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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Contemporary non-Christian & para-Christian cults & sects > Spiritualism
Ukrainian-born Madame Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891) was a powerful
and controversial member of the spiritualist world and for a time
famous for her powers as a medium. She was a co-founder of the
theosophy movement in the United States, which she later extended
to Europe and India, drawing from her extensive global travels and
her familiarity with a broad range of belief systems, from Asian
religions to New Orleans voodoo, as well as secret societies such
as the Freemasons. Drawing from Hinduism and Buddhism, theosophy
aimed to understand the mystic powers of the universe and promote
the study of other religions. In The Secret Doctrine, published in
1888, Blavatsky aims to explain the spiritual origins of the world.
Volume 1 looks at the world's 'cosmic evolution', the mystical
symbolism that developed throughout this process, and scientific
criticism.
Written by folklorist Andrew Lang (1844 1912), this 1894
publication examines the ambivalent relationship the living have
attempted to forge with the dead throughout history. Nicknamed 'the
Wizard of St Andrews', this prolific polymath also worked as an
anthropologist, classicist, historian, poet, mythologist, essayist
and journalist, producing over a hundred publications in his
lifetime. Largely ignored by scholarship, this book suggests
expanding the study of folklore to include contemporary narratives
of supernatural events. Taking its title from the legends of the
notorious Cock Lane ghost, the work considers the survival of
ancient beliefs such as hauntings, clairvoyance, and other
phenomena believed to transcend the laws of nature, and how such
beliefs have persisted through great social upheaval and change. It
includes chapters on savage and ancient spiritualism, comparative
psychical research, haunted houses, second sight, crystal gazing,
and Presbyterian ghost hunters, among others.
This book by the Russian novelist Vsevolod Sergeyevich Solovyov
(1849 1903), translated and abridged by Walter Leaf (1852 1927) and
published in 1895, reflects on the life of Madame Helena Blavatsky
(1831 1891), co-founder of the theosophy movement in the United
States. Originally published over eight months in literary magazine
Russy Vyestnik ('Russian Messenger'), the book considers the
controversy that engulfed Blavatsky in her final years over
displays of her 'phenomena'. Solovyov was living in Paris in 1884
and researching spiritualist literature when he met Blavatsky
(whose work was known in Russia), but he became disillusioned with
both her and her movement. Leaf, a classical scholar and fellow of
Trinity College, Cambridge, undertook the translation for the
Council of the Society for Psychical Research, which had
investigated Blavatsky's work. This account now provides a window
on to the life of one of Europe's most controversial
nineteenth-century spiritual leaders.
Friederike Hauffe (1801-1829) suffered throughout her short
lifetime from severe spasms and nervous fevers, and in her
semi-conscious state she allegedly saw spectres and spoke and wrote
predictions in an unknown, 'innate' language. When physically well,
Hauffe could communicate with spectres of the dead, and created a
complex diagram of circles to explain the nervous energy of a
person and its changes throughout the year. The flow of
consciousness and one's waking state in the spirit world, or 'sun
sphere', was individual and seasonal. After continued illness, she
was finally taken into the care of Dr Justinus Kerner for the last
few years of her life. His use of magnetic treatment apparently
gave her some relief, and she was able to use her 'spiritual sight'
to aid others. Kerner's 1829 account of her life, depicting a woman
with unusual psychic gifts, was published in English translation in
1845.
The inside story of the 'reluctant medium', finally available in a
mass-market A-format edition Betty Shine was originally an opera
singer, but studied all forms of alternative healing, becoming a
vitamin and mineral therapist. Guided by spirit voices from the age
of two, she became a world-famous medium. This is the story of how
she became the best known medium and healer in the UK. Through her
books, tapes and absent healing service, she is in touch with
thousands of people worldwide. The hardback publication of her book
produced a tremendous response from both the media and the general
public and this A-format edition will bring her story to an even
wider audience.
In this study, Peter Fry describes and analyses spirit-mediumship
amongst a community of Zezuru people living near Salisbury in
Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). He examines the belief system which
underpins spirit-mediumship and the basis of the mediums'
authority. He pays special attention to the way in which religious
beliefs are used politically in specific social situations ranging
from village disputes to issues of national importance. Instead of
portraying the spirits and their mediums as a fixed and stable
hierarchy, Peter Fry stresses the dynamics of a religious system
which changes over time in relation to changing external factors
and to the ability of individual competing mediums to build up
followings by responding to and moulding consensus. The book makes
comparisons between the religious systems of the Zezuru and the
Valley Korekore, both subgroups of Shona-speaking peoples, and
concludes by discussing the role of Zezuru mediums in the context
of the confrontation between black and white nationalisms. The
spirit-mediums, opposed structurally to the white mission churches,
are seen as vehicles of black cultural nationalism in the area.
"Grave Doubts will rock the core of deep-set held beliefs about
life and death. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, this book will
bring them safely back into your life when you know how close they
are, why they’re there and how they love you. If you’re racked
with grief, pain and guilt, Grave Doubts will grant you
understanding, healing and then peace. But most of all, this book
will help you to be happy within THIS life, to help you grab it by
the horns, see what you’ve created and make what you already have
much better, as you wake up to the truths of what’s been
happening... You and your place in life are more significant than
you know. No other book has been written like this before with such
frank and open speaking. Are you ready to embark on the next phase
of your life that’s been standing / screaming / shouting to come
in? Don’t miss this opportunity to grasp that." Simon
In this extraordinary book, Michael Brown shares his profound
personal experiences, insights, and transformation into
present-moment awareness to help others become fully present in
their own lives. After suffering for years from a painful
neurological condition, and finding no cure through traditional and
non-traditional healing practices, Brown began his own self-healing
journey.
Your self, aware presence, knows no resistance to any appearance
and, as such, is happiness itself; like the empty space of a room,
it cannot be disturbed and is, therefore, peace itself; like this
page, it is intimately one with whatever appears on it and is thus
love itself; and like water that is not affected by the shape of a
wave, it is pure freedom. Causeless joy, imperturbable peace, love
that knows no opposite, and freedom at the heart of all
experience...this is your ever-present nature under all
circumstances. Our self, aware presence, knows no resistance to any
appearance and, as such, is happiness itself; like the empty space
of a room, it cannot be disturbed and is, therefore, peace itself;
like this page, it is intimately one with whatever appears on it
and is thus love itself; and like water that is not affected by the
shape of a wave, it is pure freedom. Causeless joy, imperturbable
peace, love that knows no opposite, and freedom at the heart of all
experience...this is our ever-present nature under all
circumstances.
An Awareness of the Angelic Kingdom of Nature; White Eagle helps us
step over the threshold into an awareness of the angelic kingdom of
nature. This book contains beautiful and revealing teaching on the
angelic kingdom. Chapter headings include: The Brotherhood of Men
and Angels; The Work of the Angelic Hierarchies; Angels of Light
and Darkness; Companioned With the Angels.
Taking "self-help" to new heights and learning to cultivate your
divine spiritual self in any environment, The Urban Ritualist
uncovers the divine purpose of all beings, to strengthen the divine
spirit within and use its power to uplift human consciousness. The
term "self-help" is indicative of humankind's desire to elevate
themselves - their physical, social, and economic conditions. This
desire to change has been linked to the universal changes that are
taking place in terms of the earth, and universal energy. Although
many believe that our thoughts have the capacity to manifest the
changes we desire, and in many ways it does, there is another part
to the equation. It's not all about what you think, it's also about
who you are. To "Know Thyself" is the most recognized edict given
to humankind by the ancient Kemetians. It is the foundation of
transformation work and the lifeblood of magic. In The Urban
Ritualist, the path to know oneself and cultivate spiritual growth
and development is laid out. Spirituality and ritual are examined
from an ancient African and African American worldview as
researched and expressed by African and African American scholars
and practitioners over the last 60 years. It examines the
importance of culture and the role it plays in one's practice of
ritual. The book brings into question the values a culture holds,
and encourages its readers to examine their personal values,
attitudes, and beliefs. Finally, the book examines the various
energies, inherent in the elements and environment that, when
activated en mass, will elevate the magic that will hold this
universe together. The Urban Ritualist is for persons of all ages,
cultures, religious affiliations and backgrounds to synthesize
ritual into their own lives and value systems. Readers are
encouraged to uplift their ethnicity with positive conscious intent
and to respect the spirit, energy and power in all people. In the
book, you will learn to use common tools imbued with your positive
conscious intent to manifest success and abundance for yourself,
your family and your community. The book also encourages readers to
expand their frame of reference to the positive transformation of
the world community for the benefit of all. Infuse every day, every
occasion and your life with ritual to live in the true power of
peace and love with no limitations. Author Bio: Queen Afi Andaiye
Najuma Reynolds is a certified Kemetic Yoga instructor and student
of internal qi gong for energy cultivation and movement to aid the
healing process. She specializes in breathwork, meditation
techniques, ritual creation, and spiritual/intuitive ancestral
readings. She produces a line of natural body care products under
the brand "Queen Afi's Natural Body Care Products," creates ritual
tools under the brand "Ritual Works ," and provides nutritional and
healthy lifestyle guidance under the auspices of the Universal
Temple of Peace and Love.. Queen Afi holds a Master of Education
degree in Instructional Technology and has over 15 years in
government, business, and community program/course development
experience. She has also worked in supported employment,
organizational development and human performance technology. Queen
Afi is Senior Consultant for R.A.W. (Ready, Able, and Willing) to
Work, Inc.; a work-readiness, new technologies training program.
She is leading the effort to identify and develop work
opportunities in the community for program participants, to provide
services to small businesses, seniors and young families.
Gordon Smith, hailed as the UK's most accurate Spiritual Medium, is
respected internationally both for his ability to convey precise
messages from the Spirit World, filled with a level of detail that
astounds people, and also as one of the world's foremost teachers
of mediumship. In this fascinating updated edition of one of his
bestselling books, Gordon sheds light on: - how mediums and
psychics get their information - why spirits choose to communicate
with us - the truth about ghosts, poltergeists and hauntings -
out-of-body experiences and altered states of awareness -
re-incarnation and memories of past lives. While Gordon is the
first person to acknowledge that people's imagination, grief or
distress can affect their perceptions, and that charlatans and
frauds only add to the confusion, his incredible experiences and
research have inspired him with a passion to reveal what really
happens in the Spirit World. In The Unbelievable Truth, he lifts
the lid on these 'insider' topics with wit, insight and great
knowledge.
An absorbing account of an anthropologist's fieldwork and
explorations into alternative religions in Brazil, "Samba in the
Night" invites the reader into the mysterious world of spirit
mediums, poltergeists, psychic surgery, exorcism and spiritual
healing. The author focuses on spiritism, a vital religious
movement with millions of followers. He provides descriptions of
rituals and at the same time weaves in a detective story about the
complex relations between Spiritist rituals and the rest of their
world. Through a patchwork of anecdotes about spirit mediums,
doctors, engineers, lawmakers, Jesuits, and past-life therapists,
the book offers an introduction to Brazilian religion and society
as well as to the art of anthropological fieldwork.
The Upanishads is a collection of Sri Aurobindo's final
translations of and commentaries on every Upanishad or other
Vedantic text he worked on. Upanishads are the ancient treatises on
spiritual truths as envisioned by the seers, sages and rishis of
the civilization of India. Index.
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