To this day no one seems even to feel quite certain whether the Theosophists are a kind of Serpent-and-Devil worshipers, or simply “Esoteric Buddhists”—whatever that may mean. It was useless for us to go on denying, day after day and year after year, every kind of inconceivable cock-and-bull stories about us; for, no sooner was one disposed of, than another, a still more absurd and malicious one, was born out of the ashes of the first.
So long as the T.S. has a few devoted members willing to work for it without reward and thanks, so long as a few good Theosophists support it with occasional donations, so long will it exist, and nothing can crush it.
Enquirer: I have heard many Theosophists speak of a “power behind the Society” and of certain “Mahatmas,” mentioned also in Mr. Sinnett’s works, that are said to have founded the Society, to watch over and protect it.
HPB: You may laugh, but it is so.
We call them “Masters” because they are our teachers; and because from them we have derived all the Theosophical truths, however inadequately some of us may have expressed, and others understood, them. They are men of great learning, whom we term Initiates, and still greater holiness of life. They are not ascetics in the ordinary sense, though they certainly remain apart from the turmoil and strife of your western world.
The Society will live on into and through the twentieth century. It will gradually leaven and permeate the great mass of thinking and intelligent people with its large-minded and noble ideas of Religion, Duty, and Philanthropy. Slowly but surely it will burst asunder the iron fetters of creeds and dogmas, of social and caste prejudices; it will break down racial and national antipathies and barriers, and will open the way to the practical realization of the Brotherhood of all men.
Through its teaching, through the philosophy which it has rendered accessible and intelligible to the modern mind, the West will learn to understand and appreciate the East at its true value. Further, the development of the psychic powers and faculties, the premonitory symptoms of which are already visible in America, will proceed healthily and normally.
It is curious to see how prophetic in almost all things was the writer of Vishnu Purâna when foretelling to Maitreya some of the dark influences and sins of this Kali Yug. For after saying that the “barbarians” will be masters of the banks… There will be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth— kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness... Wealth and piety will decrease until the world will be wholly depraved. Property alone will confer rank; wealth will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification.
Mankind will be saved from the terrible dangers, both mental and bodily, which are inevitable when that unfolding takes place, as it threatens to do, in a hot-bed of selfishness and all evil passions. Man’s mental and psychic growth will proceed in harmony with his moral improvement, while his material surroundings will reflect the peace and fraternal goodwill which will reign in his mind, instead of the discord and strife which is everywhere apparent around us today.
Theosophical Society of San Francisco
The San Francisco Lodge of the Theosophical Society was founded on August 10, 1901. Our Motto is "No Religion Higher Than Truth, No Power Greater Than Love." We serve the Three Avowed Objects of the Theosophical Society. The Society was initially founded in N.Y.C. on November 17, 1875. The International Theosophical Society is based in Adyar, India and the Theosophical Society of America is based in Wheaton, IL.
Sunday, September 14, 2025
"The Society will live on into and through the twentieth century ..." - Blavatsky on the Kali Yuga & the Theosophical Society's Mission
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 PROGRAM
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 PROGRAM
ON-LINE: Sunday, 9/28/25, at 6 p.m., Elaine Santos presents "Antarayh Imagery - Understanding Your Obstacle to Practice"
IN-PERSON: Sunday, 10/26/25, 4 to 6 p.m. - Lodge Library Hours / Conversations in Theosophy (Topic: "Cult versus Occult")
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
"Just a wild-assed spark of the Infinite functioning in the finite" - Celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the Paranirvana of Legendary American Sage Joe Miller
Sunday, August 10, 2025
From August 10, 1901 to August 10, 2025 & On & On - "No Power Greater Than Love"
SFTS Lodge has borne witness to two World Wars, the Great Depression, the rise of the Information Age, the ongoing planetary Climate Emergency, the global Covid pandemic and other dire threats.
The legendary American sages Joe and Guin Miller brought many of us into the circle of this Lodge and some of us have kept it alive and thriving since the Millers’ passing in 1992. Yes, over three decades ago. Poignantly, a new generation of members, friends and allies who never met Joe and Guin have felt the power and holy atmosphere of this space and have made it a part of their lives.
The circle is unbroken. As Joe used to say, “We pray to the great god ‘On’!”
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO JULY-AUGUST 2025 PROGRAM
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"No Religion Higher Than Truth, No Power Greater Than Love" Altar, Main Meeting Room, Theosophical Society of San Francisco |
JULY-AUGUST 2025 PROGRAM
ON-LINE: Sunday, 8/10/25, at 6 p.m., Jeff Curtis presents "Some Highlights from the JWST Revolution in Cosmology"
IN-PERSON: Sunday, 8/24/25, 4 to 6 p.m. - Lodge Library Hours / Conversations in Theosophy (Topic: "Cult versus Occult")
6/15/25 - Shadow7/20/25 - Siddha8/17/25 - Shakta
9/21/25 - Spanda
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ygrx3Z1ESHCR9muMtKrwDw
You will only have to register once. You will be confirmed for all four talks.
Friday, May 23, 2025
"Verities of Being" - A Series of Four Talks By Richard Power
Theosophical Society of San Francisco via Zoom
June 15, 6-7 pm - “Part 1: Shadow”
July 20, 6-7 pm - “Part 2: Siddha”
August 17, 6-7 pm - “Part 3: Shakta”
Sept 21, 6-7 pm – “Part 4: Spanda”
Register Once & You Will Be Confirmed for All 4 Talks
To Register, Go To
#NoReligionHigherThanTruth #NoPowerGreaterThanLove
Thursday, May 8, 2025
White Lotus Day, 5/8/25 (Theosophical Society of San Francisco)
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"The Universe is the periodical manifestation of this unknown Absolute Essence" - H.P. Blavatsky |
And we, who lived around her, who in closest intimacy watched her day after day, we bear witness to the unselfish beauty of her life, the nobility of her character, and we lay at her feet our most reverent gratitude for knowledge gained, lives purified, strength developed. - Annie Besant
Mme Blavatsky is a bit wild and somewhat irrational and speaks as if she were the Oracle of Delphi. But I will admit that I find some interesting observations in her book which was published as you know, back in 1888, at a time when physics and science were in their swaddling clothes... I'm astonished how much in keeping it is with modern Physics... There are many other significant statements of hers which I find interesting, but for which i have no time to discuss now. - Albert Einstein
She was a splendid pianist, playing with a touch and expression that were simply superb. Her hands were models—ideal and actual—for a sculptor and never seen to such advantage as when flying over the keyboard to find its magical melodies... There were times when she was occupied by one of the Mahâtmas, when her playing was indescribably grand. She would sit in the dusk sometimes, with nobody else in the room beside myself, and strike from the sweet-toned instrument improvisations that might well make one fancy he was listening to the Gandhâvas, or heavenly choristers. It was the harmony of heaven... - Henry S. Olcott
And here is a beautiful performance of the adagio from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (the music she asked be played in remembrance of her, annually, on this date):