FOREWORD
Reading edition
The text of this little book is the joint work of Mr Leadbeater and myself; some of it has already appeared as an article in Lucifer (now the Theosophical Review), but the greater part of it is new. The drawing and painting of the Thought-Forms observed by Mr Leadbeater or by myself, or by both of us together, has been done by three friends—Mr John Varley, Mr Prince, and Miss Macfarlane, to each of whom we tender our cordial thanks. To paint in earth's dull colours the forms clothed in the living light of other worlds is a hard and thankless task; so much the more gratitude is due to those who have attempted it. They needed coloured fire, and had only ground earths. We have also to thank Mr F. Bligh Bond for allowing us to use his essay on Vibration Figures, and some of his exquisite drawings. Another friend, who sent us some notes and a few drawings, insists on remaining anonymous, so we can only send our thanks to him with similar anonymity.
It is our earnest hope—as it is our belief—that this little book will serve as a striking moral lesson to every reader, making him realise the nature and power of his thoughts, acting as a stimulus to the noble, a curb on the base. With this belief and hope we send it on its way.
ANNIE BESANT.
PAGE
FOREWORD 6
INTRODUCTION11
THE DIFFICULTY OF REPRESENTATION16
THE TWO EFFECTS OF THOUGHT21
HOW THE VIBRATION ACTS23
THE FORM AND ITS EFFECT25
THE MEANING OF THE COLOURS32
THREE CLASSES OF THOUGHT-FORMS36
ILLUSTRATIVE THOUGHT-FORMS40
AFFECTION40-44
DEVOTION44-49
INTELLECT49-50
AMBITION51
ANGER52
SYMPATHY55
FEAR55
GREED56
VARIOUS EMOTIONS57
SHIPWRECK57
ON THE FIRST NIGHT59
THE GAMBLERS60
AT A STREET ACCIDENT61
AT A FUNERAL61
ON MEETING A FRIEND64
APPRECIATION OF A PICTURE65
FORMS SEEN IN MEDITATION66
SYMPATHY AND LOVE FOR ALL66
AN ASPIRATION TO ENFOLD ALL66
IN THE SIX DIRECTIONS67
COSMIC ORDER68
THE LOGOS AS MANIFESTED IN MAN69
THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL70
ANOTHER CONCEPTION71
THE THREEFOLD MANIFESTATION71
THE SEVENFOLD MANIFESTATION72
INTELLECTUAL ASPIRATION72
HELPFUL THOUGHTS74
FORMS BUILT BY MUSIC75
MENDELSSOHN77
GOUNOD80
WAGNER82