THEOSOPHY: “There is no religion higher than TRUTH!”

You’ve heard of Philosophy. You’ve heard of Theology. Now, you’re hearing about Theosophy.

This teaching is established on the simple truth that TRUTH is the supreme “religion” people should follow.

Yet, the “truth” may not be that simple or easy to discern.

What is Theosophy?

Theosophy is a doctrine of religious philosophy and metaphysics.
In 1875, the Theosophical Society was founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891), along with Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge, among others. The teaching promotes that each religion has an aspect of the “truth,” and each attempts to help humans in perfecting the evolution of the species.

Theosophy also teaches that in their “higher selves” humans are immortal. But with their lower self, i.e. the physical, emotional and mental components, being unconscious of this state of immortality, humans decompose and die.


There were three clearly defined objectives delineated by the Theosophical Society as its purpose:

1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color.
2. To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science.
3. To investigate the unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

Beliefs

Theosophy promotes the belief that nature does not operate by chance. Every event, past or present, is part of a universal paradigm. Further, according to the teaching, everything, animate and inanimate, is part of basic building blocks, ultimately evolving towards Consciousness.

In Theosophy, humans are viewed as “Spirit,” called “The Monad,” or the Higher Self.
The Monad has awakened to the human state through myriad lives that progress from the mineral and plant to the various animal stages.




Theosophy, however, differs from other belief systems in that it does not believe regression is possible, i.e. human beings cannot incarnate as animals or plants again, having attained awareness of Selfhood. In addition, Theoosophy teaches that people are considered only as an epitome of spiritual/physical life on Earth. But humans are not the end stage of evolution; this continues through other life stages.

The natural progression beyond Life on Earth includes beings who were once ordinary men and women but have moved beyond their egocentric personalities to concern for the highest good of all beings on Earth.

Theosophy does not then promote the worship of Angelic beings, as these are thought to be beings in a higher stage of attainment. All humans are capable of such attainment, but the difference is through the changing of their current life focus, i.e. from the outer egoic Self to the welfare of all others.

This progression of course takes many lifetimes to occur, as so many beings who come to Earth become so enmeshed in the material aspects of existence.


The Teaching

In Theosophy, benefactors and teachers of humanity are thought to be men and women who have progressed to a stage on Earth where they have moved to an enlightened state beyond Selfhood. By their own actions and behavior while on Earth, these teachers affirm that it is the duty of human beings to follow a Path of self-emancipation from Selfishness to becoming one's own Savior. Atonement, it is believed, cannot be achieved through another’s action. That must be undertaken by each "being" manifesting on Earth.

To support this teaching, Theosophy promotes an immortal ethical life by offering a Heart Doctrine of ethical thought and action through which changes can occur.

History

The teaching traces its origin to no one specific source but finds a base in a compilation of universal striving for spiritual knowledge that existed in all cultures, especially India and Ancient Greece. The writings of Plato (427-347 BCE), Plotinus (204-270) and other neo-Plotinus also reflect Theosophical beliefs and teachings.

During the 1920s, membership and intensity in Theosophical Society was at its strongest with about 7,000 in the United States; today that number is less than 4,000. In India the number of members in the Theosophical Society exceeded 20,000, where the Indian National Congress was founded during a Theosophical conference and many leaders, such as M.K. Gandhi, were associated with Theosophy. Today, membership in the society has decreased to less than 13,000.

Current New Age teachings are said to have roots in Blavatsky’s teachings.


Base of Number Seven (The Septenary)
Theosophy and other such esoteric groups claim that the universe is ordered by the number seven. So, the reincarnating consciousness of our Monad (Spirit) manifests in one of seven forms***:

• The first body is called sthula-sarira : This gross and impermanent body is the lowest substance-principle, manifesting from the harmonious co-working on the physical plane of forces and faculties. These stream through their astral vehicle, or linga-sarira.

• The second body is called Linga-Sarira: This is the pattern or model through which the physical body flows or develops as it grows. This second body also is an impermanent model-body or astral body and is considered only slightly more ethereal than the physical body.


• The third body is prana: In theosophy, this is the breath of life. This life or prana works on, in, and around us, pulsating unceasingly during the term of physical existence.


• The fourth principle is kāma: Desire. This principle is the driving, impelling force. Born from the interaction of atman, buddhi, and manas, kama can be a force of good or evil, based on how it is used by the Mind and Soul. It provides the electrical impulses for our desires, and aspirations.

• The fifth principle is manas: Herein lies the home of the mentation and egoic consciousness. Manas is the human person, the reincarnating ego, immortal in essence, enduring in its higher aspects through the entire manvantara. When embodied, manas is dual. It gravitates toward the higher consciousness of buddhi, the intuitive mind, or towards the lower consciousness of kama , animal and aspects of personality.

• The sixth principle or vehicle is Buddhi : This is a vehicle of pure, universal spirit. It is considered inseparable from Atman, which is the highest plane. In man, buddhi is the spiritual soul! This facility allows us to discern between good or evil and also is the channel through which divine inspiration streams from the atman to the ego. The qualities of the buddhi awaken: higher judgment, instant understanding, discrimination, intuition, boundless love, and universal forgiveness.

• The seventh is called Atman: Self. This “IAM” consciousness. This pure consciousness is linked with buddhi and the other six-stages of manifestation, during incarnation . Because of this bond, atman may take on attributes of the lower aspects through the chain and linkage. For example, the buddhi is linked with manas; the manas is linked with kama; kama is linked to prana; prana is linked to linga-sarira and linga to sthula-sarira.


So even though according to Theosophy, "there’s no other religion but the TRUTH," the “truth” is not so easy!
But perhaps, while you’re manifesting your Beingness in the linga sarira, sthula-sarira or prana states, you just might get closer to it.

Namaste’,

Che’
***NOTE: These seven forms highlighted in Theosophy could be critically important in our understanding our lives and our ability to interact or not interact with another person. This is similar to the nine personality types highlighted in the Enneagram. I find this all FASCINATING. SO, for three consecutive weeks, beginning August 16, I will highlight how our life "form" may be affecting our experience and our ability to "all get along."