If you run a Theosophy group you can use

this page as an introductory handout

 

 

Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

206 Newport Road

Cardiff, Wales, UK. CF24 1DL

theosophycardiff@uwclub.net

 

 

 

Background to Theosophy and the

Theosophical Society

 

Theosophy has no dogma, no priesthood

or diploma elite and recognizes no spiritual head

All ideas presented at meetings are for consideration

 

 

 

 

The Objects of the Theosophical Society


1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.

2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.

3. To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man.

 

 

What is Theosophy?

 

The word is a Greek derivative and means divine wisdom and has been in use for centuries.

 

Within the Theosophical Society it is used to refer to H P Blavatsky’s adaptation of the Eastern Esoteric tradition for Western Society. This is presented in The Secret Doctrine and other writings and is based principally on Brahminical Hinduism and Esteric Buddhism. H P Blavatsky’s knowledge was acquired from members of an inner circle of initiates who are usually referred to as The Masters.

 

Is Theosophy a Religion?

 

No. Theosophy requires no faith,has no dogma and everything within it is presented as a hypothesis or ideas for consideration.

 

How did the Theosophical Society start?

 

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, William Q Judge and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott founded it in New York in 1875.

 

The Secret Doctrine

 

Published in 1888 By Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, this comprehensive work presents for consideration an outline of the divine scheme in operation for the unfoldment of the universe and a view of man’s place within that scheme.

 

Use of Sanskrit Terms

 

As you will notice, many Theosophical terms are taken from Sanskrit with a few Tibetan ones thrown in. Sanskrit is the ancient religious and philosophical language of India and has the depth to express eastern esoteric concepts and ideas for which there is no equivalent word in any European Language.

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Basic Principles of Theosophy

 

No Dead Matter in the Universe

 

Theosophy makes no distinction between organic life and mineral. Everything contains life and a level of consciousness although in the case of minerals, not consciousness as we know it,

 

The Universe is all One Thing

 

The universe is all one thing and not put together from parts. One single life force animates the universe and all beings and forms are derived from this single source.

 

A Life Force Seeking Expression

 

The universal life force is constantly trying to express itself. Eventually this force will develop forms which have the principle of mind, intelligence and self awareness.

 

What about God?

 

The concept of God is so far beyond our comprehension that Theosophy just accepts that the principle exists. Some Theosophical writers use the term First Cause or Universal Consciousness.

 

Spirit and Matter (opposite poles of the same thing)

 

The act of creation has led to polarization within the universe as it has come into manifestation. This is why pairs of opposites pervade the universe such as Spirit and Matter, light and dark, male and female and positive and negative.

 

Activity and Rest

 

Every period of activity has its corresponding period of rest. This is seen in day and night, waking and sleeping, ebb and flow of tides and birth and death. Without this rest and recovery everything in the universe would burn out.

 

Involution and Evolution

 

Involution means descending into matter and spirit has to do this to gain experience and evolve. As spiritual beings we have descended into matter by taking physical bodies. We rise out of these bodies when we discard them at the end of our current physical life.

 

Reincarnation

 

Following on from the concept of involution, we are engaged in a cycle of death and rebirth which is known as reincarnation. After a long period in the process we can expect to evolve to a spiritual level where we no longer need to return to physical life.

 

Karma (Law of Karma)

 

Often regarded as a system of reward and punishment but is really a mechanical law of cause and effect which provides a balancing act to keep the universe in kilter.

 

The Law of Karma is an inherent law of nature and operates at every level of creation. Under this law every action produces a corresponding effect of equal value.

 

Karma is important as a teacher and dealing with it is an integral part of our spiritual development.Although we learn through the effects of our actions and think in terms of good and bad karma (pleasant & unpleasant adjustments), the law itself is actually indifferent and mechanical.

 

Karma & Reincarnation

 

The effects of our actions can balance out over several lives and therefore karma can only be understood in the context of reincarnation

 

The Constitution of Man

 

Man has seven principles, sometime referred to as bodies.

 

These are

 

Atma – The piece of the divine in everybody

 

Buddhi – Our individual spiritual identity

 

Manas – The Mind principle divided into higher – spiritual ideals and lower – concrete and rational thought.

 

Atma, Buddhi and higher Manas form the immortal part of man. The four principles below are dumped at the end of you physical life and you get new ones for next time.

 

Kama – The desire principle

 

Prana – The life energy principle

 

Linga Sharira – The model body or template for your physical body

 

Sthula Sharira – Physical body – we are all familiar with this one.

 

After Death States

 

This is in broadly 2 stages following a review at the point of death of the life just lived.

 

These are

 

Kama Loka – where our earth life baggage and attributes are dissolved.

 

And after another review

 

Devachan – a state of bliss in which aspirations of the previous life are fulfilled.

Unfortunately you can’t stay there, you have to come back.

 

Evolution

 

Physical forms are the means by which the universal life force or spirit expresses itself and the more complex the form becomes, the greater the potential for the spirit to do find expression. Evolution  to a Theosophist is therefore spiritually based and driven.

 

The Cyclic Nature of Evolution

 

Theosophy postulates that evolution does not proceed in a linear manner but on a cyclic but ultimately upward spiral. This is true of everything including ourselves and our planet.

 

Kingdoms of Nature

 

There are 10 kingdoms of nature each occupying a rung on the evolutionary ladder

 

From the top these are:-

 

The 3 Dhyani-Chohanic Kingdoms

 

Dhyani-Chohans (Sanskrit-Tibetan) The Lords of Meditation. There are 3 types with several sub-divisions and they function in a hierarchy. In Christianity they appear as Archangels. They supervise the cosmos and they operate on higher planes than our physical plane.

 

The Human Kingdom

 

Theosophy makes a clear distinction between the Human and Animal kingdoms. Humans have acquired a level of consciousness and self awareness which gives them a level of self determination in both their own personal evolution and that of the Human race as a whole.

 

The Animal Kingdom

 

Plant or Vegetable Kingdom

 

The Mineral Kingdom

 

The Mineral is the lowest of the visible kingdoms on the evolutionary scale.

 

The 3 Elemental Kingdoms

 

There are 3 classes of Elemental at different levels of consciousness with innumerable divisions within those classes. They cannot normally be seen. Elementals work behind the scenes and they directly affect what goes on in the world.

 

Life of the Universe

 

In line with the principle of activity and rest, the universe will exist for a given period called a Manvantara and then go into obscuration or rest called a Pralaya. The universe will then return to manifestation.

 

The terms Manvantara and Pralaya are also used in relation to stars and planets.

 

Creation of the Universe

 

The universe effectively wakes up from obscuration with the latent spirit exerting its influence on matter.

 

To get things moving spirit expresses itself in 3 aspects this is called in Theosophy The Triple Logos.

 

The aspects are;

 

First Logos – Will

 

Second Logos – Capacity

 

Third Logos – Activity

 

Beginning with the Third Logos there are three outpourings in which spirit gives form to matter and consequently creates a viable universe;

 

1st Outpouring – 3rd Logos – Activity. creates the seven planes of nature.

 

2nd Outpouring – 2nd Logos – Capacity. Builds form from the now newly created planes of nature.

 

3rd Outpouring – 1st Logos – Will.  This takes place at the point in which the Human Kingdom is created, providing it with self conscious awareness.

 

This is the Human Kingdom which exists from the start of the universe and not the Human Race as we know it now.

 

The universe now exists and will run its course

 

Globes, Chains & Planetary Rounds

 

Globes

 

All Globes and stars that we can see in the physical universe are accompanied by six companion Globes of less density which are invisible to us.

 

Our current Globe and all visible Globes (to us) are the fourth in the Life Impulse’s tour of the seven.

 

Chain (Planetary Chain)

 

This is a group of seven companion Globes invoking the image of a string of beads.

 

A Planetary Round

 

This is the tour by the Life Impulse of all seven Globes.

 

Root Races

 

On each Globe of a Planetary Round the human race will appear in seven group reincarnations. In our current form we are the fifth Root Race and there are two more to come. Root Races last several million years.

 

The principle of Involution or descent into matter applies here. Beginning with the non-physical first Root Race we became more physical and materialistic than we are now by the fourth. We our now on the ascending arc out of matter and the next two Root Races will be less physical and more spiritually developed.

 

Text Version

For Handout

__________________

 

 

This page is only intended to

give you a brief overview of

Theosophical principles.

 

If you want to know more,

please try these;

 

Dave’s Streetwise Theosophy Boards

The Theosophy Website that

Welcomes Absolute Beginners

 

Theosophy

Cardiff

The Cardiff Theosophical Society Website

 

Theosophy

Wales

The National Wales Theosophy Website

 

The All Wales Guide to

Getting Started in Theosophy

 

Theosophy Cardiff’s Instant Guide to Theosophy

 

Cardiff Theosophy Start-Up

A Free Intro to Theosophy

 

Cardiff Theosophical Archive

 

Theosophy Wales 2008 Changes

A new structure for the

Theosophical Movement in Wales

as it separates into independent groups

that run their own show.

 

 

Hey Look!

Theosophy in Cardiff

 

Hey Look!

Theosophy in Wales

 

Theosophy Cardiff Burn-Up

 

Theosophy Wales Burn-Up

 

Theosophy Starts Here

 

Cardiff Blavatsky Archive

A Theosophy Study Resource

 

Blavatsky Blogger

Independent Theosophy Blog

 

Quick Blasts of Theosophy

 

Great Theosophists

The Big Names of Theosophy

 

H P Blavatsky and The Masters

Her Teachers Morya & Koot Hoomi

 

Cardiff Theosophical Order of Service

(TOS)

 

Theosophy

The New Rock ‘n Roll

 

Feelgood Theosophy

Visit the Feelgood Lodge

for a lighter view

The main criteria for the inclusion of

links on this site is that they have some

relationship (however tenuous) to Theosophy

and are lightweight, amusing or entertaining.

Topics include Quantum Theory and Socks,

Dick Dastardly and Legendary Blues Singers.

 

Theosophy

Aardvark

No Aardvarks were harmed in the

preparation of this Website

 

Theosophy

 Aardvark

Heavy Metal Overview

 

Theosophy

 Aardvark

Rock ‘n Roll Chronology

 

 

The Blavatsky Free State

An Independent Theosophical Republic

Links to Free Online Theosophy 

Study Resources; Courses, Writings, 

Commentaries, Forums, Blogs

 

 

 

 

The Blavatsky Blogger’s

Instant Guide to

Death and the Afterlife

 

Theosophy

Nirvana

 

The South of Heaven Guide

To Theosophy and Devachan

 

The South of Heaven Guide

To Theosophy and Dreams

 

The South of Heaven Guide

To Theosophy and Angels

 

Blavatsky Calling and I

Don’t Wanna Shout.

The Voice of the Silence Website

 

Alfred Percy Sinnett

 

George Sidney Arundale

 

William Quan Judge

 

C Jinarajadasa

 

John B S Coats

 

Devachan

 

Theosophy Defined

 

Theosophy and the Masters

 

Evolution

 

Applied Theosophy

 

What is Theosophy ?

 

Theosophy Generally Stated

 

Reincarnation

 

An Epitome of Theosophy

 

 

Instant Guide to Theosophy

Quick Explanations with Links to More Detailed Info

 

What is Theosophy ? Theosophy Defined (More Detail)

 

Three Fundamental Propositions Key Concepts of Theosophy

 

Cosmogenesis  Anthropogenesis  Root Races

 

Ascended Masters  After Death States

 

The Seven Principles of Man  Karma  Reincarnation

 

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky  Colonel Henry Steel Olcott

 

William Quan Judge

 

The Start of the Theosophical Society

 

History of the Theosophical Society

 

Theosophical Society Presidents

 

History of the Theosophical Society in Wales

 

The Three Objectives of the Theosophical Society

 

Explanation of the Theosophical Society Emblem

 

The Theosophical Order of Service (TOS)

 

Ocean of Theosophy

William Quan Judge

 

Glossaries of Theosophical Terms

 

 

Theosophy Sidmouth

Sidmouth, Devon, England

 

 

Theosophy Birmingham (England)

The Birmingham Annie Besant Lodge

 

 

Theosophy Wales Vanguard

 

 

Theosophy Wales Hornet

 

 

 

Wales! Wales! Theosophy Wales

The All Wales Guide to

Getting Started in Theosophy

This is for everyone, you don’t have to live

in Wales to make good use of this Website

 

 

 

Quotes from the Writings of

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

That which is to be shunned is pain not yet come. The past cannot be changed or amended; that which belongs to the experience of the present cannot and should  not be shunned; but alike to be shunned are disturbing anticipations or fears of  the future, and every act or impulse that may cause present or future pain to ourselves or others.

Practical Occultism, Page 87

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

Perfection, to be fully such, must be born out of imperfection, the incorruptible must grow out of the corruptible, having the latter as its vehicle and basis and contrast

The Secret Doctrine , Volume 2, Page 100

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

It is only by the attractive force of the contrasts that the two opposites — Spirit and Matter — can be cemented together on Earth, and, smelted in the fire of self-conscious experience and suffering, find themselves wedded in Eternity.

The Secret Doctrine , Volume 2, Page 108

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

Strength to step forward is the primary need of him who has chosen his path. Where is this to be found? Looking round, it is not hard to see where other men find their strength. Its source is profound conviction.

Practical Occultism, Page 67

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

It is the motive, and the motive alone, which makes any exercise of power become black, malignant, or white, beneficent Magic. It is impossible to employ spiritual forces if there is the slightest tinge of selfishness remaining in the operator .... The powers and forces of animal nature can equally be used by the selfish and revengeful, as by the unselfish and the all-forgiving; the powers and forces of spirit lend themselves only to the perfectly pure in heart — and this is Divine Magic.

Practical Occultism, Page 7

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

Finite reason agrees with science, and says: “There is no God”. But, on the other hand, our Ego, that which lives and thinks and feels independently of us in our mortal casket, does more than believe. It knows that there exists a God in nature, for the sole and invincible Artificer of all lives in us as we live in Him. No dogmatic faith or exact science is able to uproot that intuitional feeling inherent in man, when he has once fully realised it in himself.

Isis Unveiled, Volume 1, Page 36

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

It may be a pleasant dream to attempt to conceive of the beauties of the spirit world; but the time can be spent more profitably in a study of the spirit itself, and it is not necessary that the subject for study should be in the spirit world.

Modern Panarion Page 70

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

Physical existence is subservient to the spiritual, and all physical improvement and progress are only the auxiliaries of spiritual progress, without which there could be no physical progress.

Modern Panarion Page 78

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

Mankind — the majority at any rate — hates to think for itself. It resents as an insult the humblest invitation to step for a moment outside the old well-beaten tracks and, judging for itself, to enter into a new path in some fresh direction.

The Secret Doctrine , Volume 3, Page 14

 

Blavatsky Quotation

 

Even ignorance is better than Head-learning with no Soul-wisdom to illuminate and guide it.

The Voice of the Silence, Page 43

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theosophy Avalon

The Theosophy Wales

King Arthur Pages

 

Death & How to Get Through It

Lentil burgers, a thousand press ups before breakfast and

the daily 25 mile run may put it off for a while but death

seems to get most of us in the end. We are pleased to

present for your consideration, a definitive work on the

subject by a Student of Katherine Tingley entitled

“Man After Death”

 

Pages About Wales

General pages about Wales, Welsh History

and The History of Theosophy in Wales

 

Hey Look!

Theosophy in Cardiff

 

Theosophy in Wales

The Grand Tour

 

Nothing Answers Questions

Like Theosophy Can!

The Key to Theosophy

 

Theosophy

Ernest Egerton Wood

 

Theosophy

Jinarajadasa

 

Theosophy and Help From

The Universe

 

 

 

The Akashic Records

It’s all “water under the bridge” but 

everything you do makes an imprint 

on the Space-Time Continuum.

 

Theosophy and the Number Seven

A selection of articles relating to the esoteric

significance of the Number 7 in Theosophy

 

The Theosophy Cardiff Nirvana Pages

 

National Wales Theosophy

Karma Pages

 

Searchsight

 

Theosophy House

 

Theosophy 206

 

UK Theosophical Groups

 

Within the British Isles, the Adyar Theosophical Society

 has Groups in;

 

Bangor*Basingstoke*Billericay*Birmingham*Blackburn*Bolton*Bournemouth

Bradford*Bristol*Camberley*Cardiff*Chester*Conwy*Coventry*Dundee*Edinburgh

Folkstone*Glasgow*Grimsby*Inverness*Isle of Man*Lancaster*Leeds*Leicester

Letchworth*London*Manchester*Merseyside*Middlesborough*Newcastle upon Tyne

North Devon*Northampton*Northern Ireland*Norwich*Nottingham

Perth*Republic of Ireland*Sidmouth*Southport*Sussex*Swansea*Torbay

Tunbridge Wells*Wallasey*Warrington*Wembley*Winchester*Worthing

 

 

The Tooting Broadway

Underground Theosophy Website

The Spiritual Home of Urban Theosophy

 

The Mornington Crescent

Underground Theosophy Website

The Earth Base for Evolutionary Theosophy

 

Theosophy Tekels Park

Tekels Park, Camberley, Surrey, England GU15 – 2LF

Article describing Tekels Park and its much

cherished wildlife by Theosophist and long

term Tekels Park Resident Madeleine Leslie Smith

 

The Theosophical Value of

Tekels Park

 

 

 

 

加的夫神智學會

カーディフ神智学協会

Кардифф Теософское Общество

कार्डिफ थियोसोफिकल सोसायटी

카디프 신지 학회

 

 

 

Theosophy has no dogma, no priesthood

or diploma elite and recognizes no spiritual head

All ideas presented at meetings are for consideration

 

 

THEOSOPHY MEETINGS

Please click here for Current Theosophical Events in Cardiff

 

 

 

 

Classic Introductory Theosophy Text

A Text Book of Theosophy By C W Leadbeater

 

 

What Theosophy Is  From the Absolute to Man

 

The Formation of a Solar System  The Evolution of Life

 

The Constitution of Man  After Death  Reincarnation

 

The Purpose of Life  The Planetary Chains

 

The Result of Theosophical Study

 

 

 

The Occult World

By

Alfred Percy Sinnett

 

The Occult World is an treatise on the

Occult and Occult Phenomena, presented

 in readable style, by an early giant of

the Theosophical Movement.

 

Preface to the American Edition  Introduction

 

Occultism and its Adepts   The Theosophical Society

 

First Occult Experiences   Teachings of Occult Philosophy

 

Later Occult Phenomena   Appendix

 

 

 

A Study in Karma

Annie Besant

 

Karma  Fundamental Principles  Laws: Natural and Man-Made  The Law of Laws

 

The Eternal Now  Succession  Causation The Laws of Nature  A Lesson of The Law

 

Karma Does Not Crush  Apply This Law  Man in The Three Worlds  Understand The Truth

 

Man and His Surroundings  The Three Fates  The Pair of Triplets  Thought, The Builder

 

Practical Meditation  Will and Desire  The Mastery of Desire  Two Other Points

 

The Third Thread  Perfect Justice  Our Environment  Our Kith and Kin  Our Nation

 

The Light for a Good Man  Knowledge of Law  The Opposing Schools

 

The More Modern View  Self-Examination  Out of the Past

 

Old Friendships  We Grow By Giving  Collective Karma  Family Karma

 

National Karma  India’s Karma  National Disasters

 

 

 

Try these if you are looking for a

local Theosophy Group or Centre

 

UK Listing of Theosophical Groups

Tell us about your UK Theosophy Group

 

Worldwide Directory of Theosophical Links

 

International Directory of 

Theosophical Societies

 

________________________

 

Theosophy Wales Group Start

The Theosophy Wales Guide to

Starting a Theosophy Group

& of course you don’t need to live in Wales

to take advantage of this guide

 

 

 

Theosophy in Wales

 

National Wales Centre for Theosophy

 

Theosophy UK

 

 

 

Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

206 Newport Road

Cardiff, Wales, UK. CF24 1DL

theosophycardiff@uwclub.net

 

 

YOU ARE INVITED

Please click here for Current Theosophical Events in Cardiff

 

 

Theosophy has no dogma, no priesthood

or diploma elite and recognizes no spiritual head

All ideas presented at meetings are for consideration

 

加的夫神智學會

カーディフ神智学協会

Кардифф Теософское Общество

कार्डिफ थियोसोफिकल सोसायटी

카디프 신지 학회

 

 

theosophycardiff.org