Frequently
Asked Questions About Theosophy Frequently
Asked Questions About TheosophyWhat Is The Theosophical World View? BACK TO TOP
The Theosophical Society, while reserving for each member full freedom to interpret those teachings known as Theosophy, is dedicated to preserving and realizing the ageless wisdom, which embodies both a worldview and a vision of human self-transformation.
This tradition is founded upon certain fundamental propositions:
The universe and all that exists within it are one interrelated and interdependent whole.
Every existent being-from atom to galaxy-is rooted in the same universal, life-creating Reality. This Reality is all pervasive but it can never be summed up in its parts, since it transcends all its expressions. It reveals itself in the purposeful, ordered, and meaningful processes of nature as well as in the deepest recesses of the mind and spirit.
Recognition of the unique value of every living being expresses itself in reverence for life, compassion for all, sympathy with the need of all individuals to find truth for themselves, and respect for all religious traditions. The ways in which these ideals become realities in individual life are both the privileged choice and the responsible act of every human being.
Central to the concerns of theosophy is the desire to promote understanding and unity among people of all races, nationalities, philosophies, and religions. Therefore, all people, whatever their race, creed, sex, caste, or color, are invited to participate equally in the life and work of the Society. The Theosophical Society imposes no dogmas, but points toward the source of unity behind all differences. Devotion to truth, love for all living beings, and commitment to a life of active altruism are the marks of the true Theosophist.
What is
Theosophy?
To answer that question, we need to distinguish between modern Theosophy and ancient or timeless Theosophy. Timeless Theosophy, also called by many names such as the "Wisdom Tradition" and the "Perennial Philosophy", is a tradition found in human cultures all over the world and at all times in history. It is the basis of the inner or mystical side of many philosophies and cultures. Modern Theosophy is a contemporary statement of that tradition as set forth through the Theosophical Society.
What is the Theosophical Society? BACK TO TOP
The Theosophical Society is an organization founded in New York City in 1875 to investigate the nature of the universe and humanity's place in it, to promote understanding of other cultures, and to be a nucleus of universal brotherhood among all human beings. Today the Society has branches in some sixty countries, with its international headquarters in India.
What does this Wisdom tradition teach? BACK TO TOP
The three basic ideas of Theosophy are
That sounds abstract-what do those ideas mean in daily life
and how do we live by them? These
abstract ideas have some very specific and practical implications, for example
the following:
You and I are different expressions of the same life, so
whatever happens to either of us happens to both of us-our well-being is linked:
Help your neighbor, and thereby help yourself.
Disharmony and evil are the result of ignorance and
selfishness: Live in harmony and goodness so as to teach others by your life as
well as by your words.
What
specific doctrines do Theosophists believe in?
The Theosophical Society is non dogmatic, and Theosophists
are encouraged to accept nothing on faith or on the word of another, but to
adopt only those ideas that satisfy their own sense of what is real and
important. Theosophy is a way of
looking at life rather than a creed. Modern
Theosophy, however, presents ideas like the following for our consideration, and
many Theosophists hold these ideas, not as fixed beliefs, but as a way of
looking at life that explains the world as they experience it:
What
practices do Theosophists follow?
All members of the Theosophical Society decide what practices and manner of living are appropriate for them, but many Theosophists follow a certain regimen of life that is implied by Theosophical ideas like those above.
Many meditate regularly, both to gain insight into themselves and as a service to humanity. Most are vegetarians and avoid the use of furs or skins for which animals are killed. Most do not use alcohol or drugs (except under a doctor's order).
They typically support the rights of all human beings for fair and just treatment, being therefore supporters of women's and minority rights.
Respect for differences of culture and support of intellectual freedom is a common attribute amongst Theosophists, who are asked to not accept any opinion or adopt any practice that does not appeal to their inner sense of reason and morality.
What
do Theosophists do in their meetings?
Meetings typically consist of a talk followed by discussion or the study of a topic. Theosophy has no developed rituals, although meetings may be opened and closed by brief meditations or the recitation of short texts, and some groups use a simple ceremony for welcoming new members.
There are no privileged symbols or icons in Theosophy, but various symbols from the religious traditions of the world are honored, such as the interlaced triangles and the ankh (the Egyptian symbol of life).
There are no clergy or leaders, other than democratically chosen officers.
How do Theosophists regard churches and religions? BACK TO TOP
Theosophy holds that all religions are expressions of humanity's effort to relate to one another, to the universe around us, and to the ultimate ground of being. Particular religions differ from one another because they are expressions of that effort adapted to particular times, places, cultures, and needs.
Theosophy is not itself a religion, although it is religious, in being concerned with humanity's effort to relate to ultimate values.
Individual Theosophists profess various of the world's
religions-Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Buddhist.
Some have no religious affiliation.
The Society itself is an expression of the belief that human beings,
however diverse their backgrounds, can communicate and cooperate.
What
is the message of Theosophy today?
The problems humanity faces-war, overpopulation, exploitation, prejudice, oppression, greed, hate-are just the symptoms of a disease.
We need to treat the symptoms, but to cure the disease, we need to eliminate its cause. The cause of the disease is ignorance of the truth that we are not merely unconnected, independent beings whose particular welfare can be achieved at the expense of the general good. The cure is the recognition that we are all one with each other and with all life in the universe.
Despite the superficial cultural and genetic differences that divide humanity, we are remarkably homogeneous-physically, psychologically, intellectually, and spiritually. Biologically, we are a single human gene pool, with only minor local variations. Psychologically, we respond to pleasure and pain in the same way. Intellectually, we have the same curiosity about our place in the universe and the same power to discover truth.
Spiritually, we have a common origin and a common destiny.
We are part and parcel of the totality of existence
stretching from this planet Earth to the farthest reaches of the cosmos in every
conceivable dimension. When we
realize our integral connection with all other human beings, with all other life
forms, with the most distant reaches of space, we will realize that we cannot
either harm or help another without harming or helping ourselves.
We are all one.
To know this is to be healthy in body, whole in mind, and holy in spirit. That ideal is expressed in the following words, known as the "Universal Invocation," written by Annie Besant, the second international President of the Theosophical Society:
The Universal Invocation:
O hidden Life, vibrant in every atom,
O hidden Light, shining in every creature,
O hidden Love, embracing all in oneness,
May all who feel themselves as one with thee,
Know they are therefore one with every other.
FOR FURTHER READING
The following Quest Books are available from the Quest Book Shop and the Theosophical Publishing House at (800) 669-9425
Ancient Wisdom-Modem Insight, by Shirley Nicholson.
Life: Your Great Adventure, by Felix and Eunice Layton.
Theosophy, by Robert Ellwood.