Charles Johnston

Theosophist, Author, Linguist. Translator of the Upanishads, Gita, Yoga Sutras, etc. Bio: Charles Johnston

Filters

Filter by Year

[Note: Use the sliders from both ends to define your date range]

Filter by Exact Date

[Notes: Articles published in monthly magazines are dated on the 1st of the month. Books where the exact date of publication are unknown, are dated as Dec, 31st, of the year they were published.]

Filter by Authors

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

[Note: first select the main author, then this will show co-authors, collaborators, compilers, etc.]

Filter by Recipients

[Note: this applies to recipients of letters and other correspondence.]

Filter by Source

Filter by Content Type

Filter by Keywords

Other Filters

The Guardian of the Gate

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), October, 1899

“Seeking the gifts of the gods, Vajashravasa of old offered up all his possessions. He had a son, by name… Read More »The Guardian of the Gate

The Occultism of Southern India

Article/ by Charles Johnston with T. Subba Row, , The Theosophist, January, 1889

[A Note on Authorship: In its original printing this article closed with the following note: “The foregoing is a summary… Read More »The Occultism of Southern India

Colonel Olcott at Home

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Sunday Providence Journal, December, 1896 [Month and day of publication unknown. Re-Printed in the Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), February, 1901

There are few more picturesque things in the world, and also few more horribly inconvenient, than landing in the harbor… Read More »Colonel Olcott at Home

“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, August, 1888

The events which preceded the formation of the Roman Empire, just before the beginning of our era, furnish an analogy… Read More »“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast

Pages from the Upanishads—Mandukya Upanishad

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, December, 1892; January, 1893 [Serialized]

The Four Steps of the Self. The syllable OM is all; its expansion is what has been, what is, what… Read More »Pages from the Upanishads—Mandukya Upanishad

Vestures of Consciousness

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1926

It will be remembered [see “States of Consciousness”] that the crowd of pilgrims who, with Pilgrim Potthapada, were in residence… Read More »Vestures of Consciousness

Kshatriya and Brahman

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1927

In the Pali Suttas the teachings of the Buddha are conveyed, not in philosophical abstractions, but in lively narratives with… Read More »Kshatriya and Brahman

Devotion and Understanding!

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1934 [Posthumously Published]

When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance.… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!

The White of the Dawn

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, February, 1896

Long after the passing of Cuchullain, when the father of Oscar, the old man eloquent, had again become young in… Read More »The White of the Dawn

The Speech of the Gods

Article/ by Charles Johnston with George W. Russell, , The Theosophist, December, 1887

The Theosophical doctrine, while endorsing many of the views of the Darwinian system of evolution, has so supplemented that doctrine… Read More »The Speech of the Gods

Taittiriya Upanishad 2 (The Lotus of the Bliss of the Eternal)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, October, 1895

II.[Translation] The knower of the Eternal obtains the supreme; therefore this is declared: Real, wisdom, endless is the Eternal; he… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad 2 (The Lotus of the Bliss of the Eternal)

Thyself and Thy King

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, July, 1896

Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom. We were talking of lucent intervals, when the primeval… Read More »Thyself and Thy King

The Logos and Meditation

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1923

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say… Read More »The Logos and Meditation

The Red Rajputs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, October, 1893

“It is well known that, from the point of view of the colouring, human races can be divided into four… Read More »The Red Rajputs

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1922

Let us withdraw ourselves for an hour from the turmoil of the world , with its immeasurable intellectual confusion and… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Oriental Gleanings

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1889

He hath awakened from the DREAM of life. ‘Tis we who, lost in stormy visions, keep With phantoms an unprofitable… Read More »Oriental Gleanings

The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1920

For several weeks during the winter, a marked feature of the mental activity of New York has been supplied by… Read More »The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism

“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1929

Toward the close of the nineteenth century, it was the custom among Occidental students of Buddhism to maintain that the… Read More »“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”

Gospels and Upanishads

Article/ by Charles Johnston with W. Q. Judge, , The Path, September, 1887

“The principle which gives life, undying and eternally beneficent, is perceived by him who desires perception.” As the clouds are… Read More »Gospels and Upanishads

The Heart of the Mystery

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), May, June, July, 1900 [Serialized]

[I.] “. . . Beheld the immortals sweatless, steady-eyed, their garlands fresh, and touching not the ground; but he, doubled… Read More »The Heart of the Mystery

Among the Celestials

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1926

We have been told that Prince Siddhartha, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, born in the ancient city of… Read More »Among the Celestials

The Theosophy of the Upanishads

Book/ by Charles Johnston, March, 1896

PDF Version [Note: Though published anonymously, analysis of the content, phrasing, subject matter and philosophical approach convinces us that Charles… Read More »The Theosophy of the Upanishads

Buddha’s Renunciation

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophy, August-September, 1897; concluded in Universal Brotherhood, November, 1897 [Serialized]

[Introduction] It is not quite certain when the poem, from which is taken this story of The Great Renunciation, was… Read More »Buddha’s Renunciation

Deussen’s Upanishads

Review/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, July, 1899 [Re-Printed from the Madras Mail]

For a long time there has been no event in the study of Oriental religions and philosophies equal in importance… Read More »Deussen’s Upanishads

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1921

What is Theosophy? What is The Theosophical Society? What is the relation of Theosophy to The Theosophical Society? Let us… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1926

The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

The Races of Ancient India

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1895

Of the Brahmans, white is the color; of the Kshattriyas, red; of the Vaishyas, yellow is the color; of the… Read More »The Races of Ancient India

“To Die, To Sleep”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, November, 1896

To sleep; perchance to dream, ay, there’s the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When… Read More »“To Die, To Sleep”

The Religion of Ancient Egypt

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1906

Introductory We must study religions from within, not from without. If we ourselves genuinely believe in spiritual life and spiritual… Read More »The Religion of Ancient Egypt

Cain and Abel

Article/Commentary/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, November, 1887

“The first step is Sacrifice; the next, Renunciation.” “’Es leuchtet mir ein, I see a glimpse of it!’ cries he,… Read More »Cain and Abel

Orcus; or Past and Future

Story/ by Charles Johnston, Dublin University Review, June, 1887

It was almost midnight. I was sitting in the parlous of a quaint old ivy-clad house, over whose high-gabled, red-tiled… Read More »Orcus; or Past and Future

Some Parables of the Buddha

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1931

It has been well said that when a great Master incarnates, his whole life is a parable. Not only does… Read More »Some Parables of the Buddha

Giordano Bruno: A Martyr Theosophist

Article/Review/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1888

[Reference: “The Heroic Enthusiasts” (Gli Eroici Furori), of Giordano Bruno, translated by L. Williams. (George Redway, London, 1887.)] “My name… Read More »Giordano Bruno: A Martyr Theosophist

Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, November, 1894

[Translation] By whom commanded does the mind go forth? By whom compelled does the first life go forth? By whom… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

The Warrior

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1896

Seership is of the Self; actor-ship, of the powers. For, as the great King, even without being engaged himself, becomes… Read More »The Warrior

The Religious Question in China

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), June, 1902

[I.] “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city,… Read More »The Religious Question in China

The Earliest Races

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, May & June, 1895 [Serialized]

[I.] At the beginning of the formative period, in the first of the four ages, the Evolver put forth beings.… Read More »The Earliest Races

Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1920; January, 1921 [Serialized]

By whom impelled flies the forward-impelled Mind? By whom compelled does the First Life go forth? By whom impelled is… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophy, July, 1897

[Translation] Seer and Seen The form is seen, the eye is seer; the mind is both seen and seer. The… Read More »Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)

Schopenhauer and Shankara

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), January, 1901

It is a somewhat humiliating thing to think of, that in spite of all the good intentions and praiseworthy endeavours… Read More »Schopenhauer and Shankara

A Visit to the Buddha

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1927

Something has been said of the relation of Siddhartha the Compassionate to the Masters, according to the Suttas and more… Read More »A Visit to the Buddha

Stories of the Mysteries

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1925

Besides the great Books of the Mysteries, we may recognize, in the spiritual records of all peoples and all times,… Read More »Stories of the Mysteries

Vikramâditya’s “Jewel.”

Story/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, March, 1891

Dramatis personae. 1. Ghost of Kâlidâsa (the Court-poet of King Vikramâditya). 2. Professor M.M. (Orientalist). 3. Smith (a plebeian). ———… Read More »Vikramâditya’s “Jewel.”

Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1911

I. There is a passage of singular charm and vivacity, which one may call, I think, the keystone of the… Read More »Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament

The States of Consciousness

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1890

“When the eyes that are beneath are closed, Then the eyes that are above are opened.” Orphic Mysteries. About two… Read More »The States of Consciousness

The Turning Tide

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), September, 1899

“There are those who draw near to Thee through will, holding Thee ever in their hearts: there are those who… Read More »The Turning Tide

The Priestess of Isis and her Accusers

LTTE/ by Charles Johnston with Vera Johnston, , The Irish Theosophist, March, 1895

To the Editor of THE IRISH THEOSOPHIST. Dear Sir.,—Wide publicity having recently been given to attacks on the late Mme.… Read More »The Priestess of Isis and her Accusers

A Page of the Apocalypse

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1907; January, 1908 [Serialized]

I. One of the purposes of the Theosophical Society is to pursue the comparative study of religions, with a view… Read More »A Page of the Apocalypse

Charles Johnston

Filters

Filter by Exact Date

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

Filter by Recipients

Featured Content

Authors

Publications

Browse by Keyword