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

[Nick the Pilot]

I would like to add that Dr. Roef explained that there are three ways to gain knowledge: through scientific observation, empirical observation, and religious sources. each one of these three is its own source of information, and none of them can replace the other in terms of gathering information in it own area of speciality. Science cannot replace empirical observations in situations which require empirical observation, and vice versa.

[Nabil Naser]

The doctor says God is out

I say god has led the way

You can’t ignore your origin

No matter what name you give it

Religion first then science

That seems to be the way

L&P
NN

[Scott Sands]

Religion and Science are siblings. At times closer to one another than others. Most sciences started as what would be called metephysical pursuits. Alchemy and chemestry, astrology and astronomy... it's not what I would call religion vs science, but magic vs science. Magic is only magic if you don't understand how it works. They mystery makes it magic, other wise it is a form of science. It's a formula, a repeatable, expected action/reaction. Not that this should drain it's enchantment or significance, but it often does.

All this has nothing to do with Theosophy. Theosophy isn't science or religion,.. but it is what both try to acheive. Theosophy is Truth. Now we have a few different theosophy's. We have the physical manifestation of our group and many people will try to say this or that is theosophy and that's fine... but it's a mislabel.

The trueset Theosophy is Divine Wisdom. We can try to label what that is, but we can't really. We can quote books and saints and enlightened folk, but true theosophy is above words really. OK.. we can try to give it words... but this is more an avatar than the real deal.

The truest Theosophy is the How and the Why of reality here, above and below. How and why things work the way they do. The function of the universe and the path of souls. It is the organic mechanism called God. Not a persona, but a function that is all. The infinite chaos that has organization from above.

We can specualte, and no one should hold us accountable for such sacreligeous actions. Truth with always remain truth so speculation is just the chipping away of the statue hidden in the rock.

For us though, on this lower level... Theosophy is a conduit and gathering for this experimental thought process. And let us be happy for it's existence. Let us be happy for this safe harbor. Let us not judge what it should and should not be, but energize others as we ourselves wish to be energized as we explore the spiritual horizons unhindered.

[Nabil Naser]

Theosophy is not the study of evolution
It is the study of why

It is about shapes and images we create
Within our mind

Those ideas that seem to agree
With our consciousness

So we write or draw
Again and again


L&P
NN

[Nabil Naser]

I see that you all gave up

Accept the challenge

Describe Theosophy in 21 words or less

Love & Peace
Nabil

[michaelcarlo]

Tree of Life

[Nick the Pilot]

"Describe Theosophy in 21 words or less."

--> Theosophy is the means by which we understand the following sentence:

“The sons [Monads] dissociate and scatter, to return into their Mother's bosom at the end of the Great Day.” (Stanzas of Dzyan, Shloka i-3-11)

[Nabil Naser]

That is good Nick except for the fact that the words are not yours.
Put it in your own words and without introductions.

[Nick the Pilot]

Blavatsky and Theosophy in eleven sentences:

Madame Blavatsky was a psychic who lived in the late 1800's. She ‘channeled’ a set of religious teachings from a group of mystics called the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood. (The word ‘channeled’ is used loosely, as Madame Blavatsky usually maintained full consciousness and full self-control while communicating with the Brotherhood.) According to the Brotherhood, all religious scriptures (Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.) come from the same source, and are indirect versions of the original scriptures. Theosophy is the first direct release of the original scriptures.

Theosophy teaches a detailed story of the creation of the universe and the human race. The Theosophical versions of these stories explain contradictions in the indirect versions of the various world religions' scriptures, while also showing the base commonality in all of them.

The goal of Theosophists is Enlightment via reincarnation and karma. The Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood consists of a group of mystics who have all achieved Enlightenment, but remain with humanity in order to assist us with accelerating our progress along the Path towards Enlightenment.

Theosophy encourages critical-thinking, the pointing out of religious contradictions, and a close examination of everyone's own personal belief system. No other belief system encourages such a critical examination, and places as much responsibility on each person for their own beliefs, as Theosophy.

[Kerry James Goodhew]

Hi All,
here is my take on theosophy today (and I wholeheartedly agree with the distinction made in this thread that the TS is not necessarily theosophy!)

This single point of view wrt excessive intellectualism in theosophy was made at a forum we had on Wednesday night that focused on the questions, "What is theosophy; What is it doing; and Where is it going?" . One essential point I wish to make from the outset is that theosophy seems to me unbalanced in its approach, that is not the same as "dismissing" or denigrating the intellectual-academic!

The below is an extract from the introduction to the forum.

My personal sense: There was a very positive feeling coming out of the discussion that followed at this forum!

"What is theosophy; What is it doing; and Where is it going?" .

As you know the word is derived from god, or the divine and wisdom.

Theo = god or divine. Sophia = wise or wisdom. That is, literally "god wisdom"!

To me this can be interpreted as "wisdom ABOUT god", what god or the universe is made up of and how it came about, and how it works, as in philosophical, religious, or scientific explanations of what god is: Or, "wisdom of god", being wise like god (wisdom like god’s; as wise as god). It is the second that I am most interested in!


Therefore to me even in this word theosophy there exists the often highlighted dichotomy between the two sides of human nature of the lower material life values and pursuit of the higher spiritual being.

My short time impression of today’s theosophy, seeming to me largely as it has been since its current form created in 1875, is that theosophy is HEAVILY weighted in favour of the former "type" of theosophy. As far as providing a PRACTICAL "school" (school for practice), for personal development, training of wisdom, spiritual growth, from what I see it appears to be currently sadly lacking. Where is the leadership voice of recognisably “wise” elders?

I sense that 134 years later theosophy is still obsessed with proving its intellectual legitimacy amongst “the philosophies” in an unbalanced orientation toward exceedingly academic scientific pursuits like cosmology, metaphysics, religious-scientific interface, comparative studies, history etc. All of these are of course very interesting and important in some senses, however, they are just an ever deeper distraction into an ever denser materialism as a pursuit for meaning of life (meaning in life), IMHO that approach is not as important as sorting one's self out and personally evolving in wisdom to the point of being an effective "servant" to the growth of humanity. aka spiritual growth.


Now, before anyone is coiled up to pounce, I am not here denigrating or dismissing the value of intellectual-academic pursuit. The point I am making is a matter of BALANCE in theosophy for the health and future of the society. I absolutely concede that talks like that by Katarina on new initiatives in NZ for Muslim studies at Otago University are all important for the principle of seeking to understand others. There are many other values to such pursuits. That however represents just one to date over-emphasised side of theosophy.

.... As a society that is deeply engrossed with the intellectual (the material) and in 'thinking' that this activity of doing raises one “spiritually”, which it does not!, the theosophy that I have seen does in fact barely scrape out for anyone a practical path for the pursuit of higher spiritual being. I feel theosophy is so engrossed in intellectual rationalizing that an unsettling atmosphere of confusion is created, somewhat like being in the middle of a storm of knowledge.

...Just try to get through the latest “Theosophia” without feeling like your brain has just tried to run through a swimming pool of Golden Syrup! Apart from on offer a regular meditation and James’ yoga there is no other focused activity directed toward personal work for personal improvement.

...As mentioned, the ‘other side’ of the meaning of theosophy is “The wisdom of god”. Training in wisdom to be like god, or, if you like, the training of one’s spirit. This to me, at this time in my life, is a far more important direction than the other side of theosophy. Basically, I feel I have been there done that with respect to the education system, scientific knowledge and its methodology, psychology, phenomenology of religions etc, jamming whole libraries into my brain, all very fascinating and once to me all important, however, none of which will make me a better person in terms of being wise. More knowledgeable and clever I may have become, but not wise!

As it is also the far more important direction for me, I personally happen to think that it is the far more important direction for theosophy to offer its members.

(abridged!)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll leave it there. If people are interested I'll post part 2 that has a suggestion on what theosophy could offer ....nothing really new, perhaps just a different, much simpler way! ... and then maybe you'll also have some of your own ideas you can add !

Regards
KJG

PS
IMHO there is no contest between science and spiritual knowledge (religion), which is an artificial creation by a low level of understanding.

[Nabil Naser]

I feel your disappointment KJG
but I do not like some of the words you wrote here

"the lower material life values and pursuit of the higher spiritual being."

This is similar to language the Madam used that I do not like

The principle of unity negates high and low

L&P
NN

[Svaha]

..::The Study of the Wisdom of God::..