The Theosophical Library

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[Explanation of the Appearance of Ghosts]

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

Letter selections from Henry G. Atkinson | Notes by H.P.B. There is a long article on Ghosts, and the author… Read More »[Explanation of the Appearance of Ghosts]

Ghost Stories Galore

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

Article from 1877 by D.A.C. | Note by H.P.B. [Note: the notes to this article are all signed “Editor,” with… Read More »Ghost Stories Galore

The Power to Heal

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1883

It is a striking commentary upon the imperfection of our modern system of medicine that an almost unanimous scepticism prevails… Read More »The Power to Heal

[On Harmony and Brotherhood]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

[Note: in the pages of Lucifer, aphorisms or brief explanations of specific topics, like the following, often appear at the… Read More »[On Harmony and Brotherhood]

Two Lost Keys

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1890

It has never been admitted by orientalists that there existed a key to the Bhagavad-Gita, other than a knowledge of… Read More »Two Lost Keys

Electroscope and “Astral Doubles”

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

Some Australian and American papers are very much exercised with a new invention made by Dr. Gnedra (?) of Victoria… Read More »Electroscope and “Astral Doubles”

The Todas

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), April, 1878

[Note: for some background, see “Isis Unveiled and the Todas.” The following article was preceded by a letter from Capt.… Read More »The Todas

Blavatsky’s Influence

Article/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, October, 2015 & May, 2016 [Serialized]

[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

The Oxonians and Theosophy Again

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

Barring an occasional drop of gall in the cup of Hippocrates, our esteemed antagonists of the Oxford Mission are very… Read More »The Oxonians and Theosophy Again

Spiritualistic Morals in London

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

Letter from “British Theosophist” | Reply by H.P.B. TO THE EDITOR OF THE “THEOSOPHIST” As a Theosophist and lover of… Read More »Spiritualistic Morals in London

About “The Secret Doctrine”

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Reminiscences of H.P.B., November, 1893

I have been asked to write anything known to me personally about the writing of The Secret Doctrine by H.P.B. As… Read More »About “The Secret Doctrine”

[Evidence of the Existence of Mahatmas]

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

Editorial Note on the Article “The Himalayan Brothers—Do they Exist?” by Mohini M. Chatterji Editor’s Note. [H.P.B.]—Secondary evidence is no… Read More »[Evidence of the Existence of Mahatmas]

States of Consciousness

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1925

One of the Buddhist Suttas is known as the Potthapada Sutta, so called in honour of the Brahman to whom… Read More »States of Consciousness

[Notes from The Life of Paracelsus]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, March, 1887 [From The Life of Paracelsus, 1887]

Selections by Franz Hartmann | Notes by H.P.B. Acthna.—an invisible, subterrestrial fire, being the matrix from which bituminous substances take… Read More »[Notes from The Life of Paracelsus]

A Trap for a Friend

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, December, 1895

Not exactly a trap, though even if a very valuable truth has allowed itself to be caught therein. It happened… Read More »A Trap for a Friend

“Lieutenant-Colonel St. Anthony”

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1879

In 1808 Juan VI, then Prince-Regent of Portugal, fearing Napoleon I, made his escape to Brazil; and in 1815, was… Read More »“Lieutenant-Colonel St. Anthony”

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]

Neptune and the Titius-Bode Law

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Theosophy Nexus, December, 2012

One of the primary empirical evidences, in my view, of the scientific accuracy of the theosophical teachings related by HPB… Read More »Neptune and the Titius-Bode Law

A Coming Buddhist Book

Interview/ with H. P. Blavatsky, New York World, January, 1877 [Reprinted in The Banner of Light, Feb 3, 1877]

[Note: H.P.B. protested to some follow-up articles in the day’s newspapers, which either twisted or misunderstood her meaning about gravitation… Read More »A Coming Buddhist Book

Claiming to be Jesus

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1895

In one of the letters written by the Master K.H. and printed by Mr. Sinnett it is said the world… Read More »Claiming to be Jesus

Chandogya Upanishad 1:8-2:21 (The Mysteries of Sound 2)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1896

[Translation] Three, verily, were skilled in the up-singing Shilaka Shalavatya, Chaikitayana Dalbhya, Pravahana Jaivala. They said: In the up-singing, indeed,… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 1:8-2:21 (The Mysteries of Sound 2)

Christmas Then and Christmas Now

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1879

We are reaching the time of the year when the whole Christian world is preparing to celebrate the most noted… Read More »Christmas Then and Christmas Now

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

Visions in the Crystal

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

At a number of his lectures Colonel Olcott has exhibited a crystal from the Gastein Mountains, which was kindly sent… Read More »Visions in the Crystal

Professor Max Müller on Buddhism

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

The distinguished Sanskritist Max Müller delivered last year before the University of Glasgow a series of lectures—called Gifford Lectures—upon Religions,… Read More »Professor Max Müller on Buddhism

Whence the Name “Lunatic”?

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1883

It is well known that the moon-beams have a very pernicious influence; and recently this question became the subject of… Read More »Whence the Name “Lunatic”?

A Singular Case

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

A Correspondent writes:— The Banner of Light has a curious case given in its columns. “There is,” it says, “a gentleman, in… Read More »A Singular Case

The Indian Renaissance

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), May, 1901

At the close of the nineteenth century, the scientific ideal was already visibly losing its power. Very strange; yet an… Read More »The Indian Renaissance

Madame Blavatsky on “The Himalayan Brothers”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), August, 1881

Sir— “On the authority of an adept” (?) “they” (the Theosophists and Madame Blavatsky) “are all mediums under the influence… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on “The Himalayan Brothers”

Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, April, July, October, 1913 [Serialized]

Introduction This charming little treatise bears in Sanskrit the title Tattva Bodha, which means “The Awakening to Reality,” or, to… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)

Miracles

Editorial/Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1881

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

Evolution

Article/Q & A/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, July, 1892

A correspondent of PATH says: I am unable to get a comprehensive view of evolution theosophically. Does a “round” mean… Read More »Evolution

A Spectral Warning

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

A respectable American paper publishes a story of a clairvoyant prevision of death. One Martin Delehaute, employed in a steam… Read More »A Spectral Warning

Is Heredity a Puzzle?

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1888

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?

Anugita

Translation/ by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, 1896 [Drawn from the complete translation of the Mahabharata]

Mahabharata, Book 14: Aswamedha Parva Section XVI Janamejaya said, “When the high-souled Kesava and Arjuna after slaying their enemies repaired… Read More »Anugita

Is Creation Possible for Man?

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

The Editor of the Theosophist. MADAME, Talking the other day to a friend, who, like me, without being a Theosophist,… Read More »Is Creation Possible for Man?

Six Years Gone

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1892

Six years have gone into the void since the Path was started, and we are still in the middle of… Read More »Six Years Gone

Questions Answered About Yoga Vidya

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1881

A HINDU gentleman of the Madras Presidency propounds a number of questions about Occult Science which we answer in these… Read More »Questions Answered About Yoga Vidya

Materialistic Science (A Summary)

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, January, 1889

In the August number of this Magazine, in an essay entitled “Two Thousand Years Ago,” I endeavoured to show that… Read More »Materialistic Science (A Summary)

Lovers of the East: Anquetil Duperron (1731-1805)

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, March, 1895

Who opened the doors of the east to the west? Who brought to the west the light of the east?… Read More »Lovers of the East: Anquetil Duperron (1731-1805)

Erroneous Ideas Concerning the Doctrines of the Theosophists

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, La Revue Spirite, January, 1879 [Translated from the original French]

We insert this reply to Monsieur Rossi de Justiniani, but we express no opinion upon the doctrines expounded therein; our… Read More »Erroneous Ideas Concerning the Doctrines of the Theosophists

Cautions in Paragraphs

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, July, 1893

Do not make statements that tend to mix up the Theosophical Society with any religious belief, political theory, or social… Read More »Cautions in Paragraphs

Masters, Adepts, Teachers, and Disciples

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, June, 1893

This article is meant for members of the T.S., and chiefly for those who keep H.P.B. much in mind, whether… Read More »Masters, Adepts, Teachers, and Disciples

A Case of Obsession

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

A most interesting and instructive letter has been addressed to the Society by a respectable physician in England, in which… Read More »A Case of Obsession

The Babel of Modern Thought

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, January-February, 1891 [Serialized]

“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

An Astral Prophet

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

Every educated Englishman has heard the name of General Yermoloff, one of the great military heroes of this age; and… Read More »An Astral Prophet

The Secret of Power

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), April, 1899

“He who, dwelling in the earth, is other than the earth. whom the earth knows not, for whom the earth… Read More »The Secret of Power

The Childhood and Youth of St. Paul

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Open Court, April, 1911

“When I was a child . . .” The religions of the Orient give us a wide view of life… Read More »The Childhood and Youth of St. Paul

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