THEOSOPHY

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Writings of H P Blavatsky

 

Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

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Helena Petrovna Blavatsky  (1831 – 1891)

The Founder of Modern Theosophy

 

A Year Of Theosophy

By

H P Blavatsky

 

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The dial of Time marks off another of the world's Hours. . . .

And, as the Old Year passes into Eternity, like a rain-drop falling

into the ocean, its vacant place on the calendar is occupied by a

successor which – if one may credit the ancient prophetic warnings

of Mother Shipton and other seers – is to bring woe and disaster to

some portions of the world. Let it go, with its joys and triumphs,

its badness and bitterness, if it but leave behind for our

instruction the memory of our experience and the lesson of our

mistakes. Wise is he who lets "the dead Past bury its dead," and

turns with courage to meet the fresher duties of the New Year; only

the weak and foolish bemoan the irrevocable. It will be well to take

a brief retrospect of those incidents of the year 1880 (A.D.) which

possess an interest for members of the Theosophical Society. The

more so since, in consequence of the absence from Bombay of the

President and Corresponding Secretary, the anniversary day of the

Society was not publicly celebrated.

   

It will not be necessary to enter minutely into those details of

administration which, however important in themselves as links, weak

or strong, in the general chain of progress, and however they may

have taxed the patience, nerve, or other resources of the chief

officers. do not at all interest the public. It is not so much

explanation as results that are demanded, and these, in our case,

abound. Even our worst enemy would be forced to admit, were he to

look closely into our transactions, that the Society is immeasurably

stronger morally, numerically, and as regards a capacity for future

usefulness, than it was a year ago. Its name has become most widely

known; its fellowship has been enriched by the accession of some

very distinguished men; it has planted new branch societies in

India, Ceylon and elsewhere; applications are now pending for the

organization of still other branches, in New South Wales, Sydney,

California. India, Australia; its magazine has successfully entered

the second volume; its local issues with the government of India

have been finally and creditably settled; a mischievous attempt by a

handful of malcontents at Bombay to disrupt it has miserably

failed.1 It has made official alliances with the Sanskrit Samaj of

Benares, that is to say, with the most distinguished body of

orthodox Sanskrit pandits in the world, with the other Sabha of

which Pandit Rama Misra Shastri is Manager, and with the Hindu

Sabha, of Cochin State; while, at the same time, strengthening its

fraternal relations with the Arya Samajas of the Punjab and

North-Western Provinces. Besides all this, we can point with joy and

pride to the results of the late mission to Ceylon, where, within

the space of fifty-seven days, seven branch societies of Buddhist

laymen, one Ecclesiastical Council of Buddhist priests, and one

scientific society were organized, and some hundreds of new fellows

were added to our list.

   

All this work could not be accomplished without great labour,

mental anxiety and physical discomfort. If to this be added the

burden of a correspondence with many different countries, and the

time required for making two journeys to Northern India and one to

Ceylon, our friends at a distance will see that whatever other blame

may properly attach to the Founders, who have never claimed

infallibility of any sort, that of laziness is assuredly not to be

cast in their teeth. Nor, when they learn that the work done since

leaving America, the travelling expenses and the fitting and

maintenance of the Headquarters establishment has cost some twenty

thousand rupees, while the cash receipts of the Treasurer (exclusive

of those from Ceylon, Rs. 2,440, which sum is set aside as a special

fund to be used in the interest of Buddhism) have been only one

thousand two hundred and forty rupees, all told, including one

donation of two hundred rupees from the universally respected

Maharanee Surnomoyee, and another of twenty rupees from a

well-wisher in Bengal, will those who direct the Society's affairs

be regarded by them as making money out of their offices. And these

figures, which may most readily be verified, are our only answer to

the calumnies which have been maliciously circulated by some who did

not, and others who did, know the truth.

   

The trip to Ceylon occupied seventy-seven days in all, the

second one to Northern India one hundred and twenty-five days. Thus

the Founders have been absent from Bombay on duty twenty-nine weeks

out of the fifty-two; their travels extending through twenty-five

degrees of latitude, from Lahore at the extreme north of India, to

Matara, the southernmost point of ancient Lanka. Each of the Indian

Presidencies has contributed a quota of new members; and at the

former capital of the late lion-hearted Runjeet Singh, a branch was

recently organized by Sikhs and Punjabis, under the title of the

"Punjab Theosophical Society." During the twelvemonth, President

Olcott delivered seventy-nine lectures and addresses, a majority of

which were interpreted in the Hindi, Urdu, Guzerati and Sinhalese

languages.

    Many misconceptions prevail as to the nature and objects of the

Theosophical Society. Some – Sir Richard Temple in the number –

fancy it is a religious sect; many believe it is composed of

atheists; a third party are convinced that its sole object is the

study of occult science and the initiation of green hands into the

Sacred Mysteries. If we have had one we certainly have had a hundred

intimations from strangers that they were ready to join at once if

they could be sure that they would shortly be endowed with siddhis,

or the power to work occult phenomena. The beginning of a new year

is a suitable time to make one more attempt – we wish it could be

the last – to set these errors right. So then, let us say again: (1)

The Theosophical Society teaches no new religion, aims to destroy no

old one, promulgates no creed of its own, follows no religious

leader, and, distinctly and emphatically, is not a sect, nor ever

was one. It admits worthy people of any religion to membership, on

the condition of mutual tolerance and mutual help to discover truth.

The Founders have never consented to be taken as religious leaders,

they repudiate any such idea, and they have not taken and will not

take disciples. (2) The Society is not composed of atheists, nor is

it any more conducted in the interest of atheism than in that of

deism or polytheism. It has members of almost every religion, and is

on equally fraternal terms with each and all. (3) Not a majority,

nor even a respectable minority, numerically speaking, of its

fellows are students of occult science or ever expect to become

adepts. All who cared for the information have been told what

sacrifices are necessary in order to gain the higher knowledge, and

few are in a position to make one tenth of them. He who joins our

Society gains no siddhis by that act, nor is there any certainty

that he will even see the phenomena, let alone meet with an adept.

Some have enjoyed both these opportunities, and so the possibility

of the phenomena and the existence of "Siddhas" do not rest upon our

unverified assertions. Those who have seen things have perhaps been

allowed to do so on account of some personal merit detected by those

who showed them the siddhis, or for other reasons known to

themselves and over which we have no control.

   

For thousands of years these things have, whether rightly or

wrongly, been guarded as sacred mysteries, and Asiatics at least

need not be reminded that often even after months or years of the

most faithful and assiduous personal service, the disciples of a

Yogi have not been shown "miracles" or endowed with powers. What

folly, therefore, to imagine that by entering any society one might

make a short cut to adeptship! The weary traveller along a strange

road is grateful even to find a guide-post that shows him his way to

his place of destination. Our Society, if it does naught else,

performs this kindly office for the searcher after truth. And it is

much.

   

Before closing, one word must be said in correction of an

unfortunate impression that has got abroad. Because our pamphlet of

Rules mentions a relationship between our Society and certain

proficients in Occult Science, or "Mahatmas " many persons fancy

that these great men are personally engaged in the practical

direction of its affairs; and that, in such a case, being primarily

responsible for the several mistakes that have occurred in the

admission of unworthy members and in other matters, they can neither

be so wise, so prudent, or so far-seeing as is claimed for them. It

is also imagined that the President and Corresponding Secretary

(especially the latter) are, if not actually Yogis and Mahatmas

themselves, at least persons of ascetic habits, who assume superior

moral excellence. Neither of these suppositions is correct, and both

are positively absurd. The administration of the Society is, unless

in exceptionally important crises, left to the recognized officials,

and they are wholly responsible for all the errors that are made.

Many may doubtless have been made, and our management may be very

faulty, but the wonder is that no more have occurred, if the

multiplicity of duties necessarily imposed upon the two chief

officers and the world-wide range of activity be taken into account.

Colonel Olcott and Madame Blavatsky do not pretend to ascetism, nor

would it be possible for them to practise it while in the thick of

the struggle to win a permanent foothold for the Society in the face

of every possible obstacle that a selfish, sensuality-loving world

puts in the way. What either of them has heretofore been, or either

or both may in the future become, is quite a different affair. At

present they only claim to be trying honestly and earnestly, so far

as their natural infirmities of character permit, to enforce by

example and precept the ideas which are embodied in the platform and

Rules of the Theosophical Society. Once or twice ill-wishers have

publicly taunted us with not having given practical proofs of our

alleged affection for India. Our final vindication must be left to

posterity, which always renders that justice that the present too

often denies. But even now – if we may judge by the tone of our

correspondence, as well as by the enthusiasm which has everywhere

greeted us in the course of our journeyings – a palpably good effect

has been produced by our appeals to the educated Indian public. The

moral regeneration of India and the revival of her ancient spiritual

glories must exclusively be the work of her own sons. All we can do

is to apply the match to the train, to fan the smouldering embers

into a genial warmth. And this we are trying to do. One step in the

right direction, it will doubtless be conceded, is the alliance

effected with the Benares pandits and attested in the subjoined

document:

 

      [Here are printed the Articles of the Union formed by the T.

  S. and the Sanskrit Sabha of Benares, agreeing to cooperation and

  brotherly union between the two societies, in the interests of the

  promotion of Sanskrit Literature and Vedic Philosophy and Science;

  the agreement being signed by the officers and members of the

  Benares Samaj, and by Col. Olcott as President of the Theosophical

  Society. H.P.B.'s concluding comment follows:

   

These custodians of Sanskrit learning have promised to put in

writing the precious treasures of Aryan philosophy, and to cooperate

with us to give the facts a worldwide circulation.

    

The London Spiritualist remarked, the other day, that we were

doing much for Spiritualism in India. It might rather be said we are

doing much to make known the importance of mesmeric science, for

wherever we have been we have spared no pains to show the close and

intimate relationship that exists between our modern discoveries in

mesmerism, psychometry, and odic force, and the ancient Indian

science of Yoga Vidya. We look forward with confidence to a day when

the thorough demonstration of this connection will give to both Asia

and Europe the basis for a perfect, because experimentally

demonstrable, science of Psychology.

 

Theosophist, January, 1881

H. P. Blavatsky

 

 

1 Secret letters by former members denouncing its Founders, sent to

Paris and other Theosophists and pretending that the Bombay Society

was virtually extinct (its best members having resigned), were sent

back to us with new protestations of friendship and loyalty and

expressions of scorn for the conspirators.-(Ed. Theos.)

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THEOSOPHY

CARDIFF

Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

Theosophy House

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H P Blavatsky’s Heavy Duty

Theosophical Glossary

Published 1892

A B C D EFG H IJ KL M N OP QR S T UV WXYZ

 

Complete Theosophical Glossary in Plain Text Format

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The Ocean of Theosophy

William Quan Judge

 

Preface    Theosophy and the Masters    General Principles

 

The Earth Chain    Body and Astral Body    Kama – Desire

 

Manas    Of Reincarnation    Reincarnation Continued

 

Karma    Kama Loka    Devachan    Cycles

 

Septenary Constitution Of Man

 

Arguments Supporting Reincarnation

 

Differentiation Of Species Missing Links

 

Psychic Laws, Forces, and Phenomena

 

Psychic Phenomena and Spiritualism

 

Instant Guide to Theosophy

Quick Explanations with Links to More Detailed Info

 

 

What is Theosophy ?  Theosophy Defined (More Detail)

 

Three Fundamental Propositions  Key Concepts of Theosophy

 

Cosmogenesis  Anthropogenesis  Root Races

 

Ascended Masters  After Death States

 

The Seven Principles of Man  Karma

 

Reincarnation   Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

 

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott  William Quan Judge

 

The Start of the Theosophical Society

 

History of the Theosophical Society

 

Theosophical Society Presidents

 

History of the Theosophical Society in Wales

 

The Three Objectives of the Theosophical Society

 

Explanation of the Theosophical Society Emblem

 

The Theosophical Order of Service (TOS)

 

Ocean of Theosophy

William Quan Judge

 

Glossaries of Theosophical Terms

 

Worldwide Theosophical Links

 

 

 

Index of Searchable

Full Text Versions of

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H P Blavatsky’s Secret Doctrine

 

Isis Unveiled by H P Blavatsky

 

H P Blavatsky’s Esoteric Glossary

 

Mahatma Letters to A P Sinnett 1 - 25

 

A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom

Alvin Boyd Kuhn

 

Studies in Occultism

(Selection of Articles by H P Blavatsky)

 

The Conquest of Illusion

J J van der Leeuw

 

The Secret Doctrine – Volume 3

A compilation of H P Blavatsky’s

writings published after her death

 

Esoteric Christianity or the Lesser Mysteries

Annie Besant

 

The Ancient Wisdom

Annie Besant

 

Reincarnation

Annie Besant

 

The Early Teachings of The Masters

1881-1883

Edited by

C. Jinarajadasa

 

Study in Consciousness

Annie Besant

 

 

A Textbook of Theosophy

C W Leadbeater

 

A Modern Panarion

A Collection of Fugitive Fragments

From the Pen of

H P Blavatsky

 

The Perfect Way or,

The Finding of Christ

Anna Bonus Kingsford

& Edward Maitland

Part1

 

The Perfect Way or,

The Finding of Christ

Anna Bonus Kingsford

& Edward Maitland

Part2

 

Pistis Sophia

A Gnostic Gospel

Foreword by G R S Mead

 

The Devachanic Plane.

Its Characteristics

and Inhabitants

C. W. Leadbeater

 

Theosophy

Annie Besant

 

The

Bhagavad Gita

Translated from the Sanskrit

By

William Quan Judge

 

Psychic Glossary

 

Sanskrit Dictionary

 

Fundamentals of the Esoteric Philosophy

G de Purucker

 

In The Outer Court

Annie Besant

 

Dreams and

Dream-Stories

Anna Kingsford

 

My Path to Atheism

Annie Besant

 

From the Caves and

Jungles of Hindostan

H P Blavatsky

 

The Hidden Side

Of Things

C W Leadbeater

 

Glimpses of

Masonic History

C W Leadbeater

 

Five Years Of

Theosophy

Various Theosophical

Authors

Mystical, Philosophical, Theosophical, Historical

and Scientific Essays Selected from "The Theosophist"

Edited by George Robert Stow Mead

 

Spiritualism and Theosophy

C W Leadbeater

 

Commentary on

The Voice of the Silence

Annie Besant and

C W Leadbeater

From Talks on the Path of Occultism - Vol. II

 

Is This Theosophy?

Ernest Egerton Wood

 

In The Twilight

Annie Besant

In the Twilight” Series of Articles

The In the Twilight” series appeared during

1898 in The Theosophical Review and

from 1909-1913 in The Theosophist.

 

Incidents in the Life

of Madame Blavatsky

compiled from information supplied by

her relatives and friends and edited by A P Sinnett

 

The Friendly Philosopher

Robert Crosbie

Letters and Talks on Theosophy and the Theosophical Life

 

 

Obras Teosoficas En Espanol

 

La Sabiduria Antigua

Annie Besant

 

Glosario Teosofico

1892

H P Blavatsky

 

 

Theosophische Schriften Auf Deutsch

 

Die Geheimlehre

Von

H P Blavatsky

 

 

 

Elementary Theosophy

An Outstanding Introduction to Theosophy

By a student of Katherine Tingley

 

Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man?  Body and Soul   

 

Body, Soul and Spirit  Reincarnation  Karma

 

The Seven in Man and Nature

 

The Meaning of Death

 

 

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THEOSOPHY

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Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

Theosophy House

206 Newport Road, Cardiff, Wales, UK. CF24 -1DL