My Path to Atheism

Wer seine Gedanken beherrscht, beherrscht sein Leben! Dieses Motto könnte über dem brillanten Werk von Annie Besant über die Macht der Gedanken stehen.Noch immer nutzt der Mensch sein geistiges Potenzial in einem viel zu geringem Umfang. In überaus erhellender Klarheit legt die große spirituelle Lehrerin in ihrem Meisterwerk die verborgenen Wirkweisen des Denkvermögens dar. So wird deutlich, wie die Gedanken den Alltag, das eigene Bewusstsein, die zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen und letztlich alles Leben beeinflussen. Wer seine Gedanken zu kontrollieren und weise einzusetzen vermag, hält nicht nur den Schlüssel zum eigenen Lebensglück in den Händen, sondern leistet auch einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur Anhebung allen menschlichen Lebens.Ein Handbuch zur Entfaltung eines kraftvollen und gesunden Denkens, das die Voraussetzungen schafft, um ein erfülltes Leben zu führen.

Annie Besant (née Wood; 1 October 1847 - 20 September 1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, educationist, and campaigner for Indian nationalism. Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was also a prolific author with over three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included being one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University. For fifteen years, Besant was a public proponent in England of atheism and scientific materialism. Besant's goal was to provide employment, better living conditions, and proper education for the poor.

Annie Besant (née Wood; 1 October 1847 - 20 September 1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, educationist, and campaigner for Indian nationalism. Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was also a prolific author with over three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included being one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University. For fifteen years, Besant was a public proponent in England of atheism and scientific materialism. Besant's goal was to provide employment, better living conditions, and proper education for the poor.

Réincarnation / par Annie Besant; traduit de la 3e édition anglaise par la Dresse M. SchultzDate de l'édition originale: 1904Collection: Bibliothèque théosophiqueLe présent ouvrage s'inscrit dans une politique de conservation patrimoniale des ouvrages de la littérature Française mise en place avec la BNF.HACHETTE LIVRE et la BNF proposent ainsi un catalogue de titres indisponibles, la BNF ayant numérisé ces oeuvres et HACHETTE LIVRE les imprimant à la demande.Certains de ces ouvrages reflètent des courants de pensée caractéristiques de leur époque, mais qui seraient aujourd'hui jugés condamnables.Ils n'en appartiennent pas moins à l'histoire des idées en France et sont susceptibles de présenter un intérêt scientifique ou historique.Le sens de notre démarche éditoriale consiste ainsi à permettre l'accès à ces oeuvres sans pour autant que nous en cautionnions en aucune façon le contenu.Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur www.hachettebnf.fr

Vers l'initiation: conférences de Londres 1912: traduit de l'anglais (Cinquième édition) / Annie BesantDate de l'édition originale: 1913Le présent ouvrage s'inscrit dans une politique de conservation patrimoniale des ouvrages de la littérature Française mise en place avec la BNF.HACHETTE LIVRE et la BNF proposent ainsi un catalogue de titres indisponibles, la BNF ayant numérisé ces oeuvres et HACHETTE LIVRE les imprimant à la demande.Certains de ces ouvrages reflètent des courants de pensée caractéristiques de leur époque, mais qui seraient aujourd'hui jugés condamnables.Ils n'en appartiennent pas moins à l'histoire des idées en France et sont susceptibles de présenter un intérêt scientifique ou historique.Le sens de notre démarche éditoriale consiste ainsi à permettre l'accès à ces oeuvres sans pour autant que nous en cautionnions en aucune façon le contenu.Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur www.hachettebnf.fr

"Death-and After?" by Annie Besant delves into the theosophical understanding of death and the afterlife, offering a comprehensive exploration of the human constitution and the journey of the soul post-mortem. Besant begins by addressing the common fear and misconceptions surrounding death, particularly within Christian traditions, and contrasts these with the more serene perspectives found in ancient religions and theosophy. She outlines the septenary constitution of man, dividing it into the immortal triad (Atma, Buddhi, Manas) and the perishable quaternary (Kama, Prana, Etheric Double, Dense Body). The text explains the process of death as a series of separations, where the soul sheds its physical and etheric bodies, eventually entering Kamaloka, an intermediary state. Here, the soul, still attached to its desires, undergoes a purification process before moving to Devachan, a state of blissful rest. Besant emphasizes the importance of understanding these stages to alleviate the fear of death and to recognize the continuity of consciousness beyond physical existence. She also discusses the potential for communication between the living and the deceased, cautioning against disturbing the natural progression of the soul. The work serves as both a guide and a reassurance, encouraging readers to view death not as an end, but as a passage to a higher state of being.

"My Path to Atheism" by Annie Besant is a reflective exploration of the author's passage from Christianity to atheism. The text is a compilation of essays written over five years, capturing the evolution of Besant's thoughts and beliefs. Initially, Besant was a devout Christian, but her journey towards atheism began with critical examinations of Christian doctrines, particularly the deity of Jesus Christ, the concept of atonement, and the notion of eternal punishment. She argues that a thorough understanding of the Bible often leads to heretical thoughts, as the inconsistencies and contradictions within the scriptures become apparent. Besant's skepticism was further fueled by personal experiences, such as the illness of her daughter, which prompted deeper questioning of the nature of suffering and the love of God. Her studies extended beyond Christianity to other religions, including Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, leading her to conclude that change is universal and not confined to any single faith. The essays also critique the reliance on miracles and prophecy as evidence of Jesus's divinity, suggesting that such claims are insufficient and often contradicted by historical and scriptural analysis. Besant's work is a testament to her intellectual rigor and commitment to truth, as she navigates the complex landscape of faith, ultimately finding solace and hope in atheism. Her writings encourage readers to question established beliefs and seek a deeper understanding of spirituality and morality.

Pourquoi je suis devenue théosophe / par Annie Besant, ...; traduction F. T. N. [Guillaume de Fontenay]Date de l'édition originale: 1911Collection: Bibliothèque théosophiqueLe présent ouvrage s'inscrit dans une politique de conservation patrimoniale des ouvrages de la littérature Française mise en place avec la BNF.HACHETTE LIVRE et la BNF proposent ainsi un catalogue de titres indisponibles, la BNF ayant numérisé ces oeuvres et HACHETTE LIVRE les imprimant à la demande.Certains de ces ouvrages reflètent des courants de pensée caractéristiques de leur époque, mais qui seraient aujourd'hui jugés condamnables.Ils n'en appartiennent pas moins à l'histoire des idées en France et sont susceptibles de présenter un intérêt scientifique ou historique.Le sens de notre démarche éditoriale consiste ainsi à permettre l'accès à ces oeuvres sans pour autant que nous en cautionnions en aucune façon le contenu.Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur www.hachettebnf.fr

Annie Besant (née Wood; 1 October 1847 – 20 September 1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, women's rights activist, writer, orator, educationist, and philanthropist. Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was a prolific author with over three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included the founding of the Banaras Hindu University.In 1867, Annie, at age 20, married Frank Besant, a clergyman, and they had two children. However, Annie's increasingly unconventional religious views led to their legal separation in 1873. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society (NSS), as well as a writer, and a close friend of Charles Bradlaugh. In 1877 they were prosecuted for publishing a book by birth control campaigner Charles Knowlton. The scandal made them famous, and Bradlaugh was subsequently elected M.P. for Northampton in 1880.In 1890 Besant met Helena Blavatsky, and over the next few years her interest in theosophy grew, whilst her interest in secular matters waned. She became a member of the Theosophical Society and a prominent lecturer on the subject. As part of her theosophy-related work, she travelled to India. In 1898 she helped establish the Central Hindu School, and in 1922 she helped establish the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board in Mumbai, India. In 1902, she established the first overseas Lodge of the International Order of Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain. Over the next few years she established lodges in many parts of the British Empire. In 1907 she became president of the Theosophical Society, whose international headquarters were, by then, located in Adyar, Madras, (Chennai).She also became involved in politics in India, joining the Indian National Congress. When World War I broke out in 1914, she helped launch the Home Rule League to campaign for democracy in India, and dominion status within the British Empire. This led to her election as president of the India National Congress, in late 1917. In the late 1920s, Besant travelled to the United States with her protégé and adopted son Jiddu Krishnamurti, who she claimed was the new Messiah and incarnation of Buddha. Krishnamurti rejected these claims in 1929. After the war, she continued to campaign for Indian independence and for the causes of theosophy, until her death in 1933. (wikipedia.org)

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Annie Besant (née Wood; 1 October 1847 - 20 September 1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, educationist, and campaigner for Indian nationalism. Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was also a prolific author with over three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included being one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University. For fifteen years, Besant was a public proponent in England of atheism and scientific materialism. Besant's goal was to provide employment, better living conditions, and proper education for the poor.

In proceeding to the contemplation of the mysteries of knowledge, we shall adhere to the celebrated and venerable rule of tradition, commencing from the origin of the universe, setting forth those points of physical contemplation which are necessary to be premised, and removing whatever can be an obstacle on the way; so that the ear may be prepared for the reception of the tradition of the Gnosis, the ground being cleared of weeds and fitted for the planting of the vineyard; for there is a conflict before the conflict, and mysteries before the mysteries.-S. Clement of Alexandria.Let the specimen suffice to those who have ears. For it is not required to unfold the mystery, but only to indicate what is sufficient.-Ibid.He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.-S. Matthew.