Theos-Talk Archives (January 1999 Message tt00156)

Dallas wrote:

"We all ought to make it a practice to look up these things on our
own in those wonderful books:  SECRET DOCTRINE,  ISIS UNVEILED,
KEY TO THEOSOPHY, VOICE OF THE SILENCE and the THEOSOPHICAL
GLOSSARY.  The major works all have INDEXES and those enable us to
trace references which we can each assemble for accuracy and a
deepened understanding.  In the study of Occultism all tools
available ought to be used."


Daniel replies:

I agree with Dallas when he writes:

"In the study of Occultism ALL tools available ought to be used."

As far as indexes to HPB's writings, are most Blavatsky students aware
of the following excellent indexes?


***Vol. 15 of the COLLECTED WRITINGS of HPB, which is an 617 page index
to the 14 volumes of her articles.  Excellent.

***Index to the COLLECTED WRITINGS edition of ISIS UNVEILED.  This is a
detailed 130 page index.  Very helpful.  And those that use the TUP or
TC editions of ISIS, can also use this CW index.  Also includes an
extensive 53 page bibliography of titles used by HPB in her first major
work.

***Index to the COLLECTED WRITINGS edition of THE SECRET DOCTRINE.  An
index of 494 pp. with an additional 84 page bibliography of the works
quoted by HPB in her magnum opus.

***Index of the SECRET DOCTRINE prepared by John. Van Mater and
associates.  Theosophical University Press. 432 page index.

***Index to THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY in the Theosophical University Press
edition.

***Index to the 1992 Quest edition of THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE.

***The Theosophy Company has smaller indexes to THE SECRET DOCTRINE,
ISIS UNVEILED and HPB'S THEOSOPHICAL ARTICLES (3 volumes).

etc. etc.

I find that some Blavatsky students outside the Adyar, Wheaton T.S. have
a tendency to ignore the indexes to the COLLECTED WRITINGS series that
Boris de Zirkoff worked on for decades.  IMO, this is unfortunate.

Hopefully those who have neglected these indexes will heed Dallas'
words:

"In the study of Occultism ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE ought to be used."