What is Theosophy?

[Nabil Naser]

I invite everyone to answer the question

I see theosophy as our human attempt to reconcile science and religion.
Science is a great word that tries to explain reality, its origin, and evolution

What do you think?

Love and Peace
Nabil

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

Maybe these quotations from our unofficial faq which is based on Key to Theosophy and other sources could be helpful:

Q: Theosophy is often referred to as a new religion or a syncretic teaching. Is it so?
A: No, theosophy has always existed, and the word just means "divine knowledge" or "divine wisdom". It was borrowed from philosophers of Alexandria and was adopted as more suitable for westerners, for it has a Greek origin. Its Sanskrit parallel is Brahma-vidya. There are elements in the theosophical teaching which are found in different religions, not because theosophy was derived from them, but because every religion has something from the Ageless Wisdom (which was shown by Blavatsky in her book "Isis Unveiled"). If one turns to the esoteric doctrines existing within every religion, one finds that though they are not identical, nevertheless they are much closer to each other than their outer cults and creeds. You can find in theosophical literature many terms from different religions, as European languages lacked the appropriate terms for all necessary meanings. It was possible to denote some of them by terms already existing in the philosophical and religious teachings of Europe, while others required the borrowing of terms from eastern languages.

Q: You said that theosophy is "divine wisdom". But that's too general a definition. What does theosophy offer to any particular individual who wants to acquire that wisdom?
A: Theosophy can have other meanings as well, if we approach it from the student's point of view. Theosophy is a new approach to knowing oneself and the world around us, and is a synthesis of religion (traditional heritage and reasoned belief), philosophy (thinking and deduction) and science (experimental method). It is also the practice of the principle of selflessness and brotherhood in our life. It not only diminishes suffering in the world but also expands our capacities to know the truth.

[Nick the Pilot]

If I remember correctly, Theosophy is a wisdom tradition that has been handed down, generation by gerneration, since the very first humans appeared on earth.

[Nabil Naser]

How so Nick?

[Nick the Pilot]

Nabil,

What do you mean? How has it been handed down?

[Nabil Naser]

Nick

We are talking about Theosophy
It is not religion
It is not scripture
And certainly not science

It is however a new way to look at the human experience

[Nick the Pilot]

Theosophy is the history of our universe, our solar system, our planet, and of the earliest humans who inhabited this planet. And, Theosophy is a way to learn about the elder brothers who have guided the human race since its very beginning. Finally, Theosophy is a set of teachings -- and a way of life -- which is meant to accelerate our travel along a path to enlightenment and beyond.

[Luis E. Muñiz]

I understand Theosophy as a the path that leads to a profound state of Understanding and Loving Compassion. It is not a doctrine nor is it a philosophy... it is a path , an inner process, a very personal inner process.

[Nabil Naser]

"Theosophy, in its abstract meaning, is Divine Wisdom, or the aggregate of the knowledge and wisdom that underlie the Universe—the homogeneity of eternal GOOD; and in its concrete sense it is the sum total of the same as allotted to man by nature, on this earth, and no more"

Now that we both agree with the Madam. lets see if we read the same thing in her words.

Nature is beyond the human experience, and what we know is what we get.

My read is that we could never truly understand.

What do you think?

Nabil

[michaelcarlo]

It has a Doctrine and it's philosophy is the Art of Living.

[michaelcarlo]

Upon first scrutiny a student learns,Theosophy is not a religion but is associated with all the great religions. It has a "Secret Doctrine" that's non dogmatic and culturally all inclusive. Theosophist's are liberated and unbound with freedom to accept or reject any or all of our doctrine as it was revealed to Humanity by geniuses and superior intelligences.

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

There is a substantional difference between theosophy, which is eternal divine wisdom, and the theosophical teaching, which is the exposition of that wisdom for the needs of particular people or age. The latter belongs to the form aspect, the former not. So the Theosophical Society has no doctrine but has several versions of theosophical teaching for explaining theosophy. And there should be many theosophical teachings as there are many human temperaments and cultural backgrounds.

[michaelcarlo]

The only difference I'm aware of, between Theosophy and the Theosophical teachings I've been privileged to be exposed to, is the degree of latency. For example, the fruit that falls from it's source, the tree. The only substantial difference, evolution. The aggregate composed of infinite parts is the mayavic reflection of the Greater Scheme, separateness is heresy.Theosophy is universal Law. Our Doctrine is the reflected essence of that immutable Law. Revealed to Humanity by geniuses thru the ages in the form of teachings,oral and written to accelerate the spiritual evolution of Mankind so we may carry our share of the burden.There are many human temperaments, likewise many cultural backgrounds. There is one Theosophy and it's fruit falls around the tree.