THE RESULT OF THEOSOPHICAL STUDY
"Members of the Theosophical Society study these truths and Theosophists
endeavour to live them." What manner of man then is the true Theosophist in
consequence of his knowledge? What is the result in his daily life of all
this study?
Finding that there is a Supreme Power who is directing the course of
evolution, and that He is all-wise and all-loving, the Theosophist sees
that everything which exists within this scheme must be intended to further
its progress. He realizes that the scripture which tells us that all things
are working together for good, is not indulging in a flight of poetic fancy
or voicing a pious hope, but stating a scientific fact. The final
attainment of unspeakable glory is an absolute certainty for every son of
man, whatever may be his present condition; but that is by no means all.
Here and at this present moment he is on his way towards the glory; and all
the circumstances surrounding him are intended to help and not to hinder
him, if only they are rightly understood. It is sadly true that in the
world there is much of evil and of sorrow and of suffering; yet from the
higher point of view the Theosophist sees that terrible though this be, it
is only temporary and superficial, and is all being utilized as a factor in
the progress.
When in the days of his ignorance he looked at it from its own level it was
almost impossible to see this; while he looked from beneath at the under
side of life, with his eyes fixed all the time upon some apparent evil, he
could never gain a true grasp of its meaning. Now he raises himself above
it to the higher levels of thought and consciousness, and looks down upon
it with the eye of the spirit and understands it in its entirety, so he can
see that in very truth all is well--not that all will be well at some
remote period, but that even now at this moment, in the midst of incessant
striving and apparent evil, the mighty current of evolution is still
flowing, and so all is well because all is moving on in perfect order
towards the final goal.
Raising his consciousness thus above the storm and stress of worldly life,
he recognizes what used to seem to be evil, and notes how it is apparently
pressing backwards against the great stream of progress; but he also sees
that the onward sweep of the divine law of evolution bears the same
relation to this superficial evil as does the tremendous torrent of Niagara
to the fleckings of foam upon its surface. So while he sympathizes deeply
with all who suffer, he yet realizes what will be the end of that
suffering, and so for him despair or hopelessness is impossible. He applies
this consideration to his own sorrows and troubles, as well as to those of
the world, and therefore one great result of his Theosophy is a perfect
serenity--even more than that, a perpetual cheerfulness and joy.
For him there is an utter absence of worry, because in truth there is
nothing left to worry about, since he knows that all must be well. His
higher Science makes him a confirmed optimist, for it shows him that
whatever of evil there may be in any person or in any movement, it is of
necessity temporary, because it is opposed to the resistless stream of
evolution; whereas whatever is good in any person or in any movement must
necessarily be persistent and useful, because it has behind it the
omnipotence of that current, and therefore it must abide and it must
prevail.
Yet it must not for a moment be supposed that because he is so fully
assured of the final triumph of good he remains careless or unmoved by the
evils which exist in the world around him. He knows that it is his duty to
combat these to the utmost of his power, because in doing this he is
working upon the side of the great evolutionary force, and is bringing
nearer the time of its ultimate victory. None will be more active than he
in labouring for the good, even though he is absolutely free from the
feeling of helplessness and hopelessness which so often oppresses those who
are striving to help their fellow-men.
Another most valuable result of his Theosophical study is the absence of
fear. Many people are constantly anxious or worried about something or
other; they are fearing lest this or that should happen to them, lest this
or that combination may fail, and so all the while they are in a condition
of unrest; and most serious of all for many is the fear of death. For the
Theosophist the whole of this feeling is entirely swept away. He realizes
the great truth of reincarnation. He knows that he has often before laid
aside physical bodies, and so he sees that death is no more than
sleep--that just as sleep comes in between our days of work and gives us
rest and refreshment, so between these days of labour here on earth, which
we call lives, there comes a long night of astral and of heavenly life to
give us rest and refreshment and to help us on our way.
To the Theosophist death is simply the laying aside for a time of this robe
of flesh. He knows that it is his duty to preserve the bodily vesture as
long as possible, and gain through it all the experience he can; but when
the time comes for him to lay it down he will do so thankfully, because he
knows that the next stage will be a much pleasanter one than this. Thus he
will have no fear of death, although he realizes that he must live his life
to the appointed end, because he is here for the purpose of progress, and
that progress is the one truly momentous matter. His whole conception of
life is different; the object is not to earn so much money, not to obtain
such and such a position; the one important thing is to carry out the
divine plan. He knows that for this he is here, and that everything else
must give way to it.
Utterly free also is he from any religious fears or worries or troubles.
All such things are swept aside for him, because he sees clearly that
progress towards the highest is the divine Will for us, that we cannot
escape from that progress, and that whatever comes in our way and whatever
happens to us is meant to help us along that line; that we ourselves are
absolutely the only people who can delay our advance. No longer does he
trouble and fear about himself. He simply goes on and does the duty which
comes nearest in the best way that he can, confident that if he does this
all will be well for him without his perpetual worrying. He is satisfied
quietly to do his work and to try to help his fellows in the race, knowing
that the great divine Power behind will press him onward slowly and
steadily, and do for him all that can be done, so long as his face is set
steadfastly in the right direction, so long as he does all that he
reasonably can.
Since he knows that we are all part of one great evolution and all
literally the children of one Father, he sees that the universal
brotherhood of humanity is no mere poetical conception, but a definite
fact; not a dream of something which is to be in the dim distance of
Utopia, but a condition existing here and now. The certainty of this
all-embracing fraternity gives him a wider outlook upon life and a broad
impersonal point of view from which to regard everything. He realizes that
the true interests of all are in fact identical, and that no man can ever
make real gain for himself at the cost of loss or suffering to some one
else. This is not to him an article of religious belief, but a scientific
fact proved to him by his study. He sees that since humanity is literally a
whole, nothing which injures one man can ever be really for the good of any
other, for the harm done influences not only the doer but also those who
are about him.
He knows that the only true advantage for him is that benefit which he
shares with all. He sees that any advance which he is able to make in the
way of spiritual progress or development is something secured not for
himself alone but for others. If he gains knowledge or self-control, he
assuredly acquires much for himself, yet he takes nothing away from anyone
else, but on the contrary he helps and strengthens others. Cognizant as he
is of the absolute spiritual unity of humanity, he knows that, even in this
lower world, no true profit can be made by one man which is not made in the
name of and for the sake of humanity; that one man's progress must be a
lifting of the burden of all the others; that one man's advance in
spiritual things means a very slight yet not imperceptible advance to
humanity as a whole; that every one who bears suffering and sorrow nobly in
his struggle towards the light is lifting a little of the heavy load of the
sorrow and suffering of his brothers as well.
Because he recognizes this brotherhood not merely as a hope cherished by
despairing men, but as a definite fact following in scientific series from
all other facts; because he sees this as an absolute certainty, his
attitude towards all those around him changes radically. It becomes a
posture ever of helpfulness, ever of the deepest sympathy, for he sees that
nothing which clashes with their higher interests can be the right thing
for him to do, or can be good for him in any way.
It naturally follows that he becomes filled with the widest possible
tolerance and charity. He cannot but be always tolerant, because his
philosophy shows him that it matters little what a man believes, so long as
he is a good man and true. Charitable also he must be, because his wider
knowledge enables him to make allowances for many things which the ordinary
man does not understand. The standard of the Theosophist as to right and
wrong is always higher than that of the less instructed man, yet he is far
gentler than the latter in his feeling towards the sinner, because he
comprehends more of human nature. He realizes how the sin appeared to the
sinner at the moment of its commission, and so he makes more allowances
than is ever made by the man who is ignorant of all this.
He goes further than tolerance, charity, sympathy; he feels positive love
towards mankind, and that leads him to adopt a position of watchful
helpfulness. He feels that every contact with others is for him an
opportunity, and the additional knowledge which his study has brought to
him enables him to give advice or help in almost any case which comes
before him. Not that he is perpetually thrusting his opinions upon other
people. On the contrary, he observes that to do this is one of the
commonest mistakes made by the uninstructed. He knows that argument is a
foolish waste of energy, and therefore he declines to argue. If anyone
desires from him explanation or advice he is more than willing to give it,
yet he has no sort of wish to convert anyone else to his own way of
thinking.
In every relation of life this idea of helpfulness comes into play, not
only with regard to his fellowmen but also in connection with the vast
animal kingdom which surrounds him. Units of this kingdom are often brought
into close relation with man, and this is for him an opportunity of doing
something for them. The Theosophist recognizes that these are also his
brothers, even though they may be younger brothers, and that he owes a
fraternal duty to them also--so to act and so to think that his relation
with them shall be always for their good and never for their harm.
Pre-eminently and above all, this Theosophy is to him a doctrine of common
sense. It puts before him, as far as he can at present know them, the facts
about God and man and the relations between them; then he proceeds to take
these facts into account and to act in relation to them with ordinary
reason and common sense. He regulates his life according to the laws of
evolution which it has taught him, and this gives him a totally different
standpoint, and a touchstone by which to try everything--his own thoughts
and feelings, and his own actions first of all, and then those things which
come before him in the world outside himself.
Always he applies this criterion: Is the thing right or wrong, does it help
evolution or does it hinder it? If a thought or a feeling arises within
himself, he sees at once by this test whether it is one he ought to
encourage. If it be for the greatest good of the greatest number then all
is well; if it may hinder or cause harm to any being in its progress, then
it is evil and to be avoided. Exactly the same reason holds good if he is
called upon to decide with regard to anything outside himself. If from that
point of view a thing be a good thing, then he can conscientiously support
it; if not, then it is not for him.
For him the question of personal interest does not come into the case at
all. He thinks simply of the good of evolution as a whole. This gives him a
definite foothold and the clear criterion, and removes from him altogether
the pain of indecision and hesitation. The Will of the Deity is man's
evolution; whatever therefore helps on that evolution must be good;
whatever stands in the way of it and delays it, that thing must be wrong,
even though it may have on its side all the weight of public opinion and
immemorial tradition.
Knowing that the true man is the ego and not the body, he sees that it is
the life of the ego only which is really of moment, and that everything
connected with the body must unhesitatingly be subordinated to those higher
interests. He recognizes that this earth-life is given to him for the
purpose of progress, and that that progress is the one important thing. The
real purpose of his life is the unfoldment of his powers as an ego, the
development of his character. He knows that there must be evolvement not
only of the physical body but also of the mental nature, of the mind and of
the spiritual perceptions. He sees that nothing short of absolute
perfection is expected of him in connection with this development; that all
power with regard to it is in his own hands; that he has everlasting time
before him in which to attain this perfection, but that the sooner it is
gained the happier and more useful will he be.
He recognizes his life as nothing but a day at school, and his physical
body as a temporary vesture assumed for the purpose of learning through it.
He knows at once that this purpose of learning lessons is the only one of
any real importance, and that the man who allows himself to be diverted
from that purpose by any consideration whatever is acting with
inconceivable stupidity. To him the life devoted exclusively to physical
objects, to the acquisition of wealth or fame, appears the merest
child's-play--a senseless sacrifice of all that is really worth having for
the sake of a few moments' gratification of the lower part of his nature.
He "sets his affection on things above and not on things of the earth", not
only because he sees this to be the right course of action, but because he
realizes so clearly the valuelessness of these things of earth. He always
tries to take the higher point of view, for he knows that the lower is
utterly unreliable--that the lower desires and feelings gather round him
like a dense fog, and make it impossible for him to see anything clearly
from that level.
Whenever he finds a struggle going on within him he remembers that he
himself is the higher, and that this which is the lower is not the real
self, but merely an uncontrolled part of one of its vehicles. He knows that
though he may fall a thousand times on the way towards his goal, his reason
for trying to reach it remains just as strong after the thousandth fall as
it was in the beginning, so that it would not only be useless but unwise
and wrong to give way to despondency and hopelessness.
He begins his journey upon the road of progress at once--not only because
he knows that it is far easier for him now than it will be if he leaves the
effort until later, but chiefly because if he makes the endeavour now and
succeeds in achieving some progress, if he rises thereby to some higher
level, he is in a position to hold out a helping hand to those who have not
yet reached even that step on the ladder which he has gained. In that way
he takes a part, however humble it may be, in the great divine work of
evolution.
He knows that he has arrived at his present position only by a slow process
of growth, and so he does not expect instantaneous attainment of
perfection. He sees how inevitable is the great law of cause and effect,
and that when he once grasps the working of that law he can use it
intelligently in regard to mental and moral development, just as in the
physical world we can employ for our own assistance those laws of Nature
the action of which we have learnt to understand.
Understanding what death is, he knows that there can be no need to fear it
or to mourn over it, whether it comes to himself or to those whom he loves.
It has come to them all often before, so there is nothing unfamiliar about
it. He sees death simply as a promotion from a life which is more than half
physical to one which is wholly superior, so for himself he unfeignedly
welcomes it; and even when it comes to those whom he loves, he recognizes
at once the advantage for them, even though he cannot but feel a pang of
regret that he should be temporarily separated from them so far as the
physical world is concerned. But he knows that the so-called dead are near
him still, and that he has only to cast off for a time his physical body in
sleep in order to stand side by side with them as before.
He sees clearly that the world is one, and that the same divine laws rule
the whole of it, whether it be visible or invisible to physical sight. So
he has no feeling of nervousness or strangeness in passing from one part of
it to another, and no feeling of uncertainty as to what he will find on the
other side of the veil. He knows that in that higher life there opens
before him a splendid vista of opportunities both for acquiring fresh
knowledge and for doing useful work; that life away from this dense body
has a vividness and a brilliancy to which all earthly enjoyment is as
nothing; and so through his clear knowledge and calm confidence the power
of the endless life shines out upon all those round him.
Doubt as to his future is for him impossible, for just as by looking back
on the savage he realizes that which he was in the past, so by looking to
the greatest and wisest of mankind he knows what he will be in the future.
He sees an unbroken chain of development, a ladder of perfection rising
steadily before him, yet with human beings upon every step of it, so that
he knows, that those steps are possible for him to climb. It is just
because of the unchangeableness of the great law of cause and effect that
he finds himself able to climb that ladder, because since the law works
always in the same way, he can depend upon it and he can use it, just as he
uses the laws of Nature in the physical worlds. His knowledge of this law
brings to him a sense of perspective and shows him that if something comes
to him, it comes because he has deserved it as a consequence of actions
which he has committed, of words which he has spoken, of thought to which
he has given harbour in previous days or in earlier lives. He comprehends
that all affliction is of the nature of the payment of a debt, and
therefore when he has to meet with the troubles of life he takes them and
uses them as a lesson, because he understands why they have come and is
glad of the opportunity which they give him to pay off something of his
obligation.
Again, and in yet another way, does he take them as an opportunity, for he
sees that there is another side to them if he meets them in the right way.
He spends no time in bearing prospective burdens. When trouble comes to him
he does not aggravate it by foolish repining but sets himself to endure so
much of it as is inevitable, with patience and with fortitude. Not that he
submits himself to it as a fatalist might, for he takes adverse
circumstances as an incentive to such development as may enable him to
transcend them, and thus out of long-past evil he brings forth a seed of
future growth. For in the very act of paying the outstanding debt he
develops qualities of courage and resolution that will stand him in good
stead through all the ages that are to come.
He is distinguishable from the rest of the world by his perennial
cheerfulness, his undaunted courage under difficulties, and his ready
sympathy and helpfulness; yet he is at the same time emphatically a man who
takes life seriously, who recognizes that there is much for everyone to do
in the world, and that there is no time to waste. He knows with utter
certainty that he not only makes his own destiny but also gravely affects
that of others around him, and thus he perceives how weighty a
responsibility attends the use of his power.
He knows that thoughts are things and that it is easily possible to do
great harm or great good by their means. He knows that no man liveth to
himself, for his every thought acts upon others as well; that the
vibrations which he sends forth from his mind and from his mental nature
are reproducing themselves in the minds and the mental natures of other
men, so that he is a source either of mental health or of mental ill to all
with whom he comes in contact.
This at once imposes upon him a far higher code of social ethics than that
which is known to the outer world, for he knows that he must control not
only his acts and his words, but also his thoughts, since they may produce
effects more serious and more far-reaching than their outward expression in
the physical world. He knows that even when a man is not in the least
thinking of others, he yet inevitably affects them for good or for evil. In
addition to this unconscious action of his thought upon others he also
employs it consciously for good. He sets currents in motion to carry mental
help and comfort to many a suffering friend, and in this way he finds a
whole new world of usefulness opening before him.
He ranges himself ever on the side of the higher rather than the lower
thought, the nobler rather than the baser. He deliberately takes the
optimistic rather than the pessimistic view of everything, the helpful,
rather than the cynical, because he knows that to be fundamentally the true
view. By looking continually for the good in everything that he may
endeavour to strengthen it, by striving always to help and never to hinder,
he becomes ever of greater use to his fellow-men, and is thus in his small
way a co-worker with the splendid scheme of evolution. He forgets himself
utterly and lives but for the sake of others, realizing himself as a part
of that scheme; he also realizes the God within him, and learns to become
ever a truer expression of Him, and thus in fulfilling God's Will, he is
not only blessed himself, but becomes a blessing to all.
INDEX
Adept, causal body of 45-8
further evolution of 13
is on summit of human evolution 13
level of 13, 119-21
work of 119-20
Adepts, as members of Hierarchy 13
first of Earth 129
from Venus 131-2
Great Brotherhood of 12-4, 117-8, 132
many degrees of 13
men have become 13
some are Masters 14
some remain with mankind 22
some take apprentices 100
Adeptship, older egos nearing 126
Æonian condemnation 119-20, 133
Æther, breath, blown into 19
bubbles in 19-22, 23
density of 19
mean pressure of 19
of space 18
ultimate atoms formed in 19
Age or dispensation 13
Air, nature spirits of 84
_Ancient Wisdom, The_ 1
Androgynous man 130
Angels, approach men through ceremonial 85
guardian 54
hosts of 11
Kingdom of 84
of the law of cause and effect 100
Animals, additional evolution of 131
are our younger brothers 141
distinction between man and 40
domestic 38
heads of types of 38
individualization of 38-40
man's emotions act on 38
man's thoughts act on 38
Moon-, came to Earth chain 128
Moon-, individualize 126, 131
seven types of 37, 38
souls of 33
Animal kingdom 31-2, 37, 141
Animal-men of Moon-chain 127-8
Apprentice upon probation 118
Apprentices, to Masters 14-7
accepted 118
men may become 18, 116-7
qualifications necessary for 116-8
three stages of 118
Aryan root-race 105, 125
Aspects, three, of the Logos 11
three, of man 11, 41
Astral body, after death 68-71, 73-5, 81, 86
cell-life of 65
colours of 56-8
disintegration of 86
effect of thought on 51-2
ego casts off 42, 63
ego takes an 42, 61
entity occupying 66-72
is bridge to mental body 58
man in his, during sleep 62, 71
matter of, is in constant motion 70
never fatigued 62
no separate senses in 69-70
of animal 32
of group-soul 32
permanent colours of 58
reacts on causal body 47
reacts on mental body 47
shape of 56, 61
shell around 68, 70, 78-80, 81
simile of boiling water 69-70
size of 56
temptations caused by 66-8
vibrations of 56-8, 65-7, 75-6
Astral corpse 86
counterparts 72-3, 78-80
entity 66-8
shell 68, 78-81, 86-7
shell, result of 70
vitality of 86-7
Astral globe of Earth 26-7, 71-2
globe of Moon 26-7
globes of Earth-chain 122
Astral matter, arrangement of 71-3
attracts mental matter 60
physical body attracts 60
vibrations of 24
Astral sight 68-9
Astral world, the appearance of 71, 78-83
death in 89
delights of 76-8
descent of ego to 42-3
extent of 26-7, 71
inhabitants of 83
the, is the home of emotions 71
is the home of lower thoughts 71
life period in, after death 43, 64-5, 81
man in, during sleep 62, 70
man's freedom in 73, 76
matter, simile of onion 72
nature spirits in 84
no measurement of time in 75
non-human inhabitants of 84
of Moon 27
scenery of 77, 81
second outpouring enters 30
second outpouring indrawn to 31
sections of 78-83
the sixth plane is named 23, 41
the summerland of 80
withdrawal of ego from 82
Astro-mental forms 51, 57
Atlantean root-race 105, 125
Atomic matter 25
Atoms charged with vitality of interpenetrating worlds 20-1
physical ultimate 25
ultimate 19-22
Attainment is certain for all 132
Besant, Dr. 1
author of _The Ancient Wisdom_ 1
Birth of man, factors determining 104-5
Blavatsky, H.P. 14
author of _Isis Unveiled_ 15
was a founder of the T.S. 14
was an apprentice to a Master 14
Bliss of the higher worlds 89-91
Books, oriental sacred 18
Brain, connection with astral body 59
connection with ego 59
connection with mental body 49
etheric part of 62
Branch-races 104-5, 125
Bridges to ego 59, 61
Brotherhood, the Great, of Adepts 12-4, 116-9, 132
entry into 119
Great White, the 12
Head of 12
Lords of the Flame hold highest office in 132
man may join in 116
Brotherhood of humanity, the universal 138-9
Bubbles in space 19-21
aggregations of 19-22, 23-4
form material of nebula 19
Casual body, the, abstract thoughts arouse 46
appearance of 45-9
bad qualities do not affect 47, 58
colours in 46-8
composition of 45
is the vehicle of ego 42
life in 95-6
mental body reacts upon 58
of Adept 45, 48
of developed man 48
of primitive man 46
of saint 48
of savage 48
only good affects 47, 58
permanent vehicle of ego 45
unselfish emotions arouse 47
Cause and effect, law of 100-7
adjustment of 101
angels connected with 101
cannot be modified 101
exactness of 100-1
explains problems of life 100-1
Cause and effect, is universal 100
simile of debts and 102-7
Cell-life of astral body 65
of mental body 65
of physical body 65
Centres of force 60
Ceremonial, angels approach men through 85
Chain, a, consists of seven rounds 124
life-wave of a 121, 123-5
lunar, the 123, 126-7
periods 125
Chains of globes 121
descent of, into matter 121-4
incarnation of 121-5
Character and simile of muscles 114
how, is formed 111-5
Chemical elements 21, 28
Children of the Fire-mist 131
(also see Lords of Flame)
Christ, the, learning the lesson of 96
spoke of the "æonian condemnation" 119, 133
Church, the angels approach men through 85
Clairvoyant sight 46
character seen by 50
force-centres seen by 60
Colours of astral body 56-8
of causal body 46-8
of mental body 48
of thoughts 54
Consciousness, development of 45-6
of developed man 62-3
states of 64
Corpse, astral 86
physical 86
the Moon is a 123
Counterparts, astral 73-4
of globes 122
Crookes, Sir William 22
Dead, the, can be helped 77-9
can continue studies 77
can help their fellowmen 77
communicate with living 74
cravings of the 75-7
first feeling of 76
friends of, in mental world 93-4
have no measurement of time 75
in astral world 73-89
in mental world 89-95
in the three sections of astral world 74-5, 78-83
most of, are happy 76
period in astral world, 64-5, 82
period in mental world 64
relation of, to Earth 73-4
some seize other bodies 88
thought-creations of 80
what they see 73
Death, a second 63, 89
artists after 77
average men after 64-5
character not changed by 74
conditions of life after 74
cultured men after 65
etheric double at 87
happiness after 74, 76
in astral world 68, 89
lovers of music after 77
misery after 75
philanthropists after 77
primitive men after 63
sensualists after 75-6
spiritual men after 65
students of science after 77
what is 3, 63, 137, 144
Deity (see Solar Deity)
Demons, tempting 53, 67
Departments of the world 11
Devas, hosts of 11
(also see Angels)
Discrimination 118
Divine Life 29
ensouls matter 29-40
responds to vibrations 33
Divine world, extent of 26-7
first plane named 23, 41
"Door, shutting the" 131
Dreams 62
Earth, Adepts from Venus come to 131
astral globe of 26-7
-chain 121
first men of the 125-30
nature spirits of the 85
purpose of life on 142
Earth-chain, the 121
animal-men build early
forms on 127-8
explained 121-4
incarnation of 122-5
Moon-animals come to 128
Education, department of 11-2
Ego, the, assumes bodies 42, 61
bridges of to physical body 58, 61
connection of, with brain 59
desire of, for vivid life 97
drops lower bodies 43
ensouls fragment of group-soul 42
fills mental images of himself 93
gains qualities 43
habitat of 94
is a part expression of Monad 61
is the manifestation of the triple Spirit in man 42
life of, in causal body 95-7
life of, in lower bodies 63-4
lives for millions of years 97
loses part of his life sometimes 86
object of descent of 45, 98
only good affects 47-8, 58, 112
origin of 39, 109
passes to mental world 85
remembers past lives 44
sheaves of 61
sight of 45
the, simile of day at school and 98
succession of personalities of 109
withdraws from astral plane 82
Elemental kingdoms, the three 29-30
seven types of each of 37
Elemental creatures 37
Elements, chemical 21, 28
proto- 21
Emotions affect life after death 64, 67-8
of the living react on the dead 74
selfish and unselfish 110
should be developed in
fourth round 131
the home of the 71
Emotional world (see astral world)
Entity, astral body 66-8
Etheric, bodies of early humanity 129
bodies of nature spirits 84
matter 25
Etheric double, the 59
at death 87-8
force-centres in 60
is a bridge 59
is not a vehicle 87-8
some dead cling to 88
vitality flows through 59
Evil, is transitory 48, 58, 135-6
is utilized for progress 135
man's powers of, are
restricted 102
simile of Niagara Falls, and 135
Evolution, additional, for animals 131
advanced state of 131
animal 31-40
break in regularity of 130
central point of 125, 130
early stages of, for backward entities 127
examining scenes of early 3
is the Will of the Deity 11, 142
ladder of 17
man restrains law of 105
mineral 30-1
object of human 99
of human forms 129-30
of life 28-40
other schemes of 121, 123
pressure of 99, 105
resistless stream of 136
scheme of, a 32, 122-5
summit of human 13
super-human 13, 119
Theosophy explains laws of 99
three stages of 108-9
vegetable 30-1
Eye-brows, force-centre between 60
Failure is impossible 5
Fairies (see Nature-spirits)
'Fetters' to be cast off 120
Fire-mist, Children of the 131
Fire, nature-spirits of 84
Sparks of divine 10, 41, 61
Flame, Lords of the 131
Fohat 19
Forces, the higher, Adepts' knowledge of 14
Force-centres 60
Founder of each race 11
Founders of the Theosophical Society 14
Fragment of life of the Logos 9
of group-soul 39, 42
of the Monad 61
Freemasonry, angels approach men through 85
Free-will 99
Free-will, limitation of unbounded 102-3
_Genesis of Elements, The_ 22
Globe, astral, of Earth 27
astral of, Moon 27
mental 27
Globes, chains of 121
seven, of Earth-chain 122-3
'God is Love' 10
Word of 9
(see also Solar Deity)
Group of egos 106
Group-soul, fragment, from, is ensouled 39-42
of domestic animals 38-40
numbers of bodies attached to one 34-7
Spark hovers over 40
Group-souls 36-9
seven types of 37
simile of bucket of water and 34-6
Guardian angel 54
Head, force-centre in 60
of each race 11
of human evolution 11
of religion and education 11-2
of the White Brotherhood 14
Heart, force-centre in 60
Heaven, is a state of consciousness 64
simile of capacity of cups and 91-2
varying capacities of men in 91-2
Hell, non-existence of 64, 71, 74, 75
Hierarchy, The 5
controls the world 5, 13
Head of 14
man can join 13
Members of, watch for helpers 116-7
Human evolution, beginning of 32-8
division of races of 104-5
the central point in 118-9
the half-way point of 125
the summit of 13
Humanity, bodies of early 128-9
early, was androgynous 130
races of 11
receives help from Venus 131
service of, by thought 53-4
spiritual unity of 139
Immortal, the soul of man 8
Incarnations of Earth-chain 122-5
Individuality, a permanent 39
Individualization, is the first critical point of man's life 118
of animals 37-40
of Moon-animals 126-7, 130-1
Indo-Caucasian root-race 105
Inhabitants of finer worlds 26
Initiations, the great 118, 119-20
simile of university degrees 120
Instincts, of animals 35
of cell-life 65
Intellect is a fifth round development 131
Intelligence in man 42
Intuition in man 23, 42
Intuitional world, the 23, 42
extent of 27
Monad manifests in 42
second outpouring in 33
third outpouring descends to 39-40
_Isis Unveiled_ 15
Jupiter, the planet 124
King of the World, The 11
Kingdom, animal 30-1, 37-9
first elemental 29
mineral 30-3, 40
of angels 84-5
of nature-spirits 84-5
second elemental 30
seven types of each 38
third elemental 30
vegetable 30-1, 38
Kingdoms of nature ensouled by life-waves 38, 126
the elemental 29-30
the seven, of nature 28, 38-9
Koilon 18
Ladder of evolution, the 17, 145
golden 96
rungs of 17
Law, the, of evolution 99, 104-5
of cause and effect 100-7
Laws, the immutable 8
Liberated man 5-6
Life, cell- 65-6
conditions of, after death 74
divine 23, 29, 121
man's continuous 63
the purpose of 98-9, 108-20
Life-waves, the 28-40
constant-successions of 32
ensoul the kingdoms of nature 33, 37
of chains 121-2, 123-5
two stages of 29
Life-wave, the, now centred on Earth 128
period of, in each kingdom 38-9
Logos, the (see Solar Deity)
Lords of the Flame, assistance given by 132
come to Earth 131
some still remain on Earth 132
of the Moon 126
'Love, God is' 10
Lunar-chain (see Moon-chain)
Man, after death 63-96
can kill out vices 110-5
conflict of interest between, and his vehicles 66
constitution of 41-62
distinction between animals and 40
during sleep 61-2, 70, 74
early, was androgynous 130
evolves through different races 104-5
exists in other worlds 2-3, 42-3
factors determining birth of 104-5
free will of 99-100, 102
has latent powers 2
has many lives 2-4, 42
has powers of evil restricted 102
has several bodies 2-3, 42
is always affecting others 138-9, 147
is a Monad 42
is a soul 2-3
is a Spark of divine Fire 41
is divine in origin 3
is his own law-giver 8
is immortal 8
is influenced by his astral body-entity 68
is not changed by death 74
is separate from animal kingdom 28
is the outcome of his past 44-5
learns to use his powers in service 108-9
liberated 5-6
makes his own destiny 147
may be apprenticed to a Master 14-5, 117
past history of 2-3
physical body of, is evolved from animal forms 130
reaps result of his action 100-1
represents mineral kingdom of first chain 126
the Triple Spirit in 41
the triumph of 96
three aspects of 11, 41-2
why, does not remember past lives 44
(also see primitive man and savages)
Mars, the planet 122, 124
life exists on 128
Master, son of a 118
the 13-7
are Adepts Who take apprentices 14
take apprentices 14-7, 117-8
the great knowledge of 14
"Their world" 15
Matter, all, is living 30, 65
astral 15, 26, 31, 43, 51, 66-7
atomic 25
different densities of 20, 25
etheric 25, 59
formation of root- 18-9
intermingling of 21
mental 23, 27, 29, 33, 42
molecules of 24-5
power of attraction of 60
root- 81
Matter, seven types of 21, 24
starry 24
sub-atomic 25
sub-divisions of 24-5
super-etheric 25
the senses respond to vibrations in 26
ultimate 18-21
vibrations of 24-6, 33, 44-7
whirling sphere of, a 19-21
Memory of nature 3
of past lives 44
Men, backward, drop out 132-3
bodies of first Earth-chain 129-30
first, of Earth-chain 126-7
Moon- 126-9
Mental, globe 26-7
globes of Earth-chain 122
images of friends 93-4
shell 53, 91
warts 49
(also see mental world)
Mental body, the, after death 90-1
bridge from, to physical body 58
cell-life of 65
composition of 48
connection of brain with 49
description of 48-9, 60-1
effect of prejudice upon 49
effect of thoughts upon 48-51
expresses concrete thoughts 48
reacts on causal body 58
shell 53, 91
sight of 50-1
striations in 49-50
the astral body reacts upon 58
the dead are unused to 90-1
the ego casts aside his 43-4, 63
the ego takes a 42-3
the memory of 44-5
thoughts shown as colours in 48-50
vibrations of 50, 53-4
warts on 49
Mental matter, globe of 26-7
the causal body is built of 45
the mind is built of 23
vibrations of 24
Mental world, average life in, after death 64-5
bliss of 90
effect of higher thought in 92-3
ego formed in higher 39
extent of 27
formation of 20-3
friends of dead in 93-4
higher 29-30, 33, 39-42
levels of 94
lower 29-30
man in, after death 63-4, 89-95
the fifth plane named 24-41
the Monad manifests in higher 42
the second outpouring descends to 29-30
wealth of 91
Mercury, the planet 122, 124
life exists on 128
Mind, the divine 91
the, of man 23
(also see mental body)
Mineral, the kingdom 30-1, 37, 108, 126
man represents, of first chain 126
seven types of 37
the first out-pouring ensouls 30
Ministers in charge of departments 11
the seven, of Solar Deity 11
Monad, the, descent of 41
Monad, origin of 41, 61
Monads, the home of human, 23, 41
Monadic world, the, extent of 27
man belongs to 41
the second plane named 23, 41-2
Mongolian root-race 105
Moon, the, astral globe of 27, 71
human goal on 126
individualization on 125
is a corpse 123
Lords of the 126
Moon-animals 126-7
individualize on Earth 128-9
Moon-chain, animal-men of 127-8
human goal on 126
men of 126
men come to Earth-chain 126-9
was the third incarnation of our chain 123
Moon-men 126-9
distribution of, on Earth-chain 126-9
first order of 129
second order of 129
some entered the Path 129
Motive, the, for self-effort 115
Nature, memory of 3
planes of 7
seven kingdoms of 28
Nature-spirits, are not individualized 84
are sometimes seen by men 84
four classes of 84
many wear etheric bodies 84
the kingdom of 84
where they exist 83-4
Nebula, cooling of 22
planets formed from 22
rings of 22
subsidiary vortices of 22
vortex of 20
Negroid, the, race 105
Neptune, the planet 124
Nerves, vitality flows along 59
_Occult Chemistry_ 7
_Occult World, The_ 1, 15
Occultism, how to progress in 113-7
Official, pupils of great 11
representing Solar Deity 11
Officials of the Hierarchy 13
Olcott, Colonel H.S. 14
a founder of T.S. 14
Oriental sacred books 18
Origin, divine, of man 3, 10, 39-40
Outpouring, the first 20-8
the second 28-39, 65
the third 39-40
Path, the, conditions of 15
fetters to be cast off on 119-20
fourth step on 126
Moon-men entered 129
simile of mountain 5
steeper 5, 119-20
Peers of Logos 9
Perfect men 5
Perseverance necessary for progress 113
Personality 61
the purpose of the 109
Philosophy, Theosophy is a 1
Physical body, attracts astral matter 60
cells of the 65-6
during sleep man leaves his 62, 70
early evolution of the 129-30
ego, drops his 43, 63
Physical body, ego takes a 43, 61
etheric part of 59-60
future perfection of the 132
of first round 129-30
of man is evolved from animal forms 130
requirements of the 59-60
Physical matter, subdivisions of 25
vibrations of 24, 33
Physical world, the, descent of ego to 42-3
formation of 21-3, 23-6
second outpouring enters 30-1
seven sub-divisions of 25
_Pioneer, The_, Mr. A.P. Sinnett, editor of 15
Planes of nature, the 7
formation of 20-1
investigation of 7
naming of 41
Planets, formation of 22
future 20
life on other 128
Planetary chains 121-33
Planetary Spirits, the seven 11
simile of ganglia and 11
Powers latent in man 2
are for use in service 109
observation of history by 3
observation of other worlds by 2-3
Prejudices shown in mental body, 49
Primitive man, causal body of 46-8
during sleep 62
life of, after death 64
result of action of 102
types of 37
Principle, undying, in man 8
Probation, apprentice upon 118
period of 118
Promptings of lower nature 66-8
Proto-elements 21
Pupils, accepted, of Master 118
of Great Officials 11
of Masters 14-7, 116-8
(see also apprentices)
Purgatory is a state of consciousness 64-5
Quotations from, a French Scientist 18
a Gnostic Philosopher 10
a Master 15
an Eastern Scripture 9
_The Occult World_ 1
Race, Founder of each 11
Head of each 11
of life 99
Races, branch- 105, 125
man evolves through different 105
object of 105
of humanity 14
root- 105, 125-6
sub- 105, 125
Ray, the seventh 85
Record, indelible 3
Reincarnation 42-4, 97-107
desire of ego for 97
simile of days at school and 98-9
Theosophy explains 99
Religion, Adepts, Teachers of 12
department of 12
Founders of new 11
Religions, have one source 12
start with basic truths 12
the sending forth of 11
Reproduction, early methods of 130
Reynolds, Prof. O. 18-9
Right and wrong, the test of 142
Roman races, the 105
Root-matter 18
Root-races 105, 125
Round, a 125
first, differs from others 128
Rounds, conditions, of early reproduced in fourth round 130-1
human forms on first three 128-30
Saturn, rings of, simile of 22
Savages, causal bodies of 46-7, 48-9
during sleep 62
types of 37
'Saved, The' 119
Scheme of evolution, a 32, 121-2
central point of 125
School, of philosophy, there is a 1
of life, none fail in the 98
Séances 87
_Secret Doctrine, The_ 19
Seers can use sight of the ego 46
Senses, the, of astral body 68-9
respond to vibrations of matter 26
Service, man learns to use his powers in 109
the joy of 96
Seven, 'bubbles' combine in powers of 20-1, 23
choices of Lords of the Moon 127-8
degrees of density of matter 24-5
force-centres in man's bodies 60
globes of a chain 121-2
impulses of force 19-20
incarnations of chains 121
interpenetrating worlds 20, 22
kingdoms of nature 28
life-waves 33
Ministers of Solar Deity 11
Planetary Spirits 11
sub-divisions of matter 24-5
sub-divisions of vitality 60
types of animals 37-9
types of elemental creatures 37-8
types of group-souls 37-8
types of matter 21, 24
types of men 43
types of minerals 37
types of vegetables 37
Sexes, separation of 130
Shade, the 86
Sheaves of the ego 61
Shell, of astral body 68, 78-80, 81, 86-7
of thoughts 53, 91
Sight, astral 68-9
clairvoyant 46
mental 51
of ego 46
Simile of, boiling water 69-70
brick 25
bucket of water 34-5
charged battery 53
cups of varying capacities 91-2
days at school 97-8, 143
dense fog 143
developing muscles 114
flame in a dark night 14
ganglia 11
matter diffused in water 72
Niagara Falls 135
onion 72
overtones of musical notes 58
path up mountain 5
payment of a debt 102-4
rungs of a ladder 17
Saturn's rings 22
shutting a door 131
sorting out school-boys 132
university degrees 120
vibrations of a bell 55
warts 49
Sinnett, Mr. A.P. 1, 15
author of _The Occult World_ 1, 15
author of _Esoteric Buddhism_ 1, 15
editor of _The Pioneer_ 15
Sleep 61-2, 70, 87
man during 61-2, 70
the dead are met during 74
Solar Deity, the, a Being higher than 19
builds His system 9-10, 19
field of activity of 19
first Aspect of 39
fragment of Life of 9-10
future planets of 19
impulses of force of 20-1, 28
is a Trinity 11
Official representing 11
Peers of 9
Plan of 11, 13
second Aspect of 28, 32, 65
Self-limitation of 10
seven Ministers of 11
seven Planetary Spirits 11
the King of the World represents 11
third Aspect of 20-1, 28
threefold manifestation of 10
Solar plexus, force-centre, the 60
Solar System, evolutionary table of 125
formation of 18-27
inhabitants of the 85
Logos of a 9
origin of 19
ten chains of 121-3
Solar systems, countless 9
Son of Master 118
Soul, the group 33-9, 42
man is a 2, 33
of an animal 33-4
of domestic animals 37-40
of grasses 31
of insects 37
of lions 33-4
of man 8, 33, 55
of reptiles 42
of trees 31
plant- 33
World- 33
Space, between atoms 23
Fohat digs holes in 19
the æther of 18-9
worlds not separate in 2
Sparks, of divine Fire 39-40, 61
of divine Life 23, 29
Spine, force-centre at base of 60
Spirit, and matter 18
in man 23, 41
the triple, in man 41-2
Spiritual world, the extent of 26-7
is the name of third plane 23, 41
Monads descend to 41
Spleen, the, vitality flows through 60
Stream, those who have entered the 119
Sub-atomic matter 25
Sub-races of humanity 105, 125
Summerland, the, of astral world 80
Sun, vitality comes from the 60
Super-etheric matter 25
Table of evolution of Solar System 125
Teachers, authority of 16
of earlier races 126
of religion 11-2
Tempting demons 53, 67
Test, the, of right and wrong 142
Teutonic sub-race 105
Theosophy, demands no belief 6
explains reincarnation 99
explains religions 7
first popular exposition of 1
is a philosophy 1
is a religion 1, 5-7
is a science 1, 7
never converts 7
solves problems of life 4
statements of, based on observation 6
tells of past history 3
the gospel of 96
the great facts of 8
what, does for us 134-148
Theosophist, the, cheerfully faces trouble 146
conception of life of 137
does not try to convert 140
has no fear of death 137
knows the power of thought 147
relation of, to animals 141
sees purpose of life 142
test of right and wrong of 141
Thought, abstract 46
all actions spring from 116
concrete 48, 50
coupled with feeling 51
-forces after death 63
is a powerful instrument 116
necessity for clear 114
necessity for control of 116
prolonged 50
shell of 53
Thoughts, are things 147
as a power for good 55
build forms 52
distance no hindrance to 52
effect of, after death 63-4, 80
humanity helped by 54-5
meaning of colours of 46, 54-7
meaning of shapes of 54
on Theosophy 55-60
others affected by 50-51
self-centred 53-4
selfish and unselfish 110
transmission of 52
Thought-forms 50-4
are temporary entities 53
as guardian angels 54
as tempting demons 53
astro-mental 51, 57
duration of 53-4
effect on others of 51-2
move through space 51
Thought images (see Thought-forms)
Three, Aspects of the Logos 10-1
aspects of man 41
critical points in man's evolution 117-9
elemental kingdoms 28-9
great truths 8
in One 10
outpourings 28-39
Persons 10
stages of apprenticeship 118
stages of evolution 108-9
Throat, the force-centre in 60
Time, no measure of, in astral world 75
Trinity of Solar Logos 10
Triple Spirit in man 41-2
Triumph, the, of man 96
Trust begets trust 111
Truth, one in diverse forms 12
the, is obtainable 12
Truths, basic, of religions 12-3
the three great 8
Types of, animals 37-8
elemental creatures 37
group-souls 37
life 37
matter 21
men 37-9
minerals 37
reptiles 37
vegetables 38
Ultimate atoms 19
physical atoms 25
root-matter 18
Ultra-violet light 26-44
Unity, the, of humanity 138-9
what tends to 109
Universe, the, beginning of 18
Universes, innumerable 9
Universal brotherhood of humanity, the 138
Uranium 22
Uranus, the planet 124
Vegetable, the, kingdom 30-1, 37-8
seven types of 37
Vehicles, man's conflict of interest with his 66-9
Venus, the planet 124
Adepts from, come to Earth 131
stage of evolution of 131
Vibrations, of astral body 56-7, 65-6, 75-6
of mental body 44
of thought-forms 53, 55
Vibrations, in matter 24, 33, 59
causal body affected by 47-9
ego responds to 45
life learns to generate 33
octaves of 24
the senses respond to 25-6
Vices, belong to the vehicles 112
how to kill out 110-5
Vitality, circulates along the nerves 59
of astral corpse 86
sub-division of 59-60
what it is 59
Vortices, force-centres appear as 60
in matter 20
in nebular 19-22
Vulcan, the planet, was seen by Herschel 124
Warts on mental body 49
Water, nature-spirits of 84
Waves, life- (see life-waves)
Wealth of the heaven world 91
Whirling sphere of matter 19-21
vortex in 20
Will, the divine 6, 11
evolution is 11, 120
fulfilment of 118
Wisdom, Masters of the (see Masters)
Word of God, the 9
World, departments of the 11
King of this 11
-period 124
Worlds, bliss of the higher 89-90
inhabitants of finer 25-6
man exists in several 2-3
of different densities 3
seven interpenetrating 20, 23-4
End of Project Gutenberg's A Textbook of Theosophy, by C.W. Leadbeater