Paul Brunton
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Paul Brunton (October 21, 1898 – July 27, 1981) was a British philosopher, mystic and traveler. He left a journalistic career to live among yogis, mystics, and holy men, and studied Eastern and Western esoteric teachings.
Personal life
Theosophical Society involvement
Mr. Brunton wrote of his introduction to Theosophy:
The roots of the story behind my book go back to boyhood, when I found myself taking a keen interest in the subject of Spiritualism. From the very first I quickly developed mediumistic powers, particularly clairvoyance and clairaudience, and thus obtained the best kind of proof of the existence of a psychic world, i.e. by first-hand personal experience, without resort to paid mediums. After I had completely established the truth of survival for myself, I turned to the study of Theosophy and joined the Theosophical Society.
I am grateful for what I learned during this second phase; but after two years’ membership I resigned from the Society. I felt that the adepts who had sponsored its foundation had now withdrawn and left the Society to its own devices. But theosophical study provided my first introduction to Oriental thought, and set me off upon a line of investigation which has become more fascinating still with the passage of time.[1]
The records of the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India show that Mr. Brunton was admitted under the name of Raphael Hurst to the Theosophical Society in the Astrological Lodge in London on April 30, 1920.[2]
Travel and study
Writings
Paul Brunton had an early career as a journalist, and also wrote extensively of his experiences in the East.
Periodicals
Brunton's writings have always been of interest to Theosophists. Dozens of reviews of and excerpts from his books have appeared in periodicals, including these listed in the Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals.
Books
Paul Brunton's books have been very popular, with many printings and translations into Dutch and German. Many are still in print, as well as audio and digital editions.
- Are You Upward Bound with William G. Fern (1931)
- A Search in Secret India. London: Rider & Co., 1934. Available at Internet Archive and Courtofrecord.org.
- The Secret Path. London: Rider & Co., 1934. Available at Internet Archive and Cincinnati Temple.
- A Search in Secret Egypt. (1936)
- A Message from Arunachala. (1936)
- A Hermit in the Himalayas. (1936)
- The Quest of the Overself. (1937)
- Indian Philosophy and Modern Culture. (1939)
- The Inner Reality. London: Rider & Co., 1949. Available at Internet Archive. [published in the US as Discover Yourself, same year]
- Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga. (1941)[12]
- The Wisdom of the Overself. (1943) Available at Selfdefinition.org.
- Spiritual Crisis of Man. (1952)
Published posthumously
Online resources
Articles
- Paul Brunton at Theosopedia.
- Paul Brunton in Wikipedia.
- Paul Brunton and Blavatsky by Jake Jaqua.
Books
- Paul Brunton - A Bridge Between India and the West by Annie Cahn Fung
Notes
- ↑ Paul Brunton, "My Tour Among the Yogis" The London Forum (incorporating The Occult Review) (August, 1934), 107-110. Extract from his book A Search in Secret India.
- ↑ Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at http://tsmembers.org/. See book 7, entry 82259 (website file: 7B/86).