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The Key to Theosophy
The purpose of this book is exactly expressed in its title, "THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY," and needs but few words of explanation. It is not a complete or exhaustive text-book of Theosophy, but only a key to unlock the door that leads to the deeper study. It traces the broad outlines of the Wisdom Religion, and explains its fundamental principles; meeting, at the same time, the various objections raised by the average Western enquirer, and endeavouring to present unfamiliar concepts in a form as simple and in language as clear as possible. That it should succeed in making Theosophy intelligible without mental effort on the part of the reader, would be too much to expect; but it is hoped that the obscurity still left is of the thought not of the language, is due to depth not to confusion. To the mentally lazy or obtuse, Theosophy must remain a riddle; for in the world mental as in the world spiritual each man must progress by his own efforts.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1889
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About the author
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
1,732 books664 followersHelena Petrovna Blavatsky (Russian: Еле́на Петро́вна Блава́тская, Yelena Petrovna Blavatskaya, often known as Madame Blavatsky; 12 August [O.S. 31 July] 1831 – 8 May 1891) was a Russian occultist, philosopher, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an international following as the leading theoretician of Theosophy, the esoteric religion that the society promoted.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 26, 2020
Call it an occult movement/philosophy/religion, Theosophy was founded by an Russian Immigrant Mme Blavatsky. Founded in 1875, the Theosophical Society later shifted its headquarters from New York to Chennai. The society still exists today 35 kms from where I live. Some prominent members worth mentioning are Edison, W.B. Yeats, Annie Besant, and the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
This book is a long interview-turned book and the ideas are felt confined by the brilliance/stupidity of the interviewer's questions. I'll start with sharing some of the quotes
"We hold to no religion, and to no philosophy in particular: we cull the good we find in each."
"If hell-fire is a literal truth, then Christ's commandments in the Sermon on the Mount have to be obeyed to the very letter."
"We immeasurably prefer agnostics, and even atheists, in our society, to bigots of whatever religion."
"Children should above all be taught self-reliance, love for all men, altruism, mutual charity, and more than anything else, to think and reason for themselves."
From my understanding, Theosophy has basic tenets from Eastern religions such as Karma, Reincarnation, and influences from traditions of Plato, Locke, Emerson and ideals of universal brotherhood and solidarity.
Getting to know about this Theosophical Society a couple of years ago has a lot to do with my exploration of aphotic origins of Mr. Jiddu Krishnamurti. He was earlier chosen by the society as 'vehicle for the maitreya,' an idea inspired from the reincarnation of Buddha. However he left the society when he came of age as of course Jiddu's a Jiddu.
It's plausible to speculate the Vonnegut's religious stances were inspired/sympathetic to some accordance here. He writes an essay about the founder on Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons (1965)
"She thought all human beings were her brothers and sisters—she was a citizen of the world. She said this among other things:
'Let not the fierce sun dry one tear of pain Before thyself hast wiped it from the sufferer’s eye."
An Exploratory read. Maybe I'll try to read more of her works if I get a chance.
This book is a long interview-turned book and the ideas are felt confined by the brilliance/stupidity of the interviewer's questions. I'll start with sharing some of the quotes
"We hold to no religion, and to no philosophy in particular: we cull the good we find in each."
"If hell-fire is a literal truth, then Christ's commandments in the Sermon on the Mount have to be obeyed to the very letter."
"We immeasurably prefer agnostics, and even atheists, in our society, to bigots of whatever religion."
"Children should above all be taught self-reliance, love for all men, altruism, mutual charity, and more than anything else, to think and reason for themselves."
From my understanding, Theosophy has basic tenets from Eastern religions such as Karma, Reincarnation, and influences from traditions of Plato, Locke, Emerson and ideals of universal brotherhood and solidarity.
Getting to know about this Theosophical Society a couple of years ago has a lot to do with my exploration of aphotic origins of Mr. Jiddu Krishnamurti. He was earlier chosen by the society as 'vehicle for the maitreya,' an idea inspired from the reincarnation of Buddha. However he left the society when he came of age as of course Jiddu's a Jiddu.
It's plausible to speculate the Vonnegut's religious stances were inspired/sympathetic to some accordance here. He writes an essay about the founder on Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons (1965)
"She thought all human beings were her brothers and sisters—she was a citizen of the world. She said this among other things:
'Let not the fierce sun dry one tear of pain Before thyself hast wiped it from the sufferer’s eye."
An Exploratory read. Maybe I'll try to read more of her works if I get a chance.
September 18, 2018
This book is supposed to be a short introduction to the subject, but for me it is way too long and meandering. I don't like the arrogance of her personality that comes through in most of what she says, and she seems like a very irritable person also. As if she is burdened by having to put the effort in to tell us this stuff that is so obviously true to her. There is no sense of enthusiasm in what she says. And she basically never answers a question directly, but goes off on some tangent, or pontificates in vague catch all language. I am still interested to learn a bit about theosophy, I think I will try something by Rudolf Steiner next, because I cannot be doing with this authors style at all.
July 6, 2023
o introducere bună in filosofiile hindusă și budistă, dar mă așteptam să vorbească mai mult despre practicile/principiile spirituale în sine, nu să fie într-o pondere de jumătate o prelegere despre cât de greșite sunt credințele creștinilor și materialiștilor, și cum Societatea Teosofică combate toate calomniile și insultele la adresa lor. pe scurt, doar miezul cărții merită
September 14, 2019
In the form of an interview, this outline is pretty okay, but I'm guessing that Blavatsky only permitted it to be conducted as a means of 'advertising' the society and it's work, mission, and purpose. She also seems to think that all other beliefs are senseless... But as I said it presented a general outline of the TS...
August 17, 2018
To read, after this, the total obliteration of theosophy written by René Guénon called "Theosophy: History of a Pseudo-Religion"
Quotes from the Guénon book :
"‘Our goal,’ as Mme Blavatsky used to say, ‘is not to restore Hinduism, but to sweep Christianity from the surface of the earth .’" - Declaration made by Alfred Alexander and published in The Medium and Daybreak, London, January 1893, P23.
"At the seventeenth convention of the Theosophical Society, held at Adyar in December 1891, Colonel Olcott said the following: ‘I helped HPB in the compilation of her Isis Unveiled, while Keightley, with several others, did the same for the Secret Doctrine. Each of us knows full well how far from infallible are parts of these books, owing due to our collaboration, not to mention those parts written by HPB."
Quotes from the Guénon book :
"‘Our goal,’ as Mme Blavatsky used to say, ‘is not to restore Hinduism, but to sweep Christianity from the surface of the earth .’" - Declaration made by Alfred Alexander and published in The Medium and Daybreak, London, January 1893, P23.
"At the seventeenth convention of the Theosophical Society, held at Adyar in December 1891, Colonel Olcott said the following: ‘I helped HPB in the compilation of her Isis Unveiled, while Keightley, with several others, did the same for the Secret Doctrine. Each of us knows full well how far from infallible are parts of these books, owing due to our collaboration, not to mention those parts written by HPB."
November 9, 2011
Not for everyone. Have been reading this for about eight months and got through it in stages. Really really deep metaphysical stuff. I like this stuff alot. Millions might not, but if you want to know about Theosophy then this is really deep, delved into reading. Was told I was too young for it but I just took my time. Deep!!!
April 28, 2013
A good starter for her other works
August 2, 2013
La simulazione che la B. fa di una intervista rende il testo scorrevole e di facile comprensione. il testo è una erudita spiegazione antroposofica dell'esistenza.eccellente
August 7, 2016
Easily the most self serving and obnoxious Blavatsky work.
April 15, 2021
Must read on theosophy and theosophical society.
June 29, 2021
Introduction to the Theosophical Society.
December 17, 2017
Di che chiave si tratta? Di quella per capire cosa sia davvero la teosofia, secondo Madame Blavatsky. Non l’ho letto tanto per questo. Una chiave la sto cercando, ma non necessariamente teosofica. Ho letto questo testo perché è uno di quelli originari di una delle fondatrici del movimento teosofico. Mi interessavano più che altro le sue personali considerazioni, non filtrate nel corso del tempo da altri che le hanno via via riportate in svariati testi.
Mi è stato utile? Sì e no. Di certo mi ha aiutato a chiarire alcuni punti, ma altri ancora rimangono confusi e pieni di domande. La questione del karma a me ancora non convince. Posso anche capire che esista un qualche meccanismo, Legge Universale o come lo si voglia definire, ma è ancora punitivo, il che per me è inconciliabile con un principio creatore che viene definito come puro amore. Le due cose non vanno d’accordo. Il karma viene definito come un principio a sé, che non emana esattamente dal creatore, e che è dovuto alle azioni terrene. Bene, ma di nuovo, se il creatore è uno da dove arriva questo principio divino allora? E se arriva dallo stesso unico creatore come lo concilio col puro amore? E se il principio creatore non è solo puro amore ma anche punizione allora perché mai mi ha creato, è un poco sadico? Oltretutto mi rimane ancora e sempre senza risposta la solita domanda: perché mai mi trovo qui? Non è che mi piaccia granché tutto il baraccone terreno. Il pianeta in sé è meraviglioso, alcune persone, tante, sono splendide, ma siamo a una percentuale che non mi soddisfa e me ne andrei volentieri da un’altra parte, Venere per esempio, sarà pure un pianeta pieno di amore. Giove? Perché no. Non mi importa di mantenere la fisiologia terrena, anzi ne faccio volentieri a meno, ma allora perché proprio qui, da dove parte ogni cosa, e.
E smettila, sai quanti prima di te si sono fatti queste domande, sai quanti sono finiti al rogo per eresia per aver detto cose come quelle qui sopra, sai quanti filosofi e pensatori si sono interrogati e hanno avanzato ipotesi sulle tue stesse domande? Misericordia, come farò a leggerli tutti?
Mi è stato utile? Sì e no. Di certo mi ha aiutato a chiarire alcuni punti, ma altri ancora rimangono confusi e pieni di domande. La questione del karma a me ancora non convince. Posso anche capire che esista un qualche meccanismo, Legge Universale o come lo si voglia definire, ma è ancora punitivo, il che per me è inconciliabile con un principio creatore che viene definito come puro amore. Le due cose non vanno d’accordo. Il karma viene definito come un principio a sé, che non emana esattamente dal creatore, e che è dovuto alle azioni terrene. Bene, ma di nuovo, se il creatore è uno da dove arriva questo principio divino allora? E se arriva dallo stesso unico creatore come lo concilio col puro amore? E se il principio creatore non è solo puro amore ma anche punizione allora perché mai mi ha creato, è un poco sadico? Oltretutto mi rimane ancora e sempre senza risposta la solita domanda: perché mai mi trovo qui? Non è che mi piaccia granché tutto il baraccone terreno. Il pianeta in sé è meraviglioso, alcune persone, tante, sono splendide, ma siamo a una percentuale che non mi soddisfa e me ne andrei volentieri da un’altra parte, Venere per esempio, sarà pure un pianeta pieno di amore. Giove? Perché no. Non mi importa di mantenere la fisiologia terrena, anzi ne faccio volentieri a meno, ma allora perché proprio qui, da dove parte ogni cosa, e.
E smettila, sai quanti prima di te si sono fatti queste domande, sai quanti sono finiti al rogo per eresia per aver detto cose come quelle qui sopra, sai quanti filosofi e pensatori si sono interrogati e hanno avanzato ipotesi sulle tue stesse domande? Misericordia, come farò a leggerli tutti?
June 7, 2023
[...] Το καθήκον μας είναι να πίνουμε και την τελευταία σταγόνα από τo ποτήρι της ζωής χωρίς γκρίνιες, όλο το ποτήρι ό,τι κι αν μας επιφυλάσσει. Να κόβουμε τα τριαντάφυλλα της ζωής μόνο για το άρωμα που σκορπίζουν στους άλλους κι εμείς να αρκούμαστε στα αγκάθια, αν δεν μπορούμε να χαρούμε εμείς οι ίδιοι το άρωμά τους χωρίς να το στερηθεί κάποιος άλλος.[...]
[...]Οιοσδήποτε, είτε θεόσοφος είτε πνευματιστής, που επιχειρεί να καλλιεργήσει κάποιο παρακλάδι της απόκρυφης επιστήμης – π.χ. υπνωτισμό, μεσμερισμό ή ακόμα και τα μυστικά για την παραγωγή φυσικών φαινομένων κλπ- χωρίς να γνωρίζει τη φιλοσοφική λογική αυτών των δυνάμεων, μοιάζει με καράβι χωρίς τιμόνι σε τρικυμισμένη θάλασσα.[...]
[...]Αλλά αυτή η ηθελημένη άγνοια οφείλεται σε πολλούς λόγους. Έναν απ’ αυτούς αναφέρει ο Απόστολος Παύλος μιλώντας στους καλλιεργημένους Αθηναίους- αναφέρεται δηλαδή στο ότι, για πολλούς αιώνες, είχαν χάσει την ουσιαστική πνευματική τους ενόραση, ακόμα και το ενδιαφέρον τους, λόγω της υπερβολικής τους προσκόλλησης στα αισθητά πράγματα και λόγω της μακρόχρονης σκλαβιάς τους στο νεκρό γράμμα του δόγματος και στην τυπολατρεία. Ωστόσο, ο κυριότερος λόγος είναι το γεγονός πως η Θεοσοφία κρατήθηκε πάντα μυστική.[...]
[...]Οι αρχαίοι Θεόσοφοι, όπως και οι σύγχρονοι, πρέσβευαν πως το πεπερασμένο – ο πεπερασμένος δηλαδή Εαυτός- δεν μπορεί να γνωρίσει το Άπειρο, αλλά ότι η Θεία Ουσία μπορεί να επικοινωνήσει με τον ανώτερο Πνευματικό Εαυτό σε μια κατάσταση έκστασης. Σε αυτή την κατάσταση δεν μπορεί να φτάσει κανείς, όπως στον υπνωτισμό, με «μέσα φυσικά ή χημικά.»[...]
[...]Οιοσδήποτε, είτε θεόσοφος είτε πνευματιστής, που επιχειρεί να καλλιεργήσει κάποιο παρακλάδι της απόκρυφης επιστήμης – π.χ. υπνωτισμό, μεσμερισμό ή ακόμα και τα μυστικά για την παραγωγή φυσικών φαινομένων κλπ- χωρίς να γνωρίζει τη φιλοσοφική λογική αυτών των δυνάμεων, μοιάζει με καράβι χωρίς τιμόνι σε τρικυμισμένη θάλασσα.[...]
[...]Αλλά αυτή η ηθελημένη άγνοια οφείλεται σε πολλούς λόγους. Έναν απ’ αυτούς αναφέρει ο Απόστολος Παύλος μιλώντας στους καλλιεργημένους Αθηναίους- αναφέρεται δηλαδή στο ότι, για πολλούς αιώνες, είχαν χάσει την ουσιαστική πνευματική τους ενόραση, ακόμα και το ενδιαφέρον τους, λόγω της υπερβολικής τους προσκόλλησης στα αισθητά πράγματα και λόγω της μακρόχρονης σκλαβιάς τους στο νεκρό γράμμα του δόγματος και στην τυπολατρεία. Ωστόσο, ο κυριότερος λόγος είναι το γεγονός πως η Θεοσοφία κρατήθηκε πάντα μυστική.[...]
[...]Οι αρχαίοι Θεόσοφοι, όπως και οι σύγχρονοι, πρέσβευαν πως το πεπερασμένο – ο πεπερασμένος δηλαδή Εαυτός- δεν μπορεί να γνωρίσει το Άπειρο, αλλά ότι η Θεία Ουσία μπορεί να επικοινωνήσει με τον ανώτερο Πνευματικό Εαυτό σε μια κατάσταση έκστασης. Σε αυτή την κατάσταση δεν μπορεί να φτάσει κανείς, όπως στον υπνωτισμό, με «μέσα φυσικά ή χημικά.»[...]
March 28, 2021
Une master-classe de rhétorique vide. Enfumant ses lecteurs malgré des contradictions évidentes d'un chapitre à l'autre, fort de citations utilisées de manière douteuse et de termes indiens traduits de manière incompréhensible mais rendant bien, ce pseudo dialogue platonicien se présente sous la forme d'une interview avec un journaliste fictif sceptique et critique qui est convaincu par la force (!) des arguments du Théosophe.
Blavatsky va même jusqu'à défendre ses oeuvres et sa personne à travers cet 'oriental' fictif qu'est le Théosophe, qui s'insurge face aux idiocies des occidentaux qui attaquent la Théosophie, notamment son financement. Le livre se termine en une théorie du complot en bonne et dûe forme, la Théosophie étant attaquée de toute part par des jaloux et des profiteurs.
Hallucinant.
Blavatsky va même jusqu'à défendre ses oeuvres et sa personne à travers cet 'oriental' fictif qu'est le Théosophe, qui s'insurge face aux idiocies des occidentaux qui attaquent la Théosophie, notamment son financement. Le livre se termine en une théorie du complot en bonne et dûe forme, la Théosophie étant attaquée de toute part par des jaloux et des profiteurs.
Hallucinant.
September 23, 2018
Ein guter Einstieg in die theosophischen Lehren und die ganz eigene, überzeugt-unwirsche Tonalität H. P. Blavatskys. Was mich an der Theosophie reizt, ist ihr Umgang mit zentralen Themen fernöstlicher Philosophie: vor allem Karma, Reinkarnation oder der menschlichen Siebenteiligkeit und der "Auflösung des Egos". Wer einen Blick in die Lehren - oder auch in die Werke Blavatskys - werfen möchte, ist mit diesem Schlüssel gut beraten. Er bietet einen Ein- und Überblick, der deutlich weniger komplex ist als die anderen Veröffentlichungen der Autorin.
August 13, 2024
El libro no está mal, pero se mete demasiado en filosofía, aunque no deja de tener parte donde se habla de religión y espiritualidad.
Tengo un problema con la filosofía y es que de toda la vida se me ha atragantado cosa mala. Ya digo, la teosofía es un tema que me llama muchísimo la atención, pero hay demasiada filosofía en él.
Precisamente ese es el punto que me ha hecho darle esta puntuación. Es demasiado tedioso y lento
Tengo un problema con la filosofía y es que de toda la vida se me ha atragantado cosa mala. Ya digo, la teosofía es un tema que me llama muchísimo la atención, pero hay demasiada filosofía en él.
Precisamente ese es el punto que me ha hecho darle esta puntuación. Es demasiado tedioso y lento
April 8, 2020
A fascinating treatment of the perennial philosophy as it stood under attack from religious institutions and proponents of material scientism. I hesitate to substitute one dogmatic belief system for another. But the breadth of understanding presented herein provides a strong platform on which to assemble one's mind without belief but with insight.
May 24, 2019
Madame Blavatsky gives you information about the "divine wisdom tradition" that lived in different times and areas of the world. Before judging or having an idea about Theosophy, I advise you to read it first.
August 21, 2022
The format of question and answer really brought out the worst in the narrator's voice, it was almost aggravating at times. I liked the discussions about karma and past lives but overall this was too long winded and promotional
June 8, 2017
Not quite a primer, but a profound and difficult introduction to the essential elements of theosophic living and thinking.
February 25, 2018
A good introduction to Theosophy. It's very much a question and answer book. For those studying Theosophy, which I am, it was a good place to start.
September 11, 2019
Actually very hard to understand.
November 19, 2024
This was my first read of a book by Madame Blavatsky and I found it full of timeless wisdom.
April 11, 2023
İn my opinion, it's a good start for understanding Theosophy and Spirituality.
January 19, 2025
I think I read just about every occult related book, back in my teens, trying to find truth. The book itself isn't great. The author, who is the founder of this influential occult movement, definitely sounds like an occult leader, though not the charismatic type, the looking down on you type. The best way to describe Theosophy in the easiest of terms is new age Buddhism meets illuminati conspiracy theorists.
August 19, 2015
This book is intro what is/was Theosophical society with explanation of many esoteric concepts. Deep believing Christians would find this book "aggressive" as it has some negativity towards Christianity in light of it's stance against Theosophical society back in 19th century.
April 17, 2013
A very basic intro to Theosophy
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April 8, 2014The title says it all. The real key to Theosophy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews