[On Spirit and Matter]
Selections from the Article “Karma” by A. Govinda Charlu | Reply by H.P.B. 1. We start with the supposition that… Read More »[On Spirit and Matter]
theosophy
Writings related to the fundamental doctrines of Theosophy. Note: If one begins their study from the oldest writings in serial order, one will get a better sense of the gradual unfolding of theosophical doctrines as they were given out to the world.
[On the Brahma Garbha of Agastya Bhagavan]
Article selections by Samar Pungava Sastri | Notes by H.P.B. We fully appreciate the kindly feeling in which we are… Read More »[On the Brahma Garbha of Agastya Bhagavan]
[On Harmony and Brotherhood]
[Note: in the pages of Lucifer, aphorisms or brief explanations of specific topics, like the following, often appear at the… Read More »[On Harmony and Brotherhood]
Theosophy and Spiritism: Explanations Relative to the Controversy on Occultism
To Mr. Fauvety, President of the Scientific Society for Psychological Studies. Mr. President, The monthly Bulletin of the Society of which you are the… Read More »Theosophy and Spiritism: Explanations Relative to the Controversy on Occultism
Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm
The greatest schisms often come about through the supporters of one cause disputing over mere terminology. Mr. Subba Row, in… Read More »Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm
The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
The pamphlet of Mr. C. C. Massey, an F.T.S., of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, is a valuable… Read More »The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
Pertinent Questions
Questions by H. N. Vakil | Reply by H.P.B. Will you or any of your readers enlighten me on the… Read More »Pertinent Questions
Is Suicide a Crime?
Letter by “Inquirer” | Reply by H.P.B. The writer in the London Spiritualist for November, who calls the “Fragments of… Read More »Is Suicide a Crime?
Classification of Principles
[Note: for some background, see: Classification of “Principles”] It seems a pity that the time and energies of our brothers… Read More »Classification of Principles
Erroneous Ideas Concerning the Doctrines of the Theosophists
We insert this reply to Monsieur Rossi de Justiniani, but we express no opinion upon the doctrines expounded therein; our… Read More »Erroneous Ideas Concerning the Doctrines of the Theosophists
[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]
Article Selections by A. P. Sinnett, “Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism” | Editor’s Note by… Read More »[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]
[Notes on God, Spirit and Matter]
Article Selections by Pestanji Dorabji Khandalawala | Notes by H.P.B. . . . Man is a miniature universe, a child… Read More »[Notes on God, Spirit and Matter]
“A Personal and Impersonal God”
A letter signed by H. X. has appeared in the December issue of the Theosophists under the heading abovementioned containing… Read More »“A Personal and Impersonal God”
“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation
In Light (July 8) C.C.M. quotes from the THEOSOPHIST (June 1882) a sentence which appeared in the Editor’s Note at… Read More »“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation
Seeming “Discrepancies”
Letter by “Caledonian Theosophist” | Editor’s Note by H.P.B. TO THE EDITOR OF THE “THEOSOPHIST.” I have lately been engaged… Read More »Seeming “Discrepancies”
[Answers to Questions on Adepts]
Questions by D. P. Dhumme | Reply by Damodar K. Mavalankar Madame,—Will you, with your usual kindness, enlighten me on… Read More »[Answers to Questions on Adepts]
[On the Kama-rupa and Vampires]
Article Selection by Dr. Fortin | Note by H.P.B. [Note: the assumption made with this note, signed “Translator,” is that… Read More »[On the Kama-rupa and Vampires]
Dialogues Between the Two Editors: On Astral Bodies, or Doppelgangers
M. C. Great confusion exists in the minds of people about the various kinds of apparitions, wraiths, ghosts or spirits. Ought we… Read More »Dialogues Between the Two Editors: On Astral Bodies, or Doppelgangers
Universal Applications of Doctrine
During the last few years in which so much writing has been done in the theosophical field of effort, a… Read More »Universal Applications of Doctrine
Victims of Words
The saying has become trite that we are oftener victims of words than of facts. The Theosophical Society has been… Read More »Victims of Words
A Levy of Arms Against Theosophy
As nearly everywhere else, we have a Branch Society in Paris: a handful or so of members lost among thousands… Read More »A Levy of Arms Against Theosophy
The Future Buddhas
Letter by Khetra Mohana Mukhopadhyaya | Notes by H.P.B. On page 144 of Esoteric Buddhism we have the following:— “A Buddha visits… Read More »The Future Buddhas
The Religion of the Future
Occultism teaches us that ideas based upon fundamental truths move in the eternity in a circle, revolving around and filling… Read More »The Religion of the Future
What is Theosophy?
1. Theosophy is that branch of human perfection, by which one may establish himself with the eternal cause of invisible… Read More »What is Theosophy?
[Notes on “The God Idea”]
Article selections by Babu Raj Narain Bose | Notes by H.P.B. I deem it necessary to reply to some of… Read More »[Notes on “The God Idea”]
[On the Life of a True Theosophist]
It is rumoured that A Catechism on Every-Day Life, by a Theosophical writer, is ready for press. Let us hope… Read More »[On the Life of a True Theosophist]
Old and New Methods
So much information relating to the highest science of Nature has lately been given out to the world through these… Read More »Old and New Methods
Retrogression in Rebirth
Letter to the Editor, by H. | Note by H.P.B. In his able review of Mr. Oxley’s “Philosophy of Spirit,”… Read More »Retrogression in Rebirth
Nirvana
Letter by H. C. Niblett | Note by H.P.B. We are told and have also read a great deal about… Read More »Nirvana
Devachan: Western Stricture and Eastern Version
[The following contains a “Memorandum” sent to A. P. Sinnett, and three replies to that “Memorandum.” H.P.B. mentions that these… Read More »Devachan: Western Stricture and Eastern Version
[Proper use of the term Jivatma]
Article selection from “The Seven Human Bodies” | Note by H.P.B. In the course of reading the Fragments of Occult… Read More »[Proper use of the term Jivatma]
[On Some Confusions about Rings and Rounds]
Article selections from “Cosmical Rings and Rounds,” by A Student of Occultism | Notes & Editor’s Note by H.P.B. No.… Read More »[On Some Confusions about Rings and Rounds]
[Notes on “Mediums and Yogis”]
Article Selections by * * * | Notes by H.P.B. Mediums and Yogis What is the Difference Between the Two?… Read More »[Notes on “Mediums and Yogis”]
Karma: An Appendix to “Fragments of Occult Truth”
[Note: see “Fragments of Occult Truth,” No’s 1-3 and 4-8 by A.O. Hume and A.P. Sinnet respectively.] With reference to… Read More »Karma: An Appendix to “Fragments of Occult Truth”
About the Mineral Monad
5. Is the expression “a mineral monad” authorized by the Adepts? If so, what relation does the monad bear to… Read More »About the Mineral Monad
“The Philosophy of Spirit”
[Note: the following addresses the book “The Philosophy of Spirit,” by William Oxley.] The book bearing the above title, and professing… Read More »“The Philosophy of Spirit”
Occult Study
(The following Paper was read lately by a Theosophist and “Lay Chela” in London to an audience consisting chiefly, but… Read More »Occult Study
From Theosophy to Shakespeare
Notes by H.P.B. on a letter from Mr. Henry G. Atkinson We have received a very interesting letter from Mr.… Read More »From Theosophy to Shakespeare
Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett’s “Esoteric Buddhism”
The [following] questions being of very grave import require to be answered at length: questions involving critical enquiry into the… Read More »Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett’s “Esoteric Buddhism”
The Sevenfold Constitution of Man
In the second volume of the Secret Doctrine, p. 81, Mme. Blavatsky bids us remember that to some extent even… Read More »The Sevenfold Constitution of Man
Appendix to “Devachan”
[For the article to which this is an appendix, see “Fragments of Occult Truth,” No. 6] Appendix A It may… Read More »Appendix to “Devachan”
[Septenary Division in Different Indian Systems]
We are in a position to state that Mr. Sinnett never intended to maintain that Buddhism, as popularly conceived, is… Read More »[Septenary Division in Different Indian Systems]
Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism
Students of the information lately obtained from Eastern sources for the elucidation of what is known as the Esoteric doctrine,… Read More »Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism
Historical Difficulty—Why?
6. Is there not some confusion in the letter quoted on p. 62 of Esoteric Buddhism, where “the old Greeks… Read More »Historical Difficulty—Why?
Do the Adepts Deny the Nebular Theory?
1. Is the Nebular Theory, as generally held, denied by the Adepts? It seems hard to conceive of the alternate… Read More »Do the Adepts Deny the Nebular Theory?
Reply to An English F.T.S.
[Note: the following represents the opening Reply to “Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett’s ‘Esoteric Buddhism’”] It was not in… Read More »Reply to An English F.T.S.
Is the Sun merely a Cooling Mass?
2. And, further, the time necessary for the manvantara even of one planetary chain, much more of all seven,—seems largely… Read More »Is the Sun merely a Cooling Mass?