What is Theosophy?
This question has been so often asked, and misconception so widely prevails, that the editors of a journal devoted to… Read More »What is Theosophy?
The Theosophist
What are the Theosophists?
Are they what they claim to be—students of natural law, of ancient and modern philosophy, and even of exact science?… Read More »What are the Theosophists?
Fragments of Occult Truth [1-3]
[Note: for the following 5 Fragments by A.P. Sinnett, see “Fragments of Occult Truth [4-8]”] No. 1 We have received… Read More »Fragments of Occult Truth [1-3]
Fragments of Occult Truth [4-8]
[Note: for the first 3 Fragments by A.O. Hume, see “Fragments of Occult Truth [1-3]”] No. 4: The Evolution of… Read More »Fragments of Occult Truth [4-8]
Notes on the Bhagavad Gita
Contents Introduction Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 [Introduction] (Notes of a lecture, delivered at the Convention of… Read More »Notes on the Bhagavad Gita
The “Elixir of Life”
And Enoch walked with the Elohim, and the Elohim took him.”—GENESIS. The curious information—for whatsoever else the world may think… Read More »The “Elixir of Life”
Transmigration of the Life Atoms
Editor’s Note by H.P.B. to a letter by N.D.K. In your learned note on Mr. Oxley’s article (Hierosophy and Theosophy),… Read More »Transmigration of the Life Atoms
Classification of “Principles”
In a most admirable lecture by Mr. T. Subba Row on the Bhagavad Gita, published in the February number of… Read More »Classification of “Principles”
Chelas and Lay Chelas
As the word Chela has, among others, been introduced by Theosophy into the nomenclature of Western metaphysics, and the circulation… Read More »Chelas and Lay Chelas
Chelas
Notwithstanding the many articles which have appeared in this magazine upon the above subject, much misunderstanding and many false views… Read More »Chelas
How a “Chela” Found His “Guru”
. . . When we met last at Bombay I told you what had happened to me at Tinnevelly. My… Read More »How a “Chela” Found His “Guru”
Qualifications for Chelaship
The power of the Adepts over forces of nature, not generally recognized, has been enlarged upon on various occasions, but… Read More »Qualifications for Chelaship
Sakya Muni’s Place in History
7. Buddha’s birth is placed (on p. 141) in the year 643 B.C.. Is this date given by the Adepts as… Read More »Sakya Muni’s Place in History
Re-Classification of Principles
[For background, see: Classification of “Principles”] In the May Theosophist (1887 [see “The Constitution of the Microcosm”]) I find the… Read More »Re-Classification of Principles
Le Phare de L’inconnu [The Beacon-Light of the Unknown]
[The [following] article is a rough translation from La Revue Theosophique. Better H.P.B. at second hand than not at all—Ed. [The… Read More »Le Phare de L’inconnu [The Beacon-Light of the Unknown]
Mahatmas and Chelas
A MAHATMA is a personage, who, by special training and education, has evolved those higher faculties and has attained that… Read More »Mahatmas and Chelas
Contemplation
A general misunderstanding of this term seems to prevail. The popular idea appears to be to confine oneself for half… Read More »Contemplation
The Moral Law of Compensation
“For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field shall be… Read More »The Moral Law of Compensation
Sri Sankaracharya’s Date and Doctrine
8. Sankaracharya’s date is variously given by Orientalists, but always after Christ. Barth, for instance, places him about 788 A.D.… Read More »Sri Sankaracharya’s Date and Doctrine
Apollonius Tyaneus and Simon Magus
In the “History of the Christian Religion to the year two hundred,” by Charles B. Waite, A.M., announced and reviewed… Read More »Apollonius Tyaneus and Simon Magus
Animated Statues
To whatsoever cause it may be due matters little, but the word fetich is given in the dictionaries the restricted… Read More »Animated Statues
Tetragrammaton
“I would advise all in general that they would take into serious consideration the true and genuine ends of knowledge;… Read More »Tetragrammaton
The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
Since the exposition of the Arhat esoteric doctrine was begun, many who had not acquainted themselves with the occult basis… Read More »The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
The Adepts in America in 1776
The following suggestions and statements are made entirely upon the personal responsibility of the writer, and without the knowledge or… Read More »The Adepts in America in 1776
Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men
When the great poet and writer, Coleridge, tried to establish his Watchman—a periodical in prose and verse, intended to advocate… Read More »Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men
Buddhist Morals
In a recent issue of the China Mail appears an account of the destruction of the “Temple of Longevity,” one… Read More »Buddhist Morals
Spiritual Progress
Christina Rossetti’s well-known lines: “Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Does the journey… Read More »Spiritual Progress
A Bewitched Life
[Note: the following is a verbatim reproduction of the story as it first appeared in The Theosophist. For the enlarged, posthumous… Read More »A Bewitched Life
The Missing Link
A good many of the Western papers are terribly excited over a bit of news just arrived in Europe from… Read More »The Missing Link
The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
In Light (of February 11) “C. C. M.,” in the article “Communicating Spirits,” says the following:— “It will thus be… Read More »The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
Masons and Jesuits
Our Masonic readers, of whom very respectable numbers are scattered throughout India, ought to be on the lookout for recent… Read More »Masons and Jesuits
Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)
Introductory Note An apology is scarcely needed for undertaking a translation of Sankara Acharya’s celebrated Synopsis of Vedantism entitled “Atmanatma… Read More »Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)
Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
By “laymen,” in this case, we mean that class of society and humanity in general, who are not “orthodox spiritualists;”… Read More »Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
The Culture-Language of the Future
It has often seemed to me that even the best Sanskrit scholars in Europe and America alike have no very… Read More »The Culture-Language of the Future
Emerson and Occult Laws
“It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about… Read More »Emerson and Occult Laws
Wart-Charming
Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on an article by Frederick Helmone With reference to the following correspondence which appeared in Knowledge, dated… Read More »Wart-Charming
Theosophy and Religious Riots
Some far-sighted and promising correspondent, anxious to penetrate the mystery of the recent Kotahena riot between the Buddhists and the… Read More »Theosophy and Religious Riots
The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism
It is upon the above subject 1 that we find Mr. Henry Atkinson, of Boulogne, France, treating in the Philosophic… Read More »The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism
Karma and Ancient Law
Some points in ancient law, which furnish coincidences with the occult doctrine of cyclic progression, and some legal theories which… Read More »Karma and Ancient Law
Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST Madam,—Since you have published a posthumous letter of my Master and beloved friend, the… Read More »Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
A Land of Mystery
[I] Whether one surveys the imposing ruins of Memphis or Palmyra; stands at the foot of the great pyramid of… Read More »A Land of Mystery
Hindu Theism
Old readers will recollect our desire, long ago expressed, that some respectable Brahmo would undertake, in these columns, a candid… Read More »Hindu Theism
[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
Article selection from “An Indian Aethrobat”, by Babu Krishna Indra Sandyal | Note by H.P.B. In the November issue of… Read More »[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
Article selection from “Indra”, by Rajendro Nauth Dutta | Notes by H.P.B. Indra1 is the name of one of these… Read More »[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
[Notes on the “Philosopher’s Stone”]
Selections from HPB’s translation of Éliphas Lévi’s “Rituel de la Haute Magie” | Notes by H.P.B. . . . This stone… Read More »[Notes on the “Philosopher’s Stone”]
A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining
“All comes in good time to him who knows to wait,” says the proverb. The small party of New York… Read More »A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining
Astrology Verified
Writing in the Theosophist upon the subject of Astrology, C.C.Massey says that he thinks at present we are not fully… Read More »Astrology Verified