The Theosophical Library

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Theosophical Tracts

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1889

Earnest Theosophists, of small means and opportunity, often inquire what one thing they can do to further the spread of… Read More »Theosophical Tracts

Hazy Notions

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1881

Enter Ghost. Hamlet: . . . . . . “Ministers of grace, defend us! Be thou a spirit of health,… Read More »Hazy Notions

The Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion

Lecture/ by H. S. Olcott, February, 1882

Col. Olcott on Zoroastrianism [Editorial from The Theosophist, March, 1882] On the evening of the 14th of January [February?], the President-Founder… Read More »The Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion

Doomed!

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1882

A letter signed by a Mr. R. Barnes Austin of Heathfield, England, addressed to the editor of The Theosophist, has… Read More »Doomed!

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

Ammonius Saccas

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, December, 1936

The influence of the great Alexandrian Schools had not helped the early Christians in their work of propaganda. While the… Read More »Ammonius Saccas

[The Mayavi Rupa]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1880

Article selection from “Nanga Baba of Gwalior”, by M.B.V. | Note by H.P.B. “In a corner of the parade ground… Read More »[The Mayavi Rupa]

Materialism and its Lessons

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1883

Quotation from Prof. Maudsley | Note by H.P.B. “Disclosing to man the stern and uniform reign of law in nature,… Read More »Materialism and its Lessons

Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Madras Times, May, 1879

To the Editor, Sir,—My writing is prompted by the legitimate curiosity of a foreigner, who is studying the value of… Read More »Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”

“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

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

Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, December, 1892

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

Black Magic in Science

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, June, 1890

“. . . Commence research where modern conjecture closes its faithless wings.” (Bulwer’s Zanoni). “The flat denial of yesterday has become the… Read More »Black Magic in Science

Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana

Translation/ by F. C. Conybeare, 1912

Introduction The Life of Apollonius of Tyana has only been once translated in its entirety into English, as long ago… Read More »Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana

Matters Touching Theosophy

LTTE/ by W. Q. Judge, Religio-Philosophical Journal, May, 1886

To the Editor of the Religio-Philosophical Journal: Will you permit me to say a few words in regard to some… Read More »Matters Touching Theosophy

Spiritualism and Occult Truth

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1882

The Spiritualist of Nov. 18th takes notice of the article published in the THEOSOPHIST for October under the heading “Fragments… Read More »Spiritualism and Occult Truth

“Is it Idle to Argue Further”?

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1882

Says Light, in its “Notes by the Way,” edited by M.A. (Oxon):— “The current number of The THEOSOPHIST contains an… Read More »“Is it Idle to Argue Further”?

The Philosophic Inquirer

Editorial/Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August, 1882

The first numbers of our iconoclastic Madras contemporary in its new English garb are on our table. We confess with… Read More »The Philosophic Inquirer

Aryasanga

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, April, 2013

Composing a biography on Aryasanga is not an easy task. Reliable records are scant and partial at best. Thus what… Read More »Aryasanga

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 Application of Theosophical Theories

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Occult Word, May, 1886

The mistake is being made by a great many persons, among them being Theosophists, of applying several of the doctrines… Read More »The Application of Theosophical Theories

The Luminous Circle

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Sun, January, 1876

We were a small party of merry travellers. We had arrived at Constantinople a week before from Greece, and had… Read More »The Luminous Circle

The Number Seven and Our Society

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1880

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

A Review of The Secret Doctrine

Review/ by W. Q. Judge, The Sherman Democrat, February, 1889

The Secret Doctrine, by Blavatsky, is a work whose aim is stated as follows: “To show that Nature is not… Read More »A Review of The Secret Doctrine

Questions About Esoteric Theosophy Answered

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August, 1882

Letter by W.H.C.D. | Reply by H.P.B. TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST I have been studying the pamphlet on… Read More »Questions About Esoteric Theosophy Answered

The Language of the Soul

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, December, 1919 [Posthumously Published]

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

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

An Important Biblical Error

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1881

An important Biblical error is alleged to have been discovered by Mr. Charles Beke, the learned author of a well-known… Read More »An Important Biblical Error

Concerning Gods and Interviews

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York World, January, 1877

[Note: for the interview H.P.B. refers to in this letter, see “A Coming Buddhist Book”] To the Editor of The World:… Read More »Concerning Gods and Interviews

Suicide is Not Death

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, New York World, August, 1894 [Re-printed in The Lamp, September, 1894]

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

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

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)

The Dwellers on High Mountains

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Word, June, 1912 [Posthumously Published]

An account of the dwellers upon high mountains would be incomplete without some reference to a widespread belief prevailing in… Read More »The Dwellers on High Mountains

A Theological Snob

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1882

A pretty story comes to us from Madras about the American lecturer, now starring in India. The Bombay Gazette once… Read More »A Theological Snob

The Comte de St. Germain

Book/ by Isabel Cooper-Oakley, 1912 [Paperback Version]

Contents Chapter 1: Mystic and Philosopher The theories of his birth—High connections—The friend of kings and princes—Various titles—Supposed Prince Ragoczy—Historic… Read More »The Comte de St. Germain

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

A Great Light Under a Bushel

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1880

If, according to the ironical definition of a French writer, language were not given to man “that he might the… Read More »A Great Light Under a Bushel

“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”

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 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)

Theosophy as a Cult in India

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Index, April, 1886 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[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

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

The Secret Doctrine and Physiology

Article/Note(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1893

I find on p. 92 of Vol. II, Secret Doctrine, the heart of man described as consisting of four lower… Read More »The Secret Doctrine and Physiology

Magic

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Deccan Star, March, 1879

In The Indian Tribune of March 15th appears a letter upon the relations of the Theosophical Society with the Ârya… Read More »Magic

Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, April, 1886

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

An Interesting Letter

Letter(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, April, 1893

144 Madison Avenue, New York Dear Brother,—I have your last long and welcome letter. The fears you express of the… Read More »An Interesting Letter

The Press and Occultism

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1889

When The Path first appeared on the scene, the World and the Sun, two prominent daily newspapers of New York,… Read More »The Press and Occultism

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