A Study in
Theosophy,
And a Memoir of
a Great Soul
William
Kingsland
Helena P. Blavatsky (1831-1891)
A 2012 Editorial Note:
The 1928 edition
of “The Real H. P. Blavatsky”, by
William Kingsland, is here reproduced in PDF format. The book has 322 pages,
and constitutes one of the best testimonies available on the founder of the
modern esoteric movement.
Life is not always easy. Learning Theosophy is more than an
intellectual process, and William Kingsland (1855-1936) wrote thus while referring
to Ms. Blavatsky:
“She taught us Theosophy - not as a mere form of
doctrine, not as a religion, or a philosophy, or a creed, or a working
hypothesis, but as a living power in our lives.” [1]
In 1909, Kingsland had to make a choice. Deeply
disappointed by what he saw in the theosophical movement, he denounced in an
open letter to Annie Besant that she had abandoned both ethics and theosophy. His manifesto was later published by another
loyal and direct student of H.P.B.’s, Mrs. Alice Leighton Cleather. [2]
The path to wisdom is uphill, steep and narrow. No one
is above mistakes.
Pitfalls are numerous and surround each important step
ahead. Vigilance is of the essence, as the work “Dhammapada” clarifies in its Chapter Two. An imperfection in
Kingsland’s book serves to illustrate the fact that even the best students must
examine their sources at each step and every moment, taking nothing for
granted, so as to continuously develop their discernment of what is right and what
is wrong.
At p. 173 of “The
Real H. P. Blavatsky”, Kingsland refers en passant to “The Tibetan
Book of the Dead” as if it were a
legitimate Buddhist book and useful to students of theosophy. He most likely never read the book. If he had
done so, he would have another opinion. The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” is a Ningma text and its contents are Dugpasic.
It is a pseudo-Buddhist handbook purporting to tell people how to avoid the Law
of Karma. Its statements are in direct contradiction to Theosophical teachings
regarding post-mortem states, karma and ethics. [3]
Although subject to error - as every human being -, William
Kingsland was one of the best direct students of H.P. Blavatsky and one who remained
loyal to truth to the end. He showed more discernment than many, and had a deep
understanding of the esoteric philosophy.
His books brought significant contributions to
theosophical literature, as Boris de Zirkoff acknowledges in his text on Kingsland’s
life and work, included in the “Collected Writings” of H. P. Blavatsky.
Kingsland made a valiant defence of truth, and “The Real H. P. Blavatsky” includes as
an Appendix his critical analysis of the false accusations fabricated by the
Society for Psychical Research.
“The Real H. P. Blavatsky” offers
the reader an insightful approach to the emotional difficulties H.P.B. had to
face in her personality. See for instance pp. 36, 87-93, and 236. It also makes
a revealing comparison between H.P.B. and Jacob Boehme (whose books influenced
many during the beginnings of philosophy in Russia). This comparative study can
be seen especially at pp. 13-17.
(Carlos Cardoso Aveline)
NOTES:
[1] “What H. P. Blavatsky Taught Us”, an article by William Kingsland
published by our associated websites.
[2] “An Open Letter to Annie Besant”, Alice Leighton Cleather. The text
can be found at our websites.
[3] “Tibetan Book of the Dead Is Ningma”, an article by John Garrigues. See it in our associated websites. Read also the article “Theosophy and the Bardo Thodol”, by Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
“Bardo Thodol” is the Tibetan name of
the so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead”.
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In September 2016, after a careful analysis of the state of the esoteric
movement worldwide, a group of students decided to form the Independent Lodge of Theosophists,
whose priorities include the building of a better future in the different
dimensions of life.
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