Category: Global Esotericism

  • Pan-Esotericism in African Religious Tradition: Roots of the “Divine Spark”

    Pan-Esotericism in African Religious Tradition: Roots of the “Divine Spark”

    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

    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

    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?”

    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

    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

    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 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 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”

    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 Classical Paths to Wisdom (Yoga) pivotal to Theosophical Study

    The Classical Paths to Wisdom (Yoga) pivotal to Theosophical Study

    THE COMBINATION OF THESE TWO Classical Paths to Wisdom (Yoga) are pivotal to Theosophy and was the basis of the approach of the Theosophical Movement teaching to “The West.” In nineteenth-century developments between interactions of ‘Western Philosophy’ and ‘Eastern Philosophy,’ the Theosophists at the helm were discouraging the psycho-somatic and psychic breath forms of Yoga…

  • Age of the Rule of Faith: Irenaeus dispute with Gnostic Narcissus

    Age of the Rule of Faith: Irenaeus dispute with Gnostic Narcissus

    Act of Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon) disputing with Narcissus Gnostics and Scientific-Thinking Pagans (Christians invent the Rule of Faith) Christian Exclusive Truth Claims and Emphasis on Right Belief vs Pagan and Eastern Religions (Valerie Tarico) “The Church of Rome was Gnostic – just as much as the Marcionites were – until the beginning and even…