Three Initiates The Kybalion A Study of the HerBookZZ (original) (raw)
Hermes Explains: Thirty Questions about Western Esotericism
Hermes Explains: Thirty Questions about Western Esotericism, 2019
Few fields of academic research are surrounded by so many misunderstandings and misconceptions as the study of Western esotericism. For twenty years now, the Centre for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (University of Amsterdam) has been at the forefront of international scholarship in this domain. This anniversary volume seeks to make the modern study of Western esotericism known beyond specialist circles, while addressing a range of misconceptions, biases, and prejudices that still tend to surround it. Thirty major scholars in the field respond to questions about a wide range of unfamiliar ideas, traditions, practices, problems, and personalities that are central to this area of research. By challenging many taken-for-granted assumptions about religion, science, philosophy, and the arts, this volume demonstrates why the academic study of esotericism leads us to reconsider much that we thought we knew about the story of Western culture.
London and Benares :The Theosophical Publishing Society + The New Alexandria Library of Texas , 1906
Thrice-Greatest Hermes: Studies in Hellenistic Theosophy and Gnosis is a comprehensive scholarly work by G. R. S. Mead, offering an in-depth translation and analysis of the surviving texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Spanning over 1300 pages, the book includes three volumes: Prolegomena, Aka Volume 1 ,Volume 2, and Volume 3, all of which delve into the rich intellectual tradition of Hellenistic Hermeticism and its influence on Western esotericism, philosophy, and religious thought. Volume1 Prolegomena 3 Preface Contents Volume ll- Sermons -504 +Contents-506 Volume lll - Excerpts and Fragments 920 Contents 922 Volume 1 - Prolegomena The first volume, Prolegomena, sets the stage for understanding the Hermetic tradition by exploring the historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts in which it emerged. Mead provides a critical introduction to Hermes Trismegistus, detailing the syncretic nature of Hermeticism, which blends elements of ancient Egyptian religion, Greek philosophy, and Near Eastern mysticism. The volume also discusses the significance of the Hermetic writings in the development of early Christian Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and other mystical traditions. Mead’s insightful commentary introduces the reader to the key themes of Hermetic thought, including the nature of God, the cosmos, the human soul, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Volume 2 - Translation of the Sermons and Fragments Volume 2 contains the translation of the extant Hermetic sermons and fragments, preserving the profound philosophical teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. These writings present a unique synthesis of metaphysical, ethical, and cosmological ideas. Central to the Hermetic teachings are the notions of divine unity, the relationship between humanity and the divine, the idea of spiritual ascent, and the role of esoteric knowledge in transforming the soul. The sermons explore the nature of God as both transcendent and immanent, the process of creation, and the ascent of the soul through knowledge and purification. Mead’s translation is both literal and accessible, offering readers a direct encounter with the mystical language and the allegorical style of the Hermetic texts. Volume 3 - Commentary and Notes The third volume features detailed commentaries and notes on the translated texts. Mead’s scholarly approach provides a thorough analysis of the philosophical, theological, and historical context of the Hermetic literature. His commentary connects Hermetic teachings to broader philosophical and religious traditions, such as Stoicism, Neoplatonism, and Gnosticism, and shows how Hermeticism influenced later Western esoteric systems, including alchemy, astrology, and Kabbalah. Mead also elucidates the symbolic language and allegorical structures used in the Hermetic writings, making the profound metaphysical insights of the texts more comprehensible to modern readers. In addition to these commentaries, Mead explores the structure and themes of the texts, such as the concept of "as above, so below," the Hermetic principles of correspondence, and the transformative power of divine knowledge. He also examines the practical aspects of Hermeticism, including the role of magic, ritual, and theurgy in achieving spiritual liberation. Overall Significance Thrice-Greatest Hermes is a pivotal work for anyone interested in the Hermetic tradition, ancient philosophy, and the development of Western esotericism. By compiling translations of the core Hermetic writings along with insightful commentary, Mead presents a foundational text for understanding the philosophical and mystical currents that influenced the Renaissance, the development of modern spirituality, and the ongoing interest in esoteric knowledge. This complete edition, with all three volumes integrated, provides a holistic exploration of one of the most influential but often obscure philosophical traditions of antiquity, offering scholars and spiritual seekers alike a profound resource for further study. TAGS - Hermeticism, Hermes Trismegistus, ancient philosophy, Hellenistic theosophy, Gnosticism, esoteric knowledge, occult philosophy, spiritual enlightenment, mystical traditions, ancient Egypt, Greek philosophy, Neoplatonism, alchemy, astrology, Western esotericism, theurgy, metaphysics, divine unity, soul ascension, spiritual transformation, Hermetic writings, divine knowledge, mystical experience, sacred texts, sacred geometry, occultism, alchemical symbolism, philosophy of mind, magic, mystical language, Egyptian religion, Platonic thought, Pythagoreanism, philosophical syncretism, wisdom literature, spiritual practices, esoteric Christianity, divine creation, religious syncretism, ancient mysticism, ancient wisdom, cosmic law, divine spark, philosophical theology, sacred philosophy, mystical cosmology, Neopythagoreanism, the Corpus Hermeticum, ancient texts, spiritual purification, mystical ascent, divination, hidden knowledge, ritual magic, sacred rituals, divine intellect, Hermetic law, spiritual philosophy, secret teachings, transcendental knowledge, astral projection, inner illumination, sacred wisdom, the mysteries, metaphysical teachings, Hermetic sciences, spiritual alchemy, hidden sciences, secret wisdom, cosmic order, eternal truths, divine manifestation, philosophical alchemy, philosophical Hermeticism, divine archetypes, inner alchemy, sacred knowledge, mystery schools, Hermetic traditions, spiritual mastery, ancient mysteries, Hermetic principles, initiatic philosophy, the philosopher's stone, Hermetic teachings, divine intervention, astral wisdom, occult traditions, divine logos, mysticism, planetary influence, divine energy, magical rituals, the Kabbalah, spiritual rebirth, divine geometry, inner transformation, the spiritual journey, philosophical insight, occult sciences, the inner light, mystical symbolism, divine ascent, ancient spiritual practices, soul knowledge, alchemical transformation, Hermetic magic, alchemical philosophy, transcendent wisdom, philosophical dualism, ancient astrology, spiritual disciplines, divine manifestation, the divine soul, Hermetic writings, cosmic wisdom, the great work, divine unity in diversity, universal mind, metaphysical symbols, spiritual rituals, theurgy and mysticism, mystical teachings, transcendental wisdom, the path to enlightenment, esoteric symbols, divine intelligence, spiritual symbols, spiritual vision, Hermetic spirituality, cosmic law of correspondence, esoteric metaphysics, philosophy of light, sacred geometry in nature, divine power, theurgy practices, esoteric Christianity, Hellenistic Gnosticism, the science of the soul, spiritual illumination, occult knowledge, Hermetic texts, sacred alchemy, universal wisdom, the sacred science, divine wisdom, the cosmic journey, secret knowledge, universal philosophy, mystic secrets, ancient worldviews, Hermetic visions, philosophical symbolism, transformation of the soul, Hermetic divinity, divine transformation, ancient mysteries of the soul, esoteric traditions, mystical Hermeticism, hidden philosophies, Gnostic traditions, the soul's ascent, spiritual secrets, sacred philosophical insights, universal teachings, mystic doctrines, soul transmutation, celestial mechanics, Gnostic wisdom, spiritual awakening, divine communication, magical knowledge, Hermetic study, magical practices, divine wisdom in nature, metaphysical studies, ancient mysteries of Egypt, philosophical mysteries, Hermetic thought, Gnostic esotericism, sacred transformation, spiritual path, cosmic awakening, soul's journey, metaphysical alchemy, Hermetic theosophy, spiritual quest, divinity in nature, the eternal mind, ancient texts and symbolism, alchemical knowledge, Hermetic principles of life, hidden teachings of the ancients, universal alchemy, divine mysteries of the cosmos, sacred Hermetic texts, Gnostic enlightenment, the power of knowledge, philosophical Hermetism, spiritual wisdom, metaphysical exploration, divine philosophy, teachings of the gods, occult Hermeticism, astral journeys, Hermetic healing, mystical transformations, path to spiritual knowledge, soul's evolution, divine unity through knowledge, divine secrets of the ancients, philosophical and spiritual ascent, ancient cosmology, sacred light, esoteric exploration, magical wisdom, transformative philosophy, sacred ancient sciences, alchemical teachings, and spiritual enlightenment practices. These tags encompass a wide array of themes, subjects, and concepts explored within Thrice-Greatest Hermes, highlighting the depth and breadth of the work's significance within the fields of esotericism, philosophy, and ancient spiritual wisdom.
The Occult Roots of Religious Studies: An Introduction
2021
The first and primary thesis of this book is that religious studies have little-known and sometimes repressed origins which lie in the field of esotericism. The second thesis, which stems directly from this idea, holds that esotericism is an intrinsic part of hegemonic cultures and not a separate, small, “secret”, or “occult” field of minority groups. These two themes run through all the essays in this volume. By adopting this perspective, we aim to shed new light on the history of the academic discipline of religious studies and esotericism. In the historiographical narratives on the history of religious studies this dimension is usually completely absent, even if the connections to other disciplines emerging in the 19 century (e.g. ethnology, cultural anthropology, geography of religion) are addressed or if the connection with ideological patterns of interpretation, e.g. evolutionary doctrines, which also play a central role in occultism, is present. One can read a lot about acade...
LONDON - C. L.H. WALLACE, PHILANTHROPIC REFORM PUBLISHER of the WEST OXFORD MANSION , 1887
CONTENTS- CHAPTER 1 Statement of the momentous Problem. Method of Investigation. The Supreme Eternal Being. Our Divine Mother. No " irresponsible " Deity. Theosophia, the Divine Knowledge. The "Martyrs" or "Witnesses" for the Divine Truth. Heaven and Hell within us. Goddenying the cause of Satan's kingdom on Earth. Theosophy the Saviour of all ages Both Saviour and Salvation. Fallacies of Scepticism. The No-God-Idea demands more credulity than the God-Idea. The Manifestation of the Absolute. The testimony of the WorldTeachers. Selfishness the real Evil in Man. The Unity of all Esoteric Doctrine. Occult value of Mathematics. Mathematical Theosophy. Thought is also Prayer. The Absolute Self or Divine Soul. How to attain to Soul Knowledge. Occult Practice. The Rationale of Yoga. The one way to God. The Great Work. Quotation from an old Theosopher 1 CHAPTER II. The Theory and Practice op Theosophy. The Science above all Sciences. Belief an initiatory necessity for final salvation. List of accessible works on varioussystems of Theosophy. The study of Tlieosophy. The Ever-Beginning. Time cannot measure things of Eternity. Power and Love. The Laws of Spirit. The Stream of Existence. A physical and spiritual Death.Soul-Force. The Roscicrucian teaching. Possibility of the One becoming the All and the All becoming the One. Divine Magic. The Female Principle. Spiritual Exercise. " Dwellers on the threshold." The world as seen from above. The primary qualifications of an Adept, quoted from the Private Instructions on the Science and Art of Organic Magnetism, by Mrs. C. Leigh HuntWallace. The Perfection of Christ (quotation from The Perfect Way). "How to attain to 'Power and the Resurrection,' Polarisation of the Divine." Without Knowledge no Salvation. Yoga Practice (selection from "The Arya"). Theosophy based on Anthropology. The Pantheon of Universal Theosophy 20 CHAPTER III. Hermetic Theosophy. Pabt I. The Seceet of Mythology.The origin of man. Ape or Angel ? Pre-historic Hermeticism. Theo-philosophy. Hermetic Language. Mystic Myths. The Great Arcanum. Only Initiates can understand Initiates. How to interpret Occult Soul Allegories. The Eternal Now. Peculiarities of Kabbalists and Hermetists.The Secret of Mythology. The Knowledge which is Power. Two quotations defining what Adepts can do. The Secret of Mythology not astronomical but psvchological and occult. Soul the only thing eternal. Non-existence of Matter. The Soul-World. The Course of Re-birth symbolized by the course of the Sun. The Rule of the Gods. Difference between Myths and Allegories. The great simplicity of the Divine-human and human-Divine Theosophy .46 CHAPTER IV. Part II. Egyptian and Christian Gnosticism. PAGE. God and the gods. Soul-worship and Demon-worship. Man ever the same. Polytheism. Misdirected Religion. Theplace of the " Gods " in ancient Theosophy. Necessity for Occult fables. Unity of Mystic Doctrine. Spiritual Democrats and Aristocrats. The struggle between knowledge and ignorance. A war between the occult and theofficial Church. Continuance of Hierarchic Obscurantism.The most ancient book of Theosophic teachings.The "Book of the Dead." Division of the "Ritual." Gnosticism a revival of Egyptian Theosophy. The Books of Hermes. The " Imperishable " in Egyptian and Hindu Theosophy. Quotations from the ancient Papyri. Osiris, the Spirit of Brahma. The Pantheism ofInitiates. The Egyptian Hierarchy. The Smaragdine Tablet. Selections from the Books of Hermes. The Influence of Hermetic Theosophy upon the Genesis of Christianity. Formulation of the Christian Doctrine at Alexandria. Christian and Pagan Gnostics. Gnosis the Sanctuary of Christianity. " Men are not saved by the historical but by the metaphysical." Christ and Horus. Hermes Trismegistus 63 CHAPTER V. Oriental Theosophy. Part I. The Theosophy of the Brahmins, Magi, and Druids. Whence are the Hindus ? Their ancient " Wisdom-Religion." Indian Caste a reproduction after the Egyptian. A Hiero-aristocracy. Occult Temples and monumental poetry. The Trimurti. The Vedas. Hindu Philosophy. The Darsanas. Many names for the One Being. Selections from the Bhagavata-Purana. " The Practice of Devotion." "Acquisition of Deliverance." " Distinctionof Nature." " The Yoga of Devotion." " Time Infinite which ends all." Text-books of Hindu Theosophy . . 91 The Theosophy of the Magi. All equally pure and each one a priest. Soldiers of Light against powers of darkness.Selections from the " Desatir." An Epitome of Occult knowledge from the Book of the Prophet Jyafram.Theosophical aspect of the Magian System. Magi and Brahmins. The War between Ahura-Mazda and Angra Mainyu purely spiritual and esoteric. Zoroaster. The first translation of the Zend-Avesta by Anquetil du Perron. Zoroaster a contemporary of Abraham. Origin of the Kabbala. The mysterious "Brethren." The Gnostic doctrine according to the Codex Nazarmus. Did the Kabbalists borrow of the Gnostics? En-Soph "the Eternally Boundless One" of the Zend-Avesta. Platonism deduced out of the theosophic dogmas of Zoroaster. Radical Principles of the Kabbalistic doctrine. The practical direction taken by the Magi on the Occult. A journey through Heaven and Hell. Arda Viraf. The Spirit of Zoroastrian Religion. The mystery of the Fire Element. The Logos, the Persian Honover." The advent of the New Dispensation. Our Lady of Light 109 Theososphy of the Druids. Druidism identical with Oriental Theosophy. Druid Monuments. Adepts of Druidism still existing. " Les Homines de la Religion Blanche." The ante-Christian Theosophy of the West. The Bards. Druid Triads and Bardic Aphorisms. Druidic idea of the Spheres of Existence. Similarity to Esoteric Buddhism. Books on Druid Theosophy 133 CHAPTER VI. Oriental Theosophy. Part II. Buddhist Theosophy. The pre-historic Wisdom-Religion a Buddhism. Hierocracy. A New Spiritual Influx. Contemporaries of the Buddha Cycle. Buddhism the first Catholic System historically known. Character of Buddha's teachings. Buddhist Missionaries. The Theosophy of Gotama Buddha. Howto become an Initiate. Karma the law of consequences. The annihilation of Selfhood. Buddhism summarised. Christ and Buddha manifestations of the same Divine Principle. Buddhism a Christ-like Philosophy. Brahminism summarised and contrasted with Buddhism. Yoga and Samadhi. The Spiritual He-birth. The Soulstate an individual Divine gift to each Being. The Meaning of Nirvana defined in a dialogue between Milinda and Nagasena 140 Esoteric Buddhism the ancient Wisdom-Religion. Comparison of the Constitution of Man with the Constitution of the Universe. (Plate.) The figure of the Cross used as a sacred symbol long anterior to the Christian Era. The Mystery of Mysteries represented in the seal of Solomon. The Male brain or Solar Plexus. The Female brain or Cerebro-Spinal System. The seat of Life or fourth Principle. Manas, theffth Principle, or Human Soul. Kama Loca and Kama Rupa. The Seed of the Woman. The seven-fold Nature of the Divine Essence. Separation the cause of Evil. Man the arbiter of his own destiny. Kama Loca or Purgatory. Devachan. The Eternal "Two in One." The ceaseless Chain. New Birth or Regeneration. Jivatma and the Linga Shabiba. The seven degrees of the Masonic Jacob's Ladder. Seven Sephiroth and seven Senses. The Arcanum symbolized by the Great Pyramid. The Will the axis whereon the Seven Principles turn. The Seventh Principle, Atma, or the Divine Spirit. The Law of the lower nature. Spiritual Evolution and Involution. The Planetary Chain. (Diagram.) The Sleep of Worlds. The Rounds of Mankind's Evolution. NOW is the Turning-Point. Note on the Mahatmas. The present the fifth race of the fourth Round. The approaching New Dispensation. Esoteric Buddhism affording a scientific explanation of all the phases ofexistence. Comparison of the Sankkya Philosophy with Esoteric Buddhism. Kapila a Positivist. Purush and Prakriti defined 153 Chinese Theosophy. The System of the Tao-Sse. Directions from the Nan Sua on Occult Practice. Lao-Tse's attempt to systematize the Laws of Fate and Destiny. Selections from the Tao-TeKing. The Manifestation of Virtue. Arriving at the Source. The Abyss of the Absolute Being. Far-Seeing. Confucius and Lao-Tse. A Discussion on the True Way (Tao) 193 CHAPTER VII. Pagan Theosophy. The three great classes of Theosophy. " Heathen " Theosophy. The Divine Masters all one in Doctrine. Characteristic of the Heathen Initiate. Monotheistic Religions. SoulWorship in the midst of Demon-Worship. The Mythos interpreted by Astronomers and Alchemists. Spiritual Science the Sanctuary of the Physical Sciences. Electricity and Magnetism. The Pillars of Hercides. Theosophy the Key to Mythology. The exclusiveness of Pagan Theosophy demolished by two Jews. Initiation to the Mysteries. Autopsia. All ancient Philosophers were Initiates. Selections from the writings of Orpheus, Hesiod, Xenophanes (Note on ekagrata or one-pointed thought), Empedocles, Kleantkes the Stoic and Synesios. A hymn full of fearless love. The " Unknown God." Pallas the Divine Virgin Wisdom. The Phidian Jupiter. Causes producing the dissolution of Paganism. The old lights becoming extinct, new beacons were foimd. Heathen Orthodoxy. Man's mind in a cosmic prison. The Letter which killeth. The Cynics, Grecian Yogis. The Pythagorean System (quotation from Cleobolus). The lost Key to Esoteric Knowledge. Paul declaring the "Unknown God" .. 201 Theosophic Ideas of the Ancient Romans. The mission of the Romans. Their Temples having originally no Statues. Greek influence on Roman Religion. The Roman Cultus. Numa the last of the Adept Kings. Gives the people a settled form of religion and Divine Law. The Etruscans. The Culte of Virtue. The Sybilline Oracles. God's great plan of educating the world. The Roman Cultus formulating Christian Ecclesiasticism 227 CHAPTER VIII. Semitic Theosophy. Pabt I. The Kabbala ob Hebbew Theosophy. Theosophy the Salvation of the Jews. Monotheism th...
The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism
Cambridge University Press eBooks, 2016
Mysticism and esotericism are two intimately related strands of the Western tradition. Despite their close connections, however, scholars tend to treat them separately. Whereas the study of Western mysticism enjoys a long and established history, Western esotericism is a young field. The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism examines both of these traditions together. The volume demonstrates that the roots of esotericism almost always lead back to mystical traditions, while the work of mystics was bound up with esoteric or occult preoccupations. It also shows why mysticism and esotericism must be examined together if either is to be understood fully. Including contributions by leading scholars, this volume features essays on such topics as alchemy, astrology, magic, Neoplatonism, Kabbalism, Renaissance Hermetism, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, number symbolism, Christian theosophy, spiritualism, and much more. This handbook serves as both a capstone of contemporary scholarship and a cornerstone of future research.
Ancient Hermetism and Esotericism
The Hermetic treatises have played a considerable role in the history of Western Esotericism. However, according to the influential definition of Antoine Faivre, Western Esotericism is a historical phenomenon originating from the fifteenth century, when Marsilio Ficino translated the Greek Corpus Hermeticum into Latin. The question, then, is if the term “esotericism” has any utility for understanding the original context of the Hermetic treatises, in the first centuries of the Common Era. The present contribution aims to give a summary account of research into ancient Hermetism, and consider the Hermetic treatises in light of the six elements of Faivre’s conception of Western Esotericism. These six elements can serve as heuristic tools to single out certain salient features of the treatises, but do not really help us gain a deeper understanding of them or the greater phenomenon of Hermetism. However, recalling the work of Hugh Urban, it will be suggested that we should use “esotericism” as an analytical term designating a social strategy, characterized by the creation of a closed social space, a claim to possess a superior faculty of knowledge, and rites of initiation to obtain this faculty and become a new human. The advantage of this second approach is that it permits us to compare the social strategies operative in the Hermetic treatises with those of other esoteric traditions, including those that do not have any historical affiliations with Hermetism.