Theosophical Encyclopedia

[This month, JULY 2025, the Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, will be releasing a new volume of H. P. Blavatsky’s writings containing material previously unavailable in English. The book is part of the H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings series and marks its concluding volume as planned by the compiler, Boris de Zirkoff. Comprised of English translations of the various series that HPB wrote for the Russian papers, the volume, titled Russian Serials, offers an insightful account of American life during the author’s time there, her attendance at a reception for the new Viceroy of India, and her visit to the Blue Mountains of Madras and the mysterious tribes that inhabited it. Russian Serials can be considered a companion piece to the other previously translated volume from the Russian papers, From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan.

The following excerpt translated from the Tiflis Messenger of 25 September (13 September in Russian old-style calendar) 1878, written under the pseudonym of the “Voice”, is exemplar of HPB’s narrative style to be found throughout this book. It is based on an actual trip HPB, Col. Olcott, and a TS member took to East Hampton, NY*, in July 1878. Olcott records in his Diary that during the time they spent at the beach, HPB “presented a most amusing appearance, paddling about in the surf with her legs, and showing an infantile glee almost to be in such splendid magnetism” (cited in Gomes’ Dawning of the Theosophical Movement, 1987, p. 184). The rest of the story is now obtainable from TPH Adyar. — Michael Gomes]

Note from the editor:

*In the late 1870’s, East Hampton, New York, was transitioning from a rural farming community to a popular summer resort destination, attracting artists and wealthy families. The extension of the railway to Bridgehampton in the 1870’s made the area more accessible. This led to the development of boarding houses and the construction of "cottages," many in the Shingle style, on former farms and pastures.

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Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil

HOW DID WE DO IT IN 1975, WHEN WE CELEBRATED IN NEW YORK OUR 100^TH BIRTHDAY  DURING THE "CENTENNIAL" WORLD CONGRESS?

Now, while 50 years have passed and with the 12^th World Congress in Vancouver, Canada commemorating the Theosophical Society’s 150^th anniversary around the corner, we will take a walk down memory lane to see and hear how things were done at the Statler Hilton Hotel-New York, from November 14 -20, 1975. 

Entrance of the Statler Hotel, New York in the mid-seventies

INTRODUCTION

For many students of Theosophy the phenomenon of ONLINE (Zoom -YOUTUBE etc. ) sessions such as  special events, talks, interviews and courses have become some sort of a theosophical lifeline. I must admit, I was never really fond of any type of these online meetings, to me they seem to be very impersonal, so I’ve tried to stay away from them as much as possible.

A message from Ken Small - USA 

Ken Small knocking on doors for help

Friends of Lomaland

I am reaching out today for support in further developing and sustaining our Lomaland Theosophy Library, Archive and Art collection.

Henry Geiger (August 10, 1908 – 15 February 1989) was the editor, publisher, and chief writer of MANAS Journal which was published from 1948–1988.

He*+ “had been variously a chorus boy on Broadway, a journalist, a conscientious objector in World War II, a commercial printer, and a lecturer at The United Lodge of Theosophists in Los Angeles.” 

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Read the new issues of TEOPEDIA NEWS from now on Theosophy Forward the e-Magazine in the category Theosophical Encyclopedia!! 

From the Archives

It is really fun trying to trace the origin and find information concerning an old photo. The image we are looking at right now did not have any specific details on it. The photograph is pretty rare since both the 14^th Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are in it, while visiting the ADYAR LIBRARY. His Holiness  the Dalai Lama visited our Headquarters a number of times, but for as far as could be determined, this was the only occasion he was in Adyar accompanied by the Panchen Lama.

Compiled by Jan Nicolaas Kind

Jaishree Kannan

Not so long ago Jaishree Kannan who is in charge of the Adyar Library and Research Centre submitted a kind of “mystery-photo” without any backgriound information to me when we were exploring some historical photos of famous persons who might have once visited Adyar and Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931), the world-famous inventor, was one of them. It has now become clear that he never made it to Adyar, but his phonograph certainly did. He was the fourth most prolific inventor in history, holding 1,093 US patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. Thomas Edison died of complications of diabetes on October 18, 1931, in his home, "Glenmont" in Llewellyn Park in West Orange, New Jersey.