Thought-Forms

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