The Theosophical Library

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Theosophical Study and Work

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Booklet, 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

Which First—The Egg or the Bird?

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

I beg to present my warmest thanks to Mr. William Simpson, F.R.G.S., the distinguished artist and antiquary, who extended last… Read More »Which First—The Egg or the Bird?

The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus

Translation/ by William Bridgman, 1804 [Originally published in Translations from the Greek]

All these Symbols are exhortatory in common to the whole of virtue; but particularly each to some particular virtue. Different… Read More »The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus

Zoroaster and His Religion

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

Article selections by Pestonji Dorabji Khandalavala | Notes by H.P.B. All authors of antiquity agree in giving a place to… Read More »Zoroaster and His Religion

Self-Knowledge

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 »Self-Knowledge

The Sermon on the Mount

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1906

I. In studying the Teachings of Jesus, we shall do well ever to bear in mind his words to his… Read More »The Sermon on the Mount

[Answers to Questions on Adepts]

Note(s)/ by Damodar K. Mavalankar, The Theosophist, December, 1883

Questions by D. P. Dhumme | Reply by Damodar K. Mavalankar Madame,—Will you, with your usual kindness, enlighten me on… Read More »[Answers to Questions on Adepts]

Impossibilities Demanded

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

Many impossibilities have been at all times demanded by members of the Society from those who have by the misfortunes… Read More »Impossibilities Demanded

India a Storehouse for Us

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1891

Hindustan has been called the land of mystery by many writers. For years it has been to the English a… Read More »India a Storehouse for Us

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

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

“Let Every Man Prove His Own Work”

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, 1887

Such is the title of a letter received by the Editors of Lucifer. It is of so serious a nature… Read More »“Let Every Man Prove His Own Work”

Hamsa Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Hamsa]1 Gautama addressed Sanatkumāra thus: “O Lord, thou art the knower of all dharmas and art well versed in all… Read More »Hamsa Upanishad

Isis Unveiled and the Visishtadvaita

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1886

Sir,—“R. R.” attempts in the October number of our Magazine to prove that I have taught in Isis Unveiled substantially the doctrine… Read More »Isis Unveiled and the Visishtadvaita

On “The Judge Case,” Vice-Presidency and Autonomy

Editorial/Letter(s)/LTTE/Note(s)/ by W. Q. Judge with H. S. Olcott, , The Irish Theosophist, The Pacific Theosophist, The Path, The Vahan, Various Sources, March, 1894 to August, 1895 [Compilation]

[Note: The following collection includes various writings on “The Judge Case,” the Vice-Presidency and the Resolution of Autonomy of “The… Read More »On “The Judge Case,” Vice-Presidency and Autonomy

“Blavatskianism” In and Out of Season

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1893

THEOSOPHISTS! let us consult together. Let us survey the army, the field of battle, and the fighters. Let us examine… Read More »“Blavatskianism” In and Out of Season

A Russian “Symposium”

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

An important triad of Russian writers has lately been engaged on a discussion of British and Russian relations. One of… Read More »A Russian “Symposium”

The Wandering Eye

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1889

This is not a tale in which I fable a mythical and impossible monster such as the Head of Rahu,… Read More »The Wandering Eye

The Chosen “Vessels of Election”

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

A friendly correspondent “8111,” has sent to us a severe rebuke embodied in a long letter. Received after the 20th… Read More »The Chosen “Vessels of Election”

Research: Sien-Tchan and Related Terms

Research Paper/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, January, 2020 [Last Updated: January 4, 2021]

The following is some preliminary research into a few terms used by H. P. Blavatsky, which appear to be Chinese… Read More »Research: Sien-Tchan and Related Terms

The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1930

The manner in which the Buddhist scriptures came into being has set its mark on them in two ways. First,… Read More »The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection

Pert Questions and Plain Answers

Editorial/Note(s)/ by Damodar K. Mavalankar with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, May, 1882

Letter from “* * *” | Introductory Note and Footnotes by H.P.B. | “Answer to Misconceptions” by Damodar How little the “beliefs… Read More »Pert Questions and Plain Answers

The Early Races in the Popol Vuh

Article/Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), October, December, 1902; January-February, 1903 [Serialized]

[I.] We have heard much of the Sacred Books of the East. It is time to say something of the… Read More »The Early Races in the Popol Vuh

An American Experiment

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Omaha Daily Bee, March, 1891

As I write these words there lies before me an old book written by Jacob Boehme, a German shoemaker who… Read More »An American Experiment

[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1885

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]

From Madame Blavatsky to Mr. Joseph Cook

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

Article Selections detailing comments from Mr. Cook’s Lecture | Notes and Reply by H.P.B. [Note: the following was preceded by… Read More »From Madame Blavatsky to Mr. Joseph Cook

The Logos Doctrine

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1923

Let us begin by trying to translate as literally as possible the opening passage of Saint John’s Gospel, retaining the… Read More »The Logos Doctrine

Madame Blavatsky Explains

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

To the Editor of the Spiritual Scientist: Dear Sir,—For the last three months one has hardly been able to open a… Read More »Madame Blavatsky Explains

Karma in the Desatir

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, October, 1891

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

Theosophical Don’ts

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

The following suggestions arise from experience and are due to facts in the Theosophical world. Don’t speak or write as… Read More »Theosophical Don’ts

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

[True Poverty and True Wealth]

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), October, 1898

There is one Lord, the inmost soul of all beings, who makes visible one power in many forms;—they who behold… Read More »[True Poverty and True Wealth]

Another Distinguished Fellow

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

A short time since we had the pleasure of announcing that the aged Baron du Potet de Sennevoy had accepted… Read More »Another Distinguished Fellow

The Theosophist and Arya Samajist

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

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

[On the Kama-rupa and Vampires]

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

Article Selection by Dr. Fortin | Note by H.P.B. [Note: the assumption made with this note, signed “Translator,” is that… Read More »[On the Kama-rupa and Vampires]

Libel by Dr. Coues and the “N. Y. Sun”

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

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”

If Methuselah Existed, Why So Short Our Lives?

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1891

At a Theosophical Society meeting the other day, it was stated that in the early races, say the second and… Read More »If Methuselah Existed, Why So Short Our Lives?

“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”

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

“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous WITNESS” (Exodus,… Read More »“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”

Change of Name

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1896

Commencing with the next, April, number, the PATH, which has been published for ten years under that name, will drop… Read More »Change of Name

The Logos and Life

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1923

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

“Two Professors.” Christian and Skeptic.

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, October, 1887

At the recent May Meeting of the Church Missionary Society, Sir M. Monier-Williams felt impelled to lay before the world… Read More »“Two Professors.” Christian and Skeptic.

The Dream of Life

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

Dream, wherein the Self is mirrored, has two, powers,—to extend and to envelope; enveloping the habitual self and its world,… Read More »The Dream of Life

Dream and Dreamlessness

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), November, 1898

“What is he Soul? The Soul is consciousness among the powers of life. It is the inner light in the… Read More »Dream and Dreamlessness

Psychometry and Archæology

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

Question by Poorna Chundra Mookherji | Note by H.P.B. . . . Now the great problem [facing the author as… Read More »Psychometry and Archæology

Rahatship

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

It highly gratified our Delegates to Ceylon to find that not only every educated priest and layman, but the uneducated… Read More »Rahatship

A Circulating Library

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

A theosophical circulating Library has been established at the General Secretary’s office in New York, Room 47, 21 Park Row.… Read More »A Circulating Library

[Note on the Policy of Mutual Toleration]

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

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 Truth about East and West

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1895

Mrs. Besant and others have joined together to try and show that I am attempting to create discord in the… Read More »The Truth about East and West

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