Letters That Have Helped Me

What It's About

This book gathers personal letters and extracts from letters written by William Q. Judge to friends, students, and fellow workers in the Theosophical movement. The bulk of the volume consists of letters addressed to Julia Campbell Ver Planck, known by her pen name "Jasper Niemand," offering guidance on the spiritual path. A second book of letters, compiled after Judge's death, was written to a wider circle of correspondents around the world. This extended 1946 edition adds further material, including a number of allegorical and occult stories Judge wrote for theosophical magazines, along with personal reminiscences of him from those who knew him.

Key Concepts

The letters address the practical work of living a spiritual life rather than abstract theory, touching on self-mastery, devotion to duty, the nature of the Masters, and how to meet personal trials and injustice without bitterness. Recurring themes include compassion in daily action, the discipline of thought and desire, and the idea that the spiritual path is walked through ordinary work in the world rather than withdrawal from it.

About the Author

William Quan Judge (1851–1896) was born in Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated with his family to the United States as a child. He trained and practiced as a lawyer in New York before co-founding the Theosophical Society in 1875 alongside Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott. He went on to serve as General Secretary of the Society's American Section and as a Vice President of the international organisation.