Theosofische Boekhandel Adyar

By Radha S. Burnier (1923 – 2013).

154 Pages | Published in 1990, Adyar Edition Reprint 2006 | Hardcover | Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland, Amsterdam | ISBN: 8170594995.

Dutch translation: Regeneratie van de Mens – Lezingen en Discussies | Uitgegeven in 1994 | Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland, Amsterdam | ISBN: 9061750695.

Theosophists are all united by a common devotion to the Regeneration of Man. They may differ in their convictions or approach. The teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Blavatsky, Besant, Krishnamurti or some other teacher may inspire some and not others. But there is a strong common bond, namely profound concern for the progress and perfection of humanity, not merely at the material and intellectual levels, but morally and spiritually.

A Theosophist does not seek wisdom to benefit him or herself. ‘Not for him/herself but for the world he or she lives’. And the more deeply devotion is directed at the regeneration of mankind, the more ardently the understanding of self and the world and the penetration into the secret of life. Aim is to discover the source of Goodness and Happiness within, which is the birthright of all living beings.

From Chapter 3 – ‘Regeneration and the Objects of the Theosophical Society’ (p. 91):

” From a pratical view: does not Brotherhood begin with simple things? Just being oridnarily kind, beginning to think in terms of another person, instead of only ourselves. We like to enjoy ourselves, but somebody else has to work. Are we prepared to sacrifice a little of our enjoyment to help the person, who is working? Brotherhood begins like that. But when we are brotherly and kind in the ordinary sense of the word, still the feeling of difference from others does not go – one remains in a world of duality. So we must continue practising Brotherhood, until the tendency of the mind to see in terms of duality disappears. Even the word ‘Brotherhood’ suggests, that there is a brother and ‘myself’. “

Door Dr. Jacobus Johannes van der Leeuw (1893 – 1934).

237 Pagina’s | Uitgegeven in 2011 | Softcover | Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland | ISBN: 9789061758013.

Engels origineel: The Conquest of Illusion | Uitgegeven in 1928, herdruk door Kessinger Publications 2010 | LL.D., Alfred A. Knopf, New York and London | ISBN: 9781161388084.

In Illusie en Werkelijkheid houdt J.J. van der Leeuw een onvermoeibaar pleidooi voor de filosofie van de ervaring. Deze filosofie gaat niet uit van een theoretisch model van de werkelijkheid, maar van het subjectieve principe ‘dit heb ik gezien, dus weet ik.’ De grote drijfveer achter de filosofie van de ervaring behoort, naast oprechte verwondering, een verlangen te zijn om de wezenlijke aard van onze wereld te leren kennen. Dit verlangen naar waarheid is een heilige aspiratie.

Van der Leeuw beschrijft in 11 hoofdstukken de illusies, waarmee de mens te maken heeft in zijn kijk op en worsteling met de wereld, op zoek naar waarheid. Het is duidelijk, dat de wereld, die hij waarneemt niet de wereld is, maar zijn wereld, door hemzelf geschapen. De werkelijke wereld kan pas worden gekend als de mens al zijn illusies en denkbeelden heeft overwonnen. In menig opzicht sluit Van der Leeuws benaderingswijze aan op de visie, zoals uitgedragen door Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986), met wie de auteur van dit boek bevriend was. Van der Leeuw gaat in op de dualiteit van geest en materie, het mysterie van het begin van de schepping, het kwaad in de wereld, de vrijheid van de wil en de onsterfelijkheid van de ziel. Verder bespreekt hij het onderscheid tussen intuïtie en intellect, en geeft hij een analyse van de werelden van verschil tussen het relatieve en het Absolute.

Afkomstig uit Hoofdstuk 11 – ‘In het Licht van het Eeuwige’ (blz. 232):

” De beschilderde sluier, door hen die er waren, leven genoemd,
Die een nabootsing was, als met kleuren lukraak besmeerd,
Waarin alle mensen geloofden en waarop zij hun hoop hadden gevestigd, wordt opzij getrokken;
Het weerzinwekkende masker is gevallen, de mens blijft,
Zonder scepter, vrij, onbegrensd, maar aan een ieder
Gelijk, zonder klasse, zonder stam, en zonder natie,
Ontheven van ontzag, aanbidding en graad, koning(in)
Over zichzelf; rechtvaardig, zachtmoedig en wijs: maar
Zonder hartstocht? Nee, niettemin vrij van schuld of pijn
Die voor zijn wil waren gemaakt of waaronder hij heeft geleden,
Nochtans niet vrij, hoewel over hen regerend als waren zij slaven,
Van toeval, en de dood, en wisselvalligheid, niet vrij van
De belemmeringen van datgene wat zich anders boven
De hoogste ster van een onbeklommen hemel zou kunnen verheffen,
Als het duistere toppunt in de intense leegt.
‘De mens blijft’, en in hem wordt het geheim van de Werkelijkheid gevonden . . . “

• Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 – 1822).

Door Annine van der Meer.

456 Pages | Uitgegeven in 2009 | Softcover | Academie PanSophia i.s.m. A3 Boeken, Geesteren | ISBN: 9789077408674.

In dit boek maakt Annine van der Meer een einde aan het geseksualiseerde, gedemoniseerde en patriarchale beeld van de Oervrouw. Ze rekent af met het vrouwloze beeld van de prehistorie, zoals de Vaderlandse geschiedenis ons voorschotelt. Als een ware pionier brengt Annine van der Meer orde in de chaos van de Venuskunst, de sacrale voorchristelijke vrouwelijke kunst, die te maken heeft met leven, dood en wedergeboorte. En dan blijkt, dat er geen sprake is van chaos, maar van een coherente symbooltaal, die universeel en mondiaal is. Dat vrouwelijke kunst – in tegenstelling tot mannelijke kunst – in grote hoeveelheden is vervaardigd volgens een uniform standaardmodel, dat over vele millennia is overgeleverd. Het bewijs wordt geleverd dat vrouwelijkheid gerespecteerd is en centraal geeft gestaan zonder daarbij de balans met het mannelijke in de oude egalitaire samenlevingen te verstoren.

Dit boek bestaat uit twee delen. In deel I brengt de schrijfster de Venuskunst in kaart met een typologie en classificatie van soorten en stijlen. Varianten en lichaamshoudingen plaatst ze in een chronologisch kader tegen de achtergrond van een complexer wordende samenleving. De kunst spiegelt de natuur en de man-vrouwverhouding in die cultuur. Over de hele linie laat Venuskunst een verharding en militarisering van de samenleving zien, waarin de positie van de vrouw en dus het vrouwbeeld verslechtert.

• DEEL 1: behandelt de periode 35.000 – 10.000 v. Chr. – vanaf het moment dat de vroeg-moderne mens zich in Europa verspreidt tot het moment dat de laatste ijstijd afloopt en de overgang van jagen en voedselverzamelen naar landbouw inzet.
• DEEL 2: behandelt de verschillende thema’s en de bijbehorende symbolen per cultuur en chronologisch vanaf 10.000 v. Chr. tot het jaar o. De thema’s zijn: Venus’ vormen en getallen. haar lievelingsplekken, haar partnerdieren, haar geliefde bomen en planten, haar opvallendste lichaamsdelen, haar favoriete kleding, hoofdtooi en uitrusting, en haar kenmerkende lichaamshoudingen. Tot slot is er aandacht voor Maria, die veel van Venus’ symbooltaal meeneemt naar de christelijke periode.

Afkomstig uit Hoofdstuk 6: ‘Haar favoriete Kleding, Hoofdtooi en Uitrusting’ (blz. 355):

CYPRUS

” Cyprus is het eiland van Aphrodite. Hier is door de eeuwen heen zo veel vrouwelijke kunst gevonden, dat het modebeeld zich goed laat volgen. Aan de basis ligt een oeroude natuurreligie en vruchtbaarheidscultus rond de Anassa of de soevereine, die vanaf 3.000 aantoonbaar in de kunst aanwezig is. Zij leeft voort in volksverhalen als de Righena (van het Latijnse ‘regina’ of koningin). Er wordt verhaald dat zij in velden, grotten, bronnen en bergen leeft. Het liefst verblijft zij in afgelegen grotten hoog in de bergen. Zij is liefdevol, maar kan ook wreed zijn; ook naar haar minnaar toe. Zij ondergaat Oosterse invloeden uit Egypte en Klein-Azië. Een hele tijd loopt zij naar goed oud-Oosters gebruik naakt of in doorschijnende kleding. Vanaf de 12de en 11de eeuw bereiken de Kretenzers en Grieken het eiland; ze vermengen zich met de inheemse bevolking. Nu ‘vergriekst’ de Anassa tot de Griekse godin, die later Aphrodite wordt genoemd. “

Compiled by Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907).

28 Pages | First printed as Pamphlet in 1887, 2nd edition 1891, 3rd edition 1902, Adyar Pamphlet 1918, 1st reprint 1938, 2nd reprint 1944, 3rd reprint 1967, 4th reprint 1984 | Softcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 0835670783.

The too prevalent ignorance among adult Sinhalese Buddhists of the ethical code of their religion leads me to issue this little compilation. Similar moral precepts exist by hundreds in the Buddhist scriptures; from which also all the quotations in this little work are derived. Orientalists and other impartial persons admit that no religion in the world contains a more sublime system of moral values than Buddhism. But if we wish this to become known to Buddhist children, we, adult Buddhists, must take the task upon ourselves.

From page 12:

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND CHILDREN

” Parents should:

1. Restrain their children from vice.

2. Train them in virtue.

3. Have them taught Arts and Sciences.

4. Provide them with suitable wives and husbands (at least valid for the ancient times).

5. Give them an inheritance. “

By Nūr-ud-Dīn ‘Abd-ur-Rahmān Jāmī (1414 – 1492), translated by E.H. Whinfield and Mīrzā Muhammad Kazvīnī and with a new introduction by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.

61 Pages+ full Arabic text | First edition 1906, 2nd edition 1914, reprinted in 1928 & 1978 | Softcover | Theosophical Publishing House, London | ISBN: 722951361.

This work by Nūr-ud-Dīn ‘Abd-ur-Rahmān Jāmī is a reproduction of the 1928 edition published by the Royal Asiatic Society. It contains the full text and English translation as well as a new preface by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Jāmī needs little introduction. He is acknowledged to be one of the greatest poets of the Persian language and ranks alongside Sanā’ī, Attār, Rūmī, and Hāfiz. He was born near Herat in 817/1414, and became a renowned scholar mastering the traditional sciences of mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and theology. He became deeply committed to Sufism, and was an influential member of the Naqshbandiyyah Order. The spiritual instructions he was to receive in the Order from two masters, Sa’d al-Dīn Muhammad Kāshghāri and Khwājah Nasīr al-Dīn Ahrār, were so to transform his very being. that he was able to create several masterpieces of Sufism of which Lawāʼih is a fine example.

In this work he brilliantly describes the doctrines of Ibn ‘Arabī and his school which had such a profound influence on all aspects of Persian life. It is by no means simply a commentary on Ibn ‘Arabī, but as Hossein Nasr points out in his preface, ‘it is the fruit of vision made possible by spiritual discipline and the attainment of sanctity’.

From page 43:

” Mark well this subtle point – each quality

Each action that in substances we see,

On one side is attributed to us,

On one to ‘Truth’, the sole Reality. “

By Fiona C. Odgren.

250 Pages | First published in 2016 | Softcover | Axis Mundi Books, Winchester UK & Washington U.S.A. | ISBN: 9781785353383.

Insights From The Masters is a compilation of The Mahatma Letters, a remarkable correspondence, that took place between two Masters, Koot Humi and Morya, and two influential British men. The Letters are currently held in the British Library, London UK. With this compilation the author has taken what she considers to be the most interesting themes regarding esoteric knowledge presented by the Masters and made their teachings more accessible to the public. The Letters contain answers on subjects relating to Birth and Death, truth on Afterlife and Reincarnation, Occult Science and Phenomena, Karma and Dharma etc. and all while portraying the unconditional love and humour of these advanced Souls.

From the Foreword (p. 3):

” Morya was Blavatsky’s personal spiritual Teacher, whom she had met numerous times in her life. He had saved her life on more than one occasion and she recalled having visions of him as a child. She came to actually meet him for the first time in London, in 1851, when he was part of an entourage invited to have an audience with Queen Victoria. He was a Rajput prince by birth and was described once by Blavatsky as being ‘one of the old warrior race of the Indian desert’. He was exceptionally tall (six feet, eight inches) and splendidly built – a superb type of manly beauty. K.H. sometimes referred to him as ‘my bulky brother’. Morya also usually signed his name with his initial. He was not highly proficient in the English language and spoke of himself as ‘using words and phrases lying idly in my friend’s brain’, meaning of course the brain of Koot Humi. “

By James S. Perkins (1899 – 1991).

124 Pages | Copyright 1961, second Quest printing 1982 |  Softcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, U.S.A. | ISBN: 0835604519.

What will be your situation immediately after you die? Does your consciousness continue? Or, is immortality a myth? In this book, James Perkins answers these and other questions concerning the pilgrimage of the Soul through the cycles of death and rebirth. Reïncarnation is a subject of intimate personal concern to every individual. To the average person, seeking an answer to discouragement and a possible sense of failure, this concept brings an awareness that no failure is final, that there is endless opportunity to become what one aspires to be. Perkins presents his thoughts on ‘many lifetimes’ in a new and unique manner using his finely tuned artistic and literary talents.

From page 123:

” The ancient and noble path of reïncarnation, of the spiraling growth of the Soul, level by radiant level, toward some far-off, perfect Day-that-is-to-be, has a beauty of design, a grandeur of proportion, that appeals to the highest intuïtion and reason of man. Who embraces its philosophy is thereby freed from the burden of unknowing that blinds mankind to greater service. His heart at peace, he is able to awaken perception that sets him upon the path to liberation. With dauntless patience and undisturbed conviction, he can begin to evoke even now atmospheres of harmony, by absorbing within himself the conflicts and dissensions of daily life, the embattled elements that surround everyone, recreating these with his vision of the Truth and Beauty that dwell at the heart of all things. Joyously, then, as an Immortal He unites himself with Those who labor to lift life. “

By Arthur Edward Powell (1882 – 1969).

156 Pages | First published in 1925, 1969, 1979, second edition, first reprint 2015 | Hardcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170595632.

This classic tekst has long been used as a resource book by students and scholars of astral phenomena. It’s subject is the subtle body, which all human beings possess, physical in nature but invisible to ordinary eyes. Of interest to healers, body workers, and all students of esoteric lore, Powell’s discussion of the anatomy of the subtle body, its energy centres and functions, is perceptive and comprehensive.  The others in the series are: The Mental Body, The Astral Body and Other Astral Phenomena, The Causal Body and the Ego and The Solar System.

From Chapter I – ‘General Description’ (p.3):

” It is important to notice, that the dense body and the Etheric Double vary together as to their quality; hence one who sets himself deliberately to purify his dense body, at the same time automatically refines its etheric counterpart. Into the composition of the Etheric Double must enter something of all the different grades of etheric matter, but the proportions may vary greatly, and are determined by several factors, such as the race, sub-race, and type of man, as well as by his individual karma. “

Door Gottfried de Purucker (1874 – 1942).

241 Pagina’s | Tweede en herziene druk 2011 | Hardcover | Theosophical University Press, Den Haag | ISBN: 9789070328955.

Engels origineel: Occult Glossary – A Compendium of Oriental and Theosophical Terms | Eerste editie 1933, tweede en herziene druk 1996 | Theosophical University Press, Pasadena, California | ISBN: 1557000506.

Moderne theosofische literatuur kent ongelooflijk veel termen en concepten afkomstig uit de heilige boeken van de Oudheid. De meeste worden niet vermeld in moderne woordenboeken. Weer andere boeken benaderen deze termen vanuit zo’n grote reikwijdte aan betekenissen, waardoor eenvoudige toepassing en doorgronding van deze termen in gevaar lijkt te komen. Zoals de term ‘occult’ zelf ‘obscuur’ betekent – (bijv. zoals een ster kan worden verduisterd door een maan of planeet), zo kan worden geopperd, dat de filosofische diepgang van deze termen wordt versluierd door lagen van populaire connotaties. Een bondige en betrouwbare gids is nodig om deze gespecialiseerde terminologie te ont’dekken en begrijpelijk te maken. De Occulte Woordentolk speelt in op deze behoefte. Het definieert 300 veelvuldig gebruikte (Sanskriet) termen binnen de metafysica en dient tegelijkertijd als een introductie in de theosofie.

Afkomstig van het schutblad uit het Engels origineel:

“Authentiek occultisme, gescheiden van ethiek, is eenvoudigerwijs ondenkbaar, omdat het onmogelijk is. Er bestaat geen authentiek occultisme, dat geen hoogstaande ethiek insluit begrijpelijk (genoeg) voor het morele verstand der mensheid. Occultisme betekent het bestuderen van de verborgen aspecten van ‘Zijnswording’, de wetenschap van het leven of de universele natuur. (Het) omvat niet alleen fysieke, psychologische en spirituele delen van menszijn, maar ook heeft het een gelijkwaardig en wellicht grotere omvang binnen die studies, die zich concentreren op de structuur, werking en oorsprong en lotsbestemming van het universum. “

Door 5 bekende auteurs binnen de Theosofie.

573 Pagina’s | De Lotusreeks II is gepubliceerd in 2013 | Softcover | Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging Nederland | ISBN: 9789061750956.

De 5 boeken van de Lotusreeks II zijn nu samengebundeld te bestellen voor maar €12,50! Ieder boek is evenzo los verkrijgbaar in onze Webshop.

De Lotusreeks II bestaat uit 5 titels:

1. Verborgen Krachten in de Natuur en in de Mens – Geoffrey Hodson.
2. De Diepere Zin van het Leven – Śrī Ram.
3. Speurtocht naar het Zelf – Eunice & Felix Layton.
4. Theosofie en de Yoga-aphorismen van Patañjali – Geoffrey C.E. Williams.
5. De Yoga-aphorismen van Patañjali – Manilal Nabhubhai Dvivedi.
   

1. Verborgen Krachten in de Natuur en in de Mens – Geoffrey Hodson.

Dit werk is het resultaat van 6 voordrachten, waarin Hodson het gehele overzicht van het universeel scheppingsproces heeft samengebracht. Lees over de ‘Logos’ ofwel Bijbelse ‘God’ als emanatie uit het Absolute, over de ontwikkeling van zonnestelsels uit hun goddelijke oorsprong en maak kennis met een diepere visie omtrent de plaats van de mens in de schepping.

2. De Diepere Zin van het Leven – Śrī Ram.

Śrī Ram geeft een serie toespraken over uiteenlopende kwesties: leven, dood en onsterfelijkheid, de werking van het denkvermogen, de mens als een bewustzijnsverschijnsel, slaap en dood als tweelingbroers, vernieuwing van binnenuit, ontwaken tot het besef van ‘waarheid’, het ware, het goede en het schone en de betekenis van het ‘Nu’.

3. Speurtocht naar het Zelf – Eunice & Felix Layton.

Vier toespraken zijn samengebracht in dit werk door de Laytons. De titels zijn: 1. Een goddelijk plan in een chaotische wereld, 2. Ken uw ware Zelf, 3. Reincarnatie en 4. Heerst er gerechtigheid in de wereld? De mensheid verkeert niet alleen precies in die omstandigheden, die zij zelf heeft geschapen. De mensheid verkeert tegelijk in optimale gelegenheid om die geestelijke vermogens te ontwikkelen, waaraan zij toe is. De werking van de grote ‘Wet’ van rechtvaardigheid is in zoverre een zege.

4. Theosofie en de Yoga-aphorismen van Patañjali – Geoffrey C.E. Williams.

Williams biedt aan de ene kant een inleiding tot de studie van de Theosofie. Aan de andere kant behandelt hij de yoga-aphorismen van de Indiaas wijsgeer Patañjali. De Yoga-Sūtra’s van Patañjali vormen de basistekst van de klassieke yoga, een van de zes filosofische scholen uit het hindoeïsme.

5. De Yoga-aphorismen van Patañjali – Manilal Nabhubhai Dvivedi.

Dvivedi, hoogleraar Sanskriet, geeft een vertaling en commentaar op het ethisch-filosofisch systeem van de Yoga-Sūtra’s van Patañjali. In de uitgebreide inleiding onderzoekt hij de plaats van yoga in de Indiase filosofie. Het werk bevat eveneens een register en index van Sanskriet termen.

By Alan L. Pritz.

261 Pages | First Quest Edition 2014 | Softcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, India | ISBN: 9780835609289.

Meditation as a Way of Life – an informal sequel to Pritz’ Pocket Guide to Meditation – renders acquired knowledge in a down-to-earth way to help people create a lifestyle grounded in spiritual discipline and a meditative practice, that is effective, regardless of religious affiliation and applicable to all faiths. The methods involved and principles governing them are presented through the lens of the author’s perspective, which is based on teachings of the modern spiritual master Paramahansa Yogananda.

For those unfamiliair with meditation, it is not, as some expressions would depict it, a method to enhance health, boost creativity or reduce stress. Those may be by-product of meditation, but they are not what meditation is about. Meditation is founded on a worldview that ascribes to life a profound spiritual purpose and chronicles the Soul’s descent from Spirit into embodiment and its ultimate goal of reuniting with the Divine.

From Chapter 12 – ‘Meditation – Absorption in Spirit’: (p. 202):

” Before the earth in space was spun
Beneath the heaven’s feet,
There was a mighty spirit, One,
Calm, wondrous, complete!

Changeless, yet moving; from its womb
All things came into birth;
This is the mystic bride and groom,
Maker of heaven and earth.

Something there is, whose veiled creation was
Before the earth or sky began to be;
So silent, so aloof, and so alone.

It changes not, nor fails, but touches all:
Conceive it as the Mother of the world.
I do not know its name;
A name for its is ‘Way’:

The Way begot one,
and the one, two,
and the two begot three
And three, all else . . . “

• A compilation of Taoist passages.

Door Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986), vertaald door Hans van der Kroft, Thecla de Waal en Anneke Korndörffer.

367 Pagina’s | Eerste druk 1981, 2de uitgebreide druk 2004, 3de herziene druk 2018 | Softcover | Synthese, een imprint van Milinda Uitgevers B.V. | ISBN: 9789062711499.

Engels origineel: Krishnamurti’s Notebook | Copyright 1976, 2003 (full text edition) | Krishnamurti Foundation Trust, Ltd., Hampshire, England | ISBN: 9781888004632.

Krishnamurti’s Notebook is geen gewoon dagboek, maar een verzameling persoonlijke notities, die Krishnamurti maakte vanaf 18 juni 1961 tot 23 januari 1962, tijdens zijn reizen en zijn verblijf in Amerika, Engeland, Frankrijk, Zwitserland, Italie en India. Op 323 met de hand geschreven en door hemzelf genummerde pagina’s beschrijft hij in dichterlijk proza de beweging van de wolken, de wind, de bomen, het licht, de vogels en de extatische eenheidsbeleving, die hij in deze natuurverschijnselen ervaart. Meditatie, kun je volgens Krishnamurti niet methodisch opwekken, maar is een explosie van ‘gewaar-zijn’ op het moment, waarop je denken stil is en je de feiten ziet zonder ze te willen veranderen.

Afkomstig van blz. 21:

” Het heilige heeft geen attributen. Een steen in een tempel, een beeld in een kerk, een symbool – ze zijn niet heilig. De mens noemt ze heilig, iets dat gewijd is om te worden aanbeden uit gecompliceerde driften, angsten en verlangens. Die ‘heiligheid’ ligt nog in het vlak van het denken; ze is door het denken opgebouwd en in het denken ligt niets nieuws of heiligs. “

Door Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986), vertaald door May Verheyen.

175 Pagina’s | Copyright 1954, Nederlandse vertaling 2014 | Softcover | BBNC Uitgevers, Amersfoort | ISBN: 9789045316895.

Engels origineel: On Truth | Published in 1954 | Krishnamurti Foundation of America | ISBN: 978-0062510129.

‘ Religie betekent het onverschrokken verkennen, sceptisch bevragen en onderzoeken wat waarheid is. Dat is religie.  – Ojai, 2 mei 1981. ‘

Waarheid is een Land zonder Wegen daagt de lezer uit tot zelfonderzoek en dialoog. Waarom zouden we ons druk maken om wegen, om waarheid om wat anderen zeggen, vraagt Krishnamurti ons in een van de vele diepgaande gesprekken, die dit boek rijk is. Waarom maak je het niet voor jezelf uit? En hoe doe je dat?

Zien wat er feitelijk is, wat zich op dit moment voordoet, is het enige waar het op aankomt, volgens Krishnamurti. Of het nu gaat over economische, sociale, religieuze, politieke of psychische vraagstukken, ontdek wat is – en vergeet wat zou moeten zijn. Ons grote struikelblok is het verlangen naar veiligheid, naar iets wat volmaakt bevredigend is en beklijft. En als er geen veiligheid blijkt te bestaan, houden we onszelf voor dat we op weg zijn naar de waarheid, Terwijl waarheid, zo oppert Krishnamurti, misschien eerder is als in een boot zitten zonder roeispaan – we ontdekken, bewegen, leren, blijven gaande.

Uit: ‘Bombay 12 maart 1950’ (blz. 35):

” Waarheid vind je niet door boeken, vrome toewijding of zelfopoffering: waarheid leer je kennen wanneer de geest vrij en kalm is. En die vrijheid, die kalmte van de geest komt alleen wanneer de feiten van zijn relaties begrepen worden. Zonder dat begrip leidt wat de geest ook doet, alleen maar tot meer problemen. Maar een geest, die vrij is van al zijn projecties kent een staat van kalmte, waarin alle problemen zijn verdwenen, en alleen dan wordt het tijdloze, het eeuwige geboren. Waarheid is dan niet langer een kwestie van kennis, niet iets wat je je moet herinneren of wat je moet herhalen, niet iets om te laten drukken en in het buitenland te verspreiden. Waarheid is dat wat ‘is’. Waarheid heeft geen naam en daarom heeft de geest er geen toegang. “

Door Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986), vertaald door Henri W. Methorst en A.J.G. Methorst-Kuiper.

221 Pagina’s | Eerste druk 1974, tweede druk 2015 | Synthese, een imprint van Milinda Uitgevers B.V. | ISBN: 9788187326366.

Engels origineel: The Flight of the Eagle | Published in 1972, 2005 edition | Krishnamurti Foundation, London, England | ISBN: 9781596750012.

‘ De adelaar laat in zijn vlucht geen spoor na; de man van de wetenschap wel. Als we het probleem van de vrijheid onderzoeken, hebben we niet alleen de wetenschappelijke benadering nodig, maar ook de vlucht van de adelaar, die geen spoor achterlaat! ‘

In De Adelaar in zijn Vlucht zijn twaalf toespraken samengebracht, die Krishnamurti in 1969 hield in London, Amsterdam, Parijs en Saanen. Als een adelaar scheert hij van de ene Europese hoofdstad naar de andere en overal vertolkt hij de kern van zijn boodschap: de oplossing van het menselijke problemen als angst, geweld en verdeeldheid ligt in het begrijpen van het probleem. Het antwoord ligt niet buiten de vraag, maar ligt in de vraag zelf besloten. We zijn echter zo gericht op het vinden van antwoorden, dat we ons geen nauwkeurig beeld kunnen vormen van het probleem, waardoor we een echte oplossing zelf in de weg zitten.

Velen beschouwen de adelaar in zijn vlucht als een van de belangrijkste publicaties van Krishnamurti. Het behandelt essentiële thema’s als vrijheid, verandering, geweld, vrede en de openheid voor het onbekende.

Afkomstig uit Hoofdstuk 1 – ‘Vrijheid; Denken, Genot en Leed’ (blz. 12):

” Wat is angst? (Neem vooral, als ik die suggestie mag geven, niet zomaar aan wat de spreker zegt, hij heeft geen enkel gezag, hij is geen leraar, geen goeroe. Want als hij een leraar was, waren jullie zijn volgelingen en als jullie zijn volgelingen waren, richtten jullie jezelf zowel als de leraar te gronde). We proberen erachter te komen wat de waarheid is in dit probleem van de angst en dat wel zo volledig, dat de geest nooit meer angstig zal zijn en daardoor innerlijk, psychisch, vrij is van al het afhankelijk zijn van een ander. Het mooie van vrij zijn is dat je geen spoor achterlaat. “

By Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986), vertaald door Hans van der Kroft.

174 Pages | Eerste druk 2015 | Synthese, een imprint van Milinda Uitgevers B.V. | ISBN: 9789062711185.

Engels origineel: As One is: To Free the Mind of All Conditioning | 2007 edition | Krishnamurti Foundation Trust Ltd., Hampshire, England | ISBN: 9781890772628.

‘Als je wilt ontdekken wat waarheid is, moet je volkomen vrij zijn van alle religies, van alle conditioneringen, van alle dogma’s, van alle vormen van geloof, van iedere vorm van gezag dat erop gericht is dat je je aanpast, wat in wezen betekent dat je totaal alleen staat en dat is heel moeilijk . . . ‘

Met Leven zonder Gisteren of Morgen verschijnen voor het eerst in het Nederlands acht toespraken, die Krishnamurti hield in 1955 in Ojai, Californië. In het eerste decennium na de Tweede Wereldoorlog spreekt hij wereldwijd voor een zeer geïnteresseerd publiek dat – geraakt door de stoffelijke en geestelijke verwoestingen van de oorlog en gericht op een nieuwe toekomst – openstaat voor frisse ideeën en nieuwe idealen, die helpen die toekomst vorm te geven.

Onder het loof van de altijdgroene eikenbomen in Ojai, bespreekt Krishnamurti uiteenlopende thema’s: de betekenis van dromen, toenemende jeugdcriminaliteit, het leven na de dood, opvoeding enz.; heel concrete onderwerpen waar men niet alleen toen, maar ook nu nog steeds mee worstelt. In de roes van de wederopbouw klinkt echter ook zijn kritische stem: progressie op het gebied van de productiviteit, wetenschap en techniek betekent niet automatisch vooruitgang in de richting van innerlijke vrijheid. Alleen wie scherp de eigen conditioneringen onderzoekt, is in staat zich aan de tredmolen van illusies te onttrekken en in vrijheid te leven.

Afkomstig van blz. 154:

” Vrij zijn van de samenleving betekent niet ambitieus zijn, niet hebzuchtig, niet prestatiegericht, het houdt in dat je niets bent in betrekking tot die samenleving, die ernaar streeft iets te zijn. Maar zie je, het is heel moeilijk dat te accepteren, want je kunt onder de voet gelopen worden, je kunt aan de kant gezet worden, je zult niets hebben. In dat niets heerst geestelijke gezondheid, niet in dat andere . . . Zolang je deel wilt uitmaken van deze samenleving, ben je onvermijdelijk medeoorzaak van waanzin, oorlogen, vernietiging en ellende, maar om je te kunnen bevrijden van deze samenleving – de samenleving van het geweld, van de rijkdom, van een goede positie, van het succes – heb je geduld nodig, moet je op onderzoek gaan, moet je ontdekkingen doen, geen boeken lezen, niet achter leraren, psychologen, enzovoort aan gaan. “

By Rabbi Leah Novick.

210 Pages | First Quest Edition 2008 | Softcover | Quest Books U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835608619.

Denied and suppressed for thousands of years, the Divine Feminine returns at a time when the breakdown of traditional belief leaves us desperate for love, for security, for protection, for wisdom, for meaning. It leaves us yearning for a nurturing and cultivation of our whole being, that we might be adequate stewards of the coming planetary civilization.

Luminous and astute, this invaluable resource follows the journey of the Shekhinah through Jewish Scripture, Midrash, and Kabbalah, concluding with her rise among Jewish feminists, who understand that the Feminine Face of God is necessary to the health both of soul and world. Author Rabbi Novick also offers profound visualizations to help us connect personally with the Shekhinah. At the heart of the Mystery, we discover Shekhinah as our hope, our beckoning evolutionairy vision, and our point of contact with the spiritual genius, that resides within each of us.

From Chapter 11 – ‘Contemporary Jewish Feminism and the Return of Shekhinah (p. 129):

” If we could take flight on the wings of Shekhinah, here is what we might see. Flying over the majority of synagogues of North America, we would see women rabbis and cantors lead prayers. We would notice that they, and some women in their congregations, are wearing ‘tallitot’ (prayer shawls) and ‘kippot’ (skullcaps), although more likely in colors and designs, that reflect the feminine. We would see women and girls standing on the ‘bimah’ (pulpit) reading from the Torah, as part of Shabbat services or bat mitzvah ceremonies in Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and Renewal congregations. 

We would hear women teachers of Thorah, brilliant exegetes explaining holy texts, embodying what it means to be part of the generations of sages. We would encounter female trustees on synagogue boards and serving as presidents of congregations. Refreshments for the ‘oneg’ (socials after services) might be provided by men or families as opposed to the all-female cooking, baking, and hospitality roles of the past. In effect, the presence of women in leadership of Jewish communal life suggests, that our access to Shekhinah formerly connected with spiritual teachings and literature, has become apparent through women and girls calling the Divine Feminine back to earth. Perhaps this trend can be regarded as an extension of the teachings of the great Chasidic master Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezeritch, who urged his followers to pray for the return of Shekhinah to our planet. “

By Wallace Slater.

105 Pages | First edition 1968, reprinted in 1972 | Hardcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, London | No ISBN.

NB: This is an older edition, the most recent 2006 edition can be purchased in our Webshop here.

Of all forms of yoga, which are taught and practised in the East, Rāja Yoga is considered the kingly science; it aims at the development of man’s full potential and the expression of his inner spiritual ‘Self’. In this small volume, the author offers the basic technique of this ancient classic system of yoga in a graded practical ‘do-it-yourself” course divided into 10 lessons.

The instructions include posture, right attitudes and, most importantly, methods of meditation. This simplified course will be of inestimable value in aiding the student to find a means of inner quiet amidst the rush and turmoil of a busy life, to discover new insights and to realize himself as an integrated human being.

From the Introduction (p. 1):

” The term ‘yoga’ is now generally applied to many forms of asceticism, meditation and spiritual training whether practised by Hindus, Buddhists or Christians. It is, however, primarily an ancient Indian form of discipline, which has been modified by later Indian writers, adopted by Buddhists and practised in the West in many different forms by people professing the Christian faith or none. It is therefore to India, that we look for the original source material.

Yoga, derived from ‘yuj’, implies, ‘ to bind together’, ‘to yoke’, and, in this sense, its practice is to unite the individual spirit of man with the greater Spirit of God (Īśvara), or with the Oversoul of humanity. But first, there must be an unbinding, a separation of the external from the internal, of the ‘profane world’ from the spirit. This is achieved by various yoga practices, which aim to withdraw consciousness from the periphery to the centre, from the material world of our outward senses to a calm, inner centre of reality, variously called Spirit, truth, Wisdom, the ‘Self’, ātman. “

By Huston Smith (1919- 2016).

295 Pages | First Quest Edition 1984, 2nd edition 1989, 3rd printing 1992, 3rd edition 2003 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 0835608301.

NB: This is the latest and third edition: the second, hence cheaper edition of this book can be purchased in our Webshop here.

This study was first published in 1982 and is considered a classic in its disciplined analysis of contemporary reductionist philosophy. It explores the limits of science and points society’s way out of the dark woods where science has stranded us. Smith uses the term ‘modern’ mind to denote the so-called Enlightenment outlook of Newtonian physics and rationalism, which cut the ground from under the religious foundations of Western life. In the ‘post-modern’ age of the late nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, people lost their humanistic confidence.

Although science may have won a battle ove religion, it has in the process undermined its own empirical foundation: and having destroyed confidence in intuitive revelation, the mind is (as H.G. Wells once suggested) ‘at the end of its tether’. Despite the ravages of analytical philosophy and existentialism, Smith feels there is a fundamental view of reality, that flourishes throughout the world under various disguises. The uneasy post-modern mind, Smith says, awaits discernment of a new metaphysics.

From Chapter 3 – ‘Perennial Philosophy, Primordial Philosophy’ (p. 64):

” A life, that identifies primarily with its physical pleasures and needs (getting and spending we lay waste our days) is superficial;

one that advances its attention to the mind can be interesting if it moves on to the heart (synonym for soul), it can be good.

And if it passes on to spirit – that saving self-forgetfulness and egalitarianism in which one’s personal interests loom no larger than those of others – it would be perfect. “

By Edward Tick, Ph.D.

329 Pages | First Quest Edition 2005 | Softcover | Quest Books U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835608312.

Post-traumatic stress disorder increasingly afflicts veterans of modern warfare. The New England Journal of Medicine (July 2005) reports, that it affects almost 20% of soldiers returning from Iraq. Tragically, PTSD impacts all aspects of life. Some vets can’t hold jobs or sustain relationships. Others have recurrent nightmares or won’t leave home, fearing they may attack ‘the enemy’ seen in the faces of those they meet.

To begin healing, says Edward Tick, we must see PTSD as a disorder of identity itself. War’s violence can cause the very Soul to flee and be lost for life. Drawing on history, mythology, and thirty years of experience, Dr. Tick reveals the universal dimensions of veteran’s Soul wounding. He uses methods from ancient Greek, Native American, Vietnamese, and other traditions to restore the Soul so that the veteran can, at last, truly return home. His work is invaluable for veterans of any war as well as for their families and all, who would help them.

From the Conclusion (p. 286):

” Our goal is not just to awaken the Soul; that is what childhood, religious and secular education is meant to do. Rather, our goal is to ‘grow’ the Soul large enough, to help it become wise and strong enough, so that it can surround the dominating wound we call trauma. When we do this, PTSD can evaporate and we can have people like Mr. Tiger, devoted to the peaceful cultivation of the earth and to international friendship and reconciliation. The formula for the war-wounded Soul is simple: surround trauma with Soul. Its application may be the most difficult and important work we ever undertake. ” 

By Arthur Avalon, also known as Sir John George Woodroffe (1865–1936):

500 Pages | First published by Luzac & Co in 1918, this fascimile edition has been carefully scanned and reprinted in the traditional manner | Softcover | The Lost Library, Glastonbury | ISBN: 9781906621230.

The Serpent Power comprises translations and commentary on two ancient Sanskrit texts:

1. De ṣaṭ-cakra nirūpaṇa (Description of and Investigation into the Six Bodily Centres).
2. De pādukā-pañcaka (Fivefold Footstool of the Guru).

In addition to practical yoga instruction, Avalon gives a detailed explanation of the chakra system and writes with such clarity and elegance on the often misunderstood topics of meditation and mantra.

From Chapter 1: ‘The Six Centres and the Serpent Power’ (p. 2):

” This (kuṇḍalinī) Yoga is effected by a process technically known as ṣaṭ-cakra-bheda, or piercing of the Six Centres (cakra) or Lotuses (padma) of the body (which the work describes) by the agency of kuṇḍalinī-śakti, which, in order to give it an English name, I have here called the Serpent Power. Kuṇḍala means coiled. The Power is the Goddess (devī) Kuṇḍalinī, or that which is coiled; for Her form is that of a coiled and sleeping serpent in the lowest bodily centre, at the base of the spinal column, until by the means described She is aroused in that Yoga, which is named after Her. Kuṇḍalinī is the Divine Cosmic Energy in bodies. “

By Annie Besant (1847 – 1933).

338 Pages | First published by The Theosophical Society in 1897, this fascimile edition has been carefully scanned and reprinted in the traditional manner | Softcover | The Lost Library, Glastonbury | ISBN: 9781906621346.

Annie Besant’s classic introduction to Theosophy.

In the present Volume, an attempt will be made to place Theosophy before the reader simply and clearly, in a way which shall convey its general principles and truths as forming a coherent conception of the universe, and shall give such detail as it is necessary for the understanding of their relations to each other.

From the Introduction:

” Right thought is necessary to right conduct, right understanding to right living and the Divine Wisdom – whether called by its Sanskrit name of Brahmā Vidyā, or its modern Greek name of Theosophia, Theosophy – comes to ther world as at once an adequate philosophy and an all embracing religion and ethic. “ – Annie Besant.

By Walter Yeeling Evans-Wentz (1878 – 1965).

524 Pages | First published by Henry Frowde in 1911, this fascimile edition has been carefully scanned and reprinted in the traditional manner | Softcover | The Lost Library, Glastonbury | ISBN: 9781906621100.

The most scholarly work on fairies ever published.

This rare book contain priceless ethnographic fieldwork and provides an invaluable snapshot of the fairy belief system taken at the cusp of modernity. There are regional surveys of fairy faith in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany and the Isle of Man.

Examining each of the hypothetical explanations of the fairy phenomena in turn, including theories of fairies as reclusive dwarfs, disembodied spirits or figments of human imagination, the author concludes that they may indeed be a manifestation of inhabitants of a higher reality that only some people are able to view, let alone understand.

From Section I – The Living Fairy-Faith (B):

“ In the Beauty of the World lies the ultimate redemption of our mortality. When we shall become at one with Nature in a sense profounder even than the poetic imaginings of most of us, we shall understand what we now fail to discern. ” – Fiona MacLeod.

By Geoffrey Hodson (1886 – 1983).

408 Pages | First edition 1967, 2nd & revised edition 1972, reprinted in 1986 | Hardcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 0835607054.

The Holy Bible belongs to a special category of literature. Mystics, Kabbalists, and students of sacred texts regard the Scriptures as allegorical, constructed of symbols, analogies, and parables, woven into a tapestry of meaning that holds the age-old truths of existence.

From ‘The Hidden Wisdom and why It is concealed’ (p. ix):

” The greatest degree of power, which occult science can bestow is to be derived from knowledge of the unity and interaction between the Macrocosm and the Microcosm, the Universe and Man. ‘The mystery of the earthly and mortal man is after the mystery of the supernal and immortal One’, wrote Éliphas Lévi (1810 – 1875), Lao Tzu (6th century BC) also expresses this truth in his words: ‘The Universe is a man on a larger scale’. “

The late Geoffrey Hodson is the author of The Brotherhood of Angels and Men and Clairvoyant Investigations.

By Iqbal Kishen Taimni (1898–1978).

148 Pages | Published and revised in 1991, second edition 2016 | Softcover | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170595885.

The members of the Theosophical Society are spread throughout the world. In order to organize the Society’s work efficiently, it is imperative that the members have a clear understanding of its aims and the general principles, that should guide them in planning and execution of their work.

This book fulfils this requirement admirably, by listening the activities and their objectives in great detail, and suggesting ways and means of achieving them in an efficient manner. It lays down the qualifications and preparation of a Theosophical worker. It lists the different kinds of work at the National Section level, the Theosophical training centre level and Lodge level, and how each of these need to be organized.

From Chapter 1 – ‘The Divine Plan and the Theosophical Society’ (p. 5 & 6):

” This (Theosophical) Movement has at least three well-defined, though unspecified functions in the present times. These may be stated as follows:

1. To give to humanity certain deeper truths of life, which are needed for taking the next step in human evolution.
2. To instil certain universal guiding principles like Brotherhood into the minds of people in general, so that it may become possible to usher in a better world order.
3. To provide agents in the outer world, who understand the Plan in a general way and can thus consciously cooperate with the Elder Brethren in the work, which they are doing for the betterment of the human race.

It has thus be seen that the founding of the Theosophical Society is part of a definite move to lift a corner of the veil, which has hidden so far from humanity life’s deeper mysteries and those, who hold the keys to these mysteries. “

By Maria Montessori (1870 – 1952).

20 Pages | Reprinted from The Theosophist 1941, 10th reprint 1986 | Booklet | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 8170590302.

We all know that the age of development is the most important period of the whole life. Moral malnutrition and intoxication of the spirit are as fatal for the Soul of man as physical malnutrition is for the health of his or her body. Therefore, child-education is the most important problem of humanity.

From page 18:

” Certainly here is the key to all pedagogy: to know how to recognize the precious instinct of concentration in order to make use of it in the teaching of reading, writing and counting and, later on, of grammar, arithmetic, foreign languages, science, etc. After all, every psychologist is of the opinion that there is only one way of teaching, that of arousing in the student the deepest interest and at the same time, a constant and vivacious attention. So the whole thing resolves itself in this, to make use of those intimate and hidden forces of the child for his or her education. “

By Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986).

116 Pages | Second edition, second reprint 2010 | Hardcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170594826.

” The office of the teacher is the most sacred and the most important to the nation, because it builds the characters of boys and girls, who will be its future citizens. “

So declared the world-renowned spiritual Teacher, J. Krishnamurti, when at the age of seventeen he wrote this book. In his previous valuable little work At the Feet of the Master, written when he was fourteen, he made available to the world the instructions he received from his Master on the four Qualifications for the spiritual path – Love, Discrimination, Desirelessness and Good Conduct. Here, the author shows how they can be applied to the life of the teacher and the student, and be of universal benefit.

From page 113:

” You must trust yourself. You say you know yourself too well. If you feel so, you do not know yourself; you know only the weak outer husk, which has fallen often into the mire. But you – the real you – you are a spark of God’s own fire, and God, who is almighty, is in you, and because of that there is nothing that you cannot do if you will “

By Sir Edwin Lester Arnold (1832 – 1904), introduction by Alan Jacobs.

188 Pages | First published in 1885 as The Celestial Song, this is the 2006 edition | Hardcover | Watkins Publishing, London |  ISBN: 9781842931240.

” There lives a Master in the hearts of Men, maketh their deeds, by subtle pulling-strings, dance to what tune He will. With all thy Soul Trust Him, and take Him for thy succour, Prince! “

The Bhagavad Gita, or Song Celestial, is the sacred testament central to Hinduism, the most ancient of the great world religions. Brahman is the Absolute Supreme Reality underlying all forms. Human beings accumulate Karma as a result of their actions in innumerable incarnations, until they obtain liberation through the practices of devotion and knowledge. The Bhagavad Gita, as the essential gospel of Hinduism, explains mankind’s predicament and points the way to freedom.

This poetic gospel is attributed to the Divine Messenger, Lord Krishna, who on the battlefield gives the warrior-prince, Arjuna, detailed and profound spiritual guidance. Arjuna is perplexed by his involvement in a war and Lord Krishna unveils inspiring philosophical wisdom leading to the solution of Arjuna’s problem and his self-realization.

Text in Devanāgarī and translation by Mohini Mohun Chatterji (1858 – 1936).

228 Pages | First edition 1932, 2nd to 5th reprints 1947 – 1983, 6th reprint 1995, 7th reprint 1999 | Hardcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar |  ISBN: 8170592526.

The English translation appeared for the first time in Vols. VII (1885 – 18886 and IX (1887 – 1888) of The Theosophist.

Vivekachudamani literally means ‘crest jewel of wisdom’. It is an important work of Śrī Samkarācārya, one of the greatest sages of Ancient India. Endowed with lofty and sharp intellect, he wrote many incisive commentaries on great standard works of Hindu philosophy. But they are beyond the reach of those, who have not attained a high proficiency in Sanskrit and other collateral philosophical disciplines. Here in Vivekachudamani he distils the quintessence of what he taught, that is, the non-dual or Vedanta or Advaita Vedanta in easy Sanskrit verses, whose sublimity of content is matched only by their lyrical beauty. Each verse is presented here with a free-running English translation.

By Danielle Audoin (1926 – 1917).

118 Pages | Adyar Editions – first edition, first reprint 2005 | Softcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 8170592755.

Dutch translation: Een Benadering van Theosofie | Published in 1990 | Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland | ISBN: 9789061750628.

French original: Connais-toi Toi-même – A la lumière de la Théosophie (latest edition 2004) | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar.

Theosophical literature covers a vast field and throws light on age-old questions concerning the human being, the universe, and the Divine ground of existence. In this book, Madame Audoin presents the human being, who exists at different levels of consciousness, from a Theosophical point of view. Step by step she shows there is possiblity of unlimited unfoldment of consciousness, beginning with the first steps on the road to self-knowledge.

This is a clearly presented introduction to an important aspect of the Ageless Wisdom, highlighting its fundamental teachings about the human journey to Ultimate Reality.

From Chapter 3 – ‘The Physical Body’ (p. 35):

” We know that everything is vibration. Purifying and refining our physical body means making it capable of responding to finer and finer vibrations and at the same time incapable of reacting to the coarser vibrations, not only physical but also astral and mental. We can thus gradually transform our physical body. We know our cells are renewed every seven years and thus, if we change our diet, we can change the vibratory capacity of the physical body. “

By Ronald Decker. 330 Pages | First Quest edition 2013 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835609081.

From the Introduction:

No explanation is known to have accompanied the Original Tarot. This book presents an interpretation, that will surprise most Tarotists (those, who are esoterists) and most academics (those, who are critics of the esoterists). My theory covers the evolution of the Tarot, the connotations of its symbols, the symbol’s sources, and their transmission to the proper places at the proper times. In truly ancient references, I have found forgotten patterns, that are definitely congruent with the Tarot. I will treat not merely isolated motifs, but symbolic systems. I hope to establish the meanings of the Tarot as it was understood by its inventor(s). Granted, my arguments require deductions and interferences. This is currently necessary, because of the scarcity of hard evidence. I welcome improvements to my theory. It offers many points from which further research can proceed. The following definition is typical of standard dictionairies: Tarot (TAR-o, ta-RO) noun [French < Middle French < Old Italian tarocco (plural: tarocchi)] a set of cards depicting certain allegories and providing a deck for oracles and games.

From Chapter 1 – ‘Thoth, Hermes and Hieroglyphs’ (p.28):

” The title Trismegistus (thrice greatest) presumably derived from the Egyptian practice of addressing the Gods as ‘great’, ‘twice-great’, etc. Hermes Trismegistus could still be considered a God, but if so, he was supposed to have begun as a man, one who attained enlightenment and ascended as divinity. More often, he was regarded as a sage, presumed to have lived in remote antiquity and to have inherited the wisdom of Thoth. Some authors tried to simplify the Hermetic traditions by creating a genealogy: Thoth was the father of Agathodemon, who was the father of Hermes Trismegistus, who was the father of Tat. ‘Tat’ is a variation of ‘Tot’, a variation of Thoth. “

By Thom F. Cavalli, Ph.D.

275 Pages | First Question edition 2010 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 9780835608800.

A ground-breaking integration of Jungian Psychology, Alchemy and Egyptian Mythology.

The myth of Osiris, dying and resurrecting Egyptian God of vegetation, marks a change that describes the earliest beginnings of the modern psyche. In excavating the myth. Jungian psychologist Thom Cavalli uses alchemy to transmute hidden secrets into sacred knowledge. Here for the first time is an alchemical interpretation of this timeless myth as a guide to spiritual transformation. Osiris’s rebirth symbolizes what alchemists have always seen as the creative power we all have for self-renewal. Cavalli shows us how to access this archetypical God in the quest to integrate body and Soul. To ‘become’ Osiris is to become whole.

From Chapter 2 – ‘Alchemy, Magic and Osiris’ (p. 67):

” Whether I live or die, I am Osiris

I enter in and reappear through you,

I decay in you. I grow in you.

I fall down in you. I fall upon my side.

The Gods are living for me for I live and grow in the corn

That sustains the Honored Ones.

I cover the earth,

Whether I live or die I am Barley,

I am not destroyed. “

– Mojsov, Osiris (8) (see intro., nr. 4). The quote is from The Coffin Texts.

By Howard Raphael Cushnir.

204 Pages | First Question Edition 2000 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 0835607925.

Take a moment to breathe in with yourself. Are you . . . stressed . . . angry . . . lonely . . . anxious . . . sad?

No matter how difficult life may be, you can still live in a state of radiant bliss – even if you’re alone, sick, failed and broke. Pie-in-the-sky? This down-to-earth book shows us how. Based on universal spiritual principles, the message is profound, but the method couldn’t be more practical. All it takes is a simple two-step process called LIVING THE QUESTIONS, demonstrated here with compelling, real-life examples. This book is not getting about what you want, it is about how you FEEL the way you want by embracing life one precious moment at a time . . . starting right now!

From page 201:

” What is happening right now?

Can I be with it?

Living those questions is saying yes to life, to all of it, and especially to its radiant mystery. That mystery is what brought us both to this moment, and will stay with us for the rest of our days. Because no matter how well we live the questions right now , we never know what happens next. “

By Coulson Turnbull (1864 – xxxx).

341 Pages | Facsimile edition of the original 1913 edition | Kessinger Publications Ltd., Montana, USA | ISBN 1564598284.

A study in planetary and spiritual vibrations, with an account of the involution and evolution of the Soul. 

CONTENTS:

Chapter 1 – Sun in the diferrent Houses
Chapter 2 – The Meaning of the different Degrees
Chapter 3 – Symbolization of Zodiacal Signs
Chapter 4 – How to erect a Horoscope
Chapter 5 – How to read a Nativity
Chapter 6 – How to prognosticate Events
Chapter 7 – Directions
Chapter 8 – Important Aphorisms
Chapter 9 – How to prove the Moment of Birth
Chapter 10 – The Nativity of Jesus, Napoleon I, and H.P. Blavatsky
Chapter 11 – Some astronomical Short-cuts.

APPENDIX TO PART II:

Transits of superior Planets
Houses of New York, London
Examples of Ephemerides
Logarithms.

From page 308:

” In Figure 11 (on page 309), we have the astral portrait of that gifted student of mysticism, Helena P. Blavatsky, who founded the present Theosophical Society on this planet in the nineteenth century. The student will note the 13th degree of Cancer ascending symbolized as follows: – A caduceus between two moons – one crescent, the other gibbous. It denotes a person of extreme capacity in the pursuit of knowledge, a penetrating mind and retentive memory. The native will accomplish wonders in the pursuit of subtle sciences. The temper is changeful like the moon and subject to fits of hope and despondency of more or less rapid alternation. The native is likely to travel much and be subject to many changes, but the chief characteristics are versatility and aptitude in the gaining of knowledge. With the symbol of Hermes dominant in the nature, the native will be either a linguïst, doctor, or distinguished scholar. Hermes or Mercury was strong, being in Virgo. This degree succinctly and clearly defines her life and her excellent though not faultless work. A most noticeable satellitum is the Sun, Mars, Saturn and Mercury, all in the third house, that is mind. “

By Stephan A. Hoeller.

25 Pages | Sunday July 27th, 2003 | Softcover | Theosophical Publishing House, London | No ISBN.

The Blavatsky Lecture delivered at the Summer School of The Theosophical Society in England, the University of Loughborough.

An exploration of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s (1831 – 1891) teachings in the light of the embodiment of the Ancient Wisdom known as Gnosticism. The title of this lecture alludes to three specific topics:

1. The teachings of the foundress and principal teacher of what has been called Modern Theosophy.
2. The earlier embodiment of the Ancient Wisdom Tradition known as Gnosticism.
3. The character of this same Wisdom tradition described here as ‘joyful Gnosis’.

From page 5:

” Gnosticism is the teaching based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Although Gnosticism thus rests on personal religious experience, it is a mistake to assume all such experience results in Gnostic recognitions. It is nearer the truth to say that Gnosticism expresses a specific religious experience, an experience that does not lend itself to the language of theology or philosophy, but which is instead closely affinitized to, and expresses itself through, the medium of myth. Indeed, one finds that most Gnostic scriptures take the forms of myths. The term ‘myth’ should not be taken to mean ‘stories that are not true’, but rather, that the truths embodied in these myths are of a different order from the dogmas of theology or the statements of philosophy. “

By Stephan A. Hoeller.

132 Pages | Copyright 1975, Second Quest Edition 2004 | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. | ISBN: 0835608395.

Including an accompanying CD.

Stephan Hoeller’s handbook for heightening consciousness is unrivaled for its clarity in explaining the ancient mystical Kabbalah in relation to the Tarot’s Major Arcana. On the new enclosed CD, Dr. Hoeller narrates twenty-two meditations to guide the reader easily into a contemplative state.

From Chapter 7 –  ‘The Fools’s Pilgrimage’ (p. 65):

” The human being is a fool. Shakespeare was right when he said: ‘What fools we mortals be!’ The first card of the greater Arcana, the Fool, pictures man as a carefree youth, striding gaily forth in such a position, that his next step may send him over the edge of the cliff. As noted in connection with the Eleventh Path, we are this fool ourselves, divine and immortal souls ready to descend into manifest existence. It is also we, ourselves, having descended from Kether to Malkuth, now ascending from earth to the heavens. Of all the Arcana, the fool manifests the greatest freedom. “

By Dora van Gelder (1904 – 1999), also known as Dora Kunz

New foreword by Celtic folklore Expert Caitlin Matthews

180 Pages | 1999 second edition | Softcover | Quest Books, USA | ISBN 9780835607797

The Real Word of Fairies is a privileged glimpse into a joyous, animated universe. Dora van Gelder’s enchanting vision of her encounters with the fairy realm brings the magical and mysterious world of fairies to vital, appealing, and heartfelt life. Her gentle tales will delight the child in us, spark our grown-up imagination, rekindle our creative energy, and deepen our sense of connection with nature.

” If we are patient and courteous, we too can find fairy allies in the wild places of nature, in the secret pathways of our dreams, in the deep wisdom of the ancient and ancestral traditions of our land, as Dora van Gelder has demonstrated “. – Caitlin Matthews – from the foreword.

From Chapter 4: ‘Fairy Life’ (p. 47):

” Between the human point of view and that of a fairy, or any member of the angelic kingdom, one of the main differences is that we live in a world of form and they live in a world of life. Our thoughts are primarily concerned with the form things have, and we seldom go further than that. But fairies are mainly concerned with the energy and life flowing around and within the form – life that is everywhere . . . “

By Robert Ellwood.

159 Pages | Copyright 2002 by The Theosophical Publishing House in America | Softcover | Quest Books, U.S.A. – ISBN 0835608239

‘Frodo is Everyman’, Lord of the Rings film director Peter Jackson observed at the 2002 Academy Awards ceremony. That is the seminal idea of this unique book exploring the esoteric spiritual meaning of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy, which has impacted the inner lives of millions of readers, since it was first published in 1954.

Robert Ellwood, a scholar of world religions, finds ancient wisdom in this twentieth-century bestseller concerning the quests we are all called to go on. ‘Like Frodo‘, he says, ‘we each experience challenges that propel us on our own adventure – finally that of exploring the inner worlds and the meaning of our lives.’

Revisiting Middle-earth as a realm for personal discovery, Ellwood presents Tolkien’s story as a tale of every reader’s higher consciousness, death and rebirth, and triumph over evil. He teaches us also to recognize the characters as archetypes we can meet in ourselves: a spiritual guide like Gandalf, a friend like Sam, or, heaven forbid, shadows like Orcs or Ringwraiths. He also provides meditational exercises to help us overcome the trials we face as we make our lives into great journeys instead of dull routine. So be it! Let the Quest begin!

From Chapter 4 – ‘The Weight of the Past’ (p. 59):

” Whether we are aware of it or not, we are voyagers on a pilgrimage across the seas of space and time, gradually riding with the tides back through storm and sun and to the Halls of Light, our true home, whence we came. But like mariners tacking about on that long crossing, in the anxiety of our separateness we think more of personal action and response than we contemplate oneness. When the self-centered impulse reaches the level of the evil Wizard’s fear, hatred, and power, it amounts to rebellion against the One, and in the dark waters we see the wake of Satan or Sauron. More often, our hopes, we manage to keep the distant polar constellations to starboard as we bear toward the Uttermost West. “

By Robert Ellwood.

226 Pages | A Quest original, first edition 1986, second printing 1994 | Quest Books, The Theosophical Publishing House, London. | ISBN: 0835606074.

Now over hundred years old, the Theosophical Society and its philosophy have grown to be an important voice in today’s world. The theosophical overview of creation is affecting the lives of an increasing number of people. More and more books are being addressed to the ideas of reïncarnation, karma, evolution, the Oneness of all life, the cyclic nature of creation, and the mystery of consciousness.

These are some of the major concepts that emanate from the ancient Wisdom and which are considered by Dr. Ellwood in this book. All of this new attention and respect is not surprising. For though theosophical ideas frequently antedate science as we know it by many millenia, these views, in their broad outline are consistent with present-day scientific knowledge.

From Chapter 3 – ‘The Human Experience’ (p. 104):

” Being, Consciousness and Mind or Bliss, are the divine Trinity within reflecting the cosmic, our ultimate nature and our inward highway to the Oneness of the universe. Yet we mostly know of these levels through their manifestations on more familiair planes, and then only if we are perceptive enough to have amid those manifestations, in the words of the poet:

. . . a sense sublime

Of something far more deeply interfused,

Whose dwelling is the light of the setting suns,

And the round ocean and the living air,

And the blue sky, and in the mind of man;

A motion and a spirit, that impels

All thinking things, all objects of all thought,

And rolls through all things. “

• Worthsworth, ‘Tintern Abbey’.

Nederlandse vertaling: Wat is Theosofie? Kosmos/Z&K Uitgevers, Utrecht/Antwerpen

Door George R.S. Mead (1863-1933), samengesteld door en met introductie van Peter Huijs.

256 Pages | Uitgegeven in 2013 | Hardcover | Rozekruis Pers, Haarlem | ISBN: 9789067324267.

In het Alexandrië van de eerste eeuwen van onze jaartelling kon je net zo gemakkelijk hindoes en boeddhisten tegenkomen als Babylonische magiërs of de eigen Egyptische priesters van Isis en Amon-Ra. Dat zag je terug in de fameuze bibliotheek van die stad: zij bood een weerspiegeling van de zucht naar universeel weten, dat de gehele stad doorademde. Een aparte plaats daarbinnen namen de mysteriereligies in. Mithras, Arideus, Zoroaster en de Chaldeeuwse mysterieleer trokken duizenden geïnteresseerden en gelukzoekers, maar ook serieuze zoekers naar een hogere waarheid. Deze laatsten waren aangetrokken door het opschrift dat boven de toegang hing: de plaats voor de genezing van de ziel. Het is de verdienste van Georg Mead, als eerste modern gnosticus, dat hij in deel II van Echo’s uit de Gnosis de exotische and voor ons op het eerste gezicht verbijsterende mysterieleringen van die dagen weet te plaatsen in context van het Westers denken. Mead maakt duidelijk, dat wat veraf en vreemd lijkt en geschilderd werd in de bonte kleuren van die tijd, niettemin deel uitmaakt van het universele weten van de mens, de gnosis van het hart, die de verborgen werelden van de geest doorpeilt.

” Zoekt u God, u zoekt het schone. Er is één pad, dat er heen leidt: toewijding verenigd met Gnosis. Want de toegewijde ziel stijgt op naar de geest, die haar naar het licht van de Gnosis leidt. En zo’n ziel wordt nooit moe God’s lof te zingen en zegeningen uit te storten over alle mensen en in navolging van haar meester allen goed te doen in woord en daad. ” – Hermes Trismegistus.

By Charles Webster Leadbeater (1854 – 1934), compiled by Pedro Oliveira with a Foreword by Robert Ellwood.

316 Pages | Second printing 2018 | Paperback | Olive Tree Publishing ISBN: 9780646973050.

Charles Webster Leadbeater  (1854 – 1934) joined the Theosophical Society in 1883 in London and travelled with H.P. Blavatsky (1831 – 1891) to India in 1884. He helped Col. Henry S. Olcott () in his work for Buddhist education in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. While at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society at Adyar, Madras, in India, he was taught some meditation exercises by one of Madame Blavatsky’s spiritual Teachers, who had accepted him as a Chela (disciple), in 1884. The exercises helped him to develop the faculty of clairvoyance.

From 1900 to 1905 he was a popular international lecturer for the TS, concentrating his visits to the United States. Some American families wanted their sons to accompany him in his travels to be trained in Theosophical work by him. In 1906, he was charged by the leadership of the American Section of the TS with giving sexual education to some boys under his care. Something still taboo in those days, but nowadays considered to be part of a normal curriculum. Following an enquiry in London, presided over by Col. Olcott, he resigned his membership of the Society.

For many, the episodes of 1906 sealed his image as an immoral man, although he was never charged or prosecuted in any country. He never defended himself of the accusations. After 110 years, all his relevant correspondence regarding that crisis is gathered together in this book. For the first time, his full thoughts and views about those events are presented to the public. Here, CWL speaks.

From page 274:

” One evening, Mr. Leadbeater, on our return to his room after our swim, told me that one of the boys had a remarkable aura. I asked which one, and he said it was the boy named Krishnamurti. I was surprised, for I already knew the boys, as they had been coming to me and to Subramanyam in the evenings to help in connection with their school home work, and it was evident that Krishnamurti was not one of the bright students. Then Mr. Leadbeater told me that Krishnamurti would become a great spiritual leader and a great speaker. I asked, ‘How great?’ As great as Mrs. Besant’? He replied, ‘Much greater’. And shortly after that he said that Krishnamurti would be the vehicle for the Lord Maitreya, the coming Teacher, who inspired Jesus. He was directed to help in training the boy for that purpose, which would be fulfilled, he told me, ‘unless something goes wrong’. This, I want to emphasize, in justice to Mr. Leadbeater. ” (Ernest Wood)

By Annie Besant (1847 – 1933).

50 Pages | First edition 1963, third edition, first reprint 2016 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170594642.

Annie Besant (1847 – 1933), second President of the Theosophical Society (1907 – 1933) was described as a ‘Diamond Soul’, for she had many brilliant facets to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.

In 1896, Dr. Annie Besant gave four Convention Lectures on Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Chrisitianity at Adyar, Madras, on the twenty-first anniversary of the Theosophical Society, the President-Founder, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907), being in the Chair. In 1901, she continued the series with another four lectures on Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Theosophy or ‘Divine Wisdom’ as the common source of all religions at the twenty-sixth anniversary, Colonel Olcott again presiding. Each of the lectures on the seven religions has been published as a separate booklet with the exception of the lecture on Divine Wisdom, and the whole series as a single volume under the title Seven Great Religions.

From page 44:

”  The Buddha asks from his disciples, as the first qualification, that opening of the mind, which is identical with discrimination, or viveka – discrimination between the permanent and the impermanent. The second step is that regarding action, which teaches indifference to the fruits of action and is identical with vairāgya. Then follow the six qualities of the mind, the same six that are taught in Hinduism. Fourthly, the deep longing for liberation, the same as the mumukshā; and lastly, the gotrabhu, the same as adhikāri, when the man is ready for Initiation. “

By Annie Besant (1847 – 1933).

47 Pages | First edition 1963, third edition 2005 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 8170594677.

Annie Besant (1847 – 1933), second President of the Theosophical Society (1907 – 1933) was described as a ‘Diamond Soul’, for she had many brilliant facets to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.

In 1896, Dr. Annie Besant gave four Convention Lectures on Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Chrisitianity at Adyar, Madras, on the twenty-first anniversary of the Theosophical Society, the President-Founder, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907), being in the Chair. In 1901, she continued the series with another four lectures on Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Theosophy or ‘Divine Wisdom’ as the common source of all religions at the twenty-sixth anniversary, Colonel Olcott again presiding. Each of the lectures on the seven religions has been published as a separate booklet with the exception of the lecture on Divine Wisdom, and the whole series as a single volume under the title Seven Great Religions.

From page 1/2:

” Most people in thinking of the Sikh think of a gallant warrior, a brave soldier. But we shall err seriously if we look on him as only, or even as fundamentally a fighter. The movement itself is fundamentally a religious one. It grew up in the midst of Hinduism, having for its ideal the joining together of the Hindus and the Muslims in one league of love to God and service to man. The thought of its founder, Guru Nānak, as we find it expressed not only in his words, but far more in his life, was to join together these warring elements of the Indian people on a platform, that both could accept. “

By Annie Besant (1847 – 1933).

21 Pages | First edition 1949, second edition 2005 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 8170594707.

Annie Besant (1847 – 1933), second President of the Theosophical Society (1907 – 1933) was described as a ‘Diamond Soul’, for she had many brilliant facets to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.

In 1896, Dr. Annie Besant gave four Convention Lectures on Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Chrisitianity at Adyar, Madras, on the twenty-first anniversary of the Theosophical Society, the President-Founder, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907), being in the Chair. In 1901, she continued the series with another four lectures on Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Theosophy or ‘Divine Wisdom’ as the common source of all religions at the twenty-sixth anniversary, Colonel Olcott again presiding. Each of the lectures on the seven religions has been published as a separate booklet with the exception of the lecture on Divine Wisdom, and the whole series as a single volume under the title Seven Great Religions.

From page 1/2:

” One might almost sum up Jainism in a phrase, that we find in the Sutra Kritānga, that man by injuring no living creature reaches the Nirvāna, which is peace. That is a phrase, that seems to carry with it the whole of this religion – peace: peace between man and man, peace between man and animal, peace everywhere and in all things, a perfect Brotherhood of all that lives. Such is the ideal of the Jain, that he endeavours to realize upon earth. “

By Annie Besant (1847 – 1933).

45 Pages | First edition 1963, third edition 2005 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 8170594650.

Annie Besant (1847 – 1933), second President of the Theosophical Society (1907 – 1933) was described as a ‘Diamond Soul’, for she had many brilliant facets to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.

In 1896, Dr. Annie Besant gave four Convention Lectures on Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Chrisitianity at Adyar, Madras, on the twenty-first anniversary of the Theosophical Society, the President-Founder, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907), being in the Chair. In 1901, she continued the series with another four lectures on Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Theosophy or ‘Divine Wisdom’ as the common source of all religions at the twenty-sixth anniversary, Colonel Olcott again presiding. Each of the lectures on the seven religions has been published as a separate booklet with the exception of the lecture on Divine Wisdom, and the whole series as a single volume under the title Seven Great Religions.

From page 44/45:

” Thus universe succeeds universe, each aiding its successors until our thought fails to express itself, and the human faculty sinks down unable to soar further. Such, most imperfectly expressed, is the religion founded in immemorial antiquity, that has come down from the rshi-s. Such ought to be your religion, heirs of the past, descendants of those mighty ones! Just in so far as you live it, in so far are your really their heirs. Just in so far as this is dear to you and practised by you, are you learning the lesson of evolution as it was taught by them, and given to the people they instructed. Just so far are you profiting by opportunities greater than those offered to any other nation, opportunities that, wasted, will be bewailed by you under less favourable conditions in many a life to come. “

By Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831 – 1891) with an introduction by A. Trevor Barker.

404 Pages | First published in 1925, 1973 facsimile edition | Hardcover | Theosophical University Press, Pasadena, California | ISBN: 9780911500233.

There are several references to the writing of The Secret Doctrine, which show to how great an extent the Masters were themselves responsible for that work. That is why the teaching of H.P.B. ‘remains for us the test and criterion of Theosophy, ‘ by which all other teaching on the subject must be judged.

From the Introduction (p. ix):

” After all, if the Masters do not know what Theosophy is, no one does, because in its essence, purity and completeness it is alone contained in the secret teaching of which the Guardians are the Masters Themselves. That teaching, as stated by H.P.B., ‘ is not the fancy of one of or several isolated individuals, but the fruit of work of thousands of generations of Adept Seers, ‘through who it was handed down from the first Divine Instructors of our Humanity. It is the substratum and basis of all the world-religions and philosophies, but its doctrines are the exclusive possession of none of them. It was the mission of Madame Blavatsky, under the instructions of those Adepts, to give to the world selected portions of that archaic teaching. It should be remembered that an Adept – a Master, is one who has achieved immortality, and therefore has the power to perceive Truth as it is and at will to reflect it without distortion. “

By an anonymous author.

22 Pages | Published during the International Convention 1991 | Booklet | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN:

SOOBIAH CHETTY’S REMINISCENCES OF MADAME H.P. BLAVATSKY

When Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831 – 1891) and Henry Steel Olcott (1832 – 1907) visited Madras in 1882 and lectured in the Georgetown area, Grandhi Muthuswami Chetty who was a judge, listened to them. Though he was a rich man, he was spiritually dissatisfied, and though a Hindu desired to be converted to another religion. Muthuswami’s enquiring mind was kindled by the two foreign lecturers. He wrote down several questions about whether he should opt for another religion and left those papers in a cupboard in his house before he went to sleep in the night. Next morning, when he woke up and looked in the cupboard, to his amazement he found that all his questions had been answered.  Muthuswami was convinced by the answers and never became a convert, for he joined the Theosophical Society.

From page 18:

” Good bye dearest Soobhiya & may the Masters bless and protect you. If you do come it will be the happiest day I will have had in these three years of exile! . . . I hope your dear wife and children are all well. Give them my blessing if they accept it.

Yours ever affectionately,

H.P. Blavatsky

I send you my Lucifer, Love to all friends – if there are any left.

H.P.B. “

By Charles Webster Leadbeater (1854 – 1934).

203 Pages | First edition, 16th reprint 2016 | Softcover | The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170592501.

A Textbook of Theosophy is an ideal primer for the student of Theosophy. It suggests that Theosophy comprises the best of religion, science and philosophy. The book presents a concise, clear description of the evolution of human beings and the solar system, and describes the divine inner nature of each one of us. Moreover, through discussing reincarnation and the purpose of life, it leads us to understand the after-death state. The book urges us to rise to the highest good within us: ‘God is Good, man is immortal, and as we sow, so must we reap.’

From Chapter 1 ‘What Theosophy is’ (p. 5 & 6):

” The existence of Perfected Men, and the possibility of coming into touch with them and being taught by them, are prominent among the great new thruths which Theosophy brings to the Western world. Another of them is the stupendous fact that the world is not drifting blindly into anarchy, but that its progress is under the control of a perfectly organized hierarchy, so that final failure even for the tiniest of its units is of all impossibilities the most impossible. “

By Annie Besant (1847 – 1933).

319 Pages | Third edition, 2nd reprint, 2013 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170595083.

The religious life is a life of love and understanding, serving to unite all people and all beings in one Whole. In this brilliant series of lectures, Annie Besant, former President of The Theosophical Society (1907 – 1933), delves into the world’s Seven Great Religions and their intended role of uniting and elevating the world.

Small in compass, but peerless in depth and wisdom, this collection provides essential knowledge about Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism, culminating in the fountainhead of all religions, the Divine Wisdom of Theosophy. In this book, students of Religion, as well as practitioners will find a source of inspiration and knowledge, urging all towards purity of life, universal love and aspiration to Truth.

From page 314:

” In the coming civilization men shall love each other, and worship under many forms the One, the Indivisible. For the truth is that the Divine Wisdom is like the sun in heaven that shines upon every part of the earth. It shines down into every man’s compound, no matter how high the walls that he may build around it, for the sun is higher than all. So does the Divine Wisdom shine down into every religion; and though a man build barriers, the sun of the Divine Wisdom is higher than them all and it shines on every man’s face and illuminates it. There are many faiths, because mankind needs manas, the mind, in order to grow and develop. Take a ray of the sunlight and pass it through a prism; on the other side, seven colours will be painted. Take the spiritual truth and pass it through the prism of the human intellect, and the one white Truth shines out in seven different colours. “

Compiled by Bhagavan Das (1869 – 1958).

683 Pages | Soft cover | First edition 1932, 2nd edition 1939 | Quest Books, U.S.A | ISBN: 9780835600071.

Eleven religions are usually regarded as living and current at present. These, proceeding from East to West, are: 1. Shintoism born in Japan, 2. Taoism (or Laotsism), and 3. Confucianism, in China; Vedism (or Vaidika Dharma, or Sanatana Dharma or Manava Dharma, now commonly called Hinduism), 5. Buddhism, 6. Jainism and 7. Sikhism, in India; 8. Zoroastrianism (or Parsism) in Iran (or Persia); 9. Judaism (or Hebraism, or Israelitism, or the Jewish religion), and 10. Christianity, in Palestine; 11. Islam (or Mohammedanism), in Arabia. Parallel passages have been gathered in this work from the universally recognised Scriptures, and also from some other generally and highly honored writings, of these eleven.

From ‘A Letter to the Reader´ as Preface to the Second Edition (p. xxv):

” Dear Reader, I pray you, unless you have found, and made sure of, a better way, to read about an Ancient Way, leisurely, in this book. Endeavour is made here, albeit very imperfectly, to expound, no new way, but the Way of the Ancients, a Way which is time-tested also to some extent. If you feel satisfied that that Way is worth experimenting with, then I pray you to do all you can to spread, as widely as may be possible for you, this Essential Message of all the Scriptures, as preparation for the Readjustment and Synthesis. “

Your respectful and sincere Well-wisher,

BHAGAVAN DAS.

By Pablo Sender.

201 Pages | First edition 2018 | Hardcover (cloth) | Fohat Production, Ojai, California | ISBN: 9780997553512.

Who are we? What is the purpose of life? How do we actualize our potential? These are the questions that thoughful people have asked since time immemorial. Evolution of Higher Consciousness is a comprehensive study of the teachings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831- 1891) on these issues.

Madame Blavatsky, co-founder of the Theosophical Society, was the pioneer of the esoteric renaissance that took place at the end of the nineteenth century. Ever since, her writings have served as foundational source for modern spirituality. In his book, Pablo Sender presents Blavatsky’s profound but frequently puzzling statements systematically and in clear, concise language. He throws light on the nature of our spiritual essence, its evolutionairy unfoldment, and the work that we can do in daily life to consciously participate in this cosmic journey.

From page 178:

“Within yourself is the light . . . The light of the higher self and of the Mahatma are not different from each other.

In the presence of the Master the lower nature is spontaneously transformed. This is why in the taijasic state there is no need to fight, control or manipulate the lower. Passions and afflictions are powerful only when the pure awareness identifies with them. This practice, along with the a general ‘effort’ at leading a spiritual life, will eventually make the temporary state of ‘manas taijasa” more and more available, until it becomes permanent in the union of buddhi-manas. When we are aware of our innate divine Wisdom, conscious of our identity with everything , and aware of our transcendental and immutable nature, the human evolutionairy pilgrimage comes to an end. New field of self-expression open up to the liberated consciousness, which now becomes a beneficent force aiding human and planetary evolution.

.  .  .

Joy unto ye, O Men of Earth.

A Pilgrim hath returned back ‘from the other shore’.

A Saviour of Mankind is born. “

• From: The Voice of Silence, fragment 3.