Varieties of spiritual individualisation in the theosophical movement: the United Lodge of theosophists India as climax of individualisation-processes within the theosophical movement

Helena Blavatsky’s ‘Theosophical Movement’, founded in 1875 in New York, shows itself in its beginnings as an example of detraditionalisation from conventional forms of religion. This is associated with an opening for individual and experimental approaches to new and foreign forms of religions and spiritualities. The later increase in institutionalisation within the movement provided less space for this sort of individuality and led to divisions and splits within the movement. This chapter aims to identify and extract the specific dynamics of processes of individualisation, as well as de-individualisation, within the theosophical movement in the form of a step model. The latter in the United Lodge of Theosophists’ (U.L.T.) ‘method’ and individual approach to Helena Blavatsky’s theosophy, which has as its sole focus the pursuit of the individual and its perfection. This pursuit is understood as an act of unification with the Divine or higher self, as well as with the community of likeminded persons, in a way that is both individual and vital, as well as providing a service for humanity. Certain features of this process are methods for an ultimate elimination of disturbances that obstruct the study and spread of the true teachings of Blavatsky, seen as a manifestation of divine wisdom. However, an essential component of this process is the realisation of one’s own, individual path.

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