The Voice of the Silence (Verbatim Edition) [Facsimile] [Paperback]

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1992

Translated from the Book of the Golden Precepts, which shares a common origin with the Stanzas of Dzyan of The Secret Doctrine, the rules and ethics presented in the Voice contrast the two paths of spiritual attainment: the one pursued by those seeking knowledge for their own enlightenment; the other chosen by those whose aspirations are prompted by compassion for all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I believe that this book has strongly influenced many sincere seekers and aspirants to the wisdom and compassion of the Bodhisattva Path. --14th Dalai Lama

Undoubtedly Madame Blavatsky had in some way been initiated into the deeper side of Mahayana teaching and then gave out what she deemed wise to the Western world. . . Here is the real Mahayana Buddhism. --D. T. Suzuki

The late Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup was of the opinion that, despite the adverse criticisms directed against H. P. Blavatsky's works, there is adequate internal evidence in them of their author's intimate acquaintance with the higher lamaistic teachings, into which she claimed to have been initiated. --W. Y. Evans-Wentz, Tibetan Book of the Dead

From the Publisher

Theosophical University Press, publisher of quality theosophical literature since 1886

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Theosophical Univ Pr; Verbatim with original 1889 ed edition (January 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911500057
• ISBN-13: 978-0911500059
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dedicated to the Few., October 31, 2004

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Voice of the Silence (Verbatim Edition) (Paperback)

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.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The 2 Paths: Nirvana or Bodhisattva, April 20, 2007

By 

Dragan (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Voice of the Silence (Verbatim Edition) (Paperback)

This book was first published 1889 by H. P. Blavatsky (1831-1891). As stated it contains chosen fragments formulated so as to become a daily meditation book. A small book comprising 97 pages, 72 pages for the main body of the book and the remaining 25 pages being for the glossary. But for the eastern terminologies, this is an easy book to read and can be quickly read. This book is available as a PDF download via Google.

Essentially this book deals with the two paths that one can choose to take on the path to higher spirituality, the path of Nirvana or the path of the Bodhisattva I.e. returning to help a suffering humanity, the latter being the superior of the two.

I personally would recommend the movie 'The circle of iron', a martial arts/spiritual film by Bruce Lee. This movie reveals the path of the initiate and the choice to be made regarding Nirvana or the Bodhisattva path. Just a small tid bit, there are many levels beyond both these paths and the path of Nirvana is a downward spiral that draws on ones dharma; better to take the Bodhisattva/Christic path of sacrifice, depending if one is able.

To that which spoke to me:

"The "Soundless Voice," or the "Voice of the Silence." Literally perhaps this would read "Voice in the Spiritual Sound," as Nada is the equivalent word in Sanskrit, for the Sen-sar term." Pg 73

"Tanha - "the will to live," the fear of death and the love for life, that force or energy which causes the rebirths." Pg 78

and to the study of the ego:

"Deva Egos" (The reincarnating ego) pg 29 which pointed the way to the book 'THE CAUSAL BODY AND THE EGO' by Arthur E. Powell.

"Manas rupa. The first refers to the astral or personal Self; the second to the individuality or the reincarnating Ego whose consciousness on our plane or the lower Manas - has to be paralysed." Pg 77

"Antaskarana is the lower Manas, the Path of communication or communion between the personality and the higher Manas or human Soul. At death it is destroyed as a Path or medium of communication, and its remains survive in a form as the Kamarupa - the "Shell"." Pg 89