Blavatsky's Early Correspondence
I do think that's a grand gesture for any religious organisation to make. To publish a book that gives opponents ready made fuel for detraction.
But then the Theosophical Society has a motto that makes this move highly understandable:
There is no religion higher than truth
I guess they really felt that the truth was more important than the risk of finding out Blavatsky swore more than we'd like :).
A Fascinating Read
Many a controversy was fought out in those days at the end of the 19th century that still has consequences for spirituality today.
The Letters of H.P. Blavatsky, Volume 1
The Letters of H.P. Blavatsky, Volume One
Amazon Price: (as of 11/23/2009)
There is unique historical information in this book about the woman who started the Theosophical Movement. She is said to be the founder of New Age - and the years covered in this book are formative for the Theosophical Society and her work.
The letters of H.P. Blavatsky - an introduction
Most of the letters contained in this book were actually written by H.P. Blavatsky to various people interested in her work. Each was judged important enough to save and perhaps copy - thus saving them for prosperity.
Imagine if all your e-mails got scrutinized a century after you wrote them... Like that thought? I don't think you would.
But paper does have this advantage: it gets thrown out. The simple thank you notes, the let's not forget to do that letters mostly didn't survive and did not make it into this book.
What did make it are letters that chronicle the starting years of the Theosophical Society - and a few from Blavatsky's life before she became a public person.
Great introduction material
As suggested at the start of this lens - perhaps a few controversial letters should have had MORE of an introduction, but on the whole this book is very well done.
It's a must read for anyone interested in the early history of the Theosophical Society or Blavatsky's life.
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Did you read the Blavatsky Collected Letters?
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Reply
- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Jan 8, 2009 @ 11:32 am
- The 'storm' and the idea of actually letting the reader decide for themselves whether those letters were by Blavatsky or not makes this book sound intriguing and unique. A very well-written lens, Katinka!
Brenda
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What people have said about the Blavatsky Letters
- john algeo about the ts, blavatsky and more: an interview
- there was quite a storm around the publication of 'the letters of hp blavatsky', which you and your wife worked so hard to create. had you expected the storm and can you explain to my readers what the storm was about?(...) ...
- Theosophical elections 2008: Summary of issues « The Theosophical ...
- Radha also quotes Blavatsky regularly though. John has been known to comment on fantasy works like the Harry Potter series. John Algeo was responsible for creating the first volume of the Collected Letters of Blavatsky. ...
- practical spirituality, election business, vedas, upanishads etc.
- the purpose of reincarnation; natural affinity to age - old people, young people; choosing a spiritual path or group; going beyond spiritualism - blavatsky's first occult shot; john algeo about the ts, blavatsky and more: an interview ...
- Em Defesa de Helena Blavatsky at Biosofia
- Em Defesa de Helena Blavatsky. A Editora Teosófica dos Estados Unidos e as Cartas de Solovyov. Um comentário sobre The Letters of H.P. Blavatsky (As Cartas de H. P. Blavatsky) - Volume I, Editadas por John Algeo, TPH - Wheaton, USA, ...
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