THE BIOGRAPHY OF
HELENA PETROVNA
BLAVATSKY
theosophycardiff@uwclub.net
The
Biography of
Helena
Petrovna Blavatsky
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
1831-1891
The Founder of Modern Theoosphy
Helena
Petrovna von Hahn was born at Ekaterinoslav (now Dniepropetrovsk.),
a town on the river
Russia at the Time of H P
Blavatsky’s Birth
Russian Society at the Time of H P Blavatsky’s Birth
When
almost eighteen, she married the middle-aged Nikifor V. Blavatsky,
Vice-Governor of the
father.
The Great Exhibition (London) of 1851
On her
twentieth birthday, in 1851, being then in London,
she met the individual whom she had known in her psycho-spiritual visions from
childhood --- an Eastern Initiate of Rajput birth, the Mahatma Morya or M. as
he became known in later years among Theosophists. He told her something of the
work that was in store for her, and from that moment she accepted fully his
guidance.
Later the
same year,
She
returned to
a covered
wagon.
In late
1855, she left for India via Japan and the Straits. On this trip she succeeded
in entering Tibet through Kashmir and Ladakh, undergoing part of her occult
training with her Master. In 1858 she was in France and Germany, and returned
to Russia in the late Fall of the same year, staying a short time with her
sister Vera at Pskov. From 1860 to 1865, she lived and traveled through the Caucasus,
experiencing a severe physical and psychic crisis which placed her in complete
control over her occult powers.
She left
Russia again in the autumn of 1865, and travelled extensively through the Balkans, Greece,
Egypt, Syria and Italy and various other places.
In 1868
she went via India to Tibet. On this trip H.P.B. met the Master Koot Hoomi
(K.H.) for the first time and stayed in his house in Little Tibet. In late 1870
she was back in Cyprus and Greece. Embarking for Egypt, she was shipwrecked
near the island of Spetsai on July 4, 1871; saved from drowning, she went to
Cairo where she tried to form a Societe Spirite which soon failed.
After
further travels through the Middle East, she returned for a short time to her
relatives at Odessa, Russia in July, 1872. In the Spring of 1873, Helena was
instructed by her Teacher to go to Paris, and on further direct orders from
him, left for New York City where she landed July 7, 1873.
H.P.
Blavatsky was then forty-two years old and in controlled possession of her many
and most unusual spiritual and occult powers. In the opinion of the Mahatmas, she was the best
available instrument for the work they had in mind, namely to offer to the
world a new presentation, though only in brief outline of the age-old
Theosophia, "The accumulated Wisdom of the ages, tested and verified by
generations of Seers...," that body of Truth of which religions, great and
small, are but as branches of the parent tree. The Mahatmas assess H P
B’s suitability as a teacher in the Mahatmas Letters to A P Sinnett.
Her task
was to challenge on the one hand the entrenched beliefs and dogmas of Christian
Theology and on the other the equally dogmatic materialistic view of the
science of her day. A crack, however, had recently appeared in the twofold set
of mental fortifications. It was caused by Spiritualism, then sweeping America.
To quote Helena’s own words: "I was sent to prove the phenomena and their
reality, and to show the fallacy of the spiritualistic theory of spirits."
In
October, 1874, H.P.B. was put in touch by her Teachers with Colonel Henry Steel
Olcott, a man of sterling worth who had acquired considerable renown during the
Civil War, had served the U.S. Government with distinction, and was at the time
practicing law in New York. She also met William Quan Judge, a young Irish
Lawyer, who was to play a unique role in the future Theosophical work.
On
September 7, 1875, these three leading figures, together with several others,
founded a society which they chose to call The Theosophical Society, as
promulgating the ancient teachings of Theosophy, or the Wisdom
concerning the Divine which had been the spiritual basis of other great
movements of the past, such as Neo-Platonism, Gnosticism, and the
Mystery-Schools of the Classical world. The Inaugural Address by the
President-Founder, Colonel Olcott, was
delivered November 17, 1875, a date which is considered to be the official date
of the founding of the Society. Starting from a generalized statement of
objectives, namely, "to collect and diffuse a knowledge of the laws which
govern the Universe," the Founders soon expressed them more specifically.
After several minor changes in wording, the Objects stand today as follows:
1. To
form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of
race, creed, sex, caste or color.
2. To
encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science.
3. To
investigate unexplained laws of Nature, and the powers latent in man.
In
September 1877, a powerful impact was made upon the reading and thinking public
by the publication of H.P. Blavatsky’s first monumental work, Isis Unveiled,
which was issued by J.W. Bouton in New York City, the one thousand copies of
the first printing being sold within ten days. The New York Herald-Tribune
considered the work as one of the "remarkable productions of the
century," many other papers and journals speaking in similar terms. Isis
Unveiled outlines the history, scope and development of the Occult Sciences,
the nature
and origin of Magic, the roots of Christianity, the errors of Christian
Theology and the fallacies of established orthodox Science, against the
backdrop of the secret teachings which run as a golden thread through bygone
centuries, coming up to the surface every now and then in the various mystical
movements of the last two thousand years or so.
On July 8,
1878, H.P. Blavatsky was naturalized as a U.S. citizen, an event which received
publicity in various newspapers. In
December of the same year, H.P. Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott left for India via
England.
Arriving
in Bombay in February, 1879, they established their Theosophical Headquarters
in that city. Soon after landing, they were contacted by Alfred Percy Sinnett,
then Editor of the Government Paper, The Pioneer of Allahabad.
This
contact soon proved of the utmost importance. After a tour of northwestern
India, the Founders returned to Bombay and started, in October, 1879, their
first Theosophical Journal, The Theosophist (still published today), with H.P.
Blavatsky as Editor. The society experienced then a rapid growth, and some very
remarkable people were attracted to it both in India and elsewhere.
During
May-July, 1880 the Founders spent some time in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), where
Colonel Olcott laid the foundations for his later work to stimulate the revival
of Buddhism. They both took "Pancha Sila" or became officially
Buddhists.In September and October, 1880, H.P.B. and Colonel Olcott visited
A.P.
Sinnett and his wife Patience at Simla in northern India. The serious interest
of Sinnett in the teachings and the work of the Theosophical Society prompted
H.P. Blavatsky to establish a contact by correspondence between Sinnett and the
two Adepts who were sponsoring the Society, Mahatmas K.H. and M. From this
correspondence Sinnett wrote The Occult World (1881) and Esoteric Buddhism
(1883), both of which had an enormous influence in generating public interest
in Theosophy. The replies and
explanations given by the Mahatmas to the questions by Sinnett were embodied in
their letters from 1880 to 1885 and were published in 1923 as The Mahatma
Letters to A.P. Sinnett. The original letters from these Teachers are preserved
in the British Library where they can be viewed by special permission in the
Department of Rare Manuscripts.
In May,
1882, a large estate was bought in southern India at Adyar, near Madras, and
the Theosophical Headquarters were moved there at the end of the year. This
center became soon the radiating point for a world-wide activity. Madame
Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott engaged in trips to various outlying districts,
founded Branches, received visitors, conducted an enormous correspondence with
inquirers, and filled their Journal with most valuable and scholarly material
the main purpose of which was to revitalize the dormant interest on the part of
India in the spiritual worth of their own ancient Scriptures.
It is
during this period that Colonel Olcott engaged in widespread mesmeric healings
until February, 1884, when he left for London to petition the British
Government on behalf of the Buddhists of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). H.P. Blavatsky,
then in rather poor health, went to Europe with him.
After
staying almost five months in Paris and London, H.P.B. visited the Gebhard
family in Elberfeld, Germany during the late Summer and early autumn of 1884
and was busily engaged in writing her second work, The Secret Doctrine.
Meanwhile,
a vicious attack on her by Alexis and Emma Coulomb (two of her staff members at
Adyar) was rapidly building up. She returned to Adyar on December 21, 1884 to
learn the details of the situation. She wished to sue the couple, already
dismissed from Adyar for their gross libel on her concerning the supposed
fraudulent production of psychic phenomena. H.P.B. was, however, overruled by a
Committee of leading T.S. members, and in disgust resigned as Corresponding
Secretary of the Society. On March 31, 1885, she left for Europe, never to
return to Indian soil.
The
Coulomb attack, as was later proved, had no solid foundation whatsoever. It was
based on forged and partially forged letters, purporting to have been written
by H.P. Blavatsky, with instructions to arrange fraudulent psychic phenomena of
various kinds. A Christian missionary magazine in Madras published the most
incriminating portions of these letters.
Meanwhile,
the Society for Psychical Research (London) had appointed a special committee
to investigate Madame Blavatsky’s claims. Then, in December, 1884, Richard
Hodgson, a member of this S.P.R. committee, arrived in India to inquire into
and report on the Coulombs’ allegations. Based upon Hodgson’s findings, the
S.P.R. committee in its final report of December, 1885, branded Madame
Blavatsky "one of the most accomplished, ingenious and interesting
impostors in history." Mr. Hodgson also accused Madame Blavatsky of being
a Russian spy. This "S.P.R.-Hodgson" Report has been the basis for
most subsequent attacks on H.P. Blavatsky, as to her dishonesty, the
non-existence of her Masters, and the worthlessness of Theosophy.
This
vicious attack had a most unfavorable effect on H.P. Blavatsky’s health. Having
left India for Europe, she settled first in Italy and then in August, 1885 at
Wurzburg, Germany, where she worked on The Secret Doctrine. In July, 1886, she
relocated to Ostend, Belgium, and in May of 1887, at the invitation of English
Theosophists, she moved to a small house at Upper Norwood, London.
After her
arrival in England, Theosophical activities immediately began to move rapidly.
The Blavatsky Lodge was formed and started publicizing Theosophical ideas.
As H.P.
Blavatsky had virtually lost control of The Theosophist, she founded in
September, 1887 Lucifer, a monthly magazine designed, as stated on its
title-page, "to bring to light the hidden things of darkness." Also
in the same month, H.P.B. moved to 17 Lansdowne Road, Holland Park, London.
H.P.B.
continued to write her great work which was finally completed and published in
two large volumes in October-December, 1888. Her indefatigable helpers in the
transcription and editing of the manuscript were Bertram Keightley and
Archibald Keightley, whose financial backing was also of immense assistance.
The Secret
Doctrine was the crowning achievement of H.P. Blavatsky’s literary career.
Volume I is concerned mainly with the evolution of the Universe. The skeleton
of this volume is formed by seven Stanzas, translated from the Book of Dzyan,
with commentary and explanations by H.P.B. Also in this volume is an extended
elucidation of the fundamental symbols contained in the great religions and
mythologies of the world. The second Volume contains a further series of Stanzas from the Book of Dzyan, which describe the evolution of humanity.
Also in October,
1888, Madame Blavatsky formed the Esoteric Section (or School) of the Theosophical Society for
the deeper study of the Esoteric Philosophy by dedicated students, and wrote
for them her three E. S. Instructions.
In 1889
H.P. Blavatsky published The Key to Theosophy, "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," and the devotional
mystical gem called The
Voice of the Silence,
containing selected excerpts translated from an Eastern scripture, The Book of
the Golden Precepts, which she had learnt by heart during her training in the
East.
In July,
1890, H.P. B. established the European Headquarters of the Theosophical Society
at 19 Avenue Road, St. John’s Wood, London.
At this
address H.P. Blavatsky died on May 8, 1891, during a severe epidemic of flu in
England, and her remains were cremated at Woking Crematorium, Surrey.
Against
the background of her writings and teachings, her life and character, her
mission and occult powers, H.P. Blavatsky is destined to be recognized in time
as the greatest Occultist in the history of Western civilization and a direct
agent of the Trans-Himalayan
Brotherhood of Adepts.
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Theosophy and the Number Seven
A selection of articles
relating to the esoteric
significance of the Number
7 in Theosophy
The Spiritual Home of Urban Theosophy
The Earth Base for Evolutionary Theosophy
Quick Explanations with Links to More Detailed Info
What is Theosophy ? Theosophy Defined (More Detail)
Three Fundamental Propositions Key Concepts of Theosophy
Cosmogenesis Anthropogenesis Root Races
Ascended Masters After Death States
The Seven Principles of Man Karma
Reincarnation Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott William Quan Judge
The Start of the Theosophical
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History of the Theosophical
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Theosophical Society Presidents
History of the Theosophical
Society in Wales
The Three Objectives of the
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Explanation of the Theosophical
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The Theosophical Order of
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Glossaries of Theosophical Terms
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THE PHYSICAL PLANE THE ASTRAL PLANE
KÂMALOKA THE MENTAL PLANE DEVACHAN
THE BUDDHIC AND NIRVANIC PLANES
THE THREE KINDS OF KARMA COLLECTIVE KARMA
THE LAW OF SACRIFICE MAN'S
ASCENT
______________________
Annie Besant Visits Cardiff 1924
An Outline of Theosophy
Charles Webster Leadbeater
Theosophy - What it is How is it Known?
The Method of Observation General Principles
Advantage Gained from this
Knowledge
The Deity The Divine Scheme The Constitution of Man
The True Man Reincarnation The Wider Outlook
Death Man’s Past and Future Cause and Effect
Reincarnation
This guide has been included in response
to the number of enquiries we receive on
this
subject at Cardiff Theosophical Society
From A Textbook
of Theosophy By C W Leadbeater
How We Remember our Past Lives
Life after Death & Reincarnation
The Slaughter of the Battle of the Somme
1916 leads to
a great demand by the public for
lectures on Reincarnation
Classic Introductory Theosophy Text
A Text Book of Theosophy By C
What Theosophy Is From the Absolute to Man
The Formation of a Solar System The Evolution of Life
The Constitution of Man After Death
Reincarnation
The Purpose of Life The Planetary Chains
The Result of Theosophical Study
The Occult World
By
Alfred Percy Sinnett
The
Occult World is an treatise on the
Occult
and Occult Phenomena, presented
in readable style, by an early giant of
the
Theosophical Movement.
Preface to the American Edition Introduction
Occultism and its Adepts The Theosophical Society
First Occult Experiences Teachings of Occult Philosophy
Later Occult Phenomena Appendix
The
Seven Principles of Man
By
Annie
Besant
A Student of Katherine Tingley
Katherine Tingley (1847 -1929)Was the founder &
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She and her students produced a series of informative
Theosophical works in the early years of the 20th century
Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man?
Body and Soul
Body, Soul and Spirit Reincarnation
Karma The Seven in Man and Nature
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky 1831 – 1891
The Founder of Modern Theosophy
Index of Articles by
By
H P Blavatsky
Is the Desire to Live Selfish?
Ancient Magic in Modern Science
Precepts Compiled by H P Blavatsky
Obras Por H P Blavatsky
En Espanol
Articles about the Life of H P Blavatsky
Writings of Ernest Egerton Wood
Theosophy and the Number Seven
A selection of articles
relating to the esoteric
significance of the Number
7 in Theosophy
Index of Searchable
Full Text Versions of
Definitive
Theosophical Works
H P Blavatsky’s Secret Doctrine
Isis Unveiled by H P Blavatsky
H P Blavatsky’s Esoteric Glossary
Mahatma Letters to A P Sinnett 1 - 25
A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom
(Selection of Articles by H P Blavatsky)
The Secret Doctrine – Volume 3
A compilation of H P Blavatsky’s
writings published after her death
Esoteric Christianity or the Lesser Mysteries
The Early Teachings of The
Masters
A Collection of Fugitive Fragments
Fundamentals of the Esoteric
Philosophy
Mystical,
Philosophical, Theosophical, Historical
and Scientific
Essays Selected from "The Theosophist"
Edited by George Robert Stow Mead
From Talks on the Path of Occultism - Vol. II
In the Twilight”
Series of Articles
The In the
Twilight” series appeared during
1898 in The
Theosophical Review and
from 1909-1913
in The Theosophist.
compiled from
information supplied by
her relatives
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Letters and
Talks on Theosophy and the Theosophical Life
Obras Teosoficas En Espanol
Theosophische Schriften Auf Deutsch
Karma Fundamental Principles Laws: Natural and Man-Made
The Law of Laws
The Eternal Now
Succession
Causation
The Laws of Nature A Lesson of The Law Karma Does Not Crush
Apply This Law
Man in The Three Worlds Understand The Truth
Man and His Surroundings The Three Fates
The Pair of Triplets
Thought, The Builder Practical Meditation Will and Desire
The Mastery of Desire Two Other Points The Third Thread
Perfect Justice
Our Environment
Our Kith and Kin Our Nation
The Light for a Good Man Knowledge of Law The Opposing Schools
The More Modern View Self-Examination Out of the Past
Old Friendships
We Grow By Giving Collective Karma Family Karma
National Karma India’s Karma National Disasters
Annotated Edition
Published 1885
Preface to the Annotated Edition Preface to the Original Edition
Esoteric Teachers The Constitution of Man The Planetary Chain
The World Periods Devachan Kama
Loca
The Human Tide-Wave The Progress of Humanity
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Universe The Doctrine Reviewed
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Modern Theosophy
Dictionary definitions of “Theosophy” do
not adequately convey its meaning as used in the context of the Theosophical
Movement. Modern Theosophy is generally defined by the writings of Helena
Petrovna Blavatsky, William Quan Judge, Alfred Percy Sinnett and later writers
in the same lineage. Theosophy does not have dogma or specific beliefs but
rather presents ideas for consideration with everything being negotiable.
The orginal Theosophical Society was
established in
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