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Siphra Ditzniuta: The Book of Concealed Mystery

Commentary/Translation/ by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, Kabbalah Unveiled, 1887

Chapter I 1. Tradition.—“The Book of Concealed Mystery” is the book of the equilibrium of balance. [The word “Dtzenioutha” is… Read More »Siphra Ditzniuta: The Book of Concealed Mystery

The Greek Mysteries

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, February, 1939

At the time of the early Third Race, high Intelligences from previous periods of evolution incarnated upon this globe in… Read More »The Greek Mysteries

[Septenary Division in Different Indian Systems]

Article/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, June, 1884 [Originally signed “T.S.”; reprinted in Five Years of Theosophy, p. 185 and The Secret Doctrine; authorship verified as T. Subba Row in the latter.]

We are in a position to state that Mr. Sinnett never intended to maintain that Buddhism, as popularly conceived, is… Read More »[Septenary Division in Different Indian Systems]

Reincarnation—The Hidden Doctrine

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, September, 1941

Writing of reincarnation, Lessing, dramatist and philosopher of the eighteenth century enlightenment in Germany, summed up the meaning of this… Read More »Reincarnation—The Hidden Doctrine

India—“The Alma-Mater”

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, May-July & September-November, 1931 [Serialized]

I: The Eternal Religion Forty years ago, expounding Theosophical tenets, W. Q. Judge called them “Echoes from the Orient.” His… Read More »India—“The Alma-Mater”

Quetzalcoatl

Article/ by Mildred Swannell, Universal Brotherhood Magazine, September, 1899

Since the earliest times of which we have any historical knowledge, the emblem of the serpent has always been used… Read More »Quetzalcoatl

The Wisdom Religion of Zoroaster

Article/ by Alexander Wilder, Universal Brotherhood Magazine, October, 1898

“The primeval religion of Iran,” says Sir William Jones, “if we rely on the authorities adduced by Mohsan Fani1 was… Read More »The Wisdom Religion of Zoroaster

The Kabala and the Kabalists

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, August, 1937

The Theosophists of the Middle Ages drew their occult knowledge from two streams of thought which, long before, had sprung… Read More »The Kabala and the Kabalists

The Similitudes of Demophilus

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

1. Flattery is like painted armour, because it affords delight, but is of no use. 2. Learning is similar to a golden… Read More »The Similitudes of Demophilus

Varaha Upanishad

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

[Varāha]1 Chapter I The great sage Ṛbhu performed penance for twelve deva (divine) years. At the end of the time,… Read More »Varaha Upanishad

Alchemy and the Alchemists

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, September, 1937

The word Alchemy is a combination of Al and Chemi—Al, like the Hebrew El, meaning the Mighty Sun, Chemi meaning… Read More »Alchemy and the Alchemists

The Teachings of Plato

Article/ by Alexander Wilder, Theosophy, July, 1897

“‘Eagle! why soarest thou above that tomb?To what sublime and starry-paven homeFloatest thou?’‘I am the image of great Plato’s spiritAscending… Read More »The Teachings of Plato

Pronunciation of Sanskrit & The Sanskrit Language

Editorial/Q & A/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, June, 1886 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[Note: the following are two parts published in June and July, 1886] [June, 1886] Dear Brother: Is there any dictionary… Read More »Pronunciation of Sanskrit & The Sanskrit Language

The Secret Doctrine: A Paper read before the Blavatsky Lodge of the T. S.

Article/Lecture/ by William Kingsland, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1889

In the course of our systematic study of The Secret Doctrine, which we have now pursued for nearly six months,… Read More »The Secret Doctrine: A Paper read before the Blavatsky Lodge of the T. S.

A Chapter on Jainism

Article/ by Ramdas Sen, The Theosophist, December, 1879

The Jain religion never spread beyond the limits of India. Being thus much less widely known, it has never stood… Read More »A Chapter on Jainism

Introduction to the Gathas of Zarathustra

Article/ by D. J. Irani, 1924 [from The Divine Songs of Zarathushtra]

What are the Gathas? The Gathas are the hymns composed by Zarathushtra, the Prophet or the founder of the religion… Read More »Introduction to the Gathas of Zarathustra

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

Article/ by Vera Petrovna de Zhelihovsky, Lucifer Magazine, November-December, 1894; January-April, 1895 [Serialized]

My sister, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, nee de Hahn, better known in our country under the nom de plume of Radha-Bai, which she adopted… Read More »Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

Egyptian Symbolism and Animal Worship

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, July, 1927

The sincere and unprejudiced student of comparative religions comes at last to see that without the help of symbology no… Read More »Egyptian Symbolism and Animal Worship

The Ethics of the Vedanta

Article/ by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, International Journal of Ethics, January, 1914

A system of philosophy is generally tested by its ethical doctrine. Though a criticism of life, philosophy is judged by… Read More »The Ethics of the Vedanta

Plotinus, The Enneads [4:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 4.1. Of the Being of the Soul. It is in the intelligible world that dwells veritable being. Intelligence is… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [4:1-9]

Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, Pythagorean Sourcebook & Library, 1919

Chapter I. Importance of the Subject Since wise people are in the habit of invoking the divinities at the beginning… Read More »Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras

Selections from the Yoga Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki

Translation/ by Vihari-Lala Mitra, 1891 [See also: Full edition of the Yoga Vasishtha Maharamayana, by Vihari Lala Mitra]

Utpatti-Khanda: Evolution of the World Chapter III: Causes of Bondage in the Body Rāma said:—It is even so as you… Read More »Selections from the Yoga Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki

Idra Zuta Kadisha: The Lesser Holy Assembly

Commentary/Translation/ by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, Kabbalah Unveiled, 1887

Chapter I.Which Containeth the Introduction. 1. Tradition.—On that day on which the Companions were assembled together in the house of… Read More »Idra Zuta Kadisha: The Lesser Holy Assembly

Sandilya Upanishad

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

Chapter I Om. Śāndilya questioned Atharvan thus: “Please tell me about the eight aṅgas (parts) of Yoga which is the… Read More »Sandilya Upanishad

From Plato to the Neoplatonists

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, November, 1939

During the lifetime of Plato there was little if any dissension among his pupils. But after his death in 347… Read More »From Plato to the Neoplatonists

The Popol Vuh

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, January, 1928

The Popol Vuh was composed by a native of Guatemala in the 17th century from traditions handed down by the… Read More »The Popol Vuh

The Great Master’s Letter

Letter(s)/ by Mahatma K. H., Late 1881 or Early 1882 [Exact Date Unknown] [Posthumously Published]

(Strictly) (Private) & (Confidential) Several good reasons, given to Mahatma K. H., why the T.S. should be a Brotherhood of… Read More »The Great Master’s Letter

Bhikshuka Upanishad

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

[Bhikshuka]1 Among bhikshus (religious mendicants) who long for moksha (salvation), there are four2 kinds, viz., Kutīchaka, Bahūdaka, Hamsa, and Paramahamsa.… Read More »Bhikshuka Upanishad

Amritabindu Upanishad

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

[Amṛtabindu]1 Om. Manas (mind) is said to be of two kinds, the pure and the impure. That which is associated… Read More »Amritabindu Upanishad

The Hermetic Philosophy

Article/ by Sylvester Baxter, The Path, June, July, December, 1886 [Serialized]

Fragments of the Ancient Wisdom Religion have come down to us from the remotest past, through many channels, and in… Read More »The Hermetic Philosophy

Was Writing Known Before Panini?

Article/ by Anon., The Theosophist, October, 1883 [Author signed as “A Chela”]

I am entrusted with the task of putting together some facts which would support the view that the art of… Read More »Was Writing Known Before Panini?

Dhyanabindu Upanishad

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

[Dhyānabindu-Upanishad]1 Even if sin should accumulate to a mountain extending over many yojanas (distance), it is destroyed by dhyānayoga. At… Read More »Dhyanabindu Upanishad

Plato and Aristotle

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, September, 1939

When Socrates was sixty years old, Plato, then a youth of twenty, came to him as a pupil. When Plato… Read More »Plato and Aristotle

Brotherhood

Article/ by J. D. Buck, The Path, November, 1889

A great deal has been recently written in regard to the Brotherhood of Man. It is a frequent theme in… Read More »Brotherhood

Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism

Article/ by A. P. Sinnett, The Theosophist, February, 1885

Students of the information lately obtained from Eastern sources for the elucidation of what is known as the Esoteric doctrine,… Read More »Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism

Roger Bacon

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, December, 1937

Wherever thought has struggled to be free, there the great Theosophical Movement is to be discerned. The twelfth century is… Read More »Roger Bacon

Plotinus

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, January, 1937

Ammonius Saccas, like many other great Teachers, never committed anything to writing. Following the custom of the ancient Hierophants, he… Read More »Plotinus

Some Clarifications Regarding H. P. Blavatsky

Article/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, January-August, 2014 [Serialized]

Blavatsky herself, I find was quite articulate in stating her case and a lot of the common critiques and misconceptions… Read More »Some Clarifications Regarding H. P. Blavatsky

Sepher Yetzirah

Commentary/Translation/ by William Wynn Westcott, Collectanea Hermetica, 1893 [2nd Edition, updated from 1st ed. of 1887]

Preface to the Second Edition It has been at the earnest’ wish of many students, members of the Theosophical Society,… Read More »Sepher Yetzirah

Garbha Upanishad

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

[Garbha-Upanishad]1 Om. The body is composed of the five (elements); it exists in the five (objects of sense, etc.); it… Read More »Garbha Upanishad

Short Survey of the Vedanta System

Article/ by Paul Deussen with Charles Johnston, , 1912 [Appendix 1 of The System of the Vedanta]

1. Introductory. Fundamental thought of the Vedanta § 1. The fundamental thought of the Vedânta, most briefly expressed by the Vedic… Read More »Short Survey of the Vedanta System

Intellect and Intuition in Sankara’s Philosophy

Article/ by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Triveni, July-August, 1933

Philosophy is not a matter of dialectics and intellectual jugglery, but a product of life and meditation on it. It… Read More »Intellect and Intuition in Sankara’s Philosophy

The Neoplatonic Revival

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, February, 1938

In the year 527, when the Emperor Justinian closed the Neoplatonic School in Athens and banished the last seven great… Read More »The Neoplatonic Revival

Astrology

Article/ by Anon., The Theosophist, June, 1884

[Note: it is not certain who the author of this article was. It is included in the Collected Writings of… Read More »Astrology

A.L. Rawson and H.P.B.’s World Travels

Article/ by Samantha Province, Theosophy Nexus, January, 2016

Albert Leighton Rawson is famous in theosophical history for two things; first, he is a major witness of HPB’s travels… Read More »A.L. Rawson and H.P.B.’s World Travels

Letter from Col. Olcott to Mr. H— X—

Letter(s)/ by H. S. Olcott to A. O. Hume, , September, 1881 [Originally published in Hints on Esoteric Theosophy]

Colombo, Ceylon, 30th September 1881. Dear Mr. X., The enclosed card, to the Spiritualist, I had written and put under… Read More »Letter from Col. Olcott to Mr. H— X—

Plato

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, August, 1939

One night in the year 407 B.C., Socrates had a dream. He saw a graceful white swan flying toward him… Read More »Plato

The Prehistoric Greeks

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, January, 1939

On a blustery February afternoon in 1874 the German-American archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann climbed the hard steep road leading to the… Read More »The Prehistoric Greeks

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