The Theosophical Library

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Regarding Islamism

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

The conversion to the religion of the Prophet Mohammed of Alexander Russell Webb, F.T.S., and his establishing in New York… Read More »Regarding Islamism

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 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

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

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

Introduction to the Story of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur

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

The story of Theseus and the Minotaur is one of the finest examples of esoteric mythology from the annals of… Read More »Introduction to the Story of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur

Chinese Spirits

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, 1891 [Posthumously Published]

The following notes have been collected partly from an old work by a French missionary who lived in China for… Read More »Chinese Spirits

Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, March, 1896 [Re-printed from the Madras Mail]

There is a charming story in one of the Upanishads, a story full of the most delicate humour, which tells… Read More »Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour

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

From the Highlands of Lemuria

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, July, October, 1917; January, April, 1918 [Serialized]

[I.] Alfred Russel Wallace has dedicated one of the most charming chapters of Island Life, the most delightful and fascinating… Read More »From the Highlands of Lemuria

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

The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1912

In trying to realize the thought, feeling and aspiration of the people of Palestine in the time of Jesus, with… Read More »The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament

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

[Notes on “Three Unpublished Essays” by Éliphas Lévi]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April-May, 1884 [Serialized]

Essay Selections by Éliphas Lévi (translated from French) | Notes by H.P.B. The three Essays—the first of which is now given—belong… Read More »[Notes on “Three Unpublished Essays” by Éliphas Lévi]

Rounds and Races

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

A fundamental axiom in Theosophy is that no one should accept as unquestionably true any statement of fact, principle, or… Read More »Rounds and Races

Buddhism, Christianity and Phallicism

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1896 [Posthumously Published]

Works by specialists and scholars have to be treated with a certain respect, due to science. But such works as… Read More »Buddhism, Christianity and Phallicism

“Praise Him With The Timbrel And Dance”

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

. . . “Let the children of Zion . . . praise the Lord’s name in the dance. . .… Read More »“Praise Him With The Timbrel And Dance”

An Unsolved Mystery

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, November, 1875

The circumstances attending the sudden death of M. Delessert, inspector of the police de sûreté, seems to have made such an… Read More »An Unsolved Mystery

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

Two Letters to the Editor of the N.Y. Times

LTTE/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, March, 1892

Will you permit me to correct the statement of Mr. J. R. Perry in your issue of the 3rd that… Read More »Two Letters to the Editor of the N.Y. Times

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

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

The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation

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

Many Scriptures have been inspired by the Great Initiation; with these are to be counted the Prometheus Bound of Æschylus… Read More »The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation

Facts and Ideations

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August-September, 1885 [Serialized]

The current of public attraction runs towards psychic phenomena and is becoming in Europe stronger every year. Even German science… Read More »Facts and Ideations

Karma and Ethics

Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, The San Francisco Call, October, 1891

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

Madame Blavatsky: Her Experience & Opinions of American Spiritualism

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, December, 1874

From a letter received from Mme. Blavatsky last week we make the following extracts, want of space alone preventing us… Read More »Madame Blavatsky: Her Experience & Opinions of American Spiritualism

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

Fragments: on Idolatry, Avataras, Initiations, Cycles and Modern Fallacies

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, August, 1896 [Posthumously Published]

Idolatry The outward form of idolatry is but a veil, concealing the one Truth like the veil of the Saitic… Read More »Fragments: on Idolatry, Avataras, Initiations, Cycles and Modern Fallacies

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1929

The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

The Second Year

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1887

The first number of this magazine naturally appealed to the future, to show whether there was any need for its… Read More »The Second Year

A Servant of the Masters: Col. Henry S. Olcott

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

A Pioneer in a great movement, such as that represented by the Theosophical Society, should be known to the contemporary… Read More »A Servant of the Masters: Col. Henry S. Olcott

Esoteric Buddhism and its Critic

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Light, October, 1883

To the Editor of Light. “Bottom. Let me play the lion . . . I will roar, that I will do… Read More »Esoteric Buddhism and its Critic

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

“Not Unto Us.”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), August, 1899

“All of life, throughout all the world, is to be the dwelling-place of the King; by renouncing life thou shalt… Read More »“Not Unto Us.”

“The Brotherhood of the New Life”

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

This is one of the many enterprises gotten up to catch the unwary who seek after spiritual things, and the… Read More »“The Brotherhood of the New Life”

The Drift of Western Spiritualism

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

Late advices from various parts of the world seem to indicate that, while there is an increasing interest in the… Read More »The Drift of Western Spiritualism

[Miscellaneous Notes]

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

Note by H.P.B. on an Extract from the Poona Observer The following is an extract from the Poona Observer and Civil… Read More »[Miscellaneous Notes]

[Genuine, Orthodox and Heteredox Brahmanism]

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

Selections from “Esoteric Spiritualism the Law of ‘Influx’ and ‘eflux’” by William Yeats | Introductory Note & Footnotes by H.P.B.… Read More »[Genuine, Orthodox and Heteredox Brahmanism]

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

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 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

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?

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

Theosophic Diet

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

The question “whether to eat meat or not to eat it” is one which is uppermost in the minds of… Read More »Theosophic Diet

Mr. A. Lillie’s Delusions

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Light, August, 1884

To the Editor of Light. Sir,— I write to rectify the many mistakes—if they are, indeed, only “mistakes”—in Mr. Lillie’s last letter… Read More »Mr. A. Lillie’s Delusions

[Missionary Tactics in India]

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

Article selection from “Swami verses Missionary”, The Debate at Ajmere between Pandit Dayanund Saraswati Swami and the Rev. Dr. Gray,… Read More »[Missionary Tactics in India]

The Earth Chain of Globes

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, March & April, 1893 [Serialized]

[No. I.] Although H.P.B. gave out to several of those who met her during the period from 1875 to 1878… Read More »The Earth Chain of Globes

[Notes on “Kama rupa” and the Power of Will]

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

Article selections by Lalla Maikoolal | Notes by H.P.B. The following is the result of my meditations and I give… Read More »[Notes on “Kama rupa” and the Power of Will]

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