The Theosophical Library

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Diagnoses and Palliatives

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

“That the world is in such bad condition morally, is conclusive evidence that none of its religions and philosophies, those… Read More »Diagnoses and Palliatives

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

The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, February, 1884

The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge… Read More »The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

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

The Asiatic nations have often been accused of holding obstinately to their old routine and customs, and of being the… Read More »Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

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

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

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

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

Chirognomy and Palmistry

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, December, 1884

Chirognomy is the art of delineating character by means of the hand. One of the arts of the Gypsies of… Read More »Chirognomy and Palmistry

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

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

[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1881

Article Selections by Vishnu Bawa’s “True Religion Defined” | Notes by H.P.B. What is dharma, or that which is popularly interpreted… Read More »[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

The Brahmo Samaj

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

Ever since we came to India friends in Europe and America have been asking us to tell them something about… Read More »The Brahmo Samaj

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

Arjuna’s Beliefs

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

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

“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

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

[On Invocations]

Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophical Congress, September, 1893

One or two persons have said since our sessions began that they noticed that other Congresses began either with the… Read More »[On Invocations]

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

Mesmerism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, May, 1892

This is the name given to an art, or the exhibition of a power to act upon others and the… Read More »Mesmerism

Are Chelas Mediums?

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1884

According to the newest edition of the “Imperial Dictionary,” by John Ogilvie, L. L. D., “A medium is a person through whom… Read More »Are Chelas Mediums?

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

A Lapsus Calami

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Journal of The Theosophical Society, February, 1884

[Note: for background, see “The Saracens of Theosophy and the Madras Crusaders” etc.] Says the Editor of the Indian Churchman, in… Read More »A Lapsus Calami

Judges or Slanderers?

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Le Lotus, June, 1887 [Translated from the original French by C. J. Ryan]

“. . . . . For our own part, we regard her (Madame Blavatsky) neither as the mouthpiece of hidden… Read More »Judges or Slanderers?

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

The Headquarters at Adyar

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1890

Having shown our readers in February Path the counterfeit presentment of H. P. Blavatsky, to whom the Theosophical Society owes… Read More »The Headquarters at Adyar

The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy

Article/ by A. J. Cooper-Oakley, The Theosophist, March, 1888

These two systems are so closely linked together that any attempt to treat the one without the other would be… Read More »The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy

The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”

Article/Review/ by Damodar K. Mavalankar, The Theosophist, May, 1884

The pamphlet of Mr. C. C. Massey, an F.T.S., of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, is a valuable… Read More »The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”

“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”

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

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)

A Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, The Pamphleteer, 1816 (No.'s 15-16), 2nd Ed. [Serialized] [PDF Version (scanned original)]

Εν ταις ΤΕΛΕΤΑΙΣ καθαρσεις ηγουνται και περιρραντηρια και αγνισμοι, α των εν απορρητοις δρωμενων, και της του θειου μετουσιας γυμνασματα… Read More »A Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries

The First Alcibiades

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, The Works of Plato, 1804

With Taylor’s “Additional Notes,” drawn from the MS Commentary of Proclus. Stephanus numbers included. Contents Introduction Translation Additional Notes Introduction1… Read More »The First Alcibiades

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

“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”?

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

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

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

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

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

Mistaken Notions on the “Secret Doctrine”

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

Ever since the publication of the Secret Doctrine Students of Theosophy (outside the inner ring of Occult Sciences) have complained… Read More »Mistaken Notions on the “Secret Doctrine”

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)

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 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]

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

[On Vaccination]

Note(s)/Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1882 & January, 1883 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

Review by H.P.B. | Reply by William Tebb | Note by H.P.B. THE VACCINATION INQUIRER and Health Review, the Organ… Read More »[On Vaccination]

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