The Theosophical Library

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Cock-and-Bull

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

Some months ago, the THEOSOPHIST was taken to task by certain Christian Roman Catholic friends, for crediting “supernatural” cock-and-bull “inventions”… Read More »Cock-and-Bull

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

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

The Dangers of Psychism

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1921

A number of short treatises, in verse and prose, are attributed to the great Indian Teacher, Shankaracharya, though it is… Read More »The Dangers of Psychism

A Crisis for Spiritualism

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, March, 1876

[Note: H.P.B.’s letter was preceded by the following Editor’s Note. For further context, see previous editions of the Spiritual Scientist, Banner… Read More »A Crisis for Spiritualism

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

Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

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

For the first part of this article, see: “Patanjali.” While Patañjali is commonly referred to as the founder or father… Read More »Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Work for Theosophy

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, November-December, 1940; January-February, 1941 [Posthumously Published] [Serialized]

It is futile to accept revelations on anybody’s say-so. They convey no knowledge, and it is actual knowledge that is… Read More »Work for Theosophy

Another Theosophical Prophecy

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1886

In the first number of The Path was inserted a prophecy made from certain books in India called Nadigrandhams, respecting… Read More »Another Theosophical Prophecy

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

Philological and Archæological “Difficulties”

Article/Q & A/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, November, 1883

7. Buddha’s birth is placed (on p. 141) in the year 643 B.C.. Is this date given by the Adepts as… Read More »Philological and Archæological “Difficulties”

Theosophical Correspondence Class

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1893 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

The increase of the purely routine work of the General Secretary’s office has made it impossible to fully reply to… Read More »Theosophical Correspondence Class

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

Theosophical Study and Work

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Booklet/Pamphlet, November, 1890

The birth and life of a Branch of the Theosophical Society are very like to those of an individual. As… Read More »Theosophical Study and Work

Occult Arts

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, October-December, 1893; January, 1894 [Serialized]

No. I. Precipitation The word “precipitation” means to throw upon or within. This term is used in chemistry to describe… Read More »Occult Arts

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?

“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation

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

In Light (July 8) C.C.M. quotes from the THEOSOPHIST (June 1882) a sentence which appeared in the Editor’s Note at… Read More »“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation

What Reincarnates?

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, April, 1920 [Posthumously Published]

What reincarnates is a mystery to many minds because they find a difficulty in understanding such a permanency as must… Read More »What Reincarnates?

Classification of Principles

LTTE/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, September, 1887

[Note: for some background, see: Classification of “Principles”] It seems a pity that the time and energies of our brothers… Read More »Classification of Principles

Lovers of the East: Henry Thomas Colebrooke (1765-1837)

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

A satirical critic of our orientalists once said that their capacity, like the Word divine in the heavens, had three… Read More »Lovers of the East: Henry Thomas Colebrooke (1765-1837)

[Note on “Is Man only a Machine?”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1880

Note by H.P.B. on an article by Joseph Pollock Mr. Pollock has as ably presented both sides of the case… Read More »[Note on “Is Man only a Machine?”]

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

[Review:] The Arya

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

The Arya, “a Monthly Journal devoted to Aryan Philosophy, Art, Literature, Science, and Religion, as well as to Western Modern… Read More »[Review:] The Arya

Modernized Upanishad

Translation/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1892

Chapter First 1 The Master was asked by the pupil to tell at whose wish the mind of man, when… Read More »Modernized Upanishad

[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]

Visishthadwaita Philosophy [2]

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

Article selections from “Viśishtadvaita Philosophy,” by Govinda Charlu | Notes by H.P.B. Parabrahma being an All-pervading principle, itself being the All,… Read More »Visishthadwaita Philosophy [2]

A Concise Exposition of Chaldaic Dogma, by Psellus

Commentary/Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, The Classical Journal, December, 1817; March, June, 1818 [Serialized] [Extracted from “Collection of the Chaldean Oracles.”]

“They assert that there are seven corporeal worlds, one Empyrean and the first; after this, three etherial, and then three… Read More »A Concise Exposition of Chaldaic Dogma, by Psellus

“On the Tetractys,” by Theon of Smyrna

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, Life of Pythagoras, 1818 [From the Mathematica (“On Mathematics Useful for the Understanding of Plato”)]

The tetrad was called by the Pythagoreans every number, because it comprehends in itself all the numbers as far as… Read More »“On the Tetractys,” by Theon of Smyrna

On the Future: A Few Reflections

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

Although I am an American citizen, the place of my birth was in Ireland, and in what I am about… Read More »On the Future: A Few Reflections

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

Research: the “Dzeno-doo” sect of “Tzi-onene”

Research Paper/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, April, 2021 [Last Updated: July 1, 2021]

The term “Dzenodoo” appears on page 173 of The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1. In the original 1888 edition: The seven… Read More »Research: the “Dzeno-doo” sect of “Tzi-onene”

The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1929

For millenniums the Brahman community has dominated the religious and intellectual life of India. It may be added that, today,… Read More »The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos

The Nadigranthams

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, October, 1885

The article by T. Subba Row Garu in the July Theosophist will be read with great interest by all Theosophists,… Read More »The Nadigranthams

The Books of Hidden Wisdom

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

. . . Beheld the Gods all, sweatless, steady-eyed, their flower-wreaths fresh and dust-free, as they stood, touching not the… Read More »The Books of Hidden Wisdom

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)

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

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

A Prophecy About Theosophy

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1886

There are alleged to exist in India certain Sibylline books called Nadi-grandhams. As the name indicates, they are compilations of… Read More »A Prophecy About Theosophy

[On Cremation]

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

Nothing promises to prove more dangerous to the Bible and to the Bible Christians—not even the new Revision of the… Read More »[On Cremation]

[Review:] “The Light of Asia”

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

[Review of The Light of Asia, by Sir Edwin Arnold] A timely work in poetical form, and one whose subject—perfect though… Read More »[Review:] “The Light of Asia”

Mars and Mercury

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

In the June Path there was printed a review of a pamphlet issued by the London Lodge T. S., and… Read More »Mars and Mercury

The History of a “Book”

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Pioneer, March, 1880

As the indications in the press all point towards a Russian reign of terror, either before or at the death… Read More »The History of a “Book”

The Meaning of OM

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

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 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

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

Esoteric Axioms and Spiritual Speculations

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

In a lengthy review of A. Lillie’s book, Buddha and Early Buddhism, by M. A. (Oxon), our esteemed friend, the… Read More »Esoteric Axioms and Spiritual Speculations

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

Whipped into Admission

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

When the Heliocentric system was finally and irretrievably established, and no escape from it was found possible, the Church, letting… Read More »Whipped into Admission

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