The Ocean of Theosophy

210 Pages·2011·1.38 MB·English

by  William Q. Judge

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 An Introduction to the writings
of H. P. Blavatsky
 Outlines the broad scope and
principles of Theosophy
WWiilllliiaamm QQ.. JJuuddggee
In the early s William Q. Judge
recognized the need for a literature on
theosophy that could be readily under-
stood by all. He responded with a series
of newspaper articles that were soon
published in book form as The Ocean
of Theosophy. Providing a concise yet
comprehensive survey of the basic teach-
ings, it clarifies such topics as reincar-
nation and karma; the sevenfold nature
of man, earth, and the universe; after-
death states and cyclic evolution; sages,
adepts, and the world’s religions; psy-
chic phenomena, spiritualism, the pitfalls
of pseudo-occultism; and many more.
Here is knowledge based upon evidence
and experience, written with brevity and
depth.
W  Q. J was born in Dublin,
Ireland, on April , . His family emi-
grated in  to New York where he
specialized in corporate law (New York State
Bar, ). A co-founder with H. P. Blavatsky
and Henry S. Olcott of the Theosophical
Society in , he later became General
Secretary of its American Section and Vice
President of the international Society.
Writing and lecturing from coast to coast,
he made theosophy known and respected
throughout America. He died in New York
City on March , 
Cover Design: Patrice Hughes
In the Author’s Words . . .
Just as the ancients taught, so does Theosophy: that
the course of evolution is the drama of the soul and
that Nature exists for no other purpose than the soul’s
experience. The Theosophist agrees with Professor
Huxley in the assertion that there must be beings in the
universe whose intelligence is as much beyond ours as
ours exceeds that of the black beetle, and who take an
active part in the government of the natural order of
things.
We are therefore not appearing for the first time
when we come upon this planet, but have pursued a
long and immeasurable course of activity and intelligent
perception on other systems of globes.
Man has never been without a friend, but has a line of
elder brothers who continually watch over the progress
of the less progressed, and preserve the knowledge
gained through aeons of trial and experience.
Theosophy sees no unsolvable mystery anywhere,
it throws the word coincidence out of its vocabulary
and hails the reign of law in everything and every
circumstance.

The
Ocean of Theosophy
William Q. Judge
h
THEOSOPHICAL UNIVERSITY PRESS
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
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heosophical niversity ress
T U P
ost ffice ox
P O B C
asadena, alifornia 91109 7107
P C –
www.theosociety.org
2011
1893
The text of this edition is verbatim with the Second Edition
revised by William Q. Judge. It has been reset in larger type with
quotations and typographical errors corrected.
PDF eBook ISBN 978-1-55700-213-6
Library of Congress Information
LC Control Number: 73078147
Author: Judge, William Quan (1851–1896)
Title: The Ocean of Theosophy
Description: xiii, 173, xx p.; 21 cm.
ISBN 0-911500-25-1 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 0-911500-26-x (pbk. : alk. paper)
Notes: First published in 1893.
Includes index.
Subjects: Theosophy
LC Classification: BP565.J82 1973
Dewey Class No.: 212/.52
This PDF eBook was produced by Theosophical University Press
Pasadena, California
PREFACE
An attempt is made in the pages of this book to write of
theosophy in such a manner as to be understood by the
ordinary reader. Bold statements are made in it upon the
knowledge of the writer, but at the same time it is distinctly to
be understood that he alone is responsible for what is therein
written: the Theosophical Society is not involved in nor bound
by anything said in the book, nor are any of its members any
the less good Theosophists because they may not accept what I
have set down. The tone of settled conviction which may be
thought to pervade the chapters is not the result of dogmatism
or conceit, but flows from knowledge based upon evidence and
experience.
Members of the Theosophical Society will notice that cer-
tain theories or doctrines have not been gone into. That is
because they could not be treated without unduly extending the
book and arousing needless controversy.
The subject of the Will has received no treatment, inasmuch
as that power or faculty is hidden, subtle, undiscoverable as to
essence, and only visible in e¤ect. As it is absolutely colorless
and varies in moral quality in accordance with the desire behind
it, as also it acts frequently without our knowledge, and as it
operates in all the kingdoms below man, there could be nothing
gained by attempting to enquire into it apart from the Spirit
and the desire.
I claim no originality for this book. I invented none of it,
discovered none of it, but have simply written that which I have
been taught and which has been proved to me. It therefore is
only a handing on of what has been known before.
illiam udge
W Q. J
New York, May, 1893.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
theosophy and the masters
Theosophy generally defined. The existence of highly devel-
oped men in the Universe. These men are the Mahatmas, Initi-
ates, Brothers, Adepts. How they work and why they remain now
concealed. Their Lodge. They are perfected men from other
periods of evolution. They have had various names in history.
Apollonius, Moses, Solomon, and others were members of this
fraternity. They had one single doctrine. They are possible be-
cause man may at last be as they are. They keep the true doctrine
1 14
and cause it to reappear at the right time. Pages to .
CHAPTER II
general principles
A view of the general laws governing the Cosmos. The seven-
fold division in the system. Real Matter not visible and this always
known to the Lodge. Mind the intelligent portion of the Cosmos.
In the universal Mind the sevenfold plan of the Cosmos is con-
tained. Evolution proceeds upon the plan in the universal Mind.
Periods of Evolution come to an end; this is the Night of Brahma.
The Mosaic account of Cosmogenesis has dwarfed modern con-
ceptions. The Jews had merely one part of the doctrine taken
from the ancient Egyptians. The doctrine accords with the inner
meaning of Genesis. The general length of periods of Evolution.
Same doctrine as Herbert Spencer’s. The old Hindu chronology
gives the details. The story of Solomon’s Temple is that of the
evolution of man. The doctrine far older than the Christian one.
18000000
The real age of the world. Man is over , , years old.
Evolution is accomplished solely by the Egos within that at last
he cean of heosophy
viii / T O T
become the users of human forms. Each of the seven principles
of man is derived from one of the seven great divisions of the
15 24
Universe. Pages to .
CHAPTER III
the earth chain
The doctrine respecting the Earth. It is sevenfold also. It is
one of a chain of seven corresponding to man. The whole seven
are not in a chain separated as to members, but they interpenetrate
each other. The Earth chain is the reincarnation of a former old
and now dead chain. This old chain was one of which our moon
is the visible representative. Moon now dead and contracting.
Venus, Mars, etc., are living members of other similar chains to
ours. A mass of Egos for each chain. The number, though incal-
culable, is definite. Their course of evolution through the seven
globes. In each a certain part of our nature is developed. At the
fourth globe the process of condensation is begun and reaches its
25 31
limit. Pages to .
CHAPTER IV
septenary constitution of man
The constitution of man. How the doctrine di¤ers from the
ordinary Christian one. The real doctrine known in the first cen-
turies of this era, but purposely withdrawn from a nation not able
to bear it. The danger if the doctrine had not been withdrawn.
The sevenfold division. The principles classified. The divisions
agree with the chain of seven globes. The lower man is a compo-
site being. His higher trinity. The lower four principles transitory
and perishable. Death leaves the trinity as the only persistent part
of us. What the physical man is, and what the other unseen mor-
tal man is. A second physical man not seen but still mortal. The
senses pertain to the unseen man and not to the visible one.
32 38
Pages to .