The Theosophical Library

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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

The Noble Eightfold Path

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, October, 1895

I. There are two extremes, Brothers, that he who has renounced should shun. On the one side, the constant following… Read More »The Noble Eightfold Path

The Religion of Chaldea

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1906

The land long known as Chaldea, wherein many nations successively grew and ruled, bears striking resemblances to the land of… Read More »The Religion of Chaldea

A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1879

“All comes in good time to him who knows to wait,” says the proverb. The small party of New York… Read More »A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining

[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]

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?

The Astral Light

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Religio-Philosophical Journal, July, 1889

A natural preliminary question is: “What is the Astral Light?” It is a difficult question to answer; as difficult as… Read More »The Astral Light

Points of Agreement in All Religions

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

[Note:] The Midwinter Fair at San Francisco had annexed to it a Religious parliament modeled after the first great one… Read More »Points of Agreement in All Religions

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 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

Aphorisms on Karma

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1893

The following, among others not yet used, were given to me by teachers, among them being H. P. Blavatsky. Some… Read More »Aphorisms on Karma

“C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled

LTTE/ by A. O. Hume with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, September, 1882 [Notes by H. P. Blavatsky]

To the Editor of the Theosophist. Dear Madame, I cannot say that, to me, the explanation furnished at page 288… Read More »“C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled

[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

Zoroastrianism in the Light of Occult Philosophy

Article/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June-July, 1883 [Serialized]

The following letter having been sent to us from a Parsee gentleman, we publish the paragraphs containing his queries seriatim… Read More »Zoroastrianism in the Light of Occult Philosophy

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

Are the “Arabian Nights” All Fiction?

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, October, 1884

For many years it has been customary to regard that collection of interesting stories called “The Arabian Nights,” as pure… Read More »Are the “Arabian Nights” All Fiction?

The Message of India

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Metaphysical Magazine, July, 1895

“In the highest golden veil is the stainless, partless Eternal, the pure, the Light of lights, whom the Self-knowers know.… Read More »The Message of India

[Difference between “Spiritualists” and “Spiritists”]

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

Article selection by M. Camille Flammarion | Note by H.P.B. “Spiritism feels too grateful to the great scientist William Crookes… Read More »[Difference between “Spiritualists” and “Spiritists”]

Explanation of Certain Platonic Terms

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, 1804, 1816 & 1820 [Compilation]

As some apology may be thought necessary for having introduced, in the course of the following translation, certain unusual words… Read More »Explanation of Certain Platonic Terms

The Trinity of Righteousness

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

Three other victims “smelling sweet in the nostrils of the Lord!” The names of Justice North, the Rev. Dr. S.… Read More »The Trinity of Righteousness

“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”

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1916

It may, perhaps, be a cause of wonder that, at this late day, a subject so elementary is chosen, for… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Isha Upanishad (By the Master)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, April, July, 1920 [Serialized]

By the Master all this is to be clothed and pervaded, whatever moves in this moving world. These words, like… Read More »Isha Upanishad (By the Master)

Proclus, The Elements of Theology

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, Proclus: On the Theology of Plato, 1816

Foreword This admirable work contains two hundred and eleven propositions, disposed in a scientific order, and supported by the firmest… Read More »Proclus, The Elements of Theology

[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]

A Word On Pronouns

Note(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1889

Article by Frances Ellen Burr | Note by W. Q. Judge It is claimed that civilization cannot alter the nature… Read More »A Word On Pronouns

The Theosophical Glossary

Book/ by H. P. Blavatsky, 1892 [Posthumously Published]

THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY BY H. P. BLAVATSKY I PREFACE. ——— The Theosophical Glossary labours under the disadvantage of being an almost… Read More »The Theosophical Glossary

Mesmerism and the Higher Self

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1892

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

[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]

Buddha and Ambapali

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, April, 2014

In the story of the Buddha’s final journey and Paranirvana, recorded beautifully in the Maha-parinibbana Sutta,1 we are confronted with… Read More »Buddha and Ambapali

The Five-Pointed Star

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

Of late numerous letters have been received in The THEOSOPHIST office concerning the efficacy of the mysterious Pentagram. Our Eastern… Read More »The Five-Pointed Star

War in Olympus

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1879

Dark clouds are gathering over the hitherto cold and serene horizon of exact science, which forebode a squall. Already two… Read More »War in Olympus

Our Sun and the True Sun

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1890

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

Mandukya-Karika by Gaudapada (Natural, Psychical and Spiritual Bodies)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1908; January, April, 1909 [Serialized]

[Part I] [Introduction] The shortest of all the older Upanishads is the Mandukya. Yet in some ways it contains fuller… Read More »Mandukya-Karika by Gaudapada (Natural, Psychical and Spiritual Bodies)

Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, La Revue Spirite, December, 1879 [Translation from the original French]

You do not write to us any more then? And to diversify your Parisian amusements you demolish me in the… Read More »Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery

The Great War and the Great Initiation

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1919

Readers of the THEOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY who are acquainted with the Bhagavad Gita have been struck, again and again, with the… Read More »The Great War and the Great Initiation

H. P. Blavatsky

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1890

We have inserted in this issue a picture of H. P. Blavatsky, who is—whether from the standpoint of her enemies… Read More »H. P. Blavatsky

Contemporary Literature and Theosophy

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

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

A False “Witness”

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

The Lucknow Witness, it appears, indulged some time since in a bit of casuistical morality at the expense of the… Read More »A False “Witness”

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

Building on Recollection

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1928

While the Suttas record instances in which the Buddha spoke eloquently to groups of villagers, to large numbers of men… Read More »Building on Recollection

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

Theosophy and Epidemics

Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, Brooklyn Eagle, The (Philadelphia) Times, September, 1892

[Note: the following article appeared almost word-for-word in at least two newspapers on the same day. The version given here… Read More »Theosophy and Epidemics

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

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

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

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

Studies in the Upanishads

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May & July, 1886; March, 1891 [Serialized]

[I.] Many American theosophists are asking, “What are the Upanishads?” They are a portion of the ancient Aryan literature which… Read More »Studies in the Upanishads

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