Echoing the ancient Greek axiom, “Man, know thyself,” Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, described it as “awareness of one’s humanity.” Nowhere is the need for such awareness greater than in relation to our fellow human beings, and to the life and work we share with them. It is this awareness that lies at the heart of the practical work described in this web site. The number and breadth of these initiatives, fostered by the General Anthroposophical Society that Steiner founded in 1924, reflect Anthroposophy’s progressive, healing influence on cultural life in North America.

Anthroposophy embraces a spiritual view of the human being and the cosmos, but its emphasis is on knowing, not faith. It is a path in which the human heart and hand, and especially our capacity for thinking, are essential. It leads, in Steiner’s words, “from the spirit in the human being to the spirit in the universe,” because only if we first come to experience the spirit in ourselves can we know the cosmic spirit. But anthroposophy is more than self-development. Through it we recognize our humanity. Humanity (anthropos) has the inherent wisdom (Sophia) to transform both itself and the world. The practical work from agriculture to education flows from insights provided by anthroposophy.

The Anthroposophic Press website offers a wide selection of books by Rudolf Steiner and related authors. Explore the philosophy behind spiritual science and the many fields its wisdom and practical guidance have inspired, including education, agriculture, science, medicine, family life, children’s books, and the arts. If you’re looking for a specific book, see our complete book list, which lists nearly 1000 titles.

The Theosophical Society in America

“There is no religion higher than Truth”
Motto from the Theosophical Society emblem

Welcome to the Theosophical Society in Seattle

The Theosophical Society is an organization founded in New York City in 1875 to investigate the nature of the universe and humanity’s place in it, to promote understanding of other cultures, and to be a nucleus of universal brotherhood among all human beings. Today the Society has branches in some sixty countries, with its international headquarters in India.

“The Theosophical Society has no dogma, and it should be remembered that the views expressed in the various classes and lectures on theosophical or occult subjects reflect only the opinion of their presenters.

Our programs are to enlarge concepts and stimulate thought. Some may contain imaginative notions and even errors of fact issued as private revelations, communications from adepts and so on; these programs, nevertheless, have some thought-provoking value. We urge attendees to decide for themselves what is realistic, scientific and impersonal.

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”

The United Lodge of Theosophists

To spread broadcast the teachings of Theosophy as recorded in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky and William Q. Judge

Theosophy Simply Stated

THEOSOPHY, as the Wisdom-Religion, has existed from immemorial time. It offers us a theory of nature and of life which is founded upon knowledge acquired by the Sages of the past; and its higher students claim that this knowledge is not imagined or inferred, but that it is a knowledge of facts seen and known by those who are willing to comply with the conditions requisite for seeing and knowing. As the oldest tradition of human wisdom, Theosophy has been expressed in different ages by such as Krishna and Buddha in the East, by Pythagoras, Plato and Jesus in the West. Following these teachers, lesser voices have supported the central tenet of the philosophy – immortality through reincarnation or rebirth. Bruno van Helmont, Goethe and Schopenhauer, Shelley, Kipling and Masefield, Emerson and Whitman, to name but a few, have all upheld the doctrine given its full philosophical import in the Theosophy presented by H. P. Blavatsky.

Theosophy is not a “Faith,” for “Faiths” may be changed; but, being knowledge which each can make his own, it is not dependent upon dogma or revelation. Theosophists do not demand acceptance of Theosophy; they point out its principles and their applications. Theosophy makes certain statements, but not as statements to be believed. The object of Theosophy is to teach man what he is, through showing him the necessity of knowing for himself and becoming his own authority.

THEOSOPHY DEFINED

Although Theosophy contains by derivation the name God and thus may seem at first sight to embrace religion alone, it does not neglect science. It is the Science of sciences, for no science is complete which leaves out any department of nature, whether visible or invisible. Conversely, that religion which, depending solely on an assumed revelation, turns away from things and the laws which govern them, is nothing but a delusion, a foe to progress, and an obstacle in the way of man’s advancement toward happiness. Embracing both the scientific and the religious, Theosophy is a scientific religion and a religious science.

No new ethics are presented by Theosophy, as it is held that right ethics are forever the same. But in the doctrines of Theosophy are to be found the philosophical and reasonable basis for ethics and the natural enforcement of them in practice. The ideas we entertain of Deity and of the Self, of Nature’s Laws, and of Evolution, govern the actions we perform. We are now acting, either consciously or unconsciously, according to the philosophical ideas we hold. Are they the best and highest possible!

Theosophy is to be explained by reference to the three great principles which underlie all life, as well as every religion and every philosophy that ever has been, or ever can be. They may be briefly named: (1) The Self, as reality in man; (2) Law, as the processes by which man evolves both in form and soul; (3) Evolution, as the design of life in terms of meaning and purpose.

THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT

The Theosophical Movement, broadly considered, is to be found in all times and in all nations. Wherever thought has struggled to be free, wherever spiritual ideas, as opposed to forms and dogmatism, have been promulgated, there the great movement is to be discerned, for noble action is inspired by noble thought, and Theosophy represents the principles of such thought.

The Theosophical movement begun by Madame Blavatsky in 1875 has passed through many changes – changes unavoidable in a period of transition and among people whose heredity and training are obstacles in the way of right appreciation and application. But out of all these confusions must come the nucleus of brotherhood among all men and nations, the formation of which these teachers had in view from the very first.

CENTERS FOR STUDY AND WORK

There are today, in America and elsewhere, lodges of working students without organizational affiliations of any kind, engaged in obtaining a Theosophical education and in making Theosophy available to the community. The name chosen for this common endeavor is “The United Lodge of Theosophists,” under which the work of public meetings, study classes, and distribution of literature is conducted.

The United Lodge of Theosophists is an integral part of the Theosophical Movement begun in New York in 1875. It is – as the name implies – an association of theosophists irrespective of organization, who are bound together by the tie of common aim, purpose and teaching. Theosophy, being the origin, basis and genius of every Theosophical organization forms in itself a common ground of interest and effort, above and beyond all differences of opinion as to persons or methods. Theosophy is the philosophy of Unity, and it calls for the essential union of those who profess and promulgate it.

U. L. T. Lodges holding regular public meetings exist in a number of the larger cities of the United States, among them New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Besides these and other Lodges, there are numerous smaller groups meeting for study and discussion of the Theosophical philosophy. The Theosophy Company of Los Angeles (245 West 33^rd St.) works cooperatively with U. L. T. for the purpose of publishing authentic Theosophical literature, and also serves as a center of information regarding Theosophical activities, and invites correspondence concerning the Lodge or study group most conveniently located for inquirers. The meetings and classes are free to all, and all are welcome. Attendance involves no fees, dues or collections; the work of the United Lodge of Theosophists is supported entirely by voluntary contributions.

The policy of this Lodge is independent devotion to the cause of Theosophy, without professing attachment to any Theosophical organization. It is loyal to the great Founders of the Theosophical movement, but does not concern itself with dissensions or differences of individual opinion.

The work it has on hand and the end it keeps in view are too absorbing and too lofty to leave it the time or inclination to take part in side issues. That work and that end is the dissemination of the fundamental principles of the Philosophy of Theosophy, and the exemplification in practice of those principles, through a truer realization of the SELF; a profounder conviction of Universal Brotherhood.

It holds that the unassailable basis for union among Theosophists, wherever and however situated, is “similarity of aim, purpose and teaching,” and therefore has neither Constitution, By-Laws nor Officers, the sole bond between its Associates being that basis. And it aims to disseminate this idea among Theosophists in the furtherance of Unity.

It regards as Theosophists all who are engaged in the true service of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, condition or organization, and

It welcomes to its association all those who are in accord with its declared purposes and who desire to fit themselves, by study and otherwise, to be the better able to help and teach others.

“The true Theosophist belongs to no cult or sect, yet belongs to each and all.”

This briefly is the state of things in the realm of self-knowledge: in order to do you must know; but to know you must find out how to know. We cannot find this out by ourselves. – G. I. Gurdjieff

Kabbalah predates any religion or theology. It was given to mankind by the Creator, without any prerequisites or preconditions. According to kabbalistic teachings, the universe operates according to certain supremely powerful principles. By learning to understand and act in accordance with these precepts, we will vastly improve our lives today, and ultimately we will achieve true fulfillment for ourselves and for all humanity. Just as basic physical laws such as gravity and magnetism exist independently of our will and awareness, the spiritual laws of the universe influence our lives every day and every moment. Kabbalah empowers us to understand and live in harmony with these laws – to use them for the benefit of ourselves and the world. Kabbalah is much more than an intellectually compelling philosophical system. It is a precise description of the interwoven nature of spiritual and physical reality – and it is a full complement of powerful, practical methods for attaining worthy goals within that reality. Simply put, Kabbalah gives you the tools you need to achieve happiness, fulfillment, and to bring the Light of the Creator into your life. It is the way to gain the peace and joy you want and deserve at the very core of your being.

La Kabbale est un ensemble de spéculations métaphysiques sur Dieu, l'homme et l'univers, qui prend racine dans les traditions ésotériques juives.

Cette définition académique ne rend pas bien compte de l'universalité de la Kabbale et de la richesse des thèmes qu'elle aborde. Ce site a pour but de montrer les multiples aspects d'un système qui allie observation, métaphysique et raison.

GNOSTICISM IS THE TEACHING based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Although Gnosticism thus rests on personal religious experience, it is a mistake to assume all such experience results in Gnostic recognitions. It is nearer the truth to say that Gnosticism expresses a specific religious experience, an experience that does not lend itself to the language of theology or philosophy, but which is instead closely affinitized to, and expresses itself through, the medium of myth. Indeed, one finds that most Gnostic scriptures take the forms of myths. The term “myth” should not here be taken to mean “stories that are not true”, but rather, that the truths embodied in these myths are of a different order from the dogmas of theology or the statements of philosophy.

Some writers make a distinction between “Gnosis” and “Gnosticism”. Such distinctions are both helpful and misleading. Gnosis is undoubtedly an experience based not in concepts and precepts, but in the sensibility of the heart. Gnosticism, on the other hand, is the world-view based on the experience of Gnosis. For this reason, in languages other than English, the word Gnosis is often used to denote both the experience and the world-view (die Gnosis in German, la Gnose in French).

In a sense, there is no Gnosis without Gnosticism, for the experience of Gnosis inevitably calls forth a world-view wherein it finds its place. The Gnostic world-view is experiential, it is based on a certain kind of spiritual experience of Gnosis. Therefore, it will not do to omit, or to dilute, various parts of the Gnostic world-view, for were one to do this, the world-view would no longer conform to experience.

Theology has been called an intellectual wrapping around the spiritual kernel of a religion. If this is true, then it is also true that most religions are being strangled and stifled by their wrappings. Gnosticism does not run this danger, because its world-view is stated in myth rather than in theology. Myths, including the Gnostic myths, may be interpreted in diverse ways. Transcendence, numinosity, as well as psychological archetypes along with other elements, play a role in such interpretation. Still, such mythic statements tell of profound truths that will not be denied.

Gnosticism can bring us such truths with a high authority, for it speaks with the voice of the highest part of the human – the spirit. Of this spirit, it has been said, “it bloweth where it listeth”. This then is the reason why the Gnostic world view could not be extirpated in spite of many centuries of persecution.

The Gnostic world-view has always been timely, for it always responded best to the “knowledge of the heart” that is true Gnosis. Yet today, its timeliness is increasing, for the end of the second millennium has seen the radical deterioration of many ideologies which evaded the great questions and answers addressed by Gnosticism. The clarity, frankness, and authenticity of the Gnostic answer to the questions of the human predicament cannot fail to impress and (in time) to convince. If your reactions to this summary have been of a similarly positive order, then perhaps you are a Gnostic yourself!

It is He who is revealed in every face, sought in every sign, gazed upon by every eye, worshipped in every object of worship, and pursued in the unseen and the visible. Not a single one of His creatures can fail to find Him in its primordial and original nature.

Special Issues

Useful Sites

F.A.Q.

Maaberuna

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

The Theosophical Society in America

Welcome to the Theosophical Society in Seattle

Theosophical University Press Online

Theosophy Simply Stated

La Kabbale est un ensemble de spéculations métaphysiques sur Dieu, l'homme et l'univers, qui prend racine dans les traditions ésotériques juives.

Cette définition académique ne rend pas bien compte de l'universalité de la Kabbale et de la richesse des thèmes qu'elle aborde. Ce site a pour but de montrer les multiples aspects d'un système qui allie observation, métaphysique et raison.

Front Page

Editorial

Spiritual Traditions

Mythology

Perennial Ethics

Spotlights

Epistemology

Alternative Medicine

Deep Ecology

Depth Psychology

Nonviolence & Resistance

Literature

Books & Readings

Art

On the Lookout