Showing titles in Theosophy

Notable author Seth Pancoast, a theosophist and regular contributor to theosophical, esoteric, and occult journals and periodicals, writes on the topic of the cabalistic sciences. Here, we have collected two of his essays entitled "The Kabbalah" and "The Mystery of Numbers", written from a theosophical perspective. Please enjoy.

C. Jinarajadasa was a writer, philosopher, and prominent Theosophist of his day and a Freemason. In this particular piece, originally from 1908, the author examines the life of Gautama and the religious reformation in Hinduism, which he championed at the time. The author lays out the four efforts, the ten meritorious acts, and the five meditations. He quotes from Plato and others, discusses Theosophy and somehow connects it all to the state of Nirvana, which he discusses at some length.

Prominent Theosophical writer, Charles Webster Leadbeater, discusses how we are influenced by everything that surrounds us, be it rocks, plants, or other people. Everything we encounter possesses an essence appropriate to its elemental counterpart, which imparts an influence on us. Leadbeater explains how to navigate our environment with this in mind. Written for students of Theosophy.

"Mantrams" and "Aum" are two related essays by William Q. Judge. Mantrams, in short, are the verbalized form of a mantra, and Judge explains their use in his sometimes-familiar Q&A style of writing between the student and the sage. His piece on aum is written in a straightforward manner and examines this often-utilized vowel sound, also known as om, which is a sacred syllable of the Vedas and is used in meditation.

Blavatsky engages in a spirited debate on spiritualism, defending an article entitled "Fragments of Occult Truth" by another writer, though one she had published in her own periodical, The Theosophist. The article had come under attack by a rival magazine of the time, and Blavatsky comes to the rescue.

Leadbeater addresses the sorrow, grief, and despair we all sometimes experience in this mortal coil, especially when someone close to us has passed beyond the veil. He explains how our mourning for those who have transitioned beyond a terrestrial life affects those who now exist in spirit form. As well, before we can understand their position there, we must first understand our own here.

Leadbeater describes what a non-member might expect to encounter behind closed doors at a Theosophical Lodge meeting, such as he would have attended in his day, what they may get out of it, what they might give and what is gained by all, through this collective group of individuals coming together. The outcome is likely not all that different from every real occult lodge, not just the theosophical ones.

Heralding from the famed Emerald Tablet, Mead examines the phrase, "As Above So Below", with particular attention paid to how it pertains to students of Theosophy. He spends time discussing the astral realm as well as exploring the concept of Flatland and what these two things may have to do with this age-old Hermetic axiom.

With her best-selling I AM America Maps, Lori Toye has led and inspired thousands to understand the ongoing "Time of Change" - a period in Earth's history of tumultuous change in society, culture, and politics in tandem with individual and collective spiritual awakenings and transformations. These events occur simultaneously with the possibilities of massive global warming, climatic changes, and worldwide seismic and volcanic activity - Earth Changes.

William Wynn Westcott was a theosophist, Freemason, and Rosicrucian and one of the cofounders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In his own personal spiritual belief system he subscribed to the concept of successive lives in the form of earthly experiences, as was almost universal in the doctrines of the ancient world. Here he examines the changes that occur to an individual upon death (spiritually speaking, of course) and what that means for how a person should choose to live his or her life.

In addition to being a prolific writer of Theosophical and occult teachings, Madame Blavatsky also penned a few tales of short fiction; although, she often claimed the events of her tales to be true, for added effect. This one recounts the tale of a traveler abroad, while searching for her lost dog and with aid of the whirling dervishes, encounters a strange humanoid creature known as the Oracle of Damascus, which they attempt to subdue.

Madame Blavatsky was the face of the Theosophical movement, and probably its most prolific writer. In this particular piece, published in 1889, she writes somewhat philosophically about the dawning of a new age of writers and religious thinkers. She feels that she is witnessing an equalization of sorts, within society, which she refers to as the Awakening Spirit of Humanity. She urges the listener to participate, rather than just sit idly by and observe.

Leadbeater discusses his own struggles in occult initiation, through both astral and physical trials, which eventually led him to the ability to access what he describes as the Buddhic consciousness. He describes how each master has his own plan and that every path is different. Also, he discusses the relationship between the student and the teacher and gives examples of what a new student on the path might expect.

Originally published in 1911, this account perhaps more accurately belongs in our series of occult fiction, but it is one of many stories Leadbeater published as being true. This particular tale is the retelling of a story relayed to him by Helena Blavatsky, about two travelers who discover a remote, old house that is haunted by the spirit of a baron who committed suicide. Enjoy this "true story".

En todo hombre duermen facultades que le permiten adquirir conocimientos de los mundos superiores. El místico, el gnóstico, el teósofo, siempre han hablado de un mundo anímico y de un mundo espiritual, tan reales para ellos como el que ven nuestros ojos físicos y toca nuestra mano. Aquí se describen los pasos para llegar a conocer el mundo suprasensible. Cómo realizar los ejercicios de acuerdo a su individualidad. Reglas de utilidad para el modo de vivir. Indicaciones sobre enigmas del alma.

C Jinarajadasa was a writer, philosopher, Freemason and prominent theosophist of his day. This particular piece is a lecture he gave in 1905, and he discusses consciousness, the inseparable duality of love and beauty, Plato's world of ideas, the divine mind and other related topics.

Robert Crosbie recounts the life of his friend and teacher, the notable William Q. Judge, one of the three founders of the Theosophical Society.In this brief biography, we learn that it was from the early age of seven, not from birth, that Judge came to possess the remarkable consciousness we've come to know.

British writer and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, J. W. Brodie-Innes was also the author of a number of Theosophical essays. In this piece, he explores Universal Brotherhood and the connectivity of Nature in general, as well as the primal aversion to separateness. He speaks of separateness in terms of both the microcosm and the macrocosm. There are also veiled alchemical references, which the astute student may catch.

Originally published in 1891, it may be difficult for modern readers to accept that there was still a relatively strong belief in vampires, in what might usually seem like an age of blossoming spiritual enlightenment. But the author, an otherwise celebrated figure in Theosophy, discusses not just the folklore of this famed monster, but he recounts first-hand tales of reported vampire attacks.

C. Jinarajadasa was a writer, philosopher, prominent Theosophist of his day, as well as a Freemason. In this particular piece (originally published in 1915), the author takes a scholarly examination and ritual dissection of the Catholic Mass. Among the many topics that he discusses are: the creed, the altar, the vestments, the collect and epistle, commemoration of the dead, Prajapati, and more.