Theosophy is a religious and philosophical worldview of a pantheistic nature, proclaimed by the Theosophical Society, which Helena Blavatsky founded in New York in 1875. Theosophy draws mainly on Neoplatonism and Buddhism. Its motto is “There is no religion higher than truth”. According to Blavatsky, Theosophy is not a religion but a system of thought that can be reconciled with organised faiths such as Christianity, Buddhism or Hinduism.
The term “theosophy” comes from the Greek words θεός, “god”, and σοφία, “wisdom”. According to Blavatsky, it literally means “the wisdom of the gods” and was first used by the Neoplatonist Ammonius Saccas in the third century AD to denote an eternal system of ethics reconciling all religions.
Ideas
belief in an impersonal Absolute and an all-pervading consciousness
the eternity of the cosmos and of nature as emanations of the Absolute; reincarnation – every soul passes through plant and animal stages before incarnating in a human body
karma – every being’s responsibility for its own deeds; evolution – the whole universe, from people to stars, strives towards perfection and union with the Absolute
the universal brotherhood of humanity
At the end of the nineteenth century Theosophy strongly influenced Freemasonry, especially the Le Droit Humain lodges. Rudolf Steiner created Anthroposophy in opposition to Theosophy. In a simplified form, theosophical ideas filtered into mass consciousness, giving rise to the New Age movements.
The sevenfold nature of man
According to Theosophy, a human being contains seven forms of existence, differing in permanence and perfection: the physical body (sthula-sharira); prana (life energy); the etheric body (linga-sharira, the so-called double); the animal soul (kama-rupa, the seat of the passions); the intellect (manas); the self (buddhi, the spiritual soul); and the spirit (atma, an emanation of the Absolute).
Only the last three elements are immortal, and together they form the soul. After death the soul unites with the Absolute, entering a state of undisturbed bliss called devachan.
Organisations that grew out of Theosophy:
The Temple of the Presence
- The Liberal Catholic Church
First published (Polish original): 25 February 2009. Written by astrologers and esoteric specialists working with our editorial team; edited and translated for HOROSCOP.SPACE. © All rights reserved.
