Foreword

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

INTRODUCTION 11

THE DIFFICULTY OF REPRESENTATION 16

THE TWO EFFECTS OF THOUGHT 21

HOW THE VIBRATION ACTS 23

THE FORM AND ITS EFFECT 25

THE MEANING OF THE COLOURS 32

THREE CLASSES OF THOUGHT-FORMS 36

ILLUSTRATIVE THOUGHT-FORMS 40

AFFECTION 40-44

DEVOTION 44-49

INTELLECT 49-50

AMBITION 51

ANGER 52

SYMPATHY 55

FEAR 55

GREED 56

VARIOUS EMOTIONS 57

SHIPWRECK 57

ON THE FIRST NIGHT 59

THE GAMBLERS 60

AT A STREET ACCIDENT 61

AT A FUNERAL 61

ON MEETING A FRIEND 64

APPRECIATION OF A PICTURE 65

FORMS SEEN IN MEDITATION 66

SYMPATHY AND LOVE FOR ALL 66

AN ASPIRATION TO ENFOLD ALL 66

IN THE SIX DIRECTIONS 67

COSMIC ORDER 68

THE LOGOS AS MANIFESTED IN MAN 69

THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL 70

ANOTHER CONCEPTION 71

THE THREEFOLD MANIFESTATION 71

THE SEVENFOLD MANIFESTATION 72

INTELLECTUAL ASPIRATION 72

HELPFUL THOUGHTS 74

FORMS BUILT BY MUSIC 75

MENDELSSOHN 77

GOUNOD 80

WAGNER 82