Genius
“Genius! thou gift of Heaven, thou light divine! Amid what dangers art thou doom’d to shine. Oft will the body’s… Read More »Genius
Article
Articles from various theosophical authors.
The Number Seven and Our Society
The thoughtful reader must have pondered well over the mysterious import that the number Seven seems to have always had… Read More »The Number Seven and Our Society
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline
Aphorisms on Karma
The following, among others not yet used, were given to me by teachers, among them being H. P. Blavatsky. Some… Read More »Aphorisms on Karma
The Dweller of the Threshold
Has such a being any existence? Has any one ever seen it? Are there many or several, and has it… Read More »The Dweller of the Threshold
The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
Since the exposition of the Arhat esoteric doctrine was begun, many who had not acquainted themselves with the occult basis… Read More »The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
“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
Thought Transference or Mind Reading
A writer in The Saturday Review, in 1882, said: “We had thought we had heard the last of thought reading.”… Read More »Thought Transference or Mind Reading
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!
Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine
Jacob Boehme (or as some say Behmen) was a German mystic and spiritualist who began to write in the 17th… Read More »Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine
Mediumship
There is no more misunderstood or misapplied word than “Medium.” Having been appropriated by the Spiritist, it is as a… Read More »Mediumship
The Drift of Western Spiritualism
Late advices from various parts of the world seem to indicate that, while there is an increasing interest in the… Read More »The Drift of Western Spiritualism
The Missing Link
A good many of the Western papers are terribly excited over a bit of news just arrived in Europe from… Read More »The Missing Link
Theosophy as a Cult in India
[Note: the following includes an initial article from April 1st and a follow-up article from June 3, 1886.] [April 1st,… Read More »Theosophy as a Cult in India
Facts and Ideations
The current of public attraction runs towards psychic phenomena and is becoming in Europe stronger every year. Even German science… Read More »Facts and Ideations
Theosophical Society and Reforms
ZEALOUS THEOSOPHIST. Don’t you think the Theosophical Society ought to take some definite stand on the questions of reform? Constitutional… Read More »Theosophical Society and Reforms
Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour
There is a charming story in one of the Upanishads, a story full of the most delicate humour, which tells… Read More »Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour
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
Theosophical Symbolism
The number 7 has, ever since the Theosophical Society was founded November 17th, 1875, played a prominent part in all… Read More »Theosophical Symbolism
Magic
In The Indian Tribune of March 15th appears a letter upon the relations of the Theosophical Society with the Ârya… Read More »Magic
Spiritual Gifts and Their Attainment
One of the questions which a Theosophist is apt to ask, and to ask with some earnestness and intensity is,… Read More »Spiritual Gifts and Their Attainment
Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]
Occult Teachings Student.—What is Occultism? Sage.—It is that branch of knowledge which shows the universe in the form of an… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]
Suicide is Not Death
As a student of Theosophy and human nature I have been interested in the discussion of the subject of self-murder… Read More »Suicide is Not Death
“Not Unto Us.”
“All of life, throughout all the world, is to be the dwelling-place of the King; by renouncing life thou shalt… Read More »“Not Unto Us.”
The Path of Action
The Mohammedan teacher directs his disciples to tread carefully the razor’s edge between the good and the bad; only a… Read More »The Path of Action
Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]
The Kali Yuga—The Present Age Student.—I am very much puzzled about the present age. Some theosophists seem to abhor it… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]
About Killing Animals
A correspondent asks: “Will you kindly explain why, if you think it wrong to kill a water bug, that you… Read More »About Killing Animals
“Reward for Unmerited Sufferings?”
In the Key to Theosophy, on page 161, the author uses a phrase which has been objected to on the… Read More »“Reward for Unmerited Sufferings?”
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
Sankaracharya
Sankaracharya (from Saṅkara, a personal name + ācarya teacher) was an Indian reformer and teacher of Vedanta, who founded what… Read More »Sankaracharya
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… Read More »The Language of the Soul
Rig-Veda on Gambling
The following excellent remarks are probably the oldest in the world upon the vice of gambling. They are found in… Read More »Rig-Veda on Gambling
Emerson and Occult Laws
“It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about… Read More »Emerson and Occult Laws
Psychism and the Fourth Dimension
At the present day, though science has added to its former treasures many things rich and rare, its wildest admirer… Read More »Psychism and the Fourth Dimension
Mars and Mercury: A Possible Solution
[Note: This article refers to disagreements upon a certain theosophical idea on the nature of Mars and Mercury and their… Read More »Mars and Mercury: A Possible Solution
The Theory of Cycles
It is now some time since this theory, which was first propounded in the oldest religion of the world, Vedaism,… Read More »The Theory of Cycles
A Poet Theosophist: Walt Whitman
“I myself but write one or two indicative words for the future, I but advance a moment, only to wheel… Read More »A Poet Theosophist: Walt Whitman
The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Tsongkhapa is an extremely significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. His impact has been compared to that of Thomas Aquinas in… Read More »The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma
The Law of Analogy
Behold how like the moon reflected in the tranquil waves, Alaya is reflected by the small and by the great,… Read More »The Law of Analogy
Astral Intoxication
There is such a thing as being intoxicated in the course of an unwise pursuit of what we erroneously imagine… Read More »Astral Intoxication
Stray Memoranda
“Why not,” I said to a Master’s messenger, “give to all these gaping theosophical children throughout the Society, the whole… Read More »Stray Memoranda
Theosophic Diet
The question “whether to eat meat or not to eat it” is one which is uppermost in the minds of… Read More »Theosophic Diet
AUM!
The most sacred mystic syllable of the Vedas, is Aum. It is the first letter of the Sanscrit alphabet, and… Read More »AUM!
What is the Udgitha?
JAMESTOWN April 16th, 1886 DEAR BROTHER:—Will you kindly explain, through THE PATH, what is to be understood by the Udgitha,… Read More »What is the Udgitha?
Adepts and Politics
The communication in your December number from Chhabigram Dolatram, headed as above, is a piece of special pleading, directed against… Read More »Adepts and Politics
Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky
In the introduction to the Secret Doctrine, H. P. Blavatsky boldly affirms the existence of a great Fraternity of Men,… Read More »Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky
Seventeen Years Ago and Now
In November, 1875—seventeen years ago—the Inaugural Address of Col. Henry S. Olcott as President of the Theosophical Society was delivered… Read More »Seventeen Years Ago and Now