Light on the Path (book)

Light on the Path is a perennial favorite of Theosophical literature written by Mabel Collins in 1885. Its subtitle is "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." The text provides rules that serve as rungs of a ladder in the progress of the spiritual life. These rules are accompanied by commentaries provided by the Master Hilarion.

Writing of the book

Involvement of Master Hilarion

Master Hilarion is said to served as a conduit in the writing of Light on the Path, as the rules came "not from the Master Hilarion but through him from the far distant past." He further contributed the commentaries on the stanzas that are included in the published work. In an analysis by John Hamaker, Collins' book gives evidence of the influence of the fifth ray on the Theosophical Society. The fifth ray is identified with the human impulse toward learning that is manifested in organized science. Hilarion was "leader and teacher of the group of souls whose line of progress lies through the quality that is the fifth ray..."

In Light on the Path we catch a glimpse of the fifth ray... the presence of the spirit of science can clearly be discerned. The first thing we see is the presence of a well defined structure. We are impressed by the simplicity and economy of both its structure and its language. In this is a beautiful expression of the way of science, in as much as science truly is the art and specialty of creating forms of the stuff of the mind."

Publication history

• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." London: [George Redway?], 1885. First Edition
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." London: George Redway, 1888.
• Light on the Path and Karma. Subtitle: "with notes and comments." London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1908.
• Light on the Path and Karma. Subtitle: "written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom and who desire to enter within its influence." Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1911 [2nd 1924; 3rd 1928]. With an introduction by C. W. Leadbeater.
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." Chicago: Rajput Press, 1911. Introduction by C. Jinarajadasa.
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." Krotona/Hollywood/Los Angeles: Theosophical Publishing House, 1919. Introduction by C. Jinarajadasa (credited as "C.J.").
• Light on the Path and Karma. Subtitle: "with notes and comments." Chicago or Wheaton, IL: The Theosophical Press, 1923 [additional edition 1944]. Introduction by C. Jinarajadasa.
• Light on the Path and Karma. Subtitle: "with notes and comments." Philadelphia: David McKay Company, [1923?].
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom and who desire to enter within its influence, and an essay on karma." Adyar: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1943 [new (4th) Adyar edition; 5th 1945; 6th 1949; 7th 1951;8th 1953; 9th 1956; 10th 1958; 11th 1961; 12th 1963; 13th 1966; 14th 1968; 15th 1971]. With an introduction by C. W. Leadbeater.
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." Wheaton, IL: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1970.
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." Through the Gates of Gold Pasadena, Theosophical University Press, 1960 [additional editions: 1968, 1971, 1976]. The present edition of Light on the Path is a verbatim reprint of the 1888 edition (George Redway, London) in which later edition the Notes by the Author first appear. The Comments, which are not in the 1888 edition, are here taken directly from Lucifer, Volume I, 1887-8, where they were first published. Also in this volume we reprint verbatim the original edition (1887) of Through the Gates of Gold by the same Author, together with a commentary by William Q. Judge taken from his magazine, The Path, March, 1887.

Published commentaries

Mabel Collins

Mabel Collins herself published several articles and books on Light on the Path.

• A Cry from Afar. Subtitle: "to students of Light on the Path." London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1905.
• The Illumined Way. Subtitle: "a guide to neophytes being a sequel to Light on the Path." Chicago: The Yogi Publication Society, [1903]. The subject matter of this litle book first appeared in a leading English occult magazine, a number of years ago under the title of Comments on Light on the Path, running in the shape of a series of essays extending over a period of several months.
• Light on the Path. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." Pasadena, Theosophical University Press, 1960. The present edition of Light on the Path is a verbatim reprint of the 1888 edition (George Redway, London) in which later edition the Notes by the Author first appear. The Comments, which are not in the 1888 edition, are here taken directly from Lucifer, Volume I, 1887-8, where they were first published. Also in this volume we reprint verbatim the original edition (1887) of Through the Gates of Gold by the same Author, together with a commentary by William Q. Judge taken from his magazine, The Path, March, 1887.
• Light on the Path and Karma. Subtitle: "with notes and comments." Wheaton, IL, The Theosophical Press, 1944. Introduction by C. Jinarajadasa.
• Our Glorious Future. Subtitle: "the interpretation of Light on the Path." Edinburgh: Theosophical Book Shop, 1917.

Annie Besant & C. W. Leadbeater

• Talks on the Path of Occultism (Vol. III: Light on the Path). Subtitle: "a commentary on...Light on the Path." Adyar: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1926. Talks on the Path of Occultism give the guidance of Annie Besant and C.W. Leadbeater on the teachings contained in...Light on the Path. The two leaders spoke on many occasions on [this book]...and notes taken at such talks were gathered together, edited and revised by them, and published in [this volume].

Lilian Edger

• Gleanings from "Light on the Path". Subtitle: "four lectures delivered at the 33rd anniversary of The Theosophical Society held at Adyar, on Dec. 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 1908." Adyar: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1909.

Rohit Mehta

• Seek Out the Way. Subtitle: "(studies in Light on the Path)." Adyar: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1955. [This] book has grown out of a series of talks given to a group of students at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society in India at Banaras.

Joy Mills

• Entering on the Sacred Way. Subtitle: "a psychological commentary on Light on the Path." Series: "Wisdom Tradition Books; 2." Wheaton, IL, and Chennai: Oclott Institute of the Theosophical Society in America and The Theosophical Publishing House, 2000. Through the years many commentaries on [this book] have appeared, and the texts themselves have been published in numerous editions and in many languages. Why, then, it may be asked, another commentary on Light on the Path?...It is true that, for those who are determined to reach the summit of the mount of vision, no commentary is necessary; such individuals need no guide but their own pure hearts and strong wills....Nevertheless, yet another commentary may be useful as indicating that, as always, there are fellow-seekers in the foothills of the Himalayan ranges of Wisdom.

Reviews

The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals has over 90 articles reviewing, extracted from, or commenting on Light on the Path. These are some examples of the book reviews:

• Anonymous. "Review - Licht Auf Den Weg (Light on the Path) tr Baron von Hoffman". The Theosophist 6 (June, 1885), 222.
• Anonymous. "Review - 'Light on the Path'". The Path 2.3 *(June, 1887), 94.
• Anonymous. "Review - 'Light on the Path'". The Path 89.10 (January, 1895), 322.
• Anonymous. "Review - 'Light on the Path', Adyar Edition". The Theosophical Quarterly 20 (1923), 284.
• Anonymous. "Book Reviews - Light on the Path and Karma". Theosophy in New Zealand 10 (May, 1912), 67.
• Ballard, S. D. "Review - 'Light on the Path' by Mabel Collins". The American Theosophist 58.9 (September, 1970), 279.
• Bhashyacharya, Pandit N. "Review - 'Light on the Path in Sanscrit'". The Path 4.4 (July, 1889), 120.
• Blumensaadt, Naomi. "Review - 'Inspirations from the Ancient Wisdom' At the Feet of the Master, Light on the Path, Voice of the Silence". Theosophy in Australia 65.3 (September, 2001), 96.

Online resources

Articles

• Reflections on Light on the Path By Robert Ellwood
• "Light on the Path" and Mabel Collins compiled and with Notes by William Q. Judge and Archibald Keightley

Books

• Light on the Path by Mabel Collins
• Talks on the Path of Occultism - Light on the Path by Annie Besant and C. W. Leadbeater

Audio

• Light on the Path by Mabel Collins
• Light on the Path by Felix Layton

Video

• Light on the Path (4 Talks) by Pablo Sender