For many years, the teaching of Helena Blavatsky, which found supporters in the theosophical movement, remains popular. His main motto is "There is no religion higher than truth," and personal self-improvement in modern life has become a topic for special attention to such a topic as Theosophy.
What is Theosophy?
Some modern scholars claim that Theosophy is a new science, but this is not entirely true. This concept arose in the 2nd century, when it was taken as a basis by the philosophers Ammonius Saccas and his followers. They sought to establish a single ethic of eternal truths and reconcile all religions. What is Theosophy - in Greek, this is "divine wisdom", which can be achieved by knowing yourself. In the broadest sense, Theosophy is a science that studies the laws of the universe, the science of the spiritual destiny of every person.
Theosophy - Philosophy
In philosophy, best described in the teachings of Elena Blavatsky, which positioned what in Theosophy explains the essence of all religions of the world. The motto "There is no religion above Truth" it borrowed from Maharaja Benares, relying on the fact that only people familiar with the concepts of esotericism can know the Absolute Truth and very successfully move along this path. Theosophy in philosophy is the interpretation of the main moral and spiritual values . But from the standpoint not of God's will, but as a result of the actions of man himself, theosophical society therefore chose the motto as the motto: "There is no religion higher than truth."
Fundamentals of Theosophy
The main foundations of Theosophy are the creation of a worldwide Brotherhood, in which everyone will live for the sake of others, and not for himself. To achieve this, it is necessary not only to overcome egoism , attachment to material goods, which in the spiritual world are insignificant, but also to accept the ideas of personal perfection. Practical theosophy provides for 2 main points.
- The desire to create a society in which brotherly love was the basis of real, rather than contrived relationships.
- Individual improvement, this process is easily promoted by those who understand responsibility before society, rejection of selfish desires for the sake of spiritual enjoyment.
Theosophy in the modern world
Although Theosophy - the doctrine of spiritual perfection, it significantly influenced the receipt of material wealth by mankind. The philosophy gained great world fame through the Theosophical movement, which was created by Elena Blavatsky's group. They explained how the influence of the collective can awaken in each the energy of Goodwill, created a methodology, how to really develop in a person a sincere desire to change their lives for the better. The main goals of the society were as follows:
- Creation of a single brotherhood.
- Study of ancient religions and philosophies.
- Exploring unexplained phenomena of nature or the human psyche .
Theosophy and esoterics
Esotericism is a direction for the initiated, which is based on secret knowledge and practice of meditation. With theosophy they are united by the use of similar methods and principles of influence, work on the perfection of their "I". And the study of the phenomena of nature and the spiritual essence of man implies closed access for unprepared people.
Theosophy and magic have a common basis, because occultism presupposes knowledge of the subtle matter that make up our universe. Theosophy offers rules of behavior in subtle worlds and the intelligent use of postulates, mysticism also opens up ways to influence others' energies with the help of subtle energies, not always for the benefit of man.
Theosophy and Buddhism
It has already been proved that many postulates and definitions of Theosophy lent from Buddhism. Theosophical society has opened up for the whole of Europe the particularities of the Buddha's teaching. Many modern scholars call the theories of Blavatsky and her supporters "theosophists", which is an attempt to give their own doctrine for the postulates of Buddhism. But, in addition to the general features, there are also differences between these two currents.
- For the Theosophical Society, continuity and caste are not characteristic.
- Theosophy is a constant movement in cultivation.
- In Buddhism, various states are considered as consequences of karma.
Theosophy and Orthodoxy
Christianity is one of the world religions, the main axiom of which is the comprehension of Divine love through harmonious development. With theosophy it is brought together by the goal - the spiritual growth of man. Theosophy is called Divine Wisdom, but it is a certain list of knowledge about the laws of our world. Christianity gives this teaching through the prism of rigid postulates. But even with its generality, the attitude of religion to theosophy is critical, and there are several reasons for that.
- Heretic ideas, like the doctrine of reincarnation and karma.
- Theosophy admits that man by perfection can rise to the Absolute; in Christianity man will never become equal with God.
- In Christianity for sins God punishes, in Theosophy - the man himself the consequences of his actions.