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== Writing history == | == Writing history == | ||
The author had started writing the book ''The Idyll of the White Lotus'' prior to her Theosophical connections. | The author had started writing the book ''The Idyll of the White Lotus'' prior to her Theosophical connections. | ||
[[N. D. Khandalavala]] recounted the writing of this book as follows: | [[N. D. Khandalavala]] recounted the writing of this book as follows: | ||
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Mabel claimed that during the writing of the book, "she had been absolutely taken from her body in order that her hand and pen might be used by another intelligence."<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/sisson1.htm# Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King] by Marina Cesar Sisson</ref> | Mabel claimed that during the writing of the book, "she had been absolutely taken from her body in order that her hand and pen might be used by another intelligence."<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/sisson1.htm# Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King] by Marina Cesar Sisson</ref> | ||
Years later, upon joining the TS, she showed the unfinished manuscript to [[H. S. Olcott]], then visiting Europe with [[H. P. Blavatsky]]. Mabel told him that the text was written either in trance or under dictation by an unseen character, but the inspiration had ceased. Col. Olcott recommended that, if she had ever thought of making money by publishing the book, she should give up such a thought and try again. She did so and the writing of the Idyll was completed in the same manner. | Years later, upon joining the TS, she showed the unfinished manuscript to [[H. S. Olcott]], then visiting Europe with [[H. P. Blavatsky]]. Mabel told him that the text was written either in trance or under dictation by an unseen character, but the inspiration had ceased. Col. Olcott recommended that, if she had ever thought of making money by publishing the book, she should give up such a thought and try again. She did so and the writing of the Idyll was completed in the same manner by automatic writing. According to her, it was dictated by the [[Mahatmas|Master]] [[Hilarion]], which was also reflected in the dedication statement: "To the True Author, the inspirer of this work, it is dedicated." | ||
Regarding the inspirer of the book, H. P. Blavatsky stated that it was "one who became an adept only in 1886."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 316.</ref> She also said: | Regarding the inspirer of the book, H. P. Blavatsky stated that it was "one who became an adept only in 1886."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 316.</ref> She also said: | ||
<blockquote>When I met her, she had just completed the Idyll of the White Lotus, which, as she stated to Colonel Olcott, had been dictated to her by some "mysterious person." Guided by her description, we both recognized an old friend of ours, a Greek, and no Mahatma, though an Adept; further developments proving we were right.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 285.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>When I met her, she had just completed the Idyll of the White Lotus, which, as she stated to Colonel Olcott, had been dictated to her by some "mysterious person." Guided by her description, we both recognized an old friend of ours, a Greek, and no Mahatma, though an Adept; further developments proving we were right.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 285.</ref></blockquote> | ||
=== THREE GREAT TRUTHS === | === THREE GREAT TRUTHS === |
Revision as of 19:26, 30 May 2025
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Idyll of the White Lotus is one of the best-known occult works of Mabel Collins published in 1884.
Content
Sensa, a young seer, receives divine guidance from two conflicting forces—one embodying materialism and self-indulgence, the other, love and truth. Torn between their influences, he undergoes a profound inner transformation, ultimately embracing his higher purpose and preparing for a final confrontation in which he shares the three absolute truths with the people.
The book was advertised as
"The career of the soul in story form. This novel is based on a past life of one of the Masters, and depicts the Egyptian priesthood in its work, its magic and its initiations."[1]
and:
"The ensuing pages contain a story which has been told in all ages and among every people. It is the tragedy of the Soul. Attracted by Desire, the ruling element in the lower nature of Man, it stoops to sin; brought to itself by suffering, it turns for help to the redeeming Spirit within, and in the final sacrifice achieves its apotheosis and sheds a blessing on mankind."[2]
Writing history
The author had started writing the book The Idyll of the White Lotus prior to her Theosophical connections.
N. D. Khandalavala recounted the writing of this book as follows:
An obelisk from Egypt called "Cleopatra’s Needle" was brought to England and put up on the bank of the Thames, opposite which there lived a lady in a little house. Looking out of her window every day at the obelisk, she used now and then to see strange-looking men coming out of the monument, as it were, dressed in a peculiar garb. She used to make her living by writing small novels. One day, while she was at work at her writing table, she saw a row of priests dressed in white passing by her side and she went into a sort of trance, but her hand went on working and sheet after sheet was written in a different hand. This went on for several days, and half of the book named The Idyll of the White Lotus was written, and then the writing stopped. A Jewish relative of hers used to watch her while this curious phenomenon was taking place.[3]
Mabel claimed that during the writing of the book, "she had been absolutely taken from her body in order that her hand and pen might be used by another intelligence."[4]
Years later, upon joining the TS, she showed the unfinished manuscript to H. S. Olcott, then visiting Europe with H. P. Blavatsky. Mabel told him that the text was written either in trance or under dictation by an unseen character, but the inspiration had ceased. Col. Olcott recommended that, if she had ever thought of making money by publishing the book, she should give up such a thought and try again. She did so and the writing of the Idyll was completed in the same manner by automatic writing. According to her, it was dictated by the Master Hilarion, which was also reflected in the dedication statement: "To the True Author, the inspirer of this work, it is dedicated."
Regarding the inspirer of the book, H. P. Blavatsky stated that it was "one who became an adept only in 1886."[5] She also said:
When I met her, she had just completed the Idyll of the White Lotus, which, as she stated to Colonel Olcott, had been dictated to her by some "mysterious person." Guided by her description, we both recognized an old friend of ours, a Greek, and no Mahatma, though an Adept; further developments proving we were right.[6]
THREE GREAT TRUTHS
The book is well known as the source of the Three Great Truths, which are presented in chapter 8 as follows:
"There are three truths which are absolute, and which cannot be lost, but yet may remain silent for lack of speech. The soul of man is immortal, and its future is the future of a thing whose growth and splendour has no limit. The principle which gives life dwells in us and without us, is undying and eternally beneficent, is not heard or seen, or smelt, but is perceived by the man who desires perception. Each man is his own absolute lawgiver, the dispenser of glory or gloom to himself; the decreer of his life, his reward, his punishment. These truths, which are as great as is life itself, are as simple as the simplest mind of man. Feed the hungry with them." [7]
Publication history
The work was first published in The Banner of Light and later released in book form in 1884, followed by numerous subsequent editions.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. London: Reeves and Turner, 1884. First Edition. Available online at Google Books.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. New York: John W. Lovell Company, 1890. "Together with an Epitome of theosophical teachings and Esoteric philosophy, by Wiliam P. Judge [sic]." Available online at Internet Archive.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1896. Available online at Google Books in two versions [1] [2].
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. New York: The Metaphysical Publishing Co., 1900. Available online at Google Books.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. New York: Theosophical Publishing Co., 1907. Available online at Internet Archive and at Google Books.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1910. Third edition.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1919. Fourth edition. Available online at Internet Archive.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Wheaton, Il.: Theosophical Press, 1932.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1933. Fifth edition.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1946. Sixth edition.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1952. Seventh edition.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973. Ninth edition.
- The Idyll of the White Lotus. Wheaton, Il.: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974 Re-Quest Book edition. Available to borrow at Internet Archive.
Follow ups and Adaptations
It was widely read by theosophists and translated in various languages, including French,[8] German,[9] Italian,[10] Slovenian,[11] Spanish,[12] and Finnish,[13].
Idyll of the White Lotus was later followed by The Story of Sensa. An Interpretation of the Idyll of the White Lotus (London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1911, New York: J.W. Lovelle, 1913, and Los Angeles: Theosophical Publishing House, 1913, 1920. Available online at Internet Archive in two versions [3][4] and at Google Books.
Idyll of the White Lotus was also adapted into a play by Maud Hoffman Sensa, a Mystery Play in Three Acts.[14]
Commentaries and reviews
Following T. Subba Row’s example in emphasizing the book’s symbolism, William W. Quinn, Jr., in his review, referred to it as 'A Symbolical Novel' and wrote: "The story concerns the events surrounding the discovery, initiation, and eventual work of Sensa, a young "seer" or prophet who alone is able to receive and communicate messages from two goddesses—one representing materialism and hedonism; the other representing love, awareness, and truth. [...] Young Sensa is torn between the beckoning "sirens"—the two goddesses—as to which direction to take, yet the agonies, thought processes, and emotional strains he goes through create a resonance within the reader. [...] As the reader's spiritual ambassador, Sensa succeeds in overcoming "himself" and begins living true to his higher principle, symbolized by the Lady of the Lotus. When he has defeated the adversaries of worldly passions and materialism, symbolized by the Queen of Desire, and self-image and importance through conformity and peer pressure, symbolized by the priesthood, the stage is set for a final confrontation in which the three absolute truths are given." [15]
Notes
- ↑ The American Theosophist (Wheaton, IL. Vol. 30, Iss. 2, (Feb 1942)), 50.
- ↑ Preface to the First edition of 1884.
- ↑ N. D. Khandalavala, "Madame H. P. Blavatsky as I Knew Her," The Theosophist, vol 50 (June, 1929), 220-221.
- ↑ Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King by Marina Cesar Sisson
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 316.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 285.
- ↑ Collins, M. The Idyll of the White Lotus. London: Reeves and Turner, 1884. Page 125. Available at Google Books
- ↑ L'Idylle du Lotus blanc, (traduit de l'anglais par Alice Sauerwein), Paris : Publications théosophiques, 1911, and Paris: Éditions Adyar,1929.
- ↑ Die Lotuskönigin. Ein okkulter „Roman“ aus dem alten Ägypten. Das Idyll vom weißen Lotus. Leipzig: Theosoph. Verlagshaus, 1923, Leipzig: Theosophischer Kultur-Verl., 1930, and Stuttgart: Manas Verlag, 1984.
- ↑ L'idillio del loto bianco
- ↑ Povest o belem lotosu. Koper: samozal A. Rozman, 2005, and Ljubljana: [samozal.] A. Rozman, 2022. Available online at Teozofija v Sloveniji.
- ↑ El idilio del loto blanco. Barcelona: Humanitas, 1986. (traducción, Federico Climent Terrer).
- ↑ Valkoisen lootuskukan tarina. [Espoo]: Biokustannus, 1992, and Kustantaja: Jukka I. Lindfors (digital edition, available online at teosofia.net
- ↑ Published in 1950 by Theosophical University Press in Covina, California.
- ↑ From a book review by Willian W. Quinn, Jr. in The American Theosophist (Wheaton, IL. Vol. 63, Iss. 2, (Feb 1975)), 46-47.