Objectives of The Theosophical Society

The Objectives of The Theosophical Society

The first objective of The Theosophical Society is to demonstrate that the oneness of all life is a fact in nature and to form a nucleus of a universal brotherhood. This, according to Blavatsky, is because:

(a) All men have spiritually and physically the same origin, which is the fundamental teaching of Theosophy. (b) As mankind is essentially of one and the same essence, and that essence is one — infinite, uncreate, and eternal, whether we call it God or Nature — nothing, therefore, can affect one nation or one man without affecting all other nations and all other men. This is as certain and as obvious as that a stone thrown into a pond will, sooner or later, set in motion every single drop of water therein. — The Key to Theosophy, p. 41

To help promote better understanding among all people and recognition of the essential unity of life, another objective encourages the study of ancient and modern religions, sciences, and philosophies:

it is only by studying the various great religions and philosophies of humanity, by comparing them dispassionately and with an unbiased mind, that men can hope to arrive at the truth. It is especially by finding out and noting their various points of agreement that we may achieve this result. For no sooner do we arrive — either by study, or by being taught by someone who knows — at their inner meaning, than we find, almost in every case, that it expresses some great truth in Nature. — Ibid., p. 59

Further objectives encourage investigating and sharing these natural truths — the spiritual, psychological, and material laws and powers found in the cosmos and in the human being. Each person, being a portion of the whole, contains, latent or expressed, all the qualities and attributes of the cosmos. Thus, to know oneself fully is to understand the universe and everything in it. The Society, however, cautions against deliberately seeking psychic powers, by-products of evolution which will in time arise naturally. Cultivating such powers distracts from the deeper goals of human growth and can lead to imbalances in development and consciousness.

The objectives of The Theosophical Society as stated in its constitution are:

to diffuse among men a knowledge of the laws inherent in the universe;
to promulgate the knowledge of the essential unity of all that is, and to demonstrate that this unity is fundamental in nature;
to form an active brotherhood among men;
to study ancient and modern religion, science, and philosophy;
to investigate the powers innate in man.

For further information, see:

The Theosophical Society & Its Objectives (PDF)
The Seal of The Theosophical Society (PDF)
Some Misconceptions about The Theosophical Society (Link)