, strikes such a body, it can only rebound from it, and it
is flung back with all its own energy; it then flies backward along the
magnetic line of least resistance, that which it has just traversed, and
strikes its projector; he, having matter in his astral and mental bodies
similar to that of the thought-form he generated, is thrown into
respondent vibrations, and suffers the destructive effects he had
intended to cause to another. Thus "curses [and blessings] come home to
roost." From this arise also the very serious effects of hating or
suspecting a good and highly-advanced man; the thought-forms sent
against him cannot injure him, and they rebound against their
projectors, shattering them mentally, morally, or physically. Several
such instances are well known to members of the Theosophical Society,
having come under their direct observation. So long as any of the
coarser kinds of matter connected with evil and selfish thoughts remain
in a person's body, he is open to attack from those who wish him evil,
but when he has perfectly eliminated these by self-purification his
haters cannot injure him, and he goes on calmly and peacefully amid all
the darts of their malice. But it is bad for those who shoot out such
darts.

Another point that should be mentioned before passing to the
consideration of our illustrations is that every one of the
thought-forms here given is drawn from life. They are not imaginary
forms, prepared as some dreamer thinks that they ought to appear; they
are representations of forms actually observed as thrown off by ordinary
men and women, and either reproduced with all possible care and fidelity
by those who have seen them, or with the help of artists to whom the
seers have described them.

* * * * *

For convenience of comparison thought-forms of a similar kind are
grouped together.

ILLUSTRATIVE THOUGHT-FORMS

AFFECTION

_Vague Pure Affection._--Fig. 8 is a revolving cloud of pure affection,
and except for its vagueness it represents a very good feeling. The
person from whom it emanates is happy and at peace with the world,
thinking dreamily of some friend whose very presence is a pleasure.
There is nothing keen or strong about the feeling, yet it is one of
gentle well-being, and of an unselfish delight in the proximity of
those who are beloved. The feeling which gives birth to such a cloud is
pure of its kind, but there is in it no force capable of pro