2. Book Shelf
The symbol you see above is a Chinese hexagram referred to as “Meng,” or ‘youthful folly.’ A lot of the symbols you see on the apparel & products I make for your consumption do indeed feature this very symbol. Meng is foundational to my approach to teaching & mentorship. My favorite augury of Meng, is in regard to the approach to teaching. It has been said about Meng, “When the teacher makes the learning fun, then his students will learn more.”
In reality, we are all our own teachers & our own salvation. A guru & mentor merely holds a mirror steady to his students’ faces until they (the students) realize what they are & more importantly what they are not. This serves as a sort of inventory of who we really are, and sets the goal for who we strive to become. You will find it difficult to travel to your destination without knowing your current location. Last I checked Apple has yet to invent a GPS for the soul…perhaps that’s yet another task for the ‘worry plate’ of “XOR Mechanics.” Oh never heard of them…its this company.
Please find below, a list of books I have read or I am in the process of reading. Each suggested text listed below, will increase one’s knowledge base of Theosophical Principles. I have tried to minimize the amount of downloading to your devices; however, some books I am only able to locate in a PDF Format (denoted as such). All other entries are available to read online. E-Book Reader is a “adequate” PDF viewer available for Apple or Android devices. At least one reference site in this program was ‘sus.’ I therefore recommend using “Brave” browser as you explore this list.
I have organized the book shelf as a fairly linear program. I believe that the earlier entries are short, and easily digested by those unfamiliar with the common syntax used. The earlier entries will also address certain key principles such as Dharma, Karma & Reincarnation (The Three Pillars of Vedanta). This book shelf is designed with the neophyte in mind, starting with the fundamental principles, leaving independent query up to each individual afterwards.
At the very bottom, please find links to “Word Search” tools for when you encounter a unfamiliar term. I am also compiling a glossary of terms of my own, you may find the link below:
(Online)
C.W. Leadbeater
I have set this literary text as first because it is fairly short, highly informative, and full of reading suggestions by other authors of the time in regards to the respective subjects discussed. I suggest starting here and branching outward toward the subject matters that appeal most to your interest and intellect. As an instructed guide I will refer to the next program in this format “[guide: text title]”.
[guide: the ocean of theosophy]
(Online)
Lecture by Annie Besant
Here in this brief lecture, Mrs. Besant gives a thorough examination of the concept of Dharma. She provide a concise definition in the broadest since of the term. She also details how it applies to each individual entity or person.
Dharma (Inner Nature) is one of the most important, complicated & mysterious topics of this philosophy. I try to do it justice in my own blog post, but I must admit this topic still challenges my intellect, and reasoning. Generally speaking, Dharma is often associated with the force (actions) of one’s duties (obligation or responsibilities.) Dharma is always personal to the entity to which it belongs.
The dharma of The Sun is to anchor the planets in orbit and provide it’s life giving radiance to our Universe. If it failed to perform it’s dharma, the planets would fly out of orbit, light would not exist in our Universe, and Life itself would not be possible. The Moon has it’s own dharma, regulating certain forces on the Earth, also responsible for it’s contributions supporting Life. Equally so, the Earth also has it’s dharma. So then like wise, every living entity has its obligation to the whole, and of course this also includes human beings. Annie Besant does an excellent job describing human dharma in this lecture.
(Online)
Lecture by Annie Besant
For this literary brief, I prefer to give a quick quote from within by the author herself:
“But the one thing that a beginner needs to grasp is that, at a certain stage of evolution, there entered into, incarnated in men, certain self-conscious intelligent entities, with a long past of intellectual evolution behind them, who found in physical man the instrument ready, and fitted, for their further evolution.”
This was the very first theosophical book I read. Mr. Judge does an excellent job in exposing the true threat to mankind & civilization, at least according to our beliefs. It includes a description of the “Seven Fold Constitution,” otherwise known as “The Septanate,” or “Septenary.” They are all inter-changeable.
If you are following my guide. You see I have included some reference material to what you have learned from the previous and this text. Read this text first and then explore the material on the pages provided.
[guide: the key to theosophy]
(Online)
by William Judge
This little book is a dialogue between “a theosophist’ and “an inquirer.” It puts forth a good many question that a student may ask, and here the teacher offers analysis. If you are following the guide, after finishing this text you will have a pretty good understanding of the constitution of man, the universe and his place in it. Here is a good time to take a break from the technical stuff. Next is something more poetic. Having read the three previous books, you are now significantly ready to understand “Mahabharata.”
I will be redirecting you to an abridge version, stylized for English speakers, but no less profound. The path to the hosting site of this material tried to hi-jack my phone. I would have some anti ad-ware installed before clicking the link. It is a good source; therefore, I include it with that fore-warning. I personally use “Brave” browser because it automatically blocks malware & they are pro-privacy for consumers.
[guide: mahabharata (english abridged)]
(Online)
by H.P. Blavatsky
The following part of the bookshelf is dedicated to materials concerning Vedantic philosophies.
Mahabharata (English Abridged)
The location of the file above tried to hi-jack my phone, so I would have some anti ad-ware installed before clicking the link! I personally use “Brave” browser because it automatically blocks malware & they are pro-privacy for consumers.
The link I have above, is from the “Bheeshma Parva.” It is the final day before the War at Kurukshetra, at the royal and public court of Hastinapura. Here Krishna (Atma/Buddhi) confronts Duryodhana (Prana/Kama), they have discourse, and the inevitability of the war finalized. This would be the short place to start, but the very beginning and table of contents are here:
The next text to read will be Bhagavad Gita. Since we now know what the war was about, next will concentrate on what Krishna imparted to Arjuna as his convictions to carry out the war began to waiver.
(Online)
of Vyasa
The Song of God
(Online)
of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
Bhagavad Gita or “The Song of God,” is a mere segment of The Mahabharata. The telling of this epic was an oral tradition, and was composed as a poem meant to be sang. The above link includes the full composition of Bhagavad Gita along with commentary from Swami Mukundananda, as well the singing of verses in the ancient tradition. I personally have a copy of “Bhagavad Gita: As It Is,” I utilize as a reference.
The following part of the book shelf is dedicated to other brilliant minds, most respected for their contributions to the realm of science & societal well being. Each of the authors listed here, I would classify as a theosophical type of mind…if not indeed true theosophist.
“More Important than ‘seeing’ itself is what ‘seers’ do with what they ‘see’.”