Modern Theosophy

Buddhist Refuge for theosophists

2012-01-18T05:12:00.000-08:00

Universal Buddhist Refuge Prayer

In the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism of the FPMT one is expected to take refuge in the three jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) twice daily (three times each), especially if one has already taken refuge formally.

For me, as a former theosophist, anything sectarian is a problem. On the other hand, I did pick Buddhism as my spiritual path of preference for a reason and I do trust my teachers when it comes to the path to enlightenment and buddha-hood. So I did take refuge formally and became a Buddhist.

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Best Edgar Cayce Books

2010-10-02T02:39:00.000-07:00

Edgar Cayce was a clairvoyant/ mystic / medium whose teachings had a lot in common with theosophy. In fact, some think that he picked up on the ideas of theosophists who came to him for readings.

New spiritual book reviews blog

2010-04-10T01:41:00.000-07:00

Great Spiritual Books: Reviewing the best and most fascinating spiritual books.

Spiritual and religious Nings

2010-03-02T02:16:00.001-08:00

One of the great things about the Internet is that we now have the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with people from all over the world, with all kinds of backgrounds. This is also a great opportunity for dialog between the various religions.

New theosophical blog - also called 'Modern Theosophy'

2010-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

This new blog is focussed on organisational issues. Here's the main topics so far:

This blog was created by Katinka Hesselink, widely known throughout the Theosophical Movement. A blog to keep an eye on I'd say.

Buddhism inspiration: Posters and Art Prints

2009-11-25T05:25:00.001-08:00

Buddhism posters and Buddha art prints

I just love Buddha posters and posters devoted to Buddhism in general. They always look so peaceful and calm. The best ones, I think, also include some spiritual saying or quote from the Buddhist tradition.

Most popular books by J. Krishnamurti

2009-11-09T03:46:00.000-08:00

Krishnamurti's books were usually compiled by others from his talks. Below you will find introductions to his work, but also deeper philosophic reflection and specific themes. Learn about God, relationships and the nature of experience - as well as about the main topic Krishnamurti talked about: how to live.

Theosophy and the Theosophical Society

2009-11-08T02:59:00.001-08:00

The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 at a time when the West was just becoming seriously aware of the existence of religions and people elsewhere. Intelligent people could no longer classify Islam as devilish for instance, or Hinduism as barbaric. But what then? The serious study of religion was started at universities - the first professor of comparative religion got his post in 1875.

Karma and reincarnation facts - about good and evil

2009-11-08T01:31:00.000-08:00

Karma and reincarnation are related beliefs that have been popular in India and surrounding countries for a very long time.

Karma means action. The idea is, at it's simplest, that good is rewarded and evil punished. Or more practically put: selfishness is punished and unselfishness rewarded. The Dalai Lama puts it even more radically: From the perspective of karma it is selfish to help others, because that will be rewarded.

Belief in karma means that reincarnation follows logically: otherwise the actions done just before death would not have their logical result.

New Buddhism Links blog

2009-11-08T01:20:00.000-08:00

Universal Buddhism - promises to be an interesting collection of links about Buddhism. So far Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen and Buddhist quotes are found.

More Blavatsky

2008-11-19T00:48:00.000-08:00

Just gathering some Blavatsky links here.

First a repeat: the Blavatsky Collected Writings.

Second: Her letters - the ones she Blavatsky before going to India.

Third and not least: Read about her life 'the Extraordinary life of H.P.B.'.

If you don't want to read that, read this about her life: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky.

Then her most famous book: The Secret Doctrine by H.P. Blavatsky.

Strong women and spiritual inspiration

2008-11-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

In the past month I've created the following spiritual lenses.

First of all I've introduced my spiritual blog All Considering for instance.

Two strong women get their own page. Marion Zimmer Bradley - feminist, science fiction author and a great influence on the pagan movement (wicca etc.). And then unjustly forgotten: France Pastorelli, whose account of being ill is so well done that one almost envies her the experience. That is: she was a life long sufferer of heart disease, but grew such spiritual strength from that it's hard to believe.

Then there is this great collection of Christian Spiritual Quotes.

Last but not least... Don't forget to buy 2009 calendars, with a spiritual theme for instance.

John Hick - the pluralistic hypothesis

2008-10-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

John Hick is a 20th century philosopher who has started a revolution in religious philosophy with his 'pluralistic hypothesis'. At the basis of his philosophy is the idea that it isn't doctrine but spiritual experience that is at the root of religion.

Near Death Experiences

2008-09-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most interesting developments in the spirituality of the 20th century was the discovery of Near Death Experiences. These point to the existence of a soul just as 19th century spiritualism did.

Hindu spirituality - Upanishads and Vedas

2008-09-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

Theosophists have been interested in the ancient spirituality of India from day one. Blavatsky wrote positively about the Vedas and Upanishads and popular translations in many languages of these classics have been done and/or published by theosophists since. Blavatsky even started her Secret Doctrine with a quote from the Rig Veda.

More theosophical Blogs and forums

2008-09-16T03:46:00.000-07:00

There are now a few MORE theosophical blogs as well as new active forums. See: http://wisest.theosophy-online.ever.com/

Blavatsky Collected Writings

2008-07-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Big news: the Blavatsky Collected Writings (BCW) are online again. This time on Katinka Hesselink's site: http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/

Blavatsky's collected writings is all her known articles gathered together. 15 volumes worth.

You can buy them here: H.P. Blavatsky Collected Writings for sale.

Theosophical Society

2008-07-09T23:58:00.000-07:00

The Theosophical Society is my favorite spiritual organisation. It doesn't claim to be anything more than a collection of seekers after truth - but what a collection of seekers it is :)

I've met atheists, philosophers, artists and many pretty wise people. Being part of a community like that is just inspiring.

Here's more on the Objects of the Theosophical SOciety - and what it stands for in general

And more about what the founders of the TS felt is should be about.

Other theosophical blogs

2008-07-01T02:52:00.002-07:00

There are two other theosophical blogs I know about:

The theosophist blog

and the Theosophical issues blog.

Both started by Chris Richardson, who's an active member of the American section - i.e. the USA section of the Theosophical Society Adyar.

The Secret Doctrine, by H.P. BLavatsky

2008-06-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

I started reading theosophy at age 19 and went on to reading the cream of the theosophical cream soon: There was a Secret Doctrine studygroup in Amsterdam and I went regularly. The book itself is difficult - not many people can read it without some sort of guidance. One of the advantage of having a group to study with is that you get their intuitions on what the book means - as well as their knowledge about the many subjects Blavatsky covers.

Anyhow: what an inspiration that book was.

Many people read it by just opening it somewhere and reading what it says. That's a great way to do it, because the book isn't organized very well anyhow. Just the same it contains many vistas of inspiration and wisdom.

Blavatsky - inspiration and spiritual quotes

2008-06-30T02:13:00.000-07:00

I love H.P. Blavatsky.

I love Blavatsky's style (flamboyant, alive).

I love Blavatsky's work (insightful, deep).

I love Blavatsky's Spiritual quotes (just great).

I love Blavatsky's articles for the spiritual inspiration they bring.

Buddhism

2007-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Buddhism is one type of religion / spirituality that is very popular in the west - especially with people who have outgrown the religion they grew up with, yet haven't chosen an organized religion to replace it.

Modern Theosophy

2007-04-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

Theosophy is divine (theos) wisdom (sophia). Theosophists are those who seek this divine wisdom. Divine knowledge is beyond the mind (manas) - and is called Buddhi in Sanskrit. It implies that beyond logical thought is real truth. This truth is accessible through intuition - and has as much to do with mystical experience as it has to do with objective truth.

More on Modern Theosophy

Modern theosophist generally believe in karma and reincarnation. This belief is not mandatory, because theosophists are free to believe in whatever they choose to.

Well known theosophists include H.P. Blavatsky, H.S. Olcott, C.W. Leadbeater and Annie Besant.

Religion and Spirituality

2007-04-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

religion and spirituality are two very related terms. Religion often stands for a more organised, social happening. Spirituality implies a 'spiritual' experience, internal motivations and inspiriation. The two can't really be separated.