In response to the demand for further light on the Stanzas of Dzyan which form the basis of The Secret Doctrine, H P Blavatsky answered a variety of questions at weekly meetings of the Blavatsky Lodge of The Theosophical Society in London. Her replies illumine many important facets of the teachings that are often difficult for students and inquirers. The discussions cover the first four stanzas of Volume I and treat such topics as cosmic genesis, universal mind, man's inner nature, the relation between consciousness and substance, religious symbolism, and the evolution of worlds and men. Of particular interest is a section on dreams.
The Secret Doctrine: Cosmogenesis by Helena Blavatsky is the first volume in a 3 volume set of books dealing with Theosophy and occult ideas. In this volume, the author sets out her views on the origin of the universe, and of evolution. Blavatsky uses the Hindu concept of cosmology as she attempts to show that the discoveries of science had been previously predicted by ancient texts. The book is split into 3 parts: Part 1. Cosmic Evolution, which includes the 'Seven Stanzas From The Book Of Dzyan' as well as commentaries on them. Part 2. The Evolution Of Symbolism, which includes the chapters; Symbolism and Ideographs; The Mystery Language and Its Keys; Primordial Substance and Divine Thought; Chaos: Theos: Kosmos; On the Hidden Deity, Its Symbols and Glyphs; The Mundane Egg; The Days and Nights of Brahmâ; The Lotus, as a Universal Symbol; The Moon; Deus Lunus, Phœbe; Tree, Serpent, and Crocodile Worship; Demon est Deus Inversus; The Theogony of the Creative Gods; The Seven Creations; The Four Elements; and, On Kwan-Shi-Yin and Kwan-Yin. Part 3. On Occult And Modern Science which includes the chapters: Reasons for These Addenda' Modern Physicists are Playing at Blind Man's Buff; Is Gravitation a Law?; The Theories of Rotation in Science; The Masks of Science. Physics Or Metaphysics?; An Attack on the Scientific Theory of Force by a Man of Science; Life, Force, or Gravity; The Solar Theory; The Coming Force. Its Possibilities And Impossibilities; On the Elements and Atoms; Ancient Thought in Modern Dress; Scientific and Esoteric Evidence for, and Objections to, the Modern Nebular Theory; Forces—Modes of Motion or Intelligences; Gods, Monads and Atoms; Cyclic Evolution and Karma; The Zodiac and its Antiquity; and, Summary of the Position.
The Secret Doctrine is one of the most influential esoteric and occult books of all time. In the first part of the book the author explains the origin and evolution of the universe itself, in terms derived from the Hindu concept of cyclical development. While in the second part she describes the origins of humanity through an account of "Root Races" said to date back millions of years.
This volume continues with a detailed explanation of the nature of the ageless wisdom and its codification via astrological and numerological means. It starts with happenings upon the higher mental plane, and then the process of the materialisation of phenomena right through to the dense physical plane. The subjective happenings underlying the formation of a world sphere are described, as well as the great Lives involved. The focus is upon the genesis of our earth and of the incarnation of humanity upon it. Much more information is given concerning the activities of the twelve Creative Hierarchies than previously, plus the mode of the manifestation of phenomena, as it condenses from the subtle planes of perception to appear as dense substance. Our empirical scientists begin their investigations here, hence omitting the vast subjective processes and associated laws causing objective phenomena. Blavatsky’s genius is revealed in her masterful incorporation of the vast esoteric philosophy via the most economic means, where each word chosen produces an astounding revelatory vision, once properly decoded. Those not familiar with this philosophy will be astounded by its overall completeness and breadth of detail. They will be led to an ocean of discovery as to what actually constitutes the nature of the content of an enlightened Mind. Hopefully this will lead many to seek the way to likewise become enlightened beings.
The "Würzburg manuscript" is a partial copy of H.P. Blavatsky's early manuscript of "The Secret Doctrine," written in 1885 and 1886 while staying in Würzburg, Germany and Ostende, Belgium.
