Theosophy

Theosophy is a body of belief which holds that all religions are attempts by man to ascertain "the Divine", and as such each religion has a portion of the truth. Theosophy, as a coherent belief system, developed from the writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (also Hélène). Together with Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge, and others she founded the Theosophical Society in 1875.

Basic Theosophical beliefs

Consciousness is universal and individual

According to Theosophy, nature does not operate by chance. Every event, past or present, happens because of laws which are part of a Universal Paradigm. Theosophists hold that everything, living or not, is "impregnated" with Consciousness. This paradigm has been called variously: God (nonpersonal), Law, Heaven, the Great Architect, Evolution, and Logos. The term used in this article is "paradigm".

Related Topics:
Nature - Universal Paradigm - Consciousness - Logos

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Man is "provisionally" immortal

Theosophists believe that all human beings in their "Higher Selves" are immortal, but their personalities are unconscious of the link with their Divine Nature and will perish unless they strive to effect a union of the two.

Related Topics:
Higher Selves - Divine Nature

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Reincarnation is universal

Like esoteric Buddhism, from which much of Theosophical thought springs, Theosophy teaches that beings have attained the human state through myriad reincarnations, passing through the mineral, plant and animal stages since the birth of life on earth. However, Theosophy differs from the exoteric belief that regression is possible. Humans cannot reincarnate as animals or plants again except in the rare cases of disintegrating "lost souls". Conversely, humans are considered only the epitome of physical life on Earth and not the end stage of evolution, which continues for three further stages in the form of the Dhyani Chohans or Buddhic beings.

Related Topics:
Reincarnation - Animal - Plant - Epitome - Earth

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Karma

Theosophy is similar to the beliefs of the Hindu Arya Samaj sect concerning Karma, Dharma, and Cosmogony. Theosophy teaches that evil and good are the result of differentiation of spirit/matter in a cycle of becoming. There is a natural involution of spirit into matter followed by an evolution of matter back into spirit. The purpose of the Universe is for spirit to manifest itself self-consciously through seven stages.

Related Topics:
Hindu - Arya Samaj - Karma - Dharma - Cosmogony

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Universal brotherhood

Theosophy teaches that every thing of whatever kind is from one divine source. All things are "monads" in reality. All monads potentially possess the same principles and their forms and natures are an expression of their present consciousness level.

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Evolution

Theosophists believe that religion, philosophy, science, the arts, commerce, industry, and philanthropy, among other "virtues", lead humans ever closer to "the Divine". This, in Theosophy, is a continuation of the Divine purpose through evolution.

Related Topics:
Religion - Philosophy - Science - Industry - Evolution

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The Septenary

Theosophy, as well as many other esoteric groups and occult societies claim that the universe is ordered by the number seven. The monad possess seven bodies:

Related Topics:
Occult - Seven - Seven bodies

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: The first one is called physical body, it is the famous Sthula-Sarira of the Oriental theosophists. The second one in Orient is called Linga-Sarira or Vital body and is the base of the organic life, the tetra-dimensional part of the physical body. The third body is Kamas, the principle of desire, the famous Astral body cited by the medieval alchemists. The fourth body is called the Mental body by the Hindustani and Inferior Manas in Sanskrit. The fifth vehicle is the Causal body or Arupic as is called by the theosophists. The sixth body is the Buddhic or Intuitional, the Superlative Consciousness of the Being. The seventh is called Atman the Ineffable by the Hindustani...

Related Topics:
Physical body - Vital body - Astral body - Alchemists - Mental body - Sanskrit - Causal body - Buddhic - Atman

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: — Samael Aun Weor

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