[Notes on Paramahansas and Jivatma]
Theosophist, August, 1882
Article Selections by “a Paramahansa” | Notes by H.P.B.
What is Theosophy?
By a Paramahansa1 of the Himalayas
[Note: for the full article, see here.]
1. Paramahansas are the order of the highest Yogi-Sannyasis, who alone are allowed to throw off the yoke of the Hindu caste superstitions. While all the others have to perform, more or less, the daily exoteric ceremonies of their respective Ashramas or orders, no rules of action can be assigned to these.—ED. [H.P.B.]
. . . Theosophy is that branch of gymnastics, which invigorates the mind, expands the intellect, unites the thought with the tie of breath,2 removes the heat of lust, and produces a balmy calmness, which is the heart’s eye, to penetrate the mysteries of nature.
2. This relates to occult practices.—ED. [H.P.B.]
Theosophy is that branch of mental philosophy, by which one may know the exact centre of his individual Self and its identity with the entity of the second principle of the Vedantists, or the seventh one of the present Theosophists,3 or what is commonly known by the name, God. . . .
3. Jivatma, in the sense of the Vedantin, is the Soul of all life, and in that of the Theosophists it is Jiva,—vital principle.—ED. [H.P.B.]
