Theos-Talk Archives (March 2001 Message tt00163)

For all those interested, the high caliber of the work of THE THEOSOPHY
COMPANY's magazine, entitled "THEOSOPHY", is steadily being presented on the
WisdomWorld.org web site. What is found below are the links to the key
sections on the site -- with links to a paticular section which offers some
important internal history, listed first:

=====================

SOME OF THE HISTORICAL INTERNAL PROBLEMS OF THE
MODERN THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT ITSELF -- SINCE 1875

Compiler's note: The articles presented in this section are offered so that
all present-day Theosophists, from all organizations, and from none, can
understand, along with all of humanity, some of this history -- so as to
learn from it and then put it aside from a practical working-together point
of view. Why? So that the wisest and most knowledgeable members from within
all of the groups can now come together and present a "United" front of
pure, undistorted, and undiluted Theosophy to humanity that can always hold
its own under the welcomed and tough scrutiny and investigation of all
scientists, scholars, teachers, philosophers, thinkers, and religionists of
this world. How? In two new publications, for starters, as proposed in the
right-hand column of the "Main Page" and in the continuing "Introductory
Brochure" link. Both links are found at the bottom of every page on this web
site.

It is highly recommended that you read these three very important series of
articles in the Sequence presented in order to get the best and most
accurate picture of this history as it unfolds chronologically:

The Theosophical Movement (34-part series) (January 1920, to October 1922):
http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/TheTheosophicalMovement-Series/index.html

The Rising Cycle (13-part series) (October 1926, to October 1927):
http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/theosophicalmovement/index.html

Aftermath (10-part series) (January 1935, to October 1935):
http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/AFTERMATH-10-PartSeries/index.html

=====================

The above section about the Theosophical Movement is on this INDEX page,
which contains many other sections and series of articles:
http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/index.html

John DeSantis
(Compiler)
-------

You may find a great deal of the Truth that you are searching for here:
http://www.wisdomworld.org/index.html

-------

You may find a great deal of the Truth that you are searching for here:

Wisdom World web site (Main Page):
http://www.wisdomworld.org/index.html

-------


dalval14@earthlink.net wrote:

> Friday, March 30, 2001
>
> Dear Friends:
>
> My friend Daniel Caldwell is of course quite correct as to the
> facts he offers.
> I do not intend to go into further controversy (for we do have
> differences of opinion, which for the moment seem irresolvable)
> or review further the ground already covered; however, for the
> sake of clarity, let me say:
>
> If there is any difference of opinion between us it is not on the
> interpreting of the nature of Theosophical facts, truths and
> ideals. Regardless of the words used, (as I see it) those have
> to be sought for by each student for himself. This leads to some
> fogginess, as "exact words" may be given only relative value in
> discussions. Ideas count, and those need goodwill on all sides.
>
> Theosophy Company editions
>
> It is perfectly true that if one starts with the ORIGINALS ones'
> work is made easy. As I understand it, this kind of clarity was
> the objective of Theosophy Company when it began its publishing
> program with magazine THEOSOPHY (1912), and then issued reprints
> of the text books of original Theosophy. Most of the articles of
> H.P.B. and Judge and other students had gone out of print.
> Verbatim reprints of these were then issued in the magazine
> THEOSOPHY
> The objective was based on the concept that if such originals
> were made currently available, students would have a reliable
> base from which to proceed to learn about Theosophy. It was
> thought advisable to put them in direct contact with the PRIMARY
> SOURCES of Theosophical doctrine and thought. Thus, the
> "filters" of interposing Editors and opinions, would be
> minimized. Theosophy company restricted its Editorial comments
> with a view to letting the reader decide on the value of H.P.B.'s
> original texts.
> Accordingly, the major works of H.P.B. ( ISIS UNVEILED and THE
> SECRET DOCTRINE, the KEY TO THEOSOPHY, THE THEOSOPHICAL
> GLOSSARY, A MODERN PANARION, FIVE YEARS OF THEOSOPHY, etc...)
> were reprinted photographically from the original 1st Editions of
> those books..
> THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE when reprinted followed the edition Mr.
> Judge had produced in New York when first issued there. He made
> certain changes in style but altered nothing major in content. A
> few obvious errors were corrected in this first New York Edition
> All these changes have been identified and examined with the
> originals.
> Additionally most of the major articles of H.P.B. and W. Q. Judge
> have been drawn together and reprinted verbatim from original
> sources. They have been placed in a series of inexpensive
> volumes for the ready access of students.
> Here are some additional comments:
>
> 3rd. Volume of the SECRET DOCTRINE (1897) [ Ed. Annie Besant ]
>
> In regard to the ORIGINAL articles of H.P.B. that form the basis
> for Vol. 3 (1897) of the Secret doctrine [ Editor: Annie
> Besant ] we do not have (as far as I know) any original MSS of
> those for comparison. Some of the material in Vol. 3 was
> published posthumously in LUCIFER magazine.
>
> A MODERN PANARION --H. P. B. (Photographic reprint of 1st
> Edition -- Theosophy Co.)
>
> The book A MODERN PANARION, 1st Edition, consists of early
> writings by H.P.B. As published the book (unfortunately) does
> not follow the word to word published version of the ORIGINAL
> ARTICLES in a totally verbatim manner. That is quite true, and
> has been commented on many times, but inasmuch as A MODERN
> PANARION is often referred to, it was thought advisable to
> reprint it photographically as originally issued. As the book
> went Out-of-Print from other sources, Theosophy Company thought
> it right to do that, without any further editing, or any
> correcting of such changes or errors as might be innate to that
> original edition. H. P.B. does not seem to have complained about
> the rendering (editing) to be found in that book of her early
> writings. H.P.B. did complain about having to buy back her own
> writings (because of copy-right) when needed, for reference, or
> to be sent to a needy student.
>
> VOICE OF THE SILENCE H.P.B. 1st American Edition, New York
> Ed. W. Q. Judge ]
>
> The VOICE OF THE SILENCE issued by Theosophy Company is a
> verbatim reprint of the first American edition issued in New York
> by Mr. Judge. That first New York edition is not a totally
> verbatim or photographic copy of the 1st or 2nd English Editions
> issued by the TPH, London of the book. Mr. Judge in editing it
> apparently tried to make it easier for use by students, by moving
> the footnotes (verbatim) from the back of the book to the pages
> where they were needed. It therefore does not copy verbatim the
> original layout or format rendering as first published in England
> by H.P.B. But all essentials are there, even if not in the same
> format H.P.B. had used. A very few corrections of spelling or
> facts were also introduced by him in making this reprint. These
> have already been noted.
>
> THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY H.P.B. / and Ed. G. R. S. Mead
> (Posthumous)
>
> The THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY was issued after H.P.B.'s death (Edited
> by G. R. S. Mead). In his Preface, Mr, Mead outlined its sources
> and the possible effect of his editing. Most if not all of the
> references and explanations can be traced to actual statements
> made in THE SECRET DOCTRINE, ISIS UNVEILED, the KEY TO THEOSOPHY
> (2nd Edition -- added -- "Glossary") the VOICE OF THE SILENCE
> (footnotes), and H.P.B.'s Articles.
> Admittedly, it may not be completely H.P.B.'s.
> But, for years, there has always been a need for as complete a
> Glossary of the many terms H.P.B. used in her writings, the
> Theosophy Company decided to reprint photographically this book
> when other sources went Out-of-Print.
> It is this student's opinion that Mr. De Zirkoff did not
> completely check out each entry with comparable explanations made
> and to be found in H.P.B.'s writings. His comments might perhaps
> have been altered. It is also seems clear that there is
> supplementary information placed by her in this book, which is
> not to be found in the others. But this is an opinion of course.
>
> In my opinion, and in spite of any differences of opinion, the
> value of any theosophical statement is to be based on its
> coherence and confluence with all other statements made on that
> subject by Theosophy. In the Secret Doctrine, H.P.B. makes a
> number of statements concerning the doctrines offered. She
> states "...the Secret Doctrine teaches history..." [ S.D. I 267 ]
> It is a "history" that should be viewed not only in detail, but,
> as a whole. Much is to be read "between the lines and within the
> words."
>
> In my esteem all these editions and books have value for the
> discriminating student who desires to avail himself of true
> copies of original sources which are available.
> I am not sure if this statement will prove to be a further
> inconsistency or not, hopefully it makes clear the basis which I
> see was used by Theosophy Company, as well as the basis for my
> own use and study of Theosophical resources..
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Dallas
>
> ==================================
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blavatsky Archives [mailto:info@blavatskyarchives.com]
> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 5:21 PM
> To: Theosophy Study List
> Subject: Volume III of the Secret Doctrine, etc.
>
> Dallas makes several points about Volume
> III of the SD but there are also other points that
> could be made about the volume being authentic
> HPB. For those interested see my online article
> at:
>
> http://blavatskyarchives.com/sdiiipt1.htm
>
> Dallas also advises students not to use
> "EDITED editions of her [HPB] books and articles."
>
> Unfortunately, Dallas has repeatedly quoted from
> and referred to the Theosophy Company's editions
> of THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE and MODERN PANARION.
> Both of these titles have been EDITED by others
> after HPB's death and contain deletions, additions
> and alterations. You would think Dallas would be
> wary of these two editions. Also Dallas quotes
> from and uses THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY which
> was EDITED and published by G.R.S. Mead AFTER
> H.P.B.'s death. Many students of Blavatsky
> including Boris de Zirkoff are wary of this GLOSSARY.
>
> I think Dallas is very inconsistent in his attitude
> towards and use of these three books.
>
> Daniel
>
> -- Original Message --
>
> >Dear Friends:
> >There has been some controversy in the past as to the accuracy
> of
> >the teachings given in the THIRD VOLUME of the S.D. (1897) Some
> >say it is authentic H.P.B., others doubt that it was left
> >entirely un-edited in exactly her own words.
> ...................................
> >Inasmuch as we do not have her MSS to check the printed version
> >by, we can only say that any inaccuracies that "editors" may
> have
> >inserted, can only be detected if one has a thorough knowledge
> of
> >the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS (as obtained without alteration from
> PRIME
> >SOURCES.)
> >The only problem with Vol. III of the S.D. is that it was
> >published (1897) but NOT EDITED by H.P.B. several years after
> >her death (1891).
> ..........................................
> >So, I would say: Be wary. If you know what H.P.B. taught
> >through a thorough study of the ORIGINAL MESSAGE of THEOSOPHY
> >(not EDITED editions of her books and articles) you may well be
> >able to detect the variants.
>
> ---------------------------------------
> Daniel H. Caldwell
> info@blavatskyarchives.com
> ---------------------------------------
> BLAVATSKY ARCHIVES
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> documents on Madame H.P. Blavatsky.
> ---------------------------------------
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> ---------------------------------------
> ESOTERIC WORLD OF MADAME BLAVATSKY
> http://blavatskyarchives.com/esotericworld.htm
> This new book contains a unique collection of
> rare reminiscences of H.P. Blavatsky's life.
> ---------------------------------------
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