The Ocean of Theosophy

by William Quan Judge

Excerpt from The Ocean of Theosophy
An attempt is made in the pages of this book to write of Theosophy in such a manner as to be understood by the ordinary reader. Bold statements are made in it upon the knowledge of the writer, but at the same time it is to be distinctly understood that he alone is responsible for what is therein written: the Theosophical Society is not involved in nor bound by anything said in the book, nor are any of its members any the less good Theosophists because they may not accept what he has set down. The tone of settled conviction which may be thought to pervade the chapters is not the result of dogmatism or conceit, but flows from knowledge based upon evidence and experience.
Members of the Theosophical Society will notice that certain theories or doctrines have not been gone into. That is because they could not be treated without unduly extending the book and arousing needles controversy.
The subject of the Will has received no treatment, inasmuch as that power or faculty is hidden, subtle, undiscoverable as to essence, and only visible in effect. As it is absolutely colorless and varies in moral quality in accordance with the desire behind it, as also it acts frequently without our knowledge, and as it operates in all the kingdoms below man, there could be nothing gained by attempting to inquire it apart from the Spirit and the desire.
No originality is claimed for this book. The writer invented none of it, discovered none of it, but has simply written that which he has been taught and which has been proved to him. It therefore is only a handing on of what has been known before.
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Genres: Theosophy, Philosophy, Occult, Religion, Mythology, Theology, Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1942

About the author

William Quan Judge (April 13, 1851 – March 21, 1896) was a mystic, esotericist, and occultist, and one of the founders of the original Theosophical Society. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. When he was 13 years old, his family emigrated to the United States. He became a naturalized citizen of the USA at age 21 and passed the New York state bar exam, specializing in commercial law.

Often seen published as William Q. Judge and W.Q. Judge

(Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nick]

Fantastic introduction to Theosophy. I wish I read it before I read the secret doctrine, since an introduction like this makes a journey like that a lot easier.

[Kirk Gradin]

I first carefully read and studied this book in 1979. It offered an outlook on human nature, deity and the other kingdoms of nature that I was completely unfamiliar with, but which seemed to be pointing to many deep and hidden truths. Over the years I have gone back to it again and again. I now consider it to be the work of a true sage and a great summary of the fundamental principles of the timeless wisdom called "theosophia".

[Doug]

Weird. A lot of info and rambling. Perhaps the more imaginitive readers out there will get something out of this book.

[TN Pollio]

The Gonzo Files: Reviews with an edge

Ancient wisdom of the Ascended Masters

The nameless schlemiel henceforth referred to as Artie had nothing to do on this hot afternoon but to settle down on the divan and receive enlightenment at his beloved weekly Theosophy Study Group. Found it worth the hassle of taking a bus from the ‘burbs into the outskirts of this otherwise decrepit city. The event was hosted in the dark, musty basement of an historic mansion, long since converted into artspace for the local community. Here held court mostly New Age ex-beatnik philosophy majors and their hipster significant others. All endeavoring to keep alive the ancient wisdom in this newly labeled Age of Aquarius.

A dank, uninviting subterranean space, alight with inquiring minds, hippies, Wiccans, psychics and university intelligentsia. Many merely curious. Others convinced what they heard was esoteric gospel. Occult wisdom expounded from the Holy Canon of Theosophy, including The Secret Doctrine and Isis Unveiled by Madame Helena P. Blavatsky. For the newbie’s drifting in and out, complimentary copies of The Ocean of Theosophy by William Q. Judge – the classic primer or Theosophy 101 regarding the esoteric doctrines of The Ascended Masters. Ancient wisdom already old as dirt when the adepts of the Indus Valley and Pharaonic Egypt elucidated the mysteries to the Essenes and other latter-day offshoots.

Amongst the typical assortment one sees a Zen practitioner, eager to show you his mugshot receiving enlightenment at the feet of the Dalai Lama. Another a self professed expert on the Qabalah. Some Rosicrucians of both flavors, AMORC and Fellowship. A former Satanist now hooked on Nordic Gods and mythology. A female astrologer in a floral Kalderash skirt who also threw a mean Tarot. At her side a shaman who looked and smelled funny.

A guy from California dressed like an Eastern Orthodox monk, extolling the virtues of Ascended Master Jesus the Christ. Fringe notions from devotees of Gurdjieff, Ouspensky and Velikovsky. Followers of Aleister Crowley, Thelema and the Ordo Templi Orientis. Half whispered tales of arcane rituals on local beaches (maybe on the full moon at midnight, although not stated as such), that culminate in the sacrifice of a dove’s heart to some obscure entity. The true origin of humanity in seeding by interdimensional Adepts – a genesis eerily reminiscent of extraterrestrial origins in H.P. Lovecraft.

A master psychic wannabe who was duly impressed with Artie’s “bright aura”, intimating at lost knowledge from previous lifetimes. Cast his horoscope for a stipend, foretelling a glorious advent of fortune and love, or so she said before bursting out laughing. Her bearded sidekick who kept insisting the Sphinx and Great Pyramid were built by survivors from sunken Atlantis. And how Edgar Cayce foretoled the imminent reappearance of this lost continent, rising from the depths like Cthulhu from his sunken city of R'lyeh. Seems those antediluvian wizards were also expert swimmers, and survived to instruct both Mayans and Egyptians with their ancient wisdom and technological prowess.

But from these enlightened beings Artie had the good fortune to learn deep meditation, courtesy of initiates in the privacy of domestic parlors. One an immaculately maintained Victorian showcase. The other a rat hole unfit for human or metaphysical habitation. Where cats (plural) ruled the roost. Don’t ask how many, he was too aghast to ask. Two (not one, TWO) overflowing kitty litter privies – one in the kitchen, the other in the parlor. The stench was overpowering; Artie’s allergic response an extinction level event. Hey mystical Tibetan adept, man. The stench of cat shit and Samadhi hardly go hand in hand.

Decades later, Artie wandered into that iconic artspace that once housed the Theosophy Study Group. His mind drifted from the oeuvre of local artists to the mysteries once revealed in the creepy, stone lined basement. Lo! The door to the dungeon was unlocked, and the light switch worked!! Down, down he crept. And there, as if suspended in a time capsule, was the corner containing that filthy Persian rug, the familiar ratty sofas, easy chairs, ottoman and divan. Several dusty old end tables, one containing vintage Theosophy newsletters and a tattered copy of The Ocean of Theosophy by William Q. Judge.

[David]

This introduction to theosophy is exactly what I was looking for. I had started reading The Secret Doctrine by H.P. Blavatsky but was finding it incomprehensible. This volume lays out all the main ideas of Theosophy: the parts of the soul, Karma, the afterlife, reincarnation, the overarching cycles of the universe, and the slow inevitable progression of civilization. All presented in terms that most students of modern philosophy and spirituality should be able to understand.

It is clear that Theosophists didn't like the Spiritualists, and Judge spends a lot of time going deep into this.

There were lots of weird things about race that we should probably leave in the past. I'm glad I found this volume because now I can skip Blavatsky. I don't think Theosophy is for me. It seems like there's a reason its adherents never made it into the modern era in significant numbers.

[Victoria Angelone]

I absolutely loved this book so much. I have never talked so much or so passionately about anything I've ever read and I have read A LOT!!! Where as many would be non-believers- the theories in this book are so unreal to be real. Every question or concern I had, was answered perfectly and I feel much comfort now in what comes after this life! I will think about this book forever now and am so happy that I stumbled across it! I can't wait to read more books on Theosophy. 10 out of a 10- I would give it a 50! NO JOKE!! I really loved everything in this book.

[Medhat ullah]

Amazing book

[Sergio ruocchio]

Testo eccezionale, testo scorrevole e chiarissimo, uno dei testi che mi ha avvicinata al percorso di conoscenza spirituale, Ne consiglio Vivamente la lettura.

[Claire Meadows]

So much to take in - has left me with a massive reading list.