I just moved, so I've wound up digging out some old books I haven't looked at in years and enjoying them once again. Two are from Theosophical University Press:
H.P. Blavatsky and the SPR by Vernon Harrison:
This is a critique/analysis of the infamous "Hodgson Report" of 1885. It's one thing to just point out that that report was biased and inaccurate; now this book provides
detailed, scholarly analysis that should convince even someone hostile to HPB.
I loaned out my copy of this book a few times when the MADAME BLAVATSKY'S
BABOON book came out and put back into circulation many half-truths and rumors. Even today, when HPB's name comes up in conversation with non-Theosophists, they will sometimes say, "oh, wasn't she found to be guilty of some kind of fraud or something?" Knowing the basics of the evidence presented here,
as well as the stories of her accusers and the axes they had to grind, helps one
in setting the misinformed straight. You can also offer to loan someone this book,
as I did in the post-Baboon period.
H.P. Blavatsky to the American Conventions: 1888-1891
This small book consists of five letters HPB sent to be delivered to the attendees
at American Theosophical Conventions. The fifth one is just a brief follow-up
commending W.Q. Judge on his devoted work, but the first four, though only a few pages each, all contain valuable "from the heart" messages that are still relevant to Theosophists today. She is trying to inspire the attendees, yet also let them know about the struggles they will face as they work for the cause and as they try to be of service in their individual lives. It's nice to read this kind of message
sometimes because it's a change-of-pace from the intellectually heavy material in
THE SECRET DOCTRINE or ISIS UNVEILED. I also keep THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE nearby for its nuggets of wisdom. Here are a few quotes from some of the letters in the book:
"We are all fellow students, more or less advanced; but no one belonging to the
Theosophical Society ought to count himself as more than, at best, a pupil-teacher
--one who has no right to dogmatize."
"Orthodoxy in Theosophy is a thing neither possible nor desirable. It is diversity of opinion, within certain limits, that keeps the Theosophical Society a living and a healthy body, its many other ugly features notwithstanding. Were it not, also,
for the existence of a large amount of uncertainty in the minds of students of
Theosophy, such healthy divergencies would be impossible, and the Society
would degenerate into a sect, in which a narrow and stereotyped creed would take the place of the living and breathing spirit of Truth and an ever growing Knowledge."
Her analysis of "Christian Science, mind cure, metaphysical healing" etc. on pages 28-29 is too long to quote, but most of the TUP books are availabe on-line,
so try this link (if I can get it to work in this post) and read the 1890 letter
yourself:
<http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-am/hpb-am3.htm> .
After the letters in this book, there is also an excellent essay entitled "Historical
Perspective," which gives you the background about what was going on in the Society and in the lives of HPB/Olcott/Judge at the times of each letter.
One interesting tid-bit, although not an important point, that I'd forgotten in the Historical Perspective essay is that Gen. Abner Doubleday actually was
President of the Society, during a period when the three principals were all out of the country. He didn't feel up to the task and basically kept the chair warm during his tenure, but he's a name that everyone knows, and if there is ever a Theosophical edition of TRIVIAL PURSUIT, that would be a useful fact to know. ;-)
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A few times each year, I try to read or re-read one of the Upanishads in a methodical way--with a translation such as Isherwood's that is poetic and readable, though often a bit away from the original wording; with a translation that is literal from the Sanskrit; and with some good commentaries.
Recently, it's been the KATHA Upanishad, the one where Nachiketas visits and challenges the Lord of Death (Kama) and demands an explanation of His secrets. This was also a favorite of HPB's. An excellent commentary (among many) is THE SECRET OF THE KATHA UPANISHAD, by Swami Krishnananda, published by Divine Life Society.
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Anyway, there's my little contribution to the "What I've been reading" thread.
I look forward to others.
Bill
Bill, assuming the Admin has set the Edit blue button to remain live for 12 hours at least, just click on that; then above the posting window click on the Code Button "http://" - then type in your URL, OK, then give it a name or not - that should make it live and useable.
In the spiritual area I have been reading some texts on the bodhisattva path by Vasubandhu, Nagarjuna, Zhi-yi and others. These have not been published yet, although earlier drafts of part of them are available over at -
Kalavinka Bill and Nicholas,
Let me know if the Edit button disappears. (I have had this problem at other forums.) I want the Edit button to always be there. (Mine does not disappear, but I am the Administrator, so my rights might be different than for regular members.)
Bill,
I haven't read H.P. Blavatsky and the SPR. It is good to know that it points out the bias of the Hodgson Report and Baboon. (I have not kept up on who said what.)
HPB is one of the most slandered people of all time (at least in my opinion). This helps to set the recrod strait, and, as you say, help defend her again the strong anti-HPB sentiment in the world today.
Regarding H.P. Blavatsky to the American Conventions: 1888-1891, you said,
"She is trying to inspire the attendees, yet also let them know about the struggles they will face as they work for the cause and as they try to be of service in their individual lives."
--> I am remided of one thing that happened early in the 1900's. There was a large increase in membership. However, once the members learned how hard it would be to enter the Path, a lot of them bailed. This is something I keep in mind -- the Path is not easy, and it certainly is not for everyone.
Nicholas,
Thanks so much for the Kalavinka link:
http://www.kalavinka.orgThere's years of material for me there!!!
Everyone should check out that link. Bhikshu Dharmamitra has put so much work into the site AND the translations!
Bill