The Key to Theosophy

This amazing book has filled in many gaps of my Theosophical understandings. It is a Question and answer discussion about the concepts and the society itself. I listen to it on my kindle text to speech constantly. Its easier than most Blavatsky books, I found. Her writing style can be quite expansive and long in its explanations of her subjects. This however is more of a concise approach. I wouldnt start with this book however. A 'Textbook of Theosophy' by Ledbeater was good for me. Also this is one of the recommended books of the Society course studies.

This version of a public domain was a big surprise. The layout was well done, easy to read, and with - as far as I can tell, and I have checked many passages to the original, which is now falling apart - a high degree of fidelity to the original. If you are interested at all in what is called "theosophy", you will find this book to be highly informative, not to say, inspiring.

Published in 1889 by the Ukrainian mystic Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Key to Theosophy serves as her attempt to explain the core beliefs of the Theosophical Society (T.S.) in plain language. The short book was written as a dialogue between an enquirer and a Theosophist, a style that brings to mind such classic dialogues as Plato’s Socratic dialogues and those of Hermes Trismegistus and his son Tat. Blavatsky begins with the distinction that theosophy, many thousands of years old, is not to be understood as the “Wisdom of God” but as “Divine Wisdom” such as that possessed by the gods. She traces the origination of the term to Ammonius Saccas’ system of Eclectic Theosophy, founded to “reconcile all religions, sects and nations under a common system of ethics, based on eternal verities.” She quickly acknowledges a major difference between the exoteric and esoteric schools, and asserts that Jesus’ “only intention was to purify the ancient religion.” She offers the four principles of Theosophy as: universal Unity and Causation, Human Solidarity, the Law of Karma, the Law of Reincarnation. Blavatsky explains the important distinctions between Theosophy and Buddhism, with the esoteric version of the latter containing “the secret knowledge of the ancient Brahmins of the Mahayana school of Northern Buddhism.” Throughout the book, she focuses on the importance of ethics, and warns that once people “see that none of them [the religions] has the whole truth, but that they are complementary, that the complete truth can only be found in the combined views of all.” Blavatsky next describes the Theosophical understanding of deity, which she states “is the eternal incessantly evolving, not creating, builder of the universe…the ever-becoming.” The human soul is discussed in great detail, and she marks an important distinction between individuality and personality. The septenary constitution of the planet is outlined, with the upper or spiritual being composed of three “principles” or aspects and a lower physical quaternary completing the seven. The earth’s evolution is described, with its chain of globes, rounds, and races, as is mankind’s septenary nature which she equates to the teachings of Plato and Pythagoras. She addresses the after-life states and notes important distinctions between soul and spirit, as well as between kamaloka, devachan and nirvana. In an effort to standardize the use of Theosophical terms, Blavatsky defines the Higher Self as Atma or spirit, while the Spiritual or Divine Ego is equated to Buddhi or the Spiritual Soul. The Inner or Higher Ego is Manas, the permanent Individuality or the Reincarnating Ego. The Lower or Personal Ego is given as the animal instincts and passions that are associated with lower manas, the Kama-rupa and the physical body. She describes the “complex nature of manas” and explains their place in the allegories of the gospel of St. John. Reincarnation and karma are treated extensively as “the Ultimate Law of the Universe,” which, though we “do not know what Karma is per se…we do know how it works, and we can define its mode of action with accuracy.” She moves through personal, filial, national, and racial karmas, as well as the problem of evil (theodicy), stating that “Evil is an infraction of the laws of harmony governing the universe, and the penalty thereof must fall upon the violator of that law himself.” She states “The doctrine of karma is that we have made ourselves what we are by former actions, and are building our future eternity by our present actions.” Blavatsky devotes the final chapters to a discussion of practical Theosophy, which involves a strong sense of character with the “full recognition of equal rights and privileges for all, and without distinction of race, colour, social position, or birth.” She also speaks of a strong sense of duty, but says of politics that Theosophists “carefully avoid them” because “to seek…political reforms before we have affected a reform in human nature, is like putting new wine into old bottles.” She asserts that it is the duty of every Theosophist to “control and conquer, through the Higher, the lower self; to purify himself inwardly and morally; to fear no one, and nought, save the tribunal of his own conscience.”

This book is an excellent introduction to the views of Theosophy, which in many respects is not a religion or a philsophy; it is a helpful guide to distinguish and compare theosophy both to the world religions as they are practiced and the "secret wisdom" that is also found in all world religions. As another reviewer remarked, the Glossary is a very helpful set of definitions for learning further about the theosophical perspective.

For someone who teaches that we must be pure in thought and emotion in order to seriously labor for spiritual ends, she sure does like to take shots at mainstream christianity and judaism... The Madame flirts with bigotry in this epic discourse of things she probably shouldn't be writing about because the "science" she reveals has no practical use for the average reader, or the average reader who thinks he/she is above average.

Worth every penny

A concise introduction to Theosophy.

HPB gets deep with theosopy, interesting lady, interesting read to say the least.

It is a very good book of the Theosophical Movement and a "must read" to whoever wants to go deeper in this study. It was written in the end of the life of Madam Blavatsky, and she wrote it as questions and answers aiming to make a book which was more accessible than her main publications "The Secret Doctrine" and "Isis Unveiled", which are both very dense and difficult. However, whoever is beginning his/her studies in Theosophy should be aware that it is not an easy reading, and probably other introductory book should be read beforehand in order to make this one more comprehensible.

An excellent guide for everyone who wants to understand the great messages of all religions, science and real philosophy and where they come from (from the same source), instead of fanatism, which actually endangers humankind. Blavatsky was probably not the most simpatic person, and you can find a lot of nonsense about here in the WEB, but a true representative of the real and ancient schools of Wisdom. I am not member of the Theosophical Society but study Theosophy since 15 years. This book is the beginning of the study of this forgotten wisdom, which could and should give light and ethic to our materialistic and egoistic age. This is the most didacticall book of Blavatsky and not for sure only for beginners! But as ancient philosofers teach for the real wisdom you need a school and a good teacher during years, and thus this is what Theosophy teaches since ages. It is an incredible book, it shows also that "There is no religion higher than truth" and that we are all brothers and sisters searching in our essence for the same.

The Photo of the book looks like a matte cloth binding with gold stamping and the price was accordingly.. Unfortunately the book seems to have a cheaper reprint with glossy cover (no stamps), this is very misleading.. The edition in the small details is mentioned 'Revised with Glossary ed.' - the product photo does not show this.. For this price I also expect to have a smyth-sewn binding, but this version is just a cheap glued spine unfortunately.. Delivery was also a bit long for this quality and the price was just too high to be very honest here.. The paper used is a bit thin but seems acid free and looks okay, the printing itself is reasonable..

内容は濃いですが、ちょっと難しいです。

It does help somewhat in understanding her major work, but still heavy going.