Theosophical Society in Germany

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The Theosophical Society in Germany (TGD) with its seat in Frankfurt am Main is one of several Theosophical Societies that are active in Germany.

overview

It is recognized as a non-profit organization, its members work on a voluntary basis. The society was re-established after the ban during the Nazi era in 1949 and sees itself as the successor organization to the " International Theosophical Fraternization " (ITV) founded by Franz Hartmann in Munich in 1897 . Hartmann's intention was to keep the theosophical movement in Germany free from the controversies that had arisen between the Anglo-Indian and American sections.

Hartmann's point of view

Theosophy and theosophical teachings

Franz Hartmann

For Hartmann, theosophy has nothing to do with party interests and authority. It is based on freedom and tolerance and does not allow itself to be locked in the barriers of a limited body. It is not a system of doctrines to be adopted, but a constant process of becoming and realizing in everyday practice. With the founding, Hartmann did not intend to bring a “new” society into being, “but to be useful to the theosophical movement in general by spreading a higher worldview.” He distinguished between theosophy and theosophical teachings:

  • Theosophy “is the knowledge of the truth which enlightens the understanding of man, which has outgrown all prejudices. It is ... the spiritual-divine life in man himself, his highest reason. It is the intuitive knowledge of the truth in the human heart, which has nothing to do with fantasy, superstition, enthusiasm, speculation and mania for authority. "
  • Theosophical teachings “are called the teachings that come from people who have come to self-knowledge of the truth.” “One can" learn "the theosophical teachings, but not the knowledge of God itself, or through mere theories without the power of knowledge have come to a clear understanding. "
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Hartmann recognized the cross-religious aspects of theosophy. For him there was “no specifically 'Christian', 'Buddhist', 'Indian' or similar theosophy; for theosophy is knowledge of God, and God is neither a 'Christian' nor a 'Buddhist', 'Brahmin' or the like. Theosophy is the knowledge of truth on which all religious systems are built. ”Hence the motto of the Theosophical Society: No religion is higher than the truth.

One human family

With the founders of the Theosophical Movement, Hartmann shared the ideal of a united and happy human family, free from the fetters of the idea of ​​a stable self, separate from all others; who realizes the insight in her practical life that everything is inseparable from the other and that all people are part of the one inseparable life.

HP Blavatsky

HP Blavatsky wrote in her Key to Theosophy (1889): "Since humanity is essentially of one and the same inner nature ... nothing can affect a single people or a single person without at the same time also affecting all other peoples and people."

So Hartmann seven years later at the first congress of the Theosophical Society in Germany on August 29, 1896 in Berlin: “General human brotherhood is based on general human love, and this love is not a mere theory or a fantastic enthusiasm, it consists in the Recognition that all people, even all creatures, are essentially a unity, even if their shapes, appearances and their properties are different from one another. "

prehistory

Stay in Adyar

Hartmann had been asked by Olcott in 1883 on behalf of Blavatsky to come to India to the headquarters of the Theosophical Society. He became an employee and head of the board of directors, where he met WQ Judge , with whom he remained friends until his death. In 1885 he returned to Europe with Blavatsky. From then on he put all his energies into the service of theosophy, wrote studies, essays, translations and commentaries, which he published in rapid succession, first in English, then in German.

Spiritual horizon

His magazine Lotusblüthen , published from autumn 1892, made the German-speaking readership in Central European countries known with original excerpts from the Far Eastern wisdom traditions as well as with the largely misunderstood and therefore forgotten mystical and esoteric ideas of the West, including Meister Eckehart and Paracelsus . At the same time she explained the main features of the theosophical worldview. Hartmann's goal was to build bridges and make the commonality of the mystical-philosophical traditions from East and West visible.

Foundation of the TGD / ITV

occasion

As a result of his lectures and an increasing readership interested in theosophy, theosophical groups formed throughout the German-speaking area. Hartmann was elected as a figure of integration in theosophical endeavors and in 1896 in Berlin as President of the Theosophical Society in Europe as part of the TG in America (TGinA). A year later, after his lecture tour through the USA, he resigned from his office because he did not agree with the newly introduced management principles of the TGinA. On September 3, 1897, he founded the International Theosophical Fraternization in Munich, whose headquarters he moved to Leipzig in 1898, where a group of young idealists was found who were active in his interests. Original Hartmann:

“We are very pleased about the appearance of a new theosophical journal, called 'Theosophischer Wegweiser', published by the Centralstelle of the Theosophical Society in Germany (Arthur Weber, Leipzig, Inselstr. 25) and Austria (Ludwig Last, Vienna IV, Kleine Neugasse 4 ) and all the more so because in it we find an understanding of those principles of freedom and tolerance which were authoritative for HP Blavatsky when founding her 'Theosophical Society'. ”The statutes adopted at the founding assembly in 1897 contain those considered important by Hartmann Points:

Constitution

Articles of Association (1897) ( extract ):

  • Article I Principles and Constitution
    • §1. General
      • 1. The "Theosophical Society in Germany" ... is a free association (a federation) of the theosophical associations and societies in Germany, which, on the basis of this constitution and rules of procedure, recognize the principles of freedom and brotherhood, self-determination and tolerance, i.e. without one official leader or leader, as well as without a belief (dogma) prescribed to the members for unselfish work for the good of humanity.
      • 2. The same ... as such has nothing to do with any "secret schools" or "esoteric connections" inside or outside the "Theosophical Society" [...]
    • § 2. Main purpose and basis
      • The sole purpose of the “Theosophical Society” in all countries that is binding for every member is: “To form a core of a fraternization encompassing the whole of humanity, regardless of race, nationality, belief and denomination, class or gender which the theoretically already recognized ideas of general human love and human brotherhood can crystallize and realize the highest ideals of humanity. "
      • ... The unity of the theosophical fraternization by no means consists in an external unity of the organization ... The bond which connects all members with one another is of a spiritual nature and consists solely in the knowledge of the divine unity in everything and in the activity of this knowledge against all living beings [... ]

  • Lothus flowers

  • signpost

  • Articles of Association 1897

activity

Development in the following years

The Theosophical Society (TGD), which was consolidated in Leipzig, soon became a center of theosophical activities throughout Germany and in the German-speaking regions of neighboring countries. In it, independent theosophical groups came together on a voluntary basis. The management of the society, which saw itself as part of the International Theosophical Brotherhood (ITV), was in the hands of a business committee that included Arthur Weber, editor of the Theosophical Guide , and Edwin Böhme. Hartmann avoided getting involved in administrative work. He gave numerous lectures at regional and national level, wrote the leading articles for the magazine and was, especially in the first years, the intellectual head of society.

Through him and the work of other collaborators, there was a strong growth in theosophical branches. In addition to local events (there were at times around 50 local groups with a total of approx. 3,000 members), supraregional congresses and federal days were held in Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Nuremberg and Magdeburg. Summer schools were set up in Bad Berka, Bad Liebenzell, Gablonz ad Neisse and Oliva near Danzig.

Edwin Boehme

Personalities

Outstanding employees of the Theosophical Society in Germany (not always identical with the chairmen of the ITV / TGD) included Franz Hartmann (1838–1912), among others, Edwin Böhme (1877–1906), Hermann Rudolph (1865–1946) and Erhard Bäzner (1887 –1963), who became a much sought-after speaker in theosophical circles and beyond. Bäzner's main work Where are the dead? Shall we see her again? A treatise on death and reincarnation draws on personal observations of the dying (now confirmed by the reports of countless near-death patients) and their subsequent fates.

independence

Regarding the independence of the Theosophical Society in Germany, compare Edwin Boehme's "Declaration of Independence" at the Congress of the Theosophical Society Adyar in London in July 1900, in which the readiness of the ITV to cooperate with other Theosophical Societies while maintaining organizational independence was expressed. The delimitation that seemed necessary in the early years is now outdated. The Theosophical Societies have been working together for a long time in fraternal unity and mutual trust.

Interruption and new beginning

Crises and bans during the "Third Reich".

Under the pressure of the consolidating rule of the National Socialists, tensions arose in the Theosophical Society in Germany (not least because of the "I" (= "International") in its name "ITV"), which could no longer be resolved according to its statutes and also led to Erhard Bäzner being expelled from the ITV at the same time as several other members. Erhard Bäzner then founded the "German Theosophical Society" in Dresden. In the few years up to 1937 (when, like the ITV and other groups that did not fit into the Nazi regime), this DTG was banned and lost all property - especially its library holdings - it was no longer able to develop any noteworthy effectiveness in public.

New beginning in Dresden

After the collapse of Hitler's Germany, Erhard Bäzner succeeded in re-establishing the Theosophical Society in Germany in 1946 with the approval of the Soviet occupation authorities - initially only for the city of Dresden, but soon afterwards for the entire state of Saxony and then for the entire Soviet occupation zone. However, the promising initial success failed to bear fruit: the GDR, founded in 1949, subjected all clubs to a new registration, which the TGD was not granted; although she was not "forbidden", she was not allowed to work. This was the main reason why Erhard Bäzner moved to his home in the Black Forest in 1952 (after he retired - he had been employed as a writer in the Saxon forestry administration since he was banned from doing his job).

New establishment in Frankfurt

In the western occupation zones of Germany - hoping for reunification soon? - Delayed with the re-establishment of the TGD. This did not take place until Pentecost 1949 in Frankfurt am Main under the chairmanship of Willy Mattig. In public, however, the activities of the TGD did not essentially begin before the move of the Bäzner couple from Dresden, when Gertrud Bäzner took over the office and Erhard Bäzner (again) worked as a speaker and as a regular contributor to the magazine Das Höhere Leben.

Theosophical literature

After the Second World War, Hans Fändrich, who had come to Edwin Böhme's Leipzig circle as early as 1899 and took over the “Theosophical Central bookshop”, made a particular contribution to the theosophical literature. Before 1914 he set up a German bookshop in Buenos Aires and founded the "Schatzkammer-Verlag" in 1950, when he was 70 years old, in which, along with other theosophical books, almost all of Franz Hartmann's works were reprinted. Under the pseudonym "Johannes Fährmann" he published a Great Theosophical Catechism , which in seven parts deals with the entire theosophical worldview in an easily comprehensible form. In 1961 he moved with his entire publishing house to Calw in the Black Forest, where after his death the Ullrich-Verlag acquired the books and tried to continue Fändrich's work.

Activities in the present

Thanks to the collaboration between E. Bäzner and Robert Ullrich (the founder of Ullrich Verlag), the TGD's summer conferences came to Calw in 1953 and have been held there in uninterrupted succession since then

Theosophy today from 1983.jpg

As a continuation of the Theosophical Guide and Theosophical Culture (from 1909), the TGD publishes its own magazine: Theosophie heute , until 1983 under the title Das Höhere Leben . The Theosophical Society in Germany (TGD) is, true to Franz Hartmann's principle, open to the broad spectrum of theosophical schools of thought and strivings. It promotes book publications in the theosophical field, including those that are valuable in terms of content but would hardly be considered for commercial reasons (including works by Helena P. Blavatsky, Franz Hartmann, George W. Russell , Geoffrey Hodson and others). The TGD currently has branches and study groups in Berlin, Dresden, Gelsenkirchen, Heidelberg and Nuremberg and organizes a summer conference every year in Calw / Black Forest (since 1953, formerly known as the holiday community).

literature

  • Erhard Bäzner, The Riddle of Life and the Secret of Death , Grafing 2005. Abstract Death and what then? Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  • Annie Besant, Ancient Wisdom , Grafing 2006
  • Helena P. Blavatsky, The Key to Theosophy , Satteldorf 1995.
  • Helena P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine , Hanover 1999.
  • Helena P. Blavatsky, An Introduction to Her Life and Work , ed. and over. by Sylvia Botheroyd , Grafing 2006.
  • Sylvia Cranston, life and work of Helena Blavatsky, founder of modern theosophy , Satteldorf 1995.
  • Hermann R. Fischer, 100 years of Theosophical Society , Ullrich Treasury / Publishing House, Calw.
  • Franz Hartmann, Other Dimensions of Thought . Ullrich Verlag, Calw 1982.
  • Franz Hartmann, Memorable memories from the life of the author of the lotus flowers , Treasury / Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  • The Bhagavad Gita , trans. u. provided with corresponding quotes from outstanding mystics v. Franz Hartmann, Treasury / Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  • The Bhagavad Gita , trans. in poetic form after Edwin Arnold's Sanskrit translation by Franz Hartmann, Schatzkammer / Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  • Franz Hartmann, Yoga and Christianity or The Secret Doctrine in the Christian Religion , Treasury / Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  • Franz Hartmann, Theophrastus Paracelsus von Hohenheim , Treasury / Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  • Geoffrey Hodson, Meditation - Insights into the great secret of life, Grafing 2008.
  • William Q. Judge, The Sea of ​​Theosophy , Theosophical University Press, Pasadena.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cf. Franz Hartmann's communication on the establishment of the “International Theosophical Fraternization” in Lotusblüthen , Jhrg. 1898, p. 157f.
  2. ↑ Ibid. P. 158
  3. ^ Franz Hartmann, What is Theosophy ? - The Theosophical Society and its purposes , Theosophical Publishing House Leipzig, o. JS 47, 50, 127, 49f.
  4. ^ HP Blavatsky, The Key to Theosophy , study edition, Satteldorf 1995, chap. II, p. 67f.
  5. ↑ See Lotusblüthen , Jhrg. 1896, p. 708.
  6. ↑ See the table of contents of the lotus flowers at http://www.austheos.org.au/indices/LOTBLGHU.HTM
  7. ↑ See Lotusblüthen , Jhrg. 1898, p. 313
  8. ↑ Lotusblüthen , Jhrg. 1898, p. 917
  9. ^ Statutes of the Theosophical Society (ITV) in Germany. Federation of theosophical associations and societies in Germany, a free association for the realization of the “International Theosophical Fraternization” in Theosophical Guide , year 2 (Oct. 1899 - Sept. 1900), excerpt, pp. 343–347 (emphasis according to the original).
  10. ^ Lists of lectures by Dr. Franz Hartmann and Edwin Böhme recorded in Theos from 1898 onwards . Wegweiser (1900-01), Vol. 3, p. 116 f, p. 212, p. 335 u. P. 360; Jhrg. 4, p. 79, including series of lectures in Austria. - Theosophical Review I , No. 5, 6 in the appendix of Theos. Wegweisers (1902/03) year 5 with report on the "II. General Theos. Congress for Germany, Austria and Switzerland on September 20 and 21, 1902 in Berlin"; also contains further lists of lectures given in Germany and Austria by E. Böhme and F. Hartmann in 1902 and 1903 (p. 53f, p. 58 and p. 63).
  11. ↑ Theos. Wegweiser , Vol. 1, p. 287. See also “The basis of the Theos. Society “Welcoming letter from Hartmann to the 2nd annual meeting in Theos. Wegweiser Jhrg. 2, pp. 207–214.
  12. ↑ Cf. Communications of the International Theosophical Fraternization (ITV) Nov. 15, 1924, Association table, pp. 77–80; also Dr. HR Fischer, 100 years of the “Theosophical Society ” Treasury / Ullrich Verlag, Calw.
  13. ^ Reports on meetings in the German branches as well as the Swiss and Austrian sections in communications for the members of the Theosophical Fraternization (ITV), ed. quarterly from 1910.
  14. ↑ Lecturer and author ( The life of thought and its mastery , Treasury / Ullrich Verlag, Calw).
  15. ↑ Lecturer and author ( Meditations , Theos. Kultur-Verlag, 2nd ed. Leipzig 1916, new edition in the Schatzkammer / Ullrich Verlag, Calw. The old and the new God - eight speeches about religion, selected by Dr. HR Fischer, Munich 1971 ).
  16. ↑ by Erhard Bäzner list the messages of the Int. Theos. Fraternization (ITV) only in the period January to March 1920 u. a. 112 lectures and speeches in Germany and Switzerland, 107 lectures and speeches in 1921, 109 lectures and speeches in 1922.
  17. ↑ Where are the dead? Shall we see her again? Theosophischer Kultur-Verlag, Leipzig 1920, second, modified and expanded edition 1927. New edition Drei Eichen Verlag Munich 1966, 2nd edition 1967. As a paperback under the title The Riddle of Life and the Secret of Death , reissued by Aquamarin Verlag, Grafing 2005 Abstract: Death and what then? Ullrich Verlag, Calw. Attempt about E. Bäzner's childhood and youth by Reiner Ullrich in Theosophie heute , 50. u. 51st century 2003-2004.
  18. ^ Theosophical Guide , year 1901, pp. 265–267; reprinted in Theosophie heute , 1997, issue 2, pages 52-55. See also the proclamation and declaration of sympathy adopted in 1900 and placed in front of the Theosophical Guide in the following years (from 2nd year, p. 233)