Theosophy, Religion and Occult Science
With Glossary of Eastern Words

A foundational text of the theosophical movement and an indispensable source for research into nineteenth-century spiritualism and occult philosophy.

Henry Steel Olcott (Author)

9781108072649, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

390 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.5 kg

The renowned lawyer and journalist Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907) published this work in 1885. In this work Olcott carefully lays out his arguments for the basis of theosophy, arguing for the truth of all religions because they share the same ancient roots or 'ur-religion'. As a founding member and the first president of the Theosophical Society, Olcott uses the work to set out the aims and objectives of the Society and attempts to reconcile his spiritual beliefs with science, reason and modernity. The work also includes accounts of his attempted empirical investigations into hypnotism, mesmerism and other spiritualist activities. The final chapters include discussions of India, Buddhism and Zoroastrian religion. The work was deeply influenced by Helena Blavatsky (1831–1891), then Olcott's close friend but later his opponent. It is a key text of the nineteenth-century theosophical movement and is an indispensable source for research into Victorian occult philosophy.

Forewords
1. Theosophy or materialism – which?
2. England's welcome
3. The Thesophical Society and its aims
4. The common foundation of all religions
5. Theosophy, the scientific basis of religion
6. Theosophy, its friends and enemies
7. The occult sciences
8. Spiritualism and theosophy
9. India, past, present, and future
10. The civilization that India needs
11. The spirit of the Zoroastrian religion
12. The life of Buddha and its lessons.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]