Mystics | Helena Blavatsky's Karma | 2

About this episode

The episode explores the life and impact of Helena Blavatsky, a key figure in modern spirituality accused of fabricating her teachings.

Who invented the spiritual vocabulary of the modern world — karma, reincarnation, yoga studios, the idea that you can be "spiritual but not religious"? What if the hidden masters living in remote Tibetan mountains who inspired her weren't real — but the New Age movement they sparked absolutely was? And can you change the course of Western spirituality forever while being accused of fraud, plagiarism, and dropping fake letters through the ceiling? Peter and Afua explore the extraordinary life of Helena Blavatsky: Russian aristocrat, globe-trotting mystic, chain-smoking occultist and the most polarising spiritual figure of the 19th century — whose Theosophical Society gave us yoga mats, abstraction in art, and the modern wellness industry, all while she battled accusations of being one of history's greatest frauds. 0:00 Introduction: The Woman Who Invented New Age Spirituality 4:15 Russian Aristocrat: Growing Up Between Two Worlds 9:40 The Lost Years: Tibet, Egypt, and the Mysterious Mahatmas 16:20 Arriving in New York: Spiritualism, Grief, and the Telegraph 23:10 Meeting Henry Steel Olcott: The Partnership That Changed Everything 28:35 Isis Unveiled: 1,200 Pages That Sold Out in…

People in this episode

Hosts: Peter, Afua

Topics covered

• spirituality
• mysticism
• 19th century
• karma
• reincarnation
• biography

Keywords

• Helena Blavatsky
• karma
• reincarnation
• mysticism
• 19th century
• spiritual vocabulary
• biography

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Legacy Plus, Original Legacy Productions, Acast, Substack, Instagram, TikTok

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