The Theosophical Library

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Studies in the Voice of the Silence

Article/ by B. P. Wadia, The Theosophical Movement, July-October, 1940 [Serialized]

The Wandering Heart The downfall of every civilization is caused by the weak morals of those who live in and… Read More »Studies in the Voice of the Silence

The Signs of the Time

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

How rapidly the salutary leaven of Freethought is working its way into every class of society throughout Europe and America,… Read More »The Signs of the Time

Dr. Carpenter on “Tree-Trickery” and H. P. Blavatsky on Fakir “Jugglery”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Religio-Philosophical Journal, December, 1877

A wise saying that which affirms that he who seeks to prove too much, in the end proves nothing. Professor… Read More »Dr. Carpenter on “Tree-Trickery” and H. P. Blavatsky on Fakir “Jugglery”

A Poet Theosophist: Walt Whitman

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

“I myself but write one or two indicative words for the future, I but advance a moment, only to wheel… Read More »A Poet Theosophist: Walt Whitman

The Songs of the Master

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, October-December, 1896 & February, 1897 [Serialized]

I. In the Bhagavad Gita, first translated and best known of all the Sacred Books of the East, there is… Read More »The Songs of the Master

Projection of the Double

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

In one of the daily issues of the N. Y. World—an influential journal of the great American metropolis—for the year 1878,… Read More »Projection of the Double

Bright Spot of Light

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

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

Taittiriya Upanishad 1 (The Lotus of the Teaching)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1895

I. [Translation] Om Bless us Mitra; bless us Varuna; bless us Aryaman; bless us Indra, Vrhaspati; bless us wide-stepping Vishnu.… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad 1 (The Lotus of the Teaching)

A Personal Explanation

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

It is impossible for the Founders of the Theosophical Society to answer more than a few of the attacks made… Read More »A Personal Explanation

Dialogues Between the Two Editors: On Astral Bodies, or Doppelgangers

Article/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky with Mabel Collins, , Lucifer Magazine, December, 1888

M. C. Great confusion exists in the minds of people about the various kinds of apparitions, wraiths, ghosts or spirits. Ought we… Read More »Dialogues Between the Two Editors: On Astral Bodies, or Doppelgangers

Journalist vs. Missionary

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

Some weeks ago, the Times of India, in a moment of rancorous spite towards the Invalide Russe, which it had… Read More »Journalist vs. Missionary

Various Slanders Refuted

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

[Note: the wording between the two printings of this letter to the editor(s) differed slightly, including the title. The exact… Read More »Various Slanders Refuted

Our Fourth Year

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

The end of the third year of publication has come (Volume III ends with the September number), and still the… Read More »Our Fourth Year

Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, July, 1894

[Translation] There lived once Shvetaketu, Aruni’s grandson; his father addressed him, saying: —Shvetaketu, go, learn the service of the Eternal;… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)

[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]

[Reply to:] “Madame Blavatsky”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), March, 1879

Sir,—If my memory has not altogether evaporated under the combined influences of this blazing Indian sun, and the frequent misconstructions… Read More »[Reply to:] “Madame Blavatsky”

Suggestions to Branches

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, Booklet/Pamphlet, June, 1893

Founding of Branches This paper is to give newly-formed Branches some idea of the methods which experience has shown to… Read More »Suggestions to Branches

A Reminiscence & Correspondence

Article/Note(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1893 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[Note: It is possible that the following article was not written by Mr. Judge. (ED.)] The interesting series of historical… Read More »A Reminiscence & Correspondence

[Re-Union of the Arya Samaj and the Theosophical Society?]

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

Notice from the Indian Mirror | Note by H.P.B. Rai Bishen Lall, M.A., Pundit Gaindan Lall, B.A., and party deputed… Read More »[Re-Union of the Arya Samaj and the Theosophical Society?]

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”?

How She Must Laugh

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

Since the demise of H.P. Blavatsky’s body, a little over a year ago, mediums in various parts of the world… Read More »How She Must Laugh

A Card from the Countess Blavatsky

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The (NY) Sunday Mercury, January, 1875

Article Selections from the N.Y. Sunday Mercury | Reply by H.P.B. [Note: for a slightly re-worded and longer version of… Read More »A Card from the Countess Blavatsky

Stone-Showers

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

[Note: for some background, see “[Note on “Stone-Throwing by ‘Spirits’”],” “[On “Stone-Showers”],” “More Anecdotes of Hassan Khan Djinni,” and “[More on… Read More »Stone-Showers

Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1929

The understanding of Buddhism by Western scholars is in general marked by certain limitations. To begin with, they are inclined… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day

The Hymn of the Spirit

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

Thousand-headed is Spirit, thousand-eyed, thousand-footed; he wrapping the world altogether, overpassed it by a space of ten fingers. Spirit verily… Read More »The Hymn of the Spirit

[On Bhuts or Pisachas in India]

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

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]

Occult or Exact Science?

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April-May, 1886 [Serialized]

I. Ecce Signum! Behold the sign foreseen in a brighter future; the problem that will be the question of the… Read More »Occult or Exact Science?

Universal Applications of Doctrine

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

During the last few years in which so much writing has been done in the theosophical field of effort, a… Read More »Universal Applications of Doctrine

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

Stray Memoranda

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

“Why not,” I said to a Master’s messenger, “give to all these gaping theosophical children throughout the Society, the whole… Read More »Stray Memoranda

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)

Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, August, 1887

The greatest schisms often come about through the supporters of one cause disputing over mere terminology. Mr. Subba Row, in… Read More »Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm

The Turning Tide

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

“There are those who draw near to Thee through will, holding Thee ever in their hearts: there are those who… Read More »The Turning Tide

Funeral Rites among Savage Races

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

Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on a letter responding to previous remarks. In your note to the letter on “The Efficacy… Read More »Funeral Rites among Savage Races

The Sheaths of the Soul

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

In my last article, “Mesmerism,” I arrived at the point where we discover that the inner mortal man has several… Read More »The Sheaths of the Soul

Fifteen Years Ago

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

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 Signs of This Cycle

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

Men of all nations for many years in all parts of the world have been expecting something they know not… Read More »The Signs of This Cycle

Conversations on Occultism with H.P.B.

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, April, 1894

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.

Persian Zoroastrianism and Russian Vandalism

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

Few persons are capable of appreciating the truly beautiful and esthetic; fewer still of revering those monumental relics of bygone… Read More »Persian Zoroastrianism and Russian Vandalism

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

Porphyry, On Abstinence from Animal Food

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, 1823

Book One 1. Hearing from some of our acquaintance, O Firmus,1 that you, having rejected a fleshless diet, have again… Read More »Porphyry, On Abstinence from Animal Food

Vikramâditya’s “Jewel.”

Story/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, March, 1891

Dramatis personae. 1. Ghost of Kâlidâsa (the Court-poet of King Vikramâditya). 2. Professor M.M. (Orientalist). 3. Smith (a plebeian). ———… Read More »Vikramâditya’s “Jewel.”

The Buddha’s Former Births

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1910

[Introduction] Among the great religions of the world, none has been so greatly misunderstood in our day as the teaching… Read More »The Buddha’s Former Births

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?

[Notes on the Czar and the “Nihilist-Socialists”]

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

A strange phenomenon happened, write the Russian papers. “There was a sign in heaven on the day of the regicide.… Read More »[Notes on the Czar and the “Nihilist-Socialists”]

[On Spirit and Matter]

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

Selections from the Article “Karma” by A. Govinda Charlu | Reply by H.P.B. 1. We start with the supposition that… Read More »[On Spirit and Matter]

[On the Brahmo Samaj and Theosophical Society]

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

In the Sunday Mirror of February 20, we find a paragraph in which Sir Richard Temple’s opinion on the Brahmo Samaj is… Read More »[On the Brahmo Samaj and Theosophical Society]

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