The Elder Brother: A Biography of Charles Webster Leadbeater

Description

A leading figure in the Theosophical Society, Leadbeater was a prolific author, writing on subjects ranging from Buddhism, Masonic history and the origins of Christianity through to the power of thought and the fourth dimension. Leadbeater was also the force behind Annie Besant, the discoverer and educator if Krishnamurti, and became Presiding Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church. For all his influence Charles Leadbeater remains largely unknown as a man. This biography, first published in 1982, dispels many of the mysteries surrounding his life, and Leadbeater emerges as neither evil degenerate or infallible saint, but as a complex and eccentric adventurer into the realm of the occult. This title will be of particular interest to students of history and theology. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Illustrations Preface and acknowledgments A note on sources 1 The man and the myth 2 A life of manifold adventures: mysterious beginnings 3 The High Church curate: Anglicanism and psychic research 4 Through spiritualism to Theosophy: Spirit guides, Masters and Mr Sinnett 5 ‘A nice occultist’: Madame Blavatsky startles the curate 6 Buddhism in passing and Adyar at last 7 The Masters and the Path: the rising star 8 The ‘astral plane’: the inner side of things 9 Serious charges preferred: the fallen prophet 10 A disciple reinstated: the prodigal returns 11 Many candles in the sun: Krishnamurti and the new vision 12 ‘In the lives, in the lives . . .’ in which everyone is reincarnated 13 Eggs, English and exercises: the preparation of the Vehicle 14 The rising star: the emerging Arhat and a question of custody 15 Masonry, the war and a new sub-race: preparation for the Coming 16 The priesthood recovered: Leadbeater and the Liberal Catholic Church 17 ‘Where Leadbeater bishes’: the Sydney police investigate 18 ‘Amid the Stygian darkness’ — towards the sunrise 19 A star sets suddenly: the abdication of the Messiah 20 The elderly patriarch: the final years 21 ‘To those who mourn’: the judgment after death Notes Bibliography Index