The Religion of Ancient Egypt
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
Charles Johnston
Theosophist, Author, Linguist. Translator of the Upanishads, Gita, Yoga Sutras, etc. Bio: Charles Johnston
Theosophy (Lecture)
There may be some here this afternoon who have no defined understanding of The Theosophical Society and its purpose. It… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Guardian of the Gate
“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
Devotion and Understanding!
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
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
Deussen’s Upanishads
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
The Speech of the Gods
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
Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)
[Translation] Janashruti, the grandson of Janashruta, was full of faith, a giver of many gifts, bestowing much cooked food. He… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)
Theosophy and Modern Problems
Think that all the members of the audience realize that this lecture is a part of the Theosophical Convention,—the annual… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems
Vestures of Consciousness
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
“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast
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
Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
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?)
Buddha’s Cosmogenesis
When Mr. Sinnett’s work “Esoteric Buddhism” was given to the world, some fourteen years ago. Mr. Rhys Davids achieved some… Read More »Buddha’s Cosmogenesis
“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
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”
Some Parables of the Buddha
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
The Theosophy of the Upanishads
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
Among the Celestials
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
Gospels and Upanishads
“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 Antiquity of Indian Writing
If the negative argument as to the newness of Indian writing is entirely worthless, can we build up any positive… Read More »The Antiquity of Indian Writing
Taittiriya Upanishad 2 (The Lotus of the Bliss of the Eternal)
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)
Arjuna’s Beliefs
In Vedic India there were two quite distinct beliefs as to death and the soul’s future destiny; the one belief… Read More »Arjuna’s Beliefs
Theosophy (Lecture)
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)
The purpose of The Theosophical Society is to keep alive the spiritual intuitions of mankind. Since we are here this… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
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
Giordano Bruno: A Martyr Theosophist
[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
The Heart of the Mystery
[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
Cain and Abel
“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
The Races of Ancient India
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
Orcus; or Past and Future
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
The States of Consciousness
“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
Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
I. [Translation] The Evolver first of the bright ones came into being, the maker of the whole, the guardian of… Read More »Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
The Religious Question in China
[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
A Page of the Apocalypse
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
Thyself and Thy King
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
“To Die, To Sleep”
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”
Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
I. Atma, verily, Universal Self, alone was this in the beginning, nor was aught else with opening and closing eyes.… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
The Priestess of Isis and her Accusers
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
Theosophy (Lecture)
Let us withdraw ourselves for an hour from the turmoil of the world , with its immeasurable intellectual confusion and… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
King Nala’s Rivals
[Translation] When a fair time had come, and a lucky day and hour, King Bhima called the lords of the… Read More »King Nala’s Rivals
A Visit to the Buddha
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
Oriental Gleanings
He hath awakened from the DREAM of life. ‘Tis we who, lost in stormy visions, keep With phantoms an unprofitable… Read More »Oriental Gleanings
Dream and Dreamlessness
“What is he Soul? The Soul is consciousness among the powers of life. It is the inner light in the… Read More »Dream and Dreamlessness
Theosophy (Lecture)
The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)
[Translation] There lived once Shvetaketu, Aruni’s grandson; his father addressed him, saying: —Shvetaketu, go, learn the service of the Eternal;… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)
The Earliest Races
[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
Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
Introduction This charming little treatise bears in Sanskrit the title Tattva Bodha, which means “The Awakening to Reality,” or, to… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
Stories of the Mysteries
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
The Meaning of OM
Mandukya Upanishad The unchanging Om is the All. Its expansion is, what has been, what is, what shall be. And… Read More »The Meaning of OM