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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

The Logos and Meditation

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1923

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say… Read More »The Logos and Meditation

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 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

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

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)

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

“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”

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

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 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

[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 Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion

Lecture/ by H. S. Olcott, February, 1882

Col. Olcott on Zoroastrianism [Editorial from The Theosophist, March, 1882] On the evening of the 14th of January [February?], the President-Founder… Read More »The Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion

The Religion of Ancient Egypt

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

Introductory We must study religions from within, not from without. If we ourselves genuinely believe in spiritual life and spiritual… Read More »The Religion of Ancient Egypt

[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]

Matters Touching Theosophy

LTTE/ by W. Q. Judge, Religio-Philosophical Journal, May, 1886

To the Editor of the Religio-Philosophical Journal: Will you permit me to say a few words in regard to some… Read More »Matters Touching Theosophy

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)

An Interesting Letter

Letter(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, April, 1893

144 Madison Avenue, New York Dear Brother,—I have your last long and welcome letter. The fears you express of the… Read More »An Interesting Letter

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

[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”]

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 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

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

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

Kshatriya and Brahman

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1927

In the Pali Suttas the teachings of the Buddha are conveyed, not in philosophical abstractions, but in lively narratives with… Read More »Kshatriya and Brahman

Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, Proclus: On the Theology of Plato, 1816

Book I. Chapter I. O Pericles, to me the dearest of friends, I am of opinion that the whole philosophy… Read More »Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

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

[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]

The Language of the Soul

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, December, 1919 [Posthumously Published]

The Soul is pictured in the ancient teachings as the real Self man. There are many different conceptions of what… Read More »The Language of the Soul

The First Alcibiades

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

With Taylor’s “Additional Notes,” drawn from the MS Commentary of Proclus. Stephanus numbers included. Contents Introduction Translation Additional Notes Introduction1… Read More »The First Alcibiades

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

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

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

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

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

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 Almora Swami

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

Editorial Comments and Notes by H.P.B. on a letter from the Swami of Almora. In our February number (see page… Read More »The Almora Swami

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

Stars and Numbers

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

Ancient civilization saw nothing absurd in the claims of astrology, no more than many an educated and thoroughly scientific man… Read More »Stars and Numbers

The Occultism of Southern India

Article/ by Charles Johnston with T. Subba Row, , The Theosophist, January, 1889

[A Note on Authorship: In its original printing this article closed with the following note: “The foregoing is a summary… Read More »The Occultism of Southern India

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

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!

Vestures of Consciousness

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1926

It will be remembered [see “States of Consciousness”] that the crowd of pilgrims who, with Pilgrim Potthapada, were in residence… Read More »Vestures of Consciousness

[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]

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

Spiritualism and Occult Truth

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

The Spiritualist of Nov. 18th takes notice of the article published in the THEOSOPHIST for October under the heading “Fragments… Read More »Spiritualism and Occult Truth

The Theosophical Glossary

Book/ by H. P. Blavatsky, 1892 [Posthumously Published]

THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY BY H. P. BLAVATSKY I PREFACE. ——— The Theosophical Glossary labours under the disadvantage of being an almost… Read More »The Theosophical Glossary

The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars

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

Our authorities for representing the pentagram or the five-pointed star as the microcosm, and the six-pointed double triangle as the… Read More »The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars

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