Rating: 
Summary: A prelude to the nameless truth
Review: Well worth the positive reviews - which restricted themselves to what H.P.Blavatsky actually had to say in the S.D. Too much review space seems to have been dedicated to 'defending' - or 'refuting,' ideas not explictly found in Blavatsky's book.
At the worst, this includes reviews making the S.D. a prelude to the work of Samael Aun Weor. The 'larger picture' alluded to by H.P. B. was not a hint that some future writing/s would fill in the gaps, but that it was incumbent upon individuals to discover the 'larger picture' - for themselves.
As for the hysteria over the allegedly 'rascist' elements in H.P.B's work, it was a relief to find one reviewer reminding us that Theosophy advocates the pursuit of truth "without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. " Nuff said?
Rating: 
Summary: Mme Blavatsky
Review: Although I do not question the importance of HP Blavatsky's magnum opus, "The Secret Doctrine", in illuminating the basic tenets of theosophy, I do wish the readers of this book to keep in mind that one cannot and should not take everyhing HPB declares as incontrovertible truth.One problematic idea in this book is the issue of "root races". I do believe that HPB largely meant to define "root races" in sociological rather than biological terms. As Katinka Hesselink states in her article, "Race, Sub-race and Sociological interpretation" : "H.P. Blavatsky uses the word race in a variety of connotations. Sometimes it means the present day humanity, sometimes a 'sub-race' of mankind. When she means present day humanity she does not say humanity, because she was of the opinion that humanity goes through a variety of stages (called rounds), which take tremendous amounts of time...The people of America and Western Europe are clearly the wealthiest and the most intellectually active at this time in history. Blavatsky therefore distinguishes them from other people by calling 'us' a sub-race of the fifth rootrace. This seems to me more a sociological distinction than a physical one.." The problem with the "root race" theory begins when HPB seems to imply that "root race" also has a biological component as well as a sociological one. This seems to have led HPB to declare that certain "races" (and here she seems to mean biological) of people are inferior to others and, therefore, opens a pandora's box of bigotry and discrimination as well as many twisted interpretations of her theory. Hitler is a terrifying example of how this theory has been misused. It well known that he kept a copy of "The Secret Doctrine" by his bedside and relied on it to develop his dangerously inaccurate version of HPB's theory. One of the basic tenets of theosophy, however, is to "to form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour." The truth of this tenet is that EVERY human being has a soul that is progressing towards enlightenment via many lifetimes of learning. There can not, therefore, be anyone "superior" or "inferior" to anyone else. There are only people at different stages of the same path to wisdom. The idea of "inferior biological races" should be vehemently opposed by a truly "enlightened" person. Another problematic issue is the origin of the ideas contained in "The Secret Doctrine". The brilliant and world renowned Kabbalah scholar, Gershom Scholem in "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism" states: "There can be little doubt in my opinion that the famous stanzas of the mysterious "Book Dyzan' on which ..The Secret Doctrine is based owe something, both in title and content, to the pompous pages of the Zoharic writing called 'Sifra Di-Tseniutha'...The solemn and magniloquent style of these pages may well have impressed her suceptible mind...The 'Book Dzyan' is..nothing but an occultist hypostasy of the Zohairic title..." I write these paragraphs not to discourage you from reading "The Secret Doctrine" but to encouarge you to read it with a discriminating mind and eye. HPB and many of the later theosophists mix many truths with even more inaccuracies. (In the case of Alice Bailey, these inaccuracies include her vile anti-semitism and biological racism.) Keep in mind the basic tenet that I quoted above: "A Universal Brotherhood of Humanity".
Rating: 
Summary: An Important Treatise That Mixes Truth With Inaccuracies
Review: Although I do not question the importance of HP Blavatsky's magnum opus, "The Secret Doctrine", in illuminating the basic tenets of theosophy, I do wish the readers of this book to keep in mind that one cannot and should not take everyhing HPB declares as incontrovertible truth. One problematic idea in this book is the issue of "root races". I do believe that HPB largely meant to define "root races" in sociological rather than biological terms. As Katinka Hesselink states in her article, "Race, Sub-race and Sociological interpretation" : "H.P. Blavatsky uses the word race in a variety of connotations. Sometimes it means the present day humanity, sometimes a 'sub-race' of mankind. When she means present day humanity she does not say humanity, because she was of the opinion that humanity goes through a variety of stages (called rounds), which take tremendous amounts of time...The people of America and Western Europe are clearly the wealthiest and the most intellectually active at this time in history. Blavatsky therefore distinguishes them from other people by calling 'us' a sub-race of the fifth rootrace. This seems to me more a sociological distinction than a physical one.." The problem with the "root race" theory begins when HPB seems to imply that "root race" also has a biological component as well as a sociological one. This seems to have led HPB to declare that certain "races" (and here she seems to mean biological) of people are inferior to others and, therefore, opens a pandora's box of bigotry and discrimination as well as many twisted interpretations of her theory. Hitler is a terrifying example of how this theory has been misused. It well known that he kept a copy of "The Secret Doctrine" by his bedside and relied on it to develop his dangerously inaccurate version of HPB's theory. One of the basic tenets of theosophy, however, is to "to form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour." The truth of this tenet is that EVERY human being has a soul that is progressing towards enlightenment via many lifetimes of learning. There can not, therefore, be anyone "superior" or "inferior" to anyone else. There are only people at different stages of the same path to wisdom. The idea of "inferior biological races" should be vehemently opposed by a truly "enlightened" person. Another problematic issue is the origin of the ideas contained in "The Secret Doctrine". The brilliant and world renowned Kabbalah scholar, Gershom Scholem in "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism" states: "There can be little doubt in my opinion that the famous stanzas of the mysterious "Book Dyzan' on which ..The Secret Doctrine is based owe something, both in title and content, to the pompous pages of the Zoharic writing called 'Sifra Di-Tseniutha'...The solemn and magniloquent style of these pages may well have impressed her suceptible mind...The 'Book Dzyan' is..nothing but an occultist hypostasy of the Zohairic title..." I write these paragraphs not to discourage you from reading "The Secret Doctrine" but to encouarge you to read it with a discriminating mind and eye. HPB and many of the later theosophists mix many truths with even more inaccuracies. (In the case of Alice Bailey, these inaccuracies include her vile anti-semitism and biological racism.) Keep in mind the basic tenet that I quoted above: "A Universal Brotherhood of Humanity".
Rating:
Summary: An Important Treatise That Mixes Truth With Inaccuracies
Review: Although I do not question the importance of HP Blavatsky's magnum opus, "The Secret Doctrine", in illuminating the basic tenets of theosophy, I do wish the readers of this book to keep in mind that one cannot and should not take everyhing HPB declares as incontrovertible truth. One problematic idea in this book is the issue of "root races". I do believe that HPB largely meant to define "root races" in sociological rather than biological terms. As Katinka Hesselink states in her article, "Race, Sub-race and Sociological interpretation" : "H.P. Blavatsky uses the word race in a variety of connotations. Sometimes it means the present day humanity, sometimes a 'sub-race' of mankind. When she means present day humanity she does not say humanity, because she was of the opinion that humanity goes through a variety of stages (called rounds), which take tremendous amounts of time...The people of America and Western Europe are clearly the wealthiest and the most intellectually active at this time in history. Blavatsky therefore distinguishes them from other people by calling 'us' a sub-race of the fifth rootrace. This seems to me more a sociological distinction than a physical one.." The problem with the "root race" theory begins when HPB seems to imply that "root race" also has a biological component as well as a sociological one. This seems to have led HPB to declare that certain "races" (and here she seems to mean biological) of people are inferior to others and, therefore, opens a pandora's box of bigotry and discrimination as well as many twisted interpretations of her theory. Hitler is a terrifying example of how this theory has been misused. It well known that he kept a copy of "The Secret Doctrine" by his bedside and relied on it to develop his dangerously inaccurate version of HPB's theory. One of the basic tenets of theosophy, however, is to "to form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour." The truth of this tenet is that EVERY human being has a soul that is progressing towards enlightenment via many lifetimes of learning. There can not, therefore, be anyone "superior" or "inferior" to anyone else. There are only people at different stages of the same path to wisdom. The idea of "inferior biological races" should be vehemently opposed by a truly "enlightened" person. Another problematic issue is the origin of the ideas contained in "The Secret Doctrine". The brilliant and world renowned Kabbalah scholar, Gershom Scholem in "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism" states: "There can be little doubt in my opinion that the famous stanzas of the mysterious "Book Dyzan' on which ..The Secret Doctrine is based owe something, both in title and content, to the pompous pages of the Zoharic writing called 'Sifra Di-Tseniutha'...The solemn and magniloquent style of these pages may well have impressed her suceptible mind...The 'Book Dzyan' is..nothing but an occultist hypostasy of the Zohairic title..." I write these paragraphs not to discourage you from reading "The Secret Doctrine" but to encouarge you to read it with a discriminating mind and eye. HPB and many of the later theosophists mix many truths with even more inaccuracies. (In the case of Alice Bailey, these inaccuracies include her vile anti-semitism and biological racism.) Keep in mind the basic tenet that I quoted above: "A Universal Brotherhood of Humanity".
Rating:
Summary: I actually read this whole book
Review: And I dug the first book, but was rather disappointed at the second. And quite frankly unsure if I understood any of it. Some stuff I agreed with, some stuff I disagreed with. Some stuff I laughed at. Especially in the second book.
The first book is a theory into the evolution of the Cosmos, an interpretation of an ancient sanskrit text "Stanzas of Dzyan". It was rather informative, but there were alot of Western-Belief Bashing, which I myself have been guilty of in the past.
And a few parts implying justifications of evils. These pale in comparison to the amount of goodness, morality, and high principle of goodness of spirit stressed in these books. But DO YOUR INDEPENDANT RESEARCH!!!!
Some of the characters described were good, some of them were bad. Study more than "just inside these texts"
In the second book she chronicles a theory of life on earth, and it takes a turn for the worst. The claim is that she is speaking of spiritual races, but I'm not so sure, it is so cryptic. And it does claim that one race is superior to another on several instances. At that point is where I got disappointed and reluctantly finished it. After reading about Alice Bailey, Crowley, and some others involved with these teachings, I'm ready to move on to the Study of Native American Belief structures, and leave this stuff behind.
A relatively good book, but the information could be better found elsewhere with exhaustive study, which no regular person with a 9-5 could possibly do.
Simultaneously informative and cryptic enough to be deceptive. And yes, dangerous in the wrong hands.
Rating:
Summary: Historic Note on 'The Secret Doctrine'
Review: Aside from being Sirhan Sirhan's inspiration for killing the younger Kennedy, this is a rather remarcable book. It was the first book that Mr. Sirhan requested when he was usured off to jail. This was because of Mrs. Blavatsky's teaching in the book that he was 'Becoming a God' and nothing could prevent him from achiving 'His Will'. Of course, this is not a new teaching. It is just tragic that he took her at her literal word. The New Age movment is a direct deseandant of Mrs. Blavatsky's writings. First with her 'Isis Unveiled' (pub. 1877), a "1,300-page compilation of mysticism, tall stories and archaeology, which hints at a lost knowledge that had been familiar to the initiates of antiquity"..."The result was both vitriolic and garbled, but 'Isis Unveiled' was to provide endless scope for interpretation." (Encyclopedia of the Unexplained - Ed. Richard Cavendish, Consultant: Professor J.B. Rhine [of Parapsychology fame], writen by historian James Webb - pg 250). The book was 'shown' to her in the air before her eyes as the Akashic Records. The Akashic Records are 'distinct vibrations' for every creature in the Chosmos that can be read by anyone whos eyes are 'atuned' to the mystical. A kind of 'cosmic record-keeper' to be used in determaning whether or not you come back as a bug or what-not in your next life. They were made famous by Levi Dowling (1844-1911), an old Cival War army chaplain, who wrote 'The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ'. It was published after his death by Eva S. Dowling, Ph.D. - the Scribe to the Messenger - in 1911. The 'Christ' (lit. anointed) was mearly a title, like President or Prime Minister, and is used by many peaple (Buddha, Krishna, Mohamed the Prophet, and so-on) - not just one single person. In writing 'The Secret Doctrine' Mrs. Blavatsky used the same method to interpet the ancient 'Stanzas of Dzyan' [not the so-called Chinese text interpreted in H.P. Lovecraft's works]. Published in 1888 it was mearly an extention of 'Isis Unveiled' an! d a serious attempt at reconciling the differences between East and West occultic thought. 'Man is God in the making' was her basic premiss. It is slightly easyer to make sence of than 'Isis Unveiled' and is the literal bible for the Theosophical Society. After Mrs. Blavatsky's death in 1891 the Theosophical Society (started by Blavatsky in 1875) splintered into four seperate groups - helped by Annie Besant's telling the world that the New Messiah was comming in 1906. Jiddu Krishnamurti was hailed as this New Messiah, a hindu boy manipulated by Besant. On 28 Dec 1925 he was hailed as the New Messiah come to heal the world. But in 1929 Krishnamurti renounced all claims to being a Messiah, and subsiquently suffered amnesia to any events that happened before then. Because of this farce Dr. Steiner (1861-1925) had broken away and started the Anthroposophical Society - Alice Bailey did the same and started the Acaine School - and Guy and Edna Ballard broke away to start the now infamous 'I Am' school in the 1930's. It was Mrs. Ballard that had made the prophecy in the late 1980's that the soviet's were about to launch a nuclear attack and all her disciples hade to barracade themselves in a fallout shelter in the Teton Mt's. Needless to say, she is hard to get in touch with now. Athough 'The Secret Doctrine' is a product of Mrs. Blavatsky's mysticism, it is still a book that has a far reach even today. This alone makes it an invalueable addition to any library. The Age of Aquarius (beleived by Mrs. Blavatsky to be upon us) is now here. What we make of it is another story entirly. Sincerly, Shawn W. Ooten
Rating:
Summary: The Secret Doctrine - Almost
Review: H.P Blavatsky, like most genuine masters, was completely misunderstood both by her enemies and her students. In this book, one of the most important texts produced by this humanity, she provides an introduction to our most important science: the science of awakening the consciousness. And though she draws an inconceivably vast portrait of our esoteric and "hidden" history and knowledge, she was not allowed to give the keys that unlock that knowledge. So many people who read this book become deeply discouraged, put off, confused or simply irritated. This is hardly a practical introduction to awakening. It is rather a deeply symbolic and allegorical text that outlines many of the more obscure and difficult to grasp aspects of occultism. That was her mission: to show Westerners that our arrogance is built on a false foundation, and we know nothing of the true nature of reality, both scientifically and spiritually. And she did that. But to enter the doors of that reality is another thing. Her descendents had mixed success precisely because many did not comprehend or accept the finer points of her teaching, thus they fell into arrogance, ignorance, or outright criminal behavior. She said that after her would come another who was to open the doors of occultism to all humanity, something she was not allowed to do. That person was Samael Aun Weor. Beginning in 1950, he wrote a series of books (over sixty) that provide all the essential keys that Blavatsky and her contemporaries were not allowed to reveal. Although he is unknown in the English language, his school has spread to every continent of the planet and has several million students. (Because English speakers are so intellectual and are responsible for the degeneration of every teaching that has come to them, the translations have been withheld for many years). Combining the writings of Blavatsky and Aun Weor brings any human being all the keys they need to experience for themselves what these great masters tried to explain to us. See "The Perfect Matrimony" by Samael Aun Weor, now available in English, and the books "Revolution of Beelzebub" and "Revolutionary Psychology." (available on Amazon.com at www.amazon.com/shops/gnosticinst )
Rating:
Summary: Correction to 'Historical Note on The Secret Doctrine'
Review: I have been informed of an error in my review of The Secret Doctrine. After cheaking it out, that seems the case. It was an offshoot of the Ballards, namely Elizabeth Clare Prophet, who made the heartwarming prediction of the soviet nuclear attack. It was not Mrs. Ballard. She passed away in 1971. I had the two confused at the time of the writing, and I stand corrected. Because it has been said that I would never treat the Bible with such disrespect the following artical is taken (in part) from the Christian Research Institute Journal - The Christ of the New Age Movement by Ron Rhodes - Summer, 1989 - pg 9. "The Christ of the 'I Am' Movements "Guy and Edna Ballard were Theosophists up until Guy was contacted by Saint Germain, an 'Ascended Master' who allegedly appeared to him in a physical body. Saint Germain informed him that he lived on Mount Teton with ninety-eight other Ascended Masters. "Saint Germain appointed Guy, Edna, and their son Donald as the only 'accredited' spokepeople for the Ascended Masters. Saint Germain also taught Guy about the 'Great Creative Word' (I Am). The 'I Am Presence' is said to be in each person and represents a point of contact with divine reality. One can attune to the 'I Am Presence' by chanting 'I Am' decrees. Such chanting reportebly brings about dramatic results in the life of the one chanting. "The Ballards' Christology is distinct in that Saint Germain is considered more important (in the dawning Aquarian Age) than Jesus, and is the primary object of worship among 'I Am' devotees. Jesus - himself an 'Ascended Master' - allegedly said that Saint Germain is "the Greatest Blessing that has ever come to mankind." [1] The reason for this devotion to Saint Germain is that he has brought the Violet Consuming Flame: "The conscious use of the Violet Consuming Flame is the only means by which any human being can free himself or herself from his or her own human discord and imperfection." [2] The 'I Am Presence' is invoked ! by chanting decrees, and this in turn activates the Violet Flame. The Violet Flame then burns away undesirable conditions in ones life. Of course, this nullifies any need for Jesus' work on the cross." "Elizabeth Clare Prophet and her 'I Am' Roots "While the Ballard's 'I Am' movement has considerably declined since its heyday in the 1930s, another 'I Am' movement has achieved high visibility and much popularity in New Age circles. This is the Church Universal and Triumphant, founded in 1958 by Mark Prophet and now headed by his widow, Elizabeth Clare Prophet. "Foundationally, certain aspects of the Prophets' theology can be traced directly to Theosophy. These beleifs include (1) Masters who guide man's spiritual evolution; (2) revelations to man from these Masters; (3) the Christ's use of Jesus' body; (4) human evolution through progressive stages; and (5) the belief that Blavatsky's revelations marked the begining of the Aquarian Age. "Beyond these similarities, the Prophets derived most of their theology from the Ballards. This is seen not only in their emphasis on the 'I Am Presence', but also on the prominent role of Saint Germain. "Elizabeth Clare Prophet says the 'I Am Presence' has become hopelessly distorted within man due to negative energies from within and without. These negative energies impede spiritual progress, but are effectively combatted by the 'Violet Consuming Flame' which is poured out on the world by Saint Germain. This Flame changes negative energy into positive energy. It is therefor an antidote to sin. "This makes Jesus' work on the cross unnecessary. In fact, Mark and Elizabeth Prophet dismiss the idea of Jesus' atonement on the cross as an "erroneous doctrine...which he himself never taught." [3] Like the Ballards, the Prophets beleive that Jesus attained Christhood as did other Ascended Masters. The 'Christ' of 'I Am' theology represents the divinity within all men: "God dwells in every man and not alone in His son Je! sus the Christ. The only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth, is the Christ whose Image the Lord has reproduced over and over as the Christ-identity of of every son and daughter who has come forth from the infinite Spirit of the Father-Mother God." [4] The Prophets conclude that "to become the Christ, then, is the goal of every child of God." [5]" [1] Mrs. G.W. and Donald Ballard - Purpose of the Ascended Masters 'I Am' Activity - pg 110. [2] Ibid - pg 35. [3] Mark and Elizabeth Prophet - Climb the Highest Mountain - pg's 279-280. [4] Ibid - pg 228. [5] Ibid - pg 160. It hope this has clairified things. Sincerly, Shawn W. Ooten
Rating:
Summary: Think Twice Before Buying
Review: I purchased volumes I and II based upon the wonderful reviews written above. I hope not to make such a mistake again. The writer consistently, and often, unnecessarily uses unfamiliar wording. The use of a dictionary is required. Very little of what is written actually makes any sense; even when the vocabulary is understood. I don't want to dissaude anyone from pursuing their interest, however, perhaps before making a purchase, it would benefit potential buyers to peruse the book itself first to see if they feel this book truly does offer what they are looking for.
Rating:
Summary: the secret doctrine
Review: It's hard to imagine that this very detailed book was written by an uneducated woman, obviously she had a lot of help. This work is a hundred years old and written during a time when sensational journalism was well practiced. However, this work is one of the most significant writings ever and contains munerous predictions later "discovered" by science. Eventually maybe science will "discover" all of it. The work is controversial, even today. Anyone who can comprehend this book in one reading is not of this earth. I started reading it almost thirty years ago and still reread it often, particularly for reference. It's great that this work is now on-line with a good search engine at blavatsky.net.
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