Gottfried de Purucker comes from the same mystical background as Helena P. Blavatsky. He distinguishes himself by the clarity with which he explains the theosophical ideas and the accuracy with which he preserves their purity. He was head of the Theosophical Society from 1929 until his passing in 1942<\/p>\n
This work is one of his many books. It is in many respects an opening of new and inner doors to hitherto carefully guarded esoteric knowledge, and was considered by De Purucker as his most important contribution to Theosophical literature. It supplements with important detail and keen philosophical analysis the Theosophical teachings given by HP Blavatsky in her masterpiece The Secret Doctrine<\/p>\n
What is this tradition, knowledge of which remains almost completely unknown? It is the esoteric tradition stretching back to the beginnings of time \u2014 that line of teaching and teachers, that golden thread of Truth, which has never been broken, which is the essence of the secret wisdom of Nature. It is that Wisdom preserved for mankind through the agency of the Mystery-Schools of the past, and again presented to the world through the medium of a reawakened Theosophical Movement. This is the wonderful theme of these volumes, illustrated by lucid description of the doctrines of the archaic Wisdom-philosophy<\/p>\n
Photographic Reproduction of the 2nd edition, 1940
\nFirst edition of this photographic reproduction, 2015<\/p>\n
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I<\/p>\n
INTRODUCTION
\nReality or Truth, and Relative Truth \u2013 Dogma defined \u2013 The nature of Seership \u2013 What is proof? \u2013 Is it infallible? \u2013 Faith, true and blind \u2013 The Esoteric Tradition \u2013 Religion, Philosophy, and Science as distinguished from religions, philosophies, and sciences \u2013 Theosophy the universal 'touchstone' \u2013 The Mahatma Letters to AP Sinnett and The Secret Doctrine<\/p>\n
Chapter I
\nTHEOSOPHY: THE MOTHER OF RELIGIONS, PHILOSOPHY, AND ESOTERIC SCIENCE
\nIntimations of existence of Wisdom-Religion universal \u2013 The Esoteric Philosophy re-stated by HP Blavatsky \u2013 Intuition as source of human understanding of Truth \u2013 What Theosophy is and what it is not \u2013 The Guardians of the Wisdom-Religion and the methods of its dissemination \u2013 Esotericism and exotericism\u2014the Mystery-Schools, and the 'Mysteries' \u2013
\nEarly Christian, Neo-Platonic, and Neo-Phytagorean teachers and their teachings \u2013 Anathematized teachings of Origen \u2013 The Qabb\u00e2l\u00e2h ('the Tradition'), and Theosophy \u2013 The Esoteric Doctrine, it's relation to human mentality and man's conception of Truth \u2013 What we owe to ancient civilizations<\/p>\n
Chapter II
\nALLEGORY AND MYSTICAL SYMBOLISM
\nWhy the Esoteric keys are safeguarded \u2013 Karman and Reimbodiment once held secret but now clearly expounded \u2013 The universal Mysteries the source of symbolic imagery \u2013 Intuition, its value in the study of symbolism \u2013 Theosophical Interpretation of: \u201cIt (the Kingdom of God) will come when two and two make one; when the outside is like the inside; and when there is neither male nor female\u201d \u2013 The Story of the Vine and Grapes explained \u2013 The 'Cry from the Cross,' its correct translation and esoteric significance \u2013 A comprehensive survey of symbolism and mysticism as used by all great Teachers \u2013 The Symbol of the Serpent or Snake<\/p>\n
Chapter III
\nTHE SECRET DOCTRINE OF GAUTAMA THE BUDDHA \u2014 I
\nEvidence of existence of a system of esoteric teaching in Buddhism \u2013 The Buddha-Gautama \u2013 The Buddhist 'Confession of Faith': its esoteric meaning \u2013 Samsk\u00e2ras and Nirv\u00e2na explained \u2013 The Eye-Doctrine and the Heart-Doctrine \u2013 The injunction of the Lord Buddha to his disciples as found in the Mah\u00e2-Parinibb\u00e2na-Sutta \u2013 Esoteric Buddhism and the existence of a succession of Teachers in the history of Buddhism \u2013 The H\u00eenay\u00e2na and the Mah\u00e2y\u00e2na Schools defined and describe \u2013 S\u00e2kyamuni and the non-existence of a static 'soul ' in man \u2013 Occidental Orientalists have need of greater intuition and common sense in the study of Buddhism<\/p>\n
Chapter IV
\nTHE SECRET DOCTRINE OF GAUTAMA THE BUDDHA \u2014 II
\nThe Doctrine of Becoming \u2013 The P\u00e2li scriptures and the teaching of 'survival' \u2013 What is it that survives? Karman, Rebirth, and the J\u00e2taka-tales \u2013 Fundamental doctrines of Buddhism: The Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Verities \u2013 The P\u00e2ramit\u00e2s as given by HP Blavatsky in The Voice of the Silence and in Buddhist literature \u2013 Meanings of the terms Samsk\u00e2ras, Skandhas, Karman, and Evolution \u2013 Discussion concerning the x-quantity in man \u2013 Symbolism in the life-story of the Buddha \u2013 The Buddha's teachings on union with the Divine<\/p>\n
Chapter V
\nWORLDS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE \u2014 I
\nThe Universe a septempartite or decempartite organism \u2013 Who and what are the Devas? \u2013 Knowing the Universe by becoming \u2013 Scientists dream dreams of truth and see visions of reality \u2013 'Dimensions,' 'singular points,' 'spheres,' and 'planes' \u2013 Natural phenomena and the invisible causal realms \u2013 The 'law of probability, ' 'indeterminacy,' chance' \u2013 Early Christian, 'pagan,' and ancient, occult teachings about man and the Universe compared with those of modern science \u2013 Universal Consciousness-substance and the causal realms \u2013 God, or gods? \u2013 Radiation, light, consciousnesses- Where are the invisible worlds and what are their inhabitants?<\/p>\n
Chapter VI
\nWORLDS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE \u2014 II
\nUniverses, Hierarchies, and Logoi \u2013 Man and Universe six-sevenths or seven-tenths occult \u2013 The lokas and talas explained \u2013 R\u00fbpa-lokas and Earth's sevenfold Planetary Chain compared \u2013 The Seven Sacred Planets \u2013 Globe-bodies and planes \u2013 'Conservation of energy ' \u2013 Who are the Kosmo-kratores? \u2013 The Moon and moons \u2013 Reimbodiment of globe-chain \u2013 Entire Solar System interblended and interactive \u2013 Modern astrology and the ancient Wisdom-Astrology \u2013 Captures, galactic and electronic \u2013 Classes of Monadic Life-Waves \u2013 Cosmic Space, Hierarchs, and Wondrous Beings \u2013 Archaic Pantheism \u2013 Christian God and the Unknowable Principle \u2013 Space a container of Divine Atoms<\/p>\n
Chapter VII
\nEVOLVING SOULS \u2014 I
\nEvolution and Revolution \u2013 No absolute endings in evolution \u2013 'Soul' and souls explained \u2013 Evolution and emanation: an analysis \u2013 Infinite hosts of souls: numerous illustrations \u2013 What are 'group-souls' and what constitutes 'grouping'? \u2013 Enduring Consciousness and fugitive 'events' \u2013 The eternal and the evanescent in all beings \u2013 What is immortality? \u2013 The 'losing' of the self in the Self \u2013 'As a man thinks, so is he' \u2013 The difference between man and beast \u2013 Solomon and Ecclesiastes \u2013 Man, a microcosm in the Macrocosm is yet One with the All<\/p>\n
Chapter VIII
\nEVOLVING SOULS \u2014 II
\nThe four planes of Universal Being \u2013 Nature and evolution of elementals defined \u2013 Man his own architect \u2013 Our source and the origin of our life-atoms \u2013 Dual aspect of life-atoms \u2013 One Law but countless ramifications of detail and repetition \u2013 The heresy of Separateness \u2013 The r\u00fbpa-planes and the Seph\u00eer\u00f4th of the Qabb\u00e2l\u00e2h \u2013 Every being a well-spring of 'creative' activity \u2013 What part of an ever changing entity endures? \u2013 Monadic generation of elementals continuous \u2013 Climbing the Ladder of Life<\/p>\n
Chapter IX
\nTHE EVOLUTIONARY PATHWAY TO THE GODS
\nMonadism and Atomism: the essential carpentry of the manifested Universe \u2013 Druidic and other ancient teachings \u2013 Self-expression eternal and universal \u2013 Evolution and Involution \u2013 Possibility of understanding states of consciousness during pralaya of a planetary chain or solar system \u2013 The Garden of Eden, and Man a 'fallen angel,' theosophically explained \u2013 The War in Heaven \u2013 Teleologic element in evolution and the evils of Darwinism \u2013 The great evolutionary Drama of Life \u2013 The Rivers of Lives and geologic Ages in the light of Theosophy \u2013 Evolution entirely a spiritual process<\/p>\n
Chapter X
\nESOTERIC TEACHINGS ON THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL BEINGS
\nHP Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, and Esoteric Evolution \u2013 Teachings of modern science, and the difficulties of expounding the Wisdom-teachings \u2013 Human development during past ages \u2013 Whence came the beasts and reptiles? \u2013 Man, his physical structure during the First and Second Races, and physical modes of propagation \u2013 The human embryo and its prenatal development in relation to physical structure of early Man \u2013 Androgynous and uni-sexual development \u2013 Evolution and involution and the 'closing of the door' into the Human Kingdom \u2013 What are the anthropoid apes? \u2013 Destiny of the beasts \u2013 Emanation of Mammalia from the human stock \u2013 What is a 'type'? \u2013 Time periods, geologic ages, and radio-activity \u2013 Specialization \u2013 Spiritual, intellectual, and psycho-mental evolution \u2013 Consolidation and size of early root-race types \u2013 Man, a vast treasury \u2013 Embryology, the touchstone \u2013 Geological remains<\/p>\n
Chapter XI
\nTHE TURNING OF THE WHEEL \u2014 THE PAST
\nCivilization and civilizations \u2013 Periods of transition illustrated by time of downfall of the Roman Empire \u2013 Divination, soothsayers, etc., then and now \u2013 Oracles and the Wisdom of the Ages -The closing of the Mystery-Schools and the age of spiritual barrenness in the Occident \u2013 Astronomical teachings of early Mesopotamia \u2013 Claudius Ptolemy and his legacy to the Dark Ages \u2013 Graeco-Roman world the alembic of religions and philosophies two thousand years ago \u2013 Pioneers of the Renaissance: their interpretations of Truth and the reception they received -The significance of the founding of the Theosophical Society \u2013 Mutability of Science and permanence of the Ancient Wisdom -The scientific attitude fifty years ago and now<\/p>\n
Chapter XII
\nTHE TURNING OF THE WHEEL \u2014 THE PRESENT
\nIntellectual conditions of 1875 \u2013 HP Blavatsky, her life-work, the Message she brought, and her Teachers \u2013 Responsibility of the Sages and Seers, and the 'law' of Karman \u2013 The quickening of Science, Philosophy, and Religion \u2013 The Atomistic School of the Greeks and its influence on Newton and Huxley \u2013 'Modes of Motion,' 'absolute time,' and 'absolute space.' \u2013 Einstein's 'space-time continuum.' \u2013 Relativity and M\u00e2y\u00e2 \u2013 Seven points wherein the modern relativity-theory approaches the Esoteric Tradition \u2013 Vision versus dogmatism in Science: some examples \u2013 Modern Science becoming metaphysical and mystical \u2013 The promise of the future<\/p>\n
Chapter XIII
\nBEHIND THE VEILS WITH SCIENCE \u2014 I
\nModern Science elucidating some of the teachings of the great Sages \u2013 The true status of ancient civilizations \u2013 Are the present 'primitive' people representatives of degenerate or of embryo-races? \u2013 The Negro Race \u2013 What is science? \u2013 Modern scientific conceptions of consciousness \u2013 Some conceptions of the atom and atomic space and time \u2013 What animates an atom? \u2013 Illusions of 'matter': the ether, and the Void \u2013 'Density' of the ether, and M\u00e2y\u00e2 \u2013 \u00c3k\u00e2sa, spirit-substance-force, or Life \u2013 The Galaxy, its form, size, and some of its suns \u2013 Fallacy of the theory of the 'expanding universe'<\/p>\n
Chapter XIV
\nBEHIND THE VEILS WITH SCIENCE \u2014 II
\nA Universe of Consciousness: a most important postulate \u2013 Consciousness the root of force or energy \u2013 Explanation of Gravitation and the Forces of Nature \u2013 Newton's conception of the same \u2013 Empedocles on Cosmic 'Love' and 'Hate' \u2013 'Space-curvature' and the 'Cosmic Rays' \u2013 Pralayas and Manvantaras \u2013 Spencer and a 'running down' Universe \u2013 Outworn terminology hampers scientific expression \u2013 'Creation' \u2013 Hydrogen and helium and the processes of integration and disintegration \u2013 Laya-centers, 'singular points,' and ' dimensions' \u2013 All matter concreted light \u2013 The 'Quantum Theory' \u2013 Prout's Hypothesis and 'isotopes' \u2013 No limits to the divisibility of matter \u2013 The inner god in man and the forces of the invisible realms of Nature \u2013 Our five senses and the Root -Races<\/p>\n
Chapter XV
\nWEBS OF DESTINY \u2014 I
\nThe Cosmic Web, a Universe of Law infilled by willing agents \u2013 Fatalism, Karman, and Free Will \u2013 \u201cUnmerited suffering' and Karman \u2013 What is Karman? \u2013 The web, the causal forces, and man himself \u2013 Laws and lawgivers \u2013 The conflict of wills in evolving entities \u2013 Good and Evil, 'spiritual wickedness,' and the 'forces of evil' \u2013 Past and present ideas of divinity, and certain Articles of Faith \u2013 Webs in the weaving, and the human and cosmic weavers \u2013 Schools of Fatalism \u2013 'Determinacy' and 'indeterminacy' \u2013 What originates causes? \u2013 Man the Actor \u2013 Unfolding will as the impulse to evolutionary ascent \u2013 Explanation of the phrase 'above Karman'<\/p>\n
Chapter XVI
\nWEBS OF DESTINY \u2014 II
\nEssential unity and identity of all Beings, and the Great Heresy \u2013 Individual and universal contributors to the Manvantaric Web of Cosmos \u2013 Psychological influence of M\u00e2y\u00e2 \u2013 Karman and the Mah\u00e2m\u00e2y\u00e2 \u2013 \u201cAs we sow, so shall ye also reap\u201d \u2013 Destiny and the Greek teachings \u2013 Ethical responsibility and Karman \u2013 'Sins' of commission and 'sins' of omission \u2013 Karman and 'unmerited suffering' \u2013 Classes of Karman \u2013 The Reincarnating Ego and the choice before Rebirth \u2013 The Insane and Karman \u2013 Great world-catastrophes \u2013 The immanent Christ and the intricacies of individual Karman \u2013 The Buddhist teaching of Karman<\/p>\n
Chapter XVII
\nHEAVENS AND HELLS \u2014 I
\nPure and perverted teachings of the post-mortem states \u2013 Similarities and variances in the conceptions of 'heaven' and 'hell,' and the orthodox ideas \u2013 Superstition \u2013 Mansions of experience in the Universe \u2013 \u201cIn my Father's house are many mansions\u201d \u2013 Lokas and talas \u2013 Attractions and repulsions of peregrinating beings \u2013 Nirv\u00e2na, Devachan, Av\u00eechi, Nirv\u00e2na-Av\u00eechi and K\u00e2ma-loka \u2013 Our Earth a Myalba \u2013 Post-mortem destiny of the human soul \u2013 Pantheism and evolution \u2013 Emanational evolution as distinct from Darwinism \u2013 What is retribution? \u2013 Heavens and hells both manifold and temporary \u2013 Earth but one of many Cosmic Inns of Life<\/p>\n
Chapter XVIII
\nHEAVENS AND HELLS \u2014 II
\n'Heavens' and 'hells' in myth and legend and ancient literature \u2013 The 'path to the gods' and the 'paths to the fathers' \u2013 Evolution in process throughout the composite of the Universe \u2013 'Death,' the human soul, and the Reincarnating Ego \u2013 What happens to the evil man after death? \u2013 Relative and intermediate states of bliss and misery \u2013 The Tattwas defined and described \u2013 Nirv\u00e2na, identity or nonentity \u2013 Plotinus 'On the Problem of the Soul' \u2013 The Inner God and the personality \u2013 The Nirv\u00e2n\u00ee, Devachan\u00ee and the state of Av\u00eechi \u2013 The 'lost soul' and the future of its Monad \u2013 Man carves his own destiny \u2013 The grand vision of endless growth<\/p>\n
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II<\/p>\n
Chapter XIX
\nREIMBODIMENT AS TAUGHT THROUGH THE
\nAGES \u2014 I
\nPre-existence, Reimbodiment, Rebirth, Palingenesis, Transmigration, Metempsychosis, Reincarnation, and Metensomatosis, defined and described \u2013 The relation of the Reimbodying Ego to the above \u2013 'Coming anew into life,' a universal teaching \u2013 Skeptics powerless to disprove Rebirth \u2013 The Egyptians, metempsychosal reincarnation, and Herodotus \u2013 Why did the Egyptians mummify their dead? \u2013 The origin of the Egyptians \u2013 The Encyclopaedia Britannica and Metempsychosis: a correction \u2013 Josephus, the Pharisees, and Reincarnation \u2013 The Universal System and Philo Judaeus<\/p>\n
Chapter XX
\nREIMBODIMENT AS TAUGHT THROUGH THE
\nAGES \u2014 II
\nDisappearance of the doctrine of Reimbodiment in the sixth century \u2013 Scattered groups who retained it: Albigenses, Cathari, Bogomils \u2013 Doctrine taught among earliest Christians as illustrated by citations from Origen, Jerome and Clement \u2013 Hints as to the doctrine of Reimbodiment found in the Bible \u2013 Later believers in some form of metempsychosal reimbodiment: Giordano Bruno, van Helmont, Swedenburg, Goethe, Lessing, Herder \u2013 Illustrations of modern conception and misconceptions of the doctrine \u2013 The doctrine of Reimbodiment as given in the Orphic teachings<\/p>\n
Chapter XXI
\nHOW MAN IS BORN AND REBORN \u2014 I
\nThe causes of rebirth \u2013 Love, a great re-uniting power from life to life \u2013 The impersonal Eros of the Cosmos \u2013 The greater reunion at the end of the Manvantara \u2013 The power of thought in building our future destiny on Earth \u2013 Reincarnation explains that of unexhausted energies becomes generated in earth-life \u2013 What is heredity? \u2013 Sex not a radical thing \u2013 Explanation of the ego's entrance into male or female body \u2013 The Theosophical conception of marriage \u2013 Hate as well as love, a great magnetic power \u2013 'Not remembering past lives' no argument against Reincarnation<\/p>\n
Chapter XXII
\nHOW MAN IS BORN AND REBORN \u2014 II
\nHow character is built \u2013 Sorrow and suffering, proofs of Nature's compassionate heart \u2013 What it is that reincarnates \u2013 Law concerning length of devachanic period \u2013 Why we need a devachanic rest \u2013 Renunciation of the devachanic rest and shortening of that period possible \u2013 The devachanic type of character here on Earth \u2013 Unusual cases considered: death of small children; premature death in adult life: by disease, by violence; suicides, congenital idiots \u2013 Reincarnation of animals \u2013 Man becomes whatever he longs for \u2013 Reimbodiment, the doctrine of another chance<\/p>\n
Chapter XXIII
\n'LIFE,' IN FACT AND IN THEORY \u2014 I
\nNineteenth century materialism: an era of contradictions \u2013 The Mahatma Letters to AP Sinnett gives insight into the nature of that era \u2013 Twentieth century has seen a change in outlook \u2013 Western theological and scientific meaning of 'life' \u2013 'Life' and 'death' are two processes \u2013 The doctrine of Swabh\u00e2va \u2013 Explanation of the term 'Monadic Ray' \u2013 The 'new man' the karman of the old man' \u2013 'Life' and 'death' inextricably interwoven<\/p>\n
Chapter XXIV
\n'LIFE', IN FACT AND IN THEORY \u2014 II
\nLife not an 'entity' separate from matter \u2013 Theories of the Mechanists and Vitalists \u2013 Animism \u2013 No gulf between matter and spirit \u2013 Table of radiations of various frequencies illustrating gradual merger of ethereal substance into material substance \u2013 What is Life per se? \u2013 Beginnings and endings are dreams of illusion \u2013 Nature in continual birth \u2013 Death merely a sloughing off of vehicles \u2013 What death will be for us in the future \u2013 Death and sleep are one \u2013 The source of our essential life is the Divine Monad<\/p>\n
Chapter XXV
\nTHE ASTRAL LIGHT AND THE LIFE ATOMS \u2014I
\nImmobility impossible in the Universe \u2013 Dissolution inevitable to all compounded beings \u2013 No permanent individuals to be found in bodies \u2013 The astral worlds \u2013 The nature of the physical body \u2013 Explanation of radio-activity in the mineral world \u2013 The constitution of Globe D, our Earth \u2013 Peregrinations of the life-atoms in a human physical body during earth-life \u2013 Analogy of this process with the after-death peregrinations of the life-atoms \u2013 Death and other subjects as taught in the Mystery-Schools \u2013 The Seven Principles of Man as taught by the Romans and by the Greeks \u2013 The relation of the Seven Principles of Man to the Cosmic Principles \u2013 Greek and Roman teachings regarding the Underworld<\/p>\n
Chapter XXVI
\nTHE ASTRAL LIGHT AND THE LIFE ATOMS \u2014 II
\nCause of death from the vehicular standpoint \u2013 Peregrination of the physical life-atoms after death \u2013 Life-atoms on every plane of man's being \u2013 Journeys of the astral life-atoms after death \u2013 Difference between the Linga-sar\u00eera and the K\u00e2ma-r\u00fbpa \u2013 Fate of the K\u00e2ma-r\u00fbpa of man after death \u2013 Our responsibility in connexion with the life-atoms of our various bodies \u2013 Description of the picking up of bodies on return of Ego into earth-life \u2013 Explanation of the Christian dogma of the 'resurrection of the body' \u2013 Every vehicle a 'mode' of consciousness \u2013 Circulations of the life-atoms in the Cosmos<\/p>\n
Chapter XXVII
\nDEATH \u2014 AND AFTER: A STUDY OF CONSCIOUSNESS \u2014 I
\nThe consciousness-side of the after-death states \u2013 A discussion of the subject of consciousness \u2013 The 'I am' consciousness and the 'I am I' consciousness \u2013 The S\u00fbtr\u00e2tman or Thread-Self \u2013 Plato's teaching of Anamnesis \u2013 The unfolding of consciousness in earth-life \u2013 The cause of physical death from the standpoint of consciousness \u2013 The 'dreams' of the Devachan \u2013 The panoramic view of the past life at the moment of death \u2013 Description of the destiny of the intermediate nature after death \u2013 Description of the K\u00e2ma-loka \u2013 The opportunities which old age brings<\/p>\n
Chapter XXVIII
\nDEATH \u2014 AND AFTER: A STUDY OF CONSCIOUSNESS \u2014 II
\nThe Radiance of the Reincarnating Ego: what it is and its destiny after the death of the body \u2013 The identity of sleep and death \u2013 The nature of dreams -Study of consciousness \u2013 The seven states of human consciousness: four main divisions defined \u2013 Advice to those who watch at a deathbed<\/p>\n
Chapter XXIX
\nTHE CIRCULATIONS OF THE COSMOS
\nThe ancient science of Astrology: what its teachings comprised \u2013 The status of modern Astrology \u2013 The mystic numbers 4, 3, 2 \u2013 Esoteric hints in lines from Vergil's Georgics \u2013 Ranges of consciousness of the various monads in man \u2013 The eternal peregrinations of the Monad \u2013 The Seven Sacred Planets in relation to the peregrinations of the Monad \u2013 The vital currents in the cosmic organism \u2013 Facts about the Mithraic teachings \u2013 Explanations of the two kinds of Outer Rounds \u2013 Trishn\u00e2 or 'thirst' for earth-life -Deductions to be drawn from the Theosophical teachings about death and the after-death states<\/p>\n
Chapter XXX
\nBIRTH AND BEFORE BIRTH
\nThe garments or veils evolved by the Monad \u2013 The relation of a human parent to the genealogical stream which follows him \u2013 Relation between the peregrinations of the Monad and the stay of the Reincarnating Ego in the Devachan \u2013 More detailed description of the return of the Reincarnating Ego into earth-life \u2013 The inter-atomic and intra-atomic ethers \u2013 The sacred mystery of birth \u2013 What is protoplasm? \u2013 The constitution of the germ-cell \u2013 The aura: a psycho-magnetic-electric atmosphere \u2013 Kinetic and dormant life-atoms \u2013 More about the mysteries of birth<\/p>\n
Chapter XXXI
\nGREAT SAGES AND THEIR PLACE IN THE COSMIC HIERARCHY
\nWho and what the great Sages are \u2013 Guides and protectors of the human race \u2013 Explanation of various names given to them \u2013 Legends concerning them \u2013 Their natural 'powers' \u2013 The true nature of 'miracles' \u2013 The rationale of human perfectibility \u2013 The graduated scale of beings from elementals to gods \u2013 The fundamental unity of all classes of beings \u2013 The doctrine of the Silent Watcher, the spiritual Hierarch of our Globe<\/p>\n
Chapter XXXII
\nPNEUMATOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY: MYSTERIES OF MAN'S INNER NATURE \u2014 I
\nThe Christian doctrine of spirit, soul, and body \u2013 Esoteric teaching of man as sevenfold (or tenfold) being \u2013 The sevenfold division of the Universe \u2013 Man built of elements drawn from the cosmic reservoir \u2013 Man as a host of monads \u2013 Man as a threefold entity \u2013 The nature of true psychology and pneumatology \u2013 The 'I am' and the 'I am I' in man \u2013 The normal and abnormal interactive functioning of 'spirit,' 'soul,' and body' \u2013 Cases of supernormal activity of the Upper Duad \u2013 The great Teachers as willing human instruments of a spiritual Essence<\/p>\n
Chapter XXXIII
\nPNEUMATOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY: MYSTERIES OF MAN'S INNER NATURE \u2014 II
\nHuman beings divisible into three general classes \u2013 The status of the intermediate or psychological part of the constitution in these three classes \u2013 The 'Voice of Conscience' \u2013 Intuition, Inspiration, and Genius, explained \u2013 Avat\u00e2ras and the mystery of their existence \u2013 Connexion between Jesus, Sankar\u00e2ch\u00e2rya, and the Buddha \u2013 Minor Avat\u00e2ras \u2013 The Messenger an Avat\u00e2ra of a kind: HP Blavatsky an instance \u2013 The destiny of the 'I am I' consciousness \u2013 The emanational unfolding of man's sevenfold being follows universal plan \u2013 How union with the divinity within may be begun and continued to a glorious consumption<\/p>\n
Chapter XXXIV
\nGREAT SEERS VERSUS VISIONARIES
\nWhat constitutes a Seer? \u2013 The status of the visionary or semi-mystic \u2013 The source of his 'visions' \u2013 The Astral Light: its characteristics, its illusions, its dangers \u2013 Denizens of the astral world \u2013 The spiritual Seer and the \u00c3k\u00e2sa \u2013 Why visionaries often mislead \u2013 Where the Masters of Wisdom live and why there \u2013 How one may distinguish between the Seer and the visionary \u2013 Two main tests of the true Teacher: universality of teaching, and inner virtue \u2013 Some visionaries of superior type \u2013 Why the Seer is a spiritual Teacher \u2013 The purpose of training and initiation \u2013 Minor initiations \u2013 Explanations of 'angels' and other 'visitants' from higher realms \u2013 Two authentic sources of knowledge available to the spiritual Teacher<\/p>\n
Chapter XXXV
\nTHE ESOTERIC SCHOOLS
\nThe age of the Mystery-Schools \u2013 The nature of the Atlantean Race \u2013 The Mystery-Schools as the seats of learning in ancient times \u2013 The degeneration of the Mystery-Schools \u2013 Initiated Roman Emperors \u2013 Training in chelaship \u2013 Prophetic writings depicting the approach of spiritual darkness: Second Epistle of Peter, Vishnu-Pur\u00e2na, Hermetic writings \u2013 Cyclic appearances of Teachers or their Messengers \u2013 How the Teachers of mankind work \u2013 The present existence of the Mystery-Schools \u2013 The Occult Succession or Hermetic Chain of Teachers \u2013 The stuff of which disciples are made<\/p>\n
Chapter XXXVI
\nPOSTSCRIPT: SOME MISUNDERSTOOD TEACHINGS OF THE MYSTERIES
\nMystery-Schools the foci of spiritual light \u2013 Intimate connexion between the cosmic cycles and man's life on Earth \u2013 The story of Jesus a mystery-tale \u2013 Interpretation of the story of Jesus' entering Jerusalem on an ass and the foal of an ass \u2013 Meaning of the Epiphany \u2013 When did Jesus really live? \u2013 The aureole, nimbus, aura, etc. \u2013 Christianity a syncretistic system \u2013 Early identity of Jesus with the 'Sol Invictus' \u2013 Ancient customs and beliefs in regard to the Winter-Solstice festival \u2013 Interpretation of the dogma of the Virgin Birth \u2013 Significance of the legend of the Three Magi<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gottfried de Purucker comes from the same mystical background as Helena P. Blavatsky. He distinguises himself by the clarity with which he explains the theosophical ideas and the accuracy with which he preserves their purity. He was head of the Theosophical Society from 1929 until his passing in 1942 This work is one of his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2257,"template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[15],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-669","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-boeken","7":"product_shipping_class-boek","9":"first","10":"instock","11":"taxable","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"purchasable","14":"product-type-simple"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=669"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=669"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webshop.blavatskyhouse.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}