“Five Years of Theosophy” holds its place among the core texts of the early theosophical movement. It is composed of a series of articles drawn from the Theosophist, the primary theosophical periodical that was under the editorship of H.P. Blavatsky in its early days. It’s articles cover a wide array of topics, from the mystical to the scientific, addressing some of the core ideas of the theosophical philosophy and often revealing concepts treated only partially in other works.
Among its articles we find a most mystical tract “The Elixir of Life”, a wonderful article on “Contemplation” by Damodar Mavalankar, several articles on the nature of Chelaship and practical theosophy (some from the pen of H.P.B. herself), articles by T. Subba Row, including the notable “Brahmanism on the Sevenfold Principle in Man”, and dozens more from prominent theosophists. This work provides not only a vivid window into the life and thought of the early Theosophical Society, but brings insight into the heart of what it is to be a theosophist, to walk the path of chelaship, and hints at several of the deepest, most profound doctrines of the philosophy. It is a work highly recommended for all theosophists who wish to bring themselves into accord with the initial impulse of the movement.
The full text can be read online here: http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/five-years.htm
Full Title and Contents
Five Years of Theosophy
MYSTICAL, PHILOSOPHICAL,
THEOSOPHICAL, HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC
ESSAYS
Selected from “The Theosophist”
1885
Contents
Mystical |
The “Elixir of Life” |
Is The Desire to “Live” Selfish? |
Contemplation |
Chelas and Lay Chelas |
Ancient Opinions upon Psychic Bodies |
The Nilgiri Sannyasis |
Witchcraft On The Nilgiris |
Shamanism and Witchcraft Amongst the Kolarian Tribes |
Mahatmas and Chelas |
The Brahmanical Thread |
Reading in a Sealed Envelope |
The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac |
The Sishal and Bhukailas Yogis |
Philosophical |
True And False Personality |
Chastity |
Zoroastrianism on the Septenary Constitution of Man |
Brahmanism on the Sevenfold Principle in Man |
The Septenary Principle in Esotericism |
Personal and Impersonal God |
Prakriti and Parusha |
Morality and Pantheism |
Occult Study |
Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett’s “Esoteric Buddhism” |
Sakya Muni’s Place in History |
Inscriptions Discovered by General A. Cunningham |
Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit |
Was Writing Known Before Panini? |
Theosophical |
What is Theosophy? |
How a “Chela” Found his “Guru” |
The Sages of the Himavat |
The Himalayan Brothers—Do They Exist? |
Interview with a Mahatma |
The Secret Doctrine |
Historical |
The Puranas on the Dynasty of the Moryas and on Koothoomi |
The Theory Of Cycles |
Scientific |
Odorigen and Jiva |
Introversion of Mental Vision |
“Precipitation” |
“How Shall We Sleep?” |
Transmigration Of The Life Atoms |
“OM” and its Practical Significance |