K. Paul Johnson
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Paul Johnson is a historian of esotericism
who has written books on Theosophy
and Edgar Cayce
. He was a member of both the Theosophical Society
and the Association for Research and Enlightenment
from the late 1970s intermittently through the early 2000s. In 2005 he joined the Church of Light (founded by C.C. Zain).
On 1 May 2008, Johnson retired from his position as head librarian
at the Halifax County-South Boston
Regional Library.
Esotericism
Esotericism or Esoterism signifies the holding of esoteric opinions or beliefs, that is, ideas preserved or understood by a small group or those specially initiated, or of rare or unusual interest. The term derives from the Greek , a compound of : "within", thus "pertaining to the more inward",...
who has written books on Theosophy
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
and Edgar Cayce
Edgar Cayce
Edgar Cayce was an American psychic who allegedly had the ability to give answers to questions on subjects such as healing or Atlantis while in a hypnotic trance...
. He was a member of both the Theosophical Society
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...
and the Association for Research and Enlightenment
Association for Research and Enlightenment
The Association for Research and Enlightenment , also known as Edgar Cayce's A.R.E., was founded by Edgar Cayce in 1931 to research and explore subjects such as holistic health, ancient mysteries, personal spirituality, dreams and dream interpretation, intuition, philosophy and reincarnation...
from the late 1970s intermittently through the early 2000s. In 2005 he joined the Church of Light (founded by C.C. Zain).
On 1 May 2008, Johnson retired from his position as head librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
at the Halifax County-South Boston
South Boston, Virginia
South Boston is a town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,142 at the 2010 census.- History :On December 8, 1796, the General Assembly authorized eight commissioners to establish at Boyd's Ferry on the south side of the Dan River the town of South Boston, named for...
Regional Library.
Books
- Report of Proceedings: Secret Doctrine Centenary (Theosophical University Press, 1989) includes a presentation by Johnson, "The Chaldean Book of Numbers".
- In Search of the Masters (self-published, 1990) contains material that was later reworked into the following:
- The Masters Revealed (SUNY Press, 1994) attempts to recover the identities of the Blavatsky's MahatmaMahatmaMahatma is Sanskrit for "Great Soul". It is similar in usage to the modern Christian term saint. This epithet is commonly applied to prominent people like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jyotirao Phule and Branch Rickey...
s. Where most non-Theosophical commentators assume them to have been invented by Mme. Blavatsky, and Theosophical ones believe them to have actually existed as described, Johnson proposes a third way of understanding the Mahatmas—as disguised versions of real, historical figures whom Blavatsky met during her travels. (The need for this dissimulation arose from the political situation of 19th-century British India, he says.) Johnson tentatively suggests a list of real-world spiritual figures (e.g., Thakar Singh Sandhanwalia, Ranbir SinghRanbir SinghGeneral Shriman Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Sri Sir Ranbir Singhji, Indar Mahindar Bahadur, Sipar-i-Sultanat, Mushir-i-Khas-i-Kaiser-i-Hind GCSI, CIE, Kaiser-i-Hind was the son of Maharaja Gulab Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and head of the Jamwal Rajput clan.The trans-Himalayan territories...
, Jamal al-Din al-AfghaniJamal al-Din al-AfghaniSayyid Muḥammad ibn Ṣafdar Husaynī , better known as Sayyid Jamāl-ad-Dīn al-Afghānī and Sayyid Jamal-ad-Din Asadabadi , , was a political activist and Islamic ideologist in the Muslim world during the late 19th century, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe...
, Swami Dayananda SaraswatiSwami Dayananda SaraswatiMaharishi Dayanand Saraswati was an important Hindu religious scholar, reformer, and founder of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. He was the first to give the call for Swarajya – "India for Indians" – in 1876, later taken up by Lokmanya Tilak...
, Sarat Chandra DasSarat Chandra DasSarat Chandra Das was an Indian scholar of Tibetan language and culture most noted for his two journeys to Tibet in 1879 and in 1881 - 1882-Biography:...
) who share various features in common with their putative counterparts. One casualty of Johnson's proposed revision is that unlike Theosophy's masters, these individuals had little in common with one another (or with Blavatsky), and seem to have lacked supernatural powers or authority.
- Initiates of Theosophical Masters (SUNY Press, 1995), a sequel to the above (though less focused on Theosophy). Includes material on Radhasoami, the Baha'i religion, and the Fourth Way, all of which share Theosophy's interest in OrientalOrientalismOrientalism is a term used for the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, designers and artists, as well as having other meanings...
spiritual masters. Johnson approaches all of these spiritual movements from a skeptical point of view, though not in an attempt to debunkDebunkerA debunker is an individual who attempts to discredit and contradict claims as being false, exaggerated or pretentious. The term is closely associated with skeptical investigation of, or in some cases irrational resistance to, controversial topics such as U.F.O.s, claimed paranormal phenomena,...
them.
- Edgar Cayce in Context (SUNY Press, 1998). Examines various aspects of a well-known Kentucky clairvoyant. Johnson admires some aspects of Cayce (such as astrology, ESP, and his interpretation of Jesus), more than others (such as his "pseudo-history" or his prophecies).
- The Inner West (Tarcher/Penguin, 2004) is a collection edited and introduced by Jay KinneyJay KinneyJay Kinney is an American author, editor, and former underground cartoonist. A member, along with Skip Williamson, Jay Lynch and R. Crumb, of the original Bijou Funnies crew, Kinney also edited Young Lust, a satire of romance comics, in the early 1970s with Bill Griffith...
, including a chapter by Johnson, "Blavatsky and Her Masters."
- Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers (Thoemmes, 2005) includes an entry on Helena Petrovna Blavatsky authored by Johnson.
- Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Vol. 3 (Library of Virginia, 2006) includes an entry on Edgar Cayce written by Johnson.
- Combines family history and memoir in an investigation of mulatto ancestors and Union sympathizers in eastern North Carolina
- Carolina Genesis: Beyond the Color Line (Backintyme, 2010) is a collection edited and introduced by Scott Withrow. The final chapter "Dismal Swamp Quakers on the Color Line" continues Johnson's investigations of North Carolina family and political history.