Devotion and Understanding!
When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance. We should have learned during… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!
Theosophical Quarterly
Madame Blavatsky’s Forbears
Through her grandmother, Princess Dolgoruki, Madame Blavatsky was descended from Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, that is, Yuri the Long-armed, who founded the city of Moscow in… Read More »Madame Blavatsky’s Forbears
Mr. Johnston and the Upanishads
To students who might be described as the second and third generations of the Theosophical Society, the Upanishads mean Mr. Johnston, and Mr. Johnston has… Read More »Mr. Johnston and the Upanishads
Charles Johnston
I and mine do not convince by arguments, similes, rhymes, We convince by our presence.—Walt Whtiman Many times they mentioned his name, those old friends,… Read More »Charles Johnston
Charles Johnston
Charles Johnston died on Friday, October 16th [1932], at about twenty minutes past three in the afternoon. His death was due to heart disease, from… Read More »Charles Johnston
H. P. B.
When I first met H. P. B. in the spring of 1887, she was already an old and valued friend. I had been first introduced to her… Read More »H. P. B.
Some Parables of the Buddha
It has been well said that when a great Master incarnates, his whole life is a parable. Not only does he teach spiritual law; he… Read More »Some Parables of the Buddha
A High Disciple, a Prophecy, and a Miracle
The passages of the Buddhist Suttas here translated contain many things which illumine different sides of the Buddha’s character. There is, first, an often repeated… Read More »A High Disciple, a Prophecy, and a Miracle
The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The manner in which the Buddhist scriptures came into being has set its mark on them in two ways. First, since those scriptures with which… Read More »The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The Doctrine of the Divine Man
Among the discourses of the Buddha there is one named the Lakkhana Suttanta. The first part of the Pali name corresponds to the Sanskrit Lakshana,… Read More »The Doctrine of the Divine Man
Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
Besides the supreme figure of the Buddha and the noble personalities of his leading disciples, a host of men and women are depicted in the… Read More »Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
The Buddha’s Cosmology
The teaching of the Buddha, particularly where it is most profound and spiritual, is for all practical purposes identical with the teaching of the great… Read More »The Buddha’s Cosmology
The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos
For millenniums the Brahman community has dominated the religious and intellectual life of India. It may be added that, today, the Brahmans are working to… Read More »The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos
Theosophy (Lecture)
The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these lectures two or three years… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Ideal Brahman
It has been suggested that the principal purpose of the Buddha, in all that he did and taught, was the founding of an Order which… Read More »The Ideal Brahman
“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
Toward the close of the nineteenth century, it was the custom among Occidental students of Buddhism to maintain that the Buddha had not laboured to… Read More »“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The understanding of Buddhism by Western scholars is in general marked by certain limitations. To begin with, they are inclined to lay too much stress… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
Theosophy (Lecture)
Perhaps it would be an auspicious beginning, if we were to try to make clear what The Theosophical Society is, whose guests we are tonight,… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
I. In the first two Gospels, there is a story of gentle irony at the expense of the non-discerning disciples. The Master had entered into… Read More »Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
Building on Recollection
While the Suttas record instances in which the Buddha spoke eloquently to groups of villagers, to large numbers of men and women assembled in the… Read More »Building on Recollection
Wise and Foolish Disciples
With the single exception, perhaps, of The Light of Asia, the popular narratives of the Buddha’s life surround the great story with coloured clouds of… Read More »Wise and Foolish Disciples
Kshatriya and Brahman
In the Pali Suttas the teachings of the Buddha are conveyed, not in philosophical abstractions, but in lively narratives with a picturesque background of Indian… Read More »Kshatriya and Brahman
Theosophy (Lecture)
The purpose of The Theosophical Society is to keep alive the spiritual intuitions of mankind. Since we are here this afternoon as guests of the… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Ladder of Consciousness
Many Orientalists of a by-gone day, misled, perhaps, by learned but undiscerning Southern Buddhists, held that Nirvana, the consummation of the Buddha’s path, meant annihilation… Read More »The Ladder of Consciousness
The Chain of Causation
It is the custom of Orientalists to speak of Buddhism as a religion, and a very beautiful and intuitional book has been written, with the… Read More »The Chain of Causation
Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-3 [Introduction] Building the Cosmos Like the Chhandogya Upanishad, the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad consists of a series of Instructions for Disciples. The… Read More »Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
A Visit to the Buddha
Something has been said of the relation of Siddhartha the Compassionate to the Masters, according to the Suttas and more modern witnesses. A living Aryan… Read More »A Visit to the Buddha
Among the Celestials
We have been told that Prince Siddhartha, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, born in the ancient city of Kapila, was initiated into the… Read More »Among the Celestials
Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men who, through union with the… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Theosophy (Lecture)
The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings of various kinds. There are… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We may here remind ourselves that… Read More »Details of Discipline
Discipline for Disciples
The rules of conduct which the Buddha enjoined on the members of his Order are embodied, as almost always, in a story; and again, as… Read More »Discipline for Disciples
Vestures of Consciousness
It will be remembered [see “States of Consciousness”] that the crowd of pilgrims who, with Pilgrim Potthapada, were in residence in The Hall set about… Read More »Vestures of Consciousness
States of Consciousness
One of the Buddhist Suttas is known as the Potthapada Sutta, so called in honour of the Brahman to whom the Buddha addressed the teaching… Read More »States of Consciousness
Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
The power of vision in the eye sees form; the mind sees the power of vision in the eye; spiritual consciousness, the Witness, sees the… Read More »Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
Theosophy (Lecture)
At the Convention of The Theosophical Society yesterday, much was said regarding the significance of the fact that the Society is completing the fiftieth year… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Fruits of Discipleship
The questions of King Ajatashatru, with the Buddha’s answers, make up the Sutta called The Fruits of Discipleship. There is a certain likeness between the… Read More »The Fruits of Discipleship
Chhandogya Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing for Initiation. They contain philosophical… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad
Stories of the Mysteries
Besides the great Books of the Mysteries, we may recognize, in the spiritual records of all peoples and all times, a supplementary class of Stories… Read More »Stories of the Mysteries
Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
I. Atma, verily, Universal Self, alone was this in the beginning, nor was aught else with opening and closing eyes. He beholding said: Let me… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
For the sake of those whose darkness has been worn away by purifications, who have attained to peace, whose passions have been conquered, who long… Read More »Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
Dramas of the Mysteries
Let the king resolve to change the face of his court and forcibly evict the animal from the chair of state, restoring the god to… Read More »Dramas of the Mysteries
Theosophy (Lecture)
There may be some here this afternoon who have no defined understanding of The Theosophical Society and its purpose. It has one admirable clause in… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)
The Taittiriya Upanishad is made up, for the most part, of Instructions for younger disciples, who are learning the first lessons of the secret wisdom… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)
The Logos and the Heart
Greater love hath no man than this. The surface character of the Logos, we can know from our own consciousness, since our consciousness is a… Read More »The Logos and the Heart
Mandukya Upanishad (The Measures of the Eternal)
Om: this syllable, this imperishable, is the All. Its expansion is what has been, what is, what shall be. All, verily, is Om. And whatsoever… Read More »Mandukya Upanishad (The Measures of the Eternal)
The Logos and Meditation
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon… Read More »The Logos and Meditation
The Logos and Life
E la sua volontate è nostra pace: Ella è quel mare, al qual tutto si move Ciò ch’ ella crea e che natura face. —DANTE,… Read More »The Logos and Life
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may be asked how the single word, Theosophy, can stand as the title of a lecture. It is because Theosophy is at once the… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
[Translation] Invocation To Him I make obeisance, who is the end of all wisdom, the goal of all attainment, the unseen Lord of the flock,… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
The Logos and the Mind
Io veggio ben sì come già risplende nello intelletto tuo l’eterna luce . . . —DANTE, Paradiso, V. “Well do I note how in thine… Read More »The Logos and the Mind
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 the Wisdom of the Eternal,… Read More »Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
The Logos Doctrine
Let us begin by trying to translate as literally as possible the opening passage of Saint John’s Gospel, retaining the more important Greek words: “In… Read More »The Logos Doctrine
Prashna Upanishad (A Vedic Master)
Prashna Upanishad, “the Mystical Teaching of the Questions,” brief though it be, is a masterly summary of the Secret Wisdom. It illustrates two fundamental principles… Read More »Prashna Upanishad (A Vedic Master)
Theosophy (Lecture)
Let us withdraw ourselves for an hour from the turmoil of the world , with its immeasurable intellectual confusion and its almost unfathomable moral confusion,—that… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Theosophy (Lecture)
What is Theosophy? What is The Theosophical Society? What is the relation of Theosophy to The Theosophical Society? Let us begin with the more concrete… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
Seeking for favour, verily, Vajashravasa made a sacrifice of all his possessions. He had a son, named Nachiketas. Him, being still a boy, faith entered… Read More »Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
Tao Te Ching (Book of the Way and of Righteousness)
1. The way that can be told is not the eternal Way. The word that can be spoken is not the eternal Word. Unnamed, It… Read More »Tao Te Ching (Book of the Way and of Righteousness)
The Dangers of Psychism
A number of short treatises, in verse and prose, are attributed to the great Indian Teacher, Shankaracharya, though it is probable that the actual writing… Read More »The Dangers of Psychism
Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
By whom impelled flies the forward-impelled Mind? By whom compelled does the First Life go forth? By whom impelled is this Voice that they speak?… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
Theosophy and Modern Problems
Think that all the members of the audience realize that this lecture is a part of the Theosophical Convention,—the annual Convention of The Theosophical Society.… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems
The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
For several weeks during the winter, a marked feature of the mental activity of New York has been supplied by the lectures of Sir Oliver… Read More »The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
Let us come gradually to this knotty question, using a series of familiar references as stepping-stones. To begin with, readers of The Occult World will… Read More »Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
Isha Upanishad (By the Master)
By the Master all this is to be clothed and pervaded, whatever moves in this moving world. These words, like all that is of primary… Read More »Isha Upanishad (By the Master)
The Guatemalan Secret Doctrine
Among students of occultism, there have been persistent traditions of a branch or branches of the Great Lodge in the New World; Peru, the mountains… Read More »The Guatemalan Secret Doctrine
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 and the Prometheus Unbound of… Read More »The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
One whose memory of The Theosophical Society goes back for thirty-four years, of necessity recalls many deaths, and, unhappily, many defections. On no less than… Read More »Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
A Drama of the Great Initiation
Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound was completed, so far as the essential part of it is concerned, on April 6, 1819—that is, an even century ago—Shelley being… Read More »A Drama of the Great Initiation
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 likeness between the events portrayed… Read More »The Great War and the Great Initiation
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 of all his books, to… Read More »From the Highlands of Lemuria
Eastern and Western Psychology
I. A Theosophical Need Mr. Judge writes, in one of the closing chapters of The Ocean of Theosophy, that “there is no Western Psychology worthy… Read More »Eastern and Western Psychology
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may, perhaps, be a cause of wonder that, at this late day, a subject so elementary is chosen, for an address that is in… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Paul the Disciple
[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his disciples and in carrying forward… Read More »Paul the Disciple
Patanjali and His Disciples
Dr. J. Haughton Woods prints, in the November number of the Journal of the American Oriental Society, a translation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,… Read More »Patanjali and His Disciples
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 surface sense-perception to the deeper… Read More »Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta
Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
Introduction This charming little treatise bears in Sanskrit the title Tattva Bodha, which means “The Awakening to Reality,” or, to translate quite literally, “The Awakening… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
Three Books on the Vedanta
1. The System of the Vedanta, by Prof. Paul Deussen. 2. The Philosophy of the Upanishads, by Prof. Paul Deussen. 3. Handbook of the Vedant,… Read More »Three Books on the Vedanta
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 the desire to understand the… Read More »The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament
The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
“A certain woman lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee. . . . “But He said, Yea,… Read More »The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament
I. There is a passage of singular charm and vivacity, which one may call, I think, the keystone of the Upanishads; the passage containing what… Read More »Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament
The Buddha’s Former Births
[Introduction] Among the great religions of the world, none has been so greatly misunderstood in our day as the teaching of Gotama Buddha, the sage… Read More »The Buddha’s Former Births
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
[Note: The following is Johnston’s second, revised edition of the Yoga Sutras (1917), which is updated from the initial serialization in the Theosophical Quarterly.] Introduction… Read More »Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Theosophical Society
When we were in search of a suitable theme for the lecture on the occasion of our Convention, a good friend suggested that it might… Read More »The Theosophical Society
A Page of the Apocalypse
I. One of the purposes of the Theosophical Society is to pursue the comparative study of religions, with a view to making clear the inherent… Read More »A Page of the Apocalypse
Mandukya-Karika by Gaudapada (Natural, Psychical and Spiritual Bodies)
[Part I] [Introduction] The shortest of all the older Upanishads is the Mandukya. Yet in some ways it contains fuller and deeper teaching than any… Read More »Mandukya-Karika by Gaudapada (Natural, Psychical and Spiritual Bodies)
What the Theosophical Society is Not
We have been considering, during this period of reunion, that it is just a third of a century since the Theosophical Society was founded in… Read More »What the Theosophical Society is Not
The Growth of Philosophy in America
It has long been a conviction of mine, that when the American genius awakens, when America realizes the existence of the spiritual world, this young… Read More »The Growth of Philosophy in America
The Religion of the Will
Contents The Will in the Body I. The Search for FoodII. Continuity of LifeIII. The Creative Will in Man The Will in the Soul I.… Read More »The Religion of the Will
The Theosophical Movement
It will be best to treat my theme historically; and I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I speak of my own observation of the Theosophical… Read More »The Theosophical Movement
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 we get the foundation of… Read More »The Vedanta in Daily Life
The Religion of China
[I.] The records of China go back nearly five thousand years. Twenty-eight centuries before our era, say these records, a hundred families, coming from the… Read More »The Religion of China
The Sermon on the Mount
I. In studying the Teachings of Jesus, we shall do well ever to bear in mind his words to his disciples: “It is given to… Read More »The Sermon on the Mount
The Religion of India
I. When we come to India, the contrast with Egypt and Chaldea is strongly marked. Of the ancient Sumerian culture and religion of Chaldea, nothing… Read More »The Religion of India
The Religion of Chaldea
The land long known as Chaldea, wherein many nations successively grew and ruled, bears striking resemblances to the land of Egypt. Like Egypt, it is… Read More »The Religion of Chaldea
Bhagavad Gita (Songs of the Master)
General Introduction The Bhagavad Gita is one of the noblest scriptures of India, one of the deepest scriptures of the world. It is rich in… Read More »Bhagavad Gita (Songs of the Master)
The Religion of Ancient Egypt
Introductory We must study religions from within, not from without. If we ourselves genuinely believe in spiritual life and spiritual law, and have some knowledge… Read More »The Religion of Ancient Egypt
[Review: Letters That Have Helped Me, Vol. 2]
Letters That Have Helped Me, Vol. II., compiled by Jasper Niemand and Thomas Green. This is by far the most important Theosophical book published in… Read More »[Review: Letters That Have Helped Me, Vol. 2]
The Gospels of the Kingdom
In much of our popular theology there is some danger that teachings about Jesus have somewhat overshadowed the teachings of Jesus, and that we are… Read More »The Gospels of the Kingdom