Helena Blavatsky is a rebus for future generations. Her abilities knew no bounds. Her prophecies were stunning. In the 70s they read only in Samizdat
Helena Blavatsky can be called one of the most influential women in world history. She was called the “Russian sphinx”; she opened Tibet to the world and “seduced” the Western intelligentsia with the occult sciences and Eastern philosophy. Noblewoman from Rurikovich. Blavatsky's maiden name is von Hahn. Her father belonged to the family of the hereditary princes of Macklenburg, Han von Rotenstern-Hahn. Through her grandmother, Blavatsky's family tree goes back to the princely family of Rurikovich. Vissarion Belinsky called Blavatsky’s mother, novelist Elena Andreevna Gan, “the Russian George Sand.” The future “modern Isis” was born on the night of July 30-31, 1831 (old style) in Yekaterinoslav (Dnepropetrovsk). In her memoirs of her childhood, she wrote sparingly: “My childhood? It contains pampering and mischief on the one hand, punishment and bitterness on the other. Endless illnesses until the age of seven or eight... Two governesses - the Frenchwoman Madame Peigne and Miss Augusta Sophia Jeffreys, an old maid from Yorkshire. Several nannies... My father's soldiers took care of me. My mother died when I was a child." Blavatsky received an excellent education at home, learned several languages as a child, studied music in London and Paris, was a good horsewoman, and drew well. All these skills later came in handy during her travels: she gave piano concerts, worked in the circus, made paints and made artificial flowers.
Blavatsky and ghosts. Even as a child, Blavatsky was different from her peers. She often told her household that she saw various strange creatures and heard the sounds of mysterious bells. She was especially impressed by the majestic Hindu, whom others did not notice. He, according to her, appeared to her in dreams. She called him Guardian and said that he saves her from all troubles. As Elena Petrovna would later write, it was Mahatma Moriah, one of her spiritual teachers. She met him "live" in 1852 in London's Hyde Park. Countess Constance Wachtmeister, the widow of the Swedish ambassador in London, according to Blavatsky, relayed the details of that conversation in which the Master said that he “needed her participation in the work that he was about to undertake,” and also that “she would have to spend three years in Tibet to prepare for this important task." Traveler. Helena Blavatsky's habit of moving was formed during her childhood. Due to the father's official position, the family had to frequently change their place of residence. After the death of her mother in 1842 from consumption, her grandparents took over the upbringing of Elena and her sisters.
At the age of 18, Elena Petrovna was engaged to the 40-year-old vice-governor of the Erivan province Nikifor Vasilyevich Blavatsky, but 3 months after the wedding, Blavatsky ran away from her husband. Her grandfather sent her to her father with two accompanying people, but Elena managed to escape from them. From Odessa, on the English sailing ship Commodore, Blavatsky sailed to Kerch, and then to Constantinople. About her marriage, Blavatsky later wrote: “I got engaged to take revenge on my governess, not thinking that I could not break the engagement, but karma followed my mistake.” After escaping from her husband, the story of Helena Blavatsky's wanderings began. Their chronology is difficult to restore, since she herself did not keep diaries and none of her relatives were with her. In total, during the years of her life, Blavatsky twice committed trip around the world, was in Egypt, and in Europe, and in Tibet, and in India, and in South America. In 1873, she was the first Russian woman to receive American citizenship. Theosophical Society. On November 17, 1875, the Theosophical Society was founded in New York by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Colonel Henry Olcott. Blavatsky had already returned from Tibet, where, as she claimed, she received blessings from the Mahatmas and Lamas to transmit spiritual knowledge to the world. The following goals were stated during its creation:
1.Creation of the nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
2. Promoting the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
3. Study of the unexplained laws of Nature and the forces hidden in man. Blavatsky wrote in her diary that day: “The child was born. Hosanna!". Elena Petrovna wrote that “members of the Society retain complete freedom of religious beliefs and, upon joining the society, promise the same tolerance in relation to any other conviction and belief. Their connection lies not in common beliefs, but in a common desire for Truth.” In September 1877, the New York publishing house J.W. Bouton "a the first monumental work of Helena Blavatsky, “Isis Unveiled,” was published, and the first edition of a thousand copies was sold out within two days. Opinions about Blavatsky’s book were polar. In The Republican, Blavatsky’s work was called “a large platter of leftovers,” in The Sun called it "discarded garbage", and the New York Tribune reviewer wrote: "Blavatsky's knowledge is crude and undigested, her unintelligible retelling of Brahmanism and Buddhism is based more on assumptions than on the knowledge of the author. However, the Theosophical Society continued to expand, in 1882 it." the headquarters was moved to India. In 1879, the first issue of The Theosophist magazine was published in India. In 1887, the magazine Lucifer began publishing in London, 10 years later it was renamed The Theosophical Review. At the time of Blavatsky’s death, more than 60 thousand members of the Theosophical Society. This organization had a great influence on public thought; its members included prominent people of their time, from the inventor Thomas Edison to the poet William Yeats. Despite the ambiguity of Blavatsky's ideas, in 1975 the Indian government issued a commemorative stamp dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Theosophical Society. The stamp depicts the Society's seal and its motto: “There is no religion higher than truth.”
Blavatsky and the theory of races. One of the controversial and contradictory ideas in Blavatsky’s work is the concept of the evolutionary cycle of races, part of which is set out in the second volume of The Secret Doctrine. Some researchers believe that the theory of races “from Blavatsky” was taken as a basis by the ideologists of the Third Reich. American historians Jackson Speilvogel and David Redles wrote about this in their work “Hitler’s Racial Ideology: Content and Occult Roots.” In the second volume of The Secret Doctrine, Blavatsky wrote: “Humanity is clearly divided into divinely inspired people and lower beings. The difference in mental abilities between the Aryan and other civilized peoples and such savages as the islanders South Sea, inexplicable by any other reason.<…>The "Sacred Spark" is absent from them, and they alone are now the only inferior races on this Planet, and fortunately - thanks to the wise balance of Nature, which is constantly working in this direction - they are quickly dying out. Theosophists themselves, however, claim that Blavatsky in her works did not mean anthropological types, but the stages of development through which all human souls pass. Blavatsky, quackery and plagiarism. To attract attention to her work, Helena Blavatsky demonstrated her superpowers: letters from friends and teacher Koot Hoomi fell from the ceiling of her room; objects she was holding in her hand disappeared, and then appeared in places where she had not been at all. A commission was sent to test her abilities. A report by the London Society for Psychical Research, published in 1885, said that Blavatsky was “the most learned, witty and interesting deceiver that history has ever known.” After the exposure, Blavatsky's popularity began to decline, and many of the Theosophical Societies collapsed. Helena Blavatsky’s cousin, Sergei Witte, wrote about her in his memoirs: “Telling unprecedented things and lies, she, apparently, herself was sure that what she said really happened, that it was true - therefore I can’t help but say that there was something demonic in her, that there was something in her, simply saying something devilish, although, in essence, she was a very kind, kind person.” In 1892-1893, the novelist Vsevolod Solovyov published a series of essays about meetings with Blavatsky under the Russian Messenger magazine. common name"A Modern Priestess of Isis." “To own people, you need to deceive them,” Elena Petrovna advised him. “I understood these darling people a long time ago, and their stupidity sometimes gives me enormous pleasure... The simpler, stupider and cruder the phenomenon, the more surely it succeeds.” Soloviev called this woman a “catcher of souls.”
I love Blavatsky, no one could even come close to the depth of her thought. Daniil Andreev mentions that Blavatsky was a titan, as was Lermontov. This is why she is so monumentally different from most occultists. This is a completely different level. Titans very rarely incarnate in human bodies, since they have long passed their evolutionary path
Learning to give is the main task of a person and this subtle spiritual thought flows through all of Blavatsky’s works.
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky died on May 8, 1891. For her health negative influence Constant smoking had an effect - she smoked up to 200 cigarettes a day. After her death, she was burned, and the ashes were divided into three parts: one part remained in London, the other in New York, and the third in Adyar.
Blavatsky's memorial day is called White Lotus Day.
White Lotus Day
May 8 is “White Lotus Day,” the day of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s departure from the earthly plane. This was a great Russian woman (August 12, 1831 - May 8, 1891), who gave the world the theosophical teaching about truth. She said: “There is no religion higher than truth” or “If you love Christ so much, then why don’t you keep his commandments?” There are many possible wisest words, which were pronounced by her.
Once I observed one episode in a bookstore: a couple of young people came into the store, and I immediately somehow didn’t like the girl internally, and externally she was, to put it mildly, “not very good” - her face was covered in pimples, red, and even somewhat resembled a “toad”. Stopping near the books of E.P. Blavatsky, she said: “I don’t like Blavatsky.” And then I understood why this girl is so ugly.
Many years ago, my friends asked me to publish poems by a “poetess” in a brochure. I came to her home by invitation. It was a depressing sight: a disabled woman was so disfigured by nature that her entire body was wrapped in a white sheet. It looked like the arms and legs were all twisted into one knot. I felt very sorry for her. We talked. And immediately, almost at the beginning of the conversation, she allowed herself to speak unflatteringly about Elena Petrovna Blavatsky. I have said many words in defense of my beloved Name. But in response, this disabled woman was not convinced by my words and continued to say something unpleasant about E.P. Blavatsky. I hastily ended the conversation and left, forever breaking all ties with this woman. It was a big lesson for me - I understood why this woman was born disabled, because out of ignorance she blasphemes the Great Name.
So the books of H. P. Blavatsky are very serious knowledge. In general, everything that comes from the Mahatmas is the unshakable truth. E.P. Blavatsky was the most devoted student in the world. Through her, many Works were given. The main one is the “Secret Doctrine”. Maybe Elena Petrovna would have given the world even more, but she had so many evil enemies who, with their slander and evil thoughts, destroyed her health and she died prematurely, without finishing her work. For example, the third volume of The Secret Doctrine was not completed and was already being prepared for publication by her students.
E.I. Roerich continued the work of H.P. Blavatsky. It was Elena Ivanovna who translated two volumes of The Secret Doctrine from English into Russian.
Why "White Lotus Day"?
In Elena Petrovna’s will dated January 31, 1885, she asks her friends to gather annually on the day of her death and read excerpts from “The Light of Asia” by E. Arnold, as well as from the Bhagavad Gita.
This day is now celebrated by Theosophists throughout the world as White Lotus Day. The name was invented by Colonel G.S. Olcott: on the first anniversary of the death of H.P. Blavatsky, lotuses bloomed unusually magnificently in Adyar.
Our dear Elena Petrovna, we remember you, we honor you, we love you. Let Your Image shine upon us! Let the truth that You brought into the world ring like an alarm bell. And so we will enter the New World with You!
Glory to You!!!
On April 26, May 8, New Style, 1891, at the age of 59, Elena Petrovna Blavatsky, a brilliant Russian woman who laid the foundations of the theosophical movement in the world, quietly died in her office at her desk. To this day, the skeptical minds of Russia and Western countries with great caution, one might say with distrust, they perceive the existence in inaccessible areas of the Himalayas of the Brotherhood of the Teachers of Wisdom, the great Mahatmas who revealed the talent of a seer, mediator, great scientist and talented writer, such as Helena Petrovna Blavatsky.
The question “Who are you, Madame Blavatsky and who are you really with?” remains open to this day. She was a unique, harmonious personality, in which such talents were united - an excellent musician, a brave traveler, a conscientious historian, an ardent publicist, an artist, a philosopher and a theologian. She is an example of devotion, conscientiousness, fidelity and kindness, a scientist of encyclopedic knowledge, who did not take into account age or health, who bravely overcame such obstacles that even a strong man could not do it. But the greatest goal of her life, set before her by the Great Teachers and Fate, was the creation of the Theosophical Society, which sought to unite all the peoples of the world into one fraternal family. This noble woman, theosophist and scientist, completed her task successfully.
Elena Petrovna possessed enormous psychic powers. She subordinated them to one noble goal - to do good to people, help them in misfortunes, not to lose courage, to overcome everyday storms with dignity. Her phenomenal occult experiences alleviated suffering, gave rise to hope for revealing the secrets of human life, and brought new unknown knowledge to the people. Mysticism, occultism, esotericism, theosophy - this is an incomplete list of her favorite topics and activities. In them she felt like a fish in water or an astronaut in space.
God blessed her great wisdom, which made me feel awkward. In disputes with scientists of her time, she amazed them with her deep knowledge of various sciences, natural and humanities. Probably, there was no such science and its problems in the world to which E.P. I wouldn't find the answer. And let’s say that her answers were accurate, true and consistent with data from both historical and natural sciences. She could not understand where such a miracle had fallen on her head. Therefore, in his letter to his sister Vera Zhelikhovskaya, he writes:
“Don't be afraid, I'm not crazy. All I can say is that someone definitely inspires me... moreover, someone enters me. It’s not me who speaks and writes—it’s something inside me, my higher, radiant Self, that thinks and writes for me. Don't ask me, my friend, what I feel about this, for I am not able to clearly explain. I don’t understand it myself! The only thing I know is that now, as I get older, I have become something of a fount of someone else's knowledge...
Someone comes, envelops me in a foggy cloud and suddenly pushes me out of myself, and then I am no longer “I” - Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, but someone else. Someone strong and powerful, born in completely different lands. As for me, it’s as if I’m sleeping or lying next to him, almost unconscious - not in my body, but very close, and only some thin thread holds me near him, connecting me with him. However, at times I see and hear everything quite clearly: I am perfectly aware of what my body, or at least its new owner, is saying or doing. I even understand and remember all this so well that I can later write down his words... At such moments I notice fear and awe on the faces of Olcott and others and watch with interest how he looks at them with some pity through my eyes and teaches these people, using my material, physical language. But not with my mind, but with my own, which envelops my consciousness like a cloud... Ah, in fact, I cannot explain everything” (1). (Letter to Vera. New York, 1875).
Blavatsky also writes about her abilities to her aunt, Nadezhda Fadeeva, with whom she grew up and studied:
“Tell me, my dear, are you interested in physiological and psychological secrets? Here is one of these, quite worthy of throwing into amazement any physiologist: In our [Theosophical] Society there are several exceptionally educated members, for example, Professor Wilder, one of the first archaeologists and orientalists in the United States, and all these people come to me to learn from me, and I swear that I understand all kinds of Eastern languages and sciences, both exact and abstract, much better than these learned men themselves. This is a fact! But facts are stubborn things; you can’t argue with them. So tell me: how could it happen that I, whose education was so terribly lame until the age of forty, suddenly became a beacon of knowledge in the eyes of truly learned people? This fact is an incomprehensible secret of Nature. I am some kind of mystery of psychology, a puzzle for future generations, a kind of Sphinx! Just imagine: I, who have never studied anything in my life, have nothing but superficial information about myself. general, who had never had the slightest idea about physics, chemistry, zoology or anything at all, now suddenly became capable of writing entire dissertations on these subjects. I enter into discussions with pundits, debates, from which I often emerge victorious... This is not a joke, I am completely serious, I don’t understand how it all works out.
It’s true that for almost three years now I’ve been studying, reading, thinking, day and night. But no matter what I happen to read, it all seems familiar to me... I find errors in the most learned articles, in the lectures of Tyndall, Herbert Spencer, Huxley and others. If any archaeologist happens to challenge me to an argument, then when parting he certainly assures me that I explained to him the meaning of various monuments and pointed out to him things that would never have occurred to him. All the symbols of antiquity with their secret meanings come to my mind and stand before my mind’s eye as soon as they are mentioned in conversation.
One of Faraday’s students, Professor X., who in the scientific world was unanimously dubbed “the father of experimental physics,” spent with me last night and now assures me that I am able to “outshine Faraday himself.” Maybe they are all just stupid? But it is impossible to assume that both friends and enemies have united to present me as a luminary of science, if everything I do turns out to be only my own wild theories.
And if only my devoted Olcott and my other theosophists had such a high opinion of me, then one could say: “Dans le pays des aveugles les borgnes sont rois.” But my house is constantly, from morning to evening, crowded with all kinds of professors, doctors of science and doctors of theology... For example, there are two Jewish rabbis here, Adler and Goldstein, both of whom are considered the greatest Talmudists. They know by heart the Kabbalah of Simon Ben Yochai and the Nazarite Code of Bardezan. They were brought to me by Mr. A., a Protestant minister and Bible commentator, who hoped that they would prove that I was mistaken about a certain wording in the Chaldean Bible of Onkelos. And how did it all end? I defeated them. I quoted entire phrases in Hebrew to them and proved to the rabbis that Onkelos was one of the authorities of the Babylonian school.”(2). (Letter to N. Fadeeva. New York, 1875).
Blavatsky's phenomenal psychic talents showed the world that the mysterious forces that frighten people so much can be known, solved and put to the service of people. Even her enemies, caustic critics and scoffers, even they recognized the breadth and depth of her secret knowledge. Blavatsky was not afraid of anyone, because she knew the truth was behind her. With her intelligence, loyalty and obedience, she gained the trust of the Mahatmas, the Great Teachers of Humanity, under their supervision she completed a seven-year course of study, and left to her descendants a large literary legacy in cosmology, theosophy, history, esotericism, religion and philosophy.
Anyone who has read at least one of Blavatsky’s works will understand who Elena Petrovna was in life, how she adorned the world with her presence, how she saved people from troubles and suffering. Her works, written with the help of the Mahatmas, are “Isis Unveiled” in 2 volumes, “The Secret Doctrine” in 3 volumes, “The Voice of Silence”, “The Key to Theosophy”, “Esoteric Christianity”, “Theosophical Dictionary” and many others testify that the level of knowledge of this scientist was unattainable for most of her contemporaries. Her books are dedicated to revealing misconceptions, both in science and in the world, to knowledge of the secret forces of nature and man, to emancipate him from dogmatic religion, from the abyss of ignorance so that a person becomes strong in spirit, lives longer, is not afraid of difficulties, violence and untruths . The level of her knowledge conveyed in the books is comprehensive and testifies to the immense heights achieved by a simple Russian woman, endowed with willpower, talent, and the ability to overcome any obstacles.
Companions noted in her notes, even on one page, four different handwriting and writing styles. It was true. Because Blavatsky’s hand was guided by three different Mahatmas. They helped her create immortal books and theories. It was they, the Mahatmas, who dictated entire pages of the books “Isis Unveiled” and “The Secret Doctrine” to her, supplied her with the necessary literature in an astral form, determined the contents of the books, modern problems, including Space and our planet. Her books have become textbooks for many generations of scientists, researchers and simply lovers of human wisdom. Based on the knowledge of H.P.B. thousands have been written scientific works, monographs, textbooks that contribute to the development of science and society. Blavatsky's legacy revealed to the thoughtful reader the meaning and purpose of his own life and provided answers to numerous questions and mysteries of life. It is no secret that the "Secret Doctrine" was reference book Albert Einstein, and Isis Unveiled - Nobel laureate, doctor from Lambarene - Albert Schweitzer.
Blavatsky's works are a real encyclopedia of theosophical and esoteric philosophy. By studying them, the reader will get an idea of what the power of genuine occult doctrines is, what moral and philosophical guidelines they give people to overcome difficulties; what unites different religions and mystical schools, what benefits they bring to society. And also, what are the ethical and psychological requirements imposed on a person by science, knowledge of the laws of life and cosmic laws. Elena Petrovna never ascribed to herself personally all the credit and glory from her works, knowing full well that large share in their creation belongs to close friends and associates. She has great respect for her Teachers, theosophists and philosophers, friends and assistants, who revealed to her the fascinating world of knowledge and showed her the road leading to wisdom, knowledge, and resolution of complex problems of our time.
For us, Blavatsky is the producer and herald of high spiritual teaching called Theosophy. It united all the world's religions, philosophies and cosmic science. It is our duty to rehabilitate her good name and protect her from unscrupulous critics who bring not benefit, but harm to human society, its progress and shortened her life. These are the Solovyov brothers, the London Psychical Society, and other enemies who failed to understand the phenomenal abilities and genius of the author. It was they who got on her nerves, persecuted her and tried with all their might to discredit the great Theosophist by declaring Blavatsky a charlatan. We are hurt and ashamed for such people who, without understanding her life and works, passed the prosecutor’s verdict.
We believe that Helena Blavatsky died prematurely. 59 years is, if not the heyday, then not the end - for sure. She must live, live and write her wise books.
In her Will, E. Blavatsky ordered that annually, on the anniversary of her death, her faithful friends, associates and listeners, gathering at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society, read chapters from Edwin Arnold's book "The Light of Asia" and excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita, books who were close to her. Because in them she found pieces of her soul and heart.
On April 17, 1892, shortly before the first anniversary of her death, (May 8, 1891), Colonel G.S. Olcott issued an Executive Order at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society of Adyar, which officially established "White Lotus Day", in memory of the death of H.P. Blavatsky. The named Order was a tribute to the blessed memory of a great public figure, a major scientist, a world-famous theosophist, whose works are admired by the entire reading world. Since that time, Theosophical Societies of all countries and peoples have annually held their events to perpetuate the memory of the great Theosophist.
Last message to the World Theosophical Congress
Feeling the approach of death, Blavatsky, in her Annual Message to the World Congress of Theosophists, held on April 26-27, 1891 in Boston, wrote the following: “So I have spoken out fully; I am not strong enough to write a longer message, but this is the last thing I need, since my faithful friend and messenger, Annie Besant, who is here my right hand, is able to convey my wishes to you more fully and better than I am able express it on paper. In the end, all the wishes and thoughts that I could express boil down to one single phrase, the ever-waking desire of my heart: “Be Theosophists, work for Theosophy!” Start with Theosophy and end with Theosophy, for only its practical implementation can save the Western world from those selfish, not at all fraternal sentiments that divide races and peoples, only it can save the world from class hatred and class contradictions - this curse and shame of the so-called Christian peoples. Theosophy is the only one that can save the West from complete immersion in materialism aimed exclusively at luxury, in which the Western world will rot and decay, which previously happened to more ancient civilizations.
It is to you, Brothers, that the well-being of the coming century is entrusted; but, as great as trust is, so is responsibility. I myself have apparently not long to live, and if at least one of you was able to extract something from my teachings or received with my help a glimpse of the True Light, then in return I will ask you to continue to strengthen the cause with the victory of which this The True Light, becoming brighter and more majestic through your individual and collective efforts, will illuminate the whole world, and before I part with this worn-out body, I will have time to see that the stability and stability of the Society is guaranteed. May the blessings of the great Teachers past and present be with you. From me personally, please accept all the assurances of my genuine, unshakable brotherly feelings and sincere, heartfelt gratitude for the work done by all employees. From your devoted servant to the end, H. P. Blavatsky."
Companions and friends about Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Paying tribute to the day of memory of Helena Blavatsky - the Day of the White Lotus, Helena Roerich, a great admirer of her work, spoke on this occasion as follows: “I will say that it was H.P.B who was the fiery messenger of the White Brotherhood. She was the bearer of the knowledge entrusted to her. It was she who was the great spirit who took upon herself the difficult task of giving a shift to the consciousness of humanity, entangled in the dead snares of dogma, and rushing into the dead end of atheism... H. P. Blavatsky was a great martyr, in full meaning this word. Envy, slander and persecution of ignorance killed her, and her work remained unfinished. The last, final volume of the “Secret Doctrine” did not take place. This is how people deprive themselves of the highest. I bow before the great spirit and fiery heart of our compatriot and I know that in the future Russia her name will be raised to the proper height of veneration. E.P. Blavatsky is truly our national pride. Great martyr for Light and Truth. Eternal glory to her!” (4). (E.I. Roerich “Letters to America”. 09/8/1934).
Here are a few excerpts from an article by a man who was with her for the last six or seven years of her life, whom she sent to “work” in India a few months before her death. He was one of the main figures and assistants to the President of the TO, giving him his whole life and his entire fortune - this is Bertram Keatley. He is one of many ridiculed by V. Solovyov, which does not prevent him from being an intelligent, educated, sincere and honest person.
“From the moment I first met her gaze,” he writes casually, “a feeling arose in me of complete trust in her, as if in an old, tried and tested friend. This feeling never weakened or changed - it only grew stronger and grew as I got to know her better... Often months, even years later, as my moral growth allowed me to understand things more clearly and broadly, I, looking back at past, I was amazed that I did not first understand the correctness of her instructions... Over the years, the debt of my gratitude to her - her guiding hand for good - has increased, just as a mountain avalanche grows from a handful of snow, and I will never be able to repay her for all her good deeds..."
Here he tells how doubts, unbelief and materialism of our time plagued him; how he entered active life only under the protection of conventional morality, a stereotyped consciousness of honor, with a certain dose of youthful sentimentality, ready to admire alien virtues, but at the same time strongly doubting not only their merit and necessity, but decisively “everything that modern science could not prove.”
“What did life have in store for me? What would become of me? - he exclaims. “I would plunge into complete egoism, into self-destruction of the spirit.” E.P. saved me from such a fate. Blavatsky with her teachings... She saved me, as she saved many others. Before I knew it, life for me was devoid of an ideal worthy of struggle... The recognition of the destruction indicated by materialism - this fatal and final act of existence - dampened every generous movement with the bitter consciousness of its uselessness and my powerlessness... I did not see reasons and goals to pursue the difficult - the lofty and distant, when all-consuming death must, of course, cut the thread of life, long before achieving the intended good goals! life struggle!..
It was because of this debilitating moral paralysis that, with a heavy oppression, suffocated my inner life and poisoned every hour of my existence, she, - E.P. Blavatsky - saved me! Me - and others!.. Don’t we owe her more than our lives?..
I continue. Every thinking and feeling person sees himself surrounded by fatal tasks. On all sides, menacing sphinxes are ready to devour entire races if they do not solve their riddles... We see that the best efforts of humanity bring evil, not good. A gloomy emptiness envelops us, and where should we look for light?.. E.P. Blavatsky showed us this light. She taught those who wanted to listen to her to look within themselves for the rays of that “primordial star of light that shines on the path of times,” and with the desire for self-improvement she indicated the opportunity to kindle them... She made us realize that a person who is strong in spirit can forgetting about himself in the desire to help humanity, holds the key to salvation in his hands, for the mind and heart of that person are filled with wisdom stemming from pure, altruistic love, which gives knowledge of the true paths of life. That's what E.P. Blavatsky forced us, me and many, to accept it as the truth. Isn’t she worthy of gratitude?” (5). (B. Keatley about Blavatsky).
And here are the confessions of the Marquis Jose Chiffre, a delegate of the Spanish branch of the Theosophical Society to the convention of the European Section in London. After Blavatsky's death, he left his memories of her:
“...I would like to point out to the whole world the enormous influence that her lofty soul had on me! - he says (“Lucifer” and other theosophical journals for July and August 1891). - To the change that took place in my feelings, thoughts and concepts about spiritual and material objects - in my whole life, in a word - when I met this amazing woman. Mr. Sinnett, in his admirable article about her in “The Review of Reviews” (June, 1891), said quite correctly: “H. P. Blavatsky reigned always and everywhere. She had to be either infinitely loved or hated! She could never be an object of indifference for those who approached her...” In my opinion, this testimony is remarkably fair...
When I first came to London with the sole purpose of seeing and getting to know her, N.R.V. (H.P.B.), whose talents made a deep impression on me, I understood that I would see the most remarkable personality of our century, as both in intelligence and in her extensive knowledge. The feeling that attracted me to her was not simple curiosity, but an all-powerful, irresistible attraction... But reality surpassed all my expectations!.. Her first glance penetrated my soul and seemed to humiliate and destroy in me the personality that I had been before. .. This process, incomprehensible and inexplicable for myself, but completely real and inevitable, manifested itself immediately and was happening non-stop in the deep recesses of my spiritual and moral existence... The transformation of my individuality, with its former inclinations and feelings, was gradually completed... I will not even try to explain this apparently amazing fact - the disappearance of my former personality, but it will never be erased from my memory...
With each new date, my feelings of trust, affection and devotion to her increased. After all, I owe my rebirth to her! Only by recognizing her did I know moral balance and peace of mind. She gave me hope for the future. She instilled in me her magnanimous, noble aspirations. She radically changed my everyday coexistence, raising the ideals of life, showing me in it high goal: striving for the tasks of Theosophy - for self-improvement in work, for the benefit of humanity...
Death of E.P. Blavatsky is a bitter test for me, as well as for all the Theosophist workers who knew her personally and owe her an undying debt of gratitude. I, personally, lost in her a friend and teacher, who cleansed me from the filth of life, who restored my faith in humanity!.. In the great example of her courage, self-denial, selflessness and generosity, I will find the strength to work all my life for a cause that we all owe protect.
May her memory be blessed!
Dear brothers and friends, these are the few words with which I wanted to express that I will never forget what I owe to her. Let the enemies and materialists explain, if they can, the power of H.P.'s influence and power. Blavatsky; if they cannot, let them be silent!.. A tree will be known by its fruits, and our actions will be judged and evaluated by their results.”(6). (“What H.P.B. did for me.” Lucifer. July. 1891. Excerpts).
Reporting information about her sister, Vera Zhelikhovskaya asks readers not to reproach her, following the example of Vsevolod Solovyov, that she exalts her sister and her teaching. She does not exalt her, but wants to prove that “in the West and in the East there are many people who have the ability to look at her truly with reverence; and this means that she had real merits out of the ordinary, even besides her scholarship and, of course, besides all sorts of “phenomena” to which only superficial people completely unfamiliar with her teaching could attach any significance. Because of this legitimate desire to restore the personality of my sister in the opinion of the Russians, who learned about her only from Mr. Solovyov’s humiliating satire on her (and, unfortunately, there are many of them!), I wrote this last chapter, dedicated to her alone” (7). (V. Zhelikhovskaya. About my sister).
People from all countries responded to the death of Helena Blavatsky, including such as Crookes, Flammarion, Stead, Hartmann, Hübbe-Schleiden, Beck, Fullerton, Ayton, Buchanan and many others. They all paid tribute to her memory with their memories and speeches.
Zhelikhovskaya quotes the words of Professor Hübbe-Schleiden, written by him in his journal “Sphinx”:
“Whatever friend or foe may think of the deceased, whether they give her divine honors or contempt, everyone must agree that she was one of the most remarkable human creatures that has appeared in our century: she was the only one of her kind... Not The time has yet come for the final verdict on her; but we cannot refrain from saying that we, like many others who are aware of the same thing, are indebted to her and thank her for inspiration that has no price!.. She is one of those about whom Schiller said correctly: “All surrounded love and hatred of pariahs, In the annals of world history, her personality is coming - immortal!”
“How many women were there in the world, not distinguished by special origin, wealth, connections or patronage of the powers that be, but solely by their personal merits, after whose death such an epitaph would be proposed?.. And we must also take into account Please note that it was proposed not by any of Blavatsky’s personal friends, who were devoted to her life and death, but by a person, a comparative stranger, who knew her very little, who assessed her more based on the results of her activities and scientific works than on sympathy" (8) . (Zhelikhovskaya about her sister)..
At an emergency convention, Zhelikhovskaya writes, on the occasion of the death of the founder of the Theosophical Society, delegates from India, America, Australia and all Western European countries, chaired by the founding president, devoted all the first sessions exclusively to her memory. There was not enough space in the large meeting hall in the London theosophical headquarters: external halls had to be hired that could accommodate more than a thousand people.
It was immediately decided to open a widespread subscription to raise money for the Blavatsky Foundation, H.P.B’s Memorial Fund. This was to fulfill her desire, for which she worked tirelessly. Namely: for the printing of works on issues of theosophy, both original and translated from Sanskrit and ancient Tamil; works, familiarity with which “will serve the alliance between East and West.
Then the question of storage facilities for her ashes was raised. Theosophists of India demanded that Blavatsky's ashes be returned to them. So that, according to her at will, her ashes rested in Adyar. But Colonel Olcott, condescending to the wishes of the “brothers in other parts of the world,” decided, taking into account that the theosophical activity of H.P. Blavatsky “is divided into three periods: New York, her cradle; Adyar, her altar, and London, her tomb, proposed to divide it into three parts, and his proposal was unanimously approved. E.P. Blavatsky bequeathed that her body should be consigned not to earth, but to fire. It was burned in a London crematorium on May 11, 1891.
The delegates from Sweden asked to be allowed to deliver, for the London Headquarters, a bronze urn, the work of the famous Stockholm master Bengston. Colonel Olcott announced that a mausoleum would be built in the Adyar Garden to preserve the ashes of “their beloved teacher.” In New York, at the Headquarters of American Theosophists, a magnificent mausoleum was built for the same purpose according to the plans of the best of the architects, a member of the Theosophical Society, who offered his work free of charge.
The urn sent from Sweden, writes Zhelikhovskaya, was magnificent. It was placed in her sister’s room, which it was decided to keep forever in the form in which it was with her. The room is usually locked, and is entered only on business, to take one of the books from her library or to show the room to visitors - Theosophists.
On May 8th of the new style, on the day of the anniversary of H.P.B.’s death, the entire room, especially the “Dagobah” (the urn with the ashes of H.P. Blavatsky), and then the portrait of her “teacher Moriah” standing on that in the same place, as during her life, they were covered with white flowers, roses, jasmine and lilies - prototypes of lotuses, which were not available in Europe.
“This day,” writes Zhelikhovskaya, “May 8, by an official decree voted in Adyar on April 17, 1892, and approved unanimously by all theosophical centers, it was decided to call it “White Lotus Day” and dedicate it annually to the memory of the founder of the Theosophical Society, trying to commemorate it not only by speeches about her and readings of her works, but also, if possible, by charitable deeds. Thus, in the garden of the Theosophical Quarter in London, neighboring beggars were fed on this day; in India, not only in Adyar, where all its former rooms were covered with lotuses, but also in Bombay and Calcutta, in addition to food, copies of their sacred book Bhagavad Gita were distributed to the poor. The same thing happened in New York, and in Philadelphia, and in several cities in the United States where Theosophy flourishes - and nowhere does it flourish so much in all respects as in America" (9). (Zhelikhovskaya).
The head quarters of the Theosophical Society in London consists of three houses facing two streets, with a front garden and a large garden within.
“Nowhere was sadness over the death of H. P. Blavatsky manifested itself so publicly as on the island of Ceylon. There, “besides the reviews of the press, which were full of her name,” the high priest Sumangala performed a solemn commemoration of her, and all girls’ Buddhist schools were closed for three days. The next day there was an emergency meeting of theosophists in Colombo, at which it was decided to install a bronze plaque in the wall of the Society’s meeting hall with the name of its founder, the dates of her birth, arrival in India and death - in eternal memory of her. The Vice-President of the Eastern College, a zealous Theosophist, gave a lecture on its activities and teachings; in particular about her services to the tribes of India and to the Buddhist world - by introducing the West to the beliefs, knowledge and literature of the Aryans.
The following Sunday, the Theosophical Society in Colombo, predominantly consisting of Buddhists, invited, according to local custom, 27 members of the monastic brethren to take food and alms in memory of the deceased; and one of the monks received as a gift clothes and all the few items that monks are allowed to own: a begging mug and a metal jug for water, a razor, a belt, etc. In addition, several hundred beggars were fed a funeral dinner in memory of the deceased, and It was decided to perform all these rituals annually. On the anniversary of her death, the number of fed poor brethren increased to 3,000 people; and the reports of the magazine “The Theosophist” indicate that the interest of the fund collected in Ceylon in memory of Blavatsky will raise eternal times three orphans - these are scholarships named after “N.R.V.” (10). (Ibid. St. Petersburg. January. 1893).
"Madame Blavatsky"
Under this heading (Madame Blavatsky), on May 10, 1891, an editorial on the death of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky appeared in the New York Tribune daily newspaper. We present it in full:
“In our time there is hardly a woman who would be so persistently misrepresented, so defamed and dishonored as Madame Blavatsky; but it was not in vain that she suffered because of human malice and ignorance - there are many signs that the work of her life will justify itself, that it will stand and serve good. She was the founder of the Theosophical Society, an organization now well established, with branches in many countries, East and West, and devoted to research and pursuits, the pure and sublime character of which is universally and unfailingly recognized.
Madame Blavatsky's life was unusual, but now is not the place or time to talk about the vicissitudes of this life. Let's just say that she devoted about twenty years to the dissemination of doctrines, the fundamental principles of which are of the most sublime ethical character. However utopian the attempt in the nineteenth century to break down the barriers of race, nationality, caste and class prejudice and to inculcate the spirit of that brotherly love which the greatest of the Masters called for in the first century may have seemed to some minds, the nobility of such an aim can only be doubted by those who rejects Christianity. Madame Blavatsky believed that the basis for the revival of humanity should be the development of altruism. In this she did not disagree with the greatest thinkers not only of our day, but of all times and peoples: and this answered (which is becoming more and more clear) the deep spiritual trends of the age. If only for this reason, her teaching has the right to an impartial and serious attitude on the part of those who welcome everything leading to good.
And in another direction - although related to the idea of universal brotherhood - she also did very important work. It can be argued that of the current generation of people, no one has done more than she has in order to return to the world the treasures of Eastern thought, wisdom and philosophy, which for so long remained a secret behind seven seals. And no one has certainly made so much effort to explain the wisdom religion revealed by the ever-contemplative thought of the East, and to throw light on the most ancient literary works, the scale and depth of which so amazed the Western world, brought up in the limited idea that in the realm of the speculative the East is capable only of crude and primitive constructions.
As for her knowledge of Eastern philosophy and esotericism, it was exhaustive. No honest mind can doubt this after reading her two main works. Indeed, along the path that she often paved, only a few who knew could follow her to the end; but the very tone and direction of all her writings were healing, invigorating and stimulating. She tirelessly tried to explain to the world how vital self-denial and work for the benefit of others are; that is, exactly what our world has always needed and needs most. Such an idea, of course, cannot cause anything other than rejection among admirers of one’s self; and this teaching still has little chance of gaining public recognition, not to mention its widespread application in life. However, there is no doubt that a man or woman who voluntarily renounced all personal goals and any claims in order to promote such ideas deserves respect, even from those who are not yet able to respond to the call of the higher life.
Madame Blavatsky's work has already begun to bear fruit and is destined to have an even more significant and beneficial impact in the future. Perspicacious observers have already noticed the coloring of this influence on many areas of modern thought. Greater humanity, emancipation of thinking, a tendency to study ancient philosophies from more worthy positions - all this is not without the influence of her teachings. Thus, Madame Blavatsky will forever go down in history; the same will happen with her works.
She has completed her journey; and after a life filled with intense labor, she was given rest. Her personal influence is no longer required to continue the great work to which she has dedicated herself. It will continue, thanks to the impulse she has given. The day will come, although not soon, when the nobility and purity of her motives, the wisdom and depth of her teachings will be more fully realized. And her memory will be given the high veneration it deserves!” (11). (Response of Mrs. Igrek (V.P. Zhelikhovskaya) to Mr. Vsevolod Solovyov. St. Petersburg, 1893).
We can talk a lot more about this greatest personality, Helena Blavatsky, considering her life and work under different angles sight, but the result will be the same: she was a woman of genius, a lamp of sleeping humanity. Let us just remind you that since then, March 8th has been revered in all countries of the world as the Day of Remembrance of the great scientist, theosophist, a man of enormous talents and great knowledge, who brought knowledge to humanity, joy from it, relief from mental anguish and other suffering. In our country, this mourning date, White Lotus Day, is celebrated especially solemnly in the Museums and Houses of Art of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky.
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Literature.
1. Letter to Vera. New York, 1875. // In the book. Blavatskaya E.P. Letters to friends and employees. M. Sfera, 2003.
2. Letter n. Fadeeva. New York, 1875. //In the book. Blavatsky E.P. Letters to friends and collaborators. M. Sfera, 2003.
3. Message to the World Congress of Theosophists. //In the book. Letters to friends and employees. M. Sfera, 2003.
4. E.I. Roerich “Letters to America.” 09/08/1934. // Elena Roerich. Letters in 2 volumes. Moscow, Sfera, 2010.
5. B. Keatley about Blavatsky. //In the book. Answer from Ms. Igrek (V.P. Zhelikhovskaya) to Mr. Vsevolod Solovyov. St. Petersburg, 1893
6. "What H.P.B." did for me." Lucifer. July. 1891. Excerpts.
7. Zhelikhovskaya V.P. Ms. Igrek’s response to Mr. Vsevolod Solovyov. St. Petersburg, 1893.
8. Zhelikhovskaya V.P. about his sister. // Zhelikhovskaya V. Rada-Bai. E.P. Blavatskaya. M, Sfera, 1992.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. 11. Answer from Ms. Igrek (V.P. Zhelikhovskaya) to Mr. Vsevolod Solovyov. St. Petersburg, 1893
“There is no religion higher than truth.”
H.P. Blavatsky.
On May 8, 1891, in London at the age of 60, H. P. Blavatsky died quietly in her office.
This day is in memory of a wonderful Russian woman, her assistant G.S. Olcott suggested calling it the Day of the White Lotus, as a symbol of her desire for the Supreme.
The white lotus in many religions is a reflection of the three worlds: Its roots in the mud, its stem in the water and its flower in the air. Just like a reflection of the three worlds. We live in the Dense world (like roots), our soul rises to the Subtle world (like a stem), and, finally, a flower. It blooms in the air as a symbol of the spirit, the Supreme Spiritual World– World of Fire.
Here's how Elena Petrovna herself writes about it:
“... The Lotus, or Padma, is a very ancient and beloved symbol of the Cosmos itself, as well as of man. The reason for the polarity lies, firstly, in the fact that the Lotus seed contains within itself a complete miniature future plant, which is a symbol of the fact that the spiritual prototypes of all things exist in the immaterial world before these things become material on earth; secondly, in the fact that the Lotus plant grows in water, having its root in mud or mud, and spreads its flower over the water in the air. Thus, the Lotus symbolizes human life as well as the Cosmos. For the Secret Doctrine teaches that the elements of both are the same and both develop in the same direction. The root of the Lotus, immersed in the mud, represents material life, the stem stretching upward through the water symbolizes existence in the astral world, and the flower itself, hovering over the water and open to the sky, is emblematic of spiritual existence.” (Secret Doctrine, vol. 1, pp. 103-104, translation by E.I. Roerich)
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky - almost legendary personality. She devoted her whole life, all her energy to the study of ancient sciences and religions.
She came to the earthly world when infant materialistic science reached a dead end, believing that everything had already been known and there were no more secrets of nature.
But these new secrets (and the new is often the well-forgotten old) were revealed by Elena Petrovna in order to give impetus to the evolutionary development of both science and all of humanity.
Elena Petrovna was the first to bring to the Western world news about Great Teachers, about Great Souls (Mahatmas, as they are called in the East) - Representatives of the Cosmic Mind who help humanity in its evolutionary, such a difficult path.
Every century, the Teachers of Shambhala make an attempt to find a messenger through whom they can convey to the world part of the true ancient Teaching for the enlightenment of people.
In the 19th century, the choice fell on Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. “We have found one like this in 100 years on Earth,” wrote the Mahatmas.
At the direction of the Teachers, she created the Theosophical Society, whose motto was: “There is no religion but Truth.” Its charter had three main points:
First.
Formation of the nucleus of a worldwide brotherhood of people, without distinction of religion, origin and social status of people.
Second.
A thorough study of the ancient world religions to compare and derive universal ethics from them.
Third.
Study and development of hidden divine forces in nature and man for their gradual development in people.
As you know, the Theosophical Society still exists today, including in Russia.
Elena Petrovna has written more than 20 volumes of philosophical and scientific books. She predicted many achievements modern science. There are even books “One Hundred Prophecies of Helena Blavatsky”, the author is Dudinsky. Most of these prophecies and predictions have now already been confirmed by scientific developments; according to others, science is already approaching them.
But Elena Petrovna’s main works are “Isis Unveiled” and “The Secret Doctrine,” two volumes of which have almost a thousand pages each. These volumes were published during Elena Petrovna’s lifetime, and the third was collected by students from her notes after her departure from the earthly plane. These books became the foundation for students of sacred science
The “Secret Doctrine” reveals three main provisions, three “pillars” on which the world is based.
First statement. No matter how great the expanse of space is, visible world stands the Absolute, invisible and unknowable reality, Absolute Being and Non-Being at the same time. And it includes our manifested Cosmos, our dual world, but also the unmanifested.
Second statement. It says that there is a fundamental law in the world, the law of periodicity. We all see its action in our earthly world. This is night and day, Life and death, sleep and wakefulness, ebb and flow in the ocean, etc.
And the third position says that all life and all entities in the world originated, or, more precisely, came from one Single Soul, and for each soul - a spark - a journey through the stages of evolution is obligatory. To return to Unity.
The ideas that Elena Petrovna defended could be considered heresy in her time. And she was bombarded with accusations left and right. At that time it even became, as it were, a “good” tone to casually, without citing evidence, call her an adventurer, a charlatan, a fraudster. The Jesuits especially tried to succeed in this.
But there were also voices in her defense. This is how the great Indian figure Gandhi assessed her: “I would be more than satisfied if I could touch the hem of Madame Blavatsky’s robe.” And Elena Ivanovna Roerich wrote: “H.P. Blavatsky was a great martyr, in the full meaning of the word. Envy, slander and persecution of ignorance killed her...
...I bow before the great spirit and fiery heart of our compatriot and I know that in the future Russia her name will be raised to the proper height of veneration. H.P. Blavatsky is truly our national pride... Eternal glory to her.”
Let us repeat after Elena Ivanovna: “Eternal glory to her.”
APPLICATION.
Book of golden rules
Promulgated by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
A Note on the Light on the Path
This little book, an excerpt from the Hindu ethical “Book of the Golden Rules” of deep antiquity, was dictated by the Teacher of the East [Adept, Guru] for the Disciples [Chel.]. A disciple can only be one who has firmly decided to cleanse his heart, destroy his egoism and develop his highest intuitive abilities to serve the world, to alleviate its darkness and suffering. The psychology of the East and the religious mood of its ascetics is so alien to the European consciousness that this book requires some guidance and explanation. In the original, comments have been added to the text. I will try to convey in short words the essence of these comments, which will help those unfamiliar with Eastern philosophy and psychology to understand inner meaning high teaching, clothed in short provisions of “Light on the Path”. All rules are based on three fundamental principles of Eastern philosophy: on Reincarnation, on Karma (the law of causality) and on the purpose of world life as the return of the life that came from the One, having completed a full cycle of evolution, back to the One.
The physical world is given as an arena of experience, thanks to which the hidden divine powers of man are developed so that through suffering, joy and all kinds of trials he achieves the goal: to become a self-conscious spiritual center, acting in accordance with the world law, otherwise “with the will of God.”
The Teacher's speech indicates the path along which a person, still here on earth, with a powerful effort of will can bring himself closer to this high goal.
In the evolution of the whole person, as a living, thinking, feeling and striving being, we observe: the development of his physical properties, then - his emotional nature, even further - the development of the mind, then - pure reason (the ability to abstraction), even further - the development of the spirit , manifested in higher worlds, as real as the physical world, but inaccessible to the observations of our senses.
How to manifest in physical world a person has an instrument, which we call his body, for manifestation in the sphere of feelings and emotions - another instrument, which in the East is called “Kama-Rupa”, for manifestation in the sphere of thinking - an instrument of thought, so for expression in the higher worlds, a person has an instrument to which we give the name spirit, and in the East the name Buddhi.
For the complete awakening of this instrument of the spirit, the rules are given in the book “Light on the Path.”
For unprepared readers, it is worth mentioning the misunderstanding that has taken root in the West regarding the possible consequences for a person who has chosen the path of spiritual rebirth (occultism). There is no doubt that with the development of spiritual powers, a person acquires power both over his own nature and over the dark element surrounding him, which ceases to be dark for him due to expanded knowledge and spiritual knowledge. A person who has entered the light, where his limitations end, remains free: he can use the expanded limit of his abilities and strengths for himself, to serve his egoism: this is the path to the left, to disunity and evil. But if he directs these same forces to selfless service to the world, this is the path to the right, to unity, to harmony, with world law, to goodness.
“Light on the Path” addresses students who have chosen the right path, and only them.
The very first lines of the book remain incomprehensible if they are not illuminated by the high spiritual worldview with which the entire speech of the Teacher is imbued:
“Before the ear can hear, it must lose its sensitivity.”
“Before a voice can speak in the presence of the Masters, it must lose the power to cause pain.”
“Before a soul can appear before the Master, its feet must be washed with the blood of the heart.”
Let's take the first position:
“Before the eyes see, they must be beyond the reach of tears.”
What does it mean? Tears, this “moisture of life,” are caused by the seeming dissonances of life: pain, suffering, injustice, loneliness, disappointment, sudden joyful emotions, all these shocks of our nervous system and our consciousness is caused by tears.
The eyes are truly the windows through which the unenlightened consciousness looks at the dark elements of world life and our own nature.
Darkness is the truest definition of the reflection that world life leaves in front of our souls. Hence the tears. But times come when consciousness expands, light begins to dawn in the dark elements; it grows, the darkness disappears and... with the light rising, consciousness begins to discern the true meaning of phenomena emerging from the darkness: that mighty stream of life that strives all living things towards Unity, towards the Good, towards the great Goal. This flow is life itself, that is, movement, aspiration, countless vibrations of life, mutual contact of heterogeneous forces and an infinite variety of forms, which causes both joy and suffering, all the signs and degrees of developing consciousness. But physical objective life is nothing more than an arena of experience, the outer cover of that flow that fragments, blurs, differentiates “life - consciousness” until it carries it to the final goal: to Self-Consciousness and Unity.
This is how a sage looks at life. And by looking this way, he learns to separate his true Self from the rushing stream of life; he begins to look at his personal existence as an instrument of deeply important experiences and learns to separate his Self from this instrument, accustoms himself to look from the outside at all the sufferings, joys and trials of both his own life and the life around him. Shocks, insults and suffering cease to torment him. The windows of his soul are bright and clean. Eyes, unclouded by tears, begin to see the phenomena of higher, otherworldly worlds.
But this state is not the mood of indifference and dryness that is associated in our imagination with the image of a sage.
Let us remember that the highest ascetics of Christianity, who truly knew how to accommodate the suffering of the world in their hearts, were unshakable, looked with bright hope on the “path of God,” and in their souls, despite all its sensitive sympathy for sorrows, silence remained.
Second proposition: “Before the ear can hear, it must lose its sensitivity.”
What does it mean?
How can eyes be compared to windows? human soul, it is also true to compare the ear with the door through which the rebellious noise of temporary life breaks into the inner fortress of the human soul, reaching his true Self.
His true Self - according to the worldview of Eastern philosophy - is that eternal essence, for the sake of whose development to the fullness of self-consciousness the entire objective world was created. The incessant noise of the life stream, its apparent discord, groans of suffering and cries of joy, bursting into the open doors of the soul, confuse the human spirit, disturbing the silence that is necessary for higher understanding. To be able to close the doors of the soul so that the spirit is not disturbed by the noise of life, to be able to discern a common good harmony in all these disparate and painful sounds - this is the inner meaning of the second rule. Not only insults, harsh words and injustices addressed personally to the student should become insensitive to his hearing, but the entire apparent discord of earthly life should not disturb his balance. He must understand the noise of the stream and be able to make out in it not individual screams and moans, but general meaning the great word of Life.
And then, in the silence that the student must acquire by mastering the first rule, a quiet voice will begin to be heard: at first very quiet, very elusive, so elusive that at first it seems like the breath of a dream. If the student is able to make out this voice and begins to understand his speech, then he has entered the path, his higher self is awakened.
These two steps of the path are rather negative, that is, they force the student to step out of the existing level of human life; the next two steps are active steps into other, otherworldly conditions of existence.
When the student has mastered the first two rules, when he is aware of his life as emanating from the One and moving away from It temporarily only in order to, having achieved self-consciousness, return again to the One, when he has acquired silence and balance, then he can “speak in the presence of the Teachers.” ”, that is, he will receive the power to join the higher life and claim his spiritual rights. But in the higher worlds, different laws apply than in our earthly life: to give, and not to take, to serve, and not to dominate, this is the main sign of this life. If a student acts in accordance with this law, he will be heard. But if egoism is still alive in the recesses of his heart, if he dreams of glory, of personal power, of becoming a teacher and prophet, his voice will not be heard, for it does not sound in accordance with the harmony of the higher life, and, like dissonance, , will not merge with it. There is no arbitrariness in nature: even at the highest levels of the universe, everything is subject to the law of order, consonance and unity.
When a student is able to speak, he takes on an active role: all the forces of his awakened spirit must rush to help the world, because the law of the spirit is movement, aspiration, self-sacrifice, and not stagnation. Therefore, the student is required to have tireless activity, strong tension, an undying thirst to give, and this is all the more difficult because the student does not renounce the world, but remains in the world to live with it and help its darkness.
“Only that voice will be heard that has lost the ability to cause pain.” Where does the ability to inflict pain come from? Everything that we value so dearly: our rights, our dignity, self-love, the strength to stand up for ourselves, even the virtues that elevate us above the crowd, all this must be discarded as “causing” pain to another, as elevation above him, as a sign of disunity . This sign belongs to the objective worlds; it does not exist at the source of Light and Truth, where only Love reigns.
The student must kill this trait in himself; his thought, heart and will must be imbued with the truth that he himself and everyone else are parts of one whole; that everyone, both above and below, rich and poor, strong and weak, righteous and sinners, kings and slaves, all equally learn the lesson of life. Having realized this, the student will stop trying to achieve anything for himself. He will give up all his rights, lay down all weapons of self-defense. Never again will he look at another person with criticism and arrogance, never will his voice be heard in defense of himself. He will emerge from this first initiation into the higher life of the Spirit naked and defenseless as a newborn babe.
And as the student lays down his personal rights one after another, the consciousness of his responsibilities will grow stronger and stronger in him. They arise at every step, approaching the student from all sides, because the law of the higher world is to give and serve.
Is such a state of the human soul still possible in the flesh, in that flesh that overcomes us every minute with its weakness and limitations? It is possible, but only under one condition, and in this condition - a brave and strong heart is given great help, about which hearts chained to the earth by passions have no idea. This condition lies in the constant directing of the inner gaze to the Ideal, in the presence of thought and heart in the atmosphere of the Eternal.
For a clearer understanding of how such a state is achieved, I will quote a few lines from one Eastern book: “Reverent contemplation, abstinence in everything, diligent fulfillment of moral duties, good thoughts, good deeds and friendly words, goodwill regarding everything and complete oblivion of oneself - these are the most effective means for acquiring intuitive knowledge and for preparing the soul for higher wisdom.”
“Before a soul can appear before the Teacher, its feet must be washed with the blood of the heart.”
The soul can stand in the higher worlds only when it has established itself, that is, when it has ceased to be shocked by human feelings of weakness, when all its wavering human nature has been replaced by the peace and silence of Divine life. Then she will be able to endure the purity, strength and light of that world without shame and torment for her own impurity, weakness and darkness. All the secrets of her heart will be revealed, and if this heart is freed from personal desires, it will endure.
But this must be preceded by self-sacrifice. Like “tears” - in spiritual sense- mean the very soul of emotions, so “blood” expresses that vital principle in human nature that draws him to experience human life, to experience its pleasures and sufferings, its joys and sorrows. When this blood, drop by drop, is plucked from the heart, when it is all shed as a sacrifice to the One, then the disciple will appear in the highest region of the Spirit without fear and trembling, he
He will enter his native element and will live in harmony not with the temporary, but with the eternal, obeying the single Law of Divine Love.
Brief Philosophical Dictionary 2004. pp. 34–35.
The dictionary was prepared by the team of the Department of Philosophy of the Humanities Faculties of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov.
BLAVATSKAYA ELENA PETROVNA
(1831–1891)
Russian religious philosopher, scientist, educator, founder of the Theosophical Society. In 1848 he left Russia and until 1870 he traveled through the countries of Europe, Asia and America. In November 1875 he created the Theosophical Society in New York, which put forward the following program:
1) to form an all-human brotherhood without distinction of gender, nationality and religion;
2) study all philosophical and religious teachings, especially the Ancient East;
3) study mysterious and inexplicable natural phenomena and develop human supersensible abilities.
Home work- “The Secret Doctrine. Synthesis of science, religion and philosophy,” written in English and translated into Russian by the successor of her work, E.I. Roerich. Blavatsky's teaching - theosophy - aimed to save archaic truths, which are the basis of all religions, from distortion, to reveal their common basis, to show man his rightful place in the Universe. The doctrine denied the existence of an anthropomorphic creator god and affirmed faith in the Universal Divine Principle - the Absolute, the belief that the Universe unfolds itself, from its own Essence, without being created. Blavatsky considered the most important things for Theosophy to be the purification of souls, the alleviation of suffering, moral ideals, and adherence to the principle of the Brotherhood of Humanity. Blavatsky did not call herself the creator of the system, but only a guide of the Higher Powers, the keeper of the secret knowledge of the Teachers, the Mahatmas, from whom she received all the theosophical truths.
This stunning woman, whose 184th anniversary of her birth is celebrated today all over the world, was called by her contemporaries the Sphinx of the 19th century. To the people of the West who have lost spiritual path, she carried the Light of the Sacred Teaching. Misunderstood by the majority, slandered, rejected, Blavatsky before last day of her life-deed she courageously carried the torch of Knowledge.
Her main work, The Secret Doctrine, covers a bewildering range of topics.
http://www.klex.ru/1xc.
A lot of material is presented here regarding most of the well-known scriptures, and Blavatsky explains that the meaning of each scripture can be read on almost seven levels, and each has its own layer of knowledge, absolutely inaccessible to the perception of the lower level.
In particular, it describes the origins and clues to the Cabal.
“There is no religion higher than truth” is the credo of the HPB.
However, most people are not able not only to understand, but also to accept the possibility of the existence of another, unknown knowledge, the presence of another, much ahead of their consciousness in the development.
Misunderstood, rejected by contemporaries, slandered many times... How many times in the history of mankind has this already happened?
Shame on us! But in the end, it is not so important how smart each person is individually, what is more important is the state of the collective intelligence. Devotees such as HP Blavatsky move the evolution of humanity. As another great Helena, HER Roerich, wrote, if it were not for the self-sacrifice of the Teachers of humanity, not for the courage and work of a small number of their devoted students, including HP Blavatsky, to this day our humanity would have been in a state of troglodytes.
And every year this truth becomes clearer.
Today, on the birthday of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, the entire planet, including Israel, celebrates the peak of meteorite showers. After one o'clock in the morning, everyone can go out away from the city lights and look at the sky!
Happy Birthday, beloved White Lotus!!! The Cosmos itself salutes you!!!
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
From grateful contemporaries
“Can every day of life be a feat!? It turns out that it can. The life of H. P. Blavatsky was such a feat.
Probably not more than a person, about which so many conflicting opinions would be expressed. Let us not remember the vicious slander of our enemies, which continues to this day. But even most of the friends were not able to fully understand and appreciate this Great, most amazing woman, a true warrior of the spirit, the best Representative of human civilization. And only a few of those closest and most devoted saw the priceless treasure of Her heart. Let us re-read their memories and honor E.P. with the love and gratitude of our hearts. Blavatsky - an unselfish, selfless Worker of the Common Good."
Beloved Aunt, Her Mother's Sister N.A. Fadeeva:
"My niece Elena is a very special creature and she cannot be compared with anyone.
As a child, as a young girl, as a woman, she was always so superior to the environment around her that she could never be appreciated."
Countess Constance Wachtmeister, Elena Petrovna’s closest friend: “It’s wonderful that she was different with everyone:
I have never seen her the same with two different people. She immediately noticed weaknesses person and amazingly knew how to influence them... Those who were with her often gradually acquired the gift of self-knowledge..."
William Jad- closest friend and student, general secretary of the American Section of TO: “We were teacher and student, older and younger brothers, striving for the same goal. But she had the strength of a lion and the knowledge of a sage. Many treated her with distrust, unable to understand it is a phenomenon incomprehensible to them."
Bertram Keatley- English theosophist, close ally of Elena Petrovna: “From the first minute, when I looked into her eyes, I felt boundless trust in her, and this feeling never left me; on the contrary, it grew more and more and became more powerful as how I got to know her better.
My gratitude to her for what she has done for me is so great that it would take several lifetimes of boundless devotion to pay my debt to her.
... By hourly example she ignited the soul of the one whom she wanted to raise to a high consciousness of duty and selfless service to the truth.
One of its most striking features was its simplicity; she was in the fullest sense the servant of every person who sought her help.
Even her most bitter enemies - if they turned to her in need - would find help from her. I am sure that she would have taken off her dress and taken a piece from her mouth in order to dress and feed her worst enemy.
She didn’t even have to forgive, because all malice was as far from her as far from the earth to a celestial star. And she knew how to work unselfishly in such a way that she nurtured the soul and will of those around her."
G.S. Olcott, Founding President of the Theosophical Society: “No one who knew Blavatsky could forget her, no one could replace her. There are people who have some of her gifts, but no one has all her gifts. Her life as I came to know her for 17 years, as a friend, comrade and collaborator, she was a continuous martyr out of love for people. She burned with zeal for their spiritual good, for their spiritual freedom and, far from any selfish motive, devoted her life and strength to the cause of love. , expecting neither gratitude nor reward. For this she was persecuted by the slander of bigots and Pharisees until her death, which they hastened with their malice...
The day will come when her name will be written down by grateful posterity at the highest peak, among the chosen ones, among those who knew how to sacrifice themselves out of pure love for humanity!
The mighty spirit of Elena Petrovna ignited our sluggish blood, her enthusiasm was an unquenchable flame from which all modern Theosophists lit their torches..."
E.I. Roerich: “H.P.Blavatsky was the fiery messenger of the White Brotherhood. It was she who was the bearer of the knowledge entrusted to her. It was... H.P.Blavatsky had the good fortune to receive the Teaching directly from the Great Teachers in one of Their Ashrams in Tibet.
It was she who was the great spirit who took upon herself the difficult task of giving a shift to the consciousness of humanity, entangled in the dead snares of dogma and rushing into the dead end of atheism.
H. P. Blavatsky was a great martyr, in the full sense of the word...
If it were not for the anger and envy that surrounded her, she would have written two more volumes of the secret Teachings, which would have included pages from the lives of the Great Teachers. But people chose to kill her and the work remained unfinished. So history repeats itself; This is how the karma of humanity works...
This is how people deprive themselves of the highest...
Mocked, slandered, disgraced and persecuted, she took her place among the Saviors of Humanity.
I bow to the great spirit and fiery heart of our compatriot and I know that in the future Russia her name will be raised to the proper height of veneration...
H.P.Blavatsky, truly, our national pride, the Great Martyr for Light and Truth. Eternal glory to Her! "
A. Kotlyar
IN MEMORY OF BLAVATSKY
"There is no religion higher than Truth"
Carved from mental substance
Priceless stones of Ancient Wisdom,
In the commentary of the Lords she dressed Stanzas,
Opening it up to future generations
A part of Knowledge hidden until time,
Imperishable grains of the Supreme Truth,
The secret of the secrets of the birth of the Universe
And centuries of countless pages.
Revelations of all times and all peoples,
Like a bouquet of flowers, gathered together.
And revealed to the World the “Secret Doctrine” -
A brilliant work about the Cosmos and Nature.
Having given all of myself to the creation of the book,
It revealed the essence of the Teachings of Antiquity.
She walked through persecution and intrigue
With a pure heart
in unwavering loyalty
TRUTH as the highest of religions.