Theosophical history

[John Vorstermans]

I have over the years been fascinated by the history of the modern day theosophical society. As an organization it has weaved an interesting web in once sense and seen the spawning of many other organisation as it moved through history, many of them having had a great influence on the world.

It seems to me that we have gone through several, well at least three cycles of evolution since 1875 and its founding. The move from one cycle to the other has sometimes come with pain and other times quite naturally through the emphasis of the leadership.

Are there any others that have an interest in the history and evolution of the theosophical society here?

Namaste
John

[Janeth]

>"...questions generally come up when people feel that things could be better, and it's a sign of vitality and renewed birth...."<---And a sign of vitality and renewed birth it is, Toni!!☺ I lovely and insightful!!☺ Thank you!!☺

[Toni Saghbiny]

Hello,
John i agree completely with what you said, although i won't use the term "lost" to describe the current situation. My opinion is based in one part on what Janeth said in her wonderful comment, as we see that the society is still able with it's rich literature and the efforts and altruism of its members to trigger among a lot of people a certain initiation, in the meaning you defined.
But on the other hand, maybe what is missing or lost is the work on systematic change, and focusing instead on individual work, which in most cases stays confined in the intellectual level or by the limited individual initiative.
The universal brotherhood is a collective goal (and it's definitely the most challenging one) that cannot be achieved by individual or intellectual efforts only, but by organized work of a highly organized, enlightened and compassionate individuals - a nucleus! Isn't that what T.S was founded for? of course it is, but since we are talking here about history, i think that (and maybe i'm mistaken since i don't have enough knowledge to have a full opinion of what i'm talking about :), the history of T.S (especially The Order of the Star in the East and the krishnamurti phase) has left a heavy burden of skepticism toward the highly organized systematic work, which is somehow linked now with dogmatization, suppression of individuals and hindering spiritual growth.
I think that the early T.S history suggests that the society was intended to be, not only an ignition for individual evolution, but also a large scale agent for a systematic world change, from a self destructive and divided humanity to a universal brotherhood.

Thank you for the wonderful thread John,
Peace
Toni