Blavatsky's Meditation Diagram

[bodhimind]

Hi, I'd love to know what you think of this diagram:

[stugandolf]

So what is the technique to be used? .... Stu

[Jhanananda]

Hello, bodhimind, and thank-you for posting Blavatsky's Meditation Diagram.  The thing that always bothered me about the work of Blavatsky and others at the Theosophical Society, is it is just much too cognitive; relying too much upon the mental projection, with no understanding of the subjective quality of the altered state of consciousness that is a key part of the 8 stages of the religious experience (samadhi). So, What I see in Blavatsky's Meditation Diagram is she got most of it out of flawed translations of the suttas, which began around the middle of the 19th century. 

It is worth noting that the history of recent Buddhism, and translations of Buddhist literature; and for that matter almost all other translations of Asian philosophy, were mostly funded, or done by, members of the Theosophical Society; which I believe explains why nearly all translations of Asian philosophy are so deeply flawed.

Please note: Since we have started a new section for Western Occult literature, then I thought it best to move this thread there.

[Alexander]

I never felt Madame Blavatsky had anything worth teaching. In the beginning, I kept listening my Inner Guide and cultivating my discrimination. Both told me she was someone I could ignore and not take seriously.

[bodhimind]

So what is the technique to be used? .... Stu

I can't help but think that she has a pretty "zen" take on it. Like she points to you the goal and you try to work towards the goal directly, and on the way acquire the acquisitions and drop the deprivations. The deprivations do seem to be from result of mindfulness though.

Hello, bodhimind, and thank-you for posting Blavatsky's Meditation Diagram.  The thing that always bothered me about the work of Blavatsky and others at the Theosophical Society, is it is just much too cognitive; relying too much upon the mental projection, with no understanding of the subjective quality of the altered state of consciousness that is a key part of the 8 stages of the religious experience (samadhi). So, What I see in Blavatsky's Meditation Diagram is she got most of it out of flawed translations of the suttas, which began around the middle of the 19th century. 

It is worth noting that the history of recent Buddhism, and translations of Buddhist literature; and for that matter almost all other translations of Asian philosophy, were mostly funded, or done by, members of the Theosophical Society; which I believe explains why nearly all translations of Asian philosophy are so deeply flawed.

Please note: Since we have started a new section for Western Occult literature, then I thought it best to move this thread there.

Very true, I've also found it very cognitive in the way where everything is so "systematized" in a way. Thank you for your advice on this, I've been wondering about her work for a long time and figuring how it corresponds to everything. Also, thanks for setting up the new section!

I never felt Madame Blavatsky had anything worth teaching. In the beginning, I kept listening my Inner Guide and cultivating my discrimination. Both told me she was someone I could ignore and not take seriously.

That was what I felt as well, however as I meditated, it seemed as if parts of what she preached seemed to correspond to some of my experiences. For example, she described true Kundalini as coming from the heart and upwards, while the lower 3 chakras were of the lower realms.

I think it is also better that we stick to Buddhist literature, but I'm willing to be open to "modern takes" on it.

[Alexander]

Keep in mind she was a very important figure - the Theosophical Society was what popularized Eastern/occult literature which you couldn't get a hold of otherwise. They translated many texts; and, even if they were translated wrongly, they still brought a lot of Sanskrit words into our language. If nothing else, they added to the sense of mystique Westerners tie to the East, and that mystique is what lets Western people appreciate Eastern religions to this day.