Theosophy Reborn

Theosophy Reborn

In the mid 80s to mid 90s, when I lived in London, I spent my spare cash buying (what I considered to be at the time) quality books on theosophy, originally from the Theosophical bookshop in Bloomsbury and then at Skoob and Watkins (downstairs selection). It was a sad day when the TS bookshop closed for the last time, particularly for me as it was more awkward to get to the TS HQ in Gloucester Place (where good books could also be bought). I enjoyed the works of AE Powell, Leadbeater, Besant, Hodson and many others, though I was never really inclined to actually venture into HPBs works. I wasn’t interested in the ‘DEEP evolutionary concepts and eastern swing of the majority of theosophical books – I wanted to learn about the inner planes, the subtle anatomy of Man and psychism in general… So bought many titles and read.

During this period, I became a partner to a specialist spiritual / esoteric bookshop and used to spend my Saturdays hunting for good books at anything from jumble sales, book fairs and the 2nd hand bookshops of Charing Cross road and Liecester Square, Cecil Court… that area generally, but I’d sometimes go up to Camden too.

I attended many lectures at the TS HQ but always found them to be rather formal and I never recall ever being ‘that impressed’ with the speakers, far less - the other attendees.

I had also, while in London, connected with the spiritualist movement and visited their gatherings and churches etc… I was always struck by the gathered faithful of how asleep they were in a psychic / spiritual sense, all too eager to listen to someone else up on a stage doing their thing; but never inclined to learn themselves… (no disrespect to any spiritualists reading this – these are just my own observations and experiences). I did on several occasions astrally see the guide of the medium at work – and was always stunned to note how – on every single occasion, the medium was completely unaware of the guide’s position and if there was a communication link – it was a definitely not very strong. I knew that there was no-one present at such meetings that could even understand the level of conversation subject matter I wanted to have. So I moved on and kept looking.

I moved to Wales and spent time with the Cardiff Lodge of the TS, but (no disrespect to them) – again I was searching for something that simply didn’t manifest. It became almost an obligation of service to attend the meetings, where more often than not, some speaker would talk about this or that and we’d all chat about it and go home. That was it, just talk, no action – I was seeking a place in a group where good development work could be accomplished. I wanted to be able to do the things I’d read other pioneering theosophists had done. I wanted to open astral vision and hold it open and control it, not just get moments of vision passing now and again. It was clear I wasn’t getting that here.

I briefly had work to do in Singapore in 98/99 and I called the TS lodge there, and was invited along to their meeting, it was a difficult place to find by taxi at night in the dark without a clue where I was…but I found it. On entering I was greeted like a long lost cousin and everyone there was very kind and courteous! However, the fire of my enthusiasm dampened down when we entered their main room – it was set up like a great church hall, complete with stained glass windows and the ‘service’ they held was like a devotional ritual… I again had that sinking feeling.

I’ve been involved with several magical groups, even run my own for a while, but have found internal politics and lack of good human trust to frequently creep in a spoil the fruit, again it’s our old friend – ego – haunting the progress.

I met Nat, she was the first person I have ever met that actually understood me and what I was looking for and to my inspiration she was (is) several rungs ahead of me on the ladder…

We moved to Ireland for 3 years and found, as expected, that the TS were no further ahead in actua