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The '''Universal Invocation''', also known as '''Universal Prayer''', was written in 1923 by [[Annie Besant|Dr. Annie Besant]], then president of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)]]. It reads:
The '''Universal Invocation''', also known as '''Universal Prayer''', was written in 1923 by [[Annie Besant|Dr. Annie Besant]], then president of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)]]. It reads:


<blockquote>O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom;<br>
<blockquote>
O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom;<br>
O Hidden Light, shining in every creature;<br>
O Hidden Light, shining in every creature;<br>
O Hidden Love, embracing all in Oneness;<br>
O Hidden Love, embracing all in Oneness;<br>
May all who feel themselves as one with Thee,<br>
May all who feel themselves as one with Thee,<br>
Know they are therefore one with every other.</blockquote>
Know they are therefore one with every other.
</blockquote>


The verse is recited every international convention of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society in Adyar]], beginning in 1925,<ref>C. Jinarājadāsa, Foreword to ''Bhārata Samāj Pūja,'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1948), 6-7.</ref> and daily at many theosophical centers around the world.
[[File:Invocation stone.jpg|right|320px|thumb|Garden of Remembrance, Olcott campus. Photo by Glenn Kujansuu.]]
== History and use ==
The verse is recited at every international convention of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society in Adyar]] in the ceremony of reciting the Prayers of the the Religions, beginning in 1925,<ref>C. Jinarājadāsa, Foreword to ''Bhārata Samāj Pūja,'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1948), 6-7.</ref> and daily at many theosophical centers around the world.  
 
"O Hidden Life" is quoted on a plaque in the '''Garden of Remembrance''' on the [[Olcott (campus)|Olcott campus]] of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
 
== Variations ==
In the 1930 Lodge Procedure Book of the [[American Theosophical Society]], the final two lines varied, and were followed by an additional line:
 
:: May each, who feels himself as one with Thee,
:: Know he is therefore one with every other.
:: Let us go forth to sound the note of harmony in the discords of the world.<ref>Sidney A. Cook, "From Lodge Procedure Book" ''The Theosophical Messenger'' 18.12 (December 1930), 280.</ref>
 
[[File:O Hidden Life.jpg|right|370px|thumb|Title of "O Hidden Life"]]
 
The Scout Movement in Madras [Chennai] adopted the invocation with another variation:
 
:: May each, who feels himself as one with Thee,
:: Know he is therefore one with every other.
 
Mrs. Besant felt that "this word 'therefore' implied certain Theosophical spiritual beliefs and she did not desire to impose such a heavy obligation on the Scouts and so changed the word 'therefore' to 'also'.<ref>C. Jinarajadasa, "Dr. Besant and the Scout Movement" ''The  Theosophist'' 69 (November, 1947), 158.</ref>
</blockquote>
 
== Musical settings ==
 
The words were set to music at least three times, by [[Charles Elliott Fouser]], by J. Eleanor Stakesby-Lewis of South Africa<ref>NOTE: Both versions are available from Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> and by Joe Hasiewicz of Glen Ellyn, IL. <ref>http://www.joehasiewicz.com/Joe/JoeHasiewicz.htm & http://www.ohiddenlife.org/audios---videos.html</ref> Another member, W. H. Perrins, proposed yet another version.<ref>W. H. Perrins correspondence with James S. Perkins. September-November, 1953. James S. Perkins Papers. Records Series 08.06. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>


==Online resources==
==Online resources==
===Articles===
===Articles===
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1613# "O Hidden Life"] by Joy Mills
* [http://www.ohiddenlife.org/ OHiddenLife.org]. This website offers links to musical performances of "O Hidden Life" by several groups, plus poetry and commentaries.
 
* [http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1613# "O Hidden Life"] by Joy Mills


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Musical compositions]]
[[Category:TS Adyar]]
[[Category:TS Adyar]]

Revision as of 01:53, 22 January 2021

The Universal Invocation, also known as Universal Prayer, was written in 1923 by Dr. Annie Besant, then president of the Theosophical Society (Adyar). It reads:

O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom;
O Hidden Light, shining in every creature;
O Hidden Love, embracing all in Oneness;
May all who feel themselves as one with Thee,
Know they are therefore one with every other.

Garden of Remembrance, Olcott campus. Photo by Glenn Kujansuu.

History and use

The verse is recited at every international convention of the Theosophical Society in Adyar in the ceremony of reciting the Prayers of the the Religions, beginning in 1925,[1] and daily at many theosophical centers around the world.

"O Hidden Life" is quoted on a plaque in the Garden of Remembrance on the Olcott campus of the Theosophical Society in America.

Variations

In the 1930 Lodge Procedure Book of the American Theosophical Society, the final two lines varied, and were followed by an additional line:

May each, who feels himself as one with Thee,
Know he is therefore one with every other.
Let us go forth to sound the note of harmony in the discords of the world.[2]
Title of "O Hidden Life"

The Scout Movement in Madras [Chennai] adopted the invocation with another variation:

May each, who feels himself as one with Thee,
Know he is therefore one with every other.

Mrs. Besant felt that "this word 'therefore' implied certain Theosophical spiritual beliefs and she did not desire to impose such a heavy obligation on the Scouts and so changed the word 'therefore' to 'also'.[3]

Musical settings

The words were set to music at least three times, by Charles Elliott Fouser, by J. Eleanor Stakesby-Lewis of South Africa[4] and by Joe Hasiewicz of Glen Ellyn, IL. [5] Another member, W. H. Perrins, proposed yet another version.[6]

Online resources

Articles

  • OHiddenLife.org. This website offers links to musical performances of "O Hidden Life" by several groups, plus poetry and commentaries.
  • "O Hidden Life" by Joy Mills

Notes

  1. C. Jinarājadāsa, Foreword to Bhārata Samāj Pūja, (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1948), 6-7.
  2. Sidney A. Cook, "From Lodge Procedure Book" The Theosophical Messenger 18.12 (December 1930), 280.
  3. C. Jinarajadasa, "Dr. Besant and the Scout Movement" The Theosophist 69 (November, 1947), 158.
  4. NOTE: Both versions are available from Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  5. http://www.joehasiewicz.com/Joe/JoeHasiewicz.htm & http://www.ohiddenlife.org/audios---videos.html
  6. W. H. Perrins correspondence with James S. Perkins. September-November, 1953. James S. Perkins Papers. Records Series 08.06. Theosophical Society in America Archives.