The Key to Theosophy [Facsimile] [Hardcover]

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

Written in the form of question and answer, The Key to Theosophy is an excellent introduction for the inquirer. After the publication of Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine, the author was deluged with questions about the human constitution, spiritual and psychological; the mysteries of periodic rebirths; and the difference between fate, destiny, free will, and karma. These and many other questions on the basic theosophical concepts are answered simply and directly. The work is enhanced by a 60-page glossary of philosophical terms drawn from Sanskrit, Hebrew, and classical literature.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Theosophical University Press, publisher of quality theosophical literature since 1886

About the Author

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was born on August 12, 1831, at Dnepropetrovsk (Ekaterinoslav), Ukraine, daughter of Colonel Peter Alexeyevich von Hahn and novelist Helena Andreyevna (née de Fadeyev). In 1849 she married N. V. Blavatsky, and shortly thereafter began more than 20 years of extensive travel, which brought her into contact with mystic traditions the world over. She was the principal founder of the Theosophical Society in New York City in 1875, and devoted her extraordinary literary talents to its humanitarian and educational purposes until her death in London, England, on May 8, 1891. Along with writing her several books, H. P. Blavatsky kept up a voluminous correspondence and also contributed a steady stream of essays and articles to periodicals in English, French, and Russian.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 442 pages
• Publisher: Theosophical Univ Pr; Facsimile of 1889 2nd ed. edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911500065
• ISBN-13: 978-0911500066
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,258,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of Theosophy, June 29, 2000

By 

Peter Kosen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Key to Theosophy (Paperback)

'The Key to Theosophy' is a classic of Theosophical mysticism and esoteric doctrine. This book is a must-have for anyone seriously interested in philosophy or religion.

The name "Theosophy" is derived from the ancient Greek for "Divine Wisdom," and is used by the Theosophical Society (founded 1875) to describe a synthesis of philosophy, ancient spiritual mysticism and modern science.

But be aware that Theosophical works such as 'The Key to Theosophy' present a rather controversial view of the universe, and the reader should be prepared for a long process of in-depth study and consideration of ideas that do not follow the normal mainstream of traditional dogma.

The unorthodox philosophy contained in 'The Key to Theosophy' has been abused by such infamous figures as Adolf Hitler and others. But great personalities such as Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma (Mohandas) Ghandi have also been associated with Theosophical studies. This work is a classic among intellectuals of the 19th and 20th centuries.

'The Key to Theosophy' describes the Universe in terms of Pantheism (which refers to the intimate connection between Divinity and Nature, not "multiple gods" as is commonly misunderstood), and in this way, explains in logical terms a common set of fundamental principles behind many of the religions of the world. Theosophy shows the relationship of the Inner Essence of the soul of mankind to the Divine Source, and makes clear the "how" and "why" behind the Golden Rule and all the moral teachings of the various religions.

In light of the Theosophical explanations, traditional morals, ethics, and spirituality become more than a set of arbitrary dogmatic rules. For those who look closely, even such fundamental Christian principles as salvation and sacrifice become clear.

In addition to 'The Key to Theosophy,' other works of Helena Blavatsky, as well as William Q Judge, Annie Bessant, and Charles Ledbeater provide insight into this fascinating area of philosophy.

I would particularly recommend 'Man, Visible and Invisible,' 'Isis Unveiled,' 'Thought Forms,' 'The Hidden Side of Things,' and 'Golden Precepts.'

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, July 4, 2006

By 

Center For Depth Harris "Temenos" (Newport Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Key to Theosophy (Paperback)

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.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A critical masterpiece!, September 19, 2005

By 

Godspark (Imperial, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Key to Theosophy (Paperback)

Exhaustive, penetrating, and wholly satisfying, you will refer to this tome for years to come. The A to Z glossary alone has proved invaluable to me as I struggle to understand concepts far weightier than I ever imagined existed!