Theos-Talk Archives (January 1996 Message tl00042)

                             The Key to Theosophy

                   Dedicated by "H.P.B." To all her Pupils,
                 That They may Learn and Teach in their turn.

                              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.

                                H.P. Blavatsky

                                 MANAS-TAIJASI

                             First Published 1889.

                         Preface to the First Edition

      THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK is exactly expressed in its title, The
Key to Theosophy,
and needs but few words of explanation. It is not a complete or
exhaustive textbook of Theosophy,
but only a key to unlock the door that leads to the deeper study. It
traces the broad outlines of the
Wisdom-Religion, and explains its fundamental principles; meeting, at
the same time, the various
objections raised by the average Western inquirer, and endeavoring to
present unfamiliar concepts
in a form as simple and in language as clear as possible. That it should
succeed in making
Theosophy intelligible without mental effort on the part of the reader,
would be too much to expect;
but it is hoped that the obscurity still left is of the thought and not
of the language, is due to depth
and not to confusion. To the mentally lazy or obtuse, Theosophy must
remain a riddle; for in the
world mental as in the world spiritual each man must progress by his own
efforts. The writer cannot
do the reader's thinking for him, nor would the latter be any the better
off if such vicarious thought
were possible. The need for such an exposition as the present has long
been felt among those
interested in the Theosophical Society and its work, and it is hoped
that it will supply information, as
free as possible from technicalities, to many whose attention has been
awakened, but who, as yet,
are merely puzzled and not convinced.

      Some care has been taken in disentangling some part of what is
true from what is false in
Spiritualistic teachings as to the postmortem life, and to showing the
true nature of Spiritualistic
phenomena Previous explanations of a similar kind have drawn much wrath
upon the writer's
devoted head; the Spiritualists, like too many others, preferring to
believe what is pleasant rather
than what is true, and becoming very angry with anyone who destroys an
agreeable delusion. For
the past year Theosophy has been the target for every poisoned arrow of
Spiritualism, as though
the possessors of a half truth felt more antagonism to the possessors of
the whole truth than those
who had no share to boast of.

      Very hearty thanks are due from the author to many Theosophists
who have sent
suggestions and questions, or have otherwise contributed help during the
writing of this book. The
work will be the more useful for their aid, and that will be their best
reward.

                                                              - H.P.
Blavatsky

1889
      Contents
      Theosophy and The Theosophical Society
      The Meaning of the Name
      The Policy of the Theosophical Society
      The Wisdom-Religion, Esoteric in All Ages
      Theosophy is Not Buddhism
      Exoteric and Esoteric Theosophy
      What the Modern Theosophical Society is Not
      Theosophists and Members of the T.S.
      The Difference Between Theosophy and Occultism
      The Difference Between Theosophy and Spiritualism
      Why is Theosophy Accepted?
      The Working System of the T.S.
      The Objects of the Society
      The Common Origin of Man
      Our Other Objects
      On the Sacredness of the Pledge
      The Relations of the T.S. to Theosophy
      On Self-Improvement
      The Abstract and the Concrete
      The Fundamental Teachings of Theosophy
      On God and Prayer
      Is it Necessary to Pray?
      Prayer Kills Self-Reliance
      On the Source of the Human Soul
      The Buddhist Teachings on the Above
      Theosophical Teachings as to Nature and Man
      The Unity of All in All
      Evolution and Illusion
      On The Septenary Constitution of Our Planet
      The Septenary Nature of Man
      The Distinction Between Soul and Spirit
      The Greek Teachings
      On the Various Postmortem States
      The Physical and the Spiritual Man
      On Eternal Reward and Punishment, and on Nirvana
      On the Various Principles in Man
      On Reincarnation or Rebirth
      What is Memory According to Theosophical Teaching?
      Why Do We Not Remember Our Past Lives?
      On Individuality and Personality
      On the Reward and Punishment of the Ego
      On the Kamaloka and Devachan
      On the Fate of the Lower Principles
      Why Theosophists Do Not Believe in the Return of Pure "Spirits"
      A Few Words About the Skandhas
      On Postmortem and Postnatal Consciousness
      What is Really Meant by Annihilation
      Definite Words for Definite Things
      On the Nature of Our Thinking Principle
      The Mystery of the Ego
      The Complex Nature of Manas
      The Doctrine is Taught in St. John's Gospel
      On the Mysteries of Reincarnation
      Periodical Rebirths
      What is Karma?
      Who Are Those Who Know?
      The Difference Between Faith and Knowledge, Or Blind and Reasoned
Faith
      Has God the Right to Forgive?
      What is Practical Theosophy?
      Duty
      The Relations of the T.S. to Political Reforms
      On Self-Sacrifice
      On Charity
      Theosophy for the Masses
      How Members Can Help the Society
      What a Theosophist Ought Not to Do
      On the Misconceptions About the T.S.
      Theosophy and Asceticism
      Theosophy and Marriage
      Theosophy and Education
      Why Then is There So Much Prejudice Against the T.S.?
      Is the Theosophical Society A Money-Making Concern?
      The Working Staff of the T.S.
      The "Theosophical Mahatmas"
      Are They "Spirits of Light" or "Goblins Damned"?
      The Abuse of Sacred Names and Terms
      Conclusion
      The Future of the Theosophical Society
      Glossary
      Appendix
      The Theosophical Society: Information for Inquirers
      The Legal Status of the Theosophical Society

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Member, Theosophy International.
Member, Human Race. Lurker, Theos-NZ