Theosofische boekhandel Adyar

Van der Leeuw beschrijft in 11 hoofdstukken de illusies waarmee de mens te maken heeft in zijn kijk op en in zijn worsteling met de wereld, op zoek naar waarheid. Het is duidelijk dat de wereld die hij waarneemt niet de wereld is, maar zijn wereld, door hemzelf geschapen. De werkelijke wereld kan pas worden gekend als de mens al zijn illusies en denkbeelden heeft overwonnen.

In menig opzicht sluit Van der Leeuws benaderingswijze aan op de visie zoals uitgedragen door Jiddu Krishnamurti, met wie de auteur van dit boek bevriend was. Van der Leeuw gaat in op de dualiteit van geest en materie, het mysterie van het begin van de schepping, het kwaad in de wereld, de vrijheid van de wil en de onsterfelijkheid van de ziel. Verder bespreekt hij het onderscheid tussen intuïtie en intellect, en geeft hij een analyse van de wereld van verschil tussen het relatieve en het Absolute.

In 1875 Madame Blavatsky founded the Theosophical Society at the request of her occult teachers, whom she endearingly referred to as the "Mahatmas", an ancient Sanskrit term meaning "Great Souls". Blavatsky was clear to point out that the Mahatmas, also referred to as Masters and Adepts, were fully mortal men who through painstaking training and service, had evolved their highest psychic faculties. These teachers, whom Blavatsky claimed were among the Universal Brotherhood devoted to the spiritual evolution of humanity, were also the source of her remarkable and vastly extensive occult education. Blavatsky’s own psychic and paranormal feats astonished onlookers of her day, but it was the tremendous wisdom, compassion, and blunt honesty of her Mahatmas that invoked such ardent curiosity in Mr. Sinnett. The words of these mysterious Mahatmas continue to draw and inspire seekers on the quest for spiritual truth into this present day.

Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom comes to us from one of Theosophy’s most respected and beloved veterans, Joy Mills! Joy brilliantly sheds new and profound insight into these 140 plus letters that first astounded Western society over a century ago. Her beautiful, intricate volume of heartfelt observations sequentially covers each of the Mahatma letters, highlighting messages most relevant for today. As Ed Abdill remarks, "In the spirit of a true Theosophist, Joy does not attempt to give us final answers. She asks questions of herself and suggests that we might ask ourselves the same questions." Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom is an invaluable addition to any esoteric researcher’s library; a remarkable gift of inspiration for Theosophists, philosophical seekers, and researchers far and wide.

Read Samples
Table of Contents| Foreword

Endorsements

Joy Mills has made the Letters more accessible to me than at any time since I discovered them at age nineteen. Not only does she give the Letters a place in history and in the spiritual history of each of us who providentially stumbles upon them, Mills does a remarkable job of letting us in on the personalities of both the Adepts and their endearingly mortal correspondents. Yes, this is a serious tome dealing with nothing less than the meaning of life, and yet, for those of us for whom the meaning of life is endlessly fascinating, it reads like a novel.
—Victoria Moran, author of Creating a Charmed Life, Lit from Within and Shelter for the Spirit

The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett is "an essential part of the foundational literature" of modern Theosophy and a source of surprising insights into the realities of life. Joy Mills, a life-long student of the subject, is the most qualified living person to comment on these letters, which call us "to undertake the journey" to "timeless truths."
—John Algeo

A new book by Joy Mills is always an occasion for celebration among serious students of Theosophy. Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom, the fruit of many years of studying and teaching The Mahatma Letters, can be expected to remain a definitive work on this basic theosophical text for many years to come. Both those coming to the Letters for the first time, and advanced students who enjoy a long familiarity with them, will find much here to stimulate thought and deeper insight.
—Robert Ellwood, Ph.D., author of Frodo’s Quest and The Cross and the Grail

Joy Mills' commentary, Reflections on an Ancient Wisdom, brings invaluable insight and clarity to the mysterious letters of the Himalayan adepts who helped found the worldwide Theosophical Society. While shedding new light on the Perennial Philosophy, Mills shows how the letters illumine the sometimes strange, demanding world of Occultism, where unconditional love, compassion, and an uncompromising search for Truth reign supreme.
—Maria Parisen, director, Krotona School of Theosophy

Joy Mills has been a member of The Theosophical Society since 1940. She has served as President of the Theosophical Society in America, General Secretary of the Australian Section, and International Vice-President. She has lectured in more than 50 countries, and worked as Director of the Krotona Institute of Theosophy, in Ojai, California.

The well known theosophical historian and researcher Michael Gomes has conscientiously transcribed and annotated the hand- written transcription of this text, which had been forgotten for many years. Only an abridged version of the initial meetings had been published. Here for the first time is Blavatsky’s direct teaching on The Secret Doctrine with her students, imbued with her humor, insight, and wisdom.

The hitherto unpublished instructions in this book hold invaluable insight into Blavatsky’s method and wisdom and carries us to deeper discoveries within of the mystery of her Secret Doctrine.

Amongst Michael Gomes’ publications are numerous books, articles and papers on the history of the Theosophical Movement, and two abridgements of Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. He is also the author of Theosophy in the Nineteenth Century: An Annotated Bibliography, The Dawning of the Theosophical Movement and HPB Teaches, a one volume anthology of her articles published for her death centenary in 1991.

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891) in the latter part of the 19th century brought to the world a renewal of the Ancient Wisdom presented through a “synthesis of philosophy, religion and science.” In 1888 her masterpiece, The Secret Doctrine, was published where she outlines with clarity and insight – guided by its source, the ancient Stanzas of Dzyan – the origin and development of the universe and humanity.

With a lucid translation, a luminous commentary and helpful practical suggestions, Ravindra invites the readers to engage with the questions which arise from the text as an aid to self-study and to relate the teaching to their daily lives.

"Ravi Ravindra writes with the authority and clarity of a spiritual master. Whether writing about Christianity, Buddhism or the teaching of Krishnamurti, he brings deep insight. Now he has clearly and admirably presented the Yoga Sutras. It will raise many questions for thoughtful readers. Highly recommended."
--Sri TKV Desikachar, author of The Heart of Yoga

Dit boek maakt duidelijk dat voor veel filosofen – van Kant tot Derrida – omstreden verschijnselen als telepathie en helderziendheid een serieus studieobject vormen. De auteurs bestuderen veelzeggende teksten van filosofen die tot nu toe weinig aandacht kregen. Ze laten zien hoe elk van deze denkers op eigen wijze een serieuze interpretatie probeerde te geven van zulke ervaringen, die op het eerste gezicht ons begrip te boven lijken te gaan.

Dr. Hein van Dongen is filosofisch consulent, docent en onderzoeker voor diverse instellingen.

Prof.dr. Hans Gerding is directeur van het Parapsychologisch Instituut te Utrecht en bijzonder hoogleraar Metafysica in de geest van de theosofie aan het Instituut voor Wijsbegeerte van de Universiteit Leiden.

Dr. Rico Sneller is universitair docent Wijsgerige ethiek aan het Leids Instituut voor Godsdienstwetenschappen.