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The largest religion begun, organized, and directed by and for Native Americans, Peyotism includes the use of peyote in its ceremonies. As a sacred plant of divine origin, peyote use was well established in religious rituals in pre-Columbian Mexico. Toward the end of the 19th C., Peyotism spread to the Indians of Texas and the Southwest, and it spread rapidly in the United States after the subsidence of the Ghost Dance. It persists today among Native Americans in Northern Mexico, the United States, and Southern Canada. Possibly because of the controversy over peyote use, a lot has been written about the Native American Church. This bibliography provides a useful guide for scholars, students, and Native Americans who want to research Peyotism. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

The Secret Doctrine
Ordered the Hardcover version here on the page and soft cover showed up. The contents are 5 stars.

Difficult for some; easy for others!
I really don't know why so many reviewers find this book 'difficult.' I suspect they probably find the King James Bible 'difficult' for similar reasons, the most obvious of which is that standards of education and more especially, literacy, have declined considerably since H.P. Blavatsky wrote her master-work. Another possible reason is that the 'secrets' Blavatsky revealed, just like the allegories of the New Testament, cannot be understood by the unaided intellect. If they could, we would all be filled with Wisdom and have no need to continually reincarnate on this sorely-troubled earth to learn the Eternal Verities.

It seems to me that to expect to grasp the great truths which have puzzled the greatest minds since time immemorial in a few short weeks or months, or by skimming the surface of books like the Secret Doctrine, is akin to attempting to scale Mount Everest when one has difficulty climbing the stairs to bed!

If one has absolutely no knowledge of the Ancient Mysteries, or worse, believes that real scholarship and science began with the Ancient Greeks and that the Ancients knew nothing that we do not know infinitely better, this book will make about as much sense as Shakespeare would to a troop of monkeys. Equally, if one has been spoon-fed upon the sound-bite 'mysticism' and 'new age' claptrap that passes for 'occultism' nowadays, it is not very surprising that the Secret Doctrine should seem a 'difficult', if not an entirely CLOSED book to the majority of its readers.

The fact is that it was NEVER intended for the majority, or even for the majority of 'occultists' and 'mystics'. The latter being those who wish to have their own fancies and fantasies confirmed, rather than learn the truths Blavatsky reveals in this book. Unfortunately, as I suggested above, the intellect alone cannot apprehend these truths without the aid of intuition; a fact insisted upon by every true Teacher from Buddha to Jesus, and before.

Now whether you choose to call intuition 'spiritual vision', 'inspiration' 'the eye of the soul', or anything else under the Sun, the fact remains that every great philosopher and spiritual teacher has said that unless we can learn to transcend our purely physical, earthly 'thinking', we shall never have any apprehension of the truth of anything, much less the nature of Man, or God, or the Universe. In the degree that we DO use these higher senses we will find the 'difficulties' of this book are largely of our own making and melt away like snow under the warming rays of the Sun of Wisdom.

Far be it from this writer to tell anyone what they should or should not read. But it will be clear to anyone with the slightest SINCERE interest in Truth and Wisdom that the Secret Doctrine was written for the few and not the many. If you are among the former you will not need me to tell you that this remarkable book bears the stamp of Holy Truth on every one of it's inspired pages. If you are NOT, you will dismiss it as bunkum and consign it to the rubbish heap of mystical literature which fills the bookshelves of stores around the world to overflowing.

As Blavatsky herself says in her preface: "The aim of this work...is...to rescue from degradation the archaic truths which are the basis of all religions; and to uncover, to some extent, the fundamental unity from which they all spring; finally, to show that the occult side of Nature has never been approached by the Science of modern civilisation."
As other reviewers, more capable and diligent than the writer, have covered the subjects Blavatsky discusses in some depth, I will not recapitulate their good efforts, except to say that after a lifetime of study and the acquisition of many hundreds of the best works on philosophy, science, mysticism and occultism, I know of no other book in existence that answers so clearly and completely the question of who Man is, whence he comes, whither he is going and what the purpose of Life is. Needless to add, the answer is not '42'; much as I both enjoy and admire the fiction of Douglas Adams!

For those who CAN see the Light that shines from the golden leaves of the Secret Doctrine this book will be a revelation that will open the door to a hitherto undreamed of world of truth, beauty and wonder; constituting an edifice of unbelievable grandeur and sublimity. Such will join the ranks of appreciative readers like Albert Einstein, who always kept a copy of the Secret Doctrine by his bedside. For those who find the book too 'difficult', or worse, will insist upon associating it with conspiracy theories of all kinds, there are plenty of 'colourful' books which may be more to their taste for the weird and fantastic!!!

In passing, I would just like to point out that there are several editions of the Secret Doctrine in print as well as abridgements of it. I'm sure I don't need to add that where different editions of an author's work exist it is generally best to obtain the one that THEY themselves wrote and approved. In this case that is the edition published by the Theosophical University Press of Pasadena, USA. This is a photographic facsimile of the first two-volume edition of 1888 bound into one volume and verbatim with it. A three-volume edition (considerably 'edited' by Annie Besant and other leading 'lights' of the Theosophical Society, was published after Blavatsky's death. This is to be avoided, as are the many abridgements and 'improvements' which have appeared in recent years.

Let me end this rather inadequate review with a quotation from the book itself:
"I have here made only a nosegay of culled flowers, and have brought nothing of my own but the string that ties them" (Secret Doctrine, I, xivi).In thus quoting the French essayist, Michel de Montaigne, Blavatsky not only displays the humility which is ever the hallmark of the true Sage (in stark contrast to her many detractors and calumniators, both past and present!), but also demonstrates that the 'flowers' in question are not new. On the contrary, they are the scattered efflorescence of the ANCIENT Wisdom which she gathered together for the very first time in ages for the benefit of the few who are able to appreciate it. May YOU who reads this be such an one and discover the treasures hidden within the pages of this most remarkable of books.

Breadth and depth of her Erudition is quite stunning!
For anyone pondering or searching, the books of Madame Blavatsky are a must. Do not take the opinion or word of one suggesting that this woman has nothing to offer an open, inquiring mind.Research her writings yourself.A wealth of information on a myriad of topics. The breath and depth of knowledge she was able to put forward through her writings was/is quite staggering! A must-have for any researcher of history or someone just looking for a better explanation of our past then the one we've been given.

The Stupid Doctrine
According to the dust jacket this book is "universally regarded as the greatest sourcebook in the field of metaphysics". Well, I regard it as a piece of junk.

Here's what "HPB" says about the origin of earth. "The human being came out of the moon" (I, 227-8); the moon has given to the Earth all but her corpse (I, 155) and is "constantly vampirised by her child" (I, 156), "the Earth owes its being to the Moon" (II, 64). So, the moon is the mother of the earth. But the moon is also "the Queen and the King" (I, 386) and also "is aptly referred to in Occultism as the 'insane mother'" (I, 149). She doesn't say where in occultism the moon is referred to as an insane mother, no does she say why this is apt.

HPB also discusses the history of the human race. She gives the figure of 1,664,500,987 years. That's quite a long time. However, she also gives the figure of the "human period" (II, 69) as being 18,618,728 years. However, this excludes the time before the deluge of Atlantis. Later on (II, 314) she states that the last Atlanteans perished 850,000 years ago, but that it was "several million years ago" that the main continent of Atlantis perished. Apparently the "elect" from the lost continent of Lemuria were to be found on Atlantis, before they made their way to Shamballah in the Gobi desert. When Lemuria was destroyed, Atlantis appeared (II, 402). She doesn't say how Atlantis came to just suddenly appear.

So, how do places like Atlantis and Lemuria just come and go? Well it's a cleansing process apparently, with the "survival of the fittest [in italics] nations secured through timely help" (II, 330). She doesn't say what form the timely help comes in. Anyway, "unfit nations" are swept off the earth. "Sub-races are subject to the same cleansing process".

She also discusses the nature of evil. "Evil is a necessity, and one of the supporters of the manifested universe" (II, 389). She regards Satan as being "much-slandered" (I, 413) and states that Satan is "allegorized as Good, and Sacrifice, a God of Wisdom" (II, 237). Satan is, she says, "the grandiose image of one who made of terrestrial a divine man" (I, 198).

There are plenty of drawings of swastikas in this book. The swastika is "the most philosophically scientific of all symbols" (II, 98) and "the symbol of male and female principle in Nature and much more" (II, 29). She doesn't say what the "much more" is. She also states that "every Occultist is a Nastika" (I, 279), but doesn't state what she means by "Nastika".

She doesn't think much of Christianity, stating that "Christian theology is the servile copyist of the Hebrew bible" (I, 382). For application of black magic she states that mandrake roots are "especially effective" (II, 27).

There is much discussion of root races and initiates. She declares that humans are "the most ancient of all the now living mammalia" and that humanity was "already as fully developed as it is now when all the other mammalia now known had not made even their first approach to appearance on this Earth" (II, 56). She continues, "Such is the opinion of Quatrefages, who thereby gives a terrible blow to Darwinism"

She seems to be a fan of Buddhism, "Gautama Buddha" is "Wisdom incarnate" (I, 162). She also seems to be a fan of Brahmanism, declaring that "we know that by 'Eternity' the seventh part of 311,040,000,000,000 years, or an age of Brahma is meant." (I, 206). Well, that's news to me. I thought eternity meant forever. It felt like eternity reading this tortuous book.

an amazing journey
before tackling this monumental work i read sylvia cranston's biography of helena blavatsky, and i'm glad i did. blavatsky may be the only avenue into the rich world of esoteric hindu philosophy, especially for the "sanscrit challenged." and blavatsky never (it appears) claimed authorship herself, instead insisting that a "great master" permitted her to "see" and then put on paper these eternal concepts which the west normally ignores. the debt that we who seek owe to helena petrovna blavatsky is incalculable....and to her "great master!" ... Read more

Product Description
The study of religion and emotion has emerged as an important aspect of the current renaissance in the study of emotion taking place across the arts and sciences. Emotion and Religion: A Critical Assessment and Annotated Bibliography gathers over 1,200 entries from scholarly literature in the fields of history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, theology, and philosophy. This unique bibliography demonstrates the coherence of religion and emotion studies as an area of research while noting the breadth of that area and the ways in which researchers have employed various methods and disciplinary approaches. An extensive introductory essay identifies the leading themes in the scholarship and demonstrates both the complexity of the field and the ways in which work from several disciplinary perspectives has overlapped. Featuring outstanding annotations and a detailed overview of the field, this book demonstrates the breadth and vitality of scholarly research in this area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Exceptional research tool
The study of emotion currently is undergoing a renaissance across the arts and sciences. Some of the most interesting and original contributions have been in the area of religion and emotion. This bibliography documents work from diverse fields of the humanities, social sciences and especially psychology. The bibliography is the only one of its kind and is extensive. It is not exhaustive. This interdisciplinary work is a primary research tool for initial research in the affective aspects of religious studies. Recommended for research libraries. ... Read more

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The modern scholarly verdict about the Confessions has been nothing short of sensational. This work documents the story of 20th-century criticism and praise for Augustine's classic, an ancient text that has grown in stature like few other Western classics. Disciplines such as psychology, literature, and religion, plus many others, all claim it as their own. The first chapter of this study puts modern Confessions scholarship into historical context. The other chapters are devoted to autobiographical studies, literary influences, philosophical interpretations, psychology, spirituality, and theological themes. Of interest to scholars and students in many disciplines. ... Read more

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During the last 15 years, the number of conferences on Jonathan Edwards has tripled and the number of books on him has doubled. The scope of scholarship on Edwards has broadened to include relatively neglected texts, as have efforts to fix him more firmly in the 18th century and to gauge his influence on the 20th. This volume provides annotations for nearly 700 books, articles, dissertations, and reviews on Edwards between 1979 and 1993. ... Read more

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In all its diversity, Christianity has been a powerful force in South African life. From the history of colonial missions, through the development of denominations, to the emergence of African initiated churches, Christianity has assumed a variety of distinctively South African forms. This comprehensive guide offers detailed reviews of over 600 works that have established the importance of Christianity in South African history, society, and religious experience. Of interest to scholars and students of religious studies, cultural anthropology, African Studies, and history, this volume, together with African Traditional Religion in South Africa and Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism in South Africa (both Greenwood, 1997), will become the standard reference work on South African religions. ... Read more

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The dramatic increase in religiously motivated political activity in the United States since the early 1980s has spawned an increased scholarly awareness of the relationship between religion and politics. The rise of such groups as the Moral Majority, the Christian Coalition, and the Family Research Council attests to this growing intersection between politics and religion. Correspondingly, the amount of scholarly writing in this field has increased significantly. This volume compiles overviews of the existing research on religion and political behavior. ... Read more

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With an emphasis on secondary sources in literature and social history, from both sides of the Atlantic, this bibliography helps define resources for this emerging field of study and will be useful to students and scholars in women's studies, religious studies, and history. It covers the period from the English Renaissance and Reformation to contemporary debates over women's ministries and the construction of a feminist theology, and is divided chronologically and topically. The bibliography follows developments in the Church of England and pays special attention to movements that have provided particular opportunities for women including the Quakers, Methodists, and the Salvation Army. ... Read more

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This guide provides an overview of the foreign missionary manuscripts and archival collections in the Presbyterian Historical Society, including all materials acquired and processed through January 1, 1987. The Society's library contains materials about history and Christianity in general from the fifteenth century to the present. It also has extensive collections of nonprint media pertinent to American Presbyterian and Reformed Church life, including engravings, photographs, lantern and 35 mm slides, microfilm, motion picture film, filmstrips, phonographic disks, audio tapes, and museum items. The Society's formal archival program was established in 1967; its accomplishments are clearly evident in this guide. In addition, the Society serves as the national archives for other ecumenical organizations in which Presbyterians have been involved: these include the National Council of Churches of Christ, the American Sunday School Union, the American Foreign Christian Union, and the National Temperance Society. The Society's archives contain official minutes and files of the General Assemblies, presbyteries, synods, and individual congregations of numerous different American and Reformed denominations. ... Read more

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This annotated bibliography covers the available literature on the relationship between Soviet and Eastern European churches and the societies in which they have existed since the end of World War II. In order to shed some light on the mutual relations between the churches and society, two survey chapters provide a general orientation. The attitude of the churches toward their society is analyzed first, then the reverse is attempted with a description of the societal attitudes toward the churches. The bibliography proper first presents books and articles dealing with the entire region, the on a country-by-country basis. Because the sources dealing with the Soviet Union are most numerous, they have been broken down into materials dealing with general and inclusive religious policies and issues, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Oriental Apostolic Churches (Georgian and Armenian), the Roman Catholic Church, and the Protestants and sectarians. This bibliography is among the first to deal with the historic and current status of the Christian churches in Eastern Europe. ... Read more

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Descriptive and evaluative annotations of more than 1,000 books and articles in religious education and related fields are featured in this guide. Since religious education draws necessary guidance from other disciplines, pertinent literature is canvassed from theology, philosophy, and history of education; behavioral studies of religion and education; and multidisciplinary treatments. Special care has been taken to include materials that represent the interfaith and international aspects of the field. A bibliographical essay that interprets and evaluates positions and trends is included in each category. A resource for scholars, students, historians, and researchers. ... Read more

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This comprehensive research bibliography compiles, annotates, indexes and cross-references resources in the principal Western languages of English, French, German, Italian and Spanish which focus on East Asia (principally China, Japan and Korea) in the primary areas of philosophy and religious studies, with supporting resources in theology, history, culture and related social sciences. The bibliography is organized both thematically and geographically, and the index gives not only author's and subject's names, but includes a wide range of topics and sub-topics as well. A notable additional feature of this bibliography is the inclusion of extensive Internet-based resources, such as a wide variety of web-sites, discussion lists, electronic texts, virtual libraries, online journals, and related materials which allow for easy further research. ... Read more

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A unique blending of historical analysis and bibliographic data, this volume examines the course of the voluntary association for religious purposes and analyzes the prominent primary and secondary literature in the field of voluntarism. In addition, hundreds of voluntary associations prior to 1900 in Britain, the United States, Canada, and elsewhere are listed. A reference tool for students and scholars in Western Christian thought and history, over 900 resources are classified by general, denominational, racial, and gender categories and are annotated. ... Read more

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This bibliography will facilitate research in the history of American Presbyterianism in particular and American history in general. Among the major areas covered are: autobiographies and biographies; Presbyterian denominations; states; institutions of learning, including academies, colleges, universities, and theological seminaries; institutionalized forms of church work, i.e., home and foreign missions, publications, Christian education; urban work; polity; and ecumenism. There are also considerable references to minorities. A thorough topical index to the entries gives easy access to all of these areas of study. ... Read more