Theos-Talk Archives (January 2003 Message tt00210)

Jerry HE:
To define 'pseudo theosophy' as anything that is not source material
becomes problematical because it begs a very precise distinction of what
is the source material of HPB's and what is not. As far as I have been
able to determine, the word "Pseudo-theosophy" was first used in 1918 by
H.N. Stokes. At first he applied it to distinguish CWL's teachings from


Not quite so, dear Jerry. It was HPB herself who used the term
pseudo-Theosophy and Pseudo-Theosophists.
For her London magazine Lucifer she wrote in March 1889 an article headed
"On Pseudo-Theosophy", reprinted in B:CW XI, 45f.
Pseudo-Theosophists are best described as people who - often unknown to
themselves - act and teach different to the oral and written suggestions and
orders of the Masters of Compassion.
The term Neo-Theosophy was largely used by HPB's occult successor Katherine
Tingley to denounce those, who invented a new system which is in direct
opposition to and destructive to the original aim and pattern of the
original TS.
Nowadays the overall majority of the wide theosophical movement is in direct
opposition to the original aims, even to the written aims, not to speak of
the unwritten ones.

Frank

PS: I just received a telephone call informing me that the John Algeo case
is "done", i.e. the Council has agreed with majority vote that he should be
the next PTS. Seems that the preparations are finished now and that present
President Radha Burnier will step down to make the chair free for her
successor. Do you see the shadows on the wall?