Theosophical Light on The Ramayana
The vast writings of H. P. Blavatsky – totalling more than 10,000 pages in the form of books and articles – do not endeavour only… Read More »Theosophical Light on The Ramayana
Anon.
[This is used to represent any anonymously authored writings.]
Theosophy in Name and Reality
People are sometimes surprised to hear that Theosophy is radically different from any of the popular blends of science and religion offered under a variety… Read More »Theosophy in Name and Reality
The Zero Principle
Laya is what Science may call the Zero-point or line, the realm of absolute negativeness, or the one real absolute Force, the NOUMENON of the… Read More »The Zero Principle
The Gospel of Thomas
These are the secret words Spoken by the Living Jesus, And recorded by Didymus Judas Thomas. 1. Jesus said: He who uncovers The significance of… Read More »The Gospel of Thomas
Continuity of Consciousness
What does modern science know of the duration of the ages of the World, or even of the length of geological periods? Nothing; absolutely nothing.… Read More »Continuity of Consciousness
Knowledge and Negligence
Fix thy Soul’s gate upon the Star whose ray thou art, the flaming Star that shines within the lightless depths of ever-being, the boundless fields… Read More »Knowledge and Negligence
Pythagoras and His School
Pythagoras was revered in India as Pitar Guru, Father and Teacher, and as Yavanacharya, the Ionian philosopher. He was known by other names in ancient… Read More »Pythagoras and His School
William Quan Judge
The logic of discipleship is implicit in the fundamental law of cosmogenesis and cosmic evolution—the law of sacrifice. The disciple strives to gain critical knowledge… Read More »William Quan Judge
Meditation and Self-Study
Atmanam atmana pasya Meditation and self-study are of immeasurable importance to every single person. They concern the longest journey of the soul, the divine discontent… Read More »Meditation and Self-Study
Is Theosophy a “Revelation”?
“In thus affording even the superficial thinker and the weak or illogical reasoner a perfect basis for ethics and an unerring guide in life, Theosophy… Read More »Is Theosophy a “Revelation”?
Seeds and Seedlings: Evolution and the Evolver
Evolution is the oldest teaching in the world, and misconceptions and misunderstandings of it are as old as man. To many people, doubtless, the ideas… Read More »Seeds and Seedlings: Evolution and the Evolver
Basic Principles of Theosophy
It would be natural enough, perhaps, to suppose that a subject such as Basic Principles of Theosophy—or “basic principles” of anything else—would be a subject… Read More »Basic Principles of Theosophy
Seeds and Seedlings: The Doctrine of Perfectibility
This doctrine of the perfectibility of man is easily comprehended by some men, but is extremely difficult for others—due to centuries of dissemination of the… Read More »Seeds and Seedlings: The Doctrine of Perfectibility
Word Puzzles: Evolution
Use of the term evolution has gone through many interesting stages. Following the advent of Darwin, this word served as a rallying cry for all… Read More »Word Puzzles: Evolution
Dhammapada (Theosophy Co. Rendition)
“This is not a new translation. It is only a rendition. Over a score of translations have been consulted in its compilation and of course… Read More »Dhammapada (Theosophy Co. Rendition)
Is Theosophy Vague?
H. P. Blavatsky declared quite candidly to theosophists that Theosophy, alone, would enable them to form a nucleus of a universal brotherhood of humanity and… Read More »Is Theosophy Vague?
Reincarnation—The Hidden Doctrine
Writing of reincarnation, Lessing, dramatist and philosopher of the eighteenth century enlightenment in Germany, summed up the meaning of this doctrine and its most powerful… Read More »Reincarnation—The Hidden Doctrine
From Plato to the Neoplatonists
During the lifetime of Plato there was little if any dissension among his pupils. But after his death in 347 B.C. a decided breach occurred.… Read More »From Plato to the Neoplatonists
The Greek Drama
The Golden Age of Greece lasted from the seventh to the fourth century B.C. During those three hundred years the Greeks laid the foundation stone… Read More »The Greek Drama
Plato and Aristotle
When Socrates was sixty years old, Plato, then a youth of twenty, came to him as a pupil. When Plato was sixty years old, the… Read More »Plato and Aristotle
Plato
One night in the year 407 B.C., Socrates had a dream. He saw a graceful white swan flying toward him with a melodious song trilling… Read More »Plato
Socrates
The Age of the Tyrants, which produced the “Seven Wise Men,” the early Ionian School and the Pythagorean School, ended about 500 B.C. Shortly afterward… Read More »Socrates
The Pythagorean Science of Numbers
It was an auspicious day for the student at Crotona when Pythagoras received him into his own dwelling and welcomed him as a disciple. The… Read More »The Pythagorean Science of Numbers
Pythagoras
Twenty-five centuries ago the island of Samos was one of the garden spots of Ionia. Colonized hundreds of years before by a group of Arcadians… Read More »Pythagoras
The First Greek Philosophers
The millennium which extended from the time of Buddha and Pythagoras in the sixth century B.C., until the final suppression of the Neoplatonists in the sixth… Read More »The First Greek Philosophers
The Greek Mysteries
At the time of the early Third Race, high Intelligences from previous periods of evolution incarnated upon this globe in order to form a nursery… Read More »The Greek Mysteries
The Prehistoric Greeks
On a blustery February afternoon in 1874 the German-American archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann climbed the hard steep road leading to the Cyclopean citadel of Mycenae, in… Read More »The Prehistoric Greeks
Thomas Paine
On January 29, 1737, a son was born to Joseph Paine, a humble staymaker living in Thetford, England. A great soul had come into incarnation;… Read More »Thomas Paine
The Count de St. Germain
One of the most mysterious characters in modern history is the famous Count de St. Germain, described by his friend Prince Karl von Hesse as… Read More »The Count de St. Germain
Cagliostro
For 150 years Alessandro Cagliostro has been defamed as the arch-impostor of the eighteenth century. Why? Because it is claimed that Cagliostro was one of… Read More »Cagliostro
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
The little town of Amboise in Touraine is redolent with memories. There, in the fourth century, Saint Martin, patron of Tours, overthrew an ancient pyramidal… Read More »Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
Anton Mesmer
Mesmerism was from the philosophical standpoint the most pregnant of all discoveries, even though for the moment it propounded more riddles than it solved.—Schopenhauer As… Read More »Anton Mesmer
Jacob Boehme
Jacob Boehme was born in the little village of Alt Seidenburg, near Goerlitz, in 1575. Although his Theosophical co-workers, Giordano Bruno and Robert Fludd, incarnated… Read More »Jacob Boehme
Giordano Bruno
About twelve miles from Naples, on the northeastern slope of Mount Vesuvius, stands the little town of Nola. First settled by a colony of Chaldean… Read More »Giordano Bruno
The Rosicrucians
An old Persian proverb says, “The darker the sky, the brighter the stars will shine.” Perhaps the very darkness of the European firmament during the… Read More »The Rosicrucians
Paracelsus: Physician
It is an interesting fact, and one which should be carefully noted by all students of occultism, that many of the Adepts who have worked… Read More »Paracelsus: Physician
Paracelsus: Philosopher
The transition from the fifteenth to the sixteenth century accomplished one of the most remarkable changes ever recorded of human society. Within the space of… Read More »Paracelsus: Philosopher
The Neoplatonic Revival
In the year 527, when the Emperor Justinian closed the Neoplatonic School in Athens and banished the last seven great Neoplatonists, the teachings of Plato… Read More »The Neoplatonic Revival
The Theosophical Renaissance
At the dawn of the fourteenth century the sky of Europe was grey and lowering. Dull, sodden clouds of discontent were slowly forming above the… Read More »The Theosophical Renaissance
Roger Bacon
Wherever thought has struggled to be free, there the great Theosophical Movement is to be discerned. The twelfth century is interesting from this point of… Read More »Roger Bacon
The Druzes of Mount Lebanon
The tenth century is an important milestone in the history of Europe, as it marked the end of the first thousand years of Christianity. For… Read More »The Druzes of Mount Lebanon
The Light of the Dark Ages
The sixth century was the darkest period in the history of the Western world. It marks the mid-point, or nadir, in the 2500-year cycle which… Read More »The Light of the Dark Ages
Alchemy and the Alchemists
The word Alchemy is a combination of Al and Chemi—Al, like the Hebrew El, meaning the Mighty Sun, Chemi meaning Fire. As Khem was the… Read More »Alchemy and the Alchemists
The Kabala and the Kabalists
The Theosophists of the Middle Ages drew their occult knowledge from two streams of thought which, long before, had sprung from a common source. One… Read More »The Kabala and the Kabalists
Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists
The fourth century was the turning point in the history of the Western world, the period in which Christianity took the form of a strong… Read More »Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists
Iamblichus: The Egyptian Mysteries
Neoplatonism, like modern Theosophy, may be considered under three aspects: (1) philosophical and scientific; (2) practical and ethical; and (3) mystical and occult. In modern… Read More »Iamblichus: The Egyptian Mysteries
Plotinus
Ammonius Saccas, like many other great Teachers, never committed anything to writing. Following the custom of the ancient Hierophants, he transmitted his teachings orally, and… Read More »Plotinus
Ammonius Saccas
The influence of the great Alexandrian Schools had not helped the early Christians in their work of propaganda. While the Church of Rome held up… Read More »Ammonius Saccas
Alexandria and Her Schools
The little island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea, today barren and sterile, was once the home of great Adepts, and the site of the… Read More »Alexandria and Her Schools
Gnostic Theosophy
In the second century of the Christian era, the Roman Empire comprehended some of the fairest and most cultured portions of the globe. Between 96… Read More »Gnostic Theosophy
The Gnostics
In the first century before the Christian era, a fresh impulse was given to the work of the Theosophical Movement by the Adept now known… Read More »The Gnostics
First Century Christianity
Theosophy is the ancient Wisdom-Religion, as old as thinking man, and part of the work of the Theosophical Movement is to keep these immemorial ideas… Read More »First Century Christianity
Jesus, the Christ
I The period of history that began with the first century B.C. and ended with the year 414 A.D. was an important one for the… Read More »Jesus, the Christ
Creation, Evolution and Emanation
When looking around at the world in which Man finds himself, the silent query of his awakened consciousness is: How did this grand aggregate of… Read More »Creation, Evolution and Emanation
Mr. Johnston and the Upanishads
To students who might be described as the second and third generations of the Theosophical Society, the Upanishads mean Mr. Johnston, and Mr. Johnston has… Read More »Mr. Johnston and the Upanishads
Charles Johnston, Orientalist, Dead
Charles Johnston, scholar, traveler and author, who translted many of the sacred writings of the East into English, died of heart disease yesterday at St.… Read More »Charles Johnston, Orientalist, Dead
India—“The Alma-Mater”
I: The Eternal Religion Forty years ago, expounding Theosophical tenets, W. Q. Judge called them “Echoes from the Orient.” His words convey a deeper truth… Read More »India—“The Alma-Mater”
Theosophy and the Masses
Theosophy is an all-inclusive philosophy; not to be separated from it is the Theosophical Movement, whose objective is the practical realization of this philosophy in… Read More »Theosophy and the Masses
The Popol Vuh
The Popol Vuh was composed by a native of Guatemala in the 17th century from traditions handed down by the priests of the Feathered-Serpent, and… Read More »The Popol Vuh
The Feathered-Serpent
Under the distinctively American name and symbol of the Feathered-Serpent are to be found the Great Teachers of Mexico and Central America. Who has not… Read More »The Feathered-Serpent
The Children of the Sun
The ancient glory of America is to be sought in Mexico, Central America and Peru. In impassable valleys or on inaccessible heights lie buried hundreds… Read More »The Children of the Sun
Sources of Early American Civilization
What is the origin of the American Indian? The civilizations of Persia, China and Egypt had their roots in the remote past of the Fourth,… Read More »Sources of Early American Civilization
Egyptian “Immortality”
Had nothing remained to us of the Book of the Dead but the Judgment Scene, it alone furnishes abundant evidence of the Egyptian teaching of… Read More »Egyptian “Immortality”
Osiris, Isis, Horus, and Set
“Salutations to thee, O Osiris, thou the greatest of the six gods issued from the Goddess Noo; thou the great favorite of thy father Ra;… Read More »Osiris, Isis, Horus, and Set
Egyptian Symbolism and Animal Worship
The sincere and unprejudiced student of comparative religions comes at last to see that without the help of symbology no ancient Scripture can ever be… Read More »Egyptian Symbolism and Animal Worship
The Gods of Egypt
Every cosmogony purports to deal with the origin of the universe, its manifestation marking the beginning of time. Before the beginning, however, time was—it pre-existed… Read More »The Gods of Egypt
Civilization and Religion of Egypt
When broke the dawn of that civilization in Egypt whose wondrous perfection is suggested by the fragments supplied to us by the archaeologists? Alas! the… Read More »Civilization and Religion of Egypt
Old China and New
After the passing of Chwang Tzu, Theosophy began to disappear from China. Its passage through corruption, superstition, to wrong practices and sense life brought the… Read More »Old China and New
Chwang Tzu
Lao Tzu is austere and serene; Confucius is the ritualist in life; but now we approach Chwang Tzu — the breaker of idols, the advocate… Read More »Chwang Tzu
Lieh Tzu
What Mencius was to Confucius, that Lieh Tzu and Chwang Tzu were to Lao Tzu. Lieh Tzu endeavored to draw together the conflicting elements which… Read More »Lieh Tzu
On Tao
Like the Sanskrit Word Aum, Tao stands for that which is the source, the power, and the form of the manifested universe. It is the… Read More »On Tao
Lao Tzu and the Taoists
H. P. Blavatsky described Lao Tzu as a God-like being and classed him with Krishna, Buddha, and Jesus, who “united themselves with their Spirits permanently”… Read More »Lao Tzu and the Taoists
The Kings of China
In his Ocean of Theosophy William Q. Judge speaks of “ancient and honorable China” — ancient it is, for as the Secret Doctrine tells us,… Read More »The Kings of China
Zoroastrian Ethics
If the spirit of Vedanta singing through the Gita endeavors to bring the world to Dharma-Duty, the theme which Zoroastrianism recites for humanity is Ashoi-Purity.… Read More »Zoroastrian Ethics
Zoroastrian Psychology
Western scholars may say “the Key to the Avesta is not the Pahlavi but the Vedas”; the Occultist’s answer is “aye, but the Key to… Read More »Zoroastrian Psychology
Zoroastrian Cosmo-Genesis
If the Orientalists, through their peculiar method of reading Zend, Pahalvi and Pazand, have disfigured the import of Zoroastrian texts, they have at least done… Read More »Zoroastrian Cosmo-Genesis
Zoroastrian Metaphysics
The modern world has elevated the cult of the personal to an art; so much is this the prevailing ideal that in dealing with old… Read More »Zoroastrian Metaphysics
The Fraternity of Perfected Souls
Theosophy teaches the existence of a Fraternity of Perfected Souls. From its ranks have come to mankind its Savior-Teachers; some with a more exalted mission… Read More »The Fraternity of Perfected Souls
The Law of Cycles
It is a matter of the deepest interest for every thinking man to obtain as clear an idea as possible of the way in which… Read More »The Law of Cycles
Buddhism
For this is the message we have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; but how shall we love our brothers if… Read More »Buddhism
Brotherhood: The Law of Being
It has ever been the aim of true scientific research not so much to discover new phenomena and to record facts, as to demonstrate the… Read More »Brotherhood: The Law of Being
The Screen of Time
A new cycle has begun. The “turning inwards”—and homewards, of William Q. Judge was the signal for the dawn of a new day, long since… Read More »The Screen of Time
Death of William Q. Judge
The editor of this magazine, President of the Theosophical Societies in America, Europe and Australasia, our trusted teacher and friend, passed away on the 21st… Read More »Death of William Q. Judge
Messages From Masters
The subject of Messages from Masters is so much under discussion just now that a few words on it may be timely and appropriate. In… Read More »Messages From Masters
Eastern Doctrines in the Middle Ages
Ex Oriente Lux! Light comes front the East, not only in its material manifestation as the rising sun. but also spiritually as the all-illuminating sun… Read More »Eastern Doctrines in the Middle Ages
Japanese Buddhist Sects
I In Japan there are twelve principal Buddhist sects, all of them having different names and with different reasons for their inception. The chief priests… Read More »Japanese Buddhist Sects
The Kali Yuga in Hindu Chronology
Several weeks ago a communication was read at a regular meeting of this Branch, in which some references to the Kali Yuga were quoted from… Read More »The Kali Yuga in Hindu Chronology
[Review] The Kalevala
THE KALEVALA.—Translated into English by Prof. J. M. Crawford, (1888, J. B. Alden, New York.) It is a matter of congratulation that the first complete English… Read More »[Review] The Kalevala
Astrology
[Note: it is not certain who the author of this article was. It is included in the Collected Writings of H. P. Blavatsky, though there… Read More »Astrology
Was Writing Known Before Panini?
I am entrusted with the task of putting together some facts which would support the view that the art of writing was known in India… Read More »Was Writing Known Before Panini?
Historical Difficulty—Why?
6. Is there not some confusion in the letter quoted on p. 62 of Esoteric Buddhism, where “the old Greeks and Romans” are said to… Read More »Historical Difficulty—Why?
About the Mineral Monad
5. Is the expression “a mineral monad” authorized by the Adepts? If so, what relation does the monad bear to the atom, or the molecule,… Read More »About the Mineral Monad
Is the Moon Immersed in Matter?
4. The moon is said to be the scene of a life even more immersed in matter than the life on earth. Are there then… Read More »Is the Moon Immersed in Matter?
Are the Great Nations to be Swept Away in an Hour?
3. The different races which succeed each other on the earth are said to be separated by catastrophes, among which continental subsidences occupy a prominent… Read More »Are the Great Nations to be Swept Away in an Hour?
Is the Sun merely a Cooling Mass?
2. And, further, the time necessary for the manvantara even of one planetary chain, much more of all seven,—seems largely to exceed the probable time… Read More »Is the Sun merely a Cooling Mass?
Do the Adepts Deny the Nebular Theory?
1. Is the Nebular Theory, as generally held, denied by the Adepts? It seems hard to conceive of the alternate evolution from the sun’s central… Read More »Do the Adepts Deny the Nebular Theory?
Reply to An English F.T.S.
[Note: the following represents the opening Reply to “Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett’s ‘Esoteric Buddhism’”] It was not in contemplation, at the outset of… Read More »Reply to An English F.T.S.
Devachan: Western Stricture and Eastern Version
[The following contains a “Memorandum” sent to A. P. Sinnett, and three replies to that “Memorandum.” H.P.B. mentions that these replies come from three sources,… Read More »Devachan: Western Stricture and Eastern Version
Theosophy and the Avesta
It is now nearly four years that the Theosophical Society has established itself amongst us. During this short period a large number of lectures have… Read More »Theosophy and the Avesta
A Protest
We, the undersigned, the “Accepted” and “Probationary” Hindu Chelas of the Himalayan Brothers, their disciples in India, and Northern Cashmere, respectfully claim our right to… Read More »A Protest