Theosophy
By JIRARA
© JIRARA, November 2020
Published by JIRARA on matrubharti.com
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Disclaimer: This is the work of fiction as far as all the characters, their names and the names of all the events are concerned and all these are imaginary and hence any resemblance to the persons (and their lives) dead or alive, and any places are coincidental. Even if a few events might look realistic/’real’, these are fictionalised and the associated names are changed in order to maintain their privacy, honour, and security. No intention whatsoever is meant to hurt any feelings of whosoever, irrespective of their personal/cultural beliefs, social or political inclinations, religion-orientations/practicing/philosophy, life styles, and work/business. The ‘I’, ‘my’, ‘me’, and ‘mine’ (if any used) do not necessarily mean the author of this book, and these and other such pronouns: her, hers, his, he, she, him, you, your, yours, ours, theirs…; are used for effective personification and dramatization, and the readers should not take these on their ‘own persons’. The readers should take these stories/verses/thoughts with/in good spirit. The presented ideas and material are based, where feasible, on readings and (thought-) analyses of scientific/other open literature (which seemed most profound and trustworthy), with as much care as possibly taken. The readers are requested to verify these notions on their own, and use their own discretion. However, these stories/verses/thoughts/ideas (mostly original) are expressed here with an intention of increasing awareness of the readers with a hope that in an overall sense, their (and ours) consciousness would be heightened (in all and multiple directions), so that we all can live our lives on this planet with true happiness, ever-lasting peace and real joy (irrespective of our orientations). The author and the publisher will not be responsible for any negative effects/situations arising as a result of reading these stories/verses and/or following the suggestions if any. No discussions/dispute of any kind will be entertained at any time and in any way, manner, and/or forum. JIRARA.
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Preamble: Theosophy is a special branch of (general) philosophy, and there have had been a good number of initial founders and practitioners/players; and here in this article, the names of these personnel/societies/groups are NOT included for the sake of avoiding any bias, or controversy. My own thoughts are interwoven within the existing aspects of the theosophy (based on a few open sources of the brief literature on theosophy).
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Theosophy
The word theosophy is from the Greek ‘theos’ (God), and ‘sophia’ (wisdom).
This can be considered to mean as ‘Godly’ wisdom, or the use of our wisdom to search the ‘God’; according to me the latter is more appropriate, and the former would become valid only after we have reached the ‘Godhood’ of love.
Certain basic aspects/features:
1. “It is a kind of philosophy with some ancient (prachin) roots/bases, and some belief in a psychic powers”.
In general, the mystics cannot be explained by normal process of sense organs and conventional (thinking) powers. It means that if you do not believe in these powers, then you might not derive full benefits of the theosophy.
2. “It believes in telepathy and clairvoyance”.
“The telepathy means conveying/transporting/ transmission of information/thoughts from one individual-seeker to the other seeker, without using any physical means; sensory devices or so”.
In the present times, one can read the electrical activity from the brain cells with electronic devices of an individual; then transmit the signal (codes), like it is done in the wireless communications, and turn it back into brain cell activity at the receive-individual. There are still several aspects/issues involved in making this very practical application, of course it has been done for a few persons. This might not be called as strictly telepathy, but you still derive some benefits from the thoughts of the sender individual. One can consider this a practically viable ‘telepathy’ of the modern world.
“Clairvoyance is related to the mental/intellectual faculty, meaning ability or attribute, of perceiving things or events in the future or beyond normal sensory contacts”.
This is what the prophets do, and in a few cases the things happen in the future as predicted, but in most such cases it is mere coincidence. If the predictions are based on some well-developed scientific (mathematical process) models, then it is likely that such futuristic events could happen according to the predictions; but this is more valid in the field of science/physics, and here many such scientific predictions (have) come true; however, in the field of human-society, such things do not happen always (means happen very rarely), or happen but go wrong, means they happen in the reverse or the negative directions.
My suggestion is not to depend at all on any of these prophesies, or predictions; since in most cases these are high emotional and sentimental outbursts from certain individuals who claim they have a large following and try to prove or show that they are beyond normal humans (it is inherent tendency in many humans to make such predictions, so we, the beholders hold them ‘high’ and give more respect and importance). Such ‘prophets’ are always seeking attention for their own self-gratification.
On one day when we were discussing some issues, in my family, related to my professional work, and the credits I should have got, etc., suddenly in a high state of emotion, my wife exclaimed: you will get a noble prize! Oh my, I have still not got a single prize from the organization I worked for three decades; of course I had got a few from some other places. The probability that my wife’s prophesy will come true is one in several millions!
3. “It is an esoteric philosophical enquiry based on ancient religions and myths”.
This is because so much work and research, by thousands of people/seekers, has gone into these religions for thousands of years, and the tenets of some of these religions have become so profound that to come out with totally a new philosophy (like theosophy) is, in all probability out of question; perhaps it might take a million years to happen that, if at all it happens so.
I believe with lapse of time (in cycles of thousands of years), the humanity might have advanced so much that their belief in myths would have diminishes hundreds or thousands fold.
4. “It is also based (partially) on Buddhism”.
This is sort of a pure philosophy (with a minimal or no ritualistic practices) and mostly a major branch of the ancient Hinduism of Vedic era (here, I am not at all suggesting any novice and cult branches, of Hinduism, which have contrived dogmas and ideas which, according to me, do not jell with the modern thoughts held by highly educated, knowledgeable, and advanced civilization). In fact there are several small braches (of the true and ancient Hinduism) which promise heavens to their followers, but in the final analysis, the founders/proprietors/promoters/leaders/preachers of these turn out to be terribly short-sighted, and money minded people who might have failed in their original professions, and endeavours; and turned to the religion to try their faulty luck!
5. “Main emphasis is on the principle of brotherhood of all the people of the world, unity of all that is here in this world, since, the unity is basic (principle) in the nature”.
The idea must be based on the principle of ‘inclusiveness’, rather than ‘exclusiveness’. This aspect is very hard to realize in practice, since our basic nature is ‘selfish’ or highly ‘self-oriented’; of course this is not our fault totally, it is that we have, in the first place, evolved with this tendency.
6. “There is no emphasis on the personal beliefs of the individual followers”.
This is really a good proposition, seems to be based on the principle of ‘uniform’ rules for all the communities in a given country.
7. “Also, the idea is to investigate the powers inherent in human beings”.
Of course every human being has extraordinary powers and abilities, but these are dormant until some serious yogic exercises, contemplation and meditation are practiced.
8. “It is then based on the Universal principle of existence; whatever one calls it as either ‘God’ or the nature”.
My new thoughts on the ‘Almighty’ expressed in my MB story: Deeper and Broader Facets of Almighty tend to jell with this idea.
9. “To study (all or some) religions, (all or some) philosophies and science”.
This is to respect those who follow differing religions/philosophies from our/your own paths.
The study of science should be in the heart of everybody, even if s/he is the seeker of the Universal Truth; because the person’s daily living depends on hundreds of scientific facts, and theories. If a person does not obey the science (health) of his own body then, his mind and intellect will not function properly, and s/he cannot meditate, and peacefully study any philosophy.
10. “It is not a religion, and is not based on any rituals and ceremonies”.
This is really good. The rituals and ceremonies can be used in the initial stages to stabilize our minds, and thereafter, we should use our intelligence and wisdom to study any philosophy.
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a) “Theosophy is a system of philosophy and religious (here it is meant to be taken as the divine) thoughts which believes that the true knowledge comes not through reason or senses, but through a direct communication of the soul with the Divine Reality”.
In fact this can happen only if our sense organs are primarily satisfied and are at the level of ‘calmness’. In the beginning we have to go via our available senses, and then we may be able to achieve the direct communion, if at all this is possibly so.
b) “Theosophy is considered to be the study of the teachings of the Masters or Mahatmas. It is a method of studying the ancient wisdom, a way of pursuing the ultimate truth. The Hindu and Buddhist thoughts and doctrines have become prominent in theosophy, with characteristic belief in reincarnation in accordance with the Hindu doctrine of Karma (law of action)”.
This is basically how the followers learn the tenets of Hinduism, i.e. through the ancient scriptures, discourses, and lectures from the gurus.
c) “The motto often used by theosophists is appropriately, ‘there is no religion higher than the truth’.
Ironically, this truth needs to be defined properly, and the means to achieve this ‘truth-hood’ need to be specified; which in fact is done in the Hindu philosophy.
d) “One must not take the teachings of theosophy word for word, for it is a timeless ‘religion’ (meaning a path to follow or pursue the truth, since fundamentally it is not a religion), and over the passage of times, the meanings of words have changed”.
I think this caution is valid for many philosophies of the world. With the passage of time, the human civilization advances by leaps and bounds, and tries to re-evaluate everything, and then new interpretations come up.
e) “It should be taken as a set of beliefs (again a limiting factor in search of the truth!); which will point one in the right direction, and give instruction on finding the truth. The greatest strength of theosophy is its adaptability”.
This aspect of adaptability is in fact desirable, and it is also one of the basic things in Hinduism. But in some harsh times, when the humanity faces unforeseen challenges, it does not know how to adapt and gets in a whirlpool of anarchy to the level that it loses the basic and common sense manners, maturity and patience. Then, no religion or ‘God’ saves it. This class of humans then are on the downward journey to the ‘hell’ on this very globe.
f) “If one is serious about learning the truth, it is possible to fit the teachings of theosophy into an existing lifestyle. In many cases, theosophists are members of other churches. Theosophy does not contradict other world religions; and it is neither a new interpretation of an existing religion, nor is it a completely new idea”.
This is a very great aspect of theosophy, and in fact should be the main motto of all the world religions and philosophies.
g) “Interestingly, it is a thoughtful mixture of Eastern religion, Western religion, philosophy, science and other practical knowledge which seem to have escaped from the serious studies of the most current/present/prevalent religions or religionic systems”.
Looks like it is a democratic view of life and the process of living in harmony with others and the nature.
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