There are two main facets to the work of the Theosophical Movement established by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891), William Quan Judge (1851-1896), and others at the end of the 19th century. What are those two facets to this work which was begun under the direct guidance and inspiration of the living Masters of the Great Lodge or Great Brotherhood?

The more general facet is Theosophy, in the fullest and broadest sense of the word. Theosophia literally means Divine Wisdom. As a practice, it is primarily a metaphysically oriented, ethical, compassionate, selfless life, placing the welfare of others ahead of one’s own, and always seeking after Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, constantly holding to the reality of Universal Brotherhood, or the Oneness of humanity and of all life, “the fundamental identity of all Souls with the Universal Over-Soul.” Therefore, says H. P. Blavatsky, “Many who have never heard of the [Theosophical] Society are Theosophists without knowing it themselves.” The names “Theosophy” and “Theosophist” are not the sectarian property of any organisation or any specific doctrinal system. Aspirants to Divine Wisdom can be found everywhere and thus Theosophists are everywhere.

Ultimately and in its highest meaning, Theosophy – Divine Wisdom or the Wisdom of the Gods – is really an attainment, a state, an unconditioned condition, not a doctrine or a fixed set of words, books, and teachings. The latter can tell us about Divine Wisdom (and can thus serve a very valuable, often indispensable, purpose) but that is an entirely different thing from reaching Divine Wisdom. 

The more specific facet to this Movement is the distinctive Esoteric Philosophy, Occult Science, or Secret Doctrine guarded and preserved by the Masters of Wisdom, who have been initiated into this very definite body of Knowledge or Teaching. A large part of Blavatsky’s work was to gradually give out portions of this philosophy to the general public. During her life, she published four main books: “Isis Unveiled,” “The Secret Doctrine,” “The Key to Theosophy,” and “The Voice of The Silence,” along with many articles. Her other writings were published after her death. Unlike most other authors of that period, her books are still in constant demand today around the world, as are the elucidations upon them written by her closest colleague (and fellow disciple of the same mysterious Indian Master belonging to the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood) William Q. Judge, particularly “The Ocean of Theosophy.”

These teachings deal with such subjects as Karma, reincarnation,  the origin, nature, and future of Earth and humanity (including planetary chains, globes, rounds, root races etc.), Atlantis and Lemuria, detailed explanations of the afterlife state and what happens between death and rebirth, the sevenfold nature of man, the real nature and system of evolution, and the birth, origins, and structure of the Universe.

But these teachings are not merely intellectual or theoretical. Judge writes, “The fundamental doctrines of Theosophy are of no value unless they are applied to daily life. To the extent to which this application goes they become living truths, quite different from intellectual expressions of doctrine. The mere intellectual grasp may result in spiritual pride, while the living doctrine becomes an entity through the mystic power of the human soul.” As in this quote, it is the case that the Founders occasionally use the term “Theosophy” in a doctrinal sense but most of the time they reserve this purely universal term for the sense in which we have given it above.

Although the real Founders of the Theosophical Society were the Masters who we have referred to, They did not expect everyone to be attracted to Their Esoteric Philosophy. Members of the Society were not obligated to subscribe to any particular teaching, belief, or idea, aside from the principle of Universal Brotherhood, which is the primary objective of the Theosophical Movement.

All Theosophical groups worldwide share the same Three Objects: (1) To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour; (2) The study of ancient and modern religions, philosophies and sciences, and the demonstration of the importance of such study; and (3) The investigation of the unexplained laws of nature and the psychical powers latent in man.

The majority of Theosophists did choose to actively study and promulgate the metaphysical and ethical teachings of H. P. Blavatsky and her Adept-Teachers, however, and thus those teachings have become a defining feature of the modern Theosophical Movement and completely synonymous in many people’s minds with the word “Theosophy,” although HPB often sought to emphasise Theosophy in the general way which we elaborated at the start. It is helpful to keep such distinctions in mind but one cannot become dogmatic about the “proper” use of terms. After all, this Movement was also founded with the aim of eradicating dogmatism and sectarianism!

Nonetheless, the Movement has been marred by sectarianism and dogmatism in various forms. Today there are four main independent branches or streams of the Theosophical Movement around the world; three which each call themselves the Theosophical Society, and one named the United Lodge of Theosophists, which does not claim to be a Theosophical Society but has a very specific declared focus on the writings of H. P. Blavatsky and William Q. Judge. 

This website is founded and maintained by an associate of the United Lodge of Theosophists in London, England, but who nevertheless has come to greatly appreciate the now defunct Theosophical Society that was headquartered in New York. Calling itself simply The Theosophical Society, it considered itself the original and true Theosophical Society that had been founded in 1875. We personally believe it was this, both historically and in spirit and method. Rarely, if ever, heard about today, we have written an extensive article on it titled The Forgotten Theosophical Society.

On this website, we seek to present and show the great value of the teachings given by Blavatsky and Judge, while also showing that the Theosophia or Divine Wisdom has always existed in the world and that in many of the sacred texts of the world’s mystical traditions can its sparkling jewels be found. We wish to make clear that this includes Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ, whether in the New Testament or the Gnostic Gospels, as well as the writings of many of the Christian Mystics of history.

Whether you are already a student of Theosophy, or looking for material to use at your Theosophical group, lodge, or branch, or whether you are a newcomer looking for answers, or have even stumbled on this site by “accident” when searching for something else, we trust you will find here whatever you need.

We recommend starting with some of the articles linked to in the top menu and also invite you to browse through the Articles page which lists and links to more than 400 articles, grouped into broad categories. You may also find the Books on Theosophy page useful.

This site is also associated with an “Original Theosophy” Facebook group which can be joined in order to connect with others around the world interested in studying, discussing, and deepening their understanding of the Theosophical teachings of Blavatsky, Judge, and the Masters.

The famous motto of the Theosophical Movement: “THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN TRUTH.”

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