Original Theosophy & Alternative Spirituality 6/6

12-part, 6 short article series on similarities and differences between Blavatskyan theosophy & the alternative spirituality/occulture/new age movement. Informal essay, based on personal observations and experiences.

 

11- Energetic healing

Traditional healing arts and energetic healing have been strongly developed in the alternative spirituality movement, with practices like Reiki, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, massage therapy, etc...

Similarly, original theosophy was interested in these practices as well, but the terms were different. It was mainly mesmerism, magnetic healing or animal magnetism, which were studiously pursued. 

 

Christian Science (which morphed into modern Pentecostal healing practices) started at the same time as Theosophy, and this practice was critiqued in the early Theosophical magazines. It may not be as well known today, but mesmerism and magnetic healing were an important area of interest in the early days.

 

12-Commercialization

We live in a modern world where capitalism is the name of the game. The alternative spirituality movement generally functions within that structure, with some outside alternative models here and there. They seem to do a pretty good job. There are independent teachers who make a living doing what they do. Many have quite a good knack for marketing their goods and services. 

 

The original theosophy model did not avoid the modern marketing systems. They freely placed books in the mainstream market, some did quite well. Some professional authors were theosophists and wrote books with theosophical themes. 

However, they did not produce 'commercial' books. They did not adapt their writings to suit the tastes of the marketplace. They produced what they felt was an accurate presentation of esoteric doctrines, and if a book sold well, then good. 

 

But the actual running of the Theosophical Society was on a non-profit basis, all volunteer work. You could charge money for lectures to cover costs. You could not personally profit for giving extended instruction. Although the question of financing a spiritual project can be complex in modern societies, getting rich from one’s spiritual activities is not an option.