Famous Theosophists

Theosophy (from Greek θεοσοφία theosophia, from θεός theos, God + σοφία sophia, wisdom; literally "God's wisdom"), refers to systems of esoteric philosophy concerning, or investigation seeking direct knowledge of, presumed mysteries of being and nature, particularly concerning the nature of divinity.

Theosophy is considered a part of the broader field of esotericism, referring to hidden knowledge or wisdom that offers the individual enlightenment and salvation. The theosophist seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe and the bonds that unite the universe, humanity, and the divine. The goal of theosophy is to explore the origin of divinity and humanity, and the world. From investigation of those topics, theosophists try to discover a coherent description of the purpose and origin of the universe.

In 1875 Helena Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, and William Quan Judge co-founded The Theosophical Society. Blavatsky combined Eastern religious traditions with Western esoteric teachings to create a synthesis she called the Perennial Religion. She developed this in Isis Unveiled (1877) and The Secret Doctrine (1888), her major works and exposition of her Theosophy.

Eventually the Theosophical Society became virtually synonymous with Theosophy in the vernacular sense. There are many differences between traditional Western theosophy and the Theosophical movement begun by Helena Blavatsky, though the differences "are not important enough to cause an insurmountable barrier."When referring to the ideas related to Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society, the word "Theosophy" is capitalized; otherwise it is not.xperience a unique inner awakening.


Some of its principles are:

Everything in the universe originates from one boundless, eternal, unknowable source. After a period of manifested existence the universe returns to that source.

The universe itself is an organic whole, alive, intelligent, conscious, and divine.

The laws of nature are the result of intelligent forces.

The law of karma holds throughout the universe. It operates at all levels, ensuring justice, harmony, and balance.

We reincarnate into successive lives. Once we have reached the human level we do not regress back into animal forms.

The law of karma acts over our successive lives to ensure justice. (We don't get away with it.) We are the cause of every joy and pain in our own life.

A law of cycles provides fundamental structure at all levels. Two examples are our pattern of reincarnation, and the continuing "lives" of the universe as it appears, then returns to its source.

Analogy and correspondence provide fundamental structure for the universe. This is a broad statement of the Hermetic axiom - "As above, so below".

Evolution applies on a grand scale to all of life.

Soul gets involved in this world of matter. It experiences and learns. Soul then works its way back in a long pilgrimage to its primal source. This again follows a cyclic pattern.

This evolution achieves experience, self-awareness, and ever increasing perfection.

Evolution occurs on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes.

"Survival of the fittest" along with gradual accumulation of small beneficial changes does not explain the "origin of the species". The origin of the species is due to intelligent design.

Humanity has experienced significant evolution in long periods on the continents (not islands) of Atlantis and Lemuria.

There is a seven fold constitution of man ranging from the physical plane to the purely spiritual plane.

Thoughts are tangible objects on higher planes. Every thought and action has its effect on us and on our surroundings and has a karmic consequence.

The three higher planes of this constitution form the "higher self" and that is what reincarnates from life to life and accumulates the experience, the lessons, the virtues. The lower planes form the "lower self" and are the vehicle used by the higher self while it is living in this active testing ground of incarnate life.

At the moment of death we have a review of our life just past - as we cast off this physical frame. After a short period, that varies greatly between individuals, we cast off other lower aspects of our constitution and the reincarnating self begins a long period of merciful, earned, rest before the next birth.

Often during this life, our spiritual nature is obscured in our self-centered daily lives as we cater to our immediate needs and desires. But the spiritual self is always there to guide us if we seek it with strong earnest desire.

We can strive to reach our higher self by:
Listening to our still small voice of conscience.
Noting the dreams from the higher self.
Developing our intuition.
Meditating.
Studying principles of the Wisdom Religion.
Aligning ourselves with Nature.
Engaging in action for the greater good.
Carefully reading the events of our daily life.

Brotherhood is a fact in nature. We are ONE at the highest spiritual component of our nature. We are sparks from one flame. We are the fingers on one hand. We are ONE at other levels as well.

We should:
Understand we are not separate from humanity or the world.
Emphasize brotherhood, altruism, and compassion in our daily lives.
Strive to know our higher self.

The religions of the world are branches on the tree whose trunk is the one ancient - once universal - wisdom religion. The religions are the tributaries of one great river. (But they borrow from each other to make the actual details much more complex.)
Mythology often transmits some of this knowledge in symbolic form.
Periodically, great teachers come amongst us to help us in this evolutionary path. They may create another branch on the tree.

Humanity's potential is infinite and every being has a contribution to make toward a grander world. We are all in it together. We are one.