What is Theosophical Society?

The Theosophical Society was founded in New York City in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, and William Quan Judge. Its primary objectives, as articulated in its constitution, are: to form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color; to encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science; and to investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in humanity. The Society's teachings, known as Theosophy, draw heavily from ancient Eastern philosophies, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as Western esoteric traditions, Neoplatonism, and Gnosticism. Key concepts include reincarnation, karma, the evolution of consciousness, the existence of a hierarchical structure of spiritual beings (Mahatmas or Masters), and the essential unity of all life. Blavatsky's seminal works, 'Isis Unveiled' (1877) and 'The Secret Doctrine' (1888), are foundational texts that elaborate on these principles, presenting a vast synthesis of esoteric knowledge aimed at revealing the underlying spiritual truths common to all religions. The Society experienced significant growth and influence, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, impacting various spiritual and artistic movements.

The Theosophical Society emerged during a period of intense scientific materialism and religious skepticism, offering an alternative spiritual framework. Its founders sought to revive ancient wisdom traditions, believing that these contained profound truths about humanity's origin, purpose, and destiny. The Society's emphasis on universal brotherhood challenged prevailing social and racial prejudices, while its comparative study of religions aimed to uncover a 'Wisdom-Religion' underlying all faiths. Theosophy posits a complex cosmology and anthropology, including concepts like root races, planetary chains, and the septenary constitution of man. It significantly influenced the New Age movement, various occult societies, and even some aspects of modern psychology and art, by introducing Eastern spiritual concepts to the Western world and encouraging a scientific approach to spiritual phenomena.

The term 'Theosophy' combines the Greek words 'theos' (god, divine) and 'sophia' (wisdom), meaning 'Divine Wisdom.'

A common misconception is that the Theosophical Society is a religion itself, whereas its founders maintained it was a body of seekers of truth, open to people of all faiths or none. Another misconception is that it promotes a specific dogma; instead, it encourages individual inquiry and comparative study. Some confuse Theosophy with Anthroposophy, a later offshoot founded by Rudolf Steiner, or with various cults due to its esoteric nature and the controversies surrounding some of its leaders.