Ammonius Saccas
The influence of the great Alexandrian Schools had not helped the early Christians in their work of propaganda. While the… Read More »Ammonius Saccas
Theosophy and Modern Problems
Think that all the members of the audience realize that this lecture is a part of the Theosophical Convention,—the annual… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems
The Idyll of the White Lotus
Paperback Version PDF Version (Scanned Original) Summary and Review (from the Theosophist) Explanation/Commentary by T. Subba Row Reflections on the Inner Meaning,… Read More »The Idyll of the White Lotus
Kamadeva: An Exploration by Two Students
The following is not meant as an exhaustive treatise on Kamadeva, but rather as an outline of certain ideas, from… Read More »Kamadeva: An Exploration by Two Students
[The Mayavi Rupa]
Article selection from “Nanga Baba of Gwalior”, by M.B.V. | Note by H.P.B. “In a corner of the parade ground… Read More »[The Mayavi Rupa]
Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-3 [Introduction] Building the Cosmos Like the Chhandogya Upanishad, the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad consists of a series… Read More »Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
The Buddha’s Life
We first heard of Buddhism, it may almost be said, through the works of Brian Houghton Hodgson, and his explorations… Read More »The Buddha’s Life
Moon’s Mystery and Fate
Probably no heavenly body has received as much attention from men in all ages as our moon. Many causes contributed… Read More »Moon’s Mystery and Fate
The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc
The following interesting letter was received by us from Fresno, California. As it is a private one, we can give… Read More »The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc
Oriental Gleanings
He hath awakened from the DREAM of life. ‘Tis we who, lost in stormy visions, keep With phantoms an unprofitable… Read More »Oriental Gleanings
The Inner Constitution of Man
“We are such stuff as dreams are made of.“—Shakespeare “Have perseverance as one who doth for evermore endure, for thy… Read More »The Inner Constitution of Man
Our Sun and the True Sun
Considering how little is known of the sun of this system, it is not to be wondered at that still… Read More »Our Sun and the True Sun
The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
The division of the Zodiac into different signs dates from immemorial antiquity. It has acquired a world-wide celebrity and is… Read More »The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
“Is it Idle to Argue Further”?
Says Light, in its “Notes by the Way,” edited by M.A. (Oxon):— “The current number of The THEOSOPHIST contains an… Read More »“Is it Idle to Argue Further”?
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
Ibn ʿArabī, Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam (Pearls of Wisdom)
Shaykh al-ʾAkbar Muḥyiddin ibn al-ʿArabī, Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam, Chapters 1-5, with selections from Qayṣarī’s Commentary (Shaykh Sīdī Dawūd al-Qayṣarī, Maṭla’ Khuṣūṣ… Read More »Ibn ʿArabī, Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam (Pearls of Wisdom)
Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”
To the Editor, Sir,—My writing is prompted by the legitimate curiosity of a foreigner, who is studying the value of… Read More »Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”
The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
“A certain woman lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee. . .… Read More »The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
The Comte de St. Germain
Contents Chapter 1: Mystic and Philosopher The theories of his birth—High connections—The friend of kings and princes—Various titles—Supposed Prince Ragoczy—Historic… Read More »The Comte de St. Germain
Aryan Origins and the Primeval Savage
In discussing the question of Indian Chronology, and the almost inextricable confusion it had been thrown into by the conjectures… Read More »Aryan Origins and the Primeval Savage
The Logos and the Mind
Io veggio ben sì come già risplende nello intelletto tuo l’eterna luce . . . —DANTE, Paradiso, V. “Well do… Read More »The Logos and the Mind
Contemporary Literature and Theosophy
There is growing every day among contemporary writers a strong disposition to take up theosophic doctrine, and especially in those… Read More »Contemporary Literature and Theosophy
Colonel Olcott at Home
There are few more picturesque things in the world, and also few more horribly inconvenient, than landing in the harbor… Read More »Colonel Olcott at Home
The Arya Samaj
Madame Blavatsky Narrates the History of the Brahmo-Samaj and the Ârya-Samâj.—The Conflict of Faiths in India.—Why the Theosophists Now Receive… Read More »The Arya Samaj
The Application of Theosophical Theories
The mistake is being made by a great many persons, among them being Theosophists, of applying several of the doctrines… Read More »The Application of Theosophical Theories
A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus
Section I The great obscurity and uncertainty in which the history of Orpheus is involved, affords very little matter for… Read More »A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus
Thomas Taylor, the Platonist
Thomas Taylor, the Platonist, has been variously judged.1 “To strain human curiosity to the utmost limits of human credibility,” says… Read More »Thomas Taylor, the Platonist
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)
The Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion
Col. Olcott on Zoroastrianism [Editorial from The Theosophist, March, 1882] On the evening of the 14th of January [February?], the President-Founder… Read More »The Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion
Zanoni
“The Occult Novels of Bulwer-Lytton,” by H. T. Edge Contents Introduction Book the First: The Musician Book the Second: Art,… Read More »Zanoni
A Hundred Years Ago
I. Here is a curious old book, duskily venerable in paper and binding outworn in the fashion of the German,… Read More »A Hundred Years Ago
Buddhism in America
To the Editor of The Sun: Sir—As, in your leading article of May 6th, I am at one moment given credit… Read More »Buddhism in America
The Antiquity of Indian Writing
If the negative argument as to the newness of Indian writing is entirely worthless, can we build up any positive… Read More »The Antiquity of Indian Writing
“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”
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
The Republic
With an introduction, copious notes, and an Apology for the Fables of Homer by Proclus, introducing the 2nd and 3rd… Read More »The Republic
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
The Magic of Science
An Anglo-Indian paper of Madras speaks thus of the telephone: “The wonders of science bid fair to grow more wonderful.… Read More »The Magic of Science
“To Die, To Sleep”
To sleep; perchance to dream, ay, there’s the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When… Read More »“To Die, To Sleep”
Of Occult Powers and Their Acquirement
There are thousands of people in the United States, as well in the ranks of the Society as outside, who… Read More »Of Occult Powers and Their Acquirement
The Universe in a Nut-Shell
The article on dreams alluded to in the following letter is reprinted with the desired explanatory notes for the information… Read More »The Universe in a Nut-Shell
Karma and Ethics
Last evening William Q. Judge delivered a lecture in Odd Fellows’ Hall, on “Karma and Ethics,” before another large audience.… Read More »Karma and Ethics
Chirognomy and Palmistry
Chirognomy is the art of delineating character by means of the hand. One of the arts of the Gypsies of… Read More »Chirognomy and Palmistry
Mesmerism and the Higher Self
Recently a book on the subject of the “Rationale of Mesmerism” having been published in London, written by Mr. A.… Read More »Mesmerism and the Higher Self
Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana
Introduction The Life of Apollonius of Tyana has only been once translated in its entirety into English, as long ago… Read More »Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana
The Old Wisdom-Religion
All readers of T. S. [Theosophical Society] literature are aware that the terms Theosophy, Secret Doctrine, and Wisdom-Religion are generally… Read More »The Old Wisdom-Religion
Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)
[Translation] Self was here verily in the beginning; nothing else opposing at all. He beheld, saying: Let me now put… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)
An Important Biblical Error
An important Biblical error is alleged to have been discovered by Mr. Charles Beke, the learned author of a well-known… Read More »An Important Biblical Error