Paracelsus: Physician
It is an interesting fact, and one which should be carefully noted by all students of occultism, that many of the Adepts who have worked… Read More »Paracelsus: Physician
Paracelsus: Philosopher
The transition from the fifteenth to the sixteenth century accomplished one of the most remarkable changes ever recorded of human society. Within the space of… Read More »Paracelsus: Philosopher
The Neoplatonic Revival
In the year 527, when the Emperor Justinian closed the Neoplatonic School in Athens and banished the last seven great Neoplatonists, the teachings of Plato… Read More »The Neoplatonic Revival
The Theosophical Renaissance
At the dawn of the fourteenth century the sky of Europe was grey and lowering. Dull, sodden clouds of discontent were slowly forming above the… Read More »The Theosophical Renaissance
Roger Bacon
Wherever thought has struggled to be free, there the great Theosophical Movement is to be discerned. The twelfth century is interesting from this point of… Read More »Roger Bacon
H. P. Blavatsky and the Theosophical Movement
Prefatory Note Foreword Chapter 1: Introductory Chapter 2: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Chapter 3: Training in Chelaship Chapter 4: From Apprenticeship to Duty Chapter 5: Work… Read More »H. P. Blavatsky and the Theosophical Movement
The Druzes of Mount Lebanon
The tenth century is an important milestone in the history of Europe, as it marked the end of the first thousand years of Christianity. For… Read More »The Druzes of Mount Lebanon
The Light of the Dark Ages
The sixth century was the darkest period in the history of the Western world. It marks the mid-point, or nadir, in the 2500-year cycle which… Read More »The Light of the Dark Ages
Alchemy and the Alchemists
The word Alchemy is a combination of Al and Chemi—Al, like the Hebrew El, meaning the Mighty Sun, Chemi meaning Fire. As Khem was the… Read More »Alchemy and the Alchemists
The Kabala and the Kabalists
The Theosophists of the Middle Ages drew their occult knowledge from two streams of thought which, long before, had sprung from a common source. One… Read More »The Kabala and the Kabalists
The Basis of Universality and Brotherhood
When any individual has arrived at the definite realization that at every conceivable point the Universe is pulsating with life and consciousness, all of which… Read More »The Basis of Universality and Brotherhood
Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists
The fourth century was the turning point in the history of the Western world, the period in which Christianity took the form of a strong… Read More »Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists
Iamblichus: The Egyptian Mysteries
Neoplatonism, like modern Theosophy, may be considered under three aspects: (1) philosophical and scientific; (2) practical and ethical; and (3) mystical and occult. In modern… Read More »Iamblichus: The Egyptian Mysteries
Plotinus
Ammonius Saccas, like many other great Teachers, never committed anything to writing. Following the custom of the ancient Hierophants, he transmitted his teachings orally, and… Read More »Plotinus
Ammonius Saccas
The influence of the great Alexandrian Schools had not helped the early Christians in their work of propaganda. While the Church of Rome held up… Read More »Ammonius Saccas
Alexandria and Her Schools
The little island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea, today barren and sterile, was once the home of great Adepts, and the site of the… Read More »Alexandria and Her Schools
Gnostic Theosophy
In the second century of the Christian era, the Roman Empire comprehended some of the fairest and most cultured portions of the globe. Between 96… Read More »Gnostic Theosophy
The Gnostics
In the first century before the Christian era, a fresh impulse was given to the work of the Theosophical Movement by the Adept now known… Read More »The Gnostics
First Century Christianity
Theosophy is the ancient Wisdom-Religion, as old as thinking man, and part of the work of the Theosophical Movement is to keep these immemorial ideas… Read More »First Century Christianity
Theosophy and Eastern Yoga
I strongly advise you to give up all yoga practices, which in almost all cases have disastrous results. . . . You have learnt, to… Read More »Theosophy and Eastern Yoga
The Divine Discontent of Gautama the Buddha
Twenty-five hundred years ago there was born to the royal family of the Sakya clan, a son, the Prince Siddartha, who, through no fault of… Read More »The Divine Discontent of Gautama the Buddha
Gautama, The Lord Buddha, and His Teachings
“Buddhism teaches an evolution or development of this x-factor of consciousness and will [the Karman, the Dhyani-Buddha, or the Reincarnating Ego or Monad of Theosophy]… Read More »Gautama, The Lord Buddha, and His Teachings
The Language of the Buddhist Scriptures: Pali
Pali is the name that has been given to the language spoken in the north of India, from and before the 7th century b. c.… Read More »The Language of the Buddhist Scriptures: Pali
Jesus, the Christ
I The period of history that began with the first century B.C. and ended with the year 414 A.D. was an important one for the… Read More »Jesus, the Christ
Universal Brotherhood
The purpose of Theosophy and the aim of Theosophists is not that of converting men to a particular form of religious belief, but rather of… Read More »Universal Brotherhood
[Review:] Tibetan Yoga
[Review of:] Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines, or Seven Books of Wisdom of the Great Path, according to the late Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup’s English rendering.… Read More »[Review:] Tibetan Yoga
Creation, Evolution and Emanation
When looking around at the world in which Man finds himself, the silent query of his awakened consciousness is: How did this grand aggregate of… Read More »Creation, Evolution and Emanation
Memorabilia of H.P.B.
When the editor of the Canadian Theosophist asked me, several years ago, to write my memoirs of H. P. B., I declined to do so, explaining… Read More »Memorabilia of H.P.B.
Universal Theosophy: Talks by Robert Crosbie
The following is a collection of talks by Robert Crosbie which was compiled and published in book form posthumously. Contents The Foundation of Religion Our… Read More »Universal Theosophy: Talks by Robert Crosbie
Devotion and Understanding!
When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance. We should have learned during… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!
Sāṃkhya Kārikā
Salutations to that Kapila who, feeling compassion on the world sinking in the ocean of ignorance, constructed a boat in the shape of Sāmkhya for… Read More »Sāṃkhya Kārikā
Answers to Questions on the Ocean of Theosophy
INTRODUCTORY. Robert Crosbie, the Founder of The United Lodge of Theosophists and of the magazine Theosophy, was for many years a devoted pupil of H.… Read More »Answers to Questions on the Ocean of Theosophy
Intellect and Intuition in Sankara’s Philosophy
Philosophy is not a matter of dialectics and intellectual jugglery, but a product of life and meditation on it. It is Common enough for philosophers… Read More »Intellect and Intuition in Sankara’s Philosophy
Madame Blavatsky’s Forbears
Through her grandmother, Princess Dolgoruki, Madame Blavatsky was descended from Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, that is, Yuri the Long-armed, who founded the city of Moscow in… Read More »Madame Blavatsky’s Forbears
The Living Power of Theosophy
One of the difficulties under which students of Theosophy labor is the practical and therefore one-sided or distorted view they take of the Wisdom-Religion. For… Read More »The Living Power of Theosophy
Mr. Johnston and the Upanishads
To students who might be described as the second and third generations of the Theosophical Society, the Upanishads mean Mr. Johnston, and Mr. Johnston has… Read More »Mr. Johnston and the Upanishads
Charles Johnston
I and mine do not convince by arguments, similes, rhymes, We convince by our presence.—Walt Whtiman Many times they mentioned his name, those old friends,… Read More »Charles Johnston
Charles Johnston
Charles Johnston died on Friday, October 16th [1932], at about twenty minutes past three in the afternoon. His death was due to heart disease, from… Read More »Charles Johnston
The Late Charles Johnston
To the Editor of the New York Times: The Time’s notice of the life and work of the late Charles Johnston, intended as it was… Read More »The Late Charles Johnston
Charles Johnston, Orientalist, Dead
Charles Johnston, scholar, traveler and author, who translted many of the sacred writings of the East into English, died of heart disease yesterday at St.… Read More »Charles Johnston, Orientalist, Dead
H. P. B.
When I first met H. P. B. in the spring of 1887, she was already an old and valued friend. I had been first introduced to her… Read More »H. P. B.
India—“The Alma-Mater”
I: The Eternal Religion Forty years ago, expounding Theosophical tenets, W. Q. Judge called them “Echoes from the Orient.” His words convey a deeper truth… Read More »India—“The Alma-Mater”
Some Parables of the Buddha
It has been well said that when a great Master incarnates, his whole life is a parable. Not only does he teach spiritual law; he… Read More »Some Parables of the Buddha
A High Disciple, a Prophecy, and a Miracle
The passages of the Buddhist Suttas here translated contain many things which illumine different sides of the Buddha’s character. There is, first, an often repeated… Read More »A High Disciple, a Prophecy, and a Miracle
Theosophy and the Masses
Theosophy is an all-inclusive philosophy; not to be separated from it is the Theosophical Movement, whose objective is the practical realization of this philosophy in… Read More »Theosophy and the Masses
The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The manner in which the Buddhist scriptures came into being has set its mark on them in two ways. First, since those scriptures with which… Read More »The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The Doctrine of the Divine Man
Among the discourses of the Buddha there is one named the Lakkhana Suttanta. The first part of the Pali name corresponds to the Sanskrit Lakshana,… Read More »The Doctrine of the Divine Man
Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
Besides the supreme figure of the Buddha and the noble personalities of his leading disciples, a host of men and women are depicted in the… Read More »Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
The Buddha’s Cosmology
The teaching of the Buddha, particularly where it is most profound and spiritual, is for all practical purposes identical with the teaching of the great… Read More »The Buddha’s Cosmology
The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos
For millenniums the Brahman community has dominated the religious and intellectual life of India. It may be added that, today, the Brahmans are working to… Read More »The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos
Theosophy (Lecture)
The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these lectures two or three years… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Ideal Brahman
It has been suggested that the principal purpose of the Buddha, in all that he did and taught, was the founding of an Order which… Read More »The Ideal Brahman
“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
Toward the close of the nineteenth century, it was the custom among Occidental students of Buddhism to maintain that the Buddha had not laboured to… Read More »“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The understanding of Buddhism by Western scholars is in general marked by certain limitations. To begin with, they are inclined to lay too much stress… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The Doctrine of the Bhagavad Gita
Contents The Doctrine of the Bhagavad-Gita Kshetra and Kshetrajna Mulaprakriti, Daiviprakriti and Ishwara Worship Me with All Bhavas Glossary The Doctrine of the Bhagavad-Gita In… Read More »The Doctrine of the Bhagavad Gita
The Real H. P. Blavatsky
Contents Preface A Note on the Use of the Word Theosophy Chapter I: Introductory Chapter II: Some Personal and Impersonal Characteristics Chapter III: First Period:… Read More »The Real H. P. Blavatsky
Theosophy (Lecture)
Perhaps it would be an auspicious beginning, if we were to try to make clear what The Theosophical Society is, whose guests we are tonight,… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
I. In the first two Gospels, there is a story of gentle irony at the expense of the non-discerning disciples. The Master had entered into… Read More »Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
Building on Recollection
While the Suttas record instances in which the Buddha spoke eloquently to groups of villagers, to large numbers of men and women assembled in the… Read More »Building on Recollection
Wise and Foolish Disciples
With the single exception, perhaps, of The Light of Asia, the popular narratives of the Buddha’s life surround the great story with coloured clouds of… Read More »Wise and Foolish Disciples
The Popol Vuh
The Popol Vuh was composed by a native of Guatemala in the 17th century from traditions handed down by the priests of the Feathered-Serpent, and… Read More »The Popol Vuh
The Feathered-Serpent
Under the distinctively American name and symbol of the Feathered-Serpent are to be found the Great Teachers of Mexico and Central America. Who has not… Read More »The Feathered-Serpent
The Children of the Sun
The ancient glory of America is to be sought in Mexico, Central America and Peru. In impassable valleys or on inaccessible heights lie buried hundreds… Read More »The Children of the Sun
Kshatriya and Brahman
In the Pali Suttas the teachings of the Buddha are conveyed, not in philosophical abstractions, but in lively narratives with a picturesque background of Indian… Read More »Kshatriya and Brahman
Sources of Early American Civilization
What is the origin of the American Indian? The civilizations of Persia, China and Egypt had their roots in the remote past of the Fourth,… Read More »Sources of Early American Civilization
Egyptian “Immortality”
Had nothing remained to us of the Book of the Dead but the Judgment Scene, it alone furnishes abundant evidence of the Egyptian teaching of… Read More »Egyptian “Immortality”
Osiris, Isis, Horus, and Set
“Salutations to thee, O Osiris, thou the greatest of the six gods issued from the Goddess Noo; thou the great favorite of thy father Ra;… Read More »Osiris, Isis, Horus, and Set
Theosophy (Lecture)
The purpose of The Theosophical Society is to keep alive the spiritual intuitions of mankind. Since we are here this afternoon as guests of the… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Ladder of Consciousness
Many Orientalists of a by-gone day, misled, perhaps, by learned but undiscerning Southern Buddhists, held that Nirvana, the consummation of the Buddha’s path, meant annihilation… Read More »The Ladder of Consciousness
Egyptian Symbolism and Animal Worship
The sincere and unprejudiced student of comparative religions comes at last to see that without the help of symbology no ancient Scripture can ever be… Read More »Egyptian Symbolism and Animal Worship
The Gods of Egypt
Every cosmogony purports to deal with the origin of the universe, its manifestation marking the beginning of time. Before the beginning, however, time was—it pre-existed… Read More »The Gods of Egypt
Civilization and Religion of Egypt
When broke the dawn of that civilization in Egypt whose wondrous perfection is suggested by the fragments supplied to us by the archaeologists? Alas! the… Read More »Civilization and Religion of Egypt
The Chain of Causation
It is the custom of Orientalists to speak of Buddhism as a religion, and a very beautiful and intuitional book has been written, with the… Read More »The Chain of Causation
Old China and New
After the passing of Chwang Tzu, Theosophy began to disappear from China. Its passage through corruption, superstition, to wrong practices and sense life brought the… Read More »Old China and New
Chwang Tzu
Lao Tzu is austere and serene; Confucius is the ritualist in life; but now we approach Chwang Tzu — the breaker of idols, the advocate… Read More »Chwang Tzu
Lieh Tzu
What Mencius was to Confucius, that Lieh Tzu and Chwang Tzu were to Lao Tzu. Lieh Tzu endeavored to draw together the conflicting elements which… Read More »Lieh Tzu
Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-3 [Introduction] Building the Cosmos Like the Chhandogya Upanishad, the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad consists of a series of Instructions for Disciples. The… Read More »Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
A Visit to the Buddha
Something has been said of the relation of Siddhartha the Compassionate to the Masters, according to the Suttas and more modern witnesses. A living Aryan… Read More »A Visit to the Buddha
On Tao
Like the Sanskrit Word Aum, Tao stands for that which is the source, the power, and the form of the manifested universe. It is the… Read More »On Tao
Lao Tzu and the Taoists
H. P. Blavatsky described Lao Tzu as a God-like being and classed him with Krishna, Buddha, and Jesus, who “united themselves with their Spirits permanently”… Read More »Lao Tzu and the Taoists
Among the Celestials
We have been told that Prince Siddhartha, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, born in the ancient city of Kapila, was initiated into the… Read More »Among the Celestials
Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men who, through union with the… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Theosophy (Lecture)
The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings of various kinds. There are… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We may here remind ourselves that… Read More »Details of Discipline
The Kings of China
In his Ocean of Theosophy William Q. Judge speaks of “ancient and honorable China” — ancient it is, for as the Secret Doctrine tells us,… Read More »The Kings of China
Zoroastrian Ethics
If the spirit of Vedanta singing through the Gita endeavors to bring the world to Dharma-Duty, the theme which Zoroastrianism recites for humanity is Ashoi-Purity.… Read More »Zoroastrian Ethics
Discipline for Disciples
The rules of conduct which the Buddha enjoined on the members of his Order are embodied, as almost always, in a story; and again, as… Read More »Discipline for Disciples
Zoroastrian Psychology
Western scholars may say “the Key to the Avesta is not the Pahlavi but the Vedas”; the Occultist’s answer is “aye, but the Key to… Read More »Zoroastrian Psychology
Zoroastrian Cosmo-Genesis
If the Orientalists, through their peculiar method of reading Zend, Pahalvi and Pazand, have disfigured the import of Zoroastrian texts, they have at least done… Read More »Zoroastrian Cosmo-Genesis
Zoroastrian Metaphysics
The modern world has elevated the cult of the personal to an art; so much is this the prevailing ideal that in dealing with old… Read More »Zoroastrian Metaphysics
Vestures of Consciousness
It will be remembered [see “States of Consciousness”] that the crowd of pilgrims who, with Pilgrim Potthapada, were in residence in The Hall set about… Read More »Vestures of Consciousness
The Fraternity of Perfected Souls
Theosophy teaches the existence of a Fraternity of Perfected Souls. From its ranks have come to mankind its Savior-Teachers; some with a more exalted mission… Read More »The Fraternity of Perfected Souls
States of Consciousness
One of the Buddhist Suttas is known as the Potthapada Sutta, so called in honour of the Brahman to whom the Buddha addressed the teaching… Read More »States of Consciousness
Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
The power of vision in the eye sees form; the mind sees the power of vision in the eye; spiritual consciousness, the Witness, sees the… Read More »Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
Theosophy (Lecture)
At the Convention of The Theosophical Society yesterday, much was said regarding the significance of the fact that the Society is completing the fiftieth year… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Fruits of Discipleship
The questions of King Ajatashatru, with the Buddha’s answers, make up the Sutta called The Fruits of Discipleship. There is a certain likeness between the… Read More »The Fruits of Discipleship
Chhandogya Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing for Initiation. They contain philosophical… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad
Stories of the Mysteries
Besides the great Books of the Mysteries, we may recognize, in the spiritual records of all peoples and all times, a supplementary class of Stories… Read More »Stories of the Mysteries
Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
I. Atma, verily, Universal Self, alone was this in the beginning, nor was aught else with opening and closing eyes. He beholding said: Let me… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
For the sake of those whose darkness has been worn away by purifications, who have attained to peace, whose passions have been conquered, who long… Read More »Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)