Category: Esotericism
-
The Conflicted Albert Pike, and a Wounded Union: Early Years 1830s to 1880s
INTRODUCTION: ECLECTIC MASONIC PHILOSOPHER IN CONFLICT Albert Pike’s editorial career exhibits a philosopher highly in conflict with himself, and I hope his inner conflicts alongside his philosophical legacy may provide us the chance for reflection about similar men of our day. People fixate on Albert Pike’s pro-slavery stance (and often exaggerate or distort it) for…
-
Albert Pike’s Life and Philosophical Legacy in American Esotericism
This article is a combination of transcription and summation of Canadian philosopher Manly P. Hall’s Seminars on the life and ideas of Albert Pike in 1958 tracing the origins of the Wisdom Tradition, which often takes on a form of mythmaking in Masonic lore. A more in-depth factual biography of Albert Pike’s life, views and…
-
Roots of the “Divine Spark” in African Religious and Philosophical Traditions
The “divine spark” refers to the inner divine principle that makes a being fully human and capable of ultimate spiritual realization. The claim made by certain European racist occultists (e.g., some 19th-20th century esoteric racists) that Black Africans or people of African descent lack the “divine spark” (the Logos, Atman, Nous, scintilla animae) is philosophically,…
-
The “Divine Spark” in White Racist Biopolitics
If you have kept up, this has a relation to Theosophy in its global context, particularly when addressing the teachings of ancestral and ancient Native American and African philosophical religious traditions. In the midst of researching the life and ideas of Scottish-Rite Freemason Albert Pike based on Manly P. Hall’s lecture, because his toppled statue…
-
Investigating Jamal al-Din’s influence on Noble Drew Ali and Black American New Religious Movements
INTRODUCTION ON BLACK AMERICAN RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE FROM NEW WORLD TO NEW THOUGHT In a recent article about the concept of “Divine Messengers” in Islam and Theosophy, one of the key points I wanted to guide you into considering there are many influences that underlie modern understandings of religion, esotericism and theological study in the West,…
-
Islam and Theosophy: Are Jesus and Buddha “Divine Messengers?”
Are Jesus and Buddha “Divine Messengers?” (Two-Fold Answer): The concept of the lineage of Prophetic Wisdom and Divine (or Spiritual Messengers) is a concept I came to when studying the history of both Manichaeism and Islam. This is not an odd thing to hear among Muslims. Some simply mention to me, that traditionally, there are…
-
The Identity of Alice Bailey’s “Tibetan Source” Djwhal Khul
There is no animosity the writer has against the works of historian, K. Paul Johnson. It is perhaps true to state, that if it was not for K. Paul Johnson, I would have taken no interest as I have been able to replicate in the political and historical side of the history of American esotericism…
-
Albert Pike’s Life, Education and Writings | Seminars of Manly P. Hall
Manly P. Hall establishes a background about Albert Pike in this seminar. I strongly argue, that despite shortcomings, as possessed by many of his time, the history of Pike’s life is very important here to our history and is a lesson for us. It establishes Pike and his legacy as an exemplar of cross-cultural wisdom…
-
The Complex Legacy of Albert Pike
The life and writings of Albert Pike provide a lesson to those interested in the history and study of Esoteric Philosophy. This article briefly lays out some facts to consider in light of recent events to challenge both American racial conflicts and limitations and the Trump Administration’s appropriation of Albert Pike (The Unseen Danger of…
-
Thomas Moore Johnson on Platonism in American Life, and the Limits of Politicians
Thomas Moore Johnson, a key player in early developments of American esotericism on political quarrels, speaking the truth and the necessity for the Platonic Philosophy from introduction to The Platonist: An Exponent of the Philosophic Truth, Vol. I, No. I, St. Louis, Feb. 1881, pp 1-3: One of the gentlemen to whom was sent a…
-
Julian Strube on Public Fascination with “Nazi Occultism”
note i The public does not take any serious interest and competent research on early National Socialism and esotericism, though are yet often easily accepting of arguments in sensationalist articles or media about the topic. Both left-wing and right-wing Christian conspiracists in this case are ignorant of the consequences of their approach. Recent studies still…
The American Minervan 