Helena Blavatsky

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891) was a Russian spiritualist, philosopher, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. A highly controversial figure, she was instrumental in shaping the modern occult movement and influencing a range of religious and philosophical thought. Her teachings, though often met with scepticism and criticism, have had a lasting impact on Western esotericism, New Age thinking, and the understanding of Eastern religions in the West.

​

Early Life

Born on August 12, 1831, in Yekaterinoslav, then part of the Russian Empire (now Dnipro, Ukraine), Helena Petrovna von Hahn was the daughter of a German-Russian nobleman, Peter von Hahn, and Helena Andreevna Fadeyeva, a novelist. Blavatsky was a precocious child who exhibited an early interest in the supernatural and the mystical. Her mother died when Helena was eleven years old, and she was raised by her maternal grandparents. Her grandmother, Helena Pavlovna de Fadeyev, was an amateur scientist and naturalist, and it’s believed that her influence fostered young Helena's interests in mysticism and the occult.

​

Blavatsky’s formal education was limited, but she was widely read, especially in topics related to metaphysics, spirituality, and Eastern religions. She was known for her rebellious and independent nature from an early age. In 1849, she married Nikifor Vassilyevich Blavatsky, a much older man and a government official. However, the marriage was short-lived, and within a few months, Helena left her husband and embarked on a series of travels that took her across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

​

Travels and Mystical Experiences

Blavatsky’s extensive travels were one of the defining aspects of her life and her later teachings. In the 1850s and 1860s, she claimed to have travelled to various locations, including India, Tibet, Egypt, and Greece, where she encountered mystics, yogis, and other spiritual teachers. Most notably, she reported meeting a group of enlightened beings called the "Masters" or "Mahatmas," who were said to reside in Tibet. These Masters, particularly two figures named Morya and Koot Hoomi, played a significant role in shaping Blavatsky’s esoteric philosophy. She claimed that they imparted to her ancient wisdom that she was meant to disseminate to the West.

Her alleged visits to Tibet and contact with the Mahatmas are among the most debated aspects of her life. Sceptics have questioned the historical accuracy of these claims, but for Blavatsky, these experiences were central to her teachings. The Masters were considered advanced spiritual beings who had transcended ordinary human limitations and were working for the betterment of humanity.

​

Formation of the Theosophical Society

Blavatsky arrived in the United States in 1873, where she eventually met Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, a lawyer, Civil War veteran, and fellow spiritual seeker. Together, along with a small group of associates, they founded the Theosophical Society in New York City on November 17, 1875. The purpose of the society was to promote universal brotherhood, encourage the comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science, and investigate the hidden mysteries of nature and the powers latent in humans.

​

The word "Theosophy" derives from the Greek theos (god) and sophia (wisdom), and the movement was intended to revive ancient wisdom traditions from various cultures and present them in a modern context. Theosophy was based on the idea that all religions and philosophies are branches of the same timeless truth and that there is a deeper, esoteric wisdom underlying all of them. Blavatsky's writings, particularly her major works, Isis Unveiled (1877) and The Secret Doctrine (1888), outlined this philosophical system, combining elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, Neoplatonism, and Western occultism.

​

Core Teachings of Theosophy

Theosophy, as expounded by Blavatsky, was a complex blend of Eastern and Western religious and philosophical ideas. Some of the core tenets include:

1. Universal Brotherhood: Theosophy holds that humanity is one family, regardless of race, nationality, or religion. The idea of universal brotherhood was central to the Theosophical Society's mission, and it emphasized the unity of all life.

2. Reincarnation and Karma: Blavatsky adopted the concepts of reincarnation and karma from Hindu and Buddhist teachings. She argued that the soul undergoes a series of lives, with each incarnation shaped by the karma (actions) of previous lives. This cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is part of a larger evolutionary process, with the ultimate goal being spiritual enlightenment.

3. The Existence of the Masters: Central to Blavatsky’s teachings was the idea that there exists a group of highly evolved spiritual beings, the Masters or Mahatmas, who guide the evolution of humanity. These beings, who reside on higher planes of existence, communicate with a select few individuals who are spiritually prepared to receive their teachings.

4. Hidden Knowledge and Esoteric Wisdom: Theosophy holds that there is a hidden or esoteric knowledge that has been preserved throughout history by secret societies, mystics, and enlightened individuals. This knowledge is said to contain the keys to understanding the mysteries of the universe and human existence.

5. Evolution of the Soul and the Cosmos: In The Secret Doctrine, Blavatsky described a grand, cyclical view of cosmic and human evolution. She posited that the universe undergoes periodic cycles of creation and destruction, and within these cycles, human souls evolve over time. This evolutionary process is not limited to the physical plane but also includes spiritual dimensions.

6. The Seven Principles of Man: Blavatsky taught that human beings are composed of seven different principles or layers, ranging from the physical body to the divine spark of the higher self. These principles correspond to different levels of consciousness and spiritual development.

7. Syncretism: Blavatsky's work sought to synthesize a wide range of religious and philosophical traditions. She drew heavily on Hinduism, Buddhism, ancient Egyptian religion, and Gnosticism, while also incorporating elements of Western esotericism, such as alchemy, Kabbalah, and Rosicrucianism.

Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine

Blavatsky's two most influential works, Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine, laid out the foundations of her Theosophical philosophy.

• Isis Unveiled, published in 1877, was a two-volume work that sought to expose the flaws of modern science and organized religion while offering a vision of an ancient, hidden knowledge that transcended both. The book drew on a wide array of sources, from ancient texts to contemporary occultists, and argued that there was a timeless wisdom that had been forgotten or suppressed by the institutions of religion and science.

• The Secret Doctrine, published in 1888, is considered Blavatsky’s magnum opus. This monumental work, also in two volumes, was subtitled The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy. It presented a comprehensive cosmology and metaphysical system that drew heavily on Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, as well as Western esoteric traditions. Blavatsky introduced the concept of "root races," stages in human spiritual and physical evolution, which she claimed were detailed in ancient texts. The book also delved deeply into occult sciences, reincarnation, karma, and the interconnectedness of all life.

​

The Secret Doctrine was groundbreaking in its attempt to reconcile science with spirituality. Blavatsky asserted that many of the insights of modern science, particularly in fields like physics and astronomy, were anticipated by ancient wisdom traditions. She argued that true science and true religion were not at odds but were simply different approaches to understanding the same ultimate reality.

​

Controversy and Criticism

Blavatsky was a highly polarizing figure throughout her life. While she attracted a devoted following, she also faced intense criticism and scepticism. Many of her critics accused her of fraud, particularly in relation to her claims of communicating with the Masters and her supposed ability to produce psychic phenomena.

​

One of the most damaging critiques came from the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), which conducted an investigation into Blavatsky’s activities in India. In 1884, Richard Hodgson, a member of the SPR, published a report concluding that Blavatsky was an impostor who had fabricated evidence of her psychic powers and faked correspondence with the Masters. This report dealt a severe blow to Blavatsky's credibility, although later scholars have questioned Hodgson’s methods and conclusions.

​

Despite the controversies, Blavatsky maintained a loyal group of followers, many of whom believed that the criticisms were part of a campaign to discredit her work. She continued to defend her teachings and writings until her death in 1891.

Legacy and Influence

​

Helena Blavatsky’s influence extends far beyond the Theosophical Society and her immediate circle of followers. She played a crucial role in popularizing Eastern religions in the West, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, and many scholars credit her with helping to shape Western perceptions of these traditions. Her work also laid the groundwork for the modern New Age movement, which draws heavily on Theosophical ideas about reincarnation, karma, and the unity of all life.

​

The Theosophical Society itself continued to grow after Blavatsky’s death, with branches established in countries around the world. Prominent figures such as Annie Besant and Charles Webster Leadbeater took up leadership roles in the society and expanded on Blavatsky’s teachings. The society also played a key role in introducing Indian thinkers such as Jiddu Krishnamurti to a global audience.

Blavatsky’s ideas also influenced a range of other spiritual and philosophical movements, including the development of modern occultism, the New Thought movement, and the rise of alternative spiritualities in the 20th century. The concept of the "Masters" became a recurring theme in various esoteric traditions, and her cosmology of human evolution and spiritual development found echoes in later works such as Alice Bailey’s writings and Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy.

​

In the realm of art and literature, Blavatsky’s ideas resonated with figures like William Butler Yeats, who was a member of the Theosophical Society, and the Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, who was inspired by her vision of Eastern wisdom and the Masters.

​

Helena Blavatsky was a visionary and a pioneer who sought to bridge the gap between science, religion, and philosophy. Her efforts to bring Eastern wisdom to the West and her vision of a universal spiritual truth have had a lasting impact on both religious and philosophical thought. While her life was marred by controversy and accusations of fraud, her influence on modern spirituality, esotericism, and the occult is undeniable.

​

Today, Blavatsky’s teachings continue to inspire those who seek a deeper understanding of the mysteries of life and the universe, and her legacy remains an essential part of the history of Western esotericism and alternative spirituality. Despite the criticisms and controversies, her work remains a fascinating and enduring contribution to the exploration of the spiritual dimensions of existence.