Theosophy, Besant and Leadbeater
Response to Devotion
Besant and Leadbeater describe selfless thought as opening a channel between planes. Divine force is then said to flow through that opening, strengthening the thinker and benefiting others. They present this as an explanation of experiences otherwise called answers to prayer.
Also known as Answer to Prayer in Thought-Forms · Divine Force and Devotion
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In the sources
Selflessness described as opening a channel
ReportedThe book contrasts selfish energy moving in a closed curve with selfless energy moving in an open one. It claims that the latter reaches a higher plane and makes a channel for divine force.
A proposed explanation of answered prayer
ReportedThe authors say the descending influence strengthens and uplifts its maker and spreads a beneficial influence. They explain it through divine law rather than a special intervention of Providence.
Context & interpretation
This is an attributed metaphysical explanation, not an established physical mechanism or proof that prayer causes a particular outcome. The authors' contrast between divine law and special intervention records their own position. No claim of a measured channel, guaranteed benefit or independently demonstrated response is made here.
Original passages
Source 1
Thought-Forms
the requisite channel through which the divine force appropriate to the higher plane can pour itself into the lowerOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Response to Devotion, printed p. 47
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0021-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0021-E001-P0030
- Original scan leaf
- 29
- Recorded leaf number
- 30
- Current Reader position
- 30
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
- Location review
- Original scan location confirmed against the reviewed Reader mapping; the earlier recorded number is retained above.
Source 2
Thought-Forms
This effect has often been called an answer to prayerOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Response to Devotion, printed p. 48
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0021-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0021-E001-P0031
- Original scan leaf
- 30
- Recorded leaf number
- 31
- Current Reader position
- 31
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
- Location review
- Original scan location confirmed against the reviewed Reader mapping; the earlier recorded number is retained above.
