[The Original Programme of The Theosophical Society]
[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]
Chinese Spirits
The following notes have been collected partly from an old work by a French missionary who lived in China for… Read More »Chinese Spirits
The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament
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
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may, perhaps, be a cause of wonder that, at this late day, a subject so elementary is chosen, for… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
Brahmâ the Evolver, first of the Bright Powers came to birth, Maker of all, Preserver of the world. He declared… Read More »Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
Buddha and Ambapali
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 Subjective and the Objective
“After this, I said, imagine the enlightenment and ignorance of our nature in a figure: Behold! human beings living in… Read More »The Subjective and the Objective
The Three Planes of Human Life
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
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
A False “Witness”
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
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
Regarding Islamism
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
The Trinity of Righteousness
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
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
An Unsolved Mystery
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
Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta
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
Occultism for Barter
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
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
Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]
The Kali Yuga—The Present Age Student.—I am very much puzzled about the present age. Some theosophists seem to abhor it… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]
Madame Blavatsky: Her Experience & Opinions of American Spiritualism
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
The Kali Yuga
A correspondent is confused on this subject from the statement in What is Theosophy by Mr. Old, that we are… Read More »The Kali Yuga
Theosophy (Lecture)
The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
From the Highlands of Lemuria
[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
The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
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
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
Theosophic Diet
The question “whether to eat meat or not to eat it” is one which is uppermost in the minds of… Read More »Theosophic Diet
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
Theosophy and Epidemics
[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 Luminous Circle
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
Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour
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
A Word On Pronouns
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
Buddhism, Christianity and Phallicism
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
Fragments: on Idolatry, Avataras, Initiations, Cycles and Modern Fallacies
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
Talks About Indian Books
I. Introductory “When to the session of sweet silent thought”, as Shakespeare says, “I conjured up remembrance of things past”—as… Read More »Talks About Indian Books
Two Letters to the Editor of the N.Y. Times
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
“Not Unto Us.”
“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.”
Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine
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 Great War and the Great Initiation
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
War in Olympus
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
“Praise Him With The Timbrel And Dance”
. . . “Let the children of Zion . . . praise the Lord’s name in the dance. . .… Read More »“Praise Him With The Timbrel And Dance”
Aryasanga
Composing a biography on Aryasanga is not an easy task. Reliable records are scant and partial at best. Thus what… Read More »Aryasanga
H. P. Blavatsky
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
The Cave of the Echoes
In the older countries of Europe and Asia there frequently occur examples of interference by the dead with the living,… Read More »The Cave of the Echoes
Dramas of the Mysteries
Let the king resolve to change the face of his court and forcibly evict the animal from the chair of… Read More »Dramas of the Mysteries
Mr. A. Lillie’s Delusions
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]
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]
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
The Vedanta in Daily Life
Every land has something to contribute to our life. In many cases we may recognize our indebtedness. Thus from Rome… Read More »The Vedanta in Daily Life