Thought-Forms

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 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS FIG. PAGE MEANING OF THE COLOURS Frontispiece CHLADNI'S…