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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

Tales of the Ancient Rajputs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, October, 1888

There is an old tradition, so old that it has almost died from the memories of men, that veils eventful… Read More »Tales of the Ancient Rajputs

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

Sankaracharya

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

Sankaracharya (from Saṅkara, a personal name + ācarya teacher) was an Indian reformer and teacher of Vedanta, who founded what… Read More »Sankaracharya

Rings, Rounds, and Obscuration

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

A number of correspondents have propounded questions growing out of a recent article on “Evolution” and relating to the great… Read More »Rings, Rounds, and Obscuration

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

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

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?

Proofs of the Hidden Self

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

Through Dreams The dream state is common to all people. Some persons say they never dream, but upon examination it… Read More »Proofs of the Hidden Self

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

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

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

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

“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”

The Theory of Cycles

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, July, 1880

It is now some time since this theory, which was first propounded in the oldest religion of the world, Vedaism,… Read More »The Theory of Cycles

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)

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

AUM!

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

The most sacred mystic syllable of the Vedas, is Aum. It is the first letter of the Sanscrit alphabet, and… Read More »AUM!

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

The Song of Life

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Booklet, 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

Hindu Theism

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

Old readers will recollect our desire, long ago expressed, that some respectable Brahmo would undertake, in these columns, a candid… Read More »Hindu Theism

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

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

[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 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

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

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

Reply: Resignation of Presidency, T.S. by Col Olcott

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1892

The following correspondence sufficiently explains itself. It is inserted here in order that American members generally may be in possession… Read More »Reply: Resignation of Presidency, T.S. by Col Olcott

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

Introduction to Sankhya

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, August-September, 2013 [Serialized] [Last Updated: August 25, 2020]

[Note: this article is a continuation of our biography of Kapila Rishi.] Part 1 As we found in our earlier… Read More »Introduction to Sankhya

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

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

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]

[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”]

Missionaries Militant

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Pioneer, March, 1880

We have just read the two dreary columns in The Pioneer of March 15th, “The Theosophists in Council,” by Mr.… Read More »Missionaries Militant

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

The Vedanta Philosophy

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Open Court, February, 1906

I. Two things seem to me to distinguish our philosophy in the West from the philosophy of India, especially in… Read More »The Vedanta Philosophy

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 Ensouled Violin

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1880 [Article was signed: By Hillarion Smerdis, F.T.S.¹]

The almost supernatural or magic art of Nicolo Paganini—the greatest violin player that the world has ever produced—was often speculated… Read More »The Ensouled Violin

Exploring The Voice of the Silence

Article/Commentary/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, March, 2019 to October, 2020 [Last Updated: July 3, 2025][Updated Draft Edition]

Preface 1- The following pages are derived from “The Book of the Golden Precepts,” one of the works put into… Read More »Exploring The Voice of the Silence

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