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'''Geoffrey Hodson''' ([[March 12]], 1886, in Lincolnshire, England - [[January 23]], 1983 in Auckland, New Zealand) was a Theosophist, occultist, mystic, philosopher and esotericist, and a leader of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)]] for over 70 years. He was also a freemason and a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church.
Hodson traveled the world extensively lecturing for The Theosophical Society. He was the author of over fifty books on Theosophy, Spiritualism, psychic and spiritual development, mysticism, fairies, angels, meditation, health and disease. He also wrote over two hundred articles and held radio talks. See also '''[[Hodson writings]]'''.
[[File:Geoffrey Hodson 5 in Auckland 1953.jpg|180px|right|thumb|Geoffrey Hodson in Auckland, New Zealand, 1953.]]
[[File:Geoffrey Hodson 5 in Auckland 1953.jpg|180px|right|thumb|Geoffrey Hodson in Auckland, New Zealand, 1953.]]
[[File:Geoffrey Hodson 9 age 96.jpg|220px|right|thumb|Geoffrey Hodson at age 96.]]
[[File:Hodsons_at_Olcott_in_March_1967.JPG|230px|left|thumb|Geoffrey and Sandra Hodson at Olcott, June, 1967.]]
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Geoffrey Hodson was a spiritual light-bringer to humanity who passed through the world during our time. His full significance was overlooked by many because he refused to allow himself to be the focus of a personality cult. He thus effectively avoided in his own life the ‘guru adoration syndrome’, which has caused some erroneous ideas and self-promoting behaviours to proliferate during the course of the last half century and from many who had only a fraction of Mr. Hodson's insights and abilities. Instead, he presented a profound humility, putting himself at the service of others. His inner yogic practices and service to the world rapidly brought him under the direct inspiration and guidance of Adept and Archangelic teachers of the human race. It is these high teachers who should rightfully be regarded as the authentic basis of the “guru” archetype.
Geoffrey Hodson was a spiritual light-bringer to humanity who passed through the world during our time. His full significance was overlooked by many because he refused to allow himself to be the focus of a personality cult. He thus effectively avoided in his own life the ‘guru adoration syndrome’, which has caused some erroneous ideas and self-promoting behaviours to proliferate during the course of the last half century and from many who had only a fraction of Mr. Hodson's insights and abilities. Instead, he presented a profound humility, putting himself at the service of others. His inner yogic practices and service to the world rapidly brought him under the direct inspiration and guidance of Adept and Archangelic teachers of the human race. It is these high teachers who should rightfully be regarded as the authentic basis of the “guru” archetype.
Because Mr. Hodson was multi-faceted in his abilities he was difficult to characterize precisely. He was without doubt an illumined occultist (this misused and misunderstood word properly refers to someone who studies the “occult” or hidden side of nature); he was also a gnostic seer (gnostic meaning someone who knows in a spiritual sense), but could additionally be described as a mystic, a yogi, a healer, a philosopher and a humanitarian, as well as being an inspiring speaker and a friend and teacher to many. He had also been active as a priest in The Liberal Catholic Church (an independent apostolic church which came under theosophical influence) and had reached the 32nd degree in Co-freemasonry – a Masonic order that admits women co-equally with men. For his own part he modestly referred to himself as a “student of Theosophy” (Gk. Theos - God, Sophia – Wisdom) which, in its purest form, he saw as an important means whereby human-kind can save itself from itself. He devoted most of his life to exploring and teaching this perennial philosophy and used his other abilities, particularly his expanded psychic and spiritual powers, to support that ideal. Unlike most of his contemporaries who only had partial, theoretical, or incomplete experience of theosophical realities, he had actually realized these great perennial truths1 and had applied them effectively in his own life. Yet, he carried that insight with the humility and reserve that befits a genuine teacher - refusing to flaunt his own personality - whilst quietly and systematically spreading the truth as he saw it and ever responding to requests to teach, help, and heal others.<ref>[http://www.geoffreyhodson.com/Introduction.html]</ref>


== Early years ==
== Early years ==
Line 13: Line 17:
== Military service ==
== Military service ==


[[File:Hodsons_at_Olcott_in_March_1967.JPG|230px|right|thumb|Geoffrey and Sandra Hodson at Olcott, June, 1967.]]
== Activities in the Theosophical Society ==
== Activities in the Theosophical Society ==
Hodson served as the Director of Studies of the [[School of the Wisdom]] at the International Headquarters of the Theosophical Society at Adyar, India, for four sessions, in 1953-54, then in 1954-1955 and again in 1961.


== Clairvoyance ==
Hodson was a guest lecturer at the Krotona School of Theosophy in Ojai, California.


== Biography ==
He gave his last lecture, on 4 May 1982 at HPB Lodge in Auckland, aged 96, and eight months later he died in Auckland, on January 23, 1983.


John Kirk Robertson wrote a biography in 1971 of Geoffrey Hodson entitled ''Aquarian Occultist''. It was never formally published, but copies of the typescript are cataloged in the national Libraries of Australia and New Zealand, and in the Rare Books collection of the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]] in Wheaton, Illinois. Sandra Hodson wrote to a prospective publisher that her husband did not want the biography published.
== Clairvoyance ==


== Writings ==
== Other interests ==
=== Liberal Catholic Church ===


In 1954, Mr. Hodson was awarded the [[Subba Row Medal]] for his contributions to Theosophical literature.
=== Co-Masonry ===


Below is a list of some of his writings and published lectures:
===Brotherhood of Angels and Men===


* '''''Faeries at Work and at Play'''''. 1925.
=== Vegetarianism and treatment of animals ===


* '''''The Kingdom of Faerie'''''. 1927.
[[File:Geoffrey Hodson 9 age 96.jpg|180px|right|thumb|Geoffrey Hodson at age 96.]]
== Later years ==


* '''''The Science of Seership'''''. 1927.
Mr. Hodson gave his last lecture on May 4, 1982 at H.P.B. Lodge in Auckland. He passed away at his home on [[January 23]], 1983 at the age of 96. A funeral service was conducted three days later by Bishop Stuart Nicholls at the Liberal Catholic Church in Grafton.


* '''''The Brotherhood of Angels and of Men'''''. 1927.
== Writings ==


* '''''First Steps on the Path'''''. 1928.
See '''[[Hodson writings]]'''.


* '''''The Angelic Hosts'''''. 1928.
== Additional resources==


* '''''Be Ye Perfect'''''. 1928.
=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/hodson-geoffrey Hodson, Geoffrey] in Theosophy World.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/hodson-clairvoyant-research Hodson, Clairvoyant Research of] in Theosophy World.


* '''''Angels and the New Race'''''. 1929.
=== Biographies ===


* '''''American Lectures'''''. 1929.
John Kirk Robertson wrote a biography in 1971 of Geoffrey Hodson entitled ''Aquarian Occultist''. It was never formally published, but copies of the typescript are cataloged in the national Libraries of Australia and New Zealand, and in the Rare Books collection of the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]] in Wheaton, Illinois. Sandra Hodson wrote to a prospective publisher that her husband did not want the biography published.
 
* '''''Thus Have I Heard'''''. 1929.
 
* '''''The Miracle of Birth'''''. 1929.
 
* '''''The Inner Side of Church Worship'''''. 1930.
 
* '''''[http://resources.theosophical.org/pdf/Authors/Hodson/Hodson_Occult_View1925%20.pdf An Occult View of Health and Disease]'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925.
 
* '''''New Light on the Problem of Disease'''''. 1930.
 
* '''''Some Experiments in Four Dimensional Vision'''''. 1933.
 
* '''''The Coming of the Angels'''''. 1935.
 
* '''''Destiny'''''. 1936.
 
* '''''The Seven Human Temperaments'''''. 1952.
 
* '''''Man, the Triune God'''''. 1952.
 
* '''''Kingdom of the Gods'''''. 1952.
 
* '''''Through the Gateway of Death: A Message to the Bereaved'''''. 1953.
 
* '''''Theosophy Answers Some Problems of Life'''''. 1953.
 
* '''''Pathway to Perfection'''''. 1954.
 
* '''''Occult Powers in Nature and in Man'''''. 1955.
 
* '''''Lecture Notes: The School of the Wisdom'''''. 1955.
 
* '''''Vital Questions Answered'''''. 1959.
 
* '''''The Soul's Awakening: Talks on Occultism and the Occult Life'''''. 1963.


* '''''Hidden Wisdom in the Holy Bible'''''. 1963–1980.
Autobiographical writings of Geoffrey Hodson were compiled by Sandra Hodson.


* '''''Man's Supersensory and Spiritual Powers'''''. 1964.
* '''''Light of the Sanctuary'''''. Manila, Philippines: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988. ISBN-971-9113-0-0. Available at [https://www.minhtrietmoi.org/Theosophy/Hodson/Light%20of%20the%20sanctuary.htm# Minhtrietmoi.org website]. Extracts are available at [https://www.theosophy.world/resource/extracts-light-sanctuary-occult-diary-geoffrey-hodson Theosophy World].


* '''''Reincarnation, Fact or Fallacy?'''''. 1967.
Other biographical sketches:


* '''''Meditations on the Occult Life'''''. 1968.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/hodson-geoffrey Hodson, Geoffrey] in Theosophy World.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Hodson Geoffrey Hodson] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/resource/articles/geoffrey-hodson-story The Geoffrey Hodson Story] in Theosophy World.


* '''''The Supreme Splendour'''''. 1967.
=== Audio ===


* '''''The Priestly Ideal'''''. 1971.
Audio recordings available at '''[https://www.theosophy.world/resource/audio/geoffrey-hodson-audio-archive# Theosophy World website]''':


* '''''The Call to the Heights: Guidance on the Pathway to Self-Illumination'''''. 1975.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/resource/audio/geoffrey-hodson-audio-archive# Geoffrey Hodson Audio Archive].
* [https://theosophy.world/sites/default/files/audio/Arundale,%20R/940%20Arundale,%20R%20-%20From%20Man%20to%20Superman.mp3# From Man to Superman] in Theosophy World.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/resource/audio/story-my-life-geoffrey-hodson# The Story Of My Life (3 parts)] in Theosophy World.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/resource/audio/audio-recordings-taken-usa# Audio Recordings Taken In The USA] in Theosophy World. These lectures were delivered in 1977 at [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]].


* '''''Christ Life from Nativity to Ascension'''''. 1975.
Over 40 recordings were posted by [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]] on the '''[https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Geoffrey+Hodson%2C+1886-1983.%22 Internet Archive]''' of lectures given at the [[Theosophical Society in America]]. Examples are:


* '''''Music Forms: Superphysical Effects of Music Clairvoyantly Observed'''''. 1976.
* [https://archive.org/details/psychedelic-and-yogic-pathways-to-reality-hodson Psychedelic and Yogic Pathways to Reality]. 1967.
* [https://archive.org/details/rose-and-the-cross-hodson The Rose and the Cross]. 1956.
* [https://archive.org/details/1427_20200116 Some Reflections on Teaching Theosophy]. 1961.
* [https://archive.org/details/1176norm The Sublime Purpose of Human Existence]. 1967.
* [https://archive.org/details/1173_20191125 Man's Pathway to Perfection].
* [https://archive.org/details/theosophical-audio-library?sort=-week Yoga: Man's Way to Power and Knowledge].
* [https://archive.org/details/zen-practice-and-zen-consciousness-hodson Zen Practice and Zen Consciousness].


* '''''At the Sign of the Square and Compass'''''. 1976.
'''Theosophy New Zealand''' recordings:
* [https://theosophy.nz/news-resources/the-pathway-to-perfection The Pathway to Perfection] audio book read by Geoffrey Hodson at Theosophy New Zealand website.


* '''''Clairvoyant Investigations of Christian Origins'''''. 1977.
=== Video lectures of Hodson ===


* '''''Basic Theosophy: The Living Wisdom (condensed from Lecture Notes)'''''. 1981.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrDDtSI4Yg0# The Hierarchy of Earth's Adepts: Part 1] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIbcGR1Wmbo# Part 2] by Geoffrey Hodson
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9KZWwaa9d4&t=477s# Interpretations of the Life and teachings of Christ]. 1977. A presentation of Geoffrey Hodson given at the Krotona Institute in 1977.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2jzFV2RkaE Atlantis]. Geoffrey Hodson presents a talk on Atlantis thought to have been given in Australia around the 1960s.


* '''''The Concealed Wisdom in World Mythology'''''. 1983.
=== Videos about or inspired by Hodson ===


* '''''Clairvoyant Investigations'''''. 1984.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WGssopZcig Geoffrey Hodson and the Cottingley Fairies] by in the New Thinking Allowed series. Jeffrey Mishlove shares many colorful illustrations of spiritual entities from Geoffrey Hodson's book, ''The Kingdom of the Gods''.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCPNwBLU24Q Super Human Consciousness], covering the life of clairvoyant occultist Geoffrey Hodson, discussing clairvoyance, seers, theosophy, occultism, self mastery, super human consciousness, esoteric science, angels, masters of the wisdom and more.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCW6_TIu_1s You think you are not clairvoyant?]. Ramsey Dukes relates how he discovered his own clairvoyance, inspired by Geoffrey Hodson's ''Kingdom of the Gods''.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMV6ueLRH3Y Be Ye Perfect]. 70 pages of book displayed as a video with music.


* '''''The Occult Philosophy Concealed within Freemasonry'''''. 1985.
=== Archival resources ===


* The Theosophical Society in America Archives has two large photo albums about Hodson donated by Diana Dunningham-Chapotin; a small collection from the family of [[Barbara Hebert|Barbara Bradley Hebert]]; and correspondence scattered throughout several collections. Two films have been digitized and made available through YouTube. 
* The Rare Books Room of the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]] holds a copy of a biography written by John Kirk Robertson in 1971, entitled ''Aquarian Occultist''.
* Copies of the same typescript of ''Aquarian Occultist'' are cataloged in the national Libraries of Australia and New Zealand.
* The headquarters of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand has Hodson materials.
== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references/>
<references/>

Latest revision as of 17:27, 28 December 2023

ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Geoffrey Hodson (March 12, 1886, in Lincolnshire, England - January 23, 1983 in Auckland, New Zealand) was a Theosophist, occultist, mystic, philosopher and esotericist, and a leader of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) for over 70 years. He was also a freemason and a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church.

Hodson traveled the world extensively lecturing for The Theosophical Society. He was the author of over fifty books on Theosophy, Spiritualism, psychic and spiritual development, mysticism, fairies, angels, meditation, health and disease. He also wrote over two hundred articles and held radio talks. See also Hodson writings.

Geoffrey Hodson in Auckland, New Zealand, 1953.

Introduction

Geoffrey Hodson was a spiritual light-bringer to humanity who passed through the world during our time. His full significance was overlooked by many because he refused to allow himself to be the focus of a personality cult. He thus effectively avoided in his own life the ‘guru adoration syndrome’, which has caused some erroneous ideas and self-promoting behaviours to proliferate during the course of the last half century and from many who had only a fraction of Mr. Hodson's insights and abilities. Instead, he presented a profound humility, putting himself at the service of others. His inner yogic practices and service to the world rapidly brought him under the direct inspiration and guidance of Adept and Archangelic teachers of the human race. It is these high teachers who should rightfully be regarded as the authentic basis of the “guru” archetype.

Because Mr. Hodson was multi-faceted in his abilities he was difficult to characterize precisely. He was without doubt an illumined occultist (this misused and misunderstood word properly refers to someone who studies the “occult” or hidden side of nature); he was also a gnostic seer (gnostic meaning someone who knows in a spiritual sense), but could additionally be described as a mystic, a yogi, a healer, a philosopher and a humanitarian, as well as being an inspiring speaker and a friend and teacher to many. He had also been active as a priest in The Liberal Catholic Church (an independent apostolic church which came under theosophical influence) and had reached the 32nd degree in Co-freemasonry – a Masonic order that admits women co-equally with men. For his own part he modestly referred to himself as a “student of Theosophy” (Gk. Theos - God, Sophia – Wisdom) which, in its purest form, he saw as an important means whereby human-kind can save itself from itself. He devoted most of his life to exploring and teaching this perennial philosophy and used his other abilities, particularly his expanded psychic and spiritual powers, to support that ideal. Unlike most of his contemporaries who only had partial, theoretical, or incomplete experience of theosophical realities, he had actually realized these great perennial truths1 and had applied them effectively in his own life. Yet, he carried that insight with the humility and reserve that befits a genuine teacher - refusing to flaunt his own personality - whilst quietly and systematically spreading the truth as he saw it and ever responding to requests to teach, help, and heal others.[1]

Early years

Military service

Geoffrey and Sandra Hodson at Olcott, June, 1967.

Activities in the Theosophical Society

Hodson served as the Director of Studies of the School of the Wisdom at the International Headquarters of the Theosophical Society at Adyar, India, for four sessions, in 1953-54, then in 1954-1955 and again in 1961.

Hodson was a guest lecturer at the Krotona School of Theosophy in Ojai, California.

He gave his last lecture, on 4 May 1982 at HPB Lodge in Auckland, aged 96, and eight months later he died in Auckland, on January 23, 1983.

Clairvoyance

Other interests

Liberal Catholic Church

Co-Masonry

Brotherhood of Angels and Men

Vegetarianism and treatment of animals

Geoffrey Hodson at age 96.

Later years

Mr. Hodson gave his last lecture on May 4, 1982 at H.P.B. Lodge in Auckland. He passed away at his home on January 23, 1983 at the age of 96. A funeral service was conducted three days later by Bishop Stuart Nicholls at the Liberal Catholic Church in Grafton.

Writings

See Hodson writings.

Additional resources

Articles

Biographies

John Kirk Robertson wrote a biography in 1971 of Geoffrey Hodson entitled Aquarian Occultist. It was never formally published, but copies of the typescript are cataloged in the national Libraries of Australia and New Zealand, and in the Rare Books collection of the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library in Wheaton, Illinois. Sandra Hodson wrote to a prospective publisher that her husband did not want the biography published.

Autobiographical writings of Geoffrey Hodson were compiled by Sandra Hodson.

Other biographical sketches:

Audio

Audio recordings available at Theosophy World website:

Over 40 recordings were posted by Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library on the Internet Archive of lectures given at the Theosophical Society in America. Examples are:

Theosophy New Zealand recordings:

Video lectures of Hodson

Videos about or inspired by Hodson

  • Geoffrey Hodson and the Cottingley Fairies by in the New Thinking Allowed series. Jeffrey Mishlove shares many colorful illustrations of spiritual entities from Geoffrey Hodson's book, The Kingdom of the Gods.
  • Super Human Consciousness, covering the life of clairvoyant occultist Geoffrey Hodson, discussing clairvoyance, seers, theosophy, occultism, self mastery, super human consciousness, esoteric science, angels, masters of the wisdom and more.
  • You think you are not clairvoyant?. Ramsey Dukes relates how he discovered his own clairvoyance, inspired by Geoffrey Hodson's Kingdom of the Gods.
  • Be Ye Perfect. 70 pages of book displayed as a video with music.

Archival resources

  • The Theosophical Society in America Archives has two large photo albums about Hodson donated by Diana Dunningham-Chapotin; a small collection from the family of Barbara Bradley Hebert; and correspondence scattered throughout several collections. Two films have been digitized and made available through YouTube.
  • The Rare Books Room of the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library holds a copy of a biography written by John Kirk Robertson in 1971, entitled Aquarian Occultist.
  • Copies of the same typescript of Aquarian Occultist are cataloged in the national Libraries of Australia and New Zealand.
  • The headquarters of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand has Hodson materials.

Notes