Theosophy, Besant and Leadbeater
Selfish Greed in Thought-Forms
The authors describe a form reaching toward a particular object, using extending claws to represent its desire to possess it. The continuation applies the account to shoppers whose desires are imagined as reaching through a shop window toward the displayed goods.
Also known as Grasping Desire
Loading your archive…
In the sources
Account in the source
ReportedThe authors describe a form reaching toward a particular object, using extending claws to represent its desire to possess it.
Further detail
ReportedThe continuation applies the account to shoppers whose desires are imagined as reaching through a shop window toward the displayed goods.
Context & interpretation
This entry explains the shop-window example and figure 28 in the book, rather than accepting its account of protruding astral matter as observed fact. A neighbouring greed-for-drink example is separate. Neither the drawing nor the authors’ moral judgement establishes an individual’s psychological condition.
Original passages
Source 1
Thought-Forms
for a particular object towards which it is reaching outOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Besant and Leadbeater, Thought-Forms, active reader leaf 38
Checked against the active prepared edition; reader leaf and original-page mapping verified, spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0021-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0021-E001-P0038
- Original scan leaf
- 37
- Recorded leaf number
- 38
- Current Reader position
- 38
- 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
protruding astral cravings through the glassOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Besant and Leadbeater, Thought-Forms, active reader leaf 39
Checked against the active prepared edition; reader leaf and original-page mapping verified, spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0021-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0021-E001-P0039
- Original scan leaf
- 38
- Recorded leaf number
- 39
- Current Reader position
- 39
- 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
Shipwreck Thought-forms
The reported group of forms that Thought-Forms associates with differing responses to a shipwreck.
Same subject and traditionHigh Ambition in Thought-Forms
The directed orange form used to distinguish ambition for useful work from ambition for personal acquisition.
Same subject and traditionJealousy in Thought-Forms
The watchful, snake-like form that changes as jealousy becomes mixed with anger.
Same subject and traditionProtective Love in Thought-Forms
The wing-like form that Besant and Leadbeater associate with affection, peace and a wish to protect another person.