The Theosophical Library

Filters

Filter by Year

[Note: Use the sliders from both ends to define your date range]

Filter by Exact Date

[Notes: Articles published in monthly magazines are dated on the 1st of the month. Books where the exact date of publication are unknown, are dated as Dec, 31st, of the year they were published.]

Filter by Authors

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

[Note: first select the main author, then this will show co-authors, collaborators, compilers, etc.]

Filter by Recipients

[Note: this applies to recipients of letters and other correspondence.]

Filter by Source

Filter by Content Type

Filter by Keywords

Other Filters

Reincarnations in Tibet

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1882

So little is known by Europeans of what is going on in Tibet, and even in the more accessible Bhootan,… Read More »Reincarnations in Tibet

Count Saint Germain

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1881

At long intervals have appeared in Europe certain men whose rare intellectual endowments, brilliant conversation, and mysterious modes of life… Read More »Count Saint Germain

The Ethics of Study

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1894

“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but… Read More »The Ethics of Study

About “Spirit” Materializations

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

An examination of the records of the past forty years of what is known as the spiritualistic movement discloses a… Read More »About “Spirit” Materializations

H.P.B.  —A Lion-hearted Colleague Passes

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

“On the shore stood Hiawatha, Turned and waved his hand at parting; On the clear and luminous water Launched his… Read More »H.P.B.  —A Lion-hearted Colleague Passes

Gathas of Zarathustra

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

Ahunuvaiti Gatha Yasna 29 Unto Thee, O Lord, the Soul of Creation cried: “For whom didst Thou create me, and… Read More »Gathas of Zarathustra

[Notes on the “Philosopher’s Stone”]

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

Selections from HPB’s translation of Éliphas Lévi’s “Rituel de la Haute Magie” | Notes by H.P.B. . . . This stone… Read More »[Notes on the “Philosopher’s Stone”]

The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism

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

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

Aryan Origins and the Primeval Savage

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), April, 1904

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

Theosophical Symbolism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1886

The number 7 has, ever since the Theosophical Society was founded November 17th, 1875, played a prominent part in all… Read More »Theosophical Symbolism

The Upanishads and the Brahmans

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Open Court, October, 1896

“Thinking sacrifices and offerings are best, these fools know not the better way.” —Mundaka Upanishad. It has always been accepted… Read More »The Upanishads and the Brahmans

[On Common Doctrines]

Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophical Congress, September, 1893

Mr. Chairman; brothers and sisters; men and women; members of the Parliament of Religions: The Theosophical Society has been presenting… Read More »[On Common Doctrines]

“Elementaries”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Religio-Philosophical Journal, November, 1877

Editor, Journal: Dear Sir—I perceive that of late the ostracized subject of the Kabalistic “elementaries,” is beginning to appear in the… Read More »“Elementaries”

[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1880

Article selection from “An Indian Aethrobat”, by Babu Krishna Indra Sandyal | Note by H.P.B. In the November issue of… Read More »[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]

India, Mother of Nations

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), May, 1904

It is a hundred years now since Schopenhauer foretold that India and the genius of India would produce an effect… Read More »India, Mother of Nations

The Three Planes of Human Life

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1888

I speak of ordinary men. The Adept, the Master, the Yogi, the Mahatma, the Buddha, each lives in more than… Read More »The Three Planes of Human Life

The Dweller of the Threshold

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, December, 1888

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

The Dream of Ravan: A Mystery

Article/Commentary/Translation/ by Anon., Dublin University Magazine, October, 1853 to April, 1854 [Serialized]

Introduction to the Dream of Ravan Original 1853-54 Version (Dublin University Magazine) 1895 Edition (Theosophical Publishing Society) 1974 Edition (Theosophy… Read More »The Dream of Ravan: A Mystery

Theosophical Society and Reforms

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

ZEALOUS THEOSOPHIST. Don’t you think the Theosophical Society ought to take some definite stand on the questions of reform? Constitutional… Read More »Theosophical Society and Reforms

The Symbolism of the Upanishads

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, January-March, 1894 [Serialized]

I. Students of the Oriental Theosophy, which finds its highest expression in the Ten Upanishads, are met at the outset… Read More »The Symbolism of the Upanishads

Madame Blavatsky on Indian Metaphysics

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), March, 1878

Sir,—Two peas in the same pod are the traditional symbol of mutual resemblance, and the time-honoured simile forced itself upon… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on Indian Metaphysics

An Ancient Telephone

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

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

A Hindu Professor’s Views on Indian Yoga

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

We lay aside other matter already in type to give place to the essential portions of an “Introduction to Indian… Read More »A Hindu Professor’s Views on Indian Yoga

Occultism for Barter

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1889

When Jesus of Nazareth went to the Temple in Jerusalem he, it is said, drove money changers out of the… Read More »Occultism for Barter

Eloquent, Just, and Mighty Death

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, May, 1896

It is part of the strange, deceptive quality of things, that nothing should teach us so much of life, nothing… Read More »Eloquent, Just, and Mighty Death

[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1880

Article selection from “Indra”, by Rajendro Nauth Dutta | Notes by H.P.B. Indra1 is the name of one of these… Read More »[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]

The Idyll of the White Lotus

Book/ by Mabel Collins, 1884 [Verbatim First Edition]

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

Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, January-March, May-June, September-October, 1891; January-February, 1892 [Serialized]

From Pages 1 to 67, Vol. I. A PROPHECY. In the 20th century—1900—the scholars of our era will begin to… Read More »Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine

Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, January, 1896

[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)

Should Men Cut Their Hair?

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

Article selection by Alexander Wilder | Note by H.P.B. Whether the hair should be cut I could never quite satisfy… Read More »Should Men Cut Their Hair?

A Reply to Our Critics

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

In the ordinary run of daily life speech may be silver, while “silence is gold.” With the editors of periodicals… Read More »A Reply to Our Critics

The Luminous Circle

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Sun, January, 1876

We were a small party of merry travellers. We had arrived at Constantinople a week before from Greece, and had… Read More »The Luminous Circle

Psychism and the Fourth Dimension

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, April, 1888

At the present day, though science has added to its former treasures many things rich and rare, its wildest admirer… Read More »Psychism and the Fourth Dimension

Astrology Verified

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, April, 1882

Writing in the Theosophist upon the subject of Astrology, C.C.Massey says that he thinks at present we are not fully… Read More »Astrology Verified

Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India

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

The enemies of Spiritualism and Theosophy can rejoice and triumph, and the Calcutta bigoted and dyspeptic fogies—old or young—are invited… Read More »Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India

Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, April, July, October, 1927; January, April, 1928; January, April, July, October, 1930; January, April, 1931. [Serialized]

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

Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, April, 1924 [Serialized]

The Taittiriya Upanishad is made up, for the most part, of Instructions for younger disciples, who are learning the first… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)

The Ladder of Consciousness

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1927

Many Orientalists of a by-gone day, misled, perhaps, by learned but undiscerning Southern Buddhists, held that Nirvana, the consummation of… Read More »The Ladder of Consciousness

Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1915

To the question, Does Consciousness Evolve? the Vedanta answers, yes, and no. Personal consciousness evolves, from childhood to maturity, from… Read More »Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta

The Song of Life

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Booklet/Pamphlet, April, 1901

The Gospels are the perfect flower of Palestine. The Upanishads are the chiefest treasure of most ancient India. The heart… Read More »The Song of Life

Spirit Identity and Recent Speculations

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

Editorial Note by H.P.B. on an article by “M. A. (Oxon.)” Of all the Spiritualists, “M.A. (Oxon),” is the last… Read More »Spirit Identity and Recent Speculations

The Logos and the Mind

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

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

What is the Udgitha?

Article/Q & A/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1886

JAMESTOWN April 16th, 1886 DEAR BROTHER:—Will you kindly explain, through THE PATH, what is to be understood by the Udgitha,… Read More »What is the Udgitha?

[The Sacred Brahmanical Thread]

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

Article selections from “Two Words about Chelaship” by A. Sankariah | Note by H.P.B. There were days when all had… Read More »[The Sacred Brahmanical Thread]

Aryasanga

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, April, 2013

Composing a biography on Aryasanga is not an easy task. Reliable records are scant and partial at best. Thus what… Read More »Aryasanga

Nature’s Human Magnets

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1881

If any of us now-a-days ventures to relate some weird experience or seemingly incomprehensible phenomenon, two classes of objectors try… Read More »Nature’s Human Magnets

[Reviews:] Theosophical and Mystic Publications

Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1887

The Theosophist, a magazine of Oriental Philosophy, Art, Literature, and Occultism. Conducted by H. P. Blavatsky, and H. S. Olcott,… Read More »[Reviews:] Theosophical and Mystic Publications

[The Original Programme of The Theosophical Society]

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June-September, 1924; 2nd printing, August, 1931 [Posthumously Published] [Published from a MS. in Blavatsky’s handwriting, written at Ostende, Belgium, October 3, 1886.]

[Note: for historical context, see the introduction by C. Jinarajadasa and the appendices in the 1931 printing, as well as… Read More »[The Original Programme of The Theosophical Society]

Filters

Filter by Exact Date

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

Filter by Recipients

Featured Content

Collected Writings

Authors

Publications

Browse by Keyword