More Blavatsky

Just gathering some Blavatsky links here.

First a repeat: the Blavatsky Collected Writings.

Second: Her letters - the ones she Blavatsky before going to India.

Third and not least: Read about her life 'the Extraordinary life of H.P.B.'.

If you don't want to read that, read this about her life: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky.

Then her most famous book: The Secret Doctrine by H.P. Blavatsky.

Strong women and spiritual inspiration

In the past month I've created the following spiritual lenses.

First of all I've introduced my spiritual blog All Considering for instance.

Two strong women get their own page. Marion Zimmer Bradley - feminist, science fiction author and a great influence on the pagan movement (wicca etc.). And then unjustly forgotten: France Pastorelli, whose account of being ill is so well done that one almost envies her the experience. That is: she was a life long sufferer of heart disease, but grew such spiritual strength from that it's hard to believe.

Then there is this great collection of Christian Spiritual Quotes.

Last but not least... Don't forget to buy 2009 calendars, with a spiritual theme for instance.

John Hick - the pluralistic hypothesis

John Hick is a 20th century philosopher who has started a revolution in religious philosophy with his 'pluralistic hypothesis'. At the basis of his philosophy is the idea that it isn't doctrine but spiritual experience that is at the root of religion.

Near Death Experiences

One of the most interesting developments in the spirituality of the 20th century was the discovery of Near Death Experiences. These point to the existence of a soul just as 19th century spiritualism did.

Hindu spirituality - Upanishads and Vedas

Theosophists have been interested in the ancient spirituality of India from day one. Blavatsky wrote positively about the Vedas and Upanishads and popular translations in many languages of these classics have been done and/or published by theosophists since. Blavatsky even started her Secret Doctrine with a quote from the Rig Veda.

More theosophical Blogs and forums

There are now a few MORE theosophical blogs as well as new active forums. See: http://wisest.theosophy-online.ever.com/

Blavatsky Collected Writings

Big news: the Blavatsky Collected Writings (BCW) are online again. This time on Katinka Hesselink's site: http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/

Blavatsky's collected writings is all her known articles gathered together. 15 volumes worth.

You can buy them here: H.P. Blavatsky Collected Writings for sale.

Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society is my favorite spiritual organisation. It doesn't claim to be anything more than a collection of seekers after truth - but what a collection of seekers it is :)

I've met atheists, philosophers, artists and many pretty wise people. Being part of a community like that is just inspiring.

Here's more on the Objects of the Theosophical SOciety - and what it stands for in general

And more about what the founders of the TS felt is should be about.

Other theosophical blogs

There are two other theosophical blogs I know about:

The theosophist blog

and the Theosophical issues blog.

Both started by Chris Richardson, who's an active member of the American section - i.e. the USA section of the Theosophical Society Adyar.

The Secret Doctrine, by H.P. BLavatsky

I started reading theosophy at age 19 and went on to reading the cream of the theosophical cream soon: There was a Secret Doctrine studygroup in Amsterdam and I went regularly. The book itself is difficult - not many people can read it without some sort of guidance. One of the advantage of having a group to study with is that you get their intuitions on what the book means - as well as their knowledge about the many subjects Blavatsky covers.

Anyhow: what an inspiration that book was.

Many people read it by just opening it somewhere and reading what it says. That's a great way to do it, because the book isn't organized very well anyhow. Just the same it contains many vistas of inspiration and wisdom.

Blavatsky - inspiration and spiritual quotes

I love H.P. Blavatsky.

I love Blavatsky's style (flamboyant, alive).

I love Blavatsky's work (insightful, deep).

I love Blavatsky's Spiritual quotes (just great).

I love Blavatsky's articles for the spiritual inspiration they bring.