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Bibliography--Theosophy

This is a bibliography of both Theosophical and independent publications on Theosophy and the Theosophical Movement

Algeo, John
Blavatsky, Freemasonry, & the Western Mystery Tradition  (London: The TS in England, 1996)
Explores the ways in which Masonry and Theosophy are complementary movements and how that worked out in Blavatsky's live.

Anonymous Master
A Message to the Members of the Theosophical Society from an Elder Brother. The Theosophist 47/4 (January 1926), Supplement: 1-7.

Inspiring message from an Adept celebrating the 50th anniversary of the TS, containing important references to the World Teacher Project from a Mahatmic view. Complete text with annotations available on this web site.

Anrias, David
Adepts of the Five Elements (London: Routledge, 1933)

Contains some references to Krishnamurti (xii, 39-41, 54, 62, 100), the Theosophical Society (20-25, 39-44, 52-56) and some remarks about the author’s Through the Eyes of the Masters (xii). Contains very valuable esoteric and astrological views of historical developments. (Some quotes)

Anrias, David
Through the Eyes of the Masters: Meditations and Portraits (London: Routledge, 1932)

Nine messages and pencil-drawings of Adepts with numerous references to Krishnamurti (27, 35-36), especially Lord Maitreya’s comments (65-69). Foreword by Cyril Scott with more comments about K (17-18), and about the strategies employed by the White Lodge in sponsoring different movements to further the “great Evolutionary Scheme.” (12-13).

Bailey, Alice
Initiation: Human and Solar (New York: Lucis Publishing Co., 1974 [1922])

First book by Bailey, who claims it to be the teachings from "The Tibetan" (Master D.K.)

Barborka, Geoffrey A.
H.P. Blavatsky, Tibet and Tulku (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1966)

In-depth study of HPB's occult capacity to be an instrument of the Masters.

Barker, A.T. (compiler)
The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett
, 3d ed., rev. (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972 [1923])

Occult explanations and instructions from El Morya and Koot Hoomi to their pupil A.P. Sinnett written in the early 1880s. (Review)

Barker, A.T. (compiler)
The Letters of H.P. Blavatsky to A.P. Sinnett (Pasadena, CA: Theosophical University Press, 1973 [1925])

Besant, Annie
Freedom of Opinion in the TS Letter to The Vāhan 21/8 (March 1912): 153-154.

Annie Besant defending her involvement with the Order of the Star.

Besant, Annie
The Growth of the TS The Theosophist 33/10 (July 1912): 506-509.

Annie Besant’s defense against allegations of her teaching ‘neo-theosophy.’ Also giving an overview of the ups and downs of the Masters’ involvement with the TS.

Annie Besant
"The Theosophical Society and its Work"
The Adyar Bulletin
  6/11 (November 1913): 443-455.

Article  by AB on some aspects of the work of the Comte de St. Germain as related to the TS.

Besant, Annie
To Members of the Theosophical Society
The Theosophist
51/6 (March 1930): 523-535.

AB’s views of the relationship between K and the TS after K’s dissolving of the OSE.

Besant, Annie
Why we Believe in the Coming of a World-Teacher
The Herald of the Star
XIII/8 (August 1, 1924): 322-331.

AB’s explanation and defense of the World Teacher Project.

Besant, Annie
Esoteric Christianity (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1953 [1901])

A Theosophical interpretation of Jesus and Christianity.

Besant, Annie and C.W. Leadbeater
Man: Whence, How and Whither: A Record Of Clairvoyant Investigation (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1913)
With references to the lives of Agastya / Narayan / Jupiter

Besant, Annie
"Among the Adepts: Madame Blavatsky on the 'Secret Doctrine'" The Pall Mall Gazette (London), April 25, 1889.

Historical article-length book review by Annie Besant of HPB's The Secret Doctrine. Reviewing this book was instrumental in converting Annie Besant to the cause of Theosophy.

Bevir, Mark
"Theosophy as a Political Movement" In A. Copley (Ed.), Gurus and their Followers: New Religious Reform Movements in Colonial India (Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2000)

Illuminating article by political scientist Mark Bevir on the role Theosophy played as a Neo-Hindu reform movement and its influence on Indian nationalist ideology and politics. [95KB]

Bevir, Mark
"Annie Besant's Quest for Truth: Christianity, Secularism, and New Age Thought" Journal of Ecclesiastical History, vol. 50 (1999), pp. 215-239.

Article by political scientist Mark Bevir. "This essay examines the intellectual coherence of Annie Besant's life in such a way as to explore the rise of New Age thought in its relation to the Victorian crisis of faith." An effective response to James Webb's theory that Theosophy is a "flight from reason" as alleged in his The Occult Underground. [126KB]

Bevir, Mark
"The West Turns Eastward: Madame Blavatsky and the Transformation of the Occult Tradition"
. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Vol. 62 (1994), pp. 747-767.
Article by political scientist Mark Bevir.
"This essay examines, first, the way in which Madame Blavatsky transformed the occult tradition in response to the Victorian crisis of faith, and, second, the interpenetration of her occultism with her particular interpretations of Buddhism and Hinduism."

Blavatsky, H.P.
The Key to Theosophy
(Pasadena, CA: Theosophical University Press, 1995 [1889])

Theosophy made accessible with questions and answers. Last chapter (304-307) on the future of the TS contains her teaching on "centennial efforts" (306) and the announcing of a coming “Torch bearer of Truth.” (307)

Blavatsky, H.P.
The Secret Doctrine
(Los Angeles: The Theosophy Company, 1974. This is a facsimile of the original edition of 1888)

HPB’s  opus magnum. Gives the grand and cosmic background of humanity’s spiritual history. (The 1897 Adyar edition includes the alleged third volume of the SD, also reprinted as The Esoteric Writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky). (Review; Review by Annie Besant)

The Secret Doctrine Reference Series. Published by Wizards Bookshelf
Republication of a selection of older books referred to in Blavatsky's The Secret Doctrine. "Fundamentally designed to guarantee future generations access to the ideas contained in the already rare and difficult-to-obtain titles of past centuries." (Review)

Blavatsky, H.P.
The Original Programme of the Theosophical Society
  (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974 [1931])
(Full text)

Blavatsky, H.P.
Isis Unveiled: A Master Key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science and Theology
(Los Angeles: The Theosophy Company, 1982 [1877])

Many teachings about Jesus, Krishna, Buddha and other World Teachers (see its index). Valuable source for HPB’s thoughts on the Templars, Jesuits and Masons. (review1, review2, full text)

Blavatsky, H.P.
The Esoteric Writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky: A Synthesis of Science, Philosophy and Religion
(Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980. Originally published in 1897 as the third volume to The Secret Doctrine)

Veritable goldmine of Theosophical interpretations of the history of religion and occult thought. (See article by D.H. Caldwell)

Braden, Charles S.
These Also Believe: A Study of Modern American Cults and Minority Religious Movements
(New York: Macmillan, 1949)

Has chapters on the “I AM” movement (257-307), the TS and the Liberal Catholic Church.

Burnier, Radha
“J. Krishnamurti.” The Theosophist 107/6 (March 1986): 203-205.

Personal view of present President of the TS on K, stating that K was the messiah, but not recognized as such by the TS.

Caldwell, Daniel H.
"The Myth of the 'Missing' Third Volume of The Secret Doctrine." Blavatsky Archives (2001).

The text under discussion can be found in: 1) H.P.Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine (Adyar, India: TPH, 1938) Adyar Edition, Vol. V , 2) Idem., Collected Writings (Wheaton, IL: TPH, 1985) Vol. XIV, and 3) Idem., The Esoteric Writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Wheaton, IL: TPH, 1980).

Campbell, Bruce F. 
Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement
  (Los Angeles: Univ. of California Press, 1980)

Subtitle says all.

Charles, M.H.
“The TS as a Herald.” Letter to The Vāhan 21/7 (February 1912): 144.

Letter challenging Annie Besant and her involvement in Krishnamurti's Order of the Star in the East.

Chetty, G. Soobiah
"The Purchase of Adyar Headquarters: A Reminiscence of H.P.B." The Theosophist 47/6 (March 1926): 741-747.

Charming account by an insider. Reporting Olcott's claims of Masters in the neighbourhood.

Cooper, Joe
"Cottingley: At Last the Truth" The Unexplained 117 (1982): 2338-40.

The controversial story about photographing fairies. Reproduced on the internet under the title The Case of the Cottingley Fairies.

Cranston, Sylvia
The Extraordinary Life & Influence of Helena Blavatsky: Founder of the Modern Theosophical Movement
  (New York: Putnam's Sons, 1994)

'Unlike sensationalistic biographies of Blavatsky, this book avoids unwarranted speculation by basing itself solidly on the documented facts of the life of this remarkable woman.'

Crews, Frederick
"The Consolation of Theosophy"
(part 1 & part 2)
Review-essay of Peter Washington's Madame Blavatsky’s Baboon: A History of the Mystics, Mediums, and Misfits Who Brought Spiritualism to America.

Davidge, J.L.
"Spiritual Regent of India: The Rishi Agastya" The Theosophist 65/9 (June 1944)

Ellwood Jr., Robert S.
Religious and Spiritual Groups in Modern America
(Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1973)

Scholarly presentation of different spiritual organizations like the TS and the “I AM” movement by Theosophist and professor of religious studies.

Fuller, Jean Overton
"Krishnamurti And Blavatsky" Theosophical History 1/2 (April 1985): 20-24
Article reconciling Theosophy and the Masters with Krishnamurti's teachings.

Fuller, Jean Overton
Driven to It: An Autobiography (Norwich, UK: Michael Russel Publishing, 2007)

Gardner, E.L.
There Is No Religion Higher Than Truth: Developments in the Theosophical Society (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1963)
Author’s controversial claim that CWL’s clairvoyance was a subconscious deception of himself. The reactions it provoked (Ernest Wood and the Hodsons) were helpful in clarifying some historical issues.

Goddess of Liberty
“The Mutable Soul is Entrusted with the Immutable Spirit” Pearls of Wisdom 23/12 (March 23, 1980): 63-68.

Dictation by a cosmic being with reference to El Morya., Kuthumi and their support of the TS (66).

Godwin, Joscelyn
The Theosophical Enlightenment (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1994)

“This is an intellectual history of occult and esoteric currents in the English-speaking world from the early Romantic period to the early twentieth century. The TS... holds a crucial position as the place where all these currents temporarily united, before again diverging.”

Hammer, Olav
Claiming Knowledge: Strategies of Epistemology from Theosophy to the New Age (Leiden & Boston: Brill, 2001, Numen Book Series, 90)
Skeptical Investigation of the use and abuse of metaphysical claims within Theosophy and the New Age and how these claims to cultural changes. (review)

Hare, William Loftus
“An Exposure of Theosophical Errors” ***.

Author challenges the notion of the identification of “Christ as the World Teacher uniting himself with Jesus at the baptism.”

Hare, William Loftus
“Leadbeater and the Incas. More Exposures. The ‘Akashic Records’ in Cold Print. A.D. 1688 to 1883” Dawn 3/14 (January 1, 1924): 3-7.

Author charges that CWL’s clairvoyant descriptions of Inca Peru were plagiarisms of 16th century documents.

Hare, William Loftus and Edward, Harold
Who Wrote the Mahatma Letters? The first thorough examination of the communications alleged to have been received by the late A. P. Sinnett from Tibetan Mahatmas (London: Williams and Norgate, 1936)

Higgins, Godfrey
Anacalypsis: An Attempt to Draw Aside the Veil of the Saitic Isis; or an Inquiry into the Origin of Languages, Nations and Religions. In two volumes  (New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1965 [1833 and 1836])

Pioneer in spiritual historiography, foreshadowing many themes in HPB’s writings.

Hodson, Geoffrey
The Yogic Ascent to Spiritual Heights (Manila: Stellar Books, 1991)

Theosophical study with, according to Bill Keidan, some references to Krishnamurti's relationship with the Masters.

Hodson, Geoffrey
Krishnamurti and the Search for Light  (Sydney: St. Alban Press, n.d.
[ca. 1939])
An intellectual and Theosophical critique of K’s teachings. Full text available on Alpheus.

Hodson, Geoffrey
Thus Have I Heard: A Book of Spiritual and Occult Gleanings from the Teachings of the Great (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1929).

Collection of articles about spiritual life and the World Teacher project. Three chapters from the section on the World-Teacher reproduced on Alpheus, including the highly interesting article “Camp-fire Gleams.

Hodson, Geoffrey
Camp-fire Gleams” in Thus Have I Heard (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19
29) pp. 101-115.
“A [clairvoyant] account of the camp-fire meetings of the Order of the Star in August, 1927” in Ommen, Holland .

Hodson, Sandra, (ed. )
Light of the Sanctuary: The Occult Diary of Geoffrey Hodson
  (Manila, Philippines: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988)

Inside view of a Chela of the Masters and his work with and for Them. Unfortunately misses the crucial years 1923-1930, when much of the attention of the TS was devoted to the WT Project.

Hodson, Sandra; van Thiel, Mathias (eds.)
C.W. Leadbeater: A Great Occultist  (n.p.: the editors, n.d.
[ca. 1965])
Defense of CWL’s clairvoyance to Gardner’s challenge. Contributions from Geoffrey Hodson, Hugh Shearman, Marijn Brandt and a collective letter signed by twenty-two of CWL’s former pupils.

Jinarajadasa, C.
"Dr. Besant's Occult Life," part IV, The Theosophist 54/8 (May 1933)

Johnson, K. Paul
In Search of the Masters Behind the Occult Myth (The author, 1990)

"Johnson's greatest contribution is his unveiling of a virtually unknown dimension of conspiracy in the later nineteenth century, of which the Theosophical Society forms one element." (Review)

Johnson, K. Paul
The Masters revealed: Madame Blavatsky and the Myth of the Great White Lodge (New York: SUNY Press, 1994)

"This book profiles 32 of Blavatsky's hidden sponsors, including leaders of secret societies in Europe and America, religio-political reformers in Egypt and India, and even British government agents." These are not to be confused with the Masters as the author unfortunately does. (Review)

Johnson, K. Paul
Initiates of Theosophical Masters (New York: SUNY Press, 1995)

"This is a valuable exploration of the spiritual impact of Theosophy on individual seekers and activists." (Review)

Jinarājadāsa, C. (comp.)
Letters From the Masters of the Wisdom, First and Second Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1919 & 1925)

More letters from the Masters including the "Letter from the Maha-chohan" and two letters by Master Narayan.

Jinarājadāsa, C.
First Principles of Theosophy
  (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1948)

Basic textbook of Theosophy. Unfortunately not in print.

Kuthumi
Kuthumi's Discourse” In Ascended Master Light (Schaumburg, IL: Saint Germain Press, 1938)

Master Kuthumi looking back to his efforts with Theosophy, with a veiled reference to K (316-317, 323).

Leadbeater, Charles W.
Ancient Mystic Rites
  (Wheaton IL: Theosophical Publ. House, 1986 [1926], original title: Glimpses of Masonic History)

Study of the mystery schools of Egypt, the Middle East, the Middle Ages and up to Operative and Speculative Masonry.

Leadbeater, C.W.
“Art Thou He That Should Come?” The Theosophist 51/9 (June 1930): 470-479.

CWL’s most important evaluation of the project with K.

Leeuw, J.J. van der
Revelation or Realization: The Conflict in Theosophy  (Amsterdam: N.V. Theosofische Vereeniging Uitgevers Maatschappij, 1930)

Thoughtful pamphlet on the crisis in the Theosophical Society caused by Krishnamurti's dissolution of the Order of the Star.

Liljegren, S.B.
Bulwer-Lytton's Novels and Isis Unveiled (Uppsala- - Copenhagen- - Cambridge, MA: A.-B. Lundequistska Bokhandeln- - Ejnar Munksgaard- - Harvard University Press, 1957)
Author makes the case that Blavatsky did not meet Master Morya in london in 1851, but was looking for her literary hero Bulwer-Lytton.

Luntz, Charles E.
“The Great Testing: A New Theory Regarding Krishnamurti and His Teaching” The Theosophical Messenger 18/9 (September 1930): 193-196.

Imaginative and original attempt to resolve the many questions surrounding K and his relationship to the World Teacher and the TS.

Lutyens, Lady Emily
Candles in the Sun  (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1957)

Most charming and intimate account of the WT Project by an English lady, who played an important mother-role to K. Jinarajadasa told her that the coming had gone wrong (163).

Lutyens, Mary
The Boy Krishna: The first fourteen years in the life of J. Krishnamurti  (Brockwood Park, Bramdean, UK: Krishnamurti Foundation Trust, 1995)
The story of Krishnamurti's boyhood with extensive quotes from 1) K's father's 1911 account of K's boyhood, 2) K's own 1922 autobiography and 3) K's childhood memories recorded during the 'process.'

Lutyens, Mary
Krishnamurti: The Years of Awakening  (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1975)

Biography of K’s early years with the TS up and till the dissolution of the OSE. Contains a useful chronology of events (290-307).

Lutyens, Mary
Krishnamurti: His Life and Death  (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991)

Combining her abridged trilogy in one handy volume.

The Maha-chohan
"Letter from the Maha-chohan" in C. Jinarajadasa (comp.), Letters From the Masters of the Wisdom, First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1988 [1919])

"Several good reasons given to K. H. by the Chohan why the T. S. should be a Brotherhood of Humanity."

Meyer, Thomas H.
The Bodhisattva Question: Krishnamurti, Rudolf Steiner, Annie Besant, Valentin Tomberg, and the Mystery of the Twentieth-Century Master
  (London: Temple Lodge, 1993)

This study, pro-Anthroposophical and well-referenced, contains valuable contributions towards understanding Steiner's thoughts and actions in connection with the Theosophical Society, the Order of the Star in the East and the founding of his own Anthroposophical Society.

Mighty Victory
“Becoming more of God Day by Day”  Pearls of Wisdom 37/32 (August 7, 1994): 373-382.

This dictation contains a paragraph critical about the esoteric organizations the Masters helped founding (376-377).

Morya, El
The Chela and the Path: Meeting the Challenge of Life in the Twentieth Century  (Malibu, CA: Summit University Press, 1975)

Set of letters from El Morya to his chelas. One letter gives a chronological overview of the different persons the Masters have sponsored (121-122). (Relevant Paragraphs)

Nethercot, Arthur H.
The Last four Lives of Annie Besant
  (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963)

Best biography of the multifaceted live of Annie Besant with a wealth of information on K and the TS, and often quoted remark by Nethercot about K (450).

Olcott, Henry Steele
Old Diary Leaves: The History of the Theosophical Society, 6 vols. (New York: Putnam, 1895-1935)

Pelletier, Ernest E.
The Judge Case. A Conspiracy Which Ruined the Theosophical Cause (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Edmonton Theosophical Society, 2004)
Contains an extensive chronology, commentary and supporting documents. Pelletier's book "is solely intended to exonerate Mr. Judge's role in this drama" and it "makes no attempt to impartially portray the many-sided views of this period." (Review;Pelletier's response; editor's remark)

Pratt, David
"The Theosophical Mahatmas: A Critique of Paul Johnson's New Myth" (Online: by author, 1997)
A critique of Johnson's thesis, as stated and elaborated in his several books, that the Masters as depicted by Blavatsky were not truthful reports, but fictionalized accounts based on several real live historical persons she had met during her extensive travels.

Pratt, David
"Rupert Sheldrake: A Theosophical Appraisal" Sunrise (June/July & Aug/Sept 1992).
Article about Sheldrake's relevance for Theosophy.

Ransom, Josephine (Compiler)
A Short History Of The Theosophical Society (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938)

Robertson, John K.
“Aquarian Occultist: The Life and Teachings of Geoffrey Hodson”
unpublished MS, 1971.

Hodson’s biography with one chapter dealing with Krishnamurti. Hopefully this manuscript will be published one day.

Ross, Joseph E.
Krishnamurti: The Taormina Seclusion - 1912 (n.p.: the author, 2000)

In 1912 AB, CWL, K and three more theosophists secluded themselves in Taomina, Sicily for some intense spiritual work. Mainly based on the letters from and to George Arundale.

Sanat, Aryel.
The Secret Doctrine, Krishnamurti & Transformation The American Theosophist 76/5 (May 1988): 133-143.

Article exploring some commonalties between HPB and K. (Internet version)

Sanat, Aryel
The Inner Life of Krishnamurti: Private Passion and Perennial Wisdom (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1999)
Booklenght study of Krishnamurti's self-perception, his theosophical background, and how the two are connected. The writer makes a passionate plea to view K as the expected World Teacher. (Review)

Santucci, James A.
"The Aquarian Foundation" Communal Societies, vol. 9 (1989): 43-44. with some remarks regarding the difference between Theosophy and Neo-theosophy.

Santucci, James A.
"Theosophy and the Theosophical Society" in Odd Gods: New Religions and the Cult Controversy. Edited by James R. Lewis (Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2001): 277-79.

Santucci, James A.
Foreword to Krishnamurti and the World Teacher Project: Some Theosophical Perceptions (Fullerton, CA: Theosophical History, 1997)
Giving a necessary background and valuable additions to the main text.

Schüller, Govert W.
"Jean Overton Fuller, Master Narayan and the Krishnamurti-Scott-Anrias Issue." Theosophical History XIV/1 & 2 (January-April 2008; Double issue):11-46. Article about a relatively unknown but quite important Theosophical master and his alleged identification by Jean Overton Fuller. All in the context of the Krishnamurti-Scott-Anrias issue, which is about two Englishmen passing on contested Mahatmic evaluations of the metaphysical status of Krishnamurti and the esoteric soundness of his teachings.

Schüller, Govert W.
Krishnamurti and the World Teacher Project: Some Theosophical Perceptions  (Fullerton, CA: Theosophical History, 1997)

Centers around two important theosophical questions regarding K: 1) Was the WT Project with K genuine or not? and 2) Was the Project successful or not?

Schüller, Govert
"Krishnamurti: An Esoteric View of his Teachings" Alpheus, 1997

By combining different Theosophical sources this pamphlet formulates an esoteric critique of K’s philosophy.

Schüller, Govert
"The Masters and Their Emissaries: From H.P.B. to Guru Ma and BeyondAlpheus, 1997 (1999 2nd Ed.)

Chronological overview of the Master’s involvement with most of their emissaries and K’s pivotal role in this story.

Schuller, Govert
"The Relevance of Phenomenology for Theosophy" Alpheus, April 16, 2005.

Giving six reasons why interaction is important between these two schools of thought.

Scott, Cyril
Outline of Modern Occultism  (London: Routledge, 1935)

Kind of Theosophical textbook with some remarks about the veracity of the author’s Initiate books (233).

Siémons, Dr. Jean-Louis
"Theosofia in Neo-Platonic and Christian Literature (2nd to 6th Century A.D.), Summary and Conclusions" Theosophical History Centre, London, 1988, pp. 24-26.

"This article describes how the terms theosophy and theosophist can be traced back to Neo-Platonist writers."

Simanek, Donald E.
"Arthur Conan Doyle, Spiritualism, and Fairies" Donald Simanek's Pages (2001)

Article about "Doyle's credulous acceptance of spiritualism, fairies and other occult ideas."

Smythe, Albert E.S.
The Messianic Craze Hamilton Herald, 11 November 1931.
Article highly critical of CWL and the WT Project.

Spierenberg, H.J.
The Vedanta Commentaries of H.P.Blavatsky
  (San Diego: Point Loma Publications, 1992)

Systematic presentation of quotes by HPB on the subject of Vedantism. Relevant for exploring the similarities and differences between Vedanta and K’s teachings.

Spierenburg, H.J.
Dr Rudolf Steiner on the Mahatmas part 1, Theosophical History 1/8 (October 1986): 211-223, and part 2, Theosophical History 2/1 (January 1987): 23-31.

Collection of quotes by Steiner on the Masters, which reveal curious discrepancies between Steiner’s earlier and later evaluations of the Secret Doctrine and The Mahatma Letters.

Spierenburg, H.J.
Dr. Steiner on HPB Theosophical History 1/7 (July 1986): 159-174.

Collection of quotes by Steiner on HPB, basically stating that she was held in ‘occult captivity’ and that master K.H. was replaced at a certain moment by an impostor.

Steiner, Rudolf
“Bodhisattvas, Buddhas and Christ” in From Jesus to Christ  (London: Rudolf Steiner Press, 1973)

Lecture given in Milan, Italy, 21 September 1911, in which Steiner gave his ideas about the Second coming of Christ (44-47, 170, 176), which can be read as a veiled criticism of CWL and AB.

Steiner, Rudolf
Das Russische Volkstumin Der Zusammenhang des Menschen mit der elementarischen Welt   (Dornach, Switzerland: Rudolf Steiner-Nachlassverwaltung, 1986)

Address given in Helsingfors, Finland, April 11, 1912, in which Steiner states that the TS was captured by impostor Masters from India (197, 201).

Steiner, Rudolf
The Story of my Life   (London: Anthroposophical Publishing Co., 1928)

Steiner’s autobiography with some remarks about CWL, K and the TS (300).

Stokes, Henry N.
The Gnostic Doctrine of Jesus and Christ O.E. Library Critic XV/22 (July 1926): 6-9.

Tillett, Gregory
The Elder Brother: A Biography of Charles Webster Leadbeater (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1982)

Biography of CWL’s life.

Tillett, Gregory
Charles Webster Leadbeater 1854-1934: A Biographical Study. Ph.D. diss. (Sidney: University of Sidney, Department of Religious Studies, 1986)
Full text of Tillet's dissertation. (Online version)

Tollenaere, Herman de
The Politics of Divine Wisdom: Theosophy and labour, national, and women's movements in Indonesia and South Asia, 1875-1947. Ph.D. diss. (Nijmegen: Uitgeverij Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, 1996)

"My two central questions are: 1. What were the Theosophical Society's relationships to three political movements: labour, national, and women's movements? 2. How did outsiders, linked to these movements' fields of activity, agree, or clash, with the theosophists' approach to them?" (Summary)

Tollenaere, Herman de
"The Theosophical Society and Labour and National Movements in Indonesia, 1913-1918." Paper for the first European Social Sciences History Conference, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, 9-11 May 1996. Short paper on the relationship between Theosophists and political movements in Indonesia. (Online version)

Tollenaere, Herman de
"The limits of liberalism and of Theosophy:colonial Indonesia and the German Weimar republic, 1918-1933." in Harry A. Poeze and Antoinette Liem (eds.), Lasting Fascinations. Essays on Indonesia and the Southwest Pacific to honour Bob Hering (Stein: Yayasan Kabar Seberang 1999)
"... about parallels and links to, and differences with, the religio-philosophical tendency of Theosophy" and political liberalism. (Online version)

Tollenaere, Herman de
"Marx and Engels on Spiritualism and Theosophy" Theosophical History IV/2 (April 1992):45-49. Short paper on how Theosphists and Marxists saw each other. (Online version)

Toynbee, Arnold J.
A Study of History. Vol. 7B: Universal Churches
. (London: Oxford University Press, 1954)

Toynbee's ideas of spirituality, holism, evolution, and cyclicity constitute an interesting bridge between academic and Theosophical historiography. His concepts of history provide a platform where science, religion and philosophy can converge Johannes Jacobus Poortman,

Vandekerkhove, Christian
Johannes Jacobus Poortman: Het Hylisch Pluralisme en de Multicorporaliteit als mogelijk epistemologisch sluitstuk in de kloof tussen wetenschap en religie en tussen de religies onderling. [Hylic Pluralism and Multicorporality as possible epistemelogical bridge between science and religion and between religions] Dissertation at the University of Antwerp (ethesis.net, 2006)
Academic study of the Dutch philosopher and Theosophist J.J. Poortman. (Online version)

H.V. [Helen Veale]
"The Rishi Agastya" in Annie Besant (Ed.) Our Elder Brethren: The Great One's in the World's Service (Adyar, India: TPH, 1934)

Vernon, Roland
A Star in the East: Krishnamurti, the Invention of a Messiah (New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000)
"presents detailed accounts of the New Age teacher's life (1895-1986) and career in chronological order, using primary and secondary sources scrupulously quoted as well as unattributed interviews with students, friends and colleagues." Best biography so far.

Washington, Peter
Madame Blavatsky’s Baboon: A History of the Mystics, Mediums, and Misfits Who Brought Spiritualism to America (New York: Schocken Books, 1995)

Very readable overview of the world of HPB, her followers and fellow-travelers. (review1, review2, review3: part1 & part 2)

Webb, James
The Occult Underground: The Dawn of the New Age
  (La Salle, IL: Open Court,  1974)

About the occult revival in the west from the mid-nineteenth century till the 1920s. Solid facts, biased outlook. (Book report)

Webb, James
The Occult Establishment
(La Salle, IL: Open Court, 1976)

About the occult in society and politics from 1918 till the 60s from the perspective of a skeptic. (Book report)

Wessinger, Catherine Lowman
Annie Besant and Progressive Messianism  (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1988)

Academic study of AB’s involvement with the WT Project. One of its theses is that AB changed the TS into a progressive messianic movement.

Wood, Ernest
Is this Theosophy …? (London: Rider, 1936)

Revealing autobiography from a prominent Theosophist. With a chapter on Nagaratnaswami, who some Theosophists think is Master Narayan.

Wood, Ernest
No Religion Higher Than Truth The American Theosophist 52/12 (December 1964): 287-290.

Author corrects certain misconceptions of some of the participants in the Gardner controversy. Valuable source about the “finding” of Krishnamurti.

 

 

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