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Printed Media Study CoursesThe Theosophical Society in Australia |
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Printed Media Study CoursesThe Theosophical Society in Australia |
The Theosophical Society provides an environment in which members and friends may explore the deeper aspects of life and of human nature in a spirit of open enquiry. There is no doctrine binding on any member, and the Society does not promulgate any teaching or promote any teacher to the exclusion of others. Its core business, in the words of one of its Founders, is to assist in showing the world that such a thing as Theosophy exists, and to help all interested persons ascent towards it by studying and assimilating its eternal truths.
Study material produced by the Education Unit of the Theosophical Society in Australia is offered for the consideration of the thoughtful reader. Only the individual student can ascertain, within the field of his or her own experience, whether the teachings can throw light on life’s deeper aspects.
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A clear and accessible presentation of basic principles. It addresses and answers questions such as:
Is there some meaning to existence?
Is there life after death?
Will we live again?
How can we find inner peace?
It also discusses topics such as: evolution, karma, reincarnation, our dynamic powers, meditation and the power of thought.
It is based on the book Life — Your Great Adventure by Eunice and Felix Layton.
Cost: $10. Includes a copy of the book and postage within Australia. Overseas orders will attract an additional postage cost.
This Course is based on the book Ancient Wisdom — Modern Insight by Shirley Nicholson. By contrasting key ideas from The Secret Doctrine of H. P. Blavatsky with the insights of eminent scientists like David Bohm, Albert Einstein and Ilya Prigogine, and of several scholars in the fields of comparative religion, mythology and mysticism, the author has made clear that the modern scientific mind is venturing further into metaphysics.
The main themes discussed in the book include: Interconnections, Holism, the Transcendent Source, the Divinity of Space, Time and Timelessness, Polarities, Rhythm and Cycles, the Divine Mind, Karma, the Self and its Spheres and Self-Transformation.
Cost: $30. Includes a copy of the book (hardcover), 18 lessons, and postage within Australia. Overseas orders will attract an additional postage cost.
Meditation is the art of being. A quiet and concentrated consciousness can deepen our awareness of life and help us find inner peace. This course is based on the book Meditation – A Practical Study by Adelaide Gardner, which presents the basics of meditation in a safe and accessible manner. It has been used by tens of thousands of individuals in many countries.
Contents include: Meditation and its Purpose, Various Methods, Concentration, Meditation, Contemplation, Obstacles and Aids and Helping Others by Thought.
Cost: $10. Includes a copy of the book, 9 lessons, and postage within Australia. Overseas orders will attract an additional postage cost.
Intermediate Course for Individual Study and Group Work
This course, prepared by Dr Dara Tatray, whilst not really aimed at beginners, does not assume any prior knowledge on the part of the student, nor does it demand any additional reading. What is offered is a fairly solid grounding in the key ideas of the perennial philosophy, including unity, nonduality and transcendence. The aim, however, is to deepen our understanding of life rather than to accumulate knowledge.
Contents include historical overview and key ideas, the nature of existence, the nature of Mind, the ethics of transcendence and H. P. Blavatsky’s contribution to the tradition.
Cost: $20. Includes postage within Australia. Overseas orders will attract an additional postage cost.
In this course written in 2009 for the Theosophical Society in America, Pedro Oliveira explores the mystical origins of Theosophy, and the works of profound mystics including Meister Eckhart, Jalaluddin Rumi, Martin Buber, J. Krishnamurti and Ramana Maharshi.
“The ordinary mind plans and moves from one destination to another, from one subject to another, in a linear sequential time frame. It is convinced it knows what it sees because it is accustomed to relate to reality, through intellectually conceived concepts and categories. The mystical experience teaches us that every relationship in life is like a bridge, a bridge to nowhere, which is now here”.
Cost: $10. Includes postage within Australia. Overseas orders will attract an additional postage cost.
An excellent and comprehensive study course compiled by John Algeo, based on the Bowen Notes which record H.P.B.’s own advice to students. The course assumes no prior knowledge of The Secret Doctrine and while intended as an introduction for beginners, more advanced students will also find it rewarding.
Twelve chapters include: An Overview of The Secret Doctrine; How it was Written and How to Study it; The Three Fundamental Propositions; H.P.B.’s Recapitulation of Six Points; Notes on Volume II; and Other Approaches to the study of The Secret Doctrine.
“The whole essence of truth cannot be transmitted from mouth to ear, nor can any pen describe it ... unless man finds the answer in the sanctuary of his own heart, in the innermost depths of his divine intuitions.” (S.D., 2:516)
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
This course by William Doss McDavid Ph.D. of the American Section, is designed for more advanced students and is a good introduction to The Secret Doctrine and other writings of H. P. Blavatsky. It encourages the student to become familiar with some of the Sanskrit terms used by H.P.B. and attempts to bridge the gap between the elementary and the more advanced studies.
Its seven chapters and eleven diagrams cover: Schools of Esoteric Teaching; First Principles; Microcosm; Evolution; Macrocosm; Planetary Evolution; and The Path of Initiation.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
Virginia Hanson of the American Section of the T.S. designed this course to guide the student in the study of The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett.
Included are two very useful Appendices, namely: A Chronology of the Mahatma Letters; and an Index of Key Statements or Concepts Found Therein.
The chapters cover: What is a Mahatma?; The Letters; Probation and Chelaship; and Adeptship.
This is a challenging and richly rewarding study.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
Based on a course originally compiled by Emogene Simons of the American Section and later revised by John Algeo. This is a good introduction to Theosophy for beginners and enquirers.
With clear and helpful diagrams, covers: An Explanation of Theosophy; The Plan and Purpose of Life; Man and His Bodies; Life After Death; and Reincarnation and Karma, the Monad and the Ego; The Question of Evil; Civilization; and The Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
This course was prepared in 1992 by Jean and Joseph Gullo and Diana Dunningham-Chapotin and published by the American Section for the Theosophical Order of Service.
Designed for use as a series of workshops or discussion groups, the course emphasises service and individual responsibility.
A series of excellent exercises assist discussion on topics which are relevant in today's society, including: Conflict Resolution; The Environment; Group Meditation; etc.
This well prepared and probing Study Course looks at ‘living a Theosophical life in the 1990s’.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
Compiled by Joy Mills, using Carol Pearson's book, The Hero Within, which discusses the six archetypes by which we live, this Study Course has four parts:
1. Nature and function of myth.
2. Discovering archetypes and beginning our own stories.
3. Discovering patterns, individual growth and setting goals.
4. Creating rituals, exploring relationships and discovering how to live creatively.
An excellent group study which also provides useful, interesting and entertaining writing assignments.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
Compiled by Willamay Pym of the American Section, this course was written to encourage students to move toward a perspective and lifestyle of wholeness, even though we live in a society which often stresses fragmentation.
The purpose of the course is to provide a framework within which each person's relationship with all manifestation may be examined. The seven lessons include: What is Wholeness?; The Individual and Fragmentation; Viewing Steps Towards Wholeness; The Path of Occultism; The Path of Mysticism; The Path of Altruism; and What Wholeness Is.
An interesting and rewarding study.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
This study course, prepared by Mary Jane Newcomb of the American Section, has been written for use by all interested in the Ancient Wisdom and also for those seeking personal unfoldment.
The course contains seven lessons promoting discussion on – Religion and the Spiritual Life; Karma; Reincarnation; Education and Art; Consciousness and Meditation; Dharma and Morality; Pleasure and Pain; Happiness and Sorrow; plus a concise biography of Annie Besant.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
A study course compiled in 1989 by Shirley Nicholson of the American Section. The programme has four aspects – Study; Meditation; Self-improvement and Service.
The practices suggested here can be adapted to fit one’s own life style and will help to increase an understanding of ourselves and the world from a spiritual point of view.
This is a useful course for aspirants on the Spiritual Path.
Cost: $10.00 includes postage within Australia. Those outside Australia please order direct from The Theosophical Society in America at www.theosophical.org
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To obtain copies of any of these courses please contact:
The Education Coodinator
The Theosophical Society in Australia
4th Floor, 484 Kent Street,
SYDNEY NSW 2000
| Tel: | 02 9264 7056 |
| Fax: | 02 9264 5857 |
| Email: | edcoord@austheos.org.au |
