FOREWORD
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Besant, Annie and Leadbeater, C. W. (Charles Webster)
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
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