Theosophy, Besant and Leadbeater
Self-renunciation in Thought-Forms
Thought-Forms distinguishes self-renunciation from a general feeling of religious pleasure. Figure 16 is compared with a partly opened flower and described as pale azure illuminated by white light. The authors interpret it as an act of self-surrender, while speculating about its resemblance to natural forms.
Also known as Self-surrender in Thought-Forms · Flower of Self-renunciation
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In the sources
A rarer form of devotion
ReportedThe authors distinguish figure 16 from the vague blue clouds they associate with general devoutness. They describe it as a less common expression of developed devotion.
A flower-like expression of surrender
ReportedThe account compares its shape to a partially opened flower-bud and gives it pale azure and white light. It identifies the form with an act of utter selflessness and renunciation.
Context & interpretation
This entry explains the authors' claimed perception and symbolism rather than verifying an invisible flower or prescribing a religious discipline. Their comparisons with shells, leaves and mechanical patterns remain analogies. The illustration records their model and cannot independently establish another person's inward state.
Original passages
Source 1
Thought-Forms
such a flower of self-renunciation as we see in Fig. 16Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Devotion, printed p. 45
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0021-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0021-E001-P0028
- Original scan leaf
- 27
- Recorded leaf number
- 28
- Current Reader position
- 28
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
- Location review
- Original scan location confirmed against the reviewed Reader mapping; the earlier recorded number is retained above.
Source 2
Thought-Forms
an act of utter selflessness, of self-surrender and renunciationOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Self-Renunciation, printed p. 49
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0021-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0021-E001-P0031
- Original scan leaf
- 30
- Recorded leaf number
- 31
- Current Reader position
- 31
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
- Location review
- Original scan location confirmed against the reviewed Reader mapping; the earlier recorded number is retained above.
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Devotional Feeling
The quality of attention during worship that Thought-Forms contrasts with distraction and represents through blue forms.
Shared source pageResponse to Devotion
The proposed channel through which Thought-Forms says selfless devotion brings influence from a higher plane.
Same subject and traditionAspiration to Enfold All
The meditation on embracing all humanity and drawing it toward an ideal described in Thought-Forms.
Same subject and traditionHelpful Thoughts
The practice of directing supportive thought toward another person, as described and illustrated in Thought-Forms.