Blavatsky’s Influence
[Part 1] I think since around the mid-80s, Blavatsky has been getting wider recognition for her influence on contemporary spirituality.… Read More »Blavatsky’s Influence
True Progress
Perhaps those who have engaged in discussions about whether it is more advisable to become acquainted with the Astral Plane… Read More »True Progress
Lamas And Druses
Mr. L. Oliphant’s new work “Land of Gilead” attracts considerable attention. Reviews appeared some time since, but we had to… Read More »Lamas And Druses
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
Kshatriya and Brahman
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 Ladder of Consciousness
Many Orientalists of a by-gone day, misled, perhaps, by learned but undiscerning Southern Buddhists, held that Nirvana, the consummation of… Read More »The Ladder of Consciousness
[Notes on the Demons of the Zend-Avesta]
Letter Selections by Dhunjibhoy Jamsetjee | Editor’s Note by H.P.B. The Zendavesta is full of allusions to Devas, Drugs, and… Read More »[Notes on the Demons of the Zend-Avesta]
Reincarnation of Animals
Very little has been said on the question whether or not the theory of Reincarnation applies to animals in the… Read More »Reincarnation of Animals
Which the Truth, and Which a Lie?
“For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; yet am I also judged… Read More »Which the Truth, and Which a Lie?
“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”
General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato
[p. iii] “Philosophy,” says Hierocles,1 “is the purification and perfection of human life. It is the purification, indeed, from material… Read More »General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato
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)
A Year on the Path
The present issue of this Magazine closes the first year of its publication. It was not started because its projectors… Read More »A Year on the Path
Buddhistic Exegesis
We feel honored in being able to lay before Western thinkers, preliminary contributions from two of the most eminent priests… Read More »Buddhistic Exegesis
Is Poverty Bad Karma?
The question of what is good Karma and what bad has been usually considered by theosophists from a very worldly… Read More »Is Poverty Bad Karma?
Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine
From Pages 1 to 67, Vol. I. A PROPHECY. In the 20th century—1900—the scholars of our era will begin to… Read More »Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine
Fifteen Years Ago
Fifteen years ago in November the Theosophical Society was started at the residence of H.P. Blavatsky in Irving Place, New… Read More »Fifteen Years Ago
The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
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”
A Story of the Mystical: Can the “Double” Murder?
[Forward from the republication in The Theosophist:] The story which follows was written by the editor of this magazine some years… Read More »A Story of the Mystical: Can the “Double” Murder?
Karma in the Desatir
The Desatir is a collection of the writings of the different Persian Prophets, one of whom was Zoroaster. The last… Read More »Karma in the Desatir
Two Letters to the Editor of the N.Y. Times
Will you permit me to correct the statement of Mr. J. R. Perry in your issue of the 3rd that… Read More »Two Letters to the Editor of the N.Y. Times
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
The Press and Occultism
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
Eloquent, Just, and Mighty Death
It is part of the strange, deceptive quality of things, that nothing should teach us so much of life, nothing… Read More »Eloquent, Just, and Mighty Death
Miracles
That golden treasury of arcane knowledge—the Catholic Mirror—reports a “magnificent lecture” upon miracles by Archbishop Seguers. It is a “fascinating… Read More »Miracles
[The Sacred Brahmanical Thread]
Article selections from “Two Words about Chelaship” by A. Sankariah | Note by H.P.B. There were days when all had… Read More »[The Sacred Brahmanical Thread]
Libel by Dr. Coues and the “N. Y. Sun”
In the New York Sun of Sunday, July 20th, appeared an article by Dr. Elliott Coues of Washington, D.C., purporting… Read More »Libel by Dr. Coues and the “N. Y. Sun”
The Science of Magic
Happening to be on a visit to Ithaca, where spiritual papers in general, and the Banner of Light in particular, are very… Read More »The Science of Magic
The Babel of Modern Thought
“O ye Lords of Truth who are cycling in eternity . . . save me from the annihilation in this Region of… Read More »The Babel of Modern Thought
Bright Spot of Light
MADAME,—In the last issue of your valuable journal, a member of the New York Theosophical Society seeks to be enlightened… Read More »Bright Spot of Light
The Logos and Life
E la sua volontate è nostra pace: Ella è quel mare, al qual tutto si move Ciò ch’ ella crea… Read More »The Logos and Life
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
The Bugbears of Science
[I.] The fanaticism of blank negation is often more tenacious, more dangerous, and always far harder to deal with, and… Read More »The Bugbears of Science
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
[On Bhuts or Pisachas in India]
Article Selections by S. Ramaswamier | Notes by H.P.B. Some questions have arisen in The Theosophist as to the views of… Read More »[On Bhuts or Pisachas in India]
The Song of Life
The Gospels are the perfect flower of Palestine. The Upanishads are the chiefest treasure of most ancient India. The heart… Read More »The Song of Life
Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India
The enemies of Spiritualism and Theosophy can rejoice and triumph, and the Calcutta bigoted and dyspeptic fogies—old or young—are invited… Read More »Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India
The Turn of the Wheel
[I.] He was the son of a small ruler in Rajpootana. His father, of the warrior caste, governed a district… Read More »The Turn of the Wheel
Is Heredity a Puzzle?
A well known writer in Harper’s Magazine said lately “Heredity is a Puzzle.” He then proceeded, “The race is linked… Read More »Is Heredity a Puzzle?
The New Society for Psychical Research
In Light for April 27th, we find the manifesto of the new Socierty which has just been organized at London… Read More »The New Society for Psychical Research
Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution
[Note: this was serialized from Feb.-Apr., 1897] Mr. Chairman, Fellow Theosophists, Ladies and Gentlemen: The title of what I am… Read More »Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution
The Theosophist and Arya Samajist
In the August number of The Theosophist there appeared a short paragraph announcing the death of Pandit Shraddha Ram of… Read More »The Theosophist and Arya Samajist
Russian Superstitions
In the article entitled “War in Olympus” (Theosophist for November 1879), an allusion was made to a great row then… Read More »Russian Superstitions
Conversations on Occultism with H.P.B.
In 1875, ’76, ’77 and ’78 my intimacy with H.P.B. gave me many opportunities for conversing with her on what… Read More »Conversations on Occultism with H.P.B.
[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]
Article Selections by A. P. Sinnett, “Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism” | Editor’s Note by… Read More »[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]
[Note on the Policy of Mutual Toleration]
Article Selections from “The Samajees that India Needs”| Notes by H.P.B. A correspondent, writing from Lahore, under date, February 17,… Read More »[Note on the Policy of Mutual Toleration]
The Future and the Theosophical Society
In 1888 H.P. Blavatsky wrote: “Night before last I was shown a bird’s eye view of the theosophical societies. I… Read More »The Future and the Theosophical Society