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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > General
'The contents of this volume have arisen from my own spiritual
experience, and do not represent any kind of hypothesis or
speculation, except where I expressly say that I am unable to make
any definitive statement about a particular event or set of
circumstances...'After she received the stigmata in 2004, Judith
von Halle began vividly to experience the events that occurred at
the time of Christ. These continuing experiences are not visionary
or clairvoyant in nature, but constitute an actual participation,
involving all human senses, in the events themselves. To complement
this method of witnessing Christ's life, von Halle applies a
spiritual-scientific mode of observation - a form of research based
on a fully conscious crossing of the spiritual threshold by the
human 'I' (or self). Combining the results, she describes here, in
her most powerful book to date, the secrets connected to particular
events of Christ's Passion. Von Halle discusses the Mystery of
Golgotha in its relationship to the formation of the Resurrection
Body; the Mystery of the Spear-Wound in Christ's side and the Grail
Blood; and how Christ's Seven Words on the Cross relate to the
Stations of the Cross.
In the beginning was the word, and...you know the rest. Not like
this you don't. In a new twist on a classic tale, Tom Carver
re-imagines the Old Testament without the leading character. The
Newer, More English Version takes an erudite look at the supporting
players of the Pentateuch, with no Jehovah to steal the show.
What's left is a varied cast of egomaniacs, revolutionaries, war
criminals, genii and perverts: Joseph, smug careerist and part-time
psychoanalyst; Moses, a revolutionary firebrand who just wants to
belong; Abraham, the world's first and greatest global branding
strategist; and one very strange tree...
An extraordinary vision of unity among the world's historic faiths
and a classic of New Age spirituality.
Here is a hugely influential interpretation of the "lost years" of
Jesus Christ-from roughly the ages of twelve to thirty that are not
covered in Scripture- in which the Son of Man is seen to travel
through the religious cultures of the East, learning and preaching
the unifying spiritual ethic behind all religions.
"The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ" is a stirring and deeply
involving vision that profoundly impacted the development of
alternative spirituality in the early twentieth century, and
continues to touch readers today.
Now, the unabridged narrative of this powerful work- drawn from
one of its earliest volumes-is redesigned for ease of reading in a
handsome signature edition.
A psychiatrist presents a compelling argument for how human purpose
and caring emerged in a spontaneous and unguided universe. Can
there be purpose without God? This book is about how human purpose
and caring, like consciousness and absolutely everything else in
existence, could plausibly have emerged and evolved unguided,
bottom-up, in a spontaneous universe. A random world--which
according to all the scientific evidence and despite our intuitions
is the actual world we live in--is too often misconstrued as
nihilistic, demotivating, or devoid of morality and meaning.
Drawing on years of wide-ranging, intensive clinical experience as
a psychiatrist, and his own family experience with cancer, Dr.
Lewis helps readers understand how people cope with random
adversity without relying on supernatural belief. In fact, as he
explains, although coming to terms with randomness is often
frightening, it can be liberating and empowering too. Written for
those who desire a scientifically sound yet humanistic view of the
world, Lewis's book examines science's inroads into the big
questions that occupy religion and philosophy. He shows how our
sense of purpose and meaning is entangled with mistaken intuitions
that events in our lives happen for some intended cosmic reason and
that the universe itself has inherent purpose. Dispelling this
illusion, and integrating the findings of numerous scientific
fields, he shows how not only the universe, life, and consciousness
but also purpose, morality, and meaning could, in fact, have
emerged and evolved spontaneously and unguided. There is persuasive
evidence that these qualities evolved naturally and without
mystery, biologically and culturally, in humans as conscious,
goal-directed social animals. While acknowledging the social and
psychological value of progressive forms of religion, the author
respectfully critiques even the most sophisticated theistic
arguments for a purposeful universe. Instead, he offers an
evidence-based, realistic yet optimistic and empathetic
perspective. This book will help people to see the scientific
worldview of an unguided, spontaneous universe as awe-inspiring and
foundational to building a more compassionate society.
The solstices and equinoxes have been held sacred in many cultures.
This book explains the cosmic and human symbolism associated with
the earth's annual cycling round the sun, and the great initiatory
events which take place at these seasons. Key teachings on buddhas
and avataras, death and initiation, and the two paths of growth for
oneself and for others illumine not only the traditions of mankind,
but also the road which the aspirant daily seeks to tread.
Who wrote this mysterious guide to the principles of esoteric
psychology and worldly success? History has kept readers guessing .
. . and now, for the first time, seekers everywhere can discover a
widely available edition of a guidebook that has been an
underground classic for generations.
Here are the teachings of the legendary sage Hermes Trismegistus,
reinterpreted for the modern reader. Rumored to be an ancient
Egyptian man-god who fathered astrology, alchemy, and other magical
arts, the figure of Hermes has fascinated readers of occult
literature for generations. Writers in late antiquity named Hermes
Trismegistus as the author of their own esoteric teachings,
building the mystery of his lineage. Since 1908, "The
Kybalion"awritten at the hand of the unnamed aThree Initiatesaahas
itself generated debate and controversy. Who is behind it? Do its
ideas really arise from the secrets of a distant era? And, most
important, do they work for the modern seeker? In this concise,
engaging guide, the pseudonymous author breaks down Hermetic
doctrine into seven compelling principles, and then provides
practical methods for how to apply them for self-development in
daily life. Here is the definitive edition of a classic of esoteric
psychology, now available to readers everywhere.
An investigation into the underpinnings and superstructures of the
Pagan world view Pagan religions have tended to be more concerned
with practice that with theory and in a system that has no dogma -
no legislated doctrine - that is as it should be. Yet as the
movement grows and matures, it is inevitable that we will begin to
think in a more abstract way about our models and systems. John
Michael Greer has provided a primer on the kinds of ideas and
themes that must be included in any discussion of the theology and
philosophy of Neo-pagan religions. Much of the book takes
shape in a dialogue with existing ideas in theology, philosophy,
and comparative religion. It looks to find a middle ground between
too much and too little reference to the work of other scholars to
find a comprehensible yet intellectually rigorous middle ground. It
aims to be part of a conversation, that stretches out over the
centuries. Voices of polytheist spirituality have had little
place in that conversation for many years, but much of value has
been said in their absence. The rebirth of polytheism as a
living religious tradition in the Western world will inevitably
force a reassessment of much of that heritage, and pose challenges
to some of its most cherished assumptions. Yet reassessment
is not necessarily rejection, and the traditions of modern
polytheism are deeply enough indebted to legacies from the past
that an attentive ear to earlier phases of the conversation is not
out of place.
How Atheists rely on urban myths about religion to buttress their
case against God. God, and the whole business of being dependent
upon him, is being downgraded, downsized, downplayed, and most of
all, just plain dismissed in the modern, cultured, educated parts
of Europe and in academia. This process is powered and driven by a
whole, growing series of interlocked urban myths about what is
supposed to be involved in being a religious (and often
specifically Christian) believer. This book examines and critiques
those myths, showing how the Christian faith can be intelligent and
supported by reason.
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