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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)
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
"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]
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.
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.
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.”
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, 1929)
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.
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. Full text available on Alpheus.
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)
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.
Robertson, John K.
“Aquarian Occultist: The Life and Teachings of Geoffrey
Hodson” unpublished MS, 1971.
Hodson’s biography with one chapter dealing with K.
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.
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
Beyond" Alpheus, 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 SD 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 Volkstum” in 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., University of Sidney, 1986.
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 in a truly Theosophical sense.
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 K.
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