the ideas of karma and reincarnation in the western world.
 
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By the way, Earl, how does all of this fit into your belief system?
 
nativeastral said:
bumped for reference
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NA, this thread will go down as a classic. I especially loved these two posts:

http://www.interfaith.org/forum/what-is-theosophy-4649-4.html#post92748

http://www.interfaith.org/forum/what-is-theosophy-4649-4.html#post92769

Even Nick and I will have to work to top those :)

And I just found this response, which is even more classic:

http://www.interfaith.org/forum/what-is-theosophy-4649-4.html#post92785

and Nick was the good guy on this one:

http://www.interfaith.org/forum/what-is-theosophy-4649-4.html#post92805
 
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