Studies in Occultism

Description

The term occult has noble but largely forgotten origins. Derived from the Latin occultus meaning “hidden,” it properly defines anything which is undisclosed, concealed, or not easily perceived. Early theologians, for example, spoke of “the occult judgements of God,” while “occult philosopher’ was a designation for the pre-Renaissance scientist who sought the unseen causes regulating nature’s phenomena. In astronomy, the term is still used when one stellar body occults another by passing in front of it, temporarily hiding it from our view.

Writing a century ago, when the word had not acquired today’s mixed connotations, H. P. Blavatsky defined OCCULTISM as “altruism pure and simple” – the divine wisdom or hidden theosophy within all religions. Occultism is founded on the principle that Divinity is concealed – transcendent yet immanent -within every living being. As a spiritual discipline occultism is the renunciation of selfishness; it is the “still small path” which leads to wisdom, to the right discrimination between good and evil, and the practice of altruism.

Also included is a timely three-part article on “The Esoteric Character of the Gospels” which casts revealing light on the mystery of Jesus — as man and as Christ — and also upon the succession of messianic ages.

Product Details:
ISBN: 9780911500097
Publisher: Theosophical University Press, Published: June, 1973
Paperback, 218 pages
Size: 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.4, Weight: 1.0 Lbs.

Author – Helena P. Blavatsky
(1831  1891)

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (known to students the world over fondly as HPB) was born August 12, 1831, at Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, daughter of Colonel Peter Alexeyevich von Hahn and novelist Helena Andreyevna (née de Fadeyev). In 1849 she married N. V. Blavatsky, and shortly thereafter began more than 20 years of extensive travel, which brought her into contact with mystic traditions the world over. She was the principal founder of The Theosophical Society in New York City in 1875 and devoted her extraordinary literary talents to its humanitarian and educational purposes until her death in London, England, on May 8, 1891.