Geoffrey Hodson

[Laramay Thorne]

I would like to know what people think about Geoffrey Hodson, and if he is
popular or not in your branch, study group etc.

I have two unpublished manuscripts and wonder of their usefulness as to when the time comes to print them - that is, so I know how many to print...

One is a faery tale written about 1930, rather old fashioned language about a girl getting lost in a forest and befriending a brownie. All pictures are in black and white and are drawn by an artist GH used for some of his angels work that was published - Wynne Quail.

The other book I have titled "Clairvoyant Investigations of Pre-historic Ape-man". GH was in Sterkfontein in Transvaal in 1960 and he used his clairvoyant abilities in a cave to access the akashic records and describe what he saw whilst holding fossils 2.5 million years old. This is a transcript from recordings made on electromagnetic tape in 1960. He was with reknown palentologist Dr John Robinson, also a TS member.

These books are the property of the New Zealand Theosophical Society.

Lara-May
New Media dept
NZ TS HQ

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

It would be very interesting.
Here in Russia Hodson is very little known, as his activity coincided with the times of iron curtain. Recently "The Miracle of Birth" and "Spiritual sigificance of motherhood" were translated and published, and also several little articles are available online, and that's all.

[Katinka Hesselink]

Is it perhaps an idea to publish them online? I would love to have them on http://theosophy.katinkahesselink.net/.

Hodson is not studied much here in The Netherlands, but he's one of the old classics isn't he? I do think the time for a revival of his work may have come with all the interest people have in clairvoyance and all that.

[Laramay Thorne]

Yes! I do believe that there is revivial of interest in Geoffrey's work. Especially his angelic observations. He is well known and respected in the southern hemisphere. A two volume book has been published by a NZ'er via the Philippines about Geoffrey Hodson. It is called "Sharing the Light" by John Sell. Also recently Soren Hauge from Denmark has used the Ape-man clairvoyant work for educational purposes. I will keep you abreast of any movements of ours if we wish to publish them online on your site. This will be a decision that will be made by our National Council of course, not mine. I have yet to have them in a proper book form and I would prefer that we would make them accessible first via our NZ TS website in the future (hopefully 2010) if not earlier as books available for purchase.

[Pablo Minniti]

Katinka, you right, hi is one of the old classics, adn we should go more often to his books, Like THE LIGHT Of the Sanctuary The Occult diary Of Geoffrey Hodson, The kingdom of the Gods, The Christ Life From Nativity to Ascension, The occult Powers in nature And in Man, Meditations on the occult life, The Hidden Wisdom in the Holy bilble (3volume)

"humanity at this phase of its evolution is, not unnaturally, more interested in the material world, its pleasures and rewards than in the quest for interior enlightenment, the attainment of which, it may be added, demands a measure of renunciation."
"When, however, a person seriously turns from wordly things to a real quest for knowledge, that knowledge is always to be found" G.H The hidden wisdom in The Holy Bilble.BTW, congratulations for your WEBSITE. Thank you!!!

[Laramay Thorne]

Hi Pablo,
In the future I hope that our extensive resources held within the archives in New Zealand will be published of Mr Hodson's lectures for the enjoyment and spiritual, intellectual development for interested members. Thank you for sharing the quips from his work. Lara-May

[Jack Donaldson]

Hi Laramay, I just received his two volume, "Hidden Wisdom in the Holy Bible". I have to admit I do not read off the internet and I buy books with the intention of having material if I take a breather from television and computers. I have to make the body hard again, and tv, computers, interfere with the effort.

I chanced upon his two volume work, and I liked what I saw. I was a bit hasty and went through Amazon.com, I should have checked TUP first. It has been suggested, and I sort of agree, that using books and doing lessons, taking notes, with old fashioned pen and paper instill thought with more depth. The internet however, has a vast field of text making one able to study a thing from many sources, quickly. Seeing from many and various angles makes for a good final draft. One can study the General Doctrine of Reimbodiment along with collateral studies to it, for a lifetime without exhausting it. This is what I been told.

[Laramay Thorne]

Hi Jack,
I think that books are more useful as they can be easily referred to rather than trailing through websites to find what we wish, print it out and read it. (I have difficulty staring at a computer screen for hours!)

Although the cost prevents us sometimes from publishing our resources in such a way, which is why it will have to be made available digitally first.

I agree with the person that told you that one can study for "a lifetime without exhausting it". Not a bad thing... thanks for sharing. Lara-May

[Mark Newbold]

These are finds of historical interest for theosophists certainly. My lodge has never studied nor had an interest in studying Hodson's writings. Having just recently read his "Light of the Sanctuary: the Occult Diary" I was appalled by the his trite and insipid observations. He came across as an insufferable bore and egotist.

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

> his trite and insipid observations.

I haven't read this diary but it should be noted that to be a reliable clairvoyant doesn't mean to be necesserily a keen philosopher. We can take his investigations and interpret them as we like.

[Laramay Thorne]

Well... each for their own Mark. This is why the society is a wonderful resource of spiritual information, each person can choose the path they wish (and associated authors) to help, aid, educate. Sometimes I find a book that is rather boring gives me inspiration in other times of my life when I look at it again.

I would like to know more about why you think him an egotist. Can you give examples of this observations that you found trite and insipid? Perhaps a new blog... I am genuinely interested.

In the archives held in NZ there are over 150 tapes of his talks, and I believe this was because of his earnest belief to help others learn and understand the multiple subjects he covers rather than being to satisfy his ego. Perhaps when these come to light to the fraternity, this will be more obvious.

I personally have listened to a large numbers of recordings of many speakers of his area. Yes, they sound boring, but I think that it is a reflection of more of the era. Speakers these days have more technology at their fingertips and resources to make for more stimulating talks.

It is the content that is most important. But if this is what bores you, then perhaps it is simply not the right time to hear it and understand the message!

Lara-May

[Mark Newbold]

It is a matter of personal taste of course. I find Rudolf Steiner's lectures & books fascinating and edifying reading- others cannot abide nor comprehend his stuff; the same is true for Krishnaji among our fellow theosophists. It is the richness of our theosophical literature that allows for different temperments and development to resonate with certain thinkers/authors both past & and present. Just two examples- Clara Codd is a perfect author for those of a bhakti/devotional nature. Joy Mills on the other hand for those of a more Jnana/academic inclination.

NZ would be a treasure trove of Hodson's works considering his residence there for many years. I am reluctant to indicate my reservations concerning him, the personal attacks here from "true believers" to contrary points of view is too risky. I wish civility were extended to dissenters of whatever ilk- but alas we reflect our contentious society. Let me merely say that I distrust magical thinking in general and individuals who mistake psychosis for psychic phenomena. And no, this is not directed at Mr. Hodson specifically.

[Murray Stentiford]

I think we should allow that a personal diary is going to be much more personally focused than a book intended for the public, and there is certainly a lot of personal stuff in Geoffrey Hodson's diary. He has also written several books of spiritual guidance and insight in language that is much nearer to contemporary language than that of Leadbeater or Besant, let alone HPB, and these have a much more focused content.

I knew him personally and assisted him with several attempted clairvoyant research projects from 1978 to 1982, and it's interesting that while he came down from a pedestal I had unconsciously placed him on, my appreciation of him as a rich and interesting being deepened greatly. I just lost a false perception. It's the difference between forming opinions based on seeing someone lecturing in public or from their books, and getting to know them more directly.

I don't believe in blind belief in people :-), and skepticism is a necessary function for one's personal integrity. Healthy amounts of skepticism are the immune system of the mind, but as in the physical case, it can get out of hand and create problems. Geoffrey was no blind believer either, even in his own abilities. Ruthless integrity, is one way I'd describe his attitude.