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A Pilgrim's Path

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A Pilgrim's Path A PILGRIM’S PATH A Historical Overview of the Development of the Theosophical Concept of Evolution 1 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2. The Theosophical Society .............................................................................................................................. 6 1.3. Theosophical Evolution ................................................................................................................................. 7 1.4. Shifts in the Theosophical Society ................................................................................................................. 7 1.5. Analysis and Chapter Overview ................................................................................................................... 8 1.5.1. Analysis and Methodology .................................................................................................................... 8 1.5.2. Blavatsky’s Theosophical Evolution ...................................................................................................... 8 1.5.3. The Coming of The World Teacher ....................................................................................................... 9 1.5.4. Steiner’s Occidental Theosophy.......................................................................................................... 10 1.5.5. Analysis and Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.6. Relevance .................................................................................................................................................... 11 2. Blavatsky’s Theosophical Evolution ....................................................................................................... 13 2.1. History of the Theosophical Society ............................................................................................................ 13 2.1.1. The Life of Blavatsky ........................................................................................................................... 13 2.1.2. Isis Unveiled ........................................................................................................................................ 13 2.1.3. Orientalizing of the Theosophical Society .......................................................................................... 14 2.2. Contemporary Influences ............................................................................................................................ 15 2.2.1. Synthesis ............................................................................................................................................. 15 2.2.2. Science ................................................................................................................................................ 15 2.2.3. Orientalism .......................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.4. Popular Fiction .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.3. Theosophical Cosmology............................................................................................................................. 17 2.3.1. The Esoteric U-Curve ........................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.2. Ebb and Flow ....................................................................................................................................... 18 2.3.3. The Theosophical History of Mankind ................................................................................................ 20 2.3.4. The Fifth Root Race and Races Yet to Come ....................................................................................... 20 2.4. In Short ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 3. The Coming of The World Teacher ......................................................................................................... 23 3.1. Transition to the Second Generation .......................................................................................................... 23 3.2. Annie Besant ............................................................................................................................................... 23 3.3. Early ideas on Evolution .............................................................................................................................. 24 3.4. Leadbeater and Millenialism ...................................................................................................................... 25 3.4.1. Leadbeater .......................................................................................................................................... 25 3.4.2. The World Teacher and Krishnamurti ................................................................................................. 26 3.5. In Short ........................................................................................................................................................ 28 4. Steiner’s Occidental Theosophy ............................................................................................................. 30 4.1. Anthroposophical Schism ............................................................................................................................ 30 4.2. Steiner’s Life ................................................................................................................................................ 30 4.3. Steiner and the Theosophical Society ......................................................................................................... 31 4.4. Steiner’s ‘Theosophical/Anthroposophical Evolution’ ................................................................................ 32 4.4.1. Human Evolution................................................................................................................................. 32 3 4.4.2. Christology .......................................................................................................................................... 33 4.5. In Short ........................................................................................................................................................ 34 5. Analysis ................................................................................................................................................ 36 5.1. Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 36 5.2. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 37 5.3. Authority ..................................................................................................................................................... 38 5.4. Relevance .................................................................................................................................................... 39 6. Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................... 41 6.1. Primary sources ........................................................................................................................................... 41 6.2. Secondary sources ....................................................................................................................................... 41 4 1. Introduction 1.1. Introduction The nineteenth century was a turbulent time for religion throughout the Western world. Europe and the United States were confronted with the scientific advancements from the Enlightenment onwards, which often created a dichotomy between religion and science. One of the most controversial and influential scientific advancements of that time, was specifically centered around the evolution theory as posited by Charles Darwin (1809-1882) in his On the Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871). Not only was the rise of empirical science breaking down the authority of the religious status quo, but slow and steady religious pluralism began to rise. Imperialism and colonialism led to the discovery of, from a Western viewpoint, new religions. Thanks to the new studies of Comparative Religion and Orientalism, with prominent figures such as Max Müller (1829-1900) and Sir William Jones (1746-1794), the West became known with the Eastern, Oriental traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism.1 As Church authority declined, religious pluralism dawned in the West. Eastern influences slowly started spreading, and even more so, there was a sudden rise of spiritualism and esoteric and occult movements out in the open.2 In reaction to
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