Showing titles in Theosophy

The Cloud upon the Sanctuary is an inspirational work of Christian mysticism which speaks directly and symbolically to those who listen. This book was highly regarded amongst the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and influenced the work of Aleister Crowley.

Living together amicably, creatively, in complete relationship with one another – if that is what is essential then we need not only a different kind of mind but also a different quality of affection, love. What is the function of a religious mind? Our struggle in life is dualistic: good and bad, right and wrong, holy and unholy, the ideal and the fact. There is only the fact, not the ideal. Is it possible to look at life as though you are looking for the first time? What is the content of the unconscious?

Mead notices that modern students often shrug off or dismiss the mysteries and wisdom of the ages, as unimportant. He argues that spirit is entirely absent from the religion of today, because it has been divorced from science. And, what was once considered religion to the primitive man is very different than what is considered religion now. Psychology, what he called the science of antiquity, is what is needed for the student of the mysteries to regain their foothold in the world.

Originally published in 1914, German Theosophist Carolus writes on the subject of Atlantis, with regards to new archeological and scientific discoveries of his time. In addition he discusses the destruction of ancient monuments (and consequently lost knowledge), which was happening in places like Honduras.

We live in a diverse and multicultural world where spiritualists use their thoughts and prayers to awaken abundance, joy and alchemy in their lives. What if the mantras we use in our times of common-union (“communion”) could, in fact, be used synergistically? The Five World Mantras are Om, Amen, Allah, AUM and Tao. Billions of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Taoists have used them for thousands of years to empower their thoughts and prayers.

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.

Brother Westcott describes karma in a theosophical setting and also touches briefly on Esoteric Christianity while reminding us that we all have potential divinity inside of us. He warns heavily of the perils and pitfalls the neophyte must navigate to avoid becoming a black magician, while exploring what he refers to as the hidden mysteries of nature. Additionally, he reminds us that although every potential Adept must exist on this physical plane, they must also live above it.

Leadbeater addresses this question of the aspirant, who may be wondering why the Master hasn't singled them out and asked for more. Leadbeater points out that the offer must come from the other side. It is the role of the student to make him or herself available and wait for the Master to reach out to them, since any older student can help teach and attend to a newcomer's immediate needs. The Master's role is a higher one.

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.

Curuppumullage Jinarajadasa was a writer, philosopher, Freemason, and prominent Theosophist of his day. In this particular piece, a lecture given in 1911 for the 36th annual convention of the Theosophical Society, the author speaks on reincarnation, consciousness, and the soul.

A prolific and influential writer of his day, George Robert Stowe Mead was heavily involved in Hermetic and Gnostic scholarship of the time. Mead states that Theosophic faith is the precursor to Gnosis, and such is his approach to an introduction on the subject. He writes of the death of conventional knowledge and the birth of Theosophy and discusses his personal realizations and self-awakenings that led to his involvement with the Theosophical Society.

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".

What is truth and what is reality? Anything that thought thinks about or reflects upon or projects, that is reality. And that reality has nothing to do with truth. The art of seeing is to place reality where it is, and not move that in order to get truth. You can’t get truth. How am I to empty that consciousness and yet retain knowledge – otherwise I couldn’t function – and reach a state which will comprehend reality?

The Origin and Nature of Folk Music: As Exemplified in the Welsh National Melodies was originally published in 1911. Kenneth Morris was a fantasy writer and Theosophist from Wales. In this short piece, he looks at the bardic poetry and chants of Ireland, Wales and England, called a "hwyl".

Our education is concerned with the accumulation of knowledge. Very few of us are capable of living a life without the influence of specialists. What is the point of going to a university, getting a degree and disappearing into the vast structure of society? Q: How shall we approach the idea of study? If you express from something already accumulated it is a deadly bore, but if you are all the time watching, not only yourself but the world, you are learning.

There is no mind without idea, thought and verbalization. There is no experiencer and the experience; there is only a state of experiencing. One cannot think about immortality. If one can live in the state of only experiencing then there is a state in which ideation has stopped altogether. Is it possible to have direct experience of that which is not thinkable and which cannot be put into words?

Annie Besant was a writer, lecturer, prominent theosophist, and women's rights activist of her time. She was a frequent contributor to various theosophical publications of her day. This particular piece was a lecture she gave in 1893, discussing yoga, consciousness, the Atman, and a multitude of related concepts.

Annie Besant was a writer, lecturer, prominent Theosophist, and women's rights activist of her time. She was a frequent contributor to various Theosophical publications of her day. This particular piece was a lecture delivered to the League of Liberal Christianity at Manchester in May of 1911, regarding a global awakening of consciousness that she felt she was witnessing at the time.

In questo secondo volume viene approfondita la storia delle religioni, ricostruendo come l'unico raggio della religione originale sia passato attraverso il prisma delle diverse situazioni storiche e culturali diventando varie religioni, e queste, a loro volta, si siano sfumate in sette. Particolarmente accurato il confronto tra le storie di Crishna, Buddha e Gesù che mostrano analogie tali da sciogliere ogni dubbio in quanto alla loro origine comune. Un'opera indispensabile per chiunque sia in cammino su un percorso spirituale.

Quest'opera, pubblicata nel 1877 dalla famosa filosofa e veggente Helena Blavatsky, è così corposa da essere stata divisa in due grandi parti. Associandola strettamente con le dottrine esoteriche dell'ermetismo e del neoplatonismo, Blavatsky descrisse la teosofia come la sintesi della scienza, della religione e della filosofia, affermando il proposito di far rivivere in forma nuova la grande sapienza dei misteri antichi, già intravista a suo tempo dalle religioni maggiori.