Mysticism Books

Book SynopsisThe dialogue expands . . . When Neale Donald Walsch was experiencing one of the lowest points of his life, he decided to write a letter to God. What he did not expect was a response, with extraordinary answers covering all aspects of human existence - from happiness to money, to faith. The resulting book, Conversations with God, was an instant bestseller on publication in 1995 and has since sold millions of copies world-wide, changing countless lives everywhere. Conversations with God: Book 3 is the third volume of the original Conversations with God trilogy that takes us even further in our questioning and search for answers, dealing with universal truths of the highest order and the challenges and opportunities of the soul. This incredible series contains answers that will change you, your life and the way you view others.Also by Neale Donald Walsch and available from Hodder & Stoughton: Conversations with God, Books 2 and 3, Communion with God, Friendship with God, Applications for Living and Meditations from Conversations with God, Book 1.Trade ReviewI read this and it completely turned everything I believe about religion on its head. If you are at all religious, you should read this book.' * Francis Rossi of Status Quo, Metro *

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Book SynopsisGod, Pope Francis affirms, is present in nature, and he wants us to share that perspective, because he believes that it can generate in us a sense of wonder, awe, reverence and love for nature in all its aspects. This sense will make us strong enough to dedicate ourselves to the demanding task of caring for what he calls ‘our common home.’ When my home is under threat I will fight tooth and nail to protect it and those living in it, because I love it. Such commitment is needed today if our small and fragile planet is to be brought back to health. Brian Grogan brings the background of Ignatian spirituality and a lived appreciation of God’s creation to his book of meditations on Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si. Rather than an exhaustive explanation of the encyclical, this book serves as a daily invitation to notice in ordinary creation the invitation of God to love and care for all God’s creation. Read slowly each morning, it could give a focus for living the day in recognising God in all things, and the call of God to be a co-creator of his beautiful world each day.

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Book SynopsisChristianity is in crisis in the West. The Inkling friend of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, Owen Barfield, analysed why. He developed an account of our spiritual predicament that is radical and illuminating. Barfield realized that the human experience of life shifts fundamentally over periods of cultural time. Our perception of nature, the cosmos and the divine changes dramatically across history. Mark Vernon uses this startling insight to tell the inner story of 3000 years of Christianity, beginning from the earliest Biblical times. Drawing, too, on the latest scholarship and spiritual questions of our day, he presents a gripping account of how Christianity constellated a new perception of what it is to be human. For 1500 years, this sense of things informed many lives, though it fell into crisis with the Reformation, scientific revolution and Enlightenment. But the story does not stop there. Barfield realised that there is meaning in the disenchantment and alienation experienced by many people today. It is part of a process that is remaking our sense of participation in the life of nature, the cosmos and the divine. It's a new stage in the evolution of human consciousness.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first ever translation into English of a treatise written by one of the most celebrated figures in the history of Sufism, the Egyptian Sufi master Ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari. In Pure Intention: on Knowledge of the Unique Name (al-Qasd al-Mujarrad fi Ma''rifat al-Ism al-Mufrad) the author presents us with a supreme essay on the doctrine of Divine Oneness or tawhid and the Unique Name Allah which is the Name of the Divine Essence.The treatise itself is divided into two parts. In Part One, Ibn Ata Allah discusses the Name Allah from three perspectives: that of language, that of wisdom and that of gnosis; here, he also explains the differences between the Divine Names, Qualities and the Name Allah. With Part Two, the author turns to the role of invocation, both in general and of the Name Allah specifically. Ibn Ata Allah gives detailed arguments for how emulating the Qualities of God as expressed in His Names and invoking His Supreme Name with awareness of its meaning, can cleanse the heart and fill it with tawhid until it becomes a worthy abode for God. As the sacred tradition says: ''Neither My Throne nor My Footstool can contain Me, but the heart of My servant can.''

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Book SynopsisA profound guide to embracing your Divine nature• Explains how to embrace the paradox of the spiritual path—that we are already reflections of the Divine—and manifest our soul’s transcendent nature in everyday life• Provides contemplative and philosophical tools to support the journey to experience the Sacred• Explores mythic stories of soul development and intuition found in Maya and Pythagorean traditions, ancient Egyptian thought, and ZoroastrianismIn the mind of the Divine, every person has Infinite, Eternal, and Absolute Worth. But how do we manifest our transcendent nature in everyday life? How can we construct our lives in the material world so they reflect the Divine nature of our souls?Through his own story of spiritual self-realization, Douglas M. Gillette explores the paradox that lies at the heart of the quest for union with the Divine. As the author explains, those of us on the mystical path are each working on our souls to better reflect their Divine nature, yet we are already reflections of the Divine. To help you embrace this paradox, the author provides mythic stories of soul development and intuition from Maya and Pythagorean traditions, ancient Egyptian thought, and Zoroastrianism. He shows how embracing the power of emotions like wonder, dread, and awe provide a mirror that allows us to see ourselves as infinite and immortal persons on finite and mortal adventures. In addition to myth, the author’s synthesis of Neoplatonism and Panentheism provides readers with contemplative tools to fulfill their mystical journey.Bringing together a wide range of contrasting worldviews and ideas assumed to be in opposition, the author shows how unifying views that are often considered polar opposites is a primary vehicle for actualizing our core purpose as souls in the physical world. He deeply investigates the emergence of personhood as we build our material lives, and he reveals the thrill of actually entering into the Sacred through the paradoxical journey of soul making—becoming in the physical world what we already are in the infinity and eternity of the Divine Psyche.

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Book SynopsisA guide to manifestation success by working with your energetic field• Draws on ancient Greek and Egyptian wisdom to explain the 7 manifestation laws of the Universe and how to discover which desires align with your higher purpose• Shares a 5-step process for manifesting your desires and a 10-day manifestation challenge for achieving a singular chosen goal• Presents inner work practices for releasing cognitive and emotional blocks and limiting beliefs that hinder your manifestation journeyAfter limited success with positive-thinking manifestation methods, George Lizos harnessed his life-long interest in hermetics and fluency in Greek to research ancient writings on manifestation practices in their original languages. Through deep investigation of Hermetic philosophy and the initiatic text The Kybalion he discovered the energetic processes and Universal laws that underlie effective manifestation work.In this practical

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Book SynopsisComposed during a critical time in the evolution of European intellectual life, the works of Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1327) are some of the most powerful medieval attempts to achieve a synthesis between ancient Greek thought and the Christian faith. Writing with great rhetorical brilliance, Eckhart combines the neoplatonic concept of oneness - the idea that the ultimate principle of the universe is single and undivided - with his Christian belief in the Trinity, and considers the struggle to describe a perfect God through the imperfect medium of language. Fusing philosophy and religion with vivid originality and metaphysical passion, these works have intrigued and inspired philosophers and theologians from Hegel to Heidegger and beyond.Table of ContentsThe talks of instruction; the book of divine consolation; on the noble man; selected German sermons; selected Latin sermons.

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Book SynopsisIn Kabbalah: A Very Short Introduction, Joseph Dan, one of the world''s leading authorities on Jewish mysticism, offers a concise and highly accurate look at the history and character of the various systems developed by the adherents of the Kabbalah. Dan sheds light on the many misconceptions about what Kabbalah is and isn''t--including its connections to magic, astronomy, alchemy, and numerology--and he illuminates the relationship between Kaballah and Christianity on the one hand and New Age religion on the other. The book provides fascinating historical background, ranging from the mystical groups that flourished in ancient Judaism in the East, and the medieval schools of Kabbalah in Northern Spain and Southern France, to the widening growth of Kabbalah through the school of Isaac Luria of Safed in the sixteenth century, to the most potent and influential modern Jewish religious movement, Hasidism, and its use of kabbalistic language in its preaching. The book examines the key ancient texts of this tradition, including the Sefer Yezira or Book of Creation, The Book of Bahir, and the Zohar. Dan explains Midrash, the classical Jewish exegesis of scriptures, which assumes an infinity of meanings for every biblical verse, and he concludes with a brief survey of scholarship in the field and a list of books for further reading. Embraced by celebrities and integrated in many contemporary spiritual phenomena, Kabbalah has reaped a wealth of attention in the press. But many critics argue that the form of Kabbalah practiced in Hollywood is more New Age pabulum than authentic tradition. Can there be a positive role for the Kabbalah in the contemporary quest for spirituality? In Kabbalah, Joseph Dan debunks the myths surrounding modern Kabbalistic practice, offering an engaging and dependable account of this traditional Jewish religious phenomenon and its impact outside of Judaism. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review"Dan has given us the best concise history of Jewish mysticism.... As a 'very short introduction' to this sublime treasure house, Joseph Dan's book is warmly recommended."--Benjamin Balint, Commentary"In a little more than a hundred pages, Dan races through more than a thousand years of Jewish religious texts, explaining a vast, amorphous body of beliefs and practices that have influenced Freemasons, Hasidim, Carl Jung, New Age gurus and, more recently, Hollywood celebrities. It's quite a performance, carried off with only a few stumbles."--William Grimes, The New York Times"Professor Dan is one of the leading scholars of Jewish mysticism in the world today. He combines deep erudition with methodological sophistication and clarity of exposition. He is the ideal person to write a short introduction to the study of the Kabbalah."--Shaye J. D. Cohen, Harvard University"This survey of Kabbalah offers deep history in succinct fashion, resulting in a fascinating and highly readable effort."--Publishers Weekly"A lucid history and explanation of Kabbalah, covering its key periods, texts, figures, and theories. Dan knowledgeably and expertly untangles the complexity of the tradition, specifically addressing misconceptions by discussing what Kabbalah is and what it is not.... This primer is scholarly yet accessible to the lay reader; it's 'Kabbalah for Dummies' sans the cheeky humor."--Library Journal"Even someone who knows nothing more than the celebrity connection will come away with a nuanced understanding."--Dallas Morning News"Culling over fifty years of Kabbalah research, Joseph Dan presents a schematic introduction to Kabbalah, its major periods, personalities, and ideas. This slim volume is a window into the intriguing history of this esoteric wisdom - its Christian and Islamic influences, the proliferation of Christian Kabbalah, its influence on modern philosophy, and the important periods of Jewish heresy. From the ancient world to New Age spirituality, Dan lucidly covers the key ideas of Kabbalah as they developed over the centuries. Accessible, readable, and informative."--Shaul Magid, Indiana University

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Book Synopsis''Your soul each moment struggles hard with death -Think of your faith as though it''s your last breath.Your life is like a purse, and night and dayAre counters of gold coins you''ve put away''Rumi is the greatest mystic poet to have written in Persian, and the Masnavi is his masterpiece. Divided into six books and consisting of some 26,000 verses, the poem was designed to convey a message of divine love and unity to the disciples of Rumi''s Sufi order, known today as the Whirling Dervishes. Like the earlier books, Book Three interweaves amusing stories with homilies to instruct pupils in mystical knowledge. It has a special focus on epistemology, illustrated with narratives that involve the consumption of food. This is the first ever verse translation of Book Three of the Masnavi. It follows the original by presenting Rumi''s most mature mystical teachings in simple and attractive rhyming couplets.

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Book SynopsisOne of medieval mysticism's most strikingly original works, this book was written by a 14th-century anchoress whose fervent prayers triggered intense visions that continue to influence modern Christian thought.

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Book SynopsisAfter his overwhelming and life-altering encounters with Shams of Tabriz, Rumi, the great thirteenth-century mystic, poet, and originator of the whirling dervishes, let go of many of the precepts of formal religion, insisting that only a complete personal dissolving into the larger energies of God could provide the satisfaction that the heart so desperately seeks. He began to speak spontaneously in the language of poetry, and his followers compiled his 44,000 verses into 23 volumes, collectively called the Divan. When Nevit Ergin decided to translate the Divan of Rumi into English, he enlisted the help of the Turkish government, which was happy to participate. The first 22 volumes were published without difficulty, but the government withdrew its support and refused to participate in the publication of the final volume due to its openly heretical nature. Now, in The Forbidden Rumi, Will Johnson and Nevit Ergin present for the first time in English Rumi’s poems from this forbidden volume. The collection is grouped into three sections: songs to Shams and God, songs of heresy, and songs of advice and admonition. In them Rumi explains that in order to transform our consciousness, we must let go of ingrained habits and embrace new ones. In short, we must become heretics.Trade Review“For the past fifty years Nevit Ergin has been working to bring into English the entirety of Rumi’s vast Divani Shamsi Tabriz. This last volume is the most incendiary and it clearly dissolves the boundaries of organized religion and national ego that keep us from the table of friendship that Rumi invites us to. . . . We are very grateful to Dr. Ergin for his life’s work.” * Coleman Barks, translator of The Essential Rumi *"It takes a great deal of courage to read The Forbidden Rumi as it may press a lot of buttons, not only about your own pathway to God, but your views and prejudices about love, religion, heresy and Islam. "All of Rumi’s poems have enjoined us to release the rules and open our hearts to our inner treasure of love, but these most controversial poems cut to the bone. "This final book of Rumi’s poems is a must-read for any serious student of spiritual ecstasy. They pose questions that make us wonder and re-evaluate our views about a religion that is portrayed as governed by extremists. They reveal a hidden face of Islam that may surprise even moderate Islamists. "Most importantly, these poems reveal that Islam too has always had a mystical, transcendent element that is its purest gift." * Lesley Crossingham, New Dawn, Mar-Apr 2007 *Table of ContentsIntroductionSongs to Shams, Songs to GodHe Took Me Under His Arm Split Wide OpenI Won’t Repent His LoveHow Can I Fool Him?WaterStay with MeConversations with God The Greatness of AbsenceHow Happy a TimeWhat a Bird!Love Letter to ShamsDeath Is Life for You More Than TheseWhat Can I Do?Give Up YourselfI Keep Smiling Why Are You Deceiving Me?He Embraced Me Like His Own Soul The Placeless PlaceEveryone Else Is a StrangerBeautiful OneThe Promise Is SweetStill Say NothingFlying High On Your WineOffer Your WinePlease Don’t GoIt Wasn’t Like ThatShamseddinThe Road Is Narrow Don’t Go AwayLifting the CurtainHis TraceWherever You AreDon’t Go Anywhere Without MeYour Blessing Is UnconditionalSongs of Advice, Songs of AdmonitionSearch ThereThe Best NourishmentFastingDivine RoadChoose LoveGod’s OceanWatch How God Opens the DoorThe Journey Starts HereAscend the Mountain of Love Don’t You Recall?These Two WorldsOutside the SackA Rascal in the BazaarJust Do It Your Overflowing SecretsThe Drunks of UnionAhead of the ThoughtThe Land of AbsenceLove Is Its Own Proof Advice to the Drunk at Heart Light and Shadow Words into DustTime to JourneyCome as You AreThe Language of the HeartFree WineThe Perfect Host A Helper of HeartsA Life Without Art God’s ArtistryAll That Is GoodOpen the DoorDonkey and OxCheckmateThe Caravan’s BellsSteal PearlsThis Temporary WorldSome AdviceMusic at the Tavern of Eternity The Eggshell of the BodyOpen Your Door Heaven’s DoorRebornSubmerged in AbsenceLife Is Coming to the Rose GardenThe Path in the HeartThe Rose’s PleaWhy Are You So Reasonable?You Are in His HandCries of ConfirmationWords of the SecretsHidden from the EyesYou Snatched My HeartThe Moon’s SlaveCut It ShortSongs of HeresyYou Can’t Get AwayI Came Back to YouEveryone Is Welcome to This SchoolA Stranger to Myself I Am the One!Wake Up from Your SleepHe Is Beyond PraiseTranslator’s Afterword

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Book SynopsisGnosticism was contemporary to early Christianity and its demise can be traced to Christianity's efforts to silence its teachings. The Gnostic message however was not destroyed but simply went underground. Starting with the first emergence of Gnosticism the author shows how its influence extended from the teachings of neo-Platonists and the magical traditions of the Middle Ages to the beliefs and ideas of the Sufis Jacob Boehme Carl Jung Rudolf Steiner and the Rosicrucians and Freemasons. In the language of spiritual freemasonry Gnosis is the rejected stone necessary for the completion of the Temple a Temple of a new cosmic understanding that today's heirs to Gnosticism continue to strive to create. The Gnostics believed that the universe embodies a ceaseless contest between opposing principles. Terrestrial life exhibits the struggle between good and evil life and death beauty and ugliness and enlightenment and ignorance: Gnosis and Agnosis. The very nature of physical space and time are obstacles to humanity's ability to remember its divine origins and recover its original unity with God. Thus the pre-eminent Gnostic secret is that we are God in potential and the purpose of bona fide Gnostic teaching is to return us to our godlike nature. Tobias Churton is a filmmaker and the founding editor of the magazine Freemasonry Today. He studied theology at Oxford University and created the award-winning documentary series and accompanying book The Gnostics as well as several other films on Christian doctrine mysticism and magical folklore. He lives in England.Trade Review"Recommended for upper-level academic collections that specialize in early Christianity, religion, or philosophy." * Brad Matthies, Butler Univ. Lib., Library Journal, Feb. 1, 2005 *"Exhaustive (but not exhausting) in scope and copiously annotated, [Churton's] work will spice up virtually any reading list of Gnosticism and early Christianity. . . . will pique the interest not only of professional academics but anyone interested in the Gnostics through the centuries." * Publishers Weekly, Jan. 24, 2005 *"Churton separates the wheat from the chaff and disposes of unnecessary speculations and fantasy. To get a good handle on what Gnosticism is really all about (and isn't), a great place to start is with Gnostic Philosophy by Tobias Churton." * Robert Burns, New Dawn, Nov-Dec 2005 *"GET THIS BOOK. This is, quite simply, one of the best books I have read this year. Though I could, with plenty of justification, describe this work as erudite, witty, humorous, profound, engaging, or any of a number of depictions, none of these would convey the sense of validation I got with devouring its pages." * Sven Davisson, Ashe! Journal of Experimental Sexuality, 2005 *"We desperately need a solid historical overview of Gnosticism which is historically credible and yet not too academic to put it out of reach of the average reader and this book is it. To get a good handle on what Gnosticism really is (and isn’t), a great place to start is with Gnostic Philosophy by Tobias Churton." * Living Traditions, May 2007 *Table of ContentsGnostic Philosophy From Ancient Persia to Modern Times Foreword by Christopher McIntosh Acknowledgments Introduction Part one--Antiquity 1--Before the Gnostics Also Sprach Zarathushtra The Wise Lord That Old Devil Time Mithra the Mediator Enter the Demiurge 2--From the Magi to St. Paul Jewish Themes The Anthropos: Man Sophia The Unknown God and the Demiurge Philo of Alexandria The Essenes The Book of Enoch Life at the Dead Sea Jesus Stone Theology Paul 3--The First Gnostics Gnosticism Hans Jonas: The Gnostic Religion The Irresistible Character of Gnosis; or, “The Spirit Is Willing” Being Is Seeing Clement of Alexandria: The Gnosis Truly So-called? Part two--The Middle Ages 4--Magic in the Middle Ages Neoplatonic Theurgy Celestial Hierarchies Light Metaphysics After the Pact Kabbalistic Magic Roger Bacon 5--The Sufis The Insights of Sufism Sufis and Philosophy Maulana Jalal-ud-din Rumi: Sufi Master Interesting Times 6--The Troubadours Prologue: The Two Worlds What Is a Troubadour? Miraval The Ladies in His Life Loba The Rules of Love: Miraval’s Guide to Successful Courtship Was the Fine Love a Spiritual Love? The Allegory of Love Troubadours and Cathars The Last Song The Joy That We Have Lost Creation Is the Product of Pain Were the Troubadours Sexual Mystics? 7--The Knights Templar Templars and Cathars The Templars and the Gral Baphomet Templars in Search of the Stones Kilwinning Conclusion: Gnostics in the Temple? Part three--Enlightenment 8--Jacob Böhme’s Theosophick Cosmos Böhme’s Life Elements of Böhme’s Theosophy The Influence of Jacob Böhme William Law Romantic Philosophy The Neo-Rosicrucians William Blake 9--Germany 1710-1800: The Return of the Rosy Cross The Gold und Rosenkreuzers Masonry in Germany Radicals Under Attack: Gold und Rosenkreuz vs. the Illuminati A Real Rosicrucian King (on the Throne of Prussia) Rosicrucians in Poland Russia The Asiatic Brethren Romanticism 10--Freemasonry in France The Elect Cohens Éliphas Lévi Zahed: A Great Socialist Magician and Occult Revivalist Lévi’s Legacy Magic Revives in France Part Four--The Modern Age 11--A New Aeon: Aleister Crowley Aiwass: Messenger of the Gods The Book of the Law The Crisis Aleister Crowley: Sex Magician Sexual Alchemy 12--Light in the Jar Carl Jung 13--Gnosis and the New Physics The Copenhagen Interpretation 14--Gnosis Today: A Personal View Rudolf Steiner Gnosis and Ecology Neo-Gnostics Cinema Hipgnostics: Popular Music The Arts Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSt John of the Cross testifies to a God who longs to meet us in our deepest need. Whilst rejection and imprisonment played their part in the life of this sixteenth-century Spanish friar, John''s poetry and prose reveal the beauty and power of a wondrous God. It gives us courage to believe in the possibility of change in our own lives, however unlikely or impossible this may seem. Father Iain Matthew uses this classic inspirational Christian writing as his starting point, and offers five interpretations which make its richness relevant to the modern reader.Trade ReviewThis impressive book introduces us to the beautiful, painful world of John of the Cross, who is still our surest guide into the mystery of God's love. * Abbott Christopher Jamieson *

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Book SynopsisTranslated with Notes by Arthur Waley. With an Introduction by Robert Wilkinson. Dating from around 300BC, Tao Te Ching is the first great classic of the Chinese school of philosophy called Taoism. Within its pages is summed up a complete view of the cosmos and how human beings should respond to it. A profound mystical insight into the nature of things forms the basis for a humane morality and vision of political utopia. The ideas in this work constitute one of the main shaping forces behind Chinese spirituality, art and science, so much so that no understanding of Chinese civilisation is possible without a grasp of Taoism. This edition presents the authoritative translation by Arthur Waley, with a new Introduction reflecting recent developments in the interpretation of the work.

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Book SynopsisFor the curious and the adventurous! Turn to any date and you'll find something to learn or do suggested by folklore of the day, the month, or the season.Some suggestions will take no more effort than sticking your head out the window to look at the clouds, while others might involve knee pads and scouring giant chalk horses cut into hillsides. Taking inspiration from folklore found around the world, each daily entry is a tiny snapshot of what goes on - be it animal or plant lore, love predictions, the zodiac, the supernatural, food, festivals, divination, anniversaries, the weather or luck. By following the customs and traditions of the ritual year, you'll find yourself becoming more engaged with what's happening about you and discover how every month and season creates its own identity. Dip into this fascinating book at any time of the year and discover something new and intriguing about the world around you.Just beware of the hare..."An inspiring way to start every day with more joy and fascination." Robin InceTable of ContentsIntroductionFolklore KeyJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberSelected BibliographyIndexAcknowledgments

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Book Synopsis''The greatest living poet of the Arab world'' GuardianCloud, mirror, stone, thunder, eyelid, desert, sea. Through a dead or dying land, Mihyar walks: a figure of heroic individualism and dissent, part-Orpheus, part-Zarathustra. Where he goes, the austere building-blocks of his world become the expressions of passionate emotion, of visionary exaltation and despairing melancholy. The traditions of the Ancient Greeks, the Bible and the Quran flow about and through him.Written in the cosmopolitan Beirut of the early 1960s, Adonis''s Songs of Mihyar the Damascene did for Arabic poetry what The Waste Land did for English. These are poems against authoritarianism and dogma, in which a new Noah would abandon his ark to dive with the condemned, and in which surrealism and Sufi mysticism meet and intertwine. The result is a masterpiece of world literature.Translated by Kareem James Abu Zeid and Ivan Eubanks''The most eloquent

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Book Synopsis"My heart wandered through the world constantly seeking after my cure, but the sweet and delicious water of life had to break through the granite of my heart."  When the words of Rumi enter your heart, something softens, breaks, and is subtly reborn. That he wrote the words seven hundred years ago in a medieval Persian world that bears little resemblance to ours makes their uncanny resonance to us today just that much more remarkable. Here is a treasury of daily wisdom from this most beloved of all the Sufi masters—both his prose and his ecstatic poetry—that you can use to start every day for a year, or that you can dip into for inspiration any time you need to break through the granite of your heart.

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Book SynopsisHow may we find happiness and peace?In this book, Rupert Spira distils the message of all the great religious and spiritual traditions into two essential truths: happiness is the very nature of our self or being, and we share our being with everyone and everything.Drawing on numerous examples from his own experience, Spira demonstrates that to seek lasting happiness through objects, situations and relationships is destined for failure and disappointment, and skilfully guides the reader to recognise that we are already the happiness we seek.This book is for anyone who yearns for lasting happiness and is open to the possibility that it is continuously available within ourselves, irrespective of our circumstances.Could there be any greater discovery in life than to know that we are already that for which we long?'Rupert Spira's articulate and very intimate style of teaching is truly transformational. I've read and treasure all of his books.' - Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret and The Greatest Secret'Let Rupert Spira, one of the finest teachers of the present time, gently guide you home to your innate peace and happiness.' - Peter Russell, author of Letting Go of Nothing'I've gained deeper understanding listening to Rupert Spira than I have from any other exponent of modern spirituality. Reality is sending us a message we desperately need to hear, and at this moment no messenger surpasses Spira and the transformative words in his essays.' - Deepak Chopra, author of You Are the Universe, Spiritual Solutions and Super Brain

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Secret History of the World, an exploration of the mystical forces that shape and protect usThe Sacred History is an account of the workings of the supernatural in history. It tells the epic story of angels, from Creation, to Evolution through to the operations of the supernatural in the modern world. This tale of how people and peoples have been helped by angels and other angelic beings is woven into a spellbinding narrative that brings together Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Elijah, Mary and Jesus, Mohammed, Joan of Arc, the angels who helped Hungarian Jews persecuted by the Nazis, and stories from African, Native American and Celtic traditions. Told from the spiritual point of view, The Sacred History relates every betrayal, every change of heart, every twist and turn, everything that looks like a coincidence, every portent, every clue, every defeat, every rescue moments before the prison door clangs shut. This is the angelic version of events.Trade Review'A new bible for the New Age, weaving mystical traditions from East and West, astrology, alchemy and angels into one amazing, life-enhancing story' Gyles Brandreth. * Gyles Brandreth *'A masterpiece. From the moment I began reading this book, I knew Booth had accomplished a remarkable feat of repositioning ancient knowledge in such a way that we see truth through yet another lens. I absolutely loved this book' Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Sacred Contracts. * Caroline Myss *'An aesthetic delight. But, more importantly, it deserves to be studied and read. Black is that rare thing: an author who is at once deeply esoteric and highly accessible. With The Secret History and The Sacred History, Black is doing for spirituality what The God Delusion and God is Not Great have done for materialism. Let's hope he opens the floodgates' Sevak Edward Gulbekian, New Review. * New Review *'The Sacred History is unlike any book I have ever read about spirituality. It challenged my beliefs from the very beginning and has renewed my faith in the fundamentally spiritual nature of reality' Philip Carr-Gomm, Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. * Philip Carr-Gomm *Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction: The Mystic Vision. Softly Falls the Dew... Mother Earth and Father Time. The Angel Michael and the Serpent. The Spider Woman Weaves her Spell. Isis and the Mystery of the Perfect Fit. Godly Lovers and Angelic Wives. Odin and the Angelic Theory of Evolution. The Story of the Previous Ring. The Mighty Men, the Men of Renown. The Gods Turn to Humans for Help. Orpheus, the Sphinx and the Timelock. Noah and the Waters of Forgetfulness. Rama and Sita - the Lovers in the Forest. Krishna, Snow White and the Seven Maids. Gilgamesh and the Elixir of Immortality. Abraham, the Father of Thinking in the Head. Moses and the Gods of War. Solomon, Sex and Beauty. Elijah in between the Worlds. The Buddha's Story. Socrates and his Daemon. Jesus Turns the World Inside Out. The Sun at Midnight. The Age of Miracles. The Mountain Comes to Mohammed. Charlemagne and the Paladins of Pain. Perceval Makes a Fool of Himself. Tales of the Arabian Nights. St Francis Takes the Gospels Seriously. The New Arabian Way of Loving. Dante, the Templars and the Road Less Travelled. Christian Rosencreutz and the Birth of Yoga. Joan and the Key to the Small Door. The Fairies Want our Juice. Paracelsus and the Mysteries of Spiritual Healing. The Cobbler Has Another Way of Knowing... Shakespeare and the Rosicrucians. Supernatural Stories in the Age of Science. Napoleon - the Great Magnet of the Age. Abraham and Bernadette. The Nabob of Odd. The Great Secret of This World. The Story of Life after Death. Jung and his Daemon. Fatima and the Secrets of the Guardian Angel. Hitler and the Hungarian Angels. The That Without Which. Lorna Byrne and the Mysticism of Everyday Life. Conclusion. Notes. Selected Bibliography. Acknowledgements. Index.

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Book SynopsisCalled “America’s wisest and most respected authority on psychedelics and their use,” James Fadiman has been involved with psychedelic research since the 1960s. In this guide to the immediate and long-term effects of psychedelic use for spiritual (high dose), therapeutic (moderate dose), and problem-solving (low dose) purposes, Fadiman outlines best practices for safe, sacred entheogenic voyages learned through his more than 40 years of experience--from the benefits of having a sensitive guide during a session (and how to be one) to the importance of the setting and pre-session intention. Fadiman reviews the newest as well as the neglected research into the psychotherapeutic value of visionary drug use for increased personal awareness and a host of serious medical conditions, including his recent study of the reasons for and results of psychedelic use among hundreds of students and professionals. He reveals new uses for LSD and other psychedelics, including extremely low doses for improved cognitive functioning and emotional balance. Cautioning that psychedelics are not for everyone, he dispels the myths and misperceptions about psychedelics circulating in textbooks and clinics as well as on the internet. Exploring the life-changing experiences of Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Aldous Huxley, and Huston Smith as well as Francis Crick and Steve Jobs, Fadiman shows how psychedelics, used wisely, can lead not only to healing but also to scientific breakthroughs and spiritual epiphanies.Trade Review“James Fadiman, one of the foremost pioneers of scientific research of the potential of psychedelic substances for therapy, self-discovery, spiritual quests, and creative problem-solving, has written an invaluable guide for safe and productive sessions. Based on more than forty years of the author’s experience in the field and presented in a clear, easily understandable style, this book is a breath of fresh air, dispelling the mis-information that has been disseminated over many decades by sensation-hunting journalists and fear-based antidrug propaganda. The publication of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide could not be more timely; it coincides with a major renaissance of interest in psychedelic research worldwide. The information that it provides will thus be useful not only for the hundreds of thousands of people involved in self-experimentation but also for the new generation of psychedelic researchers.” * Stanislav Grof, M.D., author of LSD: Doorway to the Numinous *“James Fadiman was the Forrest Gump of the psychedelic sixties. He witnessed the first flowerings of that amazing era of mindexpansion, then kept popping up for cameo appearances whenever the action got particularly interesting and enlightening. Now, riding a new wave of scientific research into the beneficial use of these misunderstood substances, Fadiman is back with a practical and at the same time inspiring guidebook for the next generation of entheogenic explorers.” * Don Lattin, author of the bestselling The Harvard Psychedelic Club *“Approaching his subject from intimately historical, psychological-cultural, and accessibly authoritative perspectives, Fadiman’s psychedelic magnum opus establishes the benchmark reference for anyone interested in understanding, experiencing, or supervising the effects of this unique family of psychoactive substances.” * Rick Strassman, M.D., author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule *“At last, there’s a practical, commonsense manual for mindful therapeutic sessions using psychedelics, one that’s informed by the latest science and unfettered by arcane platitudes. It will be a boon to personal transformation and a road map for avoiding trouble along the way for all who use it. Bon voyage!” * Charles Hayes, author of Tripping: An Anthology of True-Life Psychedelic Adventures *“Finally! A comprehensive guide not only to psychedelic use in a therapeutic setting but also, even more bravely, to psychospiritual exploration and cognitive enhancement. We are fortunate to reap the benefits of Professor Fadiman’s years of cumulative knowledge and experience as well as to hear from a cadre of ‘who’s who’ in the psychedelic cognoscenti.” * Julie Holland, M.D., editor of The Pot Book and Ecstasy *“Psychedelics have been part of native cultures for centuries and remain so in many areas of the world. Properly used, they offer a one-step guide to enlightenment and connection with intuition as well as the soul and the Divine. Dr. Fadiman’s book offers the best information and guidance available today. Everyone interested in exploring the world of inner consciousness will find this work indispensable.” * Norm Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., founder of the American Holistic Health Association *“The prohibition of psychedelic drugs in the twentieth century unfortunately restricted a most promising and profound inquiry into the religious mysteries of consciousness. This brave and encouraging book goes a long way toward restoring our constitutional right to explore these mysteries. By encouraging individual responsibility and intelligence in this era of purported health care reform, James Fadiman takes a bold and refreshing step toward reclaiming our freedom of religion, which is the very essence of democracy and the American dream.” * Robert Forte, editor of Entheogens and the Future of Religion *“The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide is a brave and uniquely valuable book. Written by one of the most highly respected and innovative researchers from the 1960s, this extraordinary book covers topics not found in any other book on the subject. Fadiman offers us a beautifully written, insightful summation of important early research on creativity, problem solving, and psychospiritual development, tragically cut off by government edict, as well as new research on the use of sub-threshold doses of LSD to enhance normal functioning, in the process creating a road map for the future of psychedelic research. The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide wisely focuses not on pathology but on human potential for health and, as such, shows us how these transformative substances can improve the future of psychology--and the future of society. Throughout this radical yet evidence-based volume, Fadiman uses a combination of the research and his own broad personal experiences working with Leary, Alpert (Ram Dass), Kesey, and other seminal figures in psychedelic research and practice to make the convincing case that psychedelics offer the power to transform society and reintegrate unitary spirituality into Western civilization. The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide is written with a wry humor that brings Fadiman’s sincere, soulful intentionality immediately to the reader, integrating and transforming from the moment one opens this important, mature, and absolutely essential book. If you are interested in the safe, effective, and transformative use of psychedelics to improve our lives and our society, you will devour this book. Fadiman’s The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide is the finest book ever written on the topic--a must read.” * Neal Goldsmith, Ph.D., author of Psychedelic Healing *“. . . this book is a breath of fresh air, dispelling the mis-information that has been disseminated over many decades by sensation-hunting journalists and fear-based antidrug propaganda.” * GaiaMedia.org, May 2011 *“James Fadiman’s manual offers helpful and well-informed guidance for those who seek ‘the divine within’ through sacred plants and psychedelic substances.” * Daniel Pinchbeck, author of 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl *“Any interested in using psychedelics receives cautionary exploration of pros, cons, and discussions of myths and realities about them.” * Midwest Book Review, August 2011 *“A checklist for voyagers and their guides as well as an extensive resource section make this a truly invaluable and definitive guide for everyone interested in psychedelics and their potential to make us wiser, smarter, healthier, and more compassionate.” * Seattle Post Intelligencer, September 2011 *“Truly destined to be a classic. Don’t leave everyday reality without it.” * Erowid, October 2011 *“. . . The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys, in which he [James Fadiman] clears up current myths and misperceptions about psychedelics, and presents findings from both long-neglected and recent clinical studies, research experiments, and surveys showing a surprising range of benefits from safe, supervised psychedelic use.” * Blogcritics.org, October 2011 *“This comprehensive resource offers a wealth of practical information for therapists and health-care professionals, researchers and scientists, psychedelic voyagers and their guides, and even policy makers.” * Gail Bradney, Carolyn Howard Johnson’s New Book Review, November 2011 *“I highly recommend that everyone read this book so they can hold informed opinions about this very strange and much maligned substance.” * Linda McDonell, November 2011 *“Psychedelic practice...might have the ability to transform the very mechanisms of control and give birth to a society where the lessons of a transpersonal experience are known without the therapeutic aid of psychedelics. With any luck, time will tell and this book is certainly a step in the right direction.” * Psychedelic Press, December 2011 *“This is some of the most thoughtful, wise, heartfelt, and essential instruction for the use of sacred medicine.” * Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart *“Fadiman knows what he is talking about. This is the book we have needed.” * Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religion *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Overview--Why This Book? And Frequently Asked Questions A Vision of a Whole Earth Stewart Brand Part One Transcendent Experience: Entheogenic Sessions Introduction to Part One 1 Meeting the Divine Within Part One: Guidelines for Voyagers and Guides The Guild of Guides 2 The Entheogenic Voyage Part Two: Guidelines for Voyagers and Guides The Guild of Guides 3 Qualities of Transcendent Experience Four Dominant Characteristics Alan Watts 4 Experiences of Psychedelic Pioneers In Their Own Words Albert Hofmann, Ph.D., Aldous Huxley, Stanislav Grof, M.D., Timothy Leary, Ph.D., Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), Ph.D., Alexander Shulgin, Ph.D., Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., Huston Smith, Ph.D., Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Ph.D., Charles Tart, Ph.D., Frances Vaughan, Ph.D., Bill Wilson, and Peter Coyote Part Two Personal Growth and Self-Exploration in Psychedelic Sessions Introduction to Part Two 5 Therapeutic Uses of Psychedelics Psychotherapy and Healing 6 Things Can Go Wrong What You Need to Know Neal Goldsmith, Ph.D. 7 Myths and Misperceptions David Presti, Ph.D., and Jerome Beck, Ph.D. 8 Therapeutic Effectiveness of Single Guided Sessions Part Three Enhanced Problem Solving in Focused Sessions Introduction to Part Three 9 Breakthrough Research Selective Enhancement of Creative Capacities Willis Harman, Ph.D., and James Fadiman, Ph.D. 10 Facilitation for Enhanced Problem Solving 11 Case Studies Two Architects and Six Professionals 12 Group Problem-Solving Sessions Willis Harman, Ph.D. 13 The Look Magazine Experiment Designing the California Issue George Leonard 14 Closing the Doors of Perception The Day the Research Ended Part Four New Horizons Introduction to Part Four 15 Can Sub-Perceptual Doses of Psychedelics Improve Normal Functioning? 16 Surveys of Current Users This Is Your Brain on Drugs 17 The Inadvertent Pioneer My Personal Account 18 Positive Possibilities for Psychedelics A Time of Tentative Celebration Part Five The Necessary, the Extraordinary, and Some Hard-Core Data Introduction to Part Five 19 Entheogenic Journeys A Checklist for Voyagers and Guides 20 Beyond LSD--Way Beyond Ayahuasca Sessions and a Darkness Retreat Michael Wiese, “Anatole,” and Lindsey Vona 21 Behavioral Changes After Psychedelic Therapy Lasting Results of High-Dose Single Sessions 22 A Questionnaire Study of Psychedelic Experiences Willis Harman, Ph.D., and James Fadiman, Ph.D. Last Words Notes Index

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Book SynopsisA step-by-step guide to developing an embodied relationship with Egyptian divinities• Details the nine stages of the ancient Egyptian initiatory path, describing each stage’s powers as well as the culminating ceremony called “The Crown of Isis” • Provides profound guided meditations for each of the nine stages and illustrates the manifestation of this path’s principles through stories of awakening • Shares the author’s personal journey as a Garment of Isis and her own powerful interactions with Isis, which culminated in her serving as Oracle of Isis at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1993 The Sacred Science of ancient Egypt was an initiatory spiritual system, a technology of consciousness designed to birth a mystical communion with the divinities, an embodied union of being between the eternal and the mortal. After initiation was completed, the re-identified being, now divinely possessed, was known as a Garment of Isis, signifying that the goddess Isis dwelt within them.Offering a practical guide to the key principles within the Egyptian temple tradition, Naomi Ozaniec explores the process of creating and developing a personal relationship with the Neteru, the divinities and forces of creation of ancient Egypt. She details the nine stages of this initiatory path, which are divided into three phases--heartmind, spiritmind, and soulmind. This step-by-step, interactive process culminates in a ceremony called The Crown of Isis. The author provides profound guided meditations and illustrates the manifestation of the initiate’s powers through stories of awakening brought on by this spiritual path. She also shares her personal journey as a Garment of Isis and her own powerful interactions with Isis. An accessible yet substantive guide to initiation into the Egyptian Mysteries, this book details how to gradually awaken and attune your mind to the symbolic, open access to higher realms of consciousness, and enter into a mystical marriage between personal and divine consciousness.Trade Review“Consistently with each book, Naomi Ozaniec has been called-- powerfully called--to demonstrate what it means to be a metaphysician, a priestess, and a living Garment of Isis. If you feel you have been called by She of 10,000 names, this book will assure you of your place in Her retinue. The work of the priestess requires an open heartmind. It is deep, both personal and transpersonal, conscious-expanding, and entirely necessary for our planet’s transformation. This is a necessary guidebook for our Aquarian age.” * Rev. Normandi Ellis, D.D., author of Hieroglyphic Words of Power *“Magnificent! This book is a beacon of light in the world today. Every page is a beautiful revelation and a true joy to breathe in. Written with the searing power of the heart and the wisdom of a true master initiate, Becoming a Garment of Isis takes us into the profound mysteries of ancient Egypt and Greece and the mystery schools that taught the sacred Kemetic science of soul liberation. Its pages not only remind us of the deep wisdom that flourished in an age of philosophy, science, and spiritual understanding, but this book provides a road map back to the very heart and soul of who we are. Its message is as essential to us today as it has ever been, for its wisdom is eternal. Do yourself a favor. Read this book!” * Tricia McCannon, author of Return of the Divine Sophia *“This book is a real treasure, wrought from the wisdom of one who has truly walked these pathways and has the rare skill to convey their knowledge and experience in a way that feels warm and familiar. A powerful yet gentle work, Becoming a Garment of Isis is deeply soul-nourishing and sure to become a trusted companion, revealing deeper levels of understanding on each reading.” * Emily Carding, creator of The Transparent Tarot *“Wisdom does not tell us what we need to know; instead, it reveals how we need to be. Becoming a Garment of Isis is a priceless gift solely for the good of our neighbors. If you are ready to truly put aside the noise from the outer world and receive the illuminations stored within these pages, then grab yourself a copy! There are timeless repositories hidden in remote places to reveal the answers for this time, and this body of work is one of them.” * Anaiya Sophia, author of Fierce Feminine Rising and Sacred Sexual Union *“Naomi Ozaniec’s work reflects a profound understanding of many esoteric traditions, with an exceptional insight into Egyptian spirituality. Her guidance, disclosed through personal experience and dedication to one of the most exalted deities of the ancient temple, brings to life one’s innate connection to the wellspring of divinity.” * Rosemary Clark, author The Sacred Tradition in Ancient Egypt and The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt *Table of ContentsPreface: Preliminary Thoughts The Words of Isis Introduction: Kemetic Sacred Science The Family of the Neteru Preparation PART ITemenos I: The Heartmind Praxis 1: The Power of Intelligence Praxis 2: The Power of Inspiration Praxis 3: The Power of Imagination PART II Temenos II: The Spiritmind Praxis 4: The Power of Dedication Praxis 5: The Power of Meditation Praxis 6: The Power of Transformation PART III Temenos III: The Soulmind Praxis 7: The Power of Initiation Praxis 8: The Power of Mediation Praxis 9: The Power of Identification PART IVThe Star of the Mysteries Creating the Inner Light Afterthoughts: Reflections on Being and Becoming Appendix I. Ritual: The Crown of Isis Appendix II. The Hall of Maat Notes Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis“Lash is capable of explaining the mind-bending concepts of Gnosticism and pagan mystery cults with bracing clarity and startling insight. . . . [His] arguments are often lively and entertaining.”—Los Angeles Times Fully revised and with a new preface by the author, this timely update is perfect for readers of The Immortality Key. Since its initial release to wide acclaim in 2006, Not in His Image has transformed the lives of readers around the world by presenting the living presence of the Wisdom Goddess as never before revealed, illustrating that the truth of an impactful Gnostic message cannot be hidden or destroyed. With clarity, author John Lamb Lash explains how a little-known messianic sect propelled itself into a dominant world power, systematically wiping out the great Gnostic spiritual teachers, the Druid priests, and the shamanistic healers of Europe and North Africa. Early Christians burned libraries and destroyed temples in an attempt to silence the ancient truth-tellers and keep their own secrets. Not in His Image delves deeply into ancient Gnostic writings to reconstruct the story early Christians tried to scrub from the pages of history, exploring the richness of the ancient European Pagan spirituality—the Pagan Mysteries, the Great Goddess, Gnosis, the myths of Sophia and Gaia. In the 15th Anniversary Edition, Lash doubles down on his original argument against redemptive ideology and authoritarian deceit. He shows how the Gnostics clearly foresaw the current program of salvation by syringe, and places the Sophianic vision of life centrally in the battle to expose and oppose the evil agenda of transhumanism, making this well-timed update more relevant than ever. “Sometimes a book changes the world. Not in His Image is such a book. It is clear, stimulating, well-researched, and sure to outrage the experts. . . . Get it. Improve not just your own life, but civilization’s chances for survival.”—Roger Payne, author of Among Whales

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Book SynopsisAt long last, an accessible little book that focuses on the teachings of Rumi''s teacher and inspiration, Shams of Tabriz. Included in this slim, charming volume is a biographical sketch of the great Sufi teacher and mystic and a new translation of 500 of his core teachings that bring into fresh focus the meaning and mysteries of life and love.There are many books on Rumi and many translations of his works and yet most readers are unaware of how Rumi became a mystic. Shams, an Arabic word that means the sun, was the catalyst that converted the rather resolute and ascetic Rumi, the cleric and teacher, into Rumi, the passionate disciple of the religion of love. He was the agent of the propulsive mystical energy that transformed Rumi the reticent into Rumi the ecstatic poet.Rumi lovers, spiritual seekers and devotees of the mystical path will meet this little book of wisdom and mystical secrets with enthusiasm.''I shall not place you in my heart, For you may get hurt by its wounds.I won''t keep you in my eyes,For I may belittle you andexpose you to the ridicule of common men.I will hide you inside my soul, not in my heart or in my eyes,so that you may become one with my breath.

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Book Synopsis''There are certain words which possess, in themselves, when properly used, a virtue which illumines and lifts up towards the good''The philosopher and activist Simone Weil was one of the most courageous thinkers of the twentieth century. Here she writes, with honesty and moral clarity, about the manipulation of language by the powerful, the obligations of individuals to one another and the needs - for order, equality, liberty and truth - that make us human.One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

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Book SynopsisChristopher Dell holds a degree in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute, London. He has written and edited many bestselling titles on art and visual culture, including Freemasonry, Mythology, Monsters, What Makes a Masterpiece? and The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic, all published by Thames & Hudson.

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Book SynopsisThis is the extraordinary story of Knight and Lomas''s fourteen year quest to uncover the secret teachings buried beneath Roslin Chapel near Edinburgh. Their quest ends with extraordinary revelations about early human history - the origins of Christianity, of Freemasonry and of science. They show that all were charged with a belief in a secret cosmic code, linking, for example, the Exodus from Egypt, the founding of Solomon''s Temple and the Star of Bethlehem. This book reveals for the first time why there were such high expectations of a Messiah at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Book of Hiram will change everything you thought you knew about both the Bible and Freemasonry.

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Book SynopsisLossky''s great work on Eastern Orthodoxy covers the whole range of its spirituality and theology. Combining careful theology with the warmth of the deep personal devotion of the author, ''The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church'' is the best introduction to Orthodox teaching and theology available. It provides a reliable and informative presentation of the theological spirit of the Eastern Church.His account makes clear the profound theological differences underlying the practices of the East and West, and yet it is also an important contribution to ecumenism and to the life of Christian devotion. It brings together subjects that are more usually separated, asserting that there is no true mysticism that is not firmly rooted in theology, and no true theology that is not experienced, and therefore mystical. The tradition of the Eastern Church is presented as a mystical theology with doctrine and experience mutually conditioning each other.Trade Review"Its great merit lies in its mastery and systematic exposition of the Eastern Church." The Guardian "The whole range of theology is passed under review in this little book in a masterly way." The Expository Times "The book is a comprehensive account, by a truly gifted and learned theologian, of the intricates of Orthodox Christian theology. ... Lossky's work is, and will surely remain, a classic and indispensible source for the study of the Eastern Christian tradition." Theandros JournalTable of Contents1. Introduction: Theology and Mysticism in the Tradition of the Eastern Church 2. The Divine Darkness 3. God in Trinity 4. Uncreated Energies 5. Created Being 6. Image and Likeness 7. The Economy of the Son 8. The Economy of the Holy Spirit 9. Two Aspects of the Church 10. The Way of Union 11. The Divine Light 12. Conclusion: The Feast of the Kingdom Index

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Book SynopsisMartin Buber was one of the most significant religious thinkers of the twentieth century. In this short and remarkable book he presents the essential teachings of Hasidism, the mystical Jewish movement which swept through Eastern Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Told through stories of imagination and spirit, together with Buber's own unique insights, The Way of Man offers us a way of understanding ourselves and our place in a spiritual world. 'There is something', he suggests, 'that can only be found in one place. It is a great treasure, which may be called the fulfilment of existence. The place where this treasure can be found is the place on which one stands.' Challenging us to recognize our own potential and to reach our true goal, The Way of Man is a life-enhancing book.Trade Review'To read Martin Buber is to encounter an extraordinary soul - and to risk changing your life ... Unique, exhilarating, profound.' - David Wolpe, author of Why Be Jewish?'This is a delightful book. In its brief compass Martin Buber has distilled the essence of Hasidic wisdom.' - Jewish ReviewTable of ContentsPREFACE -- 1 Heart-Searching -- 2 The Particular Way -- 3 Resolution -- 4 Beginning With Oneself -- 5 Not to be Preoccupied With Oneself -- 6 Here Where One Stands.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of the traditional Don Clemente Lotería game comes this mystical and Brujería inspired Lotería game-set, a perfect gift for all the Brujas!This set includes:- A mystically-inspired Lotería? set : A 9 x 5 x 1 box containing 54 full-color cards inspired by the traditional Lotería (Mexican bingo) with mystical and Brujería elements, such as El Copal, El Full Moon, Los Vibes, and more. Set also includes playing chips for the game, 10 double-sided tablas (playing boards), and a guidebook - New take on an a favourite game: This Mystical Lotería is a a fun and modern refresh for lovers of the traditional Lotería game- Includes guidebook: Includes a 5-3/4 x 5, 64 page, full-colour paperback book that explains the meanings behind each card- Playing chips with game: Includes 2 sheets of 30 punch-outable playing chips for the game - 10-double-sided tablas/playing boards:

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Book SynopsisQuick spells inspired by the magic of the moon. One of two upcoming books in the Pocket Mystic series from Gaia Elliot, Moon Magic explores the power of this satellite and the magic it can offer. The moon's gift to us is that we learn by reflection. Whether you are new to this understanding, or already an advocate, you can take your own power deeper and further by working in conjunction with the moon’s energy. Using rituals and spells, it becomes possible to access this magic.

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Book SynopsisAdvent is close, expectation is holding its breath. The angels hover high above. Come, begin your journey - Hope Was Heard Singing can be used as part of a daily discipline for Advent, or as a book to dip into. It is a collection for personal reflection, and a rich resource, from an original voice, for congregations and small groups searching for material relevant to the 21st century. There are prayers, meditations, poems, a few wee plays thrown in for good measure and Bible readings on Advent themes. Much of the material was tried and tested at Dunblane Cathedral, where Sally is Associate Minister. On the hillsides, hope was heard singing unexpected Hallelujahs. In a Bethlehem backwater, hope hovered and love was born. And now, as the wise journey and the powerful start to pace the floor and mumble into sleepless nights, we gather - the light of the world is here. The job now is to keep it burning.

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Book SynopsisComposed in the twelfth century in north-eastern Iran, Attar''s great mystical poem is among the most significant of all works of Persian literature. A marvellous, allegorical rendering of the Islamic doctrine of Sufism - an esoteric system concerned with the search for truth through God - it describes the consequences of the conference of the birds of the world when they meet to begin the search for their ideal king, the Simorgh bird. On hearing that to find him they must undertake an arduous journey, the birds soon express their reservations to their leader, the hoopoe. With eloquence and insight, however, the hoopoe calms their fears, using a series of riddling parables to provide guidance in the search for spiritual truth. By turns witty and profound, The Conference of the Birds transforms deep belief into magnificent poetry.Trade Review“This felicitous translation is a classic and reaches the widest possible audience.” — David Azzolina, Assistant Professor, University of PennsylvaniaTable of ContentsThe Conference of the Birds - Farid ud-Din Attar Translated with an Introduction by Afkham Darbandi and Dick DavisIntroductionThe Conference of the BirdsBiographical Index

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Book SynopsisProvides a lucid English translation of the prayer known as 'The Most Elevated Cycle' or 'The Prayer of Protection'. This book also delves into the prayer's contemporary life and historical transmission and gives details of generations of well-known scholars and Sufi masters.Trade Review"The importance of having a stable text with full vocalisation based upon the best manuscripts is evident. But the author's careful study of the chains of transmission and the detailed information about the recitation of the prayer in the contemporary world are also of the highest interest." Prof Michel ChodkiewiczTable of ContentsIntroduction; The Dawr Today; A Prayer Across Time; The Prayer for Spiritual Elevation and Protection; Index.

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Book SynopsisOne of the cache of codices and manuscripts discovered in Nag Hammadi, the Gospel of Thomas, unlike the canonical gospels, does not contain a narrative recording Christ's life and prophecies. Instead it is a collection of his teachings--what he actually said. These 114 logia, or sayings, were collected by Judas Didymus Thomas, whom some claim to be Jesus's closest disciple. No sooner was this gospel uncovered from the sands of Upper Egypt than scholars and theologians began to bury it anew in a host of conflicting interpretations and polemics. While some say it is a hodgepodge from the canonical gospels, for others it is the source text from which all the gospel writers drew their material and inspiration. In this new translation of the Gospel of Thomas, Jean-Yves Leloup shows that the Jesus recorded by the ""infinitely skeptical and infinitely believing"" Thomas has much in common with gnostics of non-dualistic schools. Like them, Jesus preaches the coming of a new man, the genesis of the man of knowledge. In this gospel, Jesus describes a journey from limited to unlimited consciousness. The Jesus of Thomas invites us to drink deeply from the well of knowledge that lies within, not so that we may become good Christians but so we may attain the self-knowledge that will make each of us, too, a Christ.Trade Review"Among all the astonishing documents unearthed in 1945 near the desert village of Nag Hammadi, the Gospel of Thomas has made the greatest impact on our understanding of Christianity. . . . The words in this text have the power to touch an unknown part of ourselves that brings with it an undeniable recognition of truth and hope." * Jacob Needleman, author of Lost Christianity and The American Soul *"In this remarkable book, scholar-mystic Jean-Yves Leloup invites us to meditate on the ‘eternal jewel,’ the revelation of Jesus, and on the reign of God spread all around us, within and without. May these logia of Jesus translated from the Gospel of Thomas fall on good soil and yield a bountiful harvest of peace, justice, and enlightenment." * Margaret Starbird, author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail *"Leloup (The Gospel of Mary Magdalene; The Gospel of Philip), founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists, reminds readers early in his introduction that 'whether we like it or not, Yeshua of Nazareth was not a writer. It is therefore impossible to speak of 'the authentic words of Jesus'.' Because spoken words, later recorded, bear the indelible imprint of the listener, Leloup emphasizes that they represent only part of the truth; he invites us to consider the Gospels as a whole as '[d]ifferent points of view that exist both within us and outside of us, in historical and meta-historical dimensions.' Thus he humbly offers his translation as one among many. Following the complete text of the Gospel of Thomas, presented in both Coptic and an elegantly translated English (by Joseph Rowe, from the French) Leloup delicately unfolds its petals of meaning, logion (saying) by logion. Simultaneously inspiring and enlightening, his interpretation far surpasses mere exegesis, instead intricately melding the now with the then, the self with the Christ. Paraphrases from Meister Eckhart intermingle with quotations from Kafka and Dostoyevski, which coincide with wide-ranging religious references--from Judaism and Greek Orthodoxy to Krishnamurti and Shankara. If ever a translation of Thomas's gospel merited a place in a reader's back pocket, this is it." * Publisher's Weekly, March 14, 2005 *"I'm very impressed with this new book on the Gospel of Thomas, and even the Forward offers much insight and depth. In his Forward, Jacob Needleman suggests that the proper work of the mind is to function at two levels: the level of silence and the level of expression, with the former being superior to the latter, and that the wisdom borne out of the depths of contemplative silence is what's dangerously lacking in the world today, what he calls 'the tragedy of our modern era.' 'What our modern world has suffered from most of all is runaway ideology, the agitated attachment to ideas that thereby become the playthings of infrahuman energies. This is the great danger of all ideologies, whether political, religious, or academic.' He observes that the energy that must guide us can only come from another, higher level within the human psyche, 'a level that is experienced as silence.'"The Format: The first section of Jean-Yves Leloup's latest book presents the text of the Gospel of Thomas in the Coptic language on the left-hand pages, and the English translations on the pages to the right. Even if you have other versions of Thomas, it would be quite useful to also have this one, as there are some important differences. The rest of the book consists of the commentary on each of the one hundred fourteen proverbs and parables of 'Yeshua the Living One,' many of which seem as terse and enigmatic as Zen koans, the mystic-wisdom of an Eastern Sage. The collection begins with this mysterious statement: 'Whoever lives the interpretation of these words will no longer taste death.'"At last! someone who is a contemplative soul has published some valuable reflections on this Gnostic Gospel found at Nag Hammadi in Egypt. In The Gospel of Thomas, Jean-Yves Leloup presents not so much a commentary on these ancient sayings of Yeshua, but a meditation 'that arises from the tilled earth of our silence.' He says that 'it is from this ground of inner silence, rather than from mental agitation, that these words of Yeshua can bear their fruit of Light.' He writes, 'Pope Gregory I said that only a prophet could understand the prophets. And it is said that only a poet can understand a poet. Who, then, must we be in order to understand Yeshua?' Perhaps only a lover of Gnosis can truly appreciate the wisdom of a Gnostic Gospel. Leloup is the founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists. His other books include the bestselling, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene and The Gospel of Philip." * James Bean, Spiritual Awakening Radio Productions *"If you're looking for a coherent translation and commentary of The Gospel of Thomas I think this is it." * Blue Flame Magick Blog at Word Press, October 2010 *Table of Contents Foreword by Jacob Needleman Abbreviations Introduction The Text of the Gospel of Thomas Commentary Resources Bibliography

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Book SynopsisExplores ancient Jewish beliefs in life after death as well as contemporary spiritual experiences. Exploring afterlife theories from the ancient world as well as contemporary afterlife encounters, Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D., reveals references to Jewish mysticism and afterlife encounters in ancient Hebrew texts, including the Torah, the Talmud, the Zohar, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the writings of the early Kabbalists. She shows how these works describe not only the realms of heaven but also near-death experiences (NDEs), after-death contact, reincarnation, and deathbed visions of crossed-over loved ones. Drawing on her background in psychology and her experience as a licensed therapist, she explains how acknowledging an afterlife as well as spiritual encounters can help you find peace after loss, discover inner spiritual light, and heal from destructive emotional patterns and ancestral trauma, including intergenerational wounds such as those from the Holocaust. Sharing profound accounts of modern-day premonitions, spirit visitations, dream encounters with the dying, NDEs, and other psychic manifestations, the author shows how similar our contemporary mystical experiences are to those of our ancestors. Looking at the strong emotional resonances created by unresolved trauma, she explains how many survivors of World War II developed PTSD, which has been passed down from one generation to the next. She shows how believing in life after death and speaking about spiritual experiences can help heal emotional trauma and release difficult memories stuck psychically in our personal and ancestral past. Revealing how spiritual seekers can benefit not only from a belief in the afterlife but also from expressing their visions of the unseen, the author shows how knowing that physical death is not final fosters a healthier preparation for one’s own death and the deaths of those we cherish as well as a more fulfilling life.Trade Review“Profound, well-researched, and elegantly written. In this riveting narrative, Wills-Brandon shares stories of holocaust survivors, which must be told, and through these compelling stories she dispels the misconception that Judaism does not embrace the concept of an afterlife. Rather, Seven Heavens demonstrates how Judaism has actually chronicled near-death experiences and after-death communication for thousands of years. It is destined to become an authoritative classic in the realm of near-death-experience literature.” * Mark Anthony, ”The Psychic Lawyer” and author of The Afterlife Frequency, Evidence of Et *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword by Bruce Greyson, M.D. Preface: Why Seven Heavens? Introduction: Secrets We Keep ONEWhere to StartTWO The Afterlife in the Jewish Tradition THREE An Angel Named Damus FOURExperiencing Auschwitz with Nuinui FIVEWhere Was God? SIX The Effect of PTSD on Faith in the Jewish Community SEVEN Facing Our Ancestral Past to Heal Future Generations EIGHTWhat Is an NDE or Near-Death Experience? NINE Reincarnation in Judaism TEN Afterlife Experience as a Conduit to the Divine: Beyond Religious AbuseELEVEN We Are Not Alone . . . And It’s a Good Thing APPENDIX A Self-Awareness Inventory: Reviewing Your Own Life Book References Index

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Book SynopsisAn essential read for every Golden Dawn initiate, this comprehensive book guides you through dozens of rituals that apply the skills from Golden Dawn Magic. Discover the power of ritual magic with numerous practices used by temples of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Esteemed practitioners Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero teach you group rituals for the outer and inner orders and solo rituals for the Adept. Perform healing rituals, seasonal rituals, and rites of passage. Learn how to consecrate tools, perform invocations, and even create your own Golden Dawn rituals. This book provides clear instructions for:? The Ceremony of the Sephiroth ? Invocation of Thoth ? Tarot Divination Ritual ? Archangelic Rite of Healing ? A Summer Solstice Ritual ? Charging the Guardians of the Temple

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