Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is there a heaven and a hell? — Are these just subjective states or places? — How can one get there? Answer: — To answer such questions one could refer to various authors, but it is enough to consult one’s own common […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — How is this to be understood when it is said that the world is only an illusion or idea? Answer: — This means that the things we perceive are not essential in themselves, but are only appearances of […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — What is meant by “initiation”? Answer: — The “initiations” or “dedications” which are common in certain secret societies or religious orders consist in the candidate, after paying a certain sum, being subjected to some kind of ceremony and, […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Good and Evil. “Good” and “evil” are two properties that behave like light and shadow or like the core and the shell. “Good” is that which fulfills the purpose of its existence; “bad” is that which is useless for this purpose, and “evil” is that which […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is it necessary to go to India to become a theosophist? Answer: — The Indian sage Sankaracharya [Śaṅkarācarya] says in his Tattva Bodha: “The first condition for achieving self-knowledge is the ability to distinguish the permanent from the […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is it right for a sect to cover up and conceal the scandals that occur within it in order not to damage its reputation? Answer: — It is not always advisable to make a big deal about everything […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is it right to take away people’s idols or destroy them? Answer: — This question is almost equivalent to asking, “Should we take away children’s toys?” If they can harm themselves with them, we take them away, and […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is it true that the teachings spread by H. P. Blavatsky are believed to be true only by a small number of Indian scholars? Answer: — I have never worried about that. “That is how I recognize the […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is it true, as various philosophers claim, that the riddle of the universe is insoluble for man? Answer: — Here too, the answer to this question depends primarily on the definition given to the word “man.” For the […]
Theosophical Correspondence. Translation from German by Robert Hutwohl[1] Question: — Is the “Theosophical Society” a yoga school? Answer: — No! It could, however, become a preparatory school for it, if the three purposes it has set itself were properly followed by its members. Before a human being can […]