Theosophical Society in America

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The Theosophical Society in America (TSA) is the American Section of the international Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India. Under American law it has the legal status of a member-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the teaching of Theosophy.

More information is on the official website and a video history is available at "The Theosophical Society in America: An Illustrated History: 1875-2000."

Organization name

From 1895 until 1934, the organization was known as the American Section or American Theosophical Society, but on August 20, 1934 the name "Theosophical Society in America" was legally adopted.[1] Previously, other organizations had used the same name during the years 1895-98 and 1898-1908.

History

Russian noblewoman Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and American Colonel Henry Steel Olcott founded the Theosophical Society with attorney William Quan Judge and others in late 1875 in New York City.[2] After his two major co-founders departed for India in 1879 to establish the international headquarters of the Society in Adyar, India (near Madras, now known as Chennai), young Mr. Judge earnestly carried on the work of advancing interest in Theosophy within the United States. By 1886 he had established an American Section of the international Society with branches in fourteen cities. Rapid growth took place under his guidance, so that by 1895 there were 102 American branches with nearly six thousand members.[3] Madame Blavatsky died in 1891, leaving Colonel Olcott and English social activist Annie Besant as the principal leaders of the international movement based in Adyar, and William Quan Judge heading the American Section.

During the contentious 9th Annual Convention of the American Section in 1895, eighty-three lodges voted for autonomy from the international Theosophical Society (Adyar). The international President-Founder, Colonel Olcott, interpreted this action as secession, and revoked the charters of those lodges, whose members reorganized into the first organization called "Theosophical Society in America" under William Quan Judge.[4] After Judge's death the following year, Katherine Tingley stepped into the leadership of that organization, and in 1898 folded the Theosophical Society in America into the Universal Brotherhood, resulting in the Universal Brotherhood and Theosophical Society.[5][6] After several changes in location and name, the successor organization is now known as the Theosophical Society (Pasadena). Other groups split off from Tingley's organization over the years, becoming Theosophical Society in America (Hargrove), the United Lodge of Theosophists, Theosophical Society (Point Loma-The Hague), Temple of the People in Halcyon, California, and others.[7] This second "Theosophical Society in America" headed by Ernest Temple Hargrove dropped the words "in America" from its name in 1908.[8]

Five American lodges that had opposed the 1895 secession retained their affiliation with the international Society in Adyar, along with additional lodges that had not sent representatives to the 1895 convention. They formed a new American Section known as the American Theosophical Society under the leadership of Alexander Fullerton.[9] Extensive lecture tours by Annie Besant and Constance Wachtmeister elicited much new interest in the American Theosophical Society,[10] so that by 1900 the organization claimed 1286 members and 71 branches.[11]

The American Theosophical Society was legally renamed "The Theosophical Society in America" in 1934, and has existed under that name ever since.[12] Like other Theosophical groups, the organization aspires to educate the public about the principles of Theosophy through publications, public programs, and local group activities. A video of Society history is available.

In an attempt to clarify the complex history of the Theosophical movement in the United States, Dorothy Bell has created a diagram along the lines of a family tree, which can be viewed at American Family Tree of Theosophy. See also Other Theosophical societies in the United States below.

Organization

The modern Theosophical Society in America (TSA) is a member-based not-for-profit corporation. It is incorporated in the state of Illinois with federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The national headquarters has been located in Wheaton, Illinois since 1927. About 115 local groups include branches (also called lodges) and smaller study centers. As of 2008, the membership comprised about 4000 people. A considerable number of members-at-large are affiliated directly with the national center.

The administrative center of the TSA (called "Olcott" in honor of the President-Founder) is located in Wheaton, Illinois.

Philosophy

The Theosophical Society in America is composed of individuals united by their concurrence with its three Objects, by their dedication to promoting brotherhood, and by their interest in study and spiritual self-transformation. Theosophists consider that belief should be the result of individual study, experience, and insight, rather than reliance on dogma. They see each religion as an expression of Divine Wisdom, adapted to the needs of a particular time and place. Theosophy regards the universe as alive and interrelated, with an intelligent order guiding the cyclical evolution of all life. The Theosophical Society in America supports the right of individual freedom of thought for every person, and no doctrine is in any way binding on any member of the Society.[13]

TSA philosophy is also represented in the Theosophical Worldview statement.

Objects

File:Three Objects.jpg

The three declared Objects of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) are:

  • To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
  • To encourage the comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science.
  • To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in Man.[14]

For more information and a history of changes in the wording, see Objects of the Theosophical Society.

Mission statement

Theosophical Society in America has a Vision of wholeness that inspires a fellowship united in study, meditation, and service.

Its Mission is to encourage open-minded inquiry into world religions, philosophy, science, and the arts in order to understand the wisdom of the ages, respect the unity of all life, and help people explore spiritual self-transformation.[15]

Its Ethic holds that our every action, feeling, and thought affects all other beings and that each of us is capable of and responsible for contributing to the benefit of the whole.

Statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Theosophical Society in America embraces diversity and inclusion, believing our differences make us stronger and wiser as a whole. We stand for equity and justice for all. We affirm the spiritual unity that exists at the core of all beings while honoring the unique and diverse paths that individuals walk, including but not limited to differences in age, gender, religious or spiritual tradition, race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

We denounce racism and intolerance in any form, both past and present, and encourage all members of the Theosophical Society in America to self-evaluate and explore cultural biases that are an inherent part of physical manifestation.

We strive to create an open and safe community where seekers from every walk of life are respectfully heard and have access to spiritual resources that speak to their unique life experiences.

Leadership

The TSA is governed by a Board of Directors that meets at the national headquarters. Officers include a president, vice president, national treasurer, and national secretary. Two directors are elected by members from each of three geographical districts in the United States.

The national president also has the title of General Secretary for the American Section of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) based in Chennai, India, and participates in the General Council that governs the international Society. These are the presidents since the 1895 reorganization of the American Society:

Term of Office President
1895–1907 Alexander Fullerton
1907–1912 Dr. Weller Van Hook
1912–1920 A. P. Warrington
1920–1931 L. W. Rogers
1931–1945 Sidney A. Cook
1945–1960 James S. Perkins
1960–1965 Dr. Henry A. Smith
1965–1974 Joy Mills
1974–1975 Ann Wylie
1975–1987 Dora van Gelder Kunz
1987–1993 Dorothy Abbenhouse
1993–2002 Dr. John Algeo
2002–2011 Betty Bland
2011–2017 Tim Boyd
2017–2023 Dr. Barbara Hebert
2023–present Dr. Douglas Keene

National headquarters

L. W. Rogers Building

Under Alexander Fullerton, the American Theosophical Society (now known as Theosophical Society in America) was based in New York City, but his successor, Dr. Weller Van Hook, moved the headquarters to Chicago in 1907. A. P. Warrington transferred operations to Hollywood in 1912, where the Theosophical colony of Krotona was established. Most of the colony moved north in 1924 to Ojai, California to become the Krotona Institute of Theosophy, while the headquarters returned to Chicago in 1920 when L. W. Rogers took office.

Annie Besant in cornerstone ceremony.

During his presidency, Mr. Rogers sought to establish a permanent headquarters in a central and accessible location. He led a search for land where a new headquarters could be established. Dozens of sites within 500 miles of Chicago were considered before an appropriate property was located in Wheaton, Illinois. This western suburb of Chicago met all the search criteria in that it was centrally located, with excellent rail transportation, a serene rural atmosphere, and affordable land. In 1925 the Society purchased almost 10 acres (4 hectares)of farmland, and immediately began planting a grove of trees.[16] This is currently known as the Olcott Center, named in honor of the President-Founder of the Theosophical Society, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.

At the recommendation of Theosophist and architect Claude Fayette Bragdon, the Chicago architectural firm of Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd was engaged to design the headquarters building. Annie Besant laid cornerstone on August 29, 1926 in a ceremony that was attended by Jiddu Krishnamurti and a huge crowd.[17] In September 1927 staff members moved operations to the new structure, which was eventually named the L. W. Rogers Building.[18] Designed in a collegiate gothic style by Irving Kane Pond, the three-story building consists of offices, library, classroom, auditorium, meditation room, kitchen, dining room, garage, and residential wing for staff members and visitors. In 1931 Mrs.Shillard-Smith, commissioned painter Richard Blossom Farley to create the colorful mural of evolving life that is still on view in the two-story lobby.[19]

National library and archives

Books and periodicals have always been extremely important to Theosophists as tools for study. In 1922, L. W. Rogers established the national library,[20] and when the headquarters building was constructed in Wheaton a two-story library was incorporated into the design. The original space was expanded in 1962-63 to add offices, meeting rooms, stacks, and basement storage.[21]

The Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library houses books, periodicals, pamphlets, microfilm, videos, and audio recordings. The collection focuses on Theosophy, religion, science, philosophy, art, biography, and health. The reading room is open to the public six days each week; members of the Society and other library patrons can borrow library materials by mail or in person. The library belongs to a consortium of libraries within the RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library) System. Through that relationship and the OCLC interlibrary loan system, the library loans materials locally and throughout the United States. The Olcott Library works in close cooperation with the Emily Sellon Memorial Library at the New York Theosophical Society, and the Krotona Library in Ojai, California.[22]

Archival collections include organizational records, and also special collections of papers from Boris de Zirkoff, Mary K. Neff, Fritz and Dora Kunz, and others. Records of the American Theosophical movement before 1896 are in the archives of the Theosophical Society (Pasadena).

Activities and programs

The national center and local groups offer lectures, study groups, workshops, and other programs to members and the general public. Subject matter is wide-ranging to facilitate the study of modern Theosophy, comparative religion, philosophy, science, health, and art. Other classes have included Hatha yoga, qigong, Therapeutic Touch, and many forms of meditation.[23]

Regular programming is available online as webcasts and webinars, and many lectures are available on a YouTube channel.

Some notable speakers at national programs have included the 14th Dalai Lama, Bede Griffiths, Lama Anagarika Govinda, Marc Edmund Jones, Dane Rudhyar, Ram Dass, Stephan A. Hoeller, Huston Smith, Rupert Sheldrake, Cleve Backster, Ian Stevenson, Fritjof Capra, Amit Goswami, Ravi Ravindra, Andrew Harvey, Alan Watts, and Jean Houston. The Society has also sponsored regional and national conferences focused on special topics such as education, science, and healing. Hundreds of programs have been recorded or webcast, with many available free online.

Publishing

The Theosophical Society in America has published books, pamphlets, and periodicals since its earliest days under the auspices of the Rajput Press and the Theosophical Book Concern. The Theosophical Publishing House publishes Theosophical classics such asThe Secret Doctrine by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. From 1966-2023 it also published books under the Quest Books imprint on a broad array of topics including Theosophy, transpersonal psychology, comparative religion, ecology, spiritual growth, and health for a general audience. That imprint was discontinued due to changes in the publishing industry.

Quest magazine focuses on Theosophy, philosophy, religion, science, and the arts; articles from some past issues are available online. A free monthly electronic newsletter is distributed by e-mail to members and other interested people, and past issues are online. Many of the branch locations, federations, and retreat centers produce their own printed or digital newsletters and program listings.

Quest Book Shops

Quest Bookshops are commercial enterprises operated by the Theosophical Society in America and its affiliates to sell books, recordings, and other items of interest to students of Theosophy. Locations include shops in Wheaton, Illinois; New York City; Seattle; and Ojai, California at Krotona Institute of Theosophy.

Affiliated organizations

The Theosophical Order of Service (TOS) engages in service projects in seven areas: animal welfare; art and music; ecology; family and children; healing; peace; and social service. It has a website.

Theosophical Book Gift Institute (TBGI) distributes Theosophical books free to libraries and prisoners.

Order of the Knights of the Round Table sponsors activities for children and adults, and Young Theosophists (YT) is a young adult group.

The Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California, offers classes in Theosophical subjects. See website. Four retreat centers facilitate fellowship and study in serene natural settings:

Other Theosophical societies in the U. S.

The most prominent organizations now supporting study of Theosophy in the United States apart from the Theosophical Society in America are the Theosophical Society (Pasadena), and the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT), based in Los Angeles. These three organizations have worked together cordially, most notably at the 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. Collaborative efforts at that event included panel discussions and audiovisual productions: Ultimate Concerns, Theosophic Worldview, and Inter-Theosophical Dialogue: the Theosophical Movement Past and Future.

The Pasadena-based group is composed (as of 2009) of sections in nine countries, and offers a library, correspondence courses, study groups, publications, and an extensive array of full-text Theosophical literature on its web page. Members supplement study of the Helena Blavatsky works with writings by William Quan Judge, Katherine Tingley, Gottfried de Purucker, and others.[24]

The ULT, founded by Robert Crosbie, is dedicated to the study of the writings of Helena Blavatsky and William Quan Judge as printed from original plates or from photographic reproductions of original texts. Twenty-two lodges and ten study groups are located in fourteen countries.[25]

By way of comparison, the modern Theosophical Society in America bases its studies on Helena Blavatsky, but draws from a broad group of other Theosophical teachers, including Annie Besant, Alfred Percy Sinnett, Charles Webster Leadbeater, Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa, Ernest Wood, Clara Codd, Geoffrey Hodson, Nilakanta Sri Ram, Joy Mills, Radha Burnier, Stephan A. Hoeller, Robert Ellwood, and John Algeo.

Other Theosophical groups in the United States include the Theosophical Society Point Loma-The Hague, with headquarters in The Netherlands, and the Temple of the People in Halcyon, California. There are also smaller independent groups in various cities such as Boston and Orlando.

Online Resources

Articles

Video

YouTube channels presented by the TSA

Videos about the TSA

Additional resources

External links

References

  1. ↑ Anonymous, "The Name That Is Ours," The American Theosophist 22 no. 9 (September 1934): 193.
  2. ↑ Michael Gomes, Dawning of the Theosophical Movement (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987): 86-89.
  3. ↑ Bruce F. Campbell, Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1980), 104.
  4. ↑ Campbell, 111.
  5. ↑ Grace F. Knoche, "Katherine Tingley: A Biographical Sketch," Sunrise 47 no. 4 (April/May 1998), available online at http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/theos/th-ktgk1.htm (accessed 12 November 2009).
  6. ↑ W.Michael Ashcraft, The Dawn of the New Cycle (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2002), 37-38.
  7. ↑ Curuppumallage Jinarajadasa, The Golden Book of the Theosophical Society: a Brief History of the Society's Growth from 1875-1955 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925), 141.
  8. ↑ Anonymous, "T. S. Activities," Theosophical Quarterly 6 no. 1 (July, 1908): 88.
  9. ↑ Joy Mills, 100 Years of Theosophy: A History of the Theosophical Society in America (Wheaton, Ill.: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 27-29.
  10. ↑ Joy Mills, 100 Years of Theosophy: A History of the Theosophical Society in America (Wheaton, Ill.: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 27-29.
  11. ↑ Mills, 34.
  12. ↑ Anonymous, "The Name That Is Ours," The American Theosophist 22 no. 9 (September 1934): 193.
  13. ↑ Theosophical Society in America, "Introduction," Theosophical Society in America, http://www.theosophical.org/about-us (accessed 19 August 2010)
  14. ↑ Theosophical Society in America, "Introduction," Theosophical Society in America, http://www.theosophical.org/about-us/the-society/3-objects (accessed 19 August 2010).
  15. ↑ Theosophical Society in America, "Mission Statement," Theosophical Society in America, http://www.theosophical.org/about-us/1044 (accessed 19 August 2010).
  16. ↑ Mills, 91.
  17. ↑ Theosophical Society in America, "Laying the Cornerstone," The Messenger 14 no. 3 (August 1926): 55.\.
  18. ↑ Jeff Gresko, "The Final Touches," The Messenger no. 25 (November 1998): 1.
  19. ↑ Mills, 101.
  20. ↑ L. W. Rogers, “A National Theosophical Library,” The Messenger 11 no. 4 (September 1923): 69.
  21. ↑ Joy Mills, “Library Addition at Olcott,” The American Theosophist 50 no. 6 (June 1962): 112.
  22. ↑ Theosophical Society in America, “Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library,” Theosophical Society in America, http://www.theosophical.org/library (accessed 19 August 2010).
  23. ↑ Theosophical Society in America, “Programs at National Center,” Theosophical Society in America, https://www.theosophical.org/programs (accessed 16 December 2019).
  24. ↑ Theosophical Society, “History of the Theosophical Society,” Theosophical Society, http://www.theosociety.org/ (accessed 13 November 2009).
  25. ↑ United Lodge of Theosophists, “Lodges/Study Groups,” United Lodge of Theosophists, http://www.ult.org/ (accessed 13 November 2009)
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