The Theosophical Library

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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 Story of the Mystical: Can the “Double” Murder?

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Sun, December, 1875 [Originally published as “A Story of the Mystical”, The (NY) Sun, Dec. 26, 1875; Republished as “Can the Double Murder?” in The Theosophist, January, 1883]

[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?

An Outline of the “Secret Doctrine”

Article/Commentary/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, October-December, 1891, January-March & May, 1892 [Serialized]

In these papers an attempt will be made to give a clear account of the theory of life and development… Read More »An Outline of the “Secret Doctrine”

Thyself and Thy King

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, July, 1896

Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom. We were talking of lucent intervals, when the primeval… Read More »Thyself and Thy King

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

Gospels and Upanishads

Article/ by Charles Johnston with W. Q. Judge, , The Path, September, 1887

“The principle which gives life, undying and eternally beneficent, is perceived by him who desires perception.” As the clouds are… Read More »Gospels and Upanishads

[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]

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

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

Plato’s Chariot Allegory, with the Commentary of Hermeas

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, 1804 & 1820 [Drawn from The Works of Plato & The Commentaries of Proclus on the Timæus of Plato]

[Introduction] The following is an exploration of the Platonic Charioteer Allegory, an allegory which appears not only in Greek philosophy, but… Read More »Plato’s Chariot Allegory, with the Commentary of Hermeas

Orcus; or Past and Future

Story/ by Charles Johnston, Dublin University Review, June, 1887

It was almost midnight. I was sitting in the parlous of a quaint old ivy-clad house, over whose high-gabled, red-tiled… Read More »Orcus; or Past and Future

“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”

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)

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)

Cain and Abel

Article/Commentary/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, November, 1887

“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

Direful Prophecies

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1894

The whole mystic fraternity of Astrologers is now engaged in showing how the heavens portend great changes on this our… Read More »Direful Prophecies

Manava-Dharma-Sastra (Manu-Smriti) [Selections]

Commentary/Translation/ by H. P. Blavatsky with Jon W. Fergus, , Various Sources, 1877-1897 [Compilation] [Posthumously Published] [Last Updated: July 3, 2025]

Preface The following is a compilation of references to and quotations from the Manava Dharma Shastra (“Laws of Manu”) by… Read More »Manava-Dharma-Sastra (Manu-Smriti) [Selections]

Deussen’s Upanishads

Review/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, July, 1899 [Re-Printed from the Madras Mail]

For a long time there has been no event in the study of Oriental religions and philosophies equal in importance… Read More »Deussen’s Upanishads

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 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

A Page of the Apocalypse

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1907; January, 1908 [Serialized]

I. One of the purposes of the Theosophical Society is to pursue the comparative study of religions, with a view… Read More »A Page of the Apocalypse

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

Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1920; January, 1921 [Serialized]

By whom impelled flies the forward-impelled Mind? By whom compelled does the First Life go forth? By whom impelled is… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

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 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

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1921

What is Theosophy? What is The Theosophical Society? What is the relation of Theosophy to The Theosophical Society? Let us… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

The Vow of Silence

Article/ by B. P. Wadia, Theosophy Magazine, April, 1924 [Reprinted in The Theosophical Movement, June, 1932]

One, if not the greatest, of evils by which modern society is corrupted, is that of gossip. Injurious speech, or… Read More »The Vow of Silence

The Heart of the Mystery

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), May, June, July, 1900 [Serialized]

[I.] “. . . Beheld the immortals sweatless, steady-eyed, their garlands fresh, and touching not the ground; but he, doubled… Read More »The Heart of the Mystery

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

A Word with the Theosophists

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

The following letters appeared recently in the Poona Observer. Were it not for a few flagrant misconceptions in letter the… Read More »A Word with the Theosophists

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1926

The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

[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 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

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

[Review: The Book of Life]

Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1887

The Book of Life, by Siddhartha (also) Vonisa; his discoveries from “6215 to 6240, Anno Mundi.” A cross between an… Read More »[Review: The Book of Life]

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

[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1884

Article Selections | Introduction and Notes by H.P.B. Drama of the Latter Days: A Suggestion. We hardly need to offer… Read More »[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]

“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

The Magic of the New Dispensation

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1883

From the “New Dispensation,” April 1: “The juggler who appeared, on Tuesday last, in the last scene of the New… Read More »The Magic of the New Dispensation

The Essentials of Religion

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

Notes and closing Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on a reply by Babu Raj Narain Bose to H.P.B’s article “A Few… Read More »The Essentials of Religion

Coming Events Foretold

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

When, in answer to a direct challenge, the author of The Occult World wrote to the Bombay Gazette (April 4,… Read More »Coming Events Foretold

Patanjali

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

“About Patanjali’s life very little, if anything, can be said.” 1 A biography of Patanjali could almost begin and end… Read More »Patanjali

The Theosophy of the Upanishads

Book/ by Charles Johnston, March, 1896

PDF Version [Note: Though published anonymously, analysis of the content, phrasing, subject matter and philosophical approach convinces us that Charles… Read More »The Theosophy of the Upanishads

Divination by the Laurel Cubes

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

From a private letter, written by a perfectly reliable and very learned Theosophist in Europe, we copy the following, omitting… Read More »Divination by the Laurel Cubes

Hierosophy and Theosophy

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, July, 1883

Article selections from “Hierosophy and Theosophy”, by William Oxley | Notes by H.P.B. In dealing with what appears to be the difference between… Read More »Hierosophy and Theosophy

A Roman Catholic Saint at Goa

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

St. Francis Xavier was a Roman Catholic priest. His sacred corpse is lodged at Gôa, and exposed every third or… Read More »A Roman Catholic Saint at Goa

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

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