Notable Books 56

Revisiting Visionary Utopia, Katherine Tingley’s Lomaland 1897-1942: Theosophy in Contemplative Community, Education and the Arts in San Diego [Published by James Santucci, The Theosophical History Journal as Occasional Paper Volume XV]

Revisiting Visionary Utopia, Katherine Tingley’s Lomaland 1897-1942, is an overview of the Lomaland exhibit at San Diego State University on the cultural aspects of the Theosophy based Lomaland community in San Diego from 1897-1942.

Journey to the Lord of Power – A Sufi Manual On Retreat. Author: Ibn ‘Arabi, Introduction: Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak Al-Jerrahi. With Notes from a Commentary by: ‘Abdul-Karim Jili - Inner Traditions International. For more info click HERE

This is a short, beautiful and powerfully profound, view of Sufi retreat, as experienced and shared by Ibn Arabi.  Ibn Arabi first praises God the Almighty, the great Cause of All, for without this realization, there is nothing. He  tells the reader, and devout aspirant, who has met the rightful requirements, that he will answer his or her questions concerning the journey one takes, during retreat.

The Doctrine of Vibration . An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism, Mark S.G. Dyczkowski. The Suny Series I the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir - Editor: Harvey P. Alper-State University of New York Press. For more info click HERE 

The Doctrine of Vibration is a well written work that provides clarity concerning some of the essential ideas of Kashmir Śhaivism. The author gives an overview of the different Śhaiva groups that held the Śhaiva Tantras, or Āgamas as an authority source. From this source and their teachers, disciples acquired understanding concerning the wisdom of life, and the practices necessary to reach a non-dual union with the state of the Absolute. Having reached that state, words and explanations were no longer necessary.  The authors exposition through the world of Kashmiri Śhaivism begins with a brief review of some of the differences between it and Advaita Vedānta, with an emphasis on integral Monism of Kashmir Śhaivism. A major difference being related to Maya as a power of consciousness, and not illusion. We are then introduced into the Śhaivistic world of consciousness, and its two aspects of Light or Prakāśa, and the creative reflective Awareness, called vimarśa. It is an awareness that is able to be aware, or understand and know itself as such.  From here the nature of Spanda is revealed. It is that inherent subtle vibration that is one with the reality of life itself, and manifest itself so to say as the activity of that “Absolute Consciousness” in of and through all things. 

Intoduction to the Occult, Richard Smoley, Paperback January 2022, Amazon. For more info click HERE

Perhaps I’m a touch over-optimistic but it seems to me that more and more people are reaching that pivotal point in their lives where they start asking those big questions. Who am I? Why am I here? What’s the purpose of life? Where did I come from? What’s my destiny? What happens when I die?

Is there really more to life than mortgages, shopping, sport and sex? And collecting 1960s vinyl records?

The Key of Jacob Boehme, Translated by William Law, with an introduction by Adam McLean - Magnum Opus Hermetic  Sourceworks #9 - Phanes Press  1991. With an Illustration of the Deep Principles of Jacob Behmen, by D.A. Freher. For more info about this rare book click HERE.

HPB stated that Jacob Boehme was a nursling of the Nirmanakaya’s. To the extent Boehme’s works reflect the accurate expression of such elevated inspiration, they should be deep spiritual treasures of study, meditative contemplation, and application for all sincere students. This is so regardless of one’s love for western or eastern spiritual traditions or works. In general, the works of Jacob Boehme reflect ideations concerning an inner awakening to the deep ground of the Eternal,  Divine and Spiritual aspects of creative manifestation and the world. These ideas are then reflected, correlated, and applied to the gross material shadows of our sensory world with its forms, desires, and pursuits. Although the world of sense has value in some ways, it is also shown as false, in light of the Eternal and Divine Science of truth that elevates humanity.

Transformations of Consciousness: Conventional and Contemplative Perspectives on Development. Ken Wilber, Jack Engler & Daniel P. Brown; With chapters by John Chirban, Mark Epstein and Jonathan Lieff.   

For more information on how and where to obtain a copy of this book (published in 1986) click the following link HERE     

[The Stages of Mindfulness Meditation & Developmental Stages in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.]

So many books are notable ... (New York 1932)

This review continues a look at the work, Transformations of Consciousness,  Conventional and Contemplative Perspectives on Development, by Ken Wilber, Jack Engler, and Daniel P. Brown. It deals primarily with part II, or chapters 6 - 9, of that work. It focuses on the stages of Mindfulness Meditation, as well as the developmental stages in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.