Memorabilia of H.P.B.
When the editor of the Canadian Theosophist asked me, several years ago, to write my memoirs of H. P. B., I declined to do so, explaining… Read More »Memorabilia of H.P.B.
Article
Articles from various theosophical authors.
Devotion and Understanding!
When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance. We should have learned during… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!
Intellect and Intuition in Sankara’s Philosophy
Philosophy is not a matter of dialectics and intellectual jugglery, but a product of life and meditation on it. It is Common enough for philosophers… Read More »Intellect and Intuition in Sankara’s Philosophy
Madame Blavatsky’s Forbears
Through her grandmother, Princess Dolgoruki, Madame Blavatsky was descended from Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, that is, Yuri the Long-armed, who founded the city of Moscow in… Read More »Madame Blavatsky’s Forbears
The Living Power of Theosophy
One of the difficulties under which students of Theosophy labor is the practical and therefore one-sided or distorted view they take of the Wisdom-Religion. For… Read More »The Living Power of Theosophy
H. P. B.
When I first met H. P. B. in the spring of 1887, she was already an old and valued friend. I had been first introduced to her… Read More »H. P. B.
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
Theosophy (Lecture)
The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these lectures two or three years… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The understanding of Buddhism by Western scholars is in general marked by certain limitations. To begin with, they are inclined to lay too much stress… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
Theosophy (Lecture)
Perhaps it would be an auspicious beginning, if we were to try to make clear what The Theosophical Society is, whose guests we are tonight,… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
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
Theosophy (Lecture)
The purpose of The Theosophical Society is to keep alive the spiritual intuitions of mankind. Since we are here this afternoon as guests of the… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
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
Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men who, through union with the… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Theosophy (Lecture)
The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings of various kinds. There are… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We may here remind ourselves that… Read More »Details of Discipline
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
Theosophy (Lecture)
At the Convention of The Theosophical Society yesterday, much was said regarding the significance of the fact that the Society is completing the fiftieth year… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Stories of the Mysteries
Besides the great Books of the Mysteries, we may recognize, in the spiritual records of all peoples and all times, a supplementary class of Stories… Read More »Stories of the Mysteries
Introduction to the Gathas of Zarathustra
What are the Gathas? The Gathas are the hymns composed by Zarathushtra, the Prophet or the founder of the religion of ancient Iran, who lived… Read More »Introduction to the Gathas of Zarathustra
Dramas of the Mysteries
Let the king resolve to change the face of his court and forcibly evict the animal from the chair of state, restoring the god to… Read More »Dramas of the Mysteries
Theosophy (Lecture)
There may be some here this afternoon who have no defined understanding of The Theosophical Society and its purpose. It has one admirable clause in… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Vow of Silence
One, if not the greatest, of evils by which modern society is corrupted, is that of gossip. Injurious speech, or small talk ensouled by the… Read More »The Vow of Silence
The Logos and the Heart
Greater love hath no man than this. The surface character of the Logos, we can know from our own consciousness, since our consciousness is a… Read More »The Logos and the Heart
The Logos and Meditation
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon… Read More »The Logos and Meditation
The Logos and Life
E la sua volontate è nostra pace: Ella è quel mare, al qual tutto si move Ciò ch’ ella crea e che natura face. —DANTE,… Read More »The Logos and Life
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may be asked how the single word, Theosophy, can stand as the title of a lecture. It is because Theosophy is at once the… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Logos and the Mind
Io veggio ben sì come già risplende nello intelletto tuo l’eterna luce . . . —DANTE, Paradiso, V. “Well do I note how in thine… Read More »The Logos and the Mind
The Logos Doctrine
Let us begin by trying to translate as literally as possible the opening passage of Saint John’s Gospel, retaining the more important Greek words: “In… Read More »The Logos Doctrine
Studies in the Secret Doctrine
Contents First Series 1. The Writer of The Secret Doctrine 2. Scope, Structure and Method 3. Knowledge—Absolute and Relative 4. The World of Archetypes 5.… Read More »Studies in the Secret Doctrine
Occult Knowledge
Occult Knowledge means knowledge which is “hidden,” but it also means knowledge which is known. If it is knowledge that is known, there must be… Read More »Occult Knowledge
The Power of Suggestion
The power of suggestion means many different things to many minds. It is coupled with the idea of hypnosis, where the operator is able to… Read More »The Power of Suggestion
Theosophy (Lecture)
Let us withdraw ourselves for an hour from the turmoil of the world , with its immeasurable intellectual confusion and its almost unfathomable moral confusion,—that… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Origin of Evil
Christian theology states that evil came into the world through the sin of the first man’s eating of the tree of forbidden fruit. All men… Read More »The Origin of Evil
A League of Humanity
Now that the most frightful and destructive war known to the annals of history is over, the questions that arise in every thinker’s mind are:… Read More »A League of Humanity
New Year’s Resolutions
All have doubtless made New Year”s resolutions, and all, no doubt, have failed to keep them. There must be a reason for our failures, as… Read More »New Year’s Resolutions
Culture of Concentration
Concentration, or the use of the attention in the direction of anything that we wish to do, consistently and persistently, has long been recognized as… Read More »Culture of Concentration
Three Kinds of Faith
Every human being has faith—faith in something, some ideal, some conception, some religion, some formula—but while the faiths of different people have one or another… Read More »Three Kinds of Faith
Renunciation of Action
It would be a grave mistake to think that by not acting one frees himself from the consequences of action. Such would be a totally… Read More »Renunciation of Action
The Foundation of Religion
To most people the word “religion” signifies something separate from human existence, and presents the idea of preparation for some unknown future existence. Some religions… Read More »The Foundation of Religion
The Cause of Sorrow
We are never free from pain, sorrow, and suffering in the world. Pleasures come and go very lightly, but always the sorrow and suffering of… Read More »The Cause of Sorrow
Mental Healing and Hypnosis
Mental healing, metaphysical healing, mind cure, spiritual healing and Christian Science all come under the same head; there is no difference between them in the… Read More »Mental Healing and Hypnosis
Theosophy (Lecture)
What is Theosophy? What is The Theosophical Society? What is the relation of Theosophy to The Theosophical Society? Let us begin with the more concrete… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Occult Side of Nature
The word Nature used in its widest sense, as when we speak of Great Nature, or Mother Nature, means the whole of the outside—all that… Read More »The Occult Side of Nature
Theosophy in Daily Life
Many people think that religion means a preparation for death or the states of the future. Religion really means a preparation for and a knowledge… Read More »Theosophy in Daily Life
Instinct and Intuition
Instinct is a direct perception of what is right, within its own realm. Intuition is a direct cognition of the truth in all things. Reason… Read More »Instinct and Intuition
Can the Dead Communicate?
Since the forties of last century Spiritualists have affirmed the answer to this question, claiming sufficient evidence for the survival of intelligence after the state… Read More »Can the Dead Communicate?
The Dangers of Psychism
A number of short treatises, in verse and prose, are attributed to the great Indian Teacher, Shankaracharya, though it is probable that the actual writing… Read More »The Dangers of Psychism
Planetary Influences
The philosophy of Theosophy covers all things in manifestation and points out the relations of each thing to every other. Our personal purview extends over… Read More »Planetary Influences
The Kingly Mystery
The “kingly mystery” is Life itself. We all have Life. We all are Life. Every being everywhere is Life—expresses Life. To know what is Life… Read More »The Kingly Mystery
The Law of Correspondences
“Law of Correspondences” is a greater subject than people are liable to suspect; yet we all know something of correspondences in the simple facts of… Read More »The Law of Correspondences
Our God and Other Gods
As a people we speak of “our God,” imagining that we all have the same idea, that we all mean the same thing by the… Read More »Our God and Other Gods
What Survives After Death?
Day after day we are constantly confronted by the fact that we are all subject to death. No matter how we may live, whether our… Read More »What Survives After Death?
True Clairvoyance
Since the Theosophical Movement took outward expression in 1875, the term clairvoyance (clear seeing) has become familiar to many people. In the latter part of… Read More »True Clairvoyance
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 Convention of The Theosophical Society.… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems
True Morality
True morality is not a thing of words or phrases or modes of action of any kind, nor is its basis to be found in… Read More »True Morality
Man, Visible and Invisible
“There are two kinds of beings in the world, the one divisible, and the other indivisible: the divisible is all things and the creatures, the… Read More »Man, Visible and Invisible
What Reincarnates?
What reincarnates is a mystery to many minds because they find a difficulty in understanding such a permanency as must stand behind repeated incarnations. They… Read More »What Reincarnates?
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 the lectures of Sir Oliver… Read More »The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
Real Memory
The general idea with regard to memory is that it depends entirely on the orderly functioning of the physical brain, and that where derangement of… Read More »Real Memory
The Storehouse of Thought
When we consider the idea of thought we must remember that there cannot be thought without a thinker. There are no thoughts that arise of… Read More »The Storehouse of Thought
Sleep and Dreams
There is something in each of us which enters the state called dreams, the state called sleep, and the state called death. No understanding whatever… Read More »Sleep and Dreams
Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
Let us come gradually to this knotty question, using a series of familiar references as stepping-stones. To begin with, readers of The Occult World will… Read More »Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
The Language of the Soul
The Soul is pictured in the ancient teachings as the real Self man. There are many different conceptions of what man is and what the… Read More »The Language of the Soul
The Creative Will
There is no possible way of understanding or explaining the nature of any being whatever except through Evolution, which is always an unfolding from within… Read More »The Creative Will
The Recognition of Law
We have to assume either that this is a universe of law or a universe of chaos, chance, accident. In fact, we know perfectly well… Read More »The Recognition of Law
The Guatemalan Secret Doctrine
Among students of occultism, there have been persistent traditions of a branch or branches of the Great Lodge in the New World; Peru, the mountains… Read More »The Guatemalan Secret Doctrine
The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Many Scriptures have been inspired by the Great Initiation; with these are to be counted the Prometheus Bound of Æschylus and the Prometheus Unbound of… Read More »The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
One whose memory of The Theosophical Society goes back for thirty-four years, of necessity recalls many deaths, and, unhappily, many defections. On no less than… Read More »Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
A Drama of the Great Initiation
Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound was completed, so far as the essential part of it is concerned, on April 6, 1819—that is, an even century ago—Shelley being… Read More »A Drama of the Great Initiation
The Great War and the Great Initiation
Readers of the THEOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY who are acquainted with the Bhagavad Gita have been struck, again and again, with the likeness between the events portrayed… Read More »The Great War and the Great Initiation
From the Highlands of Lemuria
[I.] Alfred Russel Wallace has dedicated one of the most charming chapters of Island Life, the most delightful and fascinating of all his books, to… Read More »From the Highlands of Lemuria
Eastern and Western Psychology
I. A Theosophical Need Mr. Judge writes, in one of the closing chapters of The Ocean of Theosophy, that “there is no Western Psychology worthy… Read More »Eastern and Western Psychology
The Age of Sankara
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION Ex Orientale lux; Ex occidente frux-from the East light; from the West fruit-is a suggestive old saying. ‘Spiritual light… Read More »The Age of Sankara
The School of Pythagoras at Crotona
[Crotona] This was the ancient city of Magna Graecia, Italy, and has no reference to modern places of that name. [I.] One of the greatest… Read More »The School of Pythagoras at Crotona
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may, perhaps, be a cause of wonder that, at this late day, a subject so elementary is chosen, for an address that is in… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Vedantic Approach to Reality
Philosophy is the attempt to think out the presuppositions of experience, to grasp, by means of reason, life or reality as a whole. It seeks… Read More »The Vedantic Approach to Reality
Christianity and War
There is a widespread feeling, which has found eloquent expression in many places, that the great world war, in the midst of which we find… Read More »Christianity and War
Paul the Disciple
[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his disciples and in carrying forward… Read More »Paul the Disciple
The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]
[Note: the following was meant by Mr. Crosbie to be a continuation of the Notes on Chapters 1-7 by W. Q. Judge.] Contents Chapter 8… Read More »The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]
Patanjali and His Disciples
Dr. J. Haughton Woods prints, in the November number of the Journal of the American Oriental Society, a translation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,… Read More »Patanjali and His Disciples
Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta
To the question, Does Consciousness Evolve? the Vedanta answers, yes, and no. Personal consciousness evolves, from childhood to maturity, from surface sense-perception to the deeper… Read More »Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta