The Theosophical Movement
It will be best to treat my theme historically; and I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I speak of my… Read More »The Theosophical Movement
Theosophical Quarterly
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… Read More »What the Theosophical Society is Not
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… Read More »Bhagavad Gita (Songs of the Master)
Charles Johnston
Charles Johnston died on Friday, October 16th [1932], at about twenty minutes past three in the afternoon. His death was… Read More »Charles Johnston
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,… Read More »Mandukya Upanishad (The Measures of the Eternal)
Chhandogya Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad
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… Read More »Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
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 Chain of Causation
It is the custom of Orientalists to speak of Buddhism as a religion, and a very beautiful and intuitional book… Read More »The Chain of Causation
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… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
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
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… Read More »Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
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… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems
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
The Logos and the Mind
Io veggio ben sì come già risplende nello intelletto tuo l’eterna luce . . . —DANTE, Paradiso, V. “Well do… Read More »The Logos and the Mind
The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
“A certain woman lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee. . .… Read More »The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
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… Read More »Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
Devotion and Understanding!
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!
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,… Read More »A Drama of the Great Initiation
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… Read More »Wise and Foolish Disciples
Vicarious Atonement and Karma
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
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline
Paul the Disciple
[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his… Read More »Paul the Disciple
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
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… Read More »Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament
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.… Read More »Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
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… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)
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)
Theosophy (Lecture)
What is Theosophy? What is The Theosophical Society? What is the relation of Theosophy to The Theosophical Society? Let us… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may be asked how the single word, Theosophy, can stand as the title of a lecture. It is because… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Theosophy (Lecture)
There may be some here this afternoon who have no defined understanding of The Theosophical Society and its purpose. It… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
One whose memory of The Theosophical Society goes back for thirty-four years, of necessity recalls many deaths, and, unhappily, many… Read More »Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
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… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
Theosophy (Lecture)
Let us withdraw ourselves for an hour from the turmoil of the world , with its immeasurable intellectual confusion and… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
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… Read More »The Religion of China
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… Read More »A Visit to the Buddha
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… Read More »The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
Kshatriya and Brahman
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
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… Read More »The Ladder of Consciousness
“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… Read More »“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
The Logos and Life
E la sua volontate è nostra pace: Ella è quel mare, al qual tutto si move Ciò ch’ ella crea… Read More »The Logos and Life
States of Consciousness
One of the Buddhist Suttas is known as the Potthapada Sutta, so called in honour of the Brahman to whom… Read More »States of Consciousness
The Religion of Chaldea
The land long known as Chaldea, wherein many nations successively grew and ruled, bears striking resemblances to the land of… Read More »The Religion of Chaldea
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
Building on Recollection
While the Suttas record instances in which the Buddha spoke eloquently to groups of villagers, to large numbers of men… Read More »Building on Recollection
Theosophy (Lecture)
The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
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