The Theosophical Glossary

BLAVATSKY, H.P.

Theosophy Company

The modern Theosophical movement, inaugurated in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky and others with the formation of the Theosophical Society, had nearly perished by the time Madame Blavatsky moved to London in May of 1887. Although a worldly success, attacks from without and a lack of support from within had rendered the Society almost lifeless. The Secret Doctrine, H.P. Blavatsky's magnum opus published in 1888, proved to be a tremendous catalyst for serious student inquiry. Questions about the book and its subjects, particularly cosmogenesis, were the topic of the weekly meetings of the Blavatsky Lodge. The first installment of the Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge - discussing some of these subjects - was published in 1890, carrying a note that the printed version was "somewhat condensed from the original discussions," and presenting the material in an anonymous question and answer format. Another volume shortly followed, and though others were indicated, nothing further appeared. The Secret Doctrine Dialogues contain 21 handwritten folios of over 30 pages each - including the original material of the Transactions - and provides a useful commentary on the ideas expounded in The Secret Doctrine. As much as possible, it is a word-for-word transcription from the original handwritten reports of the meetings. This volume is intended neither to replace nor to correct the existing Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge, but may be viewed as a companion work. We are treated to H.P. Blavatsky's broad, philosophical and penetrating mind, her biting wit, her gentle and not-so-gentle impatience with human foibles, and her self-deprecating willingness to inquire into ideas and engage the minds of others. Here is HPB direct - wise, articulate, grumpy, sharp, raw, unedited - and we are Given a "fly-on-the-wall" ear to the world's first study class in The Secret Doctrine, with the author, or writer, rather, HPB herself presiding!

The Secret Doctrine Dialogues

Politics & Social Sciences

Blavatsky, Helena P.

Philosophy

H.P. BLAVATSKY (1831-1891) completed The Key to Theosophy in 1889, less than a year after publication of her monumental work The Secret Doctrine.  As she says in her Preface, “It traces the broad outlines of the Wisdom Religion, and explains its fundamental principles, while meeting, at the same time, the various objections raised by the average Western enquirer." H.P.B. (as she was known to her students) endeavors to "present unfamiliar concepts in a form as simple and in language as clear as possible.” The Key is written as a dialogue between a Theosophist and a somewhat skeptical inquirer, and over the years students have found it an invaluable textbook. In its fifteen chapters, Blavatsky points out the historical roots of Theosophy and sets forth a concise and approachable presentation of its main teachings. These include the concept of Deity as an impersonal, universal and unifying principle; the ideas of Karma and reincarnation as dynamics of human growth and evolution; and the various animating principles, both physical and transcendental, which make up the human being.  While many of these ideas may not seem as unfamiliar as they did in 1889, having since been absorbed into the vocabulary of contemporary life, their meanings are often neither fully nor practically understood. Perhaps most importantly, H.P.B. places a great emphasis throughout on the profound moral implications of these age-old teachings. That these transforming aspects of the ancient Wisdom Religion might be made more widely known and find expression in the minds, hearts, and daily lives of those who take up this study was the mission of her life’s work.  The present publication is a verbatim reproduction of the original edition of 1889 and carefully preserves its layout and pagination. To this has been added both the Preface H.P.B. wrote to the second edition of 1891 and the Glossary of terms included with that edition. 

The Key To Theosophy

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