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Welcome to the Library of the International Theosophical Centre (ITC)
(Of ga naar Nederlandse pagina over de bibliotheek)

The library at the ITC holds a collection of approximately 8,500 book titles, periodicals, and DVD’s in the field of esotericism and spirituality. Theosophical literature forms the core of the collection. The library works closely together with the library of the Theosophical Society in Amsterdam, the oldest and largest public esoteric library in our country, with nearly 26,000 titles.

ITC Library: for internal activities ánd open to the public

The library has an important function within the framework of activities at the Centre. In addition, the library is also open to the public. Anyone interested in the various forms of esotericism and spirituality is welcome. In recent years, the collection has been expanded with the libraries of the seminary of the Liberal Catholic Church (VKK) and of the Buddhist retreat organisation Sangha Metta.

Borrowing books

Borrowing books is free and open to everyone. You do not need to be a member of anything. The first time you will be asked to show identification. You will also receive the lending regulations. The loan period is a maximum of 3 months, so you will have plenty of time with the books. 

Location 

The library is located in the Besant Hall of the ITC, Meentweg 9, 1411 GR, Naarden. Entrance from back side, see signs for Library.
If you become a library member in Naarden, you can also borrow books from the Theosophical Library in Amsterdam, Tolstraat 154, Wednesday – Saturday, 1 – 5 p.m.

Opening Hours 

  • Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. The library is closed in August.
  • The library is open to participants during activities organised by the ITC.
  • Organisations can, in consultation, obtain the key to the library during their activities at ITC.
  • The library is also available during a multi-day individual retreat (in the cottages).

Contact 

Contact the library by email: bibliotheek@itc-naarden.org or by telephone: +31 (0)35 694 57 81, only during opening hours. Or use email address: bibliotheek@itc-naarden.org. 

Staff welcomes you

The library staff are happy to help you with questions about specific literature or specific subjects. There are often interesting conversations about theosophy, esotericism and spirituality, if desired accompanied by a freshly brewed cup of tea.

The catalogue can also be consulted from home

The ITC library is connected to the central digital catalogue of the library of the Theosophical Society in Amsterdam. The catalogue can also be consulted from home via the website of the Theosophical Society in the Netherlands: https://www.theosofie.nl/bibliotheek/catalogus/.

You can search there by title, author, or subject.

Four main sections

The collection is divided into four main sections:

  1. Theosophy
  2. Religion
  3. Esotericism
  4. Related fields

Besides books and DVDs, there is a collection of theosophical and related periodicals, including Theosofia, The Theosophist, De Vrij Katholiek, the Ster Bulletin, The International Star Bulletin, The Herald of the Star, and St. Michael's News.

Please note that the library's collection includes books in several languages, chiefly Dutch and English. The catalogue descriptions have therefore not been translated. We warmly invite you to visit the library and discover which books match both your interests and your language skills.

 

1 THE - Theosophy/Theosofie

The library has a consistent core collection of theosophical books. The well-known theosophical authors such as H.P. Blavatsky, A. Besant and C.W. Leadbeater are well represented.

Section Description Important subsections and authors
THE-1 Eerste generatie auteurs Blavatsky, Sinnett, Judge, Subba Row, Mahatma brieven
THE-2 Latere auteurs Besant, Leadbeater, Hodson, Mead, Mehta, Taimni
THE-3 Andere dan Adyar auteurs Tingley, de Purucker, Barborka
THE-4 Geschiedenis Geschiedenis TS, biografieën Blavatsky, Olcott, Besant

2 ESO - Esotericism/Esoterie

Esotericism is a broad field, of which the collection can cover only a limited part. In particular, those books are included that have sufficient depth for serious study and that often also represent a broader vision. Unfortunately, many books have appeared in the field of esotericism that do not meet our quality criteria.

Rubriek Omschrijving Belangrijke sub-rubrieken en auteurs
ESO-1 Occultisme Occultisme, Saint Germain, Manley P. Hall
ESO-2 Magie Magie, Dion Fortune, Hekserij
ESO-4 Vrijmetselarij Geschiedenis, ritualen, symboliek, interpretatie
ESO-5 Rozenkruisers Oude Rozenkruisers, Amorc, Max Heindel, Lectorium
ESO-6 Franse esoterie Franse esoterie, Eliphas Levi,
ESO-7 Joodse mystiek Kabbala, Tarot, Henoch, Zohar
ESO-8 Alchemie Alchemie, Paracelcus
ESO-9 Antroposofie Steiner, overige schrijvers, christengemeenschap
ESO-10 Alice Bailey Bailey, overige auteurs
ESO-11 Gurdjieff Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, Bennett
ESO-12 Soefisme Inayat Khan e.a., Mazdaznan
ESO-14 Diverse westerse esoterie Boehme, Bo Yin Ra, Cayce, Brunton, Agni-Yoga, Prophe

3 REL - Religion/Religie

The second object of the Theosophical Society encourages the comparative study of religion, philosophy and science. From the beginning, the Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, have received much attention. The study of Christianity has found its place in particular within the VKK, which arose within the bosom of the Theosophical Society. As a result, the collection has gained a focus on these religions. The principal scriptures of the great religions are present, often also in the original languages.

 

Rubriek Omschrijving Belangrijke sub-rubrieken en auteurs
REL-1 Wereldgodsdiensten Overzichten, Encyclopedieën
REL-2 Godsdienstwetenschap Godsdienstwetenschap, Eliade, Frazer, Mystiek.
REL-3 Diversen godsdiensten
REL-4 Mysteriën Egyptisch, Grieks, Pythagoras, Romeins,
REL-5 Gnostiek Quispel, Van de Broek
REL-6 Christendom Chr. Mystiek, VKK, Gesch. Jezus, Esoterisch Christendom
REL-7 Judaïsme Judaïsme, Essenen
REL-8 Islam
REL-11 Indiase religies Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Veda’s, Patanjali, Yoga, guru’s
REL-12 Boeddhisme Canonieke geschriften, Tibetaans Boeddhisme, Zen
REL-14 Chinese godsdiensten I Ching, Taoisme, Confucius
REL-20 Diverse stromingen Vimala Thakar, Bhagwan Rajneesh, J. Krishnamurti 

4 RAN – Randgebieden

The third object of the Theosophical Society relates to unexplained laws of nature and powers latent in human beings. The collection includes books on a wide range of philosophy, science, psychology, and many paranormal subjects. Parapsychology is the most important component in this area.

 

Rubriek Omschrijving Belangrijke sub-rubrieken en auteurs
RAN-1 Kunst Literatuur, muziek, romans, Corelli, reisbeschrijvingen
RAN-2 Filosofie, wetenschap Filosofie, wetenschap, Plato
RAN-3 Psychologie Parapsychologie, Jung, dromen, na dit leven, helderziendheid
RAN-4 Symboliek Graal, meetkunde, sprookjes,
RAN-5 Gezondheid Voeding en kruiden
RAN-6 Buitengewone ervaringen Spiritisme, magnetisme, aura’s, profetieën, reïncarnatie
RAN-7 Astrologie en overige Geboorte, esoterische en medische astrologie, meditatie
RAN-8 Mysterieuze verschijnselen Atlantis, piramides

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