In this beautiful and atmospheric book, Bo Yin Ra sets the tone for concepts he develops in all his future works. Rich in allegory, metaphor, and poetic language, "The Book on the Royal Art" invites readers to enter the path of the inner journey towards an awakening of their timeless, true self.

The path is simple, straightforward, and quiet. At the core of Bo Yin Ra's teaching is the importance of cultivating an inner silence so that one's eternal self can slowly emerge. It is the work of a lifetime, and transcends death. Bo Yin Ra stresses that there is no need to look outside for masters, to renounce the world or engage in unusual practices: We can develop ourselves in our everyday, familiar surroundings. All experiences in life can be of use. Even the most painful grief and sufferings of life can be used to strengthen us and bring us into greater aliveness and joy.

The royal art refers to the preparation received by the Luminaries, beings who live among us, almost always in obscurity, who act as mediators of eternal light. The Luminaries form a bridge helping us to receive, in a gradual and gentle way, spiritual light that would otherwise be too powerful to absorb. They function as inner protectors, buoying us up with strength and insights that speak to us in silence and from within. Bo Yin Ra disabuses us of the temptation to think of Luminaries as godlike, emphasizing that they are ordinary people who have been chosen, often to their horror, to bear the burdens and risks of their compassionate task. "Know that on your quest for light," Bo Yin Ra tells us, "your path will be protected by the spirit's luminaries..."

The "Book on the Royal Art" is the first volume of the 32-volume cycle "The Gated Garden, " in which Bo Yin Ra further develops different aspects of the path towards consciousness of one's eternal self.

"E.W.S., Publisher"

"The Kober Press's translations of the books of Bo Yin Ra are the only English translations authorized by the Kober Verlag, Switzerland. The Kober Verlag publishes the books of Bo Yin Ra in the original German and has protected their integrity since Bo Yin Ra's lifetime."

Contents:

PART ONE: "The Light from Himavat and the Words of the Masters"
The Luminary's Self-Disclosure to the Seeking Soul. The Harvest. The One whose Being is Infinity. Know Thyself. On the Masters of the Spirit's World. Pitfalls of Vanity.

PART TWO: "From the Lands of the Luminaries"
The Threshold. The King's Question. The Pillar in the Mountains. The Night of Easter. Communion.

PART THREE: "The Will to Joy"
To All who Strive Toward Timeless Light. The Teachings on Joy. Epilogue.

The articles and shorter pieces collected in this volume provide a brief but comprehensive introduction to the author's writings, his background, and perspective. In particular, it offers a synopsis of his forty published works, together with short commentaries on their contents. This book has been compiled to let the interested reader gain a clearer picture of the painter and writer Bo Yin Ra whose unprecedented expositions in the fields of metaphysics, religion, and philosophy are difficult to classify and have to be examined by themselves, within their proper context.

"The Kober Press's translations of the books of Bo Yin Ra are the only English translations authorized by the Kober Verlag, Switzerland. The Kober Verlag publishes the books of Bo Yin Ra in the original German and has protected their integrity since Bo Yin Ra's lifetime."

Contents: Preface. About My Books. Concerning My Name. In My Own Behalf. Essential Distinction. Resume. Comments on the Cycle Hortus Conclusus and the Related Works. Brief Biography of Bo Yin Ra. The Works of Bo Yin Ra

In "The Book on Happiness" Bo Yin Ra guides the reader to a new and deeper understanding of the spiritual laws at the root of happiness. He stresses the importance of finding happiness in this life; it is happiness that gives life its meaning and lifts it out of drudgery and pain. Happiness here on earth is the basis for happiness in life beyond.

Bo Yin Ra defines happiness as the joy that comes from creative endeavor whether through work, the building of a loving relationship or, most fulfilling of all, the development of one's inner self. Happiness is not given to us by luck or fate; rather, it must be actively sought and forged out of whatever circumstances life gives us--even the most difficult. We must turn our thoughts to beauty, strength and soundness, transforming ourselves into "solid optimists" so that we become magnets of good fortune.

Creating happiness is our moral duty: It is a responsibility we have to both ourselves and others. Since we are part of a greater web of life, everything we do as individuals affects the balance of the whole world. As more people develop their capacity for happiness, the waves of their cumulative energy go forth to renew all humanity.

"E.W.S., Publisher "

"The Kober Press's translations of the books of Bo Yin Ra are the only English translations authorized by the Kober Verlag, Switzerland. The Kober Verlag publishes the books of Bo Yin Ra in the original German and has protected their integrity since Bo Yin Ra's lifetime."

Contents: Prelude. Creating Happiness as Moral Duty. "I and "You." Love. Wealth and Poverty. Money. Optimism. Conclusion

Although in all his books the author stresses the distinction between the world of mental notions and the objective spiritual reality that underlies all physical perceptions, "The Book on Love" is of particular significance as it distinguishes expressions of emotional attachment from the elemental cosmic force sustaining all creation. Few words are used so readily, and with a wider range of connotations, reaching from an attribute of God to the material realm of physical desire, than is the concept "love." Yet while incessantly abused by thoughtless speech, the substance of the world is not debased; even as the sun is not defiled by shining on a putrid swamp. What fundamentally distinguishes all forms of human love from the almighty cosmic force which also bears that name, is that the former need an object they attract and would possess, while the latter the divine, celestial revelation of that power is wholly free of all attachment, being perfect and sufficient in itself. It is the latter form of love that animates the Spirit's infinite dimensions, and its reflection must inspire human souls who would experience what all the great historical religions had been founded to convey. A special chapter in the present book sheds light on the historical life and mission of Jesus of Nazareth, who was the greatest Mediator of that highest form of love embodied in this life, which made him able to accomplish his redemptive sacrifice at Golgotha.

"The Kober Press's translations of the books of Bo Yin Ra are the only English translations authorized by the Kober Verlag, Switzerland. The Kober Verlag publishes the books of Bo Yin Ra in the original German and has protected their integrity since Bo Yin Ra's lifetime."

Contents: Introduction. The Greatest of Compassion's Mediators. On Love's Primordial Fire. Light of Liberation. On Love's Creative Power.