THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY Founded in 1875 in New York, and at that time considered startling and revolutionary, the Society now exists worldwide with 51 national sections – each with autonomous local branches (40+ in England). The International Headquarters is at Adyar, Madras, India.
The Society itself has no creed, no obligatory set of belief; however, its members must be in sympathy with the Society’s three ‘Objects’: –
1. To form a nucleus of the Universal brotherhood/sisterhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.
2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
3. To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man.
Bristol Theosophical Lodge has a 4th objective.
4. To provide a “hub” of learning; through talks and experiental meetings, for the purposes of promoting well-being, raising conciousness and creating community for the people of Bristol and surrounding areas.
While the Society sympathises with various causes and activities, it is not its function to specialise in those fields. Therefore it does not identify itself with any particular religion and is not a religious sect. It does not have specific rituals, ceremonies, practices or methods for physical or spiritual development – except there is an ‘Esoteric’ section which uses Raja yoga.
The Society is not a spiritualistic, healing, nor welfare group. It is not political in any sense and does not advocate any particular social or financial system.
We make available the teachings of Theosophy (origin Greek, Theos = God, Sophia = wisdom) in both ancient and modern forms. However, ‘Divine Wisdom’ cannot be enclosed within words, and all statements about theosophy are partial and tentative. Members of the Society are free to accept, reject or interpret these teachings according to their own understanding. Freedom of thought and expression is of the utmost importance in the Society, and you are expected to think for yourself!
The Theosophical Society lays no claim to the exclusive possession of Theosophy. It seeks to let people know that such a wisdom exists and to assist those who will find it. Our Motto is… ‘There is no religion higher than Truth’.