To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, s*x, caste, or color.
2. To investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in humanity.
*INTRODUCTION:
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED about the “big” questions of life? Why is the world the way it is? Where did I come from? What am I doing here? What comes next? When will I find out all these things? If so then you may be interested in the study of Theosophy. The term "Theosophy" comes from the Greek theosophia, which is composed of two words: theos ("god," "gods," or "divine") and sophia ("wisdom"). Theosophia, therefore, may be translated as the "wisdom of the gods," "wisdom in things divine," or "divine wisdom." Theosophists are non-dogmatic and are encouraged to accept nothing on faith or on the word of another but to adopt only those ideas that satisfy their own sense of what is real and important. Theosophists hold these ideas, not as fixed beliefs, but as a way of looking at life and world. Theosophy is not a religion. It does not claim to be a complete and final statement of wisdom and truth, nor does it offer a single interpretation of what Divine Wisdom includes. Theosophy holds that all things, including the human mind, are evolving. We are in the midst of an unfinished world and are ourselves unfinished. Therefore ,the accumulated knowledge of any subject at any time is necessarily incomplete and can be added to. We are only in the middle of our development, so we still have a great deal to discover. Theosophy does not bind an individual to any particular belief or creed, but it is dedicated to furthering humanity’s eternal search for the meaning and wholeness of life in a nonsectarian and nondogmatic way. The religions of the world offer methods of this search and are therefore subjects for Theosophical study. Theosophical Worldview
The Theosophical Society, while reserving for each member full freedom to interpret those teachings known as Theosophy, is dedicated to preserving and realizing the ageless wisdom, which embodies both a worldview and a vision of human self-transformation. This tradition is founded upon certain fundamental propositions:
The universe and all that exists within it are one interrelated and interdependent whole. Every existent being-from atom to galaxy-is rooted in the same universal, life-creating Reality. This Reality is all pervasive but it can never be summed up in its parts, since it transcends all its expressions. It reveals itself in the purposeful, ordered, and meaningful processes of nature as well as in the deepest recesses of the mind and spirit. Recognition of the unique value of every living being expresses itself in reverence for life, compassion for all, sympathy with the need of all individuals to find truth for themselves, and respect for all religious traditions. The ways in which these ideals become realities in individual life are both the privileged choice and the responsible act of every human being. Central to the concerns of theosophy is the desire to promote understanding and unity among people of all races, nationalities, philosophies, and religions. Therefore, all people, whatever their race, creed, s*x, caste, or color, are invited to participate equally in the life and work of the Society. The Theosophical Society imposes no dogmas, but points toward the source of unity behind all differences. Devotion to truth, love for all living beings, and commitment to a life of active altruism are the marks of the true Theosophist.
* LOCAL STUDY CENTER INFORMATION
The Theosophical Society in New Orleans- Provisional Study Group (TSNO-PSG)was started on February 15th, 2014. It meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 2:00PM at the EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY, 4747 West Napoleon Ave, Metairie, La. and there is adequate parking in the fenced in parking lot. All meetings are open to the public. The Discussion Group will focus “Modern Theosophy” upon the study of books related to Theosophy and Self-transformation. We plan to encourage a general understanding and familiarity with the key ideas from Western and Eastern schools of philosophy, the latest theories and trends in modern science, and a comparative study of the world's major religious traditions. The study group functions as the New Orleans Theosophical Study Center. All programs are open to the public. We are committed to offering:
(1) Public programs including lectures based on a wide variety of theosophically related topics;
(2) Member meetings and activities designed to encourage meditation and esoteric study;
(3) Service projects chosen annually to benefit our community and state. Through study, meditation, and service, our purpose is to foster in-depth exploration in support of the journey of self discovery and transformation.
*MEMBERSHIP
Approval of the three objects of the Theosophical Society is the sole condition of membership to the society. There are no dogmatic beliefs at the TS. All members have an equal right to any school of thought, and are therefore requested to refrain from forcing their thoughts or opinions on others. To belong to the Theosophical Society in New Orleans- Provisional Study Group ( TSNO-PSG ), you must first belong to the Theosophical Society in America. A member of the the TSNO-PSG will sign your membership form and send it to the national secretary, Wheaton, Illinois. You may contact us on Facebook for assistance in joining. National membership dues are $60.00 a year. Dues are reduced to $30 per year for student members (under the age of 25). For more details go to:
http://www.theosophical.org/membership/join
Theosophical Society in America
1926 North Main Street/P.O. Box 270
Wheaton, Illinois 60187/60189-0270
(630) 668-1571
www.theosophical.org
We reserve the right to ask persons being disruptive or disrespectful to leave our meetings.Thanks for your cooperation.
*PURPOSE
The Society seeks to bring people together; to discuss in order to reconcile the religions, philosophies, and sciences of both the East and West; to increase awareness of the Inner Powers inherent in every person and to promote the international brotherhood of man. We meet as individuals to share, not to impose, our many and various viewpoints, but we are also united by our acceptance of its three objects (listed above), by our dedication to promoting brotherhood, and by our efforts to foster Scientific, Religious and Philosophical understanding and cooperation among all people everywhere. We hold that truth should be sought by study, reflection and service, and not imposed by authority as a dogma and we practice no rituals. Peace is our desire, truth is our goal. We ask that anyone attending our meetings leave their own personal political views and beliefs at the door, however, we respect the right of every individual to believe and practice their own individual belief in politics and no one will be discriminated because of their own individual political beliefs.
*HISTORY:
The Theosophical Society is a worldwide organization that was founded in New York on November 17, 1875. Today, the “ TS” (as it is sometimes known) has branches in some 60 countries, with its international headquarters in India. The Theosophical Society in New Orleans is a local Provisional Study Group of the Theosophical Society in America and the International Theosophical Society (Adyar, India). The following is a partial list of famous people who were either Theosophist or involved , in some way, with Theosophy:
Thomas Edison , American inventor of the electric light, phonograph, etc. (1847 –1931)
Albert Einstein- favorite book was reportedly “The Secret Doctrine” by the founder of Theosophy, HPB
Elvis Presley , American rock and roll musician (1935 –1977)
Jawaharlal Nehru , first Prime Minister of India, 1947 –64 (1889 –1964)
Mohandas K. Gandhi , Indian patriot, framer of satyagraha (1869 –1948)
Baroness Jane Goodall , scientist working with chimpanzees, (b. 1934)
Carl Gustav Jung , founder of analytical psychology (1875 –1961). General Abner Doubleday , father of baseball (1819 –1893)
Lyman Frank Baum , American author of The Wizard of Oz and other children’s stories (1851 –1919)
William Butler Yeats , Anglo-Irish poet and playwright (1865 –1939)
Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), author of the Alice Books, Sylvie and Bruno, etc. (1832 –1898)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, British author of Sherlock Holmes stories, (1882 –1941)
D. Lawrence , English novelist, The Plumed Serpent, etc. (1885 –1930)
T. Eliot , Anglo-American poet and critic (1888 –1965)
Thornton Wilder , American novelist and playwright, The Cabala, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Our Town, The Matchmaker [ > Hello, Dolly!], The Skin of Our Teeth (1897 –1975)
Sir William Crookes , theoretical physicist and inventor the TV tube and fluorescent lighting (1832 –1919)
Gustav Mahler , symphonic composer (1860 –1911)
Hernández Martínez , President of El Salvador (1882 –1966)
George Lansbury , leader of British Labour party, 1931 –5, (1859 –1940)
Adolph Hi**er- favored Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine above other books and kept it by his bedside. He perverted and adopted his own view of Theosophical beliefs in the formation of the N**I Party and used the Sw****ka from it's crest as the emblem of Na**sm. His prevision of Theosophy has done more to damage the image of Theosophy than possibly anything else.
*REINCARNATION:
REINCARNATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT of Theosophy. It is a key that unlocks the door to understanding a great deal about human life that otherwise remains puzzling. In the Western world, the most generally accepted view of the soul is that it is newly created with the physical body. However, more recently a widespread popular belief in reincarnation has arisen. In religious circles today, interest in the theory of reincarnation has revived, and psychologists are also discussing the subject. The word reincarnation is derived from re “again,” or “into,” and carn “flesh.” It therefore signifies “repeated entering into a fleshly body.” In other words, we are spiritual intelligences, sparks of the life of God, clothed in bodies of varying grades of matter, coming to earth in order to learn. We have to pass through a long succession of earthly lives in order to develop our latent powers through struggle with circumstances and within a network of relationships with others. Reincarnation explains the differences we see all around us that neither environment nor heredity account for. Heredity and environment alone do not explain the almost endless variations in circumstances, talents, capacities, and abilities of human beings. If reincarnation is accepted as a working hypothesis—even if not as proven fact—such differences are understandable: each soul comes into a physical body bringing along the fruit of past lives. Talent is no gift; it is the result of lives of work in a particular endeavor. In Christianity, reincarnation was a belief of Jesus (Matthew 17:9-13 & 11:11-15) as well as all the Popes and Saints until the 6th Century. In 533 AD the Roman Emperor Justinian called a meeting of the entire Catholic Church in Constantinople to review certain Church doctrine, including reincarnation. It was seen as a set-up and the Pope and all the Eastern Bishops, except 6 from Africa, boycotted the conference. Justinian and his wife, Theodora, heavily encouraged the participants to reject reincarnation. After a vote of the 171 Bishops present they rejected reincarnation by 1 vote. Therefore ,Christianity has not had an “official” a belief in reincarnation in the past 1500 years, although it remains a belief of virtually ever other major religion to this day. General Information
The Theosophical Society, while reserving for each member full freedom to interpret those teachings known as Theosophy, is dedicated to preserving and realizing the ageless wisdom, which embodies both a worldview and a vision of human self-transformation. This tradition is founded upon certain fundamental propositions:
The universe and all that exists within it are one interrelated and interdependent whole. Devotion to truth, love for all living beings, and commitment to a life of active altruism are the marks of the true Theosophist.
