Invisible Worlds: Annie Besant on Psychic and Spiritual Development

Annie Besant (1847–1933) was an outspoken feminist, political activist and longtime president of the Theosophical Society. She was also an ardent advocate of psychic and spiritual development. In Invisible Worlds: Annie Besant on Psychic and Spiritual Development, consciousness researcher and Besant expert Kurt Leland has collected 16 of Besant’s articles, lectures and pamphlets that provide guidelines for the pursuit of such development, which Besant felt should be available to all. Still renowned as a spiritual teacher throughout the English-speaking world and beyond, Besant focused on the goal of developing our dense and subtle bodies. First, we should explore and master their faculties for action, feeling, and thought, each of which is well within our reach. According to Besant, these faculties correspond to our physical, astral, and mental bodies. Then we should explore and master the inner senses, specialized for perception on the higher planes on which our subtle bodies operate as vehicles of consciousness. The aim of such training was to enable us to rise to the spiritual plane where we might be taught by highly evolved beings—sometimes called “the Masters.” Besant believed she had accomplished this goal for herself, that it changed her life in positive ways, and that with a proper understanding of the process, others could achieve the same goal. Invisible Worlds provides authoritative texts, made readable and relevant to a contemporary audience of spiritual seekers, with copious annotation and a study guide that suggests possibilities for further exploration of Theosophical literature on psychic and spiritual development. Besant’s writings are divided into four parts— Occultism Light and Dark, Higher Life Training, the Investigation of Different Worlds, and the Science of the Superphysical. Although penned a century ago, Besant’s wisdom on the subject is still germane. Her prose is clear and inspiring, and Kurt Leland’s introduction and notes are well-informed.

475 pages

About the author: Kurt Leland has been fascinated with the possibilities of consciousness since he had his first astral projection experiences at age 14. He has researched such experiences for many years through personal exploration and the writings of contemporary authors such as Robert Monroe (Journeys Out of the Body, Far Journeys) and Jane Roberts (The Seth Material, Seth Speaks); cross-cultural studies of The Egyptian and Tibetan Books of the Dead and various Hindu and Buddhist sacred texts; and ancient and modern accounts and theories of dreams, shamanic journeys, and near-death experiences. In 2005, he came across Annie Besant’sMan and His Bodies. He began a course of deep reading in Theosophy, including the writings of Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater and the major works of H. P. Blavatsky. This exposure to Theosophy gave Leland tools for teaching others how to safely explore their subtle bodies and the consciousness phenomena associated with them, which are not limited to astral projection. Deeply impressed with Besant’s teachings, he dedicated a portion of his website to a comprehensive bibliography of her 600 plus books, pamphlets, and articles called “The Annie Besant Shrine,” including links to locations where many of these texts may be read online. Leland is also an award-winning poet and composer, and author of five nonfiction books. He maintains an intuitive counseling practice, Spiritual Orienteering, in the Boston area. For more information visit www.kurtleland.com.