History of the Theosophical Movement and News Release

************************************************************************
By Govert Schuller < SCHULLER@Prodigy.Net >
************************************************************************
The following pamphlet, titled "History of the Theosophical Movement," is a compact condensation of my personal independent research into the lives and teachings of the persons mentioned. It’s focus is the involvement of the Masters with different individuals and organizations since 1875. Keep also in mind that the pamphlet was written mainly for fellow lightbearers in the Theosophical and Krishnamurti movement. I do not expect uncritical acceptance, nor its opposite. I welcome any reactions founded on reason and fact and any help in tracing and finding source material relevant to this thesis. Those who are interested can obtain from me the footnotes to the pamphlet.

Meanwhile my research also led to writing an academic paper for the Theosophical History Journal, which is an independent academic journal specializing in issues concerning the roots, history and influence of Theosophical Society. Following the pamphlet is an announcement by James Santucci, professor of Religious Studies at California State University and editor of the journal, about this publication, which will be released on May 25, 1997.

The subject of the booklet is the different Theosophical reactions to Krishnamurti’s life and teachings. The Ascended Master’s evaluation of Krishnamurti is an integral part of the article. Because I could not state my own opinion in the booklet I advise to read the pamphlet alongside the booklet. The pamphlet is the esoteric key to the exoteric academic article. Keepers of the Flame can order the booklet directly from me for $11.00, if they respond before May 1. (schuller@prodigy.net. For air mail add $2.00). When ordering I will add as a bonus the pamphlet with the footnotes and another pamphlet titled Krishnamurti: An Esoteric View of his Teachings, which is a condensed critique of Krishnamurti’s teachings.

HISTORY OF THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT

On September 7, 1875, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott founded the Theosophical Society. They were directed to do so by two eastern Adepts or Masters, El Morya Khan and Koot Hoomi Lal Singh. Besides its three official objects the mission of the theosophical Society was to prepare the way for a Great Teacher, expected in the last quarter of the 20th century.

Annie Besant, Blavatsky's successor as leader of the theosophical Society, and C.W.Leadbeater, mediator between the Adepts and the Theosophical Society, implemented this project fifty years in advance. The young Jiddu Krishnamurti was chosen and trained to be the vehicle, through whom the World Teacher, Lord Maitreya would reveal himself. The Order of the Star in the East, founded on January 11, 1911, by Theosophist George Arundale, was the worldwide organization to draw together all those who expected the coming of this great teacher. Krishnamurti became its Head. Until + 1927 all went well and a few times Krishnamurti was overshadowed by Lord Maitreya. Krishnamurti and other Theosophists declared the project successful. Others declared it a failure. Somehow Krishnamurti decides to go his own way and irrevocably dissociated himself from the project by dissolving the Order of the Star on August 2, 1929. [Editor's note: The Masters have repeatedly warned on the teachings of Krishnamurti. See Pearls of Wisdom 1976 on False Teachings. Leadbeater and Hodson also later said Krishnamurti was under the control of black magicians]

Through Theosophists Cyril Scott and David Anrias the Adepts communicated their evaluation of the project and declared it an almost complete failure. Krishnamurti caused so much confusion in the ranks of the Theosophists that the Theosophical Society disqualified itself as spearhead of the work of the Adepts.

In the summer of 1930 Guy Ballard was approached by the Adept Saint Germain. He asked Ballard to become messenger for the Adepts. Ballard wrote "Unveiled Mysteries" under the name Godfrey Ray King and founded the I AM Movement. Through Ballard the Adepts gave the revelations deemed necessary for the Age of Aquarius [...] In the 1930s the I AM Movement was very successful. Because of Ballard's passing in 1939, a string of lawsuits and bad publicity the movement experienced a set-back. His wife Edna Ballard succeeded him.

In 1944 the Maha Chohan contacted I AM member Geraldine Innocente. In the early fifties she founded anonymously the Bridge to Freedom to spread some teachings by Thomas Printz, pseudonym for El Morya. Mark Prophet, who was associated with the Bridge to Freedom, was contacted by El Morya in the early fifties. On August 8 1958 he founded the Summit Lighthouse, as of today the Adepts' main and most successful organization in spreading the revelations for the New Age of Aquarius.

Its current head is Elizabeth Clare Prophet, who was contacted in the early 60s by El Morya to join the Summit Lighthouse in order to be trained as a messenger. She became its head in 1973 after the passing of Mark Prophet to whom she was wedded. The revelations given through the Ballards and the Prophets on one side and the philosophy of Krishnamurti (and others) on the other, will both be religious foundations of two civilizations now in the process of formation. © Govert Schuller 1995

Theosophical History Occasional PapersVolume V

More on the Theosophical Society

The American branch of the Theosophical Society and not to the parent-society with its headquarters in Adyar, India. A break between the two occurred in 1895 when William Q.Judge, leader of the American section, and Olcott, the president of the society, had a grave difference of opinion Annie Besant, head of the Esoteric Section of the Theosophica Society, sat in the middle and later sided decisively with Olcott. Judge, together with many American lodges and some Europeans, broke off and went their own way as The Theosophical Society in America. This Theosophica l organization still exists and has its headquarters in Altadena, California

When Olcott died in 1907 Annie Besant succeeded him as president of the parent society. Charles W. Leadbeater, who was trained by Blavatsky and Kuthumi, became her principle co-worker. Under their guidance a new American section blossomed. Their current headquarters are in Wheaton, Illinois. Besant and Leadbeater were the ones who first got involved with Krishnamurti and promoted him as the vehicle for the Lord Maitreya. For this purpose they founded the Order of the Star. They also strongly promoted Co-Masonry and the Liberal Catholic Church.

In 1929 Krishnamurti broke away and the society and all its sub-organizations experienced a set-back. Besant, after her passing in 1932, was succeeded by George Arundale as president. After him the following persons held the office of president: J.Jinarajadasa (1945-1953), N.Sri Ram (1953-1973), John Coats (1973-1980) and its current president is Radha Burnier. Its head quarters are still in Adyar, India. Compared with the period of 1875 to 1929 the society keeps a rather low profile. (source: Ancient Wisdom Revived: The History of the Theosophical Movement by Bruce F. Campbell)

Return to Main Page