Living Theosophy

Living Theosophy – How can we make Theosophy a Living Force in our World?

Details: Published: Sunday, 23 January 2011 03:00

Nelda Samarel – USA

I am quite certain that nothing new, nothing that already has not been said, is being added in response to this question. However, it is quite instructive for each of us to ask this question of ourselves, to ponder upon it, and to make whatever adjustments in our lives that may be a natural outcome of our query. And so I am grateful for the opportunity to ponder upon this question, essential for every true Theosophist.

Prior to attempting to state how we may make Theosophy a living force in the world, it is helpful to first define our terms. What is meant by “Theosophy”? Theosophy is a word, a doctrine, and a way of life. As a word, it simply means “wisdom of the Gods,” or “divine wisdom.” As a doctrine, Theosophy offers a unique body of knowledge which, when studied and understood, assists us in making sense of the universe and of our place in it.

Living Theosophy – How can we make Theosophy a Living Force in our World?

Details: Published: Saturday, 20 November 2010 20:05

Preethi Muthiah – India

Simply put, the answer to the title question is “by living the teachings.” A corollary, however, is “What does it mean to live Theosophy?”

In a world that is largely divided—by religion, race, gender, or material affluence—Theosophy has a very relevant message to give to the world, but before it can do that, we who are its “flag-bearers” must live the teachings at our most personal level. Living those teachings does not imply that we have no problems but rather that, as we grapple with imperfections in ourselves, we also learn to be forgiving and tolerant of these in others. The pitfalls for us are greater because we have a large storehouse of knowledge open to us and thus can become very smug in our scholarliness, ignoring in the process the little things that count.

Living Theosophy – How can we make Theosophy a Living Force in our World?

Details: Published: Saturday, 20 November 2010 19:12

Manuela Kaulich – Germany

Many good thoughts and wise words have been written in all the articles in this series of Theosophy Forward. So my first thought was that there is nothing more to add. Then I remembered Mount Everest (1933), in which our former President George Sidney Arundale wrote about right citizenship in “Individuality and Leadership”:

“And there are two duties, the duty of the individual and the duty of the state. . . . The state alone is happy in which these two go hand in hand, . . . each fulfilling its own dharma . . . . Right citizenship involves right living—that is, the pursuit of wealth. . . . What are the constituents of real wealth? Work and happiness. . . . Work which concerns specifically the individual, for his own uniqueness, his own individual growth, and then work of the collective good. Harmony must be established between the two. Happiness immediate and remote is the purpose of work. In this there are two ingredients: (a) Self-realization. (b) Service. The wise man is he who perceives no distinction between self-realization and service, but is able to combine the apotheosis of self-realization and the apotheosis of service. . . . When we try to make people happy we are adding to the national wealth.”

Living Theosophy – How can we make Theosophy a Living Force in our World?

Details: Published: Saturday, 20 November 2010 19:08

Diana Dunningham Chapotin – France

“May Theosophy grow more and more a living power in the lives of each one of our members, and may the coming year be yet more full of good work and healthy progress than the one just closing, is the wish of your humble co-worker and fellow member.” Helena Blavatsky’s her third letter to the American Convention, April 1890, Collected Writings 12:151.

How can we make Theosophy a living force in our world? This question has been addressed by a number of Theosophists on this website. Without reading the contributions of those who have already expressed themselves, one can guess what they have to say: namely, each in their own way and with varying emphases and colors, that we must study Theosophical doctrine deeply, show its relevance for people’s daily lives and for their spiritual practice, and above all demonstrate it as a living force within ourselves? Is that far off the mark?

Living Theosophy – How can we make Theosophy a Living Force in our World?

Details: Published: Tuesday, 14 September 2010 01:57

Jan Jelle Keppler – Belgium

In answering the title question, we should first define who we are who are asking the question, so we can know what our possibilities are to make anything a living force. Then we should define Theosophy and thereby be aware of what it is that we want to make a living force. Also we should define what our world is to be better aware of where we are working. Furthermore, we should define the idea behind the words "a living force," which is the ideal that the question is striving at.

The question does not seem to be concerning the moment in time when we can make Theosophy a living force. Neither is the question concerned with why we should make Theosophy a living force in our world. If the question is directed to the members of the Theosophical movement, it is not necessary to give much attention to the why of it, because the three objects—about forming a nucleus of the brotherhood of humanity without any distinctions; the comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science; and investigation of unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man—are well known to most members.