INTRODUCTION
Your editor loves books, real books; books you need to hold in both your hands and open, books in which you can make notes, books of which you can actually “smell” the pages. Yes, I am old fashioned, and I am quite happy to be like that, a book is a book, and any electronic, handheld device, tablet or advanced computer even cannot in any way compete with books….. “The Real Thing.”
Interior of the Olcott Memorial Library
There are many precious Theosophical libraries all around the world. Think of the Olcott Memorial Library in Wheaton, Illinois, at the headquarters of the TS in America, the Krotona Library, in Ojai, California, the Campbell Theosophical Research Library in Sydney, Australia or the Adyar Library and Research Centre (ALRC), at the International Headquarters in Chennai, India.
The Krotona Library and reading room
This may come as a surprise to you, but the one in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, founded in 1899 , is certainly one of the oldest , largest and most probably the finest esoteric library in Western Europe. Paying it a visit is a breathtaking experience, so, if you are in the vicinity of the Tolstraat 154 in Amsterdam, make an effort to go there. For those who are interested in visiting this Library click HERE
Part of the Theosophical Library in Amsterdam.: the well utilized administrative section and the theosophical bookstore function here
Saskia Campert, her husband Maurits and members of the ever-active theosophical Centre in the beautiful Dutch province of Zeeland made that effort. Saskia was kind enough to write her account of their visit below. (Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil)
+++++++
Visit to a unique Esoteric Library in Amsterdam
Zeeland about to depart for Amsterdam, Saskia Campert second from the left wearing a yellow jacket
On a winter's day in November, four Board members of Centrum Zeeland travelled to the headquarters of the Theosophical Society Netherlands (TVN) in the Tolstraat, Amsterdam, at the invitation of the TVN. A glowing article in the local newspaper Het Parool entitled Among the Theosophists, with the headline Hidden in the Pijp lies the theosophical library full of centuries-old books, was the reason for this visit.
A glowing article in Het Parool,, a well-known Amsterdam newspaper
Entrance of the Library
What makes this library so interesting? Librarian Renger Dijkstra has a clear answer to this question: the TVN Library houses a unique collection of (antique) books and magazines.
What does this library contain?
The library has four main sections: Theosophy, religion, esotericism, and related fields.
The THEOSOPHY section deals with the universal One Life, the evolution of consciousness, reincarnation, karma, clairvoyance, regeneration, and spiritual healing. The aim has been to represent the literature of the various theosophical groups as completely as possible. It is therefore not surprising that the theosophical literature is particularly extensive and is not typically limited to writers from the Adyar tradition.
We see Blavatsky, Sinnett, Collins, Hartman, Besant, Leadbeater, Sri Ram, Hodson, De Purucker, Tingley, Barborka, Kok, Plummer, Arundale, etc. brotherly standing side by side. The large collection of theosophical magazines in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, and Swedish, among other languages, is striking. Everything is neatly bound in folders.
For us, the old issues of Theosofia, the Dutch periodical, are definitely worth looking at! Over the years much has changed, but fortunately the core has been preserved.
A collection of old Theosofia issues
In addition to Theosophy, we find a section on RELIGION, which includes comparative religious studies, mysticism, esoteric Christianity, and gnosis. Much attention is paid to the major world religions. For example, the library has an extensive Eastern collection of Buddhist and Hindu literature with a focus on yoga and meditation. Native American, shamanistic, and tantric traditions are also represented, as are unique works by and about J. Krishnamurti.
A shot of the Library's impressive collection
In addition, we find books on Baha'i, the Essenes, Sikhs, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, I Ching, Bhagwan Rajneesh, Yogananda, Scientology, and Druids.
The ESOTERIC section contains works on occultism and magic. Here we find many books from esoteric societies such as the Freemasons and Rosicrucians. Practical magic, witchcraft, Papus, Eliphas Levi, Steiner, Bailey, Edgar Cayce, Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, Inayat Kahn, Subud, Meher Baba, and Ronald Beesley also find a place in this section.
The collection from another angle
Finally, the PERIPHERAL AREAS section houses works by and about innovators and founders of new and expansive thinking. There is a substantial collection of literature and novels by Dante, Gibran, Shakespeare, Tagore, Lytton, Maeterlinck, Meyrinck, and Corelli. In addition, philosophical works (Hoyack, Keyserling, Plato), psychology (Jung), and parapsychology (Van Praag, Tenhaeff) have found a place here. Books on spiritualism (Flammarion, Kardec), astrology (Carter, Sepharial), and symbolism are also available.
Making choices is necessary
We noticed that boxes of books belonging to the private collection of deceased people are constantly being brought to this library. Of course, that's wonderful, but it takes a lot of time to sort out what will and will not be included. Recently, stacks of boxes of unique books were brought in from Scotland to Amsterdam. The Scottish library there had to close and they were desperate.
A precious manuscript received from the Library in Scotland; a papyrus from Ani Anha.. (Egyptian Book of the Dead)
Many books are being digitized, but a beautiful paper book remains the desire of every librarian. Renger considers himself fortunate to have his team of volunteers, who help him with his immense task.
Space within the TVN library is limited, so difficult choices have to be made. The question of specialization versus diversification is, of course, under discussion. So perhaps exclusively theosophical works? Renger is considering it, but for now he is grateful to be able to offer such an extensive collection to interested parties, mostly students.
A great visit!
A delightful day, a heartwarming reception and an insightful experience, smiling faces!
On the photo above, from left to the right: Harm Jan Bruinsma, member of the Amsterdam Lodge and volunteer at the library, Corrie Polderman, Chair of Centrum Zeeland and in charge of the Zeeland library, Guus Vermue, Treasurer of Centrum Zeeland, Marleen Schefferlie, owner/interviewer of Radio Lila and author, Remmert Koppen, Board member of Centrum Zeeland and Renger Dijkstra, librarian of the Theosophical Library in Amsterdam
Centre Zeeland returned home from a fascinating and very educational day, in which cordiality and connection prevailed.
Saskia Campert LLM, secretary TVN Centrum Zeeland