Swedish Theosophist In America

Last updated on: December 30, 2023 at 12:19 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

A look at three Swedish-American immigrants who belonged to the Theosophical Society, and their influence on their adopted-home. JAKOB BONGGREN Jakob Bonggren.[1] Jakob Bonggren (1854-1940,) was a postmaster from Mora, Sweden, who wrote occasional poetry and newspaper. He published a book of poetry that was critical of the inequality of Swedish society, and was offered a job in America working for the Chicago-based newspaper, Svenska Amerikanaren (The Swedish American.) Bonggren immigrate to the United States in 1882 with his... Read more

The Decay Of Lying

Last updated on: January 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE DECAY OF LYING ACT III. VIII. ⸻ Willie Yeats joined the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society just before Christmas 1888. He took no exception to the pledge, save for two clauses, which he explained to Blavatsky. “The promise to work for Theosophy, and the promise of obedience to you in all Theosophical matters,” said Yeats. “I can only sign on the condition that I myself am to be judge as to what Theosophy is, and I consider my... Read more

The General Idea Underlying The Opera

Last updated on: December 26, 2023 at 6:55 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE GENERAL IDEA UNDERLYING THE OPERA ACT III. VII. ⸻ The City of Berlin was set to depart on December 20, and Judge was less than enthusiastic about returning to Brooklyn.[1] “It is sometimes appalling to remember the millions of people in America alone, in comparison with the few Theosophists and Theosophical branches,” Judge told Blavatsky. “What hope was there of our making a change in National character in any land?” “It might seem discouraging when viewed in that way,... Read more

The Civic Church

Last updated on: April 18, 2024 at 7:12 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE CIVIC CHURCH ~ Choral Service, Sunday Evening, April 14, 1907. Carnegie Hall.[1] On April 14, 1907, the civic leader of New York were preparing for the great National Arbitration and Peace Congress, an event largely sponsored by Industrialist-Philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. During the day there were gatherings devoted to peace throughout the city, and many clergymen made the theme the topic their morning sermons. Alexander Irvine was among those who devoted a podium to the topic. There were... Read more

Where Vishnu Slumbers In His Sea-Girt Shrine

Last updated on: December 25, 2023 at 8:25 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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WHERE VISHNU SLUMBERS IN HIS SEA-GIRT SHRINE ACT III. VI. ⸻ “That so great a mind could not have taken in that splendid teaching of the Sages…” Olcott sighed.[1] He was recounting the story of his meeting with Max Müller to Charley and Ragunath Row, Baroness Kroumess, and Verochka. Joining them was Noguchi Zenshirō, a representative for a committee of Japanese Buddhists, who arrived in Adyar on December 3, 1888, with an invitation for Olcott to lecture in Japan.[2] “There... Read more

A Yankee In King David’s Court

Last updated on: November 10, 2023 at 4:20 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE NEW PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Mark Twain c. 1867 (Source: Wiki) In 1867 Mark Twain was among the passengers of the Quaker City. The ship was on a five-month voyage, or “pleasure excursion,” in Europe, and the “Holy Land.” His clever observations would be result in bis first major success, The Innocents Abroad (1869.) His humor made the work stand out as an unconventional travelogue. A critique of the performative religiosity of his fellow passengers, for example, was... Read more

Fadism

Last updated on: November 5, 2023 at 5:07 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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Words are meaningless. We give words meaning. We give words meaning to convey an idea. If a word does not convey an idea, then why bother using it? Have you ever met someone who said, “I’m spiritual but not religious?” I’m willing to bet you have. I’m also confident that you know what that means. Have you ever met someone who said, “I’m religious but not spiritual?” I’m less confident that you have. I’m sure you have met someone who... Read more

Mount Hope

Last updated on: November 7, 2023 at 9:26 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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Herman Melville watched the Petra party leave on a French steamer for Alexandria on the afternoon of January 22, 1857. “I am the only traveler sojourning in Jaffa,” Melville thought as he passed the dark, stone, houses with their arched vaults. At thirty-seven years old, Melville was struggling, having found little success with his book, Moby Dick, when it was published five years earlier. His reputation declined inversely and proportional to his increase of depression, debt, and ill health. The... Read more

The Porkington Manuscript

Last updated on: November 1, 2023 at 10:18 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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An excessive heatwave blanketed New York in July 1911.[1] Acton Griscom, a month shy of his twentieth birthday, was grateful for the evening sea breeze on the porch of The Oriental Hotel. He was excited for the future.[2] The letter he just sent was, admittedly, a rather bold procedure, but there was no other course to take. He did what needed to be done. His request to borrow a priceless object from Lord Harlech was unconventional, but his letter... Read more

Before The Atma Awakes

Last updated on: November 11, 2023 at 8:15 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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BEFORE THE ATMA AWAKES ACT III. V. ⸻ Immediately after the Notice of the formation of the Esoteric Section in Lucifer, Blavatsky sent out a formal communication to all applicants, marked “strictly private and confidential.” It contained an introductory statement, and a summary titled “Rules of the Esoteric Section (Probationary) of the Theosophical Society,” the “Pledge of Probationers in the Esoteric Section,” and some preliminary questions and requirements to be responded to by the applicant. Hundreds of the most active... Read more