Theosophy

Question 1

4 Post-Renaissance tensions of esotericism

Answer 1

1. Antiquity (“just how it works”) vs direct experience
2. Non-Western sources (compatible with Christianity?)
3. Short-sighted knowledge vs societal transformation
4. Interest in secret societies vs accessibility

Question 2

Mesmerism (founder, main ideas)

Answer 2

Franz Mesmer, animal magnetism, healing (touch/fluids), psych forerunner

Question 3

New thought (origin and summary)

Answer 3

American, everything bad caused by bad thinking

Question 4

Spiritualism (founder, 2 figures and summary)

Answer 4

Founder: Allen Kardec. (mediation = spiritual growth, belief in reincarnation)

Summary: Inspired by Swedenborg, basically seances (fox sisters = American entertainment)

Question 5

Theosophy founders

Answer 5

Blavatsky: into Eastern spirituality, allegedly channeled all works (Masters)

Henry Olcott: other founder

Founded theosophical society 1875

Question 6

3 aims of theosophy

Answer 6

Universal brotherhood, study religion/philosophy/science, investigate unexplained stuff (psychic, astral, near-death)

Question 7

Blavatsky main works and summary (2)

Answer 7

Isis unveiled, spirituality = “real” science (e.g. alchemy/astrology), single unifying principle.

Secret Doctrine: creation, reincarnation, cycles, lost races/continents (Atlantis), physical (racial) features = spiritual ones

Question 8

3 post-Blavatsky people

Answer 8

1. Besant: Christian->Theosophy, main leader after Blavatsky
2. Leadbeater: clairvoyance/astral projection, past lives, brings chakras/auras West
3. Krishnamurti: groomed by other two as “world teacher” but noped out

Question 9

Bailey, Steiner

Answer 9

Bailey: combined with Christian work, expelled/made Arcane School, coined “New Age”, “Age of Aquarius”

Steiner: lead in Germany but didn’t like the first three post-Blav guys, Anthroposophy (more Christian, innovates in medicine/agriculture/education)