Born Amanda Melvina Cooper in Maitland, New South Wales, on October 4, 1867, Sister Veni Cooper-Mathieson was a leading exponent of New Thought philosophy and an important figure in the development of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) in Australia. As Steve King’s research into the influence of New Thought on another OTO leader, Charles Stansfeld Jones has shown1, “the religion of healthy-mindedness”2 with its pamphleteering, and townhall outreach methodology provided a simple, clear path for promulgation of Thelema to a mass-market in the early 20th Century.
New Thought Movement in Australia
The turn of the 20th century saw Amanda—now known as Veni Cooper-Mathieson—embraced the burgeoning New Thought movement in Australia. Influenced by the teachings of New Thought pioneers like Phineas Quimby and Mary Baker Eddy, she embarked on a mission to promote mental healing, spiritual empowerment, and the transformative power of positive thinking. Her publications, including “The Truth Seeker” and “The Revealer,” became pivotal in disseminating her ideas across the continent.
Veni’s belief in the creative power of thought was central to her philosophy. She famously asserted, “Every thought is a living force,” – thoughts shape reality and can manifest as physical health or illness. Her metaphysical teachings often blended biblical references with modern psychological concepts, appealing to a broad audience seeking spiritual renewal and personal transformation.
The White Cross Moral Reform Crusade
One of Veni’s notable endeavours was the Women’s White Cross Moral Reform Crusade, launched in 1903. This initiative aimed to promote moral purity among young women, echoing her deep concerns about the social impact of unchecked sexual behaviour. Her advocacy for women’s emancipation within the context of spiritual enlightenment resonated with many, although her views occasionally drew controversy for their radicalism. She became a target of ridicule in most of the national newspapers at the time.
Veni’s journey extended beyond the shores of Australia. Between 1906 and 1909, she travelled to the United Kingdom and the United States, immersing herself in the study of metaphysics and expanding her network within international New Thought circles.
Frank Bennett and OTO
On her return to Australia, she relocated to Sydney, where “The Revealer” publication was based out of “The Truth Centre”, I.O.O.F. Temple, 138 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. The I.O.O.F. Temple is where the OTO held monthly meetings, and Frank Bennett delivered weekly lectures. It was during this period that she encountered the teachings of the OTO.
Her involvement with the OTO marked a significant departure from her earlier focus on New Thought principles alone. Co-signing the original Australian OTO Lodge charter in 1915 alongside Frank Bennett, Veni embraced aspects of OTO’s mystical tradition while continuing to advocate for spiritual liberation and the integration of metaphysical teachings into everyday life. The merging of the teachings of OTO with New Thought only inspired the contempt of the newspapermen at the time. The Sunday Times in Perth wrote:
“Sunday Times” has received – a
copy of the “Truth-Seeker,” organ of
the crank sect founded by its old
friend, Mrs. Veni Cooper-Mathieson.
An extraordinary production it is.
Some of the tenets :-“Intelligence is
manifested through the front brain.
Truth through the navel centre. Love,
through the solar-plexus, which is
located between the breastbones and
above the pit of its stomach.”
Explains the damaging effects, known to
every boxer, of a punch in the solar
plexus. When, you hit a man on the
solar-plexus, you hit Love. Love is,
Stomach, in short. Ugh!
Later Years and Spiritual Evolution
Veni’s later years were marked by continued spiritual exploration and publication, albeit with a shift in emphasis from strict support of celibacy to a broader acceptance of the holiness of sexual union. Her writings during this period reflected a synthesis of her diverse influences, blending elements of Christian mysticism, New Thought optimism, and the mystical symbolism of Rosicrucianism.
Her relocation to Tasmania in the 1930s brought her into conflict with local authorities over her claims of divine healing powers, illustrating the ongoing tension between her unconventional spiritual practices and prevailing norms. Despite these challenges, Veni continued to lecture and write prolifically, remaining a provocative figure in Australia’s spiritual landscape until her passing in 1943.
1 King, S., Living In the Sunlight, IPP, 2022.
2 James, W., The Varieties of Religious Experience, 1902.