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Programme of Studies
Presentations, seminars, and courses to interested parties in England and
Wales are being delivered
by our Facilitator of Study; and to individuals
overseas by correspondence and other tools of distant learning.
Our flagship course is Fundamental Theosophy.
This is a systematic and
progressive course of studies in The Secret Doctrine
with optional modules on Esoteric Sciences & Philosophy,
Heart Doctrine, Higher Ethics, Mystic Verse from the East, Personal
Development & Moral Excellence. It
provides an overview of the science of spiritual evolution,
theoretical aspects of which used to be taught in the old mystery
schools. Its keynote echoes HP Blavatsky’s aspirations as set out in
the “Original Programme” Manuscript:
It is esoteric philosophy alone, the
spiritual and psychic blending of man with Nature that, by
revealing fundamental truths, can bring that much desired mediate
state between the two extremes of human Egotism and divine
Altruism and finally lead to the alleviation of human
suffering.
Our approach is entirely unsectarian and
undogmatic. Participants are invited to examine the intrinsic merit
of pivotal philosophical arguments and encouraged to think for
themselves. Sincerity, diligence, and an open mind are the only
prerequisites.
A rich programme of other activities and short
courses is available to educational establishments in the United
Kingdom and abroad through a panel of distinguished scholars and
philosophers.
Facilitator of Study
Chris A Bartzokas was born in Athens,
Greece, 13th November 1947. He was educated at a state Gymnasium and
the Medical School, University of Athens.
Following postgraduate training in Liverpool,
England, he was appointed Senior Lecturer and
NHS Consultant in
Medical Microbiology & Infection Prevention at Liverpool
University and Royal Liverpool Hospital (1978); Clatterbridge
Hospital, (1986). He has published numerous research articles,
chapters, and books.
He has always been interested in the first
principles of life. As an undergraduate, he became acquainted with
Masonry and Theosophy. In his thirties, he studied comparative
religion and philosophy. In his forties, his earlier attraction to
Theosophy was rekindled. With mind applied to the works of HP
Blavatsky and WQ Judge, he elected to retire from medicine (1998) in
order to pursue these, as well as his long-standing interests in
higher ethics and the welfare of humanity. He has since
developed advanced courses for theosophists and independent thinkers
on the Secret Doctrine, Mysticism, and Moral Excellence (2001). He
travels extensively giving lectures and seminars to various
philosophical groups.
In 2005, he founded Philaletheians, a company
of kindred spirits that seeks to reaffirm the eternal verities in
today’s world.
He is associated with several humanistic
organisations and supports individuals in their studies in the UK
and abroad.
Fundamental Theosophy
By integrating ethics with
metaphysics, our prime aim is to demonstrate that Divine Compassion
is not only an abstract but a virtual Universal Law, whose essence is
Absolute Harmony and Love.
We also aim to provide a broad understanding of
the riddles of the human condition, e.g., of birth and death,
of truth and injustice, and of the utopian quest for personal
happiness and peace.
Our objectives are two-fold:
- To bring forth the intrinsic nature and
practice of Compassion / Sacrifice so that the fount and origin of Higher
Ethics becomes widely recognised — both in esoteric and in
practical, everyday, terms.
- To demonstrate that, like the sutratman of the
Vedanta philosophy, true philanthropy is the connecting thread
between Occultism, Mysticism, and the Heart of Being.
Our approach is entirely unsectarian and
undogmatic. Participants are invited to examine the intrinsic merit
of pivotal philosophical arguments and encouraged to think for
themselves. Sincerity, diligence, and an open mind are the only
prerequisites.
1. The Secret Doctrine is the definitive
analysis, exegesis, and synthesis of the world’s major religions and
philosophies. It asserts that (a) we are dual aspects of One
Reality; (b) our consciousness is an individualised
modification of One Consciousness, ever shifting between wakefulness
and dreamless sleep, forgetfulness and remembrance, life and death;
and (c) an appreciation of our common and essential
identity with the One will spur a quest for spiritual progress by
our own inward
exertions, and impartial thoughts and deeds towards All.
2. Another core resource is the Bhagavad Gita or
Song Celestial, which is part of the Mahabharata, India’s
“Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty.” Its sublime message unfolds
through a seven hundred-verse dialogue between Krishna or Logos, and
Prince Arjuna or Man poised to begin his inward journey.
3. Narada’s eighty-one Bhakti Sutras or
Precepts of Inner Devotion is a priceless text of unsurpassed
devotional ardour. It is the penultimate exposition of Bhakti Yoga and
keystone of true mysticism.
4. A fourth text of extraordinary imagery and dynamic
compassion is The Voice of the Silence. Its stirring ethics
are in full harmony with the humbling metaphysics of Mahayana
Buddhism. It is the pith and marrow of Esoteric Philosophy, as
epitomised by the Pledge of Kuan-yin, Goddess of Mercy, in this
poignant quatrain:
Never will I seek nor receive private individual
salvation;
Never will I enter into final peace alone;
But
forever and everywhere will I live and
Strive for the
redemption of every creature throughout the world.
Field jargon will be briefly
discussed and clarified:
-
Confusing terms, i.e.,
Unconsciousness, Semi-consciousness, Consciousness,
Self-consciousness, Perfect Consciousness. Also, Conscience and
other intangibles, e.g., Experience, Mysticism,
etc.
-
Contrastive terms, i.e., Secret
versus Open, Esoteric versus Exoteric, Subjective versus
Objective, Metaphysical versus Ethical,
Spiritual versus Material.
-
Controversial terms, i.e., God,
Christos, Desire, Duty, Man.
The three fundamental propositions of
The Secret Doctrine or the Philosopher’s Stones par
excellence will be presented, explained, and their implications
in everyday life highlighted.
A comparative analysis of two
deceptively simple verses in the Bhagavad Gita and
Bhagavata Purana will unravel the triple hypostasis of the
Law that governs Universe and Man:
-
Karma-Action or Law of Ethical Causation. -
Yugas-Cycles or Law of Activity ever alternating with
Rest. -
Yajna-Compassion or Law of Sacrifice. As Kama-Eros is the
primordial impulse within the ineffable Be-ness, That
unquenchable Desire of Subjectivity
willing
to know Itself through objective existence becomes the
LAW OF THE LAWS,
“the first conscious, all embracing desire
for universal good, love, and for all that lives and feels,
needs help and kindness, the first feeling of infinite tender
compassion and mercy that arose in the consciousness of the
creative One Force,
as soon as it came into life and being as a ray from the
Absolute,”
says HP Blavatsky in her Glossary.
An itemised syllabus is available upon
request.
Sincerity, diligence, and an open
mind.
Esoteric Sciences & Philosophy, Heart Doctrine, Higher Ethics,
Mystic Verse from the East, Personal Development & Moral Excellence.
For those who may be interested to progress faster and deeper,
subsidiary papers and practical guidance will be offered in parallel
with, or upon completion of, the core studies.
Course particulars
A maximum of seven.
To be arranged by the Participants.
After personal introductions, background information about the field
of study, authorities, and ultimate aim of such a study will be
imparted and discussed. Class format and other practicalities will
also be discussed.
The duration of any course of study
depends on the frequency, length, and intensity of group study; and on
the extent and quality of personal study between meetings. The
equivalent of sixteen weeks full-time effort is a broad indication of
the time that is likely to be required by groups of mixed background
and ability to grasp the key to Theosophy. Obviously, part-time efforts
will increase the overall duration accordingly.
All study materials whether
excerpts, quotations or commentaries, are fully referenced.
Electronic copies of the core study
texts and printouts of working texts will be provided.
The nature of the subject matter is not
compatible with pecuniary charges. Therefore, we neither levy fees
nor solicit donations.
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