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Western “Adepts” and Eastern Theosophists

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

[Note: for some background, see “Madame Blavatsky on ‘The Himalayan Brothers’”] Since the first appearance of The Occult World the… Read More »Western “Adepts” and Eastern Theosophists

The Hermetic Bretheren

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

“. . . . We of the secret knowledge do wrap ourselves in mystery, to avoid the objurgation and importunity… Read More »The Hermetic Bretheren

Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-7 (The Mysteries of Sound 1)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, April, 1896

Note: It will be advisable to study the Commentary that follows, before reading this translation. [Translation] OM: let a man… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-7 (The Mysteries of Sound 1)

The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc

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

The following interesting letter was received by us from Fresno, California. As it is a private one, we can give… Read More »The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc

The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, February, 1884

The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge… Read More »The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

The Path

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

This magazine is not intended either to replace or to rival in America The Theosophist, nor any other journal now… Read More »The Path

A Lapsus Calami

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Journal of The Theosophical Society, February, 1884

[Note: for background, see “The Saracens of Theosophy and the Madras Crusaders” etc.] Says the Editor of the Indian Churchman, in… Read More »A Lapsus Calami

Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1882

The Asiatic nations have often been accused of holding obstinately to their old routine and customs, and of being the… Read More »Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]

Editorial/Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1881

Magna est veritas et prevalebit. The reality of the phenomena has prevailed, and the Church is now forced to seek… Read More »[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]

The Gospels of the Kingdom

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1905

In much of our popular theology there is some danger that teachings about Jesus have somewhat overshadowed the teachings of… Read More »The Gospels of the Kingdom

The Headquarters at Adyar

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1890

Having shown our readers in February Path the counterfeit presentment of H. P. Blavatsky, to whom the Theosophical Society owes… Read More »The Headquarters at Adyar

Madame Blavatsky Protests

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York World, April, 1877

To the Editor of The World: Sir—There was a time when the geocentric theory was universally accepted by Christian nations, and… Read More »Madame Blavatsky Protests

Arjuna’s Beliefs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), November, 1902

In Vedic India there were two quite distinct beliefs as to death and the soul’s future destiny; the one belief… Read More »Arjuna’s Beliefs

Moon’s Mystery and Fate

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

Probably no heavenly body has received as much attention from men in all ages as our moon. Many causes contributed… Read More »Moon’s Mystery and Fate

Buddha’s Cosmogenesis

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), September, 1898

When Mr. Sinnett’s work “Esoteric Buddhism” was given to the world, some fourteen years ago. Mr. Rhys Davids achieved some… Read More »Buddha’s Cosmogenesis

The Lord of the Three Worlds

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), July, 1898

“All this, verily, is the Eternal; let him draw near to it in the silence, as gleaming through all the… Read More »The Lord of the Three Worlds

Devachan

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky with Franz Hartmann, , The Theosophist, May, 1883

Question by F. Hartmann | Reply by H.P.B. Will you kindly permit me a question? In Vol. IV, No. 2,… Read More »Devachan

[Review: The Latest Romance of Science]

Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1887

“The Latest Romance of Science,” summarized by a Frenchman. If the Atomo-mechanical Theory of the Universe has caused considerable embarrassment… Read More »[Review: The Latest Romance of Science]

Judges or Slanderers?

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Le Lotus, June, 1887 [Translated from the original French by C. J. Ryan]

“. . . . . For our own part, we regard her (Madame Blavatsky) neither as the mouthpiece of hidden… Read More »Judges or Slanderers?

The Grand Inquisitor

Translation/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November-December, 1881 [Serialized]

[Dedicated by the Translator to those sceptics who clamour so loudly, both in print and private letters—“Show us the wonder-working… Read More »The Grand Inquisitor

The Fall of Ideals

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1889

“Alas! we know that ideals can never be completely embodied in practice. Ideals must ever lie a great way off—and… Read More »The Fall of Ideals

Mechanical Theosophy

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

The earnest, devoted student can hardly believe that there exist any theosophists sincerely holding a belief in theosophical doctrines but… Read More »Mechanical Theosophy

Chirognomy and Palmistry

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

Chirognomy is the art of delineating character by means of the hand. One of the arts of the Gypsies of… Read More »Chirognomy and Palmistry

The Universe in a Nut-Shell

Editorial/Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1882

The article on dreams alluded to in the following letter is reprinted with the desired explanatory notes for the information… Read More »The Universe in a Nut-Shell

The New Cycle (Le Cycle Nouveau)

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, La Revue Theosophique, March, 1889 [Translation from the original French]

We cannot inaugurate this first issue of an official and strictly Theosophical Magazine without giving our readers some information that… Read More »The New Cycle (Le Cycle Nouveau)

Russian Superstitions

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

In the article entitled “War in Olympus” (Theosophist for November 1879), an allusion was made to a great row then… Read More »Russian Superstitions

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!

The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy

Article/ by A. J. Cooper-Oakley, The Theosophist, March, 1888

These two systems are so closely linked together that any attempt to treat the one without the other would be… Read More »The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy

Devotion and Understanding!

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1934 [Posthumously Published]

When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance.… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!

The Vedanta in Daily Life

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

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

Colonel Olcott at Home

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Sunday Providence Journal, December, 1896 [Month and day of publication unknown. Re-Printed in the Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), February, 1901

There are few more picturesque things in the world, and also few more horribly inconvenient, than landing in the harbor… Read More »Colonel Olcott at Home

Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, February, 1897

[Translation] Janashruti, the grandson of Janashruta, was full of faith, a giver of many gifts, bestowing much cooked food. He… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)

Affirmations and Denials

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

In the Path of January a discussion on the subjects of “Mind Cure” and the like was begun. Since then… Read More »Affirmations and Denials

[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1881

Article Selections by Vishnu Bawa’s “True Religion Defined” | Notes by H.P.B. What is dharma, or that which is popularly interpreted… Read More »[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

The Antiquity of Indian Writing

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, July, 1894 [Re-printed from the Madras Mail]

If the negative argument as to the newness of Indian writing is entirely worthless, can we build up any positive… Read More »The Antiquity of Indian Writing

Diagnoses and Palliatives

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1890

“That the world is in such bad condition morally, is conclusive evidence that none of its religions and philosophies, those… Read More »Diagnoses and Palliatives

Children as Teachers

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), December, 1900

When we talk of teaching children, of forming their minds and hearts by suggestions taken from the experience of our… Read More »Children as Teachers

The Guardian of the Gate

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

“Seeking the gifts of the gods, Vajashravasa of old offered up all his possessions. He had a son, by name… Read More »The Guardian of the Gate

Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution

Article/Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophy, February, 1897 [Posthumously Published]

[Note: this was serialized from Feb.-Apr., 1897] Mr. Chairman, Fellow Theosophists, Ladies and Gentlemen: The title of what I am… Read More »Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution

The Fruits of Discipleship

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1925

The questions of King Ajatashatru, with the Buddha’s answers, make up the Sutta called The Fruits of Discipleship. There is… Read More »The Fruits of Discipleship

[All Gods and Goddesses Androgynous]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

Poem by Gerald Massey | Note by H.P.B. The Lady of the Light (Written for Lucifer) Star of the Day… Read More »[All Gods and Goddesses Androgynous]

The Brahmo Samaj

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

Ever since we came to India friends in Europe and America have been asking us to tell them something about… Read More »The Brahmo Samaj

General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, The Works of Plato, 1804

[p. iii] “Philosophy,” says Hierocles,1 “is the purification and perfection of human life. It is the purification, indeed, from material… Read More »General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato

The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]

Article/Commentary/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, July-August, 1886 [Serialized]

The interesting story published under the above title has already attracted considerable attention. It is instructive in more ways than… Read More »The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]

A Working Glossary for Theosophical Students

Book/ by W. Q. Judge, September, 1892 [3rd Edition, with Appendix]

Prefatory Words A glossary is said to be “a vocabulary explaining words which are obscure, antiquated, local, or peculiar to… Read More »A Working Glossary for Theosophical Students

Pages from the Upanishads—Mandukya Upanishad

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, December, 1892; January, 1893 [Serialized]

The Four Steps of the Self. The syllable OM is all; its expansion is what has been, what is, what… Read More »Pages from the Upanishads—Mandukya Upanishad

[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1884

Article Selections | Introduction and Notes by H.P.B. Drama of the Latter Days: A Suggestion. We hardly need to offer… Read More »[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]

[On Invocations]

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

One or two persons have said since our sessions began that they noticed that other Congresses began either with the… Read More »[On Invocations]

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