The Secret Doctrine [BOX SET] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The epoch-making work known as The Secret Doctrine is the magnum opus of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky..." (more)
Key Phrases: anima mundi, heavenly man, des esprits, Isis Unveiled, Esoteric Buddhism, Fourth Round (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Creation of the cosmos and the story of humanity and our evolution--a synthesis of religion, philosophy, and science. Three volumes with slip case, includes full index.

About the Author

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891) was the cofounder of the Theosophical Society. A world-famous figure of mystery and controversy and a leading intellect behind the occult revival in the West, Blavatsky published The Secret Doctrine in 1888 as her magnum opus.

Michael Gomes is a historian, author, and the librarian at the New York Lodge of the Theosophical Society. He is one of today's most respected writers on esoteric movements, as well known to readers of occult and esoteric literature as to students and scholars of modern religion. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 2310 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books (May 25, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835602389
• ISBN-13: 978-0835602389
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.2 x 4.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #434,727 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly the first step to understanding the cocmos and man, January 19, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

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.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Foundation of Western New Thought, October 2, 2008

By	Rev. P. Sidney Parker "SidneyParker.com" (Phillipsburg, NJ) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Secret Doctrine is No Secret, October 6, 2009

By	D. L. Lavoie "Theosophical Society" (Lowell, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.