1. 2:44 PM RELS 225 2009-01-21 Attendance Announcements Review of last class Theosophy

2. Announcements The Reader has arrived in the bookstore. Pick up your copy; readings will be assigned.

3. 2:44 PM Review of last class Cult information and misinformation The Future of Religion: Demise or Transformation? The Role of Religion: Berger vs. Stark & Bainbridge Labelling Troeltsch: Churches: born; Sects: join Yinger: Universal, Ecclesia, Denomination, Established sect, Sect, Cult Cult Features: esoteric knowledge; better salvation; loosely organized; charismatic leader Wilson’s Typology: Sects: Conversionist; Revolutionist; Introversionist; Manipulationist; Thaumaturgical; Reformist; Utopian Cults: Illumination; Instrumental; Service-oriented Robbins & Anthony’s Typology: Dualistic/Monistic; Multilevel/Unilevel Wallis’s Typology: Attitude to world: Affirm/Reject/Accommodate Dawson’s Typology: Audience; Client; Cult Movement

4. 2:44 PM Theosophy Beliefs We lack true understanding of the world. That truth comes for Ascended Masters. Were human, almost podlike – thousands of years. Buddha, Jesus were Ascended Masters 100’s-1000’s of these Ams throughout the world, in schools. Seven-foot tall one in London, white clothing & turban (according to Alice Bailey) AMs are like Bodhisattvas

5. 2:44 PM Theosophy Beliefs There are 1000’s of other worlds. All in tsame great cosmic drama. Their history and mythology are described by Blavatsky. Solar Logos (personal) Sanat Kumara Sanat Kumara (lord of earth. Came from Venus 18 million years ago) lives at Shamballa – in another dimension in Gobi desert.) 1 st Ray Buddha 2 nd Ray Bodhisattvas Mana

6. 2:44 PM Conception of Divine/Transcendent No “God” but the ultimate is: “the One” Unlimited Absolute Indescribable Is. Ultimate Cause, but not creator. Evolves through an eternal dynamic of spirit & matter. We know “the One” by knowing our consciousness. Turn inward to know the outward world as it really is. Reject personal, anthropomorphic God, a logical impossibility (Platonic, Hegelian, Samkya Yoga)

7. 2:44 PM Evil Strictly there are no devils, demons, evil. But they explain why bad things happen: Disharmony. Accidents are part of the ebb & flow of nature. When we increase disharmony (by ignorance of our consciousness) we contribute to these bad things. Pain = want of harmony. Selfishness is source of disharmony.

8. 2:44 PM Humanity 1. We are complex interpenetrating planes of matter & consciousness 2. We are manifestations of the ultimate, therefore interconnected with each other & with all the universe. 3. Consciousness reached a special level in humans, therefore have a special responsibility for development of the universe.

9. 2:44 PM Humanity: Bodies There are 7 bodies. 4 outer (lower forms): 1. Physical body 2. Etheric body – close to physical, spiritualized a bit 3. Astral body – can separate & travel in space & time (dozens of groups also become) 4. Manasic body – lacks physical form. Mental ball of energy 3 inner (higher forms). Imperishable triad. These three survive death and continue life in another being. 1. Manas – mind, intelligence 2. Buddhi – soul, spiritual being 3. Atma – absolute selfe

10. 2:44 PM Humanity: Root Species There will be seven root species in cosmic earth. We are the 5 th. Each has been a different composite of body & matter. We are to be masters of the material world. Science.

11. 2:44 PM Humanity: Freedom We can’t change things through prayer But it is somewhat in our control. We are free agents. You can change the universe by changing yourself.

12. 2:44 PM Death & the Afterlife Karma & reincarnation. Karma is the larger ordering principle which governs reincarnation Doing bad things accumulates bad karma Reborn as grasshopper, perhaps. Doing good things  more enlightened. Good = morals Bad = manipulation

13. 2:44 PM Death & the Afterlife 16 levels of this world to be reborn in: Hungry ghost (lowest) … Human beings (in the middle) … Deva (eats ambrosia, floating around, distracted, not desire) Not immediately reborn when you die. Go to Devachan (like purgatory – review your life) When reborn, don’t take your personality & memories (unless you acquire the right skills) To the extent you fail to know your true self, you will have a bad time with death.

14. 2:44 PM How to live the good life Non-prescriptive ethical system Don’t care about individual behaviour But oppose racial prejudice, nuclear bombs, oppression.

15. 2:44 PM Foundation of the Ageless Wisdom

16. Homework For Monday: Read chapter 3 in Cults and New Religious Movements Write quiz on Chapter 3 at http://moodle.library.stfx.ca http://moodle.library.stfx.ca For Wednesday: Read Reader Chapter 6 “The New Spiritual Freedom” (pages 89-111) Write “Reading Quiz on the New Spiritual Freedom” at http://moodle.library.stfx.ca http://moodle.library.stfx.ca