The key to theosophy : being a clear exposition, in the form of question and answer, of the ethics, science, and philosophy for the study of which the Theosophical society has been founded, with a copious glossary of general theosophical terms / by H.P. Blavatsky.

  • Blavatsky, H. P. (Helena Petrovna), 1831-1891.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The key to theosophy : being a clear exposition, in the form of question and answer, of the ethics, science, and philosophy for the study of which the Theosophical society has been founded, with a copious glossary of general theosophical terms / by H.P. Blavatsky. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    on learned dissertations on botany instead of on grass ? Pytha- goras called his Gnosis “ the knowledge of things that are,” or i] 7™™ tCjv 6vtw, and preserved that knowledge for his pledged disciples only: for those who could digest such mental food and feel satisfied; and he pledged them to silence and secrecy. Occult alphabets and secret ciphers are the development of the old Egyptain hieratic writings, the secret of which was, in the days of old, in the possession only of the IJierogram- matists, or initiated Egyptian priests. Ammonius Saccas, as his biographers tell us, bound his pupils by oath not to divulge his higher doctrines except to those who had already been instructed in preliminary knowledge, and who were also bound by a pledge. Finally, do we not find the same even in early Christianity, among the Gnostics, and even in the teach- ings of Christ ? Did he not speak to the multitudes in parables which had a two-fold meaning, and explain his reasons only to his disciples P “To you,” he says, “ it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven ; but unto them that are without, all these things ate done in parables ” (Mark iv. 11). “ The Essenes of Judea and Carmel made similar distinctions, dividing their adherents into neophytes, brethren, and the perfect, or those initiated” (Eclec. Phil.). Examples might be brought from every country to this effect. Enq. Can you attain the “ Secret Wisdom ” simply by study ? Ency- clopaedias define Theosophy pretty much as Webster’s Dictionary does, i.e., as “supposed intercourse with God and superior spirits, and consequent attainment of superhuman knowledge by physical means and chemical processes.” Is this so? Theo. I think not. Nor is there any lexicographer capable of