Gemas de Oriente

by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

"Pocas palabras bastan para escribir el prefacio de estas “Gemas de Oriente”. En una época en que la mente de los occidentales se dedica a estudiar la literatura oriental, posiblemente atraída por la riqueza de su expresión y por sus maravillosas imágenes, además de por la amplia y profunda filosofía de la vida y por las dulces doctrinas altruistas que ofrece, parecía razonable presentar al público un pequeño volumen atractivo y útil como éste."

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1983

About the author

Helena 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

Reviews

[Rob Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful anthology of quotations from South and East Asian spiritual writings, one for each day of the year. I have often read an entire month's worth of quotes at one sitting. :) Both simple and profound, straightforward and paradoxical, these reflections will enlighten anyone interested in the wisdom of the Asian religious traditions.

The only reason why I gave this book 4 stars (instead of 5) is because all of the quotations (except for the ones that open each month) are UNSOURCED. I would very much like to read more of the books that these quotations came from, but alas, that has been a problem for readers of this book since its first publication 130 years ago! Despite this (somewhat frustrating for an academic) lack of citations, the book is quite effective as a contemplative introduction to the wisdom of Asia.