Richard Smoley

Two major events this year: Richard will be a scholar in residence at the Krotona School of Theosophy this spring. He's also put together a conference on esoteric Christianity for the Theosophical Society this fall. See the links and text below for more information!

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Krotona School of Theosophy
Ojai, California

In April and May 2008, Richard will be a scholar in residence at the Krotona School of Theosophy in Ojai, California. This legendary place, set in a spot chosen by Krishnamurti and Annie Besant, is a perfect setting in which to explore some of the deepest mysteries that lie at the core of our being.

On April 18-20, Richard will be conducting a weekend workshop to introduce participants to the central teachings of esoteric Christianity, the secret doctrine that lies behind the surface forms of the religion.

He’ll talk about the history of this tradition, which reaches back to antiquity to the days of the Gnostics. He’ll discuss some of its key teachings: the inner Christ; the tripartite structure of body, soul, and spirit; and gnosis, or inner illumination. He’ll describe the cosmology of traditional Christianity and how it relates to current scientific concepts. He’ll also explore the notion of the secret Church and the esoteric traditions as manifested in the teachings of the Gnostics and Rosicrucians. Guided meditations and in-depth discussions will enable you to experience these ideas for yourself.

Richard will also introduce some of the key ideas from his latest book, Conscious Love: Insights from Mystical Christianity, which will be published in April 2008. Join him to explore such issues as the Equation, which dictates the laws of attraction and romance; transactional love as experienced in romance, marriage, family life, and friendship; and unconditional or conscious love, which transcends all of these.


For more in-depth study, Richard will be conducting a four-week course in the Western inner traditions from April 22 to May 16.

In this series, Richard will explore the Western esoteric traditions from their roots in earliest times to their manifestations in contemporary culture. The course will begin with the esoteric teachings of Egypt and Mesopotamia and their continuation into classical Greco-Roman civilization and into Kabbalah, Gnosticism, and esoteric Christianity. The course will also explore survivals of primordial esoteric teachings in the indigenous religions of Europe.

Other topics will include the occult philosophy of the Renaissance; Rosicrucianism; Freemasonry; Theosophy; the Western tradition of ritual magic; the idea of the secret brotherhood; twentieth-century figures such as C.G. Jung, G.I. Gurdjieff, and René Guénon; and the New Age. You'll have the opportunity to explore these teachings experientially through guided meditations, exercises, and discussions.

The course will use Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions by Richard Smoley and Jay Kinney as a core text.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to penetrate into some of the deepest aspects of esoteric spirituality--conceptually and experientially.

Visit the Krotona Web site for more information!