The Voice of the Silence

Rating:
Summary: Dedicated to the Few
Review: After Madam Blavatsky reintroduced the esoteric, perennial, spiritual wisdom back into mainstream western consciousness, she realized that there were two very different types of seekers who would make use of such knowledge. There were those who would seek it for personal power and selfish benefit, and those who would seek it to attempt to educate and liberate all of humanity. The difference between these paths was transcendence of the personal ego to reach the realm of the Higher Self. This book was an attempt to see that her gift of esoteric knowledge would not be passed unquestioned and unchallenged to those who were not fit to receive it.

The first thing that strikes the reader familiar with _Isis Unveiled_ and _The Secret Doctrine_ is the Buddhist emphasis of this volume. While it is based on the same archaic sources as the other works (some of which are pre-Buddhist in origin) it is the true Buddhist path of the heart that clearly shines through again and again. In fact, you have the admonishment: "But even ignorance is better than Head-learning, with no Soul-wisdom to illuminate and guide it." The Soul-wisdom is clearly present here on every page. This depth of understanding of the highest form of Buddhist thought is indeed remarkable for a book written in the 1880's by a westerner. In writing this book the Madam ensured that the spirit of true enlightenment would forever be welded to the Theosophical movement.

This particular edition is a verbatim copy of the original of 1889. As carefully as Madam Blavatsky chose her words, it would be unthinkable to edit them to be more "accessible" to a modern audience. If the reader has difficulty with the technical Sanskrit terms there are detailed glossaries included for all three sections.

Rating:
Summary: This book should come back into mainstream print.
Review: Isabel Cooper-Oakley said of this book:

"Now, inspeaking of the teaching that we have in the Theosophical Society there is one book, by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ................. " Why? Because she knew that it was only the few in the hurry and the press of the everyday life, it was only the few who would really stand aside from the stream of life and try to give some thought and some time to the soul within. She translated this book from one of those priceless treasures then in the possession of the Eastern teachers of Theosophy. It is called The Book of Golden Precepts, and from it she has gathered some few of the precepts which those who really desire to develop their spiritual life will take up and study. Dedicated as it is to the few, it is only the few who really find benefit in it. It is called The Voice of the Silence. The name is in itself paradoxical, but the name in itself is a volume of teaching. It is the Voice of the Silence because it is only when the Silence and the hush come over the material part of man's life that the real Voice of the Silence can speak. It is only when man will take a little time to still his worldly life, to still his worldly thoughts, that the true small Voice which really lives in the heart of every man may make itself heard. And therefore Helena Petrovna Blavatsky gave us this book, leaving it to the few who would listen in the Silence to the Voice that would speak, and she gave it to us as the guide, the prayer book, and the very basis of our daily life." [From Report of Proceedings and Documents of the 1893 Parliament of Religions, pages 174 to 176]..........................

Rating:
Summary: This book should come back into mainstream print.
Review: Isabel Cooper-Oakley said of this book:

"Now, inspeaking of the teaching that we have in the Theosophical Society there is one book, by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ................. " Why? Because she knew that it was only the few in the hurry and the press of the everyday life, it was only the few who would really stand aside from the stream of life and try to give some thought and some time to the soul within. She translated this book from one of those priceless treasures then in the possession of the Eastern teachers of Theosophy. It is called The Book of Golden Precepts, and from it she has gathered some few of the precepts which those who really desire to develop their spiritual life will take up and study. Dedicated as it is to the few, it is only the few who really find benefit in it. It is called The Voice of the Silence. The name is in itself paradoxical, but the name in itself is a volume of teaching. It is the Voice of the Silence because it is only when the Silence and the hush come over the material part of man's life that the real Voice of the Silence can speak. It is only when man will take a little time to still his worldly life, to still his worldly thoughts, that the true small Voice which really lives in the heart of every man may make itself heard. And therefore Helena Petrovna Blavatsky gave us this book, leaving it to the few who would listen in the Silence to the Voice that would speak, and she gave it to us as the guide, the prayer book, and the very basis of our daily life." [From Report of Proceedings and Documents of the 1893 Parliament of Religions, pages 174 to 176]..........................

Rating:
Summary: Pure hidden wisdom
Review: Publisher's note:

"The Voice of the Silence was the last major work to come from the pen of H.P. Blavatsky before her death in 1891. It is also one of her most important writings, being a guidebook for those dedicated to achieving enlightenment through atruistic service to humanity."

It may well take years to comprehend the profound wisdom contained in this sacred book. The Voice of the Silence was and is intended for daily use in meditation by disciples and students of the spirit, not for intellectual study!

It would be a good idea to be well versed in Buddhism and esoterism before venturing with this book (try reading Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine & Isis Unveiled first, and the works of Rudolf Steiner and Samael Aun Weor etc).
It might also help to be well versed in self-knowledge as well.

It is divided into three sections:
1) The Voice of the Silence
2) The Two Paths
3) The Seven Portals

This hand-sized Centenary Edition contains a three-part glossary, an index and an introduction including excerpts from mysterious letters by Blavatsky and others from the time when The Voice of the Silence was written.

"I believe that this book has strongly influenced many sincere seekers and aspirants to the wisdom and compassion of the Bodhisattva Path."
-His Holiness, The Dalai Lama

Rating:
Summary: For true seekers
Review: This book contains some high level lessons given to seekers who are really engaged in the path of truth and duty. H.P. Blavatsky had written this book from what she had learned by heart when she was studying in Himalayan places.The first lesson makes us understand Maya's illusory structure and dangers that it creates on our path. You should learn how to recognize them and deafeat them, then you'll begin to listen to the voice of silence which is the voice of your inner master. Second lesson teaches us about two different paths: heart one and eye one. Third and last lesson is about seven gates to Nirvana and describes us the weapons we should gather or create before fighting dangers we will encounter at each gate. But main lesson is that we should never give up. So if you think that your path is the one of duty for yourself but even more for mankind, this book is for you!

Rating:
Summary: The Verb of the Logos
Review: This book is an authentic treatise about the many stages upon the ancient, universal initiatic path into the mysteries.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama recommends this arcane book on the back cover of the book itself.
This book can be easily misunderstood or not understood at all. What one needs is the keys of the path, the factors of the revolution of the consciousness. Otherwise, how can we listen to the "VOICE OF THE SILENCE". It is the Voice, the Verb, the LOGOS, the supra-Monad... We need the steps in order to do the "Will of the Father", here, as it is in heaven.
We must read and re-read and meditate on this book. It is profound, exact and terribly magical!
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