1. Introduction to Theosophy

2. Theos= gods, the divine Sophia= wisdom, knowledge
Theosophy = Divine Wisdom
At a general level, Theosophy is not merely the embracing of Indian religions, but a mixture of Platonic/Neo-Platonic philosophy with Hindu and Buddhist theories of karma and re-incarnation.

3. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave as an allegory for Theosophy
Plato’s Republic Book VII

4. Neo-Platonism and the Taxonomy of Being
Ammonius Saccas (160 A.D. – 242 A.D.): considered the founder of Neo-Platonism and taught in Alexandria, Egypt where Greek and eastern cultures freely mixed. 19th Century Theosophy considers him to be the first theosophist.
Plotinus (205 A.D. – 270 A.D.): student of Saccas and the first formalizer of Neo-Platonism. Developed and ontological cosmology of Being that inspires Theosophy.

5. Plotinus’ Process of Emanation (from The Enneads)
ONE
Nous
World-Soul
Universe
Souls
-rational
-sentient
-vegetative
Matter

6. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (August 12, 1831 – May 8, 1891)

7. 19th Century Spiritualism
Belief in God (usually the Christian God) but claim that the souls of deceased can be contacted.
Mediumistic practices

8. Blavatsky comes to America
1873 – arrives in New York; investigates Spiritualism
1874 – Meets Henry Steel Olcott
1875 – Co-founded the Theosophical Society in New York City
1877 – first major work: Isis Unvieled (2 Volumes)
Henry Steel Olcott ( )

9. Three Theosophical Objects
1) To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, colour, or creed
2) To promote the study of Aryan and other Scriptures, of the World’s Religion and sciences, and to vindicate the importance of old Asiatic literature, namely of the Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian philosophies
3) To investigate the hidden mysteries of Nature under every aspect possible, and the psychic and spiritual powers latent in man especially

10. February, 1879: Olcott and Blavatsky move to India and
February, 1879: Olcott and Blavatsky move to India and eventually settle in Madras, to set up the world headquarters for the Theosophical Society
October, 1879: First publication of The Theosophist magazine
1880: Olcott and Blavatsky travel to Sri Lanka and become the first European-Americans to officially convert to Buddhism

11. Blavatsky acclaimed last works:
The Voice of the Silence 1889
The Secret Doctrine (Two Volumes) 1888
The Key to Theosophy
1889

12. On May 8th, 1891, Blavatsky dies

13. Theory of the Human Person
1)Atma- the impersonal divine principle 2) Buddhi – also called the spiritual Ego or individual aspect of Atma 3)Manas – the Mind a) higher spiritual/rational aspect b) lower practical aspect 4) Kama – the volitional principle i.e. will and desire a.k.a “the animal soul” 5) Prana – Life force; motive energy 6) Linga Sharira – the astral body, or invisible body double; blueprint or model of physical body 7) Sthula Sharira – the physical body

14. Devachan Karmic reward after separation
Fulfill unrequited desires and ideal scenarios from the life just lived
Remain here for years

15. Karma Principle of universal justice-ultimate law of the universe
Action = cause and effect
Ensures re-incarnation
We cannot know what it is per se, only how it works
Personal karma, National karma, World karma

16. Cosmological Overview
The Absolute or Unknowable primal life force seeking expression
The entire universe is alive and self contained as one entity. Separate beings are merely parts of the whole
Unlike Neo-Platonism even inert matter is alive
Cyclical universe that moves in an upward spiral pattern (called the cosmic Round)-each Round is a further evolution

17. Root Races 5) Original Semites Aryans 1) Polarians: non-physical
2) Hyperboreans: non-physical
3) Lemurians
4) Atlanteans Sub-races: 1) Romahls
5) Aryans 2) Tlavatlis
6) ??? 3) Toltecs
7) ??? 4) First Turanians
5) Original Semites Aryans
6) Akkadians
7) Mongolians

18. Aryan Sub-Races
Aryan 1) Hindus 2) Sumerians 3) Egyptians 4) Hellenes 5)Europeans 6) Nova Men 7) ???

19. William Butler Yeats (1865- 1939) – Irish poet, mystic, political activist
Thomas Paine ( ) – honorary Theosophist

20. Controversies/Critiques
Mahatmas
Emma Cutting
Society for Psychical Research