Theosophy

How to Know Higher Worlds: A Modern Path of Initiation (Classics in Anthroposophy)

by Rudolf Steiner

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"In "How to Know Higher Worlds", Steiner undertakes the task of introducing the reader to the requirements of thought-life needed to percieve the higher processes of life and the cosmos. He provides a path of systematic development, for the faculties latent in each person, by which the development of a specific spiritual sensory organ may be cultivated. Once this is achieved, one is able to distinguish and move about with certainty in the subtle inner world of the human psyche, which is then shown to be interconnected to a vast realm of archetypal and spiritual forces which act upon the development of the cosmos. This book distinguishes itself as one of the definitive references on inner self-transformation, providing a path to a true self-knowledge, and expansion of one's empathetic relationship to the world."

Publisher: Steiner Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Start Now!: A Book of Soul and Spiritual Exercises: Meditation Instructions, Meditations, Exercises, Verses for Living a Spiritual Year, Prayers for the Dead & Ot

by Rudolf Steiner

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"With its wide selection of Rudolf Steiner's instructions, verses, soul exercises and meditative material for different levels of inner work, Start Now fulfills its purpose of conveying to the reading public that Steiner, known chiefly for the practical initiatives that arose from his insights, was "first and foremost a spiritual practitioner and teacher." Anthroposophists may appreciate finding so much good material, along with the fine Introduction by Christopher Bamford, between the covers of one relatively inexpensive book. Newcomers to Steiner and Anthroposophy, however, would do better to go directly to Steiner's basic books. Start Now is full of lamentable inconsistencies and ambiguities in its references and citations, with too little context for most selections and too many unexplained terms and concepts. "

Publisher: Steiner Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Hildegard of Bingen: Scivias (Classics of Western Spirituality)

by Mother Columba Hart

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"Hildegard von Bingen, one of the prominent German mystics in the Middle Ages, stands as an anomaly amidst the whole host of Christian mystics. One reason to account for this is the fact that instead of advocating reform of the church in a confrontational manner, she often deflects it by recourse to God's voice. The voice that speaks in Scivias is more often than not the 1st person voice of God, and the persona of Hildegard the receptor of the visions occupies technically the position of a third person glossator and observer. On top of that, the chief focus of her 'reform' is of 'ordo virtutuum', a reform that works from within as opposed to the outright opposition(or confrontational gestures) offered by English Lollards in their translation of the Latin Vulgate into the vernacular Middle English tongue, or the Beguines' usurpation of the Catholic church's monopoly to Biblical interpretation. Another reason to account for her special status as a medieval mystic is the absence of any so-called phenomenon of stigmata, trance-like swoonings, fleshly ecstasies like those of Margery Kempe or Teresa D'Avila. Hildegard received these purported visions without the influence of drugs and she transcribed them in a state of clarity unlike any other female mystics of her time. What I appreciated about this edition was that they placed the pictorial depiction of her visions side by side with her writings and expositions of their meanings. The pity however is that these pictures(illustrated plates in the original medieval manuscripts) are not coloured, and one suffers from disappointment since he is not able to re-construct exactly the details(right down to the colour and shade Hildegard mentions) as in the original. Barbara Newman's introduction was extremely helpful, owing to her academic expertise in the field of medieval mysticism. Personally speaking, I bought this for the sake of an academic paper, but anyone else who is interested in the background of medieval mysticism and esoteric wisdom will find Newman's introduction enlightening and useful to set the whole work in the right context."

Publisher: Paulist Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Staying Connected : How to Continue Your Relationships With Those Who Have Died

by Rudolf Steiner

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"What a book. Anyone who is serious about their life should read this book. A total masterpiece. "

Publisher: Steiner Books | More reviews: amazon.com

The Incarnation of Ahriman: The Embodiment of Evil on Earth: Seven Lectures Given Between October and December 1919

by Rudolf Steiner

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Ahriman is a significant figure of Persian mythology. Rudolf Steiner, however, spoke of Ahriman as an actual, living spiritual entity. This being, he said, works to embed human beings firmly into their physicality, thus encouraging dull, materialistic attitudes and a coarse, dry intellect. In these extraordinary lectures, Steiner assumes a rare prophetic mode. He talks about an actual incarnation of Ahriman on Earth and the potential consequences of this event. Just as Christ incarnated in a physical body, so would Ahriman incarnate in the Western world—before "a part" of the third millennium has passed. Steiner places this incarnation in the context of a "cosmic triad" that includes Ahriman, Lucifer, and Christ. Ahriman will incarnate as a counterpoint to the physical incarnation of Lucifer, which took place in the East during the third millennium B.C. The incarnation of Jesus Christ took place in Palestine as the point of balance between the two. During the period when Steiner developed Anthroposophy—a teaching career of more than twenty years that included over than six thousand lectures—he spoke of Ahriman’s incarnation only six times. For the first time, these six lectures (plus a supporting excerpt) are reproduced in their entirety in a single volume.

Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Making Waldorf Dolls

by Maricristin Sealey

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"This book gives good, clear instruction, with patterns that are easily copied/augmented. However, for the price, I was expecting much more content, maybe some photographs, etc. There are no photos, just line drawings. It really irritates me that just because something has "Waldorf" in the name that it gets double the price as a similar item in the same category. I feel that goes against what Waldorf philosophies stand for period. It is really hypocritical. But the book content itself is good--just expected more of it."

Publisher: Hawthorn Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Colour

by Rudolf Steiner

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Building on the achievements of Goethe in his Theory of Color, Steiner shows how color has an objective, moral affect on the feeling life, and even on the health and well-being of the observer. Distinguishing between “image” and “luster” colors, Steiner lays the foundation for a practical technique for working with color that leads to a new direction in artistic creativity. This volume is the most comprehensive compilation in English of Steiner’s insights into the nature of color, painting, and art. Here is a valuable source of reference and study for anyone interested in a greater appreciation of art as a revelation of spiritual realities.

Publisher: Anthroposophic Pr | More reviews: amazon.com

The Secret Doctrine

by H. P. Blavatsky

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"I have studied this book and author as well as theosphy and comparative religions, philosophy, science of mind for over 20 years and the truth contained in H.P.Blavatsky's writings as well as intuitive knowledge have caused me great joy and massive yearning for additional lifetimes of study...I highly reccomend this book for serious students of lifes mysteries and higher learning."

Publisher: Quest Books | More reviews: amazon.com

The Nature of God

by Arthur Pink

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"I found this book to a excellent study of the nature and attributes of God from a fully Biblical persepective. The book centers its theme on the subsitutional work of Christ throughout. I found it to be truly depthful and without, the far too often found, superficial and unsubstancial characteristics of works of this century. It is an excellent presentation of the Reformed view of God. It would be an asset to the Christian's library."

Publisher: Moody Publishers | More reviews: amazon.com

Jesus Christ, Sun of God: Ancient Cosmology and Early Christian Symbolism

by David Fideler

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"It has become plainly obvious from the Christian commentary above that they do not like "secular scholars" revealing that Christian philosophy and theology is mostly built on Pagan ideas. The fact is that the above reviewers obviously missed the point of this book. Fideler spends the first half of the book demonstrating that there is a deeply evolved amount of symbolism in the texts of the N.T. that started 500 years (give or take) before Christ's time (and likely farther back than that). Symbolism that is communicated in numerical metaphors, imagery, harmonics and in poetry and myth that express higher (ineffable?) concepts. With a fuller understanding of Logos, we understand why the "Word" is an inadequate translation and reinforces Plato's own observations on the problem with language. With Clement's symbols of the Dove and the New Song we see how old concepts such as Gematria became "modernized" under the Hellenistic church fathers - expressing new ideas in an ancient way.One could take many things away from this book: a new appreciation for those Pagan philosophers the Catholic Church is not fond of, an appreciation for the similarities between scientific and mystical thought, or an understanding of the problems associated in literal interpretation of religious works. Fideler covers many things in this book - the only fault I find was that it wasn't twice as long!"

Publisher: Quest Books | More reviews: amazon.com