Category: The Key To Theosophy (1889): H. P. Blavatsky

"Enq:  I have heard you say that the identity of our physical origin is proved by science, that of our spiritual origin by the Wisdom-Religion. Yet we do not find Darwinists exhibiting great fraternal affection.   Theo:  Just so. This is what shows the deficiency of the materialistic systems, and proves that we Theosophists are [...]

"Enq:  How {Can Theosophy eradicate the perversity of those doctrines}?   Theo:  Simply by demonstrating on logical, philosophical, metaphysical, and even scientific grounds that: (a) All men have spiritually and physically the same origin, which is the fundamental teaching of Theosophy.  (b) As mankind is essentially of one and the same essence, and that essence [...]

"Enq:  What are the objects of the "Theosophical Society"?   Theo:  They are three, and have been so from the beginning. (1) To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, colour,or creed. (2) To promote the study of Aryan and other Scriptures, of the World's religion and sciences, and [...]

"Enq:  All this refers rather to the ethics and philosophy of the T.S.  Can you give me a general idea of the Society itself, and its objects and statutes?   Theo:  This was never made secret. Ask, and you shall receive accurate answers.   Enq:  But I heard that you were bound by pledges?   [...]

"Enq:  Are we to regard Theosophy in any way as a revelation?   Theo:  In no way whatever - not even in the sense of a new and direct disclosure from some higher, supernatural, or, at least, superhuman beings; but only in the sense of an "unveiling" of old, very old, truths to minds hitherto [...]

"Enq:  I understand to a certain extent; out I see that your teachings are far more complicated and metaphysical than either Spiritualism or current religious thought. Can you tell me, then, what has caused this system of Theosophy which you support to arouse so much interest and so much animosity at the same time?   [...]

"Enq:  I understand. You say, then, that this true Ego cannot return to earth after death. But surely the actor is at liberty, if he has preserved the sense of his individuality, to return if he likes to the scene of his former actions?   Theo:  We say not, simply because such a return to [...]

"Enq:  But what is the distinction between this "true individuality" and the "I" or "Ego" of which we are all conscious?   Theo:  Before I can answer you, we must argue upon what you mean by "I" or "Ego". We distinguish between the simple fact of self-consciousness, the simple feeling that "I am I", and [...]

"Enq:  I was told that the Theosophical Society was originally founded to crush Spiritualism and belief in the survival of the individuality in man?   Theo:  You are misinformed. Our beliefs are all founded on that immortal individuality. But then, like so many others, you confuse personality with individuality.   Your Western psychologists do not [...]

"Enq: This means that you reject the philosophy of Spiritualism in toto?   Theo:  If by "philosophy" you mean their crude theories, we do. But they have no philosophy, in truth. Their best, their most intellectual and earnest defenders say so. Their fundamental and only unimpeachable truth, namely, that phenomena occur through mediums controlled by invisible [...]