Customer Reviews

The Secret Doctrine

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderfully thought-provoking book, but it is VERY DIFFICULT TO READ. Having a master's degree in theological studies, it still took me 6 months to get through each book and I was really pushing. I do not wish to discourage potential readers, but only want to be realistic. If anyone is looking to understand the basic ideas in The Secret Doctrine I would strongly suggest Goodricke-Clark's work entitled Madame Blavatsky. A little easier to read it groups particular sections of Blavatky's writings by topic (that is one of the downfall's of The Secret Doctrine-the arrangement of random material throughout).
I would certainly agree that this work is Blavatsky's crowning achievement, but not because it is "original." Rather, it is the way Blavatsky takes various western esoteric concepts and syncretises them into one work that is most ingenious. She takes the prevalent ideas in western esotericism (root races, planetary evolution, and phalic/solar origin of religion- for anyone looking for a historical background on these subjects I would suggest The Theosophical Enlightenment by Joscelyn Godwin) and merges them with Asian religious practices and terminiology in an attempt to defend religion against the growing threat of materialism. What comes out is a lengthy, unorganzied treatise on western esoteric concepts that is brilliant as a redactionary work.

I have studied this book and author as well as theosphy and comparative religions, philosophy, science of mind for over 20 years and the truth contained in H.P.Blavatsky's writings as well as intuitive knowledge have caused me great joy and massive yearning for additional lifetimes of study...I highly reccomend this book for serious students of lifes mysteries and higher learning.

First, this is not an easy book to read, but it's importance in the study of metaphysics makes it well worth the effort. I am a practicing metaphysican and have been a student of metaphysics, theosphy and comparative religions for over 20 years and am just beginning to realize the truth contained in this and others of H.P.Blavatsky's books.

This book is on my recommended list the serious student of metaphysics and esoteric knowledge. It has been an integral part of the foundation of the Western new age/new thought movements.

As other reviewer wrote, this is an abridged version. It leaves out important sections of Blavatsky commentaries.

If you are looking for the complete version of The Secret Doctrine, THIS IS NOT THE BOOK YOU NEED.

I have found that these versions are complete, prepared specifically for the eReader, with an index of the original page order for those that want to use a reference for the printed version:

The Secret Doctrine - Volume I, Cosmogenesis
The Secret Doctrine - Volume II, Anthropogenesis

I didn't realize this was a synopsis of the verses contained in the original work. I was very disappointed.

There are subtleties in the original that are totally missed in the Kindle version (proper spelling,etc.) that would totally misdirect any understanding of what HPB was trying to teach.

Very good book, learn what our leaders and those abroad believe and practice. Also recommend Two Babylons, Hope of the wicked and The thirteenth tribe.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT WAS GOOD CONDITION. VERY HAPPY WITH RESULTS. SO IT WAS VERY NICE GETTING MY PRODUCT IN GREAT SHAPE

I would urge journalists and editors to read this book again, keeping in mind the title and look for "The Secret" that may be there. If you'd like to take a shortcut and learn what my findings are, search the internet for a new word: girasas. You will find what I consider to be a new theory of evolution for which the process of making others aware that it is there is taking a good deal of time and effort.

While reading this, the reader must take into account the rewriting of history done by Plavatsky in this work. Taking ancient writings and transforming them into her beliefs based on nothing more than what she wanted the writings to say is nothing more than fictionalizing the past. These writings were the seed of the Aryan movement and the future Nazi beliefs in the Aryan superhuman. Those admiring these writings have much soul-searching to do as it would make a person wonder if they too have the same mindsets that nearly destroyed civilization.

I give this four stars only in showing that such writings do have a place in understanding history and the outcomes that one person may have on the future. Let no one ever again write a work that creates the evil of this work.