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[[Theosophical Society]] founder [[H. P. Blavatsky]] was opposed to abortion, although not for religious reasons. In her teachings, the [[soul]] of a human being does not incarnate in a fetus, but does it gradually as the child grows up: | |||
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< | <blockquote>The sin [of abortion] is not regarded by the occultists as one of a "religious" character, for, indeed, there is no more of [[spirit]] and soul, for the matter of that, in a foetus or even in a child before it arrives at self-consciousness, than there is in any other small animal.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. V (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1997), 108.</ref></blockquote> | ||
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Further explanations can be found in a conversation in which [[Walter Gornold|Walter Old]] tells H. P. Blavatsky: "We have been accustomed to think . . . that this “[[Monad]]” incarnates at some period or other in the newly-born child—not, however, fully incarnating until seven years after birth."<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 573.</ref></blockquote> H.P.B answer was: | |||
<blockquote>The Monad overshadows the fetus only in the seventh month, and enters fully the child after he reaches consciousness. The [[Devachan]]ic entity [higher Ego] envelops, so to speak, the new entity, lights it up, but begins its process of assimilation only after the first ray of consciousness say at seven or eight months. Thus it does not enter it. It begins to overshadow it, it is there, it is led by Karmic law to it, but it cannot enter immediately. It is perfect nonsense to say the child has a soul, and is a human being before it is born.<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 575.</ref></blockquote> | |||
Walter Old thought that this view "is rather dangerous against the law of infanticide," to which Mme. Blavatsky replied: | |||
<blockquote>It cannot be taught to the masses and the people. But unfortunately the Hindus know it, and therefore they get rid of their children very easily.<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 576.</ref></blockquote> | |||
Blavatsky was against abortion due to the "willful and sinful destruction of life, and interference with the operations of nature, hence with [[Karma|KARMA]]."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. V (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1997), 108.</ref> She warned that abortion, | |||
<blockquote>When even successful and the mother does not die just then, ''it still shortens her life on earth to prolong it with dreary percentage in [[Kāmaloka|Kamaloka]]'', the intermediate sphere between the earth and the region of rest.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. V (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1997), 107.</ref></blockquote> | |||
== Online Resources == | == Online Resources == | ||
===Articles=== | ===Articles=== | ||
*[ | *[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/IsFoeticideACrime_HPBlavatsky.pdf# Is Foeticide A Crime] by H.P. Blavatsky | ||
* Colbert, James, "Abortion and the Reincarnation of the Soul." ''Theosophy Forward'' June 23, 2013. Avaiable online at [http://www.theosophyforward.com/index.php/medley/783-abortion-and-the-reincarnation-of-the-soul.html Theosophy Forward website]. | * Colbert, James, "Abortion and the Reincarnation of the Soul." ''Theosophy Forward'' June 23, 2013. Avaiable online at [http://www.theosophyforward.com/index.php/medley/783-abortion-and-the-reincarnation-of-the-soul.html Theosophy Forward website]. | ||
== Notes == | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Theosophical worldview]] | [[Category:Theosophical worldview]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:35, 4 November 2022
Theosophical Society founder H. P. Blavatsky was opposed to abortion, although not for religious reasons. In her teachings, the soul of a human being does not incarnate in a fetus, but does it gradually as the child grows up:
The sin [of abortion] is not regarded by the occultists as one of a "religious" character, for, indeed, there is no more of spirit and soul, for the matter of that, in a foetus or even in a child before it arrives at self-consciousness, than there is in any other small animal.[1]
Further explanations can be found in a conversation in which Walter Old tells H. P. Blavatsky: "We have been accustomed to think . . . that this “Monad” incarnates at some period or other in the newly-born child—not, however, fully incarnating until seven years after birth."[2] H.P.B answer was:
The Monad overshadows the fetus only in the seventh month, and enters fully the child after he reaches consciousness. The Devachanic entity [higher Ego] envelops, so to speak, the new entity, lights it up, but begins its process of assimilation only after the first ray of consciousness say at seven or eight months. Thus it does not enter it. It begins to overshadow it, it is there, it is led by Karmic law to it, but it cannot enter immediately. It is perfect nonsense to say the child has a soul, and is a human being before it is born.[3]
Walter Old thought that this view "is rather dangerous against the law of infanticide," to which Mme. Blavatsky replied:
It cannot be taught to the masses and the people. But unfortunately the Hindus know it, and therefore they get rid of their children very easily.[4]
Blavatsky was against abortion due to the "willful and sinful destruction of life, and interference with the operations of nature, hence with KARMA."[5] She warned that abortion,
When even successful and the mother does not die just then, it still shortens her life on earth to prolong it with dreary percentage in Kamaloka, the intermediate sphere between the earth and the region of rest.[6]
Online Resources
Articles
- Is Foeticide A Crime by H.P. Blavatsky
- Colbert, James, "Abortion and the Reincarnation of the Soul." Theosophy Forward June 23, 2013. Avaiable online at Theosophy Forward website.
Notes
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. V (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1997), 108.
- ↑ Michael Gomes (transcriber), The Secret Doctrine Commentaries (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 573.
- ↑ Michael Gomes (transcriber), The Secret Doctrine Commentaries (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 575.
- ↑ Michael Gomes (transcriber), The Secret Doctrine Commentaries (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 576.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. V (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1997), 108.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. V (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1997), 107.