Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
By “laymen,” in this case, we mean that class of society and humanity in general, who are not “orthodox spiritualists;”… Read More »Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
Seeking for favour, verily, Vajashravasa made a sacrifice of all his possessions. He had a son, named Nachiketas. Him, being… Read More »Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
“Esoteric Buddhism” and the “Secret Doctrine”
Letter by A. P. Sinnett | Notes and Closing Remark by H. P. B. In reference to various remarks concerning “Esoteric Buddhism” which… Read More »“Esoteric Buddhism” and the “Secret Doctrine”
Hit the Mark
“Having taken the bow, the great weapon, let him place on it the arrow, sharpened by devotion. Then, having drawn… Read More »Hit the Mark
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline
The Works of Plato
Full Title: THE WORKS OF PLATO VIZ. HIS FIFTY-FIVE DIALOGUES, AND TWELVE EPISTLES TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK; NINE OF THE… Read More »The Works of Plato
Blavatsky Still Lives
The Very Latest News From the World of Occultism—Blavatsky and her Mahatmas Mr. W. Q. Judge, who is the head… Read More »Blavatsky Still Lives
The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman
“Hail, holy light, offspring of Heaven first-born. Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam. . . . . . . Since God is light Bright effluence… Read More »The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman
The Ashes of H.P.B.
[Three Parts: Aug., 1892, Jan. & May 1893] [Aug, 1892] A permanent Headquarters building for the American Section being now… Read More »The Ashes of H.P.B.
The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
In Light (of February 11) “C. C. M.,” in the article “Communicating Spirits,” says the following:— “It will thus be… Read More »The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
Emerson and Occult Laws
“It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about… Read More »Emerson and Occult Laws
The Missing Link
A good many of the Western papers are terribly excited over a bit of news just arrived in Europe from… Read More »The Missing Link
The Origin of Evil
The problem of the origin of evil can be philosophically approached only if the archaic Indian formula is taken as… Read More »The Origin of Evil
Masons and Jesuits
Our Masonic readers, of whom very respectable numbers are scattered throughout India, ought to be on the lookout for recent… Read More »Masons and Jesuits
Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)
Introductory Note An apology is scarcely needed for undertaking a translation of Sankara Acharya’s celebrated Synopsis of Vedantism entitled “Atmanatma… Read More »Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)
“Emerson and Occultism.”
“’Tis thus at the roaring Loom of Time I ply, And weave for God the garment thou seest Him by.”… Read More »“Emerson and Occultism.”
Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)
Tao-teh-king (Chin.). Lit., “The Book of the Perfectibility of Nature” written by the great philosopher Lao-tze. It is a kind… Read More »Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)
Iconoclasm Toward Illusions
A disposition not to interfere in any way with beliefs which are illusions prevails with many who dislike the pain… Read More »Iconoclasm Toward Illusions
Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
[Translation] Invocation To Him I make obeisance, who is the end of all wisdom, the goal of all attainment, the… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
Chhandogya Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad
Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists
Sir,—Permit an humble Theosophist to appear for the first time in your columns, to say a few words in defence… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists
The Culture-Language of the Future
It has often seemed to me that even the best Sanskrit scholars in Europe and America alike have no very… Read More »The Culture-Language of the Future
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
The little town of Amboise in Touraine is redolent with memories. There, in the fourth century, Saint Martin, patron of… Read More »Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
The Nativity of Buddha
I feel more convinced than ever that Ashva Ghosha’s Sanskrit Life of Buddha will be the Life of Buddha which… Read More »The Nativity of Buddha
To the Spiritualists of Boston
In a private letter received by me from A. N. Aksakoff, Counselor of State in the private Chancellery of the… Read More »To the Spiritualists of Boston
The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Tsongkhapa is an extremely significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. His impact has been compared to that of Thomas Aquinas in… Read More »The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Authorship of Secret Doctrine
A good deal has been said about the writing of Isis Unveiled, and later of the Secret Doctrine, both by… Read More »Authorship of Secret Doctrine
The Coming of the Serpent
The white rays shed over all the Island when the Diamond on the mountain shot forth its last light continued… Read More »The Coming of the Serpent
Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)
[Translation] The divine Song, verily, is all their being, whatsoever there is; and the Word is the divine Song. The… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)
William Quan Judge
There are events common to human life, events small and inconsiderable in seeming, which, in their ulterior development and under… Read More »William Quan Judge
Papyrus—The Gem
The roads were thronged with the people moving toward the great square, for it was a feast of the Goddess.… Read More »Papyrus—The Gem
Glamour
The word “glamour” was long ago defined in old dictionaries as “witchery or a charm on the eyes, making them… Read More »Glamour
Rig-Veda on Gambling
The following excellent remarks are probably the oldest in the world upon the vice of gambling. They are found in… Read More »Rig-Veda on Gambling
Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty
In an interview with the celebrated Hungarian violinist, M. Remenyi, the Pall Mall Gazette reporter makes the artist narrate some very… Read More »Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty
Mars and Mercury: A Possible Solution
[Note: This article refers to disagreements upon a certain theosophical idea on the nature of Mars and Mercury and their… Read More »Mars and Mercury: A Possible Solution
Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
Let us come gradually to this knotty question, using a series of familiar references as stepping-stones. To begin with, readers… Read More »Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
Wart-Charming
Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on an article by Frederick Helmone With reference to the following correspondence which appeared in Knowledge, dated… Read More »Wart-Charming
Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)
[Translation] That sun is honey for the bright powers; the heaven is the curved support of it; the mid-world is… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)
An Ancient Telephone
It has been the custom of many people to belittle the ancients by assuming that they knew but little of… Read More »An Ancient Telephone
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
[Note: The following is Johnston’s second, revised edition of the Yoga Sutras (1917), which is updated from the initial serialization… Read More »Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Astral Intoxication
There is such a thing as being intoxicated in the course of an unwise pursuit of what we erroneously imagine… Read More »Astral Intoxication
Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST Madam,—Since you have published a posthumous letter of my Master and beloved friend, the… Read More »Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
Paul the Disciple
[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his… Read More »Paul the Disciple
The Dweller of the Threshold
Has such a being any existence? Has any one ever seen it? Are there many or several, and has it… Read More »The Dweller of the Threshold
Introduction to the Dream of Ravan
In the caves of Eastern Sibyl,1 what curious leaves lie hidden, or go whirling in the wind! written over with… Read More »Introduction to the Dream of Ravan
Vivekachudamani (Crest-Jewel of Wisdom)
First Steps on the Path Prologue (Verses 1–15) I bow before Govinda, the objectless object of final success in the… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest-Jewel of Wisdom)
The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism
It is upon the above subject 1 that we find Mr. Henry Atkinson, of Boulogne, France, treating in the Philosophic… Read More »The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism