Theosophy and the New Age movement

[Magical Realist]

"Theosophy actually designates a specific flow of thought or tradition within the modern study of esotericism. Thus, it follows the path starting from the more modern period of the 15th century onward. Faivre describes the "theosophic current" or theosophy as a single esoteric current among seven other esoteric currents in early modern Western thought (i.e., alchemy, astrology, Neo-Alexandrian hermetism, Christian Kabbalah, Paracelsism, philosophia occulta and Rosicrucianism).[26] Christian theosophy is an under-researched area, a general history of it has never been written.[27]

Faivre noted that there are "obvious similarities" between earlier theosophy and modern Theosophy as both play an important part in Western esotericism and both claim to deal with wisdom from a gnostic perspective. But he says there are also differences, since they do not actually rely on the same reference works; and their style is different. The referential corpus of earlier theosophy "belongs essentially to the Judeo-Christian type", while that of modern Theosophy "reveals a more universal aspect".[28] Although there are many differences between Christian theosophy and the Theosophical movement begun by Helena Blavatsky, the differences "are not important enough to cause an insurmountable barrier."[29] When referring to the ideas related to Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society, the word "Theosophy" is capitalized; otherwise it is not. Theosophy and theosophists refer to Blavatsky's philosophy while theosophy and theosophers refer to Christian theosophy. Some Theosophists were also theosophers.[6] Blavatsky linked her use of the word theosophy to the Neoplatonists and Ammonius Saccas, rather than to the later Christian theosophers.[30]

Theosophers engage in analysis of the universe, humanity, divinity, and the reciprocal effects of each on the other. The starting point for theosophers may be knowledge of external things in the world or inner experiences and the aim of the theosopher is to discover deeper meanings in the natural or divine realm. Antoine Faivre notes, "the theosophist dedicates his energy to inventing (in the word's original sense of 'discovering') the articulation of all things visible and invisible, by examining both divinity and nature in the smallest detail."[5] The knowledge that is acquired through meditation is believed to change the being of the meditator.[31]

Faivre identified three characteristics of theosophy.[32] The three characteristics of theosophy are listed below.

Theosophy:

Divine/Human/Nature Triangle: The inspired analysis which circles through these three angles. The intradivine within; the origin, death and placement of the human relating to Divinity and Nature; Nature as alive, the external, intellectual and material. All three complex correlations synthesize via the intellect and imaginative processes of Mind.

Primacy of the Mythic: The creative Imagination, an external world of symbols, glyphs, myths, synchronicities and the myriad, along with image, all as a universal reality for the interplay conjoined by creative mind.

Access to Supreme Worlds: The awakening within, inherently possessing the faculty to directly connect to the Divine world(s). The existence of a special human ability to create this connection. The ability to connect and explore all levels of reality; co-penetrate the human with the divine; to bond to all reality and experience a unique inner awakening.....

..The present-day New Age movement is said to be based to a considerable extent on original Theosophical tenets and ideas. "No single organization or movement has contributed so many components to the New Age Movement as the Theosophical Society. ... It has been the major force in the dissemination of occult literature in the West in the twentieth century."[54]

Other organizations loosely based on Theosophical texts and doctrines include the Agni Yoga, and a group of religions based on Theosophy called the Ascended Master Teachings: the "I AM" Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse, which evolved into the Church Universal and Triumphant. These various offshoots dispute the authenticity of their rivals."====

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy

[Image: tumblr_mir8zmov8a1r2q7w3o1_1280.jpg]

[C C]

A variety of theosophy sources like this one claim that Einstein had an interest in theosophy (particularly Helena Blavatsky’s work). But there seems to be nothing much to it; part of the tale's wandering history concerns a non-existent niece: http://www.jasoncolavito.com/blog/gary-l...-blavatsky

Einstein's writings ventured into so many subject areas, which some theosophical interests might likewise share, that a collage of quotes could be extracted and assembled together from their original contexts as a framework of parallel significance purporting instead to be about theosophy.

[Magical Realist]

A variety of theosophy sources like this one claim that Einstein had an interest in theosophy (particularly Helena Blavatsky’s work). But there seems to be nothing much to it; part of the tale's wandering history concerns a non-existent niece: http://www.jasoncolavito.com/blog/gary-l...-blavatsky

Einstein's writings ventured into so many subject areas, which some theosophical interests might likewise share, that a collage of quotes could be extracted and assembled together from their original contexts as a framework of parallel significance purporting instead to be about theosophy.

I think Einstein had a curious childlike mind that sometimes got him in trouble. When my sister and I visited the Oregon Vortex back in 2002, the guide quoted Einstein saying there might be something to it. Basically it's just a hoaky tourist trap with some illusory effects. But apparently Einstein had been there and was open to it. Everybody was using Einstein to back their particular agenda back then. If he approved it it must be true!