Online School of Theosophy

What is the soul? What can psychology tell us about it? Can psychology help us on the spiritual path? 

This course, based on four lectures presented at the 129^th Summer National Convention in 2015, inquires into what psychology can tell us about the soul and the spiritual path, including subjects such as forgiveness, seership, self-healing and more.

The subjects covered in this course are the following:

1) "Where Science and Spirit Meet" by Dr. Cassie Vieten

2) "Forgive for Good" by Dr. Fred Luskin

3) "Eyes of the Soul: The Science of Seership" by Kurt Leland

4) "The Psychology of Self-Healing: Scientific Proof that you can Heal Yourself" by Dr. Albert Amao

Pablo Sender discusses how pain and suffering can be used to foster spiritual growth.

The experience of life brings us joy and sorrow. While most of us readily embrace joy, we tend to regard sorrow as a mistake, as something that should not have its place in life. The Theosophical tradition, however, postulates that pain can become a blessing in disguise if we understand it properly and learn how to relate to it in a spiritual way.

The subjects covered in this course are the following: 

1) Introduction

2) Learning the Law

3) Rooting out Desire

4) Transitory vs. Eternal

5) Seeking the Eternal

6) Conscious Use of Pain

7) Strength and Compassion

Explore the work of the Theosophical Society and its members.

The Theosophical Society was founded to further human spiritual evolution. What are its Aims? How can its members contribute to it's lofty vision? In this five-unit beginning course, Prof. John Algeo, former president of the Theosophical Society in America, offers insightful remarks to deepen the student's understanding of this important topic.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- The Founders of the Theosophical Society

2- The Theosophist's Mission

3- The Contribution of Theosophy

4- Theosophical Ethics

5- Practice and Service

Learn about the founders of the Theosophical Society and some of their contemporaries.

The Society was officially founded in New York on November 17, 1875 by Helena P. Blavatsky, Henry S. Olcott, William Q. Judge, and others. This five-unit introductory course explores the lives and teachings of the Masters of Wisdom, the three main founders, and Annie Besant, the second president of the Theosophical Society with Headquarters in Adyar, India. It also introduces contemporary characters such as A. P. Sinnett, Constance Wachtmeister, T. Subba Row, Damodar Mavalankar and C. W. Leadbeater.

The course is based on the following talks:

1- "The Mahatmas and Their Letters" by Theosophical Society in America

2- "Who was H.P. Blavatsky?" by Michael Gomes

3- "Henry Steel Olcott: A Life of Service" by John Algeo

4- "William Quan Judge: A Devoted Life" by Kenneth Small

5- "The Annie Besant Story" by Lucasfilm Ltd

Explore the roots of Theosophy through Neoplatonism, the profound philosophical tradition that shaped Western esotericism. This course delves into the teachings of Plotinus, Proclus, and other key figures, unveiling their influence on mystical thought, inner awakening, and the pursuit of divine wisdom.

Explore a series of practices designed to help us tread the spiritual path.

In this course, Pablo Sender presents the teachings found in the second half of Clara Codd's book, The Technique of the Spiritual Life, covering the following topics:

1- Building a Bridge

2- Meditation: Mental Stage

3- Meditation: Seeking the Higher

4- Meditation: Sharing the Effects 

5- Spiritual Study

6- Love and Service

Explore the theory and practice on how to prepare oneself for the higher spiritual path.

In this course, Pablo Sender presents the teachings found in Clara Codd's book, The Technique of the Spiritual Life, covering the following topics:

1- Introduction

2- Development of Will

3- Training the Body

4- Training the Emotions 

5- Training the Mind

6- The Ego

Steered by its karma, the individual's immortal consciousness is traced throughout the continuum from death and through the post-mortem states to rebirth.

Beyond the obvious connectivity of death, karma, and reincarnation, William Q. Quinn examines the seven principles of the human being, including the phenomenon that ties all these subjects together—that of the higher consciousness of the "transmigrant," which is the actual and true wayfarer that traverses this cosmic highway.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- Death and the Higher Spiritual Path

2- Karma and the Higher Spiritual Path

3- Reincarnation and the Higher Spiritual Path

4- Consciousness and the Higher Spiritual Path

Learn about the mental and emotional trials of wayfarers ascending the higher spiritual path, pressured by infiltrating doubt and escaping conviction. This path invariably requires the exercise of their will power, whose ultimate goal is the achievement of true free-will.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- Development of Will Power

2- The Role of Free-Will

3- Love and Hatred

4- Doubt, Deception, and Conviction

Discover the deeper meaning of "higher spiritual path" and its initiatic nature, as well as what is required to ascend it.

The ultimate goal of the higher spiritual path is initiation into an Order that assists the spiritual evolution of humanity. To reach that goal, the wayfarer on the path must be laser focused and mindful on this journey, and must use and rely upon the intuition.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- The Path and Its Goal

2- Situational Awareness and Mindfulness

3- Whispers of the Intuition

4- The Providential Path

Pablo Sender examines the purpose of life and the laws that rule the soul’s journey.

Theosophical teachings propose that the aim of our existence is to develop the divine seeds present in every human being. In this four-unit intermediate course, Pablo Sender explores this magnificent growth, which begins with a primitive human and ends with an enlightened being.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- Reincarnation

2- Karma

3- Death and After

4- After-Death and the New Birth

This course prepared by Barbara Hebert explores a more in-depth understanding of the concept of reincarnation, based primarily on a book by Annie Besant.

Reincarnation is one of the primary concepts discussed in the theosophical literature. It not only explains the obvious injustices and inequities found in the physical world, but it also provides us with a rationale for them. As Annie Besant writes: 

Human beings are to reunite the separated aspects of the One, to bring the Spirit to self-consciousness on all planes. Such is their sublime task, for the accomplishment of which reincarnation is to be their tool.

This course covers the following subjects:

• The meaning of reincarnation

• The septenary nature of the human being

• A discussion about what it is that reincarnates and what does not reincarnate

• The process of reincarnation

• Thought power and its association with reincarnation

• Transmigration

• The goal of reincarnation

• Reincarnation and the Law of Periodicity

• The Case of the existence of reincarnation

• A discussion regarding why some people object to the idea of reincarnation

In this four-unit intermediate course, Pablo Sender presents the evolution of the cosmos and humanity as described in Theosophical literature. These teachings not only explore what takes place on the physical plane but include the unfolding occurring in the spiritual realms.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- Cosmic Evolution

2- A Hierarchy of Beings

3- The Human Pilgrimage

4- Our Mission in Life

An exploration of the non-dual teachings of Advaita Vedanta.

Shankaracharya's Vivekacūḍāmaṇi (The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom) is a master work expounding the essence of Advaita Vedanta through 581 verses presented in a methodical, informative and highly effective manner.  In this condensed course, Janani Cleary examines the main topics of this introductory but profound guide for the spiritual journey to liberation.

This series covers the following subjects:

1- The Qualifications of a Fit Student.

2. The Nature of the Individual, the World and the Higher Power. 

3. What is Liberation, How is it Accomplished How Does it Relate to the Seeker?

4. What is Meditation and How is it Done? How Does the Practice of Meditation Factor into Gaining this Knowledge?

This is an advanced-level course about Karmic Astrology, covering Personal Karma, Soul Karma, as well as Relationship Karma. The online course “Intuitive Astrology” is a pre-requisite for this course and should be used as a source.