Grace F. Knoche
Encyclopedia
Grace F. Knoche was leader of the Theosophical Society
with international headquarters at Pasadena, California
from 1971. The Society was founded in 1875 in New York City
to promote universal brotherhood, the study of philosophy, religion, and science, and to investigate the powers innate in nature and man.
Knoche was born at Society's headquarters, then at Point Loma, California, and educated at its schools which pioneered a rounded curriculum including art, music, and drama, completing her education at Theosophical University (PhD 1944). In the 1930s and '40s she worked at the headquarters in several capacities including the secretarial and editorial staffs. At various times from 1933 to 1946 she also taught violin, Greek, Hebrew, Sanskrit
, Bible translation, and Qabbalah at Theosophical University, as well as sculpture and painting at the Lomaland School. After Colonel Arthur L. Conger
became leader of the Society in 1945, Knoche became his private secretary and subeditor of The Theosophical Forum. On Conger's death in 1951, she continued as private secretary to the next leader, James A. Long
, and was subeditor of Sunrise magazine until his death in 1971.
As leader, Knoche emphasized theosophy as a practical and compassionate way of living, believing that "mankind is a living brotherhood of human souls, and how and what any one person thinks or does has its inevitable effect on the totality of world thought." She encouraged mutual respect and cooperation among the members of various theosophical organizations, while recognizing the value of each organization as an independent entity. She put special emphasis on the publications program, in print and online, making the full text of virtually all the Society's press publications freely available on the internet. Besides scores of articles in theosophical magazines, especially Sunrise: Theosophic Perspectives, she wrote three books: To Light a Thousand Lamps, The Mystery Schools, and Theosophy in the Qabbalah (forthcoming).
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
with international headquarters at Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
from 1971. The Society was founded in 1875 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to promote universal brotherhood, the study of philosophy, religion, and science, and to investigate the powers innate in nature and man.
Knoche was born at Society's headquarters, then at Point Loma, California, and educated at its schools which pioneered a rounded curriculum including art, music, and drama, completing her education at Theosophical University (PhD 1944). In the 1930s and '40s she worked at the headquarters in several capacities including the secretarial and editorial staffs. At various times from 1933 to 1946 she also taught violin, Greek, Hebrew, Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, Bible translation, and Qabbalah at Theosophical University, as well as sculpture and painting at the Lomaland School. After Colonel Arthur L. Conger
Arthur L. Conger
Arthur Latham Conger Jr was a theosophist and president of the Theosophical Society Pasadena....
became leader of the Society in 1945, Knoche became his private secretary and subeditor of The Theosophical Forum. On Conger's death in 1951, she continued as private secretary to the next leader, James A. Long
James A. Long
James A. Long was a theosophist and president of the Theosophical Society Pasadena.His election for president of the TS Pasadena was very controversial...
, and was subeditor of Sunrise magazine until his death in 1971.
As leader, Knoche emphasized theosophy as a practical and compassionate way of living, believing that "mankind is a living brotherhood of human souls, and how and what any one person thinks or does has its inevitable effect on the totality of world thought." She encouraged mutual respect and cooperation among the members of various theosophical organizations, while recognizing the value of each organization as an independent entity. She put special emphasis on the publications program, in print and online, making the full text of virtually all the Society's press publications freely available on the internet. Besides scores of articles in theosophical magazines, especially Sunrise: Theosophic Perspectives, she wrote three books: To Light a Thousand Lamps, The Mystery Schools, and Theosophy in the Qabbalah (forthcoming).
Works
- The Mystery Schools. Theosophical University Press, Pasadena, 1999; ISBN 1-55700-066-2
- To Light a Thousand Lamps: A Theosophic Vision. Theosophical University Press, Pasadena, 2001; ISBN 1-55700-171-5
External links
- www.theosociety.org
- Articles by Knoche
- Ihr Werk "Die Mysterienschulen" online (pdf-Dokument, 624 kB) German