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A Text Book of Theosophy by C.W. Leadbeater: Illuminating the Mysteries of Spiritual Wisdom
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About the author
C.W. Leadbeater
676 books128 followersCharles Webster Leadbeater was an influential member of the Theosophical Society, author on occult subjects and co-initiator with J.I. Wedgwood of the Liberal Catholic Church.
Originally a priest of the Church of England, his interest in spiritualism caused him to end his affiliation with Anglicanism in favour of the Theosophical Society, where he became an associate of Annie Besant. He became a high-ranking officer of the society, but resigned in 1906 amid a scandal. Accusations of his detractors were never proven and, with Besant's assistance, he was readmitted a few years later. Leadbeater went on to write over 69 books and pamphlets that examined in detail the hidden side of life as well as maintain regular speaking engagements. His efforts on behalf of the society assured his status as one of its leading members until his death in 1934.
Originally a priest of the Church of England, his interest in spiritualism caused him to end his affiliation with Anglicanism in favour of the Theosophical Society, where he became an associate of Annie Besant. He became a high-ranking officer of the society, but resigned in 1906 amid a scandal. Accusations of his detractors were never proven and, with Besant's assistance, he was readmitted a few years later. Leadbeater went on to write over 69 books and pamphlets that examined in detail the hidden side of life as well as maintain regular speaking engagements. His efforts on behalf of the society assured his status as one of its leading members until his death in 1934.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 27, 2015
Charles Webster Leadbeater published A Textbook on Theosophy in 1912. This book describes the fundamentals of Theosophy to anyone who is interested in the topic.
For a book written in 1912, where florid styles were all too common and readability was thoroughly secondary concern, this textbook reads remarkably clear. By an large, the writer shows restraint, indicating that the author truly did intend this as a textbook, its purpose to explain Theosophy clearly. So if you want to learn something of Theosophy, or the Theosophy of 1912, you would do well to start with this book. Myself, I knew almost nothing of Theosophy, and after reading this book, can talk at length about the subject. So as a textbook, I think that this work proved rather successful.
Many parts of the book read archaically. As the technical terms of our language have changed, so too has the apparent meaning in the book. In places, the author refers to "vibrations", making his analogies sound rather strange, Today we use the word "frequency" to describe differing vibrations. For example, instead of two worlds existing at two different vibrations, which sounds like a cheap 1920's planetary romance sort of thing to say, two planes would exist at two different frequencies, sounding something more like modern SF. Thus, although the language often sounds antiquated, the notions themselves persist in our culture in different guises.
If you are already familiar with eastern philosophy, many parts of this book will seem simplistic and rudimentary. In the world of 1912, concepts from the east, such as karma and reincarnation, were little known in the west, and so require significantly more explanation to make sense of. Today, the explanations would still have been there, but the actual word would have been used rather than longer-winded explanations.
In many places, the use of scientific words is not only inapplicable, but completely misapplied. For example, Theosophy is often called a science, with its ideas being scientific. In no sense of science, even in the 19th century, would this apply. Knowledge given to us never counts as scientific.
The book makes several references to spells, Masons, and other aspects of the occult, the hidden lore of a world, but I cannot describe this as a book of occult lore in the modern sense. You will be no more capable of doing anything amazing after reading this book than you would be before reading this book, except for finding inspiration and reason to make you a more generous humanitarian. Somehow making yourself a truly unselfish person, acting in the best interest of every, is amazing enough for any book.
For a book written in 1912, where florid styles were all too common and readability was thoroughly secondary concern, this textbook reads remarkably clear. By an large, the writer shows restraint, indicating that the author truly did intend this as a textbook, its purpose to explain Theosophy clearly. So if you want to learn something of Theosophy, or the Theosophy of 1912, you would do well to start with this book. Myself, I knew almost nothing of Theosophy, and after reading this book, can talk at length about the subject. So as a textbook, I think that this work proved rather successful.
Many parts of the book read archaically. As the technical terms of our language have changed, so too has the apparent meaning in the book. In places, the author refers to "vibrations", making his analogies sound rather strange, Today we use the word "frequency" to describe differing vibrations. For example, instead of two worlds existing at two different vibrations, which sounds like a cheap 1920's planetary romance sort of thing to say, two planes would exist at two different frequencies, sounding something more like modern SF. Thus, although the language often sounds antiquated, the notions themselves persist in our culture in different guises.
If you are already familiar with eastern philosophy, many parts of this book will seem simplistic and rudimentary. In the world of 1912, concepts from the east, such as karma and reincarnation, were little known in the west, and so require significantly more explanation to make sense of. Today, the explanations would still have been there, but the actual word would have been used rather than longer-winded explanations.
In many places, the use of scientific words is not only inapplicable, but completely misapplied. For example, Theosophy is often called a science, with its ideas being scientific. In no sense of science, even in the 19th century, would this apply. Knowledge given to us never counts as scientific.
The book makes several references to spells, Masons, and other aspects of the occult, the hidden lore of a world, but I cannot describe this as a book of occult lore in the modern sense. You will be no more capable of doing anything amazing after reading this book than you would be before reading this book, except for finding inspiration and reason to make you a more generous humanitarian. Somehow making yourself a truly unselfish person, acting in the best interest of every, is amazing enough for any book.
January 27, 2019
Theosophy is a synthesis of Eastern and Western religion, or process philosophy and process theology. It takes the Eastern notion of cyclical history and marries it the Western of the progress of history. Being is engaged in cycles of matter to spirit and back to matter; but each cycle leads to it becoming perfect.
Theosophy is deep in bed with the gnostics; the ignorant only understand religion as the major religions would have you know it, but the theosophists and gnostics know "better."
We see it now in a lot of the new age stuff. Crystal enthusiasts in their benign state, Heaven's Gate cultists in their worst.
Theosophy is deep in bed with the gnostics; the ignorant only understand religion as the major religions would have you know it, but the theosophists and gnostics know "better."
We see it now in a lot of the new age stuff. Crystal enthusiasts in their benign state, Heaven's Gate cultists in their worst.
September 12, 2021
A must read for every person interested in spirituality as although it's all something from beyond, covers all the parts in simple writing.
September 21, 2024
Beautifully concise. A much better starting point than jumping straight into Blavatsky.
March 28, 2021
Incredibly information poor and densely written. It’s interesting that for being such a “highly evolved” person he was so blind to the biases of his own worldview. Regardless, there are interesting perspectives in here, just far more drivel than wisdom unfortunately.
August 28, 2022
Useful information, written in a manner that is understandable by the uninitiated. Those who have already studied Occultism and Spirituality will easily understand the messages of the Theosophical Society, but perhaps, not always agree with them.
December 1, 2010
Theosophy, like every other religion, is complete BS. However, like every other religion, a person is able to pick out from the BS undigested kernels of Universal Wisdom. The scientific approach that Theosophy takes to spiritual affairs appeals to my analytical mind. However, when it becomes pseudoscience and they talk about advanced lifeforms living on Venus- I am reminded about how much of it is BS. This book had some good parts, but overall, I don't think the author expressed the fundamentals very well. The writing is dry and, in places, overcomplicated for an introductory text on Theosophy. I understand that this is mostly a product of when the book was written (1912). There were many places where the text made me dose off and for this reason it took me over six months to read this relatively small (136 page) volume.
I would like to note one particular point of disagreement with the author. The author talks about overcoming vices (such as, hatred, being bad-tempered, avarice, etc.) by self-repression. I believe that it is more constructive to address these issues with self-exploration than self-repression. "Know Thyself and you will know God." By exploring these "vices", you will be able to address and eliminate the root of their cause. By repressing these feelings, you simply let the "evil" fester and continue to manifest in different ways.
I would like to note one particular point of disagreement with the author. The author talks about overcoming vices (such as, hatred, being bad-tempered, avarice, etc.) by self-repression. I believe that it is more constructive to address these issues with self-exploration than self-repression. "Know Thyself and you will know God." By exploring these "vices", you will be able to address and eliminate the root of their cause. By repressing these feelings, you simply let the "evil" fester and continue to manifest in different ways.
July 26, 2020
Good introduction to Theosophy
This us one of the most easy to read books to have seen understanding of Theosophy. Send I like that the author is neutral in presenting the content. It's a good reference for those who are on the spiritual quest.
This us one of the most easy to read books to have seen understanding of Theosophy. Send I like that the author is neutral in presenting the content. It's a good reference for those who are on the spiritual quest.
Currently reading
October 5, 2011Its in the title, my masonic studies lead me to read much of this man's work. Deep stuff.
August 31, 2015
Easy fast read
Easy read
Easy to follow
Clear and concise
Explains planes well
Good start if you want the basics of theosophy
Easy read
Easy to follow
Clear and concise
Explains planes well
Good start if you want the basics of theosophy
March 9, 2016
Good
To all who want to know divine plan. Gives bigger picture of evolution. Easy and simple to understand the writing.
To all who want to know divine plan. Gives bigger picture of evolution. Easy and simple to understand the writing.
June 14, 2019
An interesting read explaining in concise detail the worldview of occultists. Describes his belief about reincarnation, Atlantis, evolution of the soul and more.
March 24, 2012
This is a great book, it is a must read for anyone seeking spiritual growth and development.
May 18, 2013
Confusing. One of the strangest theologies I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews