What is Theosophy in philosophy and what does it study? Theosophy is ...

The article provides information on such a movement as Theosophy. In philosophy, this concept is used both in narrow and broad terms. We will talk about this, and also dwell in detail on the peculiarities of the teachings founded by Blavatsky. It is with him most often associate the concept of interest to us.

"Theosophy" is a word that comes from two Greek words translated "God" and "wisdom." If we put them together, we get "divine wisdom". That's what this word means. What is Theosophy and what does it study? Read the article and you will find out the answer to this question.

The First Theosophists

"Theosophy" is a term that has been used since the 2nd century AD. E. It was used by the Neoplatonists, which included Ammonius Saccas and his disciples. They created a philosophical system whose main goal was the reconciliation of all religions. Theosophists wanted to establish a common system and a universal principle of ethics, which is based on eternal truths. The term "Theosophy" in "Areopagitics" appears as a synonym for the term "theology". However, later these two directions were divided.

Contrast theology

Some time later, theology and theosophy began to be contrasted. The first of these relied on the dogmas of the church and the idea of revelation. Theosophy also began to call knowledge of God through mystical experience, that is, communication with him in a state of ecstasy. In other words, it was a doctrine of the deity, based on subjective experience, but trying to present the results as a coherent system, to which pure mystics did not aspire.

Theosophy in the broad and narrow sense

In a broad sense, Theosophy is a movement that includes Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism. However, the narrow meaning of this word is most often used. In this case, Theosophy is a movement, to which the mystical theories of the 16th and 18th centuries, which, as a rule, were outside the confines of a particular Christian church tradition as a whole. This is, in particular, the theories of Jacob Boehme, LK de Saint-Martin, Paracelsus (the portrait is presented above), F. Etinger, E. Swedenborg, and others. Many thinkers (for example, the follower of Theosophy Paracelsus) believed that this movement Includes not only the experience of contemplation of the Divine. It also includes the performance of miracles (thaumaturge) and the knowledge of the secrets of the external nature.

Theosophy of Blavatsky

The term "theosophy" in philosophy is in an even narrower sense the doctrine, the fragments and foundations of which are set forth in the work of Elena Petrovna Blavatsky. The followers of Theosophy are convinced that it unites the basis and essence of all world religions. HP Blavatsky based the movement on the following motto: "There is no religion above Truth." He was borrowed by Elena Petrovna from Maharaja Benares. Theosophy (quotes from the book of Blavatsky testify to this) is based on the fact that people who are not initiated into particular esoteric teachings can not know the Absolute Truth. The movement that interests us is considered the quintessence of esoteric teachings.

Elena Blavatsky

Elena Petrovna Blavatsky (years of life - 1831-1891) is the founder of Theosophy. She comes from a noble family with German roots. Elena Andreevna Fadeeva, Elena Petrovna's mother, was a writer. Fadeeva's husband was an officer who commanded a battery of mounted artillery. Elena Petrovna married at the age of 17. Her spouse was Nikolai Blavatsky, an elderly general. However, she broke up with him after 3 months. Blavatsky was not officially divorced, for a long time she pretended to be a widow. However, her husband even survived. Elena Petrovna traveled all her life throughout the West and the East, never stopping anywhere.

Blavatsky founded the Theosophical Society in New York in 1875. Its foundation is the work of Elena Petrovna "The Secret Doctrine". It presents the foundations of cosmogenesis (the creation of the world), a brief history of religions, anthropogenesis (the history of mankind), and others.

The aims of the theosophical community of Blavatsky

Blavatsky stated that the goals of the Theosophical Society created by her are the following:

1) study of world religions in order to compare and create a universal ethics;

2) research and development of hidden supernatural (divine) forces in man;

3) brotherhood without distinction of religion, color, race or social status.

Theosophical society today has representations in many countries of the world (in several dozen states). Its headquarters are located in Adyar (India). Practical theosophy, however, is spread by a number of independent societies. We will describe them in detail later.

Three "truths"

Theosophical teaching is based on "dogmas", three "fundamental truths". The first of them: the immutable, boundless, eternal and omnipresent Principle is the primary cause and source of the universe. We do not know anything about the Principle, except for its existence and the fact that it created the world. The second "truth" says that the universe is eternal and is cyclical in its development. And the last, the third, - there is a universal soul, which is identical to the soul of every person. Blavatsky believes that this is the "higher self" of each of us.

According to the first "truth", a person can comprehend the Absolute through impersonal in nature its manifestations. They are expressed in laws that govern the life of the entire universe. The next, the second "truth," teaches that in its development the soul evolves to more and more perfect forms. This process occurs in accordance with the cycles. The universe also develops cyclically in eternity. In this process there are no moments of the beginning and the end. According to the third "truth", a person has a "divinity", because his soul is identical with the world's surpassed soul. Note that this doctrine of Theosophy is analogous to that presented in the teachings of the Advantage Vedanta. The idea of deification of man follows from this position. Each of us is God. Blavatsky believed that the essence of man and God is identical.

Evolution of the soul in Theosophy

As one of the main laws of the universe, the theosophical direction recognizes the law of karma, as well as the law of reincarnation (reincarnation). The evolution of the soul (monad), according to this doctrine, is as follows. The monad first lives in a mineral kingdom. It turns into stone. Then follows the kingdom of plants, animals, man and angels. On each planet, the evolution of a monad can only take place in one kingdom. In order to continue the development, it changes the planet after a while.

These are the foundations of Theosophy. We offer to get acquainted with the organizations existing within the framework of this movement.

Types of theosophical organizations

So, at the end of the 19th century an occult movement appeared, called theosophy (in the narrow sense of the word). He did not enjoy much popularity during the life of HP Blavatsky, mainly because the reputation of Elena Petrovna was doubtful. Around her name scandals were constantly erupting. In addition, statements made by Blavatsky were unprovable.

However, soon after the death of Helena Petrovna, which occurred in 1891, began an enthusiasm for the East, so this teaching was in demand. The movement that interests us has split into several branches. In the world today there are 4 types of organizations that belong to Theosophy.

Chief among them is the International Theosophical Society (ITO). Its headquarters is located in India (Adyar). It is considered the very first, which was created by Blavatsky. This society has representative offices in many countries of the world.

The second is the Theosophical Society, which has its headquarters in the United States (Pasadena). It is also international. This society comes from the American section, which was headed by William Judge. Shortly after Helena Petrovna's death, Blavatsky became separate. Its branches are found in many countries of the world, but they are not so popular.

The third type of organization is the National Theosophical Society. These are, as a rule, branches of the ITO, who have lost touch with him. It can also be structures created on the ground by enthusiasts.

The fourth type is organizations that are based as an alternative to maintenance. These are, for example, various anthroposophical and Roerich societies, the United Lodge of the Theosophists (its emblem is presented below), etc.

The History of the Theosophy of Blavatsky in Russia

The first Theosophical Society in Russia was established in 1908, but individual followers of this movement and their groups existed before that. The teachings of Blavatsky did not become widespread in the years preceding the Revolution. The Soviet government in 1918 completely stopped its activities. The society was reopened only in 1991. The RTO (Russian Theosophical Society) was registered as a public organization. Several times it tried to join the MTO, but an obligatory condition for membership was the repudiation of its representatives from the Agni Yogi of the Roerichs. This requirement was accepted by the RTO. Nevertheless, joining the ITO did not happen. The Russian Theosophists were denied recognition of the international circles of the Blavatsky movement. Therefore today they act together with the Roerichs. Their representatives support each other and spread their teachings in our country.

Russian society in the early 90s of the last century developed a stormy activity. It held seminars and lectures, theosophical readings, as well as art exhibitions and poetry evenings. On the basis of the RTO in 1992, even the publishing house "Sphere" was created, which was engaged in the publication of works on Theosophy. In the RTO in 1994 there was a split. He significantly weakened the Society and significantly violated his unity, already shaky. These, as well as financial problems, led to changes that occurred in it. The official association of the Roerich and theosophical societies was held in 1997.

Today there is a tendency to rehabilitate the theosophy of Blavatsky in the eyes of most people. They are trying to turn it from a pseudo-religious, marginal teaching into some respectable movement based on science. In this respect, the criticism of Theosophy is appropriate. Of course, this direction can not be connected with science.

Who can become a Theosophist, according to Blavatsky

Blavatsky believed that a member of her organization could be every person, regardless of his political, religious or other attachments. She said that becoming a Theosophist is not difficult. To do this, it is sufficient to have moderate mental abilities and a tendency to mysticism. In addition, the follower of Theosophy must lead a pure life, not be an egoist, find joy in helping one's neighbor, sacrifice one's own pleasures for the sake of others. One should love Wisdom, Good and Truth for their own sake, and not for the benefit that is given them.

So, we briefly talked about what ancient and modern Theosophy is. You also got acquainted with the brief history of this movement and its main organizations and representatives. Theosophy is the path to the comprehension of God. Follow it or choose another way - everyone decides for himself.