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We offer several weekly study classes, offered online via Zoom, where you can attend from the comfort of your own home. We also host free online special events, including spring and fall lecture series. Follow the links below to sign up!
Key Concepts
What are the central ideas of Theosophy?
Universal Brotherhood & Sisterhood
The First Object of the original Theosophical Society is “to form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, colour, or creed.” Theosophy proposes that Oneness and Interdependence are facts of Nature and that Human Solidarity is a reflection of that fact. Learning to better exemplify our inherent Unity in practice is part of our shared journey.
Human Perfectibility
Theosophy proposes a view of human evolution that includes self-devised and self-induced efforts. Humanity evolves together through countless ages, but individuals can hasten their mental and spiritual evolution. Our progress is ultimately self-directed and self-driven. It is this doctrine that opens the possibility of the existence of more advanced humans—called Adepts and Mahatmas—who aid humanity in our evolution.
Karma
Human justice often makes mistakes and fails to reflect the full truth of complex situations. But is there a Universal Justice that never errs? Theosophy, along with many ancient religions and philosophies, proposes that there is. While there is an inherent Harmony in the Universal Soul, we have free will and can deviate from that harmony in thought, word and action. Karma is the name given to that Law which counterbalances the effects of such deviations, thus sustaining Universal Harmony.
Reincarnation
One life is far too short to accomplish all that our Souls yearn to do! Theosophy, like nearly all ancient religions and philosophies, embraces the idea of Reincarnation as a necessity for our spiritual evolution. In ancient and modern traditions there is a vast and detailed doctrine about the passage of the Soul—or Reincarnating Ego—from life to life, with many intriguing ideas about after life states and the nature of our consciousness.
Cycles & Evolution
Theosophy teaches that evolution applies to the whole of our being, with physical, mental and spiritual streams of evolution occurring simultaneously. It also teaches the doctrine of cycles, where it is understood that periodicity is a fundamental feature of Nature, with processes (including our evolution) following regular cyclical patterns and alterations like that of day and night, waking and sleeping, life and death. These doctrines give a grander view of where we came from and where we are destined to go.
Divisions of Man and Nature
Theosophy proposes that we can understand the nature of a human being, a planet, a solar system, and so on, by recognizing each and every such entity as a composite of “principles” or parts. We view Man as a multifaceted being, with a body, a soul, a spirit—each of these being examined and also understood as composed of multiple parts. Planets are understood to be inherent parts of larger systems, not only physical solar systems, but groups or “chains” of spheres on higher and lower planes. This doctrine opens up our understanding of who we are and where we live.