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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > Post-renaissance syncretist / eclectic systems
In December 1885 the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in
London, England, published a 200-page report by Richard Hodgson.
The report is perhaps best known for its denunciation of H P
Blavatsky as an impostor, and is often quoted in encyclopaedias,
reference books, and biographical works. In April 1986 the "SPR
Journal", 'in the interests of truth and fair play', published a
critical analysis of the Hodgson Report by handwriting expert
Vernon Harrison, who found it 'riddled with slanted statements,
conjectures advanced as fact or probable fact, uncorroborated
testimony of unnamed witnesses, selection of evidence and downright
falsity'. Dr Harrison, a professional examiner of questioned
documents, continued his research, including a line-by-line
examination of 1,323 colour slides of the Mahatma Letters, and in a
second monograph (1997) concluded that 'the Hodgson Report is even
worse than I had thought'. H P Blavatsky and the SPR combines both
of Dr. Harrison's papers together with his Opinion, "Replies to
Criticism", formal Affidavit, and 13 full-colour plates of sample
pages from the Mahatma and Blavatsky letters.
A-ha! Working through a topic or question, a shaft of sudden
inspiration hits. The cloud of fragmented ideas and thoughts clear
as a whole picture begins to form coherently in your mind. What you
have now worked out - in an unexpected, exciting eureka moment -
will stay with you forever. All teachers seek this experience for
their students. Liz Attwell explores theories of education to argue
that traditional teaching, 'filling buckets', must be replaced by
dynamic, progressive teaching that promotes active learning - not
just 'lighting a fire', but knowing how to lay the sticks and
finding the matches too. This progressive approach seeks to create
a basis for inner awakening and original insight, in order for
students ultimately to come to their own a-ha moments. In A Drop of
Light, Liz Attwell presents her original research into the
phenomenon of a-ha moments, offering a theoretical background as
well as practical advice to give teachers the tools, lesson plans,
anecdotes and inspiration to bring living thinking to their own
classrooms. Goethe's approach and Rudolf Steiner's pedagogical
ideas make an important contribution, but Attwell advises that
teachers following Steiner's philosophy should enter into dialogue
with educators from other backgrounds. Working together,
enlightened teachers around the world can help schools and colleges
to become true learning communities.
The warmth and humanity of this collection of Judge's letters has
inspired many seekers on the Path. In clear, compelling language,
the author shows that in our search for spirit, the need is not to
escape the world but to help transform it through our constant
effort to be compassionate, resolute, and wise in daily life.
Occultism (from the Latin occultus, meaning 'hid') as presented
here refers primarily to the esoteric theosophy concealed in
religion and nature. In this series of articles, Blavatsky
clarifies the 'essential difference between theoretical and
practical Occultism', and the gulf that separates harmful occult
practices from the occult path of altruism. Also included is a
timely three-part article on 'The Esoteric Character of the
Gospels' which casts revealing light on the mystery of Jesus - as
man and as Christ - and also upon the succession of messianic ages.
Book Five of The Law of One is comprised of the 56 fragments of
personal material that were originally omitted from the first four
books of this series. Both Jim, the scribe, and Carla, the
instrument for the Ra contact, have added their comments to these
fragments to give the reader an idea of what it was like to be part
of this contact and to show how every persons experience can be
used for personal growth and service to others. A wide variety of
topics is covered, from Eisenhowers meeting with extraterrestrials
in 1954 to UFO/government conspiracies, Wanderers, sexual energy
transfers, anger, balancing, Aleister Crowley, the Tunguska crater
in Russia, pre-incarnative choices, psychic greetings, alternate
and orthodox healing modalities, the ball lightning phenomenon, and
the many facets of the spiritual journey in general.
Rudolf Steiner painted his Archetypal Plant watercolour in 1924, at
a time when contemporary scientific methodologies were emerging and
nature was being examined under the microscope. In contrast to the
dissecting tendencies of natural science, however, Steiner's
painting depicts the living, dynamic potential which stands behind
the plant - lifting us out of the specific genus and providing an
image of the growing and formative forces inherent within each
individual plant. Researching Rudolf Steiner's painting of the
Archetypal Plant can help reconnect our outer sense-perceptions
with the inner realm of imaginative cognition, releasing us from
the spell of matter. To support and enliven such research work and
processes, Angela Lord surveys her subject-matter from various
aspects, including the historical, evolutionary relationships we
share with plants; the representation of plants in art and
architecture; plant myths and legends; poetry inspired by flower
imagery; cosmic aspects of nature, including earth's relationships
to the sun, moon, planets and stars; formative, creative forces of
colours and their relationships to plant forms; and finally,
working artistically and painting the Archetypal Plant motif
itself. In developing a broad overview, the author forms a deeper,
more complete picture of the plant world, paying homage to its
diverse characteristics, and stimulating new perceptions and
perspectives. This book is richly illustrated with full-colour
images.
With careful documentation and persuasive exposition the author
presents an authentic account of the chief incidents in H P
Blavatsky's life, her ideals, and her unswerving dedication to the
service of Humanity. Controversial matters and H P Blavatsky and
controversy go hand in hand - about which today there may still be
differences in opinion, are examined because they touch closely on
fundamentals. They are discussed with the author's penetrating
insight, yet with an impersonal touch not lacking in persuasive
charm. This title includes an important record of the later history
of the Theosophical Society and a listing of world-wide
Theosophical Societies and Groups representative of the
Theosophical Movement today.
Although still in its earliest stages, artificial intelligence (AI)
is radically transforming all aspects of society. With the immanent
emergence of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) and the illusory
temptations of `transhumanism', mankind stands at a crossroads. In
Humanity's Last Stand, Nicanor Perlas makes an urgent plea. It is
imperative, he says, that we take immediate steps to ensure that
digitized technology is aligned to human values and priorities.
Otherwise, ASI will kill the essence of our humanity. Further, if
we do not master it now, ASI will transform mankind into its own
image. Ultimately, it will destroy the human race. AI experts have
not offered a single cogent solution to this existential threat.
Rudolf Steiner, however, not only foresaw these developments, but
gave clear alternatives. Steiner, the founder of a contemporary,
scientific approach to spirituality, provided philosophical,
ontological and social innovations to save humanity from the abyss.
It is the task of the global anthroposophical movement to pioneer
this civilization-saving work: to establish spiritual-scientific
ideas in mainstream culture that would allow AI to emerge in a
healthier societal context. Perlas gives an overview of the
phenomenon of AI, together with its related transhuman concepts of
`perfecting humanity', and outlines the critical internal and
external responses required to meet them with consciousness. In
particular, he addresses the movement connected to the work of
Rudolf Steiner, indicating its all-important tasks: to cooperate
with progressive individuals and movements, including scientists
and civil society activists; to mobilize its `daughter' movements
for action; and, ultimately, to cooperate with the spiritual powers
that have guided and served humanity since the dawn of time. This,
says the author, is humanity's last stand, and failure is not an
option.
Contemporary life is so deeply reliant upon digital technology that
the computer has come to dominate almost every aspect of our
culture. What is the philosophical and spiritual significance of
this dependence on electronic technology, both for our relationship
to nature and for the future of humanity? And, what processes in
human perception and awareness have produced the situation we find
ourselves in? As Jeremy Naydler elucidates in this penetrating
study, we cannot understand the emergence of the computer without
seeing it within the wider context of the evolution of human
consciousness, which has taken place over millennia. Modern
consciousness, he shows, has evolved in conjunction with the
development of machines and under their intensifying shadow. The
computer was the product of a long historical development,
culminating in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. It
was during this period that the first mechanical calculators were
invented and the project to create more complex `thinking machines'
began in earnest. But the seeds were sown many hundreds of years
earlier, deep in antiquity. Naydler paints a vast panorama
depicting human development and the emergence of electronic
technology. His painstaking research illuminates an urgent question
that concerns every living person today: What does it mean to be
human and what, if anything, distinguishes us from machines?
This comprehensive record of Krishnamurti’s teachings is an excellent, wide-ranging introduction to the great philosopher’s thought. With among others, Jacob Needleman, Alain Naude, and Swami Venkatasananda, Krishnamurti examines such issues as the role of the teacher and tradition; the need for awareness of ‘cosmic consciousness; the problem of good and evil; and traditional Vedanta methods of help for different levels of seekers.
"The anthroposophical community seeks to lift human souls into
supersensible realms so that they may enter the company of Angels."
- Rudolf Steiner. Prokofieff traces the three stages of heavenly
preparation of anthroposophy: the 'spiritual thunderstorm', the
Michael School in the Sun sphere, and the 'imagination-based
cultus' in the spiritual word nearest to the Earth. These events
involved the nine spiritual hierarchies, associating them with the
karma of the anthroposophical movement. Prokofieff elaborates the
tasks of the Anthroposophical Society and indicates how these are
connected with the spiritual hierarchies, the Michael movement, the
Grail mysteries, the work of new Group Souls, and the Foundation
Stone Meditation. He shows that the General Anthroposophical
Society was, in an esoteric sense, created in order that human
beings might learn to work with the Gods themselves. This is a
vital booklet for anybody who cares deeply about the future of the
Anthroposophical Society, or the future of mankind itself.
Book Three of the Law of One builds on the information presented in
Books One and Two, continuing the exploration of the nature and
balancing of the energy centers or chakras, sexual energy
transfers, healing, reincarnation, meditation, and Wanderers. The
nature of psychic prophecy is explored in Book Three, as are the
nature and ramifications of what are usually called psychic
attacks. A good deal of information is given on the principles of
ritual magic in general and white magic in particular, and a
beginning is made in the study of the archetypical mind, which is
the mind of the Logos and serves as a kind of blueprint for our
evolutionary process and which serves as the foundation concept for
each of our individual minds.
Madame Blavatsky's Victorian-era masterpiece is now scaled down to
its essentials, providing the most readable, accessible experience
ever of one of history's seminal occult works.
"The Secret Doctrine," Helena Petrovna Blavatsky's masterwork on
the origin and evolution of the universe and humanity itself, is
arguably the most famous, and perhaps the most influential, occult
book ever written. Published since 1888 only in expensive,
two-volume editions of some 1,400 pages, it has long eluded the
grasp of modern readers- until now.
This single-volume edition, abridged and annotated by historian
and Theosophical scholar Michael Gomes, places the ideas of "The
Secret Doctrine" within reach of all who are curious. In
particular, Gomes provides a critical sounding of the book's famous
stanzas on the genesis of life and the cosmos- mysterious passages
that Blavatsky said originated from a primeval source and which
form the heart of "The Secret Doctrine." Gomes scrupulously scales
down the book's key writings on symbolism to their essentials, and
offers notes and a glossary to illuminate arcane references. His
historical and literary introduction casts new light on some of the
book's sources and on the career of its brilliant and elusive
author, one of the most intriguing personages of the nineteenth
century.
At once compact and representative of the work as a whole, this
new edition of "The Secret Doctrine" brings unprecedented
accessibility to the key esoteric classic of the modern era.
The author developed this booklet from talks that were held for
members of the Anthroposophical Society. These became occasions for
many to question potential membership of the First Class in a more
conscious way, and for some to take the decisive step of entering
the Michael School. 'This experience gave rise to the occasion for
printing this lecture separately for interested individuals, as a
stimulus to consider their relationship to the Michael School on
Earth against the background of the karma that guides human beings
in their present incarnation to anthroposophy. In this sense, the
present text may well be an aid for some interested individuals to
grasp to its full extent the unique significance of the
establishment of the Esoteric School - carried out as it was by
Rudolf Steiner based on the Michael Spirit - so as to gain the
courage and will to become a member out of full inner conviction.'
(From the Preface)
'If such authentic souls, such honest anthroposophists can be found
...then an upward movement and dynamic will arise. If such souls do
not appear, then decadence will take its inexorable downward
course...Today humanity stands before a great crisis: either it
will see all civilization collapsing into the abyss, or else
spirituality will raise civilization up by the power of the Michael
impetus, through which the Christ impetus works, thus continuing,
enriching and sustaining it.' In 1924, the final full year of his
life, Rudolf Steiner gave a series of urgent, sometimes
impassioned, talks to members of the Anthroposophical Society
regarding their karma and its relationship to the culture of the
time, referring in particular to the vital task of renewing
civilization and preserving it from the threat of decline.
Steiner's words characterize vividly a great spiritual battle, of
forces gathering to fight for the soul of humanity itself. He
presents a striking panorama in which anthroposophists are
compelled to broaden their vision; to see true esoteric and
exoteric anthroposophical work as a live yeast that can set all
culture rising. To waken the members of the Society to the
dimensions of their task, Steiner saw it as essential that they
begin to understand the many different karmic threads from which
the movement is woven. This recognition - of difference as much as
unity - can give the strength of diversity which, if unconscious
and unrecognized, leads easily to division. In the lectures and
excerpts compiled here Steiner speaks of the unprecedented
convergence of two specific groups of souls within the
anthroposophical movement: the Platonists and the Aristotelians. In
the karmic background lies a conflict of approaches, but the task
today calls for a unity based on love and knowledge; to work with
Michael and Christ in the face of Ahriman, materialism and the
possibility of civilization collapsing into decadence. Given the
challenges faced by humanity today, it has, perhaps, never been
more urgent for those who ally themselves with Rudolf Steiner's
work to study, absorb and take to heart the contents of this
critically important material.
It is largely unknown that The Calendar of the Soul first appeared
as the second part of a "calendar." It begins with an introduction
by Steiner on what a calendar is -- a way of connecting past and
future, earth and cosmos. It is important to get a sense of the
movements of the Sun and Moon in relation to the planets and fixed
stars.It is also important to bring the past into the present by
invoking great beings in the evolution of consciousness on their
appropriate birth or death days, and to celebrate the Holy Days.
Steiner designed new zodiacal images for each month, traced the
phases of the moon, and specified significant people, events and/or
festivals for each day. By living into the year in this way, one is
ready for the meditative year as expressed by the weekly verses of
the "soul calendar."The introduction describes the original
"calendar" and how it came to be. Included is a reproduction of the
original, a translation of Steiner's introduction, and the Calendar
of the Soul.
'Large temptations will emanate from these machine-animals,
produced by people themselves, and it will be the task of a
spiritual science that explores the cosmos to ensure all these
temptations do not exert any damaging influence on human beings.'In
an increasingly digitised world, where both work and play are more
and more taking place online and via screens, Rudolf Steiner's
dramatic statements from 1917 appear prophetic. Speaking of
'intelligent machines' that would appear in the future, Steiner
presents a broad context that illustrates the multitude of
challenges human beings will face. If humanity and the Earth are to
continue to evolve together with the cosmos, and not be cut off
from it entirely, we will need to work consciously and spiritually
to create a counterweight to such phenomena.In the lectures
gathered here, edited with commentary and notes by Andreas Neider,
Rudolf Steiner addresses a topic that he was never to speak of
again: the secret of the 'geographical' or the 'ahrimanic'
doppelganger. The human nervous system houses an entity that does
not belong to its constitution, he states. This is an ahrimanic
being which enters the body shortly before birth and leaves at
death, providing the basis for all electrical currents that are
needed to process and coordinate sense perceptions and react to
them.Based on his spiritual research, Rudolf Steiner discusses this
doppelganger or 'double' in the wider context of historic occult
events relating to 'spirits of darkness'. Specific brotherhoods
seek to keep such knowledge to themselves in order to exert power
and spread materialism. But this knowledge is critical, says
Steiner, if the geographical doppelganger and its challenges are to
be understood.
What if our teeth are a reflection of who we are? What if dental
problems such as toothache, decay and malpositioning illustrate the
deep functioning of our true self? What if, by harmonizing our
mouths, we could allay many of our physical and mental ills? After
years of dental practice, Michel Montaud made a breakthrough that
would change his life and work completely. Without being fully
conscious of what he was doing, he engaged in a dental therapy
which would prove to be remarkably effective, going beyond the
simple framework of mouth and teeth to extend to the human being as
a whole. This guided self-therapy, which he refers to as
Dentosophy, is a true alternative to the drastic measures of
extraction, surgery and orthodontics. From personal experience, the
author states that this approach can even remedy ailments such as
chronic rhinitis and otitis, eczema, allergies, asthma, back
problems and sleep disorders. Montaud describes his personal
journey of discovery, initially to help his suffering son. Now,
after decades of experience and numerous eloquent clinical results,
he demonstrates that this human-based approach to our mouth and
teeth can stimulate, at any age, the extraordinary healing
potential of our bodies. With case studies and supporting
photographic evidence, he shows that Dentosophy improves the
general health of patients, both physical and mental. This
illustrated and accessible book offers an exciting new perspective
on our teeth and their innate wisdom.
How might we improve the way we organize society, so that human
beings can live in greater peace, dignity and justice? Against a
background of chronic discontent and social conflict around the
globe, Richard Masters presents a comprehensive survey of Rudolf
Steiner's work on societal reform, sifting through and summarizing
the content of dozens of books, lectures and discussions. Rudolf
Steiner (1861-1925) is not known today for his social thinking, but
he wrote and spoke at length on such issues during and after WWI,
engaging with audiences ranging from royalty, politicians and
business owners to illiterate, dispossessed factory workers.
Central to his ideas was his 'threefold' approach to politics,
economics and culture, arguing that their roles should be clarified
and the three spheres allowed to thrive independently. Drawing on
the full range of source material - including much not yet
available in English - the author reveals the continuing relevance
of Steiner's work to our contemporary situation. With an emphasis
on accessibility, he builds up the subject methodically, studying
the main ideas from differing perspectives. He also provides candid
reflections on the degree to which Steiner's proposals are still
applicable to current policy and practice. Authoritative and yet
jargon-free, Rudolf Steiner and Social Reform offers innovative and
stimulating ideas for anyone concerned with the state of our world.
'Fundamentally, all of spiritual science ultimately aims to
understand human beings in their essence, in their tasks and
endeavours - in their necessary endeavours in the course of
development.' - Rudolf Steiner In the midst of the division and
destruction of the Great War, Rudolf Steiner speaks of the
spiritual unification of all human beings. Rather than preaching a
traditional morality, however, he states esoteric facts as he
perceives them, based on spiritual-scientific research. These
observations relate to the powerful universal impulse of Christ - a
healing spiritual force that works through the various nations and
races, irrespective of creed or colour - as a source of potential
unity. Rudolf Steiner describes this impulse as the central core of
human evolution. It allows for a conscious and newly-acquired
connection between all human beings, in the context of the
continuing diversification and fragmentation of the human race. The
central motif in these lectures relates to the appearance of Christ
on earth - knowledge of his historical incarnation, as well as
Christ's manifestation in the present and future periods of human
development. Rudolf Steiner creates an arc from the pre-Christian
mysteries through Gnosticism and the older studies of the early
Church Fathers, to Scholasticism and neo-Scholasticism. After
ancient faculties of clairvoyance had began to fade, he explains,
human beings could no longer see beyond the world of outer
appearances, and direct perceptions of Christ were therefore no
longer possible. And so the question arose as to how limitations on
human knowledge could be overcome - a question which remains
pertinent in our time. Steiner asserts that only a transformation
of thinking, enabling a living and conscious inner conceptual life,
can allow for a true understanding of the relationship between the
earthly Jesus and the cosmic Christ. Such living thinking leads in
turn to direct experience. Other topics in this volume include the
birth date of the 'two Jesus children'; the wisdom of Gnostic
teachings; the provenance of the Cross; the mysteries of the
Christmas festival; insights into ancient Christmas plays, and
reflections on individual consciousness of karma in the future
Are Thoresen perceives demons and other spiritual beings as clearly
as we see each other. He sees the demons that cause disease as well
as the beings associated with medicinal plants and other substances
that can promote health. He has witnessed how demons of disease
leave the bodies of the sick and enter the healthy, thus causing
contagion. Through his therapeutic work, Thoresen has learned that
one cannot simply `fight' demons, as they will `translocate' to
other people or return later. The only effective way to counteract
these malign entities is to dissolve them through the boundless
love of the being of Christ. The author presents a lifetime's
knowledge - the fruit of more than half a century's practical and
clinical experience - in the pages of this book, offering a better
understanding of health and disease. He recounts numerous personal
experiences of demonic entities and explains how demons are
created. Thoresen advises on the prevention of the demonic effects
of natural and artificial radiation, and how we can defend and
ultimately free ourselves from demonic influence. A fascinating
Addendum describes the phenomenon of poltergeists and the spiritual
beings related to various drugs. Demons and Healing is a singular
work, written out of precise vision and knowledge of the spiritual
entities that surround us in everyday life.
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