The Blavatsky Trust
Articles - Geoffrey Farthing
Part of the Adyar Library and Research Centre
Founded 1886 by Colonel H.S.Olcott
Link to Adyar (Library)
A lifelong student of Theosophy, Geoffrey was one of its finest minds and became one of its all time greatest exponents. He studied Theosophy for some 60 years, lecturing in many countries. He held numerous positions in the Theosophical Society in England including General Secretary (1969-72). He served a term as a member of the Society's General Council at Adyar, India and was a member of the Executive Committee of the European Ferderation for a number of years. He was a director of the European School of Theosophy and its annual study week convened all over Europe was the occasion of some of his finest lectures and where he shared some of his deepest insights into the nature of the Esoteric Philosophy.
Geoffrey was awarded the International Theosophical Society's highest award 'The Subba Row Medal' in 1996 for his outstanding contribution to theosophical literature.
Geoffrey Farthing 'The Constant Theosophist' - an article by Robert Kitto,
Life And Work of Geoffrey Farthing - The Autobiographic Testimony Of a Leading Theosophist: a tribute by Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
biography
(organised in publication date sequence)
What Is The Theosophical Society? Has The Theosophical Society lost its sense of purpose? Has it been - as Geoffrey asks - buried in accretions; distorted in its purpose from those who followed on from H.P. Blavatsky? The above article first appeared in 'The Theosophist' Magazine Nov. 1969. |
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What is Theosophy? - What Theosophy is Not. A controversial look at the true meaning of Theosophy. Geoffrey Farthing strongly believed that the teachings as given out by H.P. Blavatsky etc had been distorted after her death. First published as 'What Theosophy is Not' in 'The Theosophist' magazine in two parts; May-June 1971, at which time Geoffrey Farthing was General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in England. Subsequently reprinted as 'What is Theosophy' First published in 'The Theosophist' May-June 1971 |
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(About) The Secret Doctrine How the secret docrine and H.P. Blavatsky's book of the same name relate. First published in 'The Theosophist' ; September 1971 |
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The Dissemination of Theosophy Following earlier articles such as What is Theosophy? - What Theosophy is Not. Geoffrey makes the argument that Theosophy as presented by H.P.Blavatsky and her teachers, should be central in the presentation of Theosophy. The article was intended to provide guidance for Lodges etc as to the core material used in their work. Publication date April 1972; The Theosophist. Web version 2019. |
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The Bondage of Being Freedom? There can be no final freedom in conditioned existence. How then can it be achieved? Publication date Nov. 1972; The American Theosophist. Web version 2014. |
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The Writings of H. P. Blavatsky A Summary of the principle writings of H.P.B. First publication date unknown. Web version 2013. |
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The Relation of Theosophy to the Theosophical Society From notes of a Task Force Study Group, Chaired by Geoffrey Farthing, at The Theosophical Society Centenary World Congress, New York 1975. First published in 'The Theosophist' Jan 1976 |
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People from the Other World Geoffrey Farthing reviews Col. Olcotts publication of paranormal observations at the Eddy homestead, Vermont. Theosophist 1978. First published in 'The Theosophist' Feb 1978 |
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Akasa and the Astral Light a study paper on the nature of the akasa (akasha), a,d the astral light. First published The Theosophical Journal Jan/Feb 1977 Vol.18 No. 1 |
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Man: his bodies, vehicles and principles A knowledge of the constitution of man is the key to understanding many Theosophical concepts. First published The Theosophical Journal Mar/Apr 1977 Vol.18 No. 2 |
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The Bible is a Marvellous Book Introduces us to the profound esotericism of the Bible; a compendium of the Wisdom tradition. First published The Theosophical Journal May/Jun 1977 Vol.18 No. 3 |
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More about the Bible The more one studies what H.P. Blavatsky had to say about the Bible, the more one is struck by her ability at interpreting the meanings of otherwise obscure sayings and H.P.B.'s enormous knowledge of other religious systems. First published The Theosophical Journal Jul/Aug 1977 Vol.18 No. 4 |
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The Marriage in Cana An interpretation of the symbology of The Marriage in Cana, St John's Gospel, as expressed through modern Theosophy and the writings of H. P. Blavatsky. First published The Theosophical Journal Sep/Oct 1977 Vol.18 No. 5 |
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SELF, Self, self a study paper on the nature of the lower personal self, and higher individuality. First published The Theosophical Journal Nov/Dec 1977 Vol.18 No. 6 |
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To the Outer Head of the Adyar Esoteric Section - a letter The 1976 Letter to Dr. I. K. Taimni, regarding the Future of Adyar Esoteric School and The Theosophical Society itself. First published by Carlos Cardoso Aveline at www.esoteric-philosophy.com Aug 2011 |
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Living Theosophically Originally published The Theosophist November 1980. Applying the laws of Reincarnation and Karma to everyday life. |
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The Group Soul Question The above article was written as 'points for consideration' following an article, written by Ted Davy, appearing in the July/August 1982 issue of 'Canadian Theosophist' |
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The Inner and the Outer On the Hermetic Axiom; 'As is the Inner, so is the Outer; as is the Great, so is the Small; as it is Above, so it is Below; there is but ONE LIFE AND LAW, and he that worketh it is ONE.' An article first published in 'The Theosophist' February 1988 |
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Elementals The above article first appeared in 'The Theosophist' Magazine, feb/jan 1990. |
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Man and the Cosmic Hierarchies Previously unpublished. Written March 1990. |
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Unity Article first appeared in the American Theosophist May-June 1991 |
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Ever-Becoming - The Cosmic Process The above article first appeared in 'The Theosophist' Magazine, Dec 1991. |
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THEOSOPHY - The Tree of Life Geoffrey Farthings response to John Algeo's 1990 article in The American Theosophist. John Algeo postulated that Theosophy is a set of ideas traceable through its literary history. Geoffrey Farthing emphasises the eternal and unchanging nature of Theosophy. |
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HPB on Meditation and Yoga from The Theosophist of December 1992 |
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Deity, Cosmos & Man article on the book of the same name, 1993 |
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Theosophy and Religion unpublished article from December 1993 |
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Theosophy as Religion unpublished article from December 1993 |
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Theosophy defined from The Theosophist of December 1994 |
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The "Theos" of Theosophy from The Theosophist of March 1996 |
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The Temple of Consciousness from The Theosophist of August 1996 |
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The Theosophical Society and the Wisdom Religion from The Theosophist of October 1996 |
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The Fourth Object from The Theosophist of November 1996 |
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The Theosophical Society and Its Future ('Manifesto') and Supplement from The High Country Theosophist May, 1997 |
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The Theosophical Society and Its Future ('Manifesto') - letters relating to the Manifesto & Supplement. from The High Country Theosophist 1997 |
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An Esoteric View of the Relation between Consciousness from unpublished papers - January 1997 |
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The Background to the Founding of the Theosophical Society from The Theosophist of February 1998 |
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Toward Wisdom from The Theosophist of August 1998 |
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The Extraordinary story behind Isis Unveiled from The Theosophist of October 1998 |
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Freedom from The Theosophist of August 1999 |
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Why Study Theosophy? A grasp of Theosophy requires mental effort and many, who think of themselves as spiritual aspirants question why it should be worth the effort. Geoffrey seeks to give encouragement by explaining the value to be derived therefrom. Written October 1999 & previously unpublished. Web version 2013. |
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Master/H.P.B. Association of Theosophists; letter & editorial. from Fohat magazine, Spring 2000, and High Country Theosophist magazine May, 2000 |
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The Theosophical Society - 125 years old from The Theosophist of November 2000 |
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How is Theosophy Different? a reflective look at the distinguishing differences between Theosophy (as presented by Blavatsky-Masters) from other contemporary movements. Written November 2000 & previously unpublished. Web version 2013. |
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Some Thoughts on Conditioning from The Theosophist of April 2001 |
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The Vision written December 2002, published 'The Theosophist' Magazine, August 2004 |
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The Quest for the Holy Grail April 2003, previously unpublished lecture notes. Web version 2013. The quest for the Grail is allegorical - the Grail itself being a symbol related to consciousness. |
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Some Thoughts on Pacifism - a letter from High Country Theosophist, Sep-Oct issue 2003 |
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Truth is One The above article first appeared in 'The Theosophist' Magazine, February 2004 |
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Ascending the Heights 'Insight' Autumn 2004 (Vol 45 No.3) |
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Channelling and Ascension previously unpublished; (being prepared for South-Eastern Federation Newsletter AQUARIUS). Web version 2011. |
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C R E A T I O N from the Theosophical point of view previously unpublished. Web version 2012. |
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Man's Dilemmas |
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An Outline of the Ancient Wisdom |
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Faculties previously unpublished. Web version 2012 |
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The Origins of Man on Earth previously unpublished. Web version 2012 |
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HPB - Her Shining Example An article written for White Lotus Day (commemoration of the life of H. P. Blavatsky). Continues below. previously unpublished. Web version 2013. |
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HPB - White Lotus Day An article written for White Lotus Day (commemoration of the life of H. P. Blavatsky) previously unpublished. Web version 2013. |
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NATURE: NATURE AS THE BASIS OF TRUE RELIGION
or With references to Nature in H.P.B.'s Collected Writings, Secret Doctrine vols I & II, & The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett. previously unpublished. Web version 2014. |
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PAPERS ON THE MAHATMA LETTERS previously unpublished. Web version 2014 |
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THE TURIYA STATE First Published 'The Theosophist' August 2004 (Vol 125.11) |
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AN OUTLINE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THEOSOPHY A summary of the 'Principles' in man, & Nature; qualities, correspondences etc. A lecture given at the 96th International Convention at Adyar, 1971 |
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THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY AS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE FUTURE RELIGIONS OD HUMANITY First Published 'The Theosophist' February-March 1982 |
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