The article provides information about such a movement as Theosophy. In philosophy, this concept is used both narrowly and broadly. We will talk about this, and also dwell on the features of the teachings founded by Blavatsky. It is with him that the concept that interests us is most often associated.
"Theosophy" is a word that comes from two Greek words, translated meaning "God" and "wisdom." If you add them together, we get "divine wisdom." This is 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.
First theosophists
"Theosophy" is a term that has been used since the 2nd century AD. e. It was used by the Neoplatonists, who included Ammonius Sakkas and his students. They created a philosophical system whose main goal was the reconciliation of all religions. Theosophists wanted to establish a common system and universal principle of ethics, which is based on eternal truths. The term "Theosophy" in "Areopagitics" acts as a synonym for the term "theology". However, later these two directions diverged.
The opposition of theology
Some time later, theology and theosophy began to be opposed. The first of them was based on the dogmas of the church and the idea of revelation. Theosophy began to be called cognition 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 in a coherent system, which pure mystics did not strive for.
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 sense of the word is most often used. In this case, Theosophy is a movement to which mystical theories of the 16-18 centuries belong, as a rule, located outside the boundaries of a particular denomination and the whole church Christian tradition. This, in particular, the theories of Jacob Boehme, L.K. de Saint-Martin, Paracelsus (the portrait is presented above), F. Etinger, E. Swedenborg, etc. Many thinkers (for example, a follower of Paracelsus theosophy) believed that this movement includes not only the experience of contemplating the Divine. It also includes the performance of miracles (thaumaturgy) and the knowledge of the secrets of external nature.
Theosophy of Blavatsky
The term "Theosophy" in philosophy is a teaching in an even narrower sense, 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 foundation and essence of all world religions. E. P. Blavatsky based this movement on the following motto: "there is no religion above the Truth." It 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 cannot know the Absolute Truth. The movement of interest to 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, mother of Elena Petrovna, was a writer. Fadeeva’s husband was an officer who commanded a battery of horse artillery. Elena Petrovna at the age of 17 married. Her husband was Nikolai Blavatsky, an elderly general. However, she broke up with him after 3 months. Blavatsky was not officially divorced, for a long time impersonating herself as a widow. However, her husband even survived. Elena Petrovna traveled all her life in the West and East, not 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 basics of cosmogenesis (creation of the world), a brief history of religions, anthropogenesis (history of mankind), etc.
Objectives of the Theosophical Society of Blavatsky
Blavatsky stated that the goals of the Theosophical Society she created were as follows:
1) the study of world religions in order to compare them and create a universal ethics;
2) the study and development of hidden supernatural (divine) forces in man;
3) brotherhood without distinction of religion, color, race or social status.
Theosophical society today has representative offices in many countries of the world (in several dozen states). Its headquarters is located in Adyar (India). Practical Theosophy, however, is spread by a number of independent societies. We will describe them in detail a little later.
Three "truths"
Theosophical teaching is based on "dogmas, " three "fundamental truths." The first of them: the immutable, infinite, eternal and omnipresent Principle - this is the root cause and source of the universe. We do not know anything about the Principle, except for its existence and the fact that thanks to it the world was created. The second "truth" says that the universe is eternal and cyclical in its development. And the last, 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 the manifestations of it that are impersonal in nature. They are expressed in the laws that govern the life of the entire universe. The next, 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 evolves cyclically in eternity. There are no moments of beginning and end in this process. According to the third “truth”, “divinity” is inherent in man, because his soul is identical with the universal, higher soul. Note that this doctrine of Theosophy is similar to that presented in the teachings of the Advanta Vedanta. The idea of deification of a person follows from this position. Each of us is God. Blavatsky believed that the essence of man and God are identical.
The evolution of the soul in theosophy
Theosophical trend recognizes the law of karma, as well as the law of reincarnation (reincarnation), as one of the main laws of the universe. The evolution of the soul (monad), according to this teaching, is as follows. The monad first lives in the mineral kingdom. She turns to stone. Then comes the kingdom of plants, animals, man and angels. On each planet, the evolution of the monad can occur in only one kingdom. In order to continue development, after a while she changes the planet.
These are the foundations of Theosophy. We invite you to get acquainted with organizations existing within the framework of this movement.
Types of Theosophical Organizations
So, at the end of the 19th century, an occult movement called theosophy (in the narrow sense of the word) appeared. It was not very popular during the life of E.P. Blavatsky, mainly due to the fact that the reputation of Elena Petrovna was doubtful. Scandals constantly flashed around her name. In addition, the statements made by Blavatsky were unprovable.
However, shortly after the death of Elena Petrovna in 1891, a fascination with the east began, so this teaching was in demand. The movement of interest to us split into several branches. In the world today there are 4 types of organizations that relate to Theosophy.
Chief among them is the International Theosophical Society (MTO). Its headquarters is located in India (Adyar). It is considered the very first that was created by Blavatsky. This society has representative offices in many countries of the world.
The second is the Theosophical Society, headquartered in the USA (Pasadena). It is also international. This society comes from the American section, which was led by William Judge. Soon after the death of Elena Petrovna Blavatsky, it became separate. Its branches are found in many countries of the world, but they are not so popular.
The third type of organization is National Theosophical Societies. These are, as a rule, branches of the MTO that have lost touch with him. It can also be structures created locally by enthusiasts.
The fourth type is organizations that are founded as an alternative to maintenance. This, for example, various anthroposophical and Roerich societies, the United Lodge of Theosophists (his emblem is presented below), etc.
The history of the Blavatsky Theosophy movement in Russia
The first Theosophical Society in Russia was created in 1908, however, individual followers of this movement and their groups existed before that. The teachings of Blavatsky were not widespread in the years preceding the Revolution. The Soviet government in 1918 completely stopped its activities. The company reopened only in 1991. RTO (Russian Theosophical Society) was registered as a public organization. Several times it tried to join the MTO, however, a mandatory condition for membership was the renunciation of its representatives from the Roerichs agni yoga. This requirement was accepted by the PTO. Nevertheless, the entry into the MTO did not happen. 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 are engaged in the dissemination of their teachings in our country.
Russian society in the early 90s of the last century developed a vibrant activity. It conducted seminars and lectures, theosophical readings, as well as art exhibitions and poetry evenings. In 1992, the Sphere publishing house was even created on the basis of the RTO, which published publications on theosophy. In the RTO in 1994 there was a split. He significantly weakened the Society and significantly violated its unity, which was already precarious. These, as well as financial problems, led to the changes that took place in it. The official union of the Roerich and Theosophical societies took place in 1997.
Today there is a tendency to rehabilitate theosophy of Blavatsky in the eyes of most people. They are trying to turn it from a pseudo-religious, marginal doctrine into some respectable movement based on science. In this regard, criticism of theosophy is appropriate. This direction, of course, cannot be connected with science.
