My interest in spiritual connections produced my discovery of Annie Besant (1847-1933). Besant was a social reformer in England who in 1879 lost her children as a result of her free thinking. Besant was a prolific writer and powerful orator with strong political views. In 1998 she wrote a review of The Secret Doctrine by H.P. Blavatsky. A later meeting with Blavatsky resulted in her conversion to Theosophy where she saw an avenue to a spiritual dimension and the hope for transformation. Besant was elected international president of Blavatsky's Theosophical Society in 1907 when the first president Henry Steel Olcott died. She wrote a number of significant books and pamphlets.
o (1893) Her Autobiography
o (1897) Four Great Religions
o (1897) The Ancient Wisdom
o (1905) Translation of Bhagava Gita
o Numerous Pamphlets on theosophy
My knowledge of Besant was via clairvoyant Charles Webster Leadbeater whose books I was familiar with. She met him in 1894 in London. They became co-workers in the theosophical movement and by 1885 Besant also became clairvoyant. Together they world investigate the universe of matter, thought forms, and the history of man through clairvoyant inquiry.
Besant's focus for Theosophy was the Hindu opinion in lieu of the Buddhist targets of former theosophical leaders. She set up a school for boys at Varanasi: the Central Hindu College whose aim was to build new leadership for India. The boys were deeply immersed in Hindu scriptures and also studied modern science. As early as 1889 Blavatsky told followers that the real purpose of the Society was to prepare students for the reception of the world teacher when he appeared again on earth.
Juddu Krishnamurti who bonded with Besant and created some dissention as Leadbeater disagreed with the relationship. By 1929 all was well and Krishnamurti and the Theosophy Society were comfortable with each other.
I am amazed by women like Annie Besant who in the 18th century were pursuing the rights of women, humanitarian causes, the mysteries and occult teachings. Her interest in freemasonry and subsequent leadership and activism comes as no surprise. She pursued freemasonry with equal vigor when it was mentioned to her that there was a masonry that accepted women as well as men. She saw freemasonry as an extension of her interest in the rights of women and the greater brotherhood of man and saw free masonry as a movement which practiced true brotherhood, in which women and men worked side by side for the perfecting of humanity.
My biggest FEAR in life is becoming dependent.
The idea of depending on my boss, a medical doctor, expensive insurance or the government for my health care does not feel right.
Are there Solutions?
The answer is YES
Bill Tallmon's http://www.beyourowndoc.com
