Theosophy

Tim Boyd – USA

The Universal Spiritual Problem

he world’s spiritual traditions differ in many ways — rituals, methods of practice, descriptions of divinity — but in some essential areas, no matter in what time period, location, or culture the tradition has its roots, there is unanimous agreement. One of those areas of agreement is about the essential human problem holding us back from spiritual awareness. The names for this problem are many and vary across traditions: ego, man of clay/ flesh, the Natural Man, personality, lower self, Nafs (Arabic), Nefesh (Hepew), Ahamkâra (Sanskrit), Animal Soul, Egoic Mind, the self-cherishing, deluded mind. In theosophical parlance the term most often used is the “self”, with a lower case “s” to distinguish it from “Self”, the universal shared essence of all life.

Ananya Sri Ram – USA

The Seven Points of Mind Training, attributed to the Indian Buddhist teacher Atisha Dipankara Shrijnana (982-1054 CE), was orally passed down until they were written down by the Kamdampa teacher Lang-ri Thangpa (1054-1123). As the teachings became more widely known, they were summarized by Geshe Chekawa Yeshe Dorje (1101-1175). In the book, Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness by Chogyam Trungpa, one is introduced to the ancient text through a more modern view.

Barbara Hebert – USA

Barbara Hebert, former National President of the TSA, but still very hard working for Theosophy

The things that are happening in our world today may increase our anxiety and even our fear of what will happen in the future. Pandemics, war, brutality, death. The uncertainty may encourage us to make fear-based decisions or to become caught up in a kama-manasic tornado of thoughts and feelings. Neither of these actions are helpful to us or to the world in which we live. There are theosophical concepts that will help us to learn to live without fear. However, it is useful to address a few questions first. What is fear? How does fear impact us? How does our fear impact the world around us? These questions help us understand what is happening and what we want to change. Change requires awareness, and awareness requires self-introspection and self-observation.  

Pain never enters our lives gently; it breaks in and rearranges our inner world. “It touches our thoughts, shakes our emotions, questions our beliefs, and sometimes challenges our will to live.” Pain leads some people to close the doors of the heart and others to fall into hopelessness and depression. When misunderstood, pain can become a silent destroyer. But then there are those few courageous people who respond to pain by questioning everything they once believed; they fall temporarily to rise again. “These wounded souls become heroic warriors.” It all depends upon one’s perception, whether one looks upon pain as an enemy or a mentor. When wounds are severe, one witnesses the process of destruction and reconstruction within oneself. “Illusions break; the ego cracks; and expectations collapse. The false identities that once gave comfort begin to dissolve. In that

Boris de Zirkoff – USA

Boris de Zirkoff

[One hundred years ago -An Occult and Literary Challenge - article first published in 1977]

On Saturday, September 29, 1877, the first monumental work of H. P. Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled, was published in New York by J. W. Bouton. Its title page declared it to be "A Master-Key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science and Theology," and the one thousand copies of the first printing were sold in ten days. Even some of the advance subscribers had to wait for the second printing.

Andrew Rooke – Australia

Profoundly studying the scores of Life's symphony 

We are players in a vast symphony of Life. From sub-atomic particles to star systems, Nature gives evidence of a magnificent balance and harmony like a great orchestra blending countless keynotes into “the Music of the Spheres”. If we can listen to this music even for a moment, we realize that disharmonies will eventually blend with the greater harmony as a natural progression in the survival and development of the Whole. In the process of overcoming disharmony, individual players will learn something from their errors and grow to understand a little more of the greater scheme of the Melody. The ancient wise men of the East call this essentially compassionate process of learning “Karma”, the law of action and reaction, the reaping of what we sow in and our thoughts and actions as we learn the lessons each life has to teach.

Marja Artamaa – Suomi, India

Marja Artamaa, International Secretary (photo taken some time ago in the Besant Hall of the ITC in Naarden, the Netherlands)

AT some point in every life, the question surfaces — quietly, in the middle of an ordinary day, or suddenly, in a moment of crisis or unexpected joy: Why am I here? What does any ofthis mean? Most of us push the question aside. We have things to do. But the question does not go away. It waits. 

Shikhar Agnihotri – India

Shikhar Agnihotri, International Vice-President

The 150^th anniversary of the theosophical movement in modern times is not only an occasion to reflect on the last 150 years but also a time of renewal, of making a conscious choice from the womb of which the future, the new humanity, will take birth within us as individuals and collectively for humanity. Let us try to see if, in the constant demands of daily life which is normally dominated by physical and mental conditionings and habits, it is possible, even if for a fraction of a second, to leave behind the concept of time, and give ourselves an opportunity to have a glimpse of that Oneness/Truth for which Theosophy stands, through a small window of eternity in the mind made shell around us. Consider the theme of this convention, “One World, One Life – The Spirit of a New Humanity”. For a rare few it is a statement of fact in Nature; for some it is a belief that has travelled from generations and has become a way of living; for some others it is an intuitive vision that motivates them to aspire and realise the Unity of Life; but the majority, who earlier used to think of this world only as a coincidental material existence in which comparison-competition-exclusivity-fragmentation are the only ways to live, are being compelled today to look in the direction of interconnectedness and interdependence, as we stand face to face with recurring global situations/problems that manifest themselves as harsh consequences at the local level — war and starvation. 

Deepa Padhi – India

Deepa Padhi, dedicated life always in service of those who are not as privileged as we are

“Liberty is the keynote of the soul’s growth”, says Annie Besant, which reminds us that freedom is not merely political — it is spiritual, intellectual, and moral. Today as we gather for the Besant Lecture, we honour that great woman, whose life was a bridge between East and West, between science and spirituality, between reform and revolution. As we reflect on Annie Besant’s legacy, let us remember that her life was not about theory alone — it was all about action.

Ananya Sri Ram – USA  

The author

From the very beginning of our theosophical studies, a student is encouraged to understand that life does not just exist  in the physical realm, but in the unseen worlds as well. For the serious student, occultism, or that which is hidden, is not a myth, but a fact. A myriad of intelligences dance and swirl, coming together, drifting apart, melding as one, becoming two, and so on. Life unseen is designed, imprints are made, physicality is filled in with structure, form, and color. For some, it is only when they can see something physically that they believe “life” is present. What they often do not understand is that which remains invisible to the human eye and one’s awareness is well and truly alive. 

Invisible and unseen, does not mean absent or empty. For those who know this to be true, daily life takes on a different meaning. 

Tim Boyd – India, USA

 The writer tunes the gong

In gatherings devoted to the inner life, we have a precious opportunity: to turn together toward a single purpose. In a world of fragmentation and dispersion, we enter a space consciously dedicated to inward exploration. This is true whether we are speaking, writing, listening, or studying alone. Over decades, even generations, the places where such activity occurs become magnetized by one’s aspiration, quiet, and contemplation. The atmosphere itself becomes a silent collaborator in our search.

Barbara Hebert - USA 

We are living in a time that seems extraordinarily divisive and full of conflict. We may feel as if we are being rubbed raw on all sides. It may remind one of being caught in a grinder or a sifter. Surprisingly, the analogy of a sifter is a part of the Ageless Wisdom tradition, as we see from the following quotes from the Voice of the Silence:

“When a person carefully sifts and consciously discriminates, he works with Nature without awaiting Karma's disciplinary measures; and "Great Sifter" is the name of the "Heart Doctrine," O disciple.” And it continues, saying “The wheel of the good Law moves swiftly on. It grinds by night and day. The worthless husks it drives from out the golden grain, the refuse from the flour. The hand of Karma guides the wheel; the revolutions mark the beatings of the Karmic heart.”

These quotes encompass a depth and breadth of theosophical concepts, touching on or implying a connection with almost all of the Ageless Wisdom teachings…teachings that we have studied for lifetimes upon lifetimes. When we look at each of these concepts and drill down as deeply as possible, we find that each one leads us to the core of the Ageless Wisdom teachings. They lead us to what may be called the Heart of Theosophy.

The first step is to cultivate an awareness of one’s own internal thought processes. This can be achieved by taking up meditation practices. A point comes when the ego disappears and the Self or Atman reveals itself, and Gnosis dawns. “Ultimately, it is impossible to renounce oneself and the world because no such ‘self’ or ‘world’ really exists—which, of course, is precisely what must be Realized,” writes B. L. Razdan. In the words of Yogananda, “The deeper the realization of a man, the more he influences the whole universe by his subtle spiritual vibrations, and the less he himself is affected by the phenomenal flux.” (Bhavan’s Journal, January 16-31, 2026)

Douglas Keene – USA

The author

Life is challenging and seems to get more so every day. How can we cope with the stresses and strains in daily living, both on a personal level, but increasingly on a societal basis. Through modern technology, travel, and instant communication the world is shrinking, where we learn instantaneously what is occurring everywhere, even a great distance. Although conflicts might be geographically remote, they can still impact our psyche and sense of well-being. Messages of trauma populate the daily news and social media. How can we find equilibrium in the modern world?

David M. Grossman – USA

Inner Considerations

Theosophy teaches that we live in a Universe of law. What does this mean practically? It means things don’t just happen but that everything has a cause. When you engage in life and are successful there are reasons, When you get sick there is a reason; when you apply for a job and get it there is a reason or even a multiplicity of reasons.   

Theosophy by definition rejects the idea that some outside god is the cause of all the particulars of life; we are not marionettes with god pulling all the strings nor are our outcomes in life due to the roll of the dice.  Most Christians do believe in “Free Will” although there are arguments about what that exactly means within the ranks.Theosophy does not teach the idea of blind fate as an unpredictable irrational outcome to things nor that evolution is the result of a series of original accidents as some darwinists would lead us to  believe. (Free will is a root of human creativity).  

Tim Boyd – India, USA

Tim Boyd 

One of the foundational ideas within the Theosophical Society (TS) is that “There is no religion higher than Truth”. It is an idea that points us in a certain direction — beyond the forms that try to engage us and determine our path, it points toward Truth itself. The difficulties that we then encounter result from the fact that we are ill-prepared to embrace an all-encompassing truth. We have to find our way toward it, using the tools that are at hand to us, the main instrument being the laboratory of our own consciousness, with all of its powers and all of its limitations. In every spiritual tradition there is a strong emphasis on cultivating the tools of consciousness. Generally the term that is used for this process is “practice”. Practice refers to the variety of ways where, beginning with our personality, we refine habits of mind and emotion in order for them to cease being obstacles and become aids to deeper, hidden aspects of our being.

Boris de Zirkoff – USA

 Original cover of Theosophia, cover photo: California Desert Scene: Cholla Cactus in foreground, and Barrel Cactus in the center; to the left, Mojave Yucca in full bloom*

The Theosophical Movement is a movement of Youth. This is a concept that has nothing to do with the age of the body. Youth is a condition of mind, a resiliency of thought, a dynamism of the vital streams, a readiness for spiritual adventure, a search for greater realities, an undying hope and trust in the unshakeable foundations of Truth. Those who can feel and embody these ideas and feelings are young at ninety! ...

We are in need today of new Pioneers in the fields of our Movement. Men and women, young and old, who are inspired by the vastness of spiritual horizons, whose hearts leap forward into the reaches of the unknown, and whose minds, instead of dwelling on the past and asking "why," scan the possibilities of the future and ask "why not"!

Deepa Padhi – India  

As Is The Perception, So Is The Creation

The Sanskrit aphorism Yatha Dristi Tatha Srusti expresses a profound philosophical and spiritual truth that has been central to Indian thought for centuries. It means ‘as is the perception so is the creation’. From a deeper standpoint ,the saying suggests that the reality experienced by an individual is shaped not merely by external circumstances but by inner perception and awareness. It emphasizes the intimate connection between the mind and the world it perceives.

 This article is written by a student of the United Lodge of Theosophists

What is the foundation of religion as we see it practiced today?  Alleged revelation and tradition? Error and superstition, serving wishful thinking? Is it a sociological question: a laudable tendency in human society towards moral community? Is all religion based in mythology, which tends to literalism as superstition takes hold? Is religion merely a political device for control over the minds of others? What greater authority than to proclaim that one acts for and on behalf of God? Or do we find the foundation of religion in psychology, in compensation, in a deep need to soften the hard facts of life with gratifying illusions?

Henry Steel Olcott (August 2, 1832 – February 17, 1907) was an agriculturist, American military officer, journalist, lawyer, and co-founder of the Theosophical Society.

He held the title of President-Founder of the Society from 1875 till his death in 1907. He was the first well-known American of European ancestry to make a formal conversion to Buddhism. During his presidency he helped to restore Buddhism in South Asia, and established schools for children of Buddhist and Hindu families, among many other notable achievements.

Arthur Sieders – the Netherlands 

The author

Theosophy is often described as a synthesis of religion, philosophy and science. Although its roots reach deep into ancient wisdom traditions, it was never intended to be a closed system. On the contrary, Theosophy always invites dialogue between esoteric insight and the discoveries of modern science. In this article, I would like to relate the three fundamental principles of Theosophy to physics, first from the perspective of classical physics, and then from that of quantum physics. 

Tim Boyd – India, USA 

The author

[Note from the editor: This article is based on a talk that was delivered during the 150^th International Convention in Adyar-India, on January 4,, 2026]

Our Convention theme has been centered around the concept of newness, particularly the emergence of a new humanity. We have touched upon this aspect, but it is not possible to fully explain or define what we are moving towards. However, I’d like to spend some time exploring the newness aspect of this. I may touch upon the past to better understand the present, but we’ll see how we proceed.