Madame Blavatsky's Magnum Opus introduced
The main object of this page is, instead, to introduce to you two books that will help you get a grip on this book. Both written to help the student find the essence before getting lost in a sea of details.
Introducing Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine
-
The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy
-
It unites science and religion in a unique synthesis. Changed my life and my world view completely. Contains many of the themes of the modern New Age movement like: karmic evolution, Atlantis, parapsychology, Unity of All Life/everything, unity of al...
-
Man The Measure Of All Things
-
Deep, engaging and insightful interpretation of Blavatsky's 'The Secret Doctrine'. 'Man the measure of all things' is one of those books I've heard about for years, but never had the opportunity to read. Having read Blavatsky's magnum opus myself, I...
Inspiring ideas from 'The Secret Doctrine'
Consciousness is graded
There are several levels of consciousness. Mind is more...1 point
Evolution of consciousness
Human consciousness is part of the general cycle o more...0 points
Soul of individual is one with the Soul of the Universe
In the words of Advaita Vedanta: Atman is Brahman0 points
What we see is illusion
The universe is fundamentally different from the w more...0 points
People are different - and that's OK
People should be judged on their spiritual worth, more...0 points
[An abridgement of] The Secret Doctrine
Abridged and annotated by Michael Gomes
I do think what he created is one of the best introductions to The Secret Doctrine one could wish. He starts it out with a historical introduction that's factual yet easy reading. Throughout you'll find notes and references that bring this work into the 21st century. After all, the study of religion has come a long way since the 19th century when Blavatsky wrote The Secret Doctrine.
There is, as one would expect of a scholar like Michael Gomes, a good index. Also, he checked the whole text against the oldest versions of Blavatsky's original text, so none of the spelling mistakes of the first edition had a chance of staying in. Those familiar with previous editions will have to deal with the disappearance of anupapadaka (now anupadaka) and the appearance of consistent diacritical marks.
Michael Gomes split the text up in three sections. The first is cosmic evolution: Blavatsky's 'Stanza's of Dzyan' and some of her comments on them. The second is human evolution. Again the stanzas and some of what she had to say about them. The third section is gathered from both volumes and is called 'the mystery language of the initiates'. It deals with symbology and cosmic symbols.
What's left out is all the stuff relating to 19th century science. After all, nobody buys the Secret Doctrine to be informed about the history of science...
The Secret Doctrine
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/24/2009)
Buy in the UK and Europe (amazon.co.uk)
Also available on kindle
An invitation to the Secret Doctrine.
I would still recommend this text to people trying to find their way in The Secret Doctrine, but only if they do not have a local Secret Doctrine Studygroup to go to. If they do, Michael Gomes' version is probably a better basis for study.
An Invitation to the Secret Doctrine
Amazon Price: $8.89 (as of 11/24/2009)
More about The Secret Doctrine
- The Secret Doctrine as a Contribution to World Thought, Sri Madhava Ashish
- The world's many religious teachings are human attempts to express mankind's half defined ideas about himself and the world he lives in. As we become richer in our wealth of concepts and more knowledgeable about our environment, we find it necessary from time to time to reformulate our religious ideas. H.P. Blavatsky's contribution to world thought was such a reformulation.
- Reminiscences of H.P. Blavatsky and the Secret Doctrine - Theosophical History
- In giving an account of the manner in which Helena Petrovna Blavatsky wrote The Secret Doctrine, while yet the circumstances are fresh in my memory, with memoranda and letters still available for reference, I shall not shrink from dwelling at some length on my own relations with my dear friend and teacher; and on many attendant circumstances which, while not directly connected with the actual writing of the book [The Secret Doctrine], will contribute, I feel sure, to an intelligent comprehension of both the author and her work.
- The Secret Doctrine as Spiritual Practice - Modern Theosophy
- Pablo Sender on awakening spiritual perception through study of Blavatsky's master piece: 'The Secret Doctrine.'
- Mistaken notions on the secret doctrine
- My chief and only object was to bring into prominence that the basic and fundamental principles of every exoteric religion and philosophy, old or new, were from first to last but echoes of the primeval "Wisdom Religion."
- Meditating on The Secret Doctrine
- Pablo Sender on meditation on Blavatsky's master piece: 'The Secret Doctrine.'
The best books by and about H.P. Blavatsky
Can't get enough of the grand madame Blavatsky? Here are more of her books. And biographies of course.-
The Best H.P. Blavatsky Books
-
Blavatsky's public life was spent doing two things: writing and organizing the Theosophical Society. This lens introduces her books: The Secret Doctrine, Isis Unveiled, The Key to Theosophy, The Voice of the Silence, Caves and Jungles of Hindustan, t...
More theosophy
-
Theosophy Books - theosophical inspiration
-
Links to book reviews of theosophical books and a selection of the most famous and inspirational books in the theosophical movement. Books by Annie Besant, W.Q. Judge, C.W. Leadbeater, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Rudolf Steiner, H.P. Blavatsky and more.
-
Theosophical Society - theosophy
-
The cool thing about the Theosophical Society is that it is a great place to learn about religion, philosophy, science and metaphysics - without having to commit to any dogmas. Each member can remain in whatever religion they choose - as long as they...
-
Annie Besant, teacher, lecturer, secularist and theosophist...
-
Minister's wife, student of medicine, raised a prophet, reformer, secularist and more. Annie Besant (1847-1933) was many things in her lifetime - and living in the 19th and early 20th century, all of those things were revolutionary for a woman to be...
-
Rudolf Steiner the founder of Anthroposophy
-
Introducing the founder of Waldorf education, alternative farming methods (bio-dynamic farming), alternative health practices and dietary advice - Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was way ahead of his time. Rudolf Steiner was quite a learned man. He was a...
-
Mme Blavatsky : Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
-
Blavatsky compared the science of her day, studied the world religions and came up with her own synthesis, which she called 'theosophy', or ancient wisdom.
So, are you interested? Have you read any of these introductions?
-
Reply
- susannaduffy susannaduffy Oct 21, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
- I had forgotten all about Madame Blavatsky. Heavens, it seems such a long time ago to my undergraduate days. You've intrigued me now, and I'm going to have a read of her work again
More religion and spirituality
-
Spiritual Presents and Christmas Gift Ideas
-
My collection of gift lenses: web pages with spiritual products. Browse at your leisure. In time I will also list the most popular products here. You will find spiritual books, cards, quotes, jewelry, posters and calendars.
-
Spiritual Lenses - Katinka Hesselink Net: religion and spirituality
-
A lensography of my best spirituality lenses as well as a summary of my website. I feature information from various religious traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Fourth Way and Theosophy. I also pay attention to various spiritual teachers, whether the...
-
Great spiritual teachers - my favorites and yours
-
These are some of the teachers - past and present - who will keep reminding us that there IS more to life. There is more to US... Spiritual teachers are the salt that gives flavor to our otherwise somewhat dry western culture. With all the focus on...
-
Karma and Reincarnation: are we reborn?
-
Karma and reincarnation are linked. Karma is the idea that what we do and have done influences our circumstances, talents and options. Reincarnation means that what we do and think will not just influence our present life, but also our future ex...
-
The best spiritual books EVER
-
Gathering all my spiritual book reviews together. Religion and spirituality fascinates me no end. I also love to read books - this lens combines both fascinations. I've reviewed quite a few spiritual books by now. Here you'll find my reviews...
Thanks for all your support!
A big thank you to all of you who've supported my online work by:
- asking questions
- giving constructive feedback
- voting on my lenses
- buying stuff from my lenses
- linking to any of my web projects
- ... donating money :)
- and being generally supportive :) ;)
by spirituality
Explore related pages
Theosophy Books - theosophical inspiration- Links to book reviews of theosophical books and a selection of the most famous a...
Mme Blavatsky : Helena Petrovna Blavatsky- Blavatsky compared the science of her day, studied the world religions and came...
The Best H.P. Blavatsky Books- Blavatsky's public life was spent doing two things: writing and organizing the T...
All Considering - spiritual blog- I started this blog when I quit college - as an outlet for my thoughts about rel...
H.P.B. The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky- Blavatsky is a monumental figure in the history of religion - East AND West. Thi...
W.Q. Judge - theosophy Books- William Quan Judge is a well respected early theosophical author who, unlike oth...
