The Theosophical Library

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The Fourfold Self’s Three Vestures

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1894

Introduction The doctrine of the fourfold Self and its three vestures is outlined in Prashna Upanishad, clearly stated in Mandukya… Read More »The Fourfold Self’s Three Vestures

The Cave of the Echoes

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Banner of Light, March, 1878

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

Practical Theosophy

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

The ethics of life propounded by Jesus are not different from those found in theosophy, but the latter holds in… Read More »Practical Theosophy

Two Systems—of Lust and Sorrow

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

The great Buddha referred to two systems for the government of life which he said were each ignoble, and one… Read More »Two Systems—of Lust and Sorrow

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

Theosophy and Spiritualism

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August, 1882

A Calcutta correspondent asks: (a) Is Occultism a science akin to Spiritualism? (b) What are the principal points in which… Read More »Theosophy and Spiritualism

The Law of Cycles

Article/ by Anon., Universal Brotherhood Magazine, July, 1901 [Author signed as “C.W.”]

It is a matter of the deepest interest for every thinking man to obtain as clear an idea as possible… Read More »The Law of Cycles

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1927

The purpose of The Theosophical Society is to keep alive the spiritual intuitions of mankind. Since we are here this… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Dramas of the Mysteries

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1924

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

Sanskrit Study in the West

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, March & May, 1889 [Serialized]

I. No event in the intellectual history of the nineteenth century is, perhaps, of so great importance, and likely to… Read More »Sanskrit Study in the West

A Weird Tale

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, July & December, 1885 [Serialized]

Part I. The readers of this magazine have read in its pages, narratives far more curious and taxing to belief… Read More »A Weird Tale

Vicarious Atonement and Karma

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1926

Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma

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

[Notes on the Demons of the Zend-Avesta]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1885

Letter Selections by Dhunjibhoy Jamsetjee | Editor’s Note by H.P.B. The Zendavesta is full of allusions to Devas, Drugs, and… Read More »[Notes on the Demons of the Zend-Avesta]

The Religion of China

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1907

[I.] The records of China go back nearly five thousand years. Twenty-eight centuries before our era, say these records, a… Read More »The Religion of China

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

Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science

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

I have just received Light—the ablest of the Spiritual periodicals of England—of September 23, and read its “NOTES BY THE… Read More »Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science

Theosophy—Its Claims, Doctrines, and Progress

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, December, 1892

When the Theosophical Society was started by the erstwhile famous Madam Blavatsky, in 1875, the now famous orator, Mrs. Annie… Read More »Theosophy—Its Claims, Doctrines, and Progress

The Adepts

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

In this I purpose to give but the condensed form of some objections made to the theory of the existence… Read More »The Adepts

Talks About Indian Books

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, March, April, July, August, December, 1895; January, 1896 [Serialized]

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

[Notes on “A Canon Occultist”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Journal of The Theosophical Society, April, 1884

Letter Selections from “A Russian Theosophist” (translated by H.P.B.) | Notes by H.P.B. A Russian Theosophist sends to us extracts… Read More »[Notes on “A Canon Occultist”]

Life and Teachings of Pythagoras

Article/ by F. S. Darrow, The Theosophical Path, July-August, 1911 [Serialized]

I. Life “Pythagoras, the pure philosopher deeply versed in the profounder phenomena of nature, the noble inheritor of the ancient… Read More »Life and Teachings of Pythagoras

[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1880

Sir Richard has done our Society the great honour of misrepresenting its character and objects to an English audience. A… Read More »[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]

Cycles and Cyclic Law

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

Ladies and gentlemen: This is our last meeting; it is the last impulse of the Cycle which we began when… Read More »Cycles and Cyclic Law

Is the Desire to “Live” Selfish?

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, July, 1884

The passage “to Live, to live, to Live must be the unswerving resolve,” occurring in the article on the Elixir… Read More »Is the Desire to “Live” Selfish?

The Origin of the Gospels and the Bishop of Bombay

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

The ignorance which commonly prevails among English Christians concerning the history of their own religious books and, it is feared,… Read More »The Origin of the Gospels and the Bishop of Bombay

Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, April, 1923 [Serialized]

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)

The Kali Yuga

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

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

Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, April-October, 1888 [Serialized]

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]

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 St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism

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

“Learning is light, ignorance is darkness,” says a proverb. It is good to be learned, when one’s knowledge rests on… Read More »The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism

The Theosophical Congress and the Parliament of Religions

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1893

The Congress of the Theosophical Society in September as a part of the Great Parliament of Religions was a significant… Read More »The Theosophical Congress and the Parliament of Religions

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1924

There may be some here this afternoon who have no defined understanding of The Theosophical Society and its purpose. It… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

The Religion of India

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

I. When we come to India, the contrast with Egypt and Chaldea is strongly marked. Of the ancient Sumerian culture… Read More »The Religion of India

Theosophy and Miracles

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

Article selection by Gilbert Elliot, Esq. | Note by H.P.B. . . . The main difficulty in the way of ascertaining the… Read More »Theosophy and Miracles

Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Path, November, 1886

Over and over again the abstruse and mooted question of Rebirth or Reincarnation has crept out during the first ten… Read More »Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits

The School of Pythagoras at Crotona

Article/ by Arnaldo Cervesato, The Theosophical Path, November, 1916

[Crotona] This was the ancient city of Magna Graecia, Italy, and has no reference to modern places of that name.… Read More »The School of Pythagoras at Crotona

Electric and Magnetic Affinities Between Man and Nature

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

Without going too deeply into certain vexed questions based upon what the orthodox men of science please to term the… Read More »Electric and Magnetic Affinities Between Man and Nature

Advantages and Disadvantages in Life

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, July, 1895

That view of one’s Karma which leads to a bewailing of the unkind fate which has kept advantages in life… Read More »Advantages and Disadvantages in Life

“The Crown of Life”

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

“Laying all thy works in thought on me, and full of me, let thy imagination be ever bent on me,… Read More »“The Crown of Life”

Theosophical Studies

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Occult Word, February, 1887

Study all scriptures written near and far; Worship all images and saints of earth; But if you do not study… Read More »Theosophical Studies

Considerations on Magic

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1887

We hear a good deal nowadays and are likely to hear still more of occult science. In this regard we… Read More »Considerations on Magic

Patanjali and His Disciples

Article/Review/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1915

Dr. J. Haughton Woods prints, in the November number of the Journal of the American Oriental Society, a translation of… Read More »Patanjali and His Disciples

Three Books on the Vedanta

Review/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1912

1. The System of the Vedanta, by Prof. Paul Deussen. 2. The Philosophy of the Upanishads, by Prof. Paul Deussen.… Read More »Three Books on the Vedanta

Gambetta’s Eye and Brain

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

Science in the face of her Parisian representatives was very much exercised, if not offended, lately, by what is viewed… Read More »Gambetta’s Eye and Brain

Theosophy and Modern Problems

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1920

Think that all the members of the audience realize that this lecture is a part of the Theosophical Convention,—the annual… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems

The Uttarādhyayana Sūtra

Translation/ by Hermann Jacobi, 1895 [From The Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 45, with updated Sanskrit and Prakrit transliterations.]

Contents Introduction First Lecture: On Discipline Second Lecture: On Troubles Third Lecture: The Four Requisites Fourth Lecture: Impurity Fifth Lecture:… Read More »The Uttarādhyayana Sūtra

Reincarnation of Animals

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

Very little has been said on the question whether or not the theory of Reincarnation applies to animals in the… Read More »Reincarnation of Animals

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