Theosophy – An Introductory Study Course
By John Algeo (1930 – 2019).
89 Pages | Original edition 1996, fourth edition 2007 | A4 Softcover, Study Course | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835601900.
This is a study course introducing Theosophy as presented by the Theosophical Society. Have you ever wondered about the ‘big’questions of life?
- Who am I really?
- Why is the world the way it is?
- Where did I come from?
- What am I doing here?
- What comes next?
- When will I find out all these things?
We, human beings, are curious about ourselves and the world around us. That curiosity appears especially in little children, who continually ask why? and what? As we grow older, we may learn to live with our unknowing and stop questions, at least overtly. But, being human, we have a passion for knowing the meaning of things and that passion cannot be wholly surpressed.
From Chapter III – Universal Brotherhood (p. 15):
” The FIRST OBJECT of the Theosophical Society is concerned with Brotherhood:
To form a nucleus of the universal Brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color.
Brotherhood is the primary focus of Theosophy, because all human beings are related. Indeed, we are all ultimately the same life expressing itself diversely. Because of our interrelatedness, everything each of us does affects everyone else. If humanity as a whole does not learn to live as one family, we will not live at all. Thus, the Theosophical Society is a nucleus fostering the practical reality of Brotherhood for the furtherance of humanity’s evolution. “
Living Theosophy
27 p. | 1998 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar
Living Theosophy: 1998 Besant Lecture (pamphlet). John Algeo, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia, was Alumni Foundation distinguished Professor of English until his retirement to accept the presidency of the Theosophical Society in America from 1993 – 2002.
Getting Acquainted With The Secret Doctrine (Study Guide)
By John Algeo.
60 Pages | Study guide, first edition 1981, third edition 2007 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835602099.
This study guide offers an introduction to Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s (1831 – 1891) Secret Doctrine – The Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy (1888) based primarily on the ‘Bowen notes’, which purportedly record Blavatsky’s own advice. The work borrows freely, however, from the Wisdom and practice of many others as well and formulates questions rather than answers.
Students of The Secret Doctrine differ considerably in their attitude toward the book and its study. The attitude adopted here – namely that it is remarkable and indeed a marvellous book, but that it is not free from error or in any sense a ‘sacred’ text – is not universally held. But John Algeo believes that it is in the Spirit of the Ageless Wisdom and The Secret Doctrine that we should respect each other’s views, without necessarily sharing them.
From Chapter 6 – ‘How to Study The Secret Doctrine’ (p. 21):
” The Bowen notes tell us that ‘reading the S.D, page by page as one reads any other book’ – for example, a textbook – ‘will only end in confusion’. The notes also give suggestions on how to go about studying the work. They advise the student to hold fast to four basic ideas:
The fundamental unity of all existence with two aspects: consciousness and substance;
The vitality of all matter;
The microcosmic correspondence of human nature to the great cosmos because of our oneness with it;
The hermetic order of the universe as a Divine Economy, which is simultaneously a hierarchy of power and a network of equality. “
The Vision Keepers – Walking for Native Americans and the Earth
292 Pages | Published in 2007 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835608510.
We are all seekers… Some find their path on pilgrimage to the Mahabodhi Temple in India or the Haji Ali mausoleum as they embark on a journey to Mecca. Others find God at the burial site of St. James in the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Author and environmentalist Doug Alderson meets ’the Great Spirit’ through the ancient spiritual practice of walking. The Vision Keepers is the compelling true story of a seeker who, under the guidance of Bear Heart, a Muskogee Creek Indian and Medicine Man, finds unity with our nation’s native people and reconnects with the earth through profound and mysterious means.
From the Epilogue (p. 260 & 261):
” The Hopi, along with traditional people worldwide, believe it is their role to uphold global balance through their ceremonies and lifestyles. As tribal life has eroded, the hefty burden has fallen on fewer and fewer people. It is now up to everyone, through prayers, thoughts, and actions, to share the responsibility of keeping life in harmonious synchronisation. To create a peaceful and beautiful world for the unborn is perhaps our highest purpose. A great adventure lies ahead, one that will present us with critical choices and challenges. I pray that we will adhere to that old Quaker adage slightly altered, to ‘live simply so that others – and the earth’s creatures – may simply live. “
At the Feet of the Master
Door J. Krishnamurti
85 Pagina’s | Third Reprint 2023 | Softcover | Uitgeverij Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN 8170596033
In dit ogenschijnlijk eenvoudige boek waarvan de leringen duizenden harten hebben geraakt, ligt de uitdaging in het leven van die leringen, dus de noodzaak om acht te slaan op elk woord. Het boek is een van de drie theosofische klassiekers die van onschatbare waarde zijn voor aspiranten op het spirituele pad, de andere twee zijn The Voice of the Silence en Light on the Path.
The Buddhist and the Theosophical Movements
By Prof. C.V. Agarwal, Ph.D. (passed away in 2009).
104 Pages | First edition 1993, second enlarged edition 2001| Hardcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | No ISBN.
From the Foreword:
” This book relates in detail how Buddhists and Theosophists laboured in friendship to raise Buddhist ideals and teachings to a rightful place of dignity at a time when they were looked down upon under colonial rule “.
Included is interesting information about the great work performed by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907) to support the Buddhist cause.
and
Vedanta Philosophy – Five Lectures on Reïncarnation (1908)
By Swami Abhedananda (1886 – 1936).
99 Pages | Photocopy of the Original 1908 edition | A4 Softcover | Kessinger Publication Company Ltd. | ISBN: 1564598861.
CONTENTS:
Chapter 1 – Reïncarnation
Chapter 2 – Heredity and Reïncarnation
Chapter 3 – Evolution and Reïncarnation
Chapter 4 – Which is Scientific, Resurrection or Reïncarnation?
Chapter 5 – Theory of Transmigration.
From Chapter 2 – ‘Heredity of Reïncarnation’ (p. 47):
” Those, who accept the truth of Reïncarnation do not blame their parents for their poor talents, or for not possessing extraordinary powers, but they remain content with their own lot, knowing that they have made themselves as they are to-day by their own thoughts and deeds in their previous incarnations. They understand the meaning of the saying ‘what thou sowest, mus thou reap’, and always endeavor to mould their future by better thoughts and better deeds. They explain all the inequalities and diversities of life and character by the law of ‘Karma’, which governs the process of Reïncarnation as well as the gradual evolution of the germs of life from lower to higher stages of existence. “
The Secret Gateway – Modern Theosophy and the Ancient Wisdom Tradition
241 pages | 2005 | Paperback | Quest Books
Presenting his own interpretation of the basic Theosophical concepts established in the late nineteenth century by the brilliant mystic, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831 – 1891), Edward Abdill gives us perhaps the first simplified and straightforward written version of the esoteric system that for centuries has often been misunderstood. The book is a perfect guiding tool for all those on the quest to self-discovery and self-transformation.
More Details Drawing from more than fifty years of experience studying, researching, teaching, and working in Theosophy, Abdill imparts practical, day-to-day examples and illustrative stories detailing how we can live the ancient tradition in contemporary times. Where documented evidence is not available to support various Theosophical themes, Abdill provides exercises that, if practiced, may produce a joyful, enlightening experience able to convince anyone that it’s possible to awaken the principles of Theosophy within us. While several books have been written on modern Theosophy — the ancient wisdom tradition that can be found in every great culture from earliest times to the present — none currently exist today in the form of Edward Abdill’s new title. Presenting his own interpretation of the basic Theosophical concepts established in the late nineteenth century by the brilliant mystic, H. P. Blavatsky, Abdill gives us perhaps the first simplified, straightforward written version of the esoteric system that for centuries has often been misunderstood. Through this concise, easy-to-read introduction to Theosophy, people of all faiths and religions can finally start to bridge the gap that is the realm between science and spirituality. While not restating the whole tradition, this new release uses fresh, contemporary language relevant to people today, unlike that of the previous texts typically written in Victorian language. Putting strong emphasis on the need to have an open mind and an eager intellect, this book also stresses the importance of discovering Theosophical principles within ourselves and from the world around us; the need to experience truth rather than to merely believe or disbelieve what an author or doctrine says. Abdill relates the reader to the “kingdom of heaven” as Jesus taught in the scriptures and reminds us that the kingdom is not necessarily a place where we go when we die, but perhaps the spark of divinity within our own consciousness.
Foundations of the Ageless Wisdom (Study Guide)
By Edward C. Abdill.
24 Pages | Copyright 1996 by The Theosophical Society in America | A4 Study Course | Quest Books, U.S.A. | No ISBN.
A Study Course to accompany the five-part video series Foundations of the Ageless Wisdom.
CONTENTS
- Suggested Uses of this Study Guide
- Getting started
- Symbols used in this Study Guide
- The Ultimate Real
- Meaningful Motion
- Sevenfold Human Nature
- Progressive Evolution
- The Path and the Spiritual Life
- Suggestions for future Study
- Texts:
- 1. Course Objectives and Outline
- 2. First fundamental Proposition (abridged)
- 3. Yoga of Knowledge (Jñana Yoga)
- 4. Second Fundamental Proposition (abridged)
- 5. From the Tao Te Ching
- 6. An optical Illusion
- 7. An optical Illusion Aid
- 8. Sevenfold Human Nature
- 9. Third fundamental Proposition (abridged).
Updating…