Dora van Gelder Kunz - Revision history

SysopJ: /* Articles */

2026-06-29T13:13:32Z

Articles

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	* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.		* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.

	* '''[[File:~~Kunz The Conscious Use of the Aura~~.pdf The Conscious Use of the Aura]]'''. Printed in South African journal ''The Link'', sometime in the range 1937-1948. From clipping found in the Mary K. Neff Papers, Records Series 25.08, Theosophical Society in America Archives.		* '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/File:Kunz_The_Conscious_Use_of_the_Aura.pdf The Conscious Use of the Aura]'''. Printed in South African journal ''The Link'', sometime in the range 1937-1948. From clipping found in the Mary K. Neff Papers, Records Series 25.08, Theosophical Society in America Archives.

	=== Books and pamphlets ===		=== Books and pamphlets ===

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2026-06-29T13:12:00Z

Writings

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	== Writings ==		== Writings ==
	[[File:Personal Aura cover.jpg\|180px\|~~left~~\|thumb\|Cover of ''The Personal Aura'']]		[[File:Personal Aura cover.jpg\|180px\|right\|thumb\|Cover of ''The Personal Aura'']]

			=== Articles===
	As is customary for Presidents of the TSA, Mrs. Kunz acted as Editor in Chief of the national periodical, [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], and she contributed to other Theosophical journals as well. The '''[[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]]''' lists:		As is customary for Presidents of the TSA, Mrs. Kunz acted as Editor in Chief of the national periodical, [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], and she contributed to other Theosophical journals as well. The '''[[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]]''' lists:

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	* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.		* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.

			* '''[[File:Kunz The Conscious Use of the Aura.pdf The Conscious Use of the Aura]]'''. Printed in South African journal ''The Link'', sometime in the range 1937-1948. From clipping found in the Mary K. Neff Papers, Records Series 25.08, Theosophical Society in America Archives.

			=== Books and pamphlets ===
	She wrote several books and pamphlets:		She wrote several books and pamphlets:

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2026-03-28T19:37:40Z

Writings

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	* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.		* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.

	She wrote several books:		She wrote several books and pamphlets:

	* '''''The Real World of Fairies: A First-Person Account'''''. 2nd ed., Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999. She described her childhood encounters with fairies and devas.		* '''''The Real World of Fairies: A First-Person Account'''''. 2nd ed., Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999. She described her childhood encounters with fairies and devas.
	* '''"Christmas of the Angels"''' was a popular Christmas talk that has been issued as an audio recording and printed as a pamphlet. [However, Mrs. Kunz left a note disavowing authorship of the pamphlet. See TSA Archives, Kunz Family Collection, Records Series 25.01, Box 22, Folder 16.]		* '''''[https://archive.org/details/christmas-of-the-angels/page/n5/mode/2up Christmas of the Angels]''''' was a popular Christmas talk that has been issued as an audio recording and printed as a pamphlet. [However, Mrs. Kunz left a note disavowing authorship of the pamphlet. See TSA Archives, Kunz Family Collection, Records Series 25.01, Box 22, Folder 16.]
			* '''''[https://archive.org/details/conscious-use-of-the-aura Conscious Use of the Aura]'''''. New York: The Anchorite Press, ca 1938. 8 pages.
	* '''''The Personal Aura'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991. This volume is beautifully illustrated with watercolors of auras painted by Juanita Donahoo under the author's direction in 1931. It has been printed in several editions and languages.		* '''''The Personal Aura'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991. This volume is beautifully illustrated with watercolors of auras painted by Juanita Donahoo under the author's direction in 1931. It has been printed in several editions and languages.
	* '''''Spiritual Aspects of the Healing Arts'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985. This was a compilation of articles that was reprinted in 1995 under the name ''Spiritual Healing''.		* '''''Spiritual Aspects of the Healing Arts'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985. This was a compilation of articles that was reprinted in 1995 under the name ''Spiritual Healing''.

SysopJ: /* Audios */

2026-02-16T22:03:10Z

Audios

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	=== Audios===		=== Audios===
	*[https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/audio/Kunz,%20D/Meditation%20as%20Part%20of%20Life.mp3# "Meditation as Part of Life"] ~~by Dora Kunz~~		*[https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/audio/Kunz,%20D/Meditation%20as%20Part%20of%20Life.mp3# "Meditation as Part of Life"].
	*[https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/audio/Kunz,%20D/193%20Kunz,%20D%20-%20The%20Angelic%20Kingdom%20&%20its%20Relation%20to%20Man.mp3# "The Angelic Kingdom & its Relation to Man"] by Dora Kunz		*[https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/audio/Kunz,%20D/193%20Kunz,%20D%20-%20The%20Angelic%20Kingdom%20&%20its%20Relation%20to%20Man.mp3# "The Angelic Kingdom & its Relation to Man"].
			* [https://archive.org/details/1365_20200103 The Masters of the Wisdom: The World, and the Theosophical Society Today]. Presented in 1982 at the Theosophical Society in America, Wheaton, Illinois. 61 minutes. Dora Kunz talks about the work of the Theosophical Society and the influence that the Masters of the Wisdom had on its founders, H. P. Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott.

	=== Videos ===		=== Videos ===

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2026-01-22T18:26:10Z

Writings

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	* '''''The Real World of Fairies: A First-Person Account'''''. 2nd ed., Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999. She described her childhood encounters with fairies and devas.		* '''''The Real World of Fairies: A First-Person Account'''''. 2nd ed., Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999. She described her childhood encounters with fairies and devas.
	* '''"Christmas of the Angels"''' was a popular Christmas talk that has been issued as an audio recording and printed as a pamphlet. [However, Mrs. Kunz left a note disavowing authorship of the pamphlet. See TSA Archives, Kunz Family Collection, Records Series 25.01, Box 22, Folder 16.]		* '''"Christmas of the Angels"''' was a popular Christmas talk that has been issued as an audio recording and printed as a pamphlet. [However, Mrs. Kunz left a note disavowing authorship of the pamphlet. See TSA Archives, Kunz Family Collection, Records Series 25.01, Box 22, Folder 16.]
	* '''''The Personal Aura'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991. This volume is beautifully illustrated with watercolors of auras painted by Juanita Donahoo under the author's ~~instruction~~. It has been printed in several editions and languages.		* '''''The Personal Aura'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991. This volume is beautifully illustrated with watercolors of auras painted by Juanita Donahoo under the author's direction in 1931. It has been printed in several editions and languages.
	* '''''Spiritual Aspects of the Healing Arts'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985. This was a compilation of articles that was reprinted in 1995 under the name ''Spiritual Healing''.		* '''''Spiritual Aspects of the Healing Arts'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985. This was a compilation of articles that was reprinted in 1995 under the name ''Spiritual Healing''.
	* '''''The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch'''''. Rochester, Vermont: Bear & Co., 2004. Written with Dolores Krieger.		* '''''The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch'''''. Rochester, Vermont: Bear & Co., 2004. Written with Dolores Krieger.

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2025-10-29T21:29:49Z

Writings

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:29, 29 October 2025
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	* '''''The Personal Aura'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991. This volume is beautifully illustrated with watercolors of auras painted by Juanita Donahoo under the author's instruction. It has been printed in several editions and languages.		* '''''The Personal Aura'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991. This volume is beautifully illustrated with watercolors of auras painted by Juanita Donahoo under the author's instruction. It has been printed in several editions and languages.
	* '''''Spiritual Aspects of the Healing Arts'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985. This was a compilation of articles that was reprinted in 1995 under the name ''Spiritual Healing''.		* '''''Spiritual Aspects of the Healing Arts'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985. This was a compilation of articles that was reprinted in 1995 under the name ''Spiritual Healing''.
	* '''''The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch'''''. Rochester, Vermont: Bear @ Co., 2004. Written with Dolores Krieger.		* '''''The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch'''''. Rochester, Vermont: Bear & Co., 2004. Written with Dolores Krieger.
	* '''''The Chakras & the Human Energy Fields: Correlations Between Medical Science and Clairvoyant Observation'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1989. Coauthor Dr. Shafica Karagulla. This described medical research with Dr. Karagulla, in which Dora used her perception of auras to describe patient conditions.		* '''''The Chakras & the Human Energy Fields: Correlations Between Medical Science and Clairvoyant Observation'''''. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1989. Coauthor Dr. Shafica Karagulla. This described medical research with Dr. Karagulla, in which Dora used her perception of auras to describe patient conditions.

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2025-08-11T21:33:33Z

Writings

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	== Writings ==		== Writings ==
	[[File:Personal Aura cover.jpg\|180px\|left\|thumb\|Cover of ''The Personal Aura'']]		[[File:Personal Aura cover.jpg\|180px\|left\|thumb\|Cover of ''The Personal Aura'']]
	As is customary for Presidents of the TSA, Mrs. Kunz acted as Editor in Chief of the national periodical, [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], and she contributed to other Theosophical journals as well. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists:		As is customary for Presidents of the TSA, Mrs. Kunz acted as Editor in Chief of the national periodical, [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], and she contributed to other Theosophical journals as well. The '''[[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]]''' lists:

	* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+van+Gelder+Kunz&s=author 9 articles by Dora van Gelder Kunz]'''.		* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+van+Gelder+Kunz&s=author 9 articles by Dora van Gelder Kunz]'''.

SysopJ: /* Life in Australia */

2025-07-02T21:21:06Z

Life in Australia

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	Twelve-year-old Dora arrived in Sydney in late 1916, accompanied by her mother's sister. Tante Bet may have been the perfect chaperone and role model for Dora's situation — she was a suffragette who ran her own business, wore pants and suit jackets, and kept her hair short. As a woman who did not worry about other people's opinions, Bet helped Dora adjust to being the only girl in a student body of seven. The six boys had already begun their studies, and they already spoke English, which Dora had to learn.		Twelve-year-old Dora arrived in Sydney in late 1916, accompanied by her mother's sister. Tante Bet may have been the perfect chaperone and role model for Dora's situation — she was a suffragette who ran her own business, wore pants and suit jackets, and kept her hair short. As a woman who did not worry about other people's opinions, Bet helped Dora adjust to being the only girl in a student body of seven. The six boys had already begun their studies, and they already spoke English, which Dora had to learn.

	A few months later, Mr. Leadbeater fell ill and was bedridden for a time. Another problem was that the school, although nominally coeducational, had no residential facilities for girls. Finally, Tante Bet had a business to run back home, so she and Dora returned to Java for a short time. Then Mrs. Annie Besant, the International President of the Theosophical Society, sent a woman doctor to Sydney to take care of Mr. Leadbeater. Dr. Mary Rocke was willing to be Dora's guardian, which Dora's parents also agreed to. So, Dora decided to return to Sydney, this time completely alone. In later years she reflected that		A few months later, Mr. Leadbeater fell ill and was bedridden for a time. Another problem was that the school, although nominally coeducational, had no residential facilities for girls. Finally, Tante Bet had a business to run back home, so she and Dora returned to Java for a short time. Then [[Annie Besant\|Mrs. Annie Besant]], the International President of the Theosophical Society, sent a woman doctor to Sydney to take care of Mr. Leadbeater. '''Dr. Mary Rocke''' was willing to be Dora's guardian, which Dora's parents also agreed to. So, Dora decided to return to Sydney, this time completely alone. In later years she reflected that
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	:::[It] was a very decisive moment. My God, it changed my life, totally. ... I was never a child again in one way — I learned independence. I mean if you're alone in a foreign country you either break or fall [apart] ... I don't know what my life would have been or not have been; I can't tell you, but I chose it, not my parents.<ref>Chesley and van Gelder, ''A Most Unusual Life'' (Wheaton, Illinois: Quest Books, 2015), 35.</ref>		:::[It] was a very decisive moment. My God, it changed my life, totally. ... I was never a child again in one way — I learned independence. I mean if you're alone in a foreign country you either break or fall [apart] ... I don't know what my life would have been or not have been; I can't tell you, but I chose it, not my parents.<ref>Chesley and van Gelder, ''A Most Unusual Life'' (Wheaton, Illinois: Quest Books, 2015), 35.</ref>

SysopJ: /* Early life */

2025-07-02T21:19:20Z

Early life

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	[[File:Dora van Gelder.jpg\|170px\|right\|thumb\|Dora van Gelder in early 1920s]]		[[File:Dora van Gelder.jpg\|170px\|right\|thumb\|Dora van Gelder in early 1920s]]
	<br>		<br>
	Dora van Gelder was born on a sugar plantation on the island of Java, in what is now Indonesia. (In 1904 this southeast Asian country was known as the Dutch East Indies.) She was the eldest of four children, with three younger brothers. Both of Dora's parents were members of the Theosophical Society; her mother was president of the local lodge for some years, and the family hosted lodge meetings as well as speakers visiting from out of town. From the age of seven or so, Dora — a quiet, somewhat shy child — sat and listened during Theosophical meetings. She had already begun meditating, since her mother began teaching the children to meditate when they were five or six. The family library also interested Dora, who, while still a young girl, read various Theosophical works by [[H. P. Blavatsky]], [[Annie Besant]], and [[Charles Webster Leadbeater\|C. W. Leadbeater]]. Like her mother and grandmother, Dora was clairvoyant, and she appreciated Besant and Leadbeater’s book [[Thought Forms (book)\|''Thought Forms'']], which is illustrated. The book allowed her to compare their impressions with her own.		Dora van Gelder was born on a sugar plantation in Krebet on the island of Java, in what is now Indonesia. (In 1904 this southeast Asian country was known as the Dutch East Indies.) She was the eldest of four children, with three younger brothers: Henrik (Harry), born in 1907, Lucius in 1909, and Arthur in 1911. Their father was Karel Abraham Van Gelder, manager of a sugar plantation. Both of Dora's parents were members of the Theosophical Society; her mother, born Melanie von Motman Schiff, was president of the local lodge for some years, and the family hosted lodge meetings as well as speakers visiting from out of town. From the age of seven or so, Dora — a quiet, somewhat shy child — sat and listened during Theosophical meetings. She had already begun meditating, since her mother began teaching the children to meditate when they were five or six. The family library also interested Dora, who, while still a young girl, read various Theosophical works by [[H. P. Blavatsky]], [[Annie Besant]], and [[Charles Webster Leadbeater\|C. W. Leadbeater]]. Like her mother and grandmother, Dora was clairvoyant, and she appreciated Besant and Leadbeater’s book [[Thought Forms (book)\|''Thought Forms'']], which is illustrated. The book allowed her to compare their impressions with her own.

	~~While~~ Dora's three brothers were her playmates and classmates — the children were tutored at home ~~— as~~ the only girl in the family she sometimes ~~found life~~ rather lonely. It was still the Victorian age, and the life of a girl was quite restricted. Dora loved the natural world and, with no girlfriends her own age, she spent much of her time outdoors. Many (if not most) children are aware of nature spirits, and for Dora these beings were her beloved playmates. Her parents encouraged this interest.		Dora's three brothers were her playmates and classmates, since the children were tutored at home. As the only girl in the family she sometimes was rather lonely. It was still the Victorian age, and the life of a girl was quite restricted. Dora loved the natural world and, with no girlfriends her own age, she spent much of her time outdoors. Many (if not most) children are aware of nature spirits, and for Dora these beings were her beloved playmates. Her parents encouraged this interest.

	Her maternal grandmother was widowed young and came to live with Dora's family. "Oma" was an herbalist with extensive knowledge and experience, in a place where doctors were few and far between, so she had many local clients. Dora had a deep bond with her grandmother, and the practicality and compassion she learned from Oma carried over into her adult life as an alternative healer.		Her maternal grandmother was widowed young and came to live with Dora's family. "Oma" was an herbalist with extensive knowledge and experience, in a place where doctors were few and far between, so she had many local clients. Dora had a deep bond with her grandmother, and the practicality and compassion she learned from Oma carried over into her adult life as an alternative healer.

	Dora first met C.W. Leadbeater in 1911, when she was seven and he stayed with her aunt and uncle during his first visit to Java. During his second visit, in 1914, he stayed with Dora's family and noted both her shyness and her clairvoyance. Shortly after he left Java for Australia, World War I began. Due to the war, Mr. Leadbeater decided to stay in Sydney and start a school for children from Theosophical families. Having determined Dora's clairvoyant abilities, he wrote to her parents and asked that she be allowed to attend his school. By now Dora was 12, and her parents told her it was her decision. She was to meditate on it and they would abide by what she decided.		Dora first met [[C. W. Leadbeater]] in 1911, when she was seven and he stayed with her aunt and uncle during his first visit to Java. During his second visit, in 1914, he stayed with Dora's family and noted both her shyness and her clairvoyance. Shortly after he left Java for Australia, World War I began. Due to the war, Mr. Leadbeater decided to stay in Sydney and start a school for children from Theosophical families. Having determined Dora's clairvoyant abilities, he wrote to her parents and asked that she be allowed to attend his school. By now Dora was 12, and her parents told her it was her decision. She was to meditate on it and they would abide by what she decided. Dora had some doubts about going, but in the end she felt sure it was the right thing for her to do. She would explain to her own students later that intuition coming from beyond our personality comes with a feeling of resolution.

	~~Perhaps needless to say,~~ Dora had some doubts about going, but in the end she felt sure it was the right thing for her to do. She would explain to her own students later that intuition coming from beyond our personality comes with a feeling of resolution.

	== Life in Australia ==		== Life in Australia ==

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2025-05-19T16:32:24Z

Writings

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	== Writings ==		== Writings ==
	[[File:Personal Aura cover.jpg\|180px\|left\|thumb\|Cover of ''The Personal Aura'']]		[[File:Personal Aura cover.jpg\|180px\|left\|thumb\|Cover of ''The Personal Aura'']]
	As is customary for Presidents of the TSA, Mrs. Kunz acted as Editor in Chief of the national periodical, [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], and she contributed to other Theosophical journals as well. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists 39 articles by ~~or about~~ [~~http~~://~~www~~.~~austheos~~.org.au/~~cgi-bin~~/~~ui-csvsearch.pl~~?~~search~~=~~dora~~+van+~~gelder~~&~~method~~=~~all~~ Dora van Gelder] ~~and over 200 under the name~~ [~~http~~://~~www.austheos~~.org.au/~~cgi-bin~~/~~ui-csvsearch.pl~~?~~search~~=~~dora~~+~~kunz~~&~~method~~=~~all~~ Dora Kunz]. She wrote several books:		As is customary for Presidents of the TSA, Mrs. Kunz acted as Editor in Chief of the national periodical, [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], and she contributed to other Theosophical journals as well. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists:

			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+van+Gelder+Kunz&s=author 9 articles by Dora van Gelder Kunz]'''.
			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=author 182 articles by Dora Kunz]'''.
			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+van+Gelder+Kunz&s=title 12 articles about Dora van Gelder Kunz]'''.
			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Dora+Kunz&s=title 30 articles about Dora Kunz]'''.

			She wrote several books:

	* '''''The Real World of Fairies: A First-Person Account'''''. 2nd ed., Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999. She described her childhood encounters with fairies and devas.		* '''''The Real World of Fairies: A First-Person Account'''''. 2nd ed., Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999. She described her childhood encounters with fairies and devas.