Theosophical Society (Adyar)

The Theosophical Society was formed at New York on November 17, 1875. On April 3, 1905, it was incorporated at Chennai (Madras).

Three Declared Objects

No acceptance of particular beliefs or practices is required to join The Theosophical Society. All in sympathy with its three declared Objects are welcomed as members, which are:

• To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.

• To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science.

• To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

These three Objects form the foundation for the work of the Theosophical Society. However, they can be interpreted on many levels. Dr. John Algeo, former president of the TS in America, wrote: “The Objects of the Theosophical Society, like all great statements, can be understood in more than one way.”

The word “brotherhood” in the first Object is used without reference to gender. This Object aims at offering a space for people to come together and share their search for Truth, regardless of any external differences. The practice of this Object is a concrete recognition of humanity’s common essential nature and origin. It encourages us to appreciate external differences as something that enriches our human experience instead of being a source of intolerance and war. H. P. Blavatsky, Co-Founder of the TS, wrote: "Social differentiations, the result of physical evolutions and material environment, breed race hatreds and sectarian and social antipathies that are insurmountable if attacked from the outside. But, since human nature is ever identical, all men are alike open to influences which centre upon the human "heart," and appeal to the human intuition. And as there is but one Absolute Truth, which is the soul and life of all human creeds, it is possible to effect a reciprocal alliance for the research and dissemination of that basic Truth."

For the "research and dissemination of that basic Truth", the second Object of the TS proposes a comparative study of three different avenues humanity has taken to the understanding of life: religion, philosophy, and science. The Society was thus the first organization in modern times to promote interfaith activities worldwide and in a systematic way. One of its aims was to bring to the West the wisdom of the East, when non Judeo-Christian religions were considered to be mere superstitions. Thanks to the work of the TS, words like karma, yoga, and many others became known to the general public outside scholarly circles. The Society was also the first organization working to bridge the gap between Science and Spirituality in a time when they were regarded as absolutely incompatible.

Finally, the third Object encourages us to investigate what has sometimes been called the "hidden side" of life and of human beings. In the Theosophical view it is very important to learn about the deep purpose of life, the spiritual laws that guide our evolution, and to discover how to awaken to the spiritual potential that is inherent in every one of us. This is the only sure foundation to peace on earth. Real harmony and cooperation cannot be attained merely through politics and social reform (though they may be necessary), but through the transformation of the human heart and mind. H. P. Blavatsky, examining the accomplishments of the TS in its first 14 years, wrote: ". . . the key to all our successes as above enumerated is in our recognition of the fact of the Higher Self --colourless, cosmopolitan, unsectarian, sexless, unworldly, altruistic-- and the doing of our work on that basis. To the Secularist, the Agnostic, the Sciolistic Scientist, such results would have been unattainable, nay, would have been unthinkable. Peace Societies are Utopian, because no amount of argument based upon exoteric considerations of social morals or expediency, can turn the hearts of the rulers of nations away from selfish war and schemes of conquest."

See also

• Objects of the Theosophical Society.
• Universal Brotherhood

Freedom of Thought

Any person in sympathy with the three Objects can join the Theosophical Society. The Society maintains the right of individual freedom of thought for every member, and nobody is asked to give up the teachings of his own faith, if he has any. To ensure this right, the General Council of The Theosophical Society passed the following resolution in 1924:

As the Theosophical Society has spread far and wide over the world, and as members of all religions have become members of it without surrendering the special dogmas, teachings and beliefs of their respective faiths, it is thought desirable to emphasize the fact that there is no doctrine, no opinion, by whomsoever taught or held, that is in any way binding on any member of the Society, none which any member is not free to accept or reject. Approval of its three Objects is the sole condition of membership. No teacher, or writer, from H.P. Blavatsky onwards, has any authority to impose his or her teachings or opinions on members. Every member has an equal right to follow any school of thought, but has no right to force the choice on any other. Neither a candidate for any office nor any voter can be rendered ineligible to stand or to vote, because of any opinion held, or because of membership in any school of thought. Opinions or beliefs neither bestow privileges nor inflict penalties. The Members of the General Council earnestly request every member of the Theosophical Society to maintain, defend and act upon these fundamental principles of the Society, and also fearlessly to exercise the right of liberty of thought and of expression thereof, within the limits of courtesy and consideration for others.

Freedom of the Society

As every individual member of the Society is free to hold his (or her) own views and beliefs, and to follow his own practices, no one can impose his particular views or aims on the Society, which has its own declared Objects. To ensure this freedom of the organization, the General Council of The Theosophical Society passed the following resolution in 1949:

The Theosophical Society, while cooperating with all other bodies whose aims and activities make such cooperation possible, is and must remain an organisation entirely independent of them, not committed to any objects save its own, and intent on developing its own work on the broadest and most inclusive lines, so as to move towards its own goal as indicated in and by the pursuit of those objects and that Divine Wisdom which in the abstract is implicit in the title, The Theosophical Society. Since Universal Brotherhood and the Wisdom are undefined and unlimited, and since there is complete freedom for each and every member of the Society in thought and action, the Society seeks ever to maintain its own distinctive and unique character by remaining free of affiliation or identification with any other organisation.

Online resources

Articles and pamphlets

• Awakening the Inner Self by Ed Abdill
• Lift High the Torch by John Algeo
• On Being Eclectic by John Algeo
• Theosophy's Most Holy and Important Mission by John Algeo
• A Unique Spiritual Heritage by Mary Anderson
• The Future of the Theosophical Society by Annie Besant
• The Inner Purpose of the Theosophical Society by Annie Besant
• Answers to some questions about membership of the TS by Radha Burnier
• The Essential Work of the Theosophical Society by Radha Burnier
• Strength or Weakness? by Radha Burnier
• What is our Aim? by Radha Burnier
• The Neutrality of the Theosophical Society by Sidney Cook
• When You Are One with Every Heart That Beats by Pedro and Linda Oliveira
• The Real Work of the Theosophical Society by N. Sri Ram

Audio

• A Historical Look at the Theosophical Movement by John Cooper

Video

• Seven Presidents, Seven Eras: The Changing Face of Theosophy (6 Parts) by Robert Ellwood and Joy Mills
• The Dawning of the Theosophical Age by Michael Gomes
• Manifest Destiny: Theosophical History as Spiritual Narrative by Michael Gomes
• Mainstreaming Theosophy by Vicente Hao Chin

Additional resources

• Bibliography on The Theosophical Society at the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library