TO FORM A NUCLEUS OF THE UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD OF HUMANITY,
WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF RACE, CREED, SEX, CASTE OR COLOR.

TO ENCOURAGE THE STUDY OF COMPARATIVE RELIGION,
PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE.

TO INVESTIGATE UNEXPLAINED LAWS OF NATURE, AND THE
POWERS LATENT IN MAN.

The Theosophical Society is composed of students, belonging to any religion
in the world, or to none, who are united by their approval of the above objects,
by their wish to remove religious antagonisms, and to draw together men of
good-will, whatsoever their religious opinions.

Theosophy is the body of truths which forms the basis of all religions, and
which cannot be claimed as the exclusive possession of any. It offers a
philosophy which renders life intelligible, and which demonstrates the justice
and the love which guide its evolution. It puts death in its rightful place, as
a recurring incident in an endless life, opening the gateway of a fuller and
more radiant existence.

PRESIDENT, MRS. ANNIE BESANT

INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS,

ADYAR, MADRAS, INDIA.

AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS,

FOREWORD

This little book is intended to help the student to study his own nature, so far as its intellectual part is concerned. If he masters the principles herein laid down, he will be in a fair way to cooperate with Nature in his own evolution, and to increase his mental stature far more rapidly than is possible while he remains ignorant of the conditions of his growth.

The Introduction may offer some difficulties to the lay reader, and may perhaps be skipped by such at the first reading. It is necessary, however, as a foundation for those who would see the relation of the intellect to the other parts of their nature and to the outer world. And those who would fulfil the maxim, "Know thyself," must not shrink from a little mental exertion nor must expect mental food to drop ready-cooked from the sky into a lazily-opened mouth.

If the booklet help even a few earnest students, and clear some difficulties out of the way, its purpose will have been served.

ANNIE BESANT.