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The Secret of the Five Rites: In Search of a Lost Western Tradition of Inner Alchemy
An investigation of The Eye of Revelation, a system of inner alchemy meant to awaken the subtle powers of the human body and mind.
This book examines in detail a short book, often referred to as The Five Tibetans that was published in 1939 teaching a simple yet effective set of five exercises for health and longevity, the Five Rites.
Certain dietary rules and lifestyle principles accompanied the Rites, so did a Sixth Rite that worked the diaphragm muscles and redirected sexual energies, and also a set of teachings about seven energy centers or vortices in the body, though not the same as the well-known seven chakras along the spine.
These vortices are among the most distinctive things about the system, and are found in only a scattered handful of sources elsewhere. It is by awakening the vortices to their normal rate of spin, the book claims, that the Rites achieve their effects.
John Michael Greer follows each of these threads back as far as possible, to reveal something of the landscape of ideas and practices that gave rise to these remarkable exercises.
He then spins the threads back together, putting the Five Rites in as much of their original context as he can, and describing in detail the practice of the broader system in which the Rites have their place—a system of inner alchemy meant to awaken certain subtle powers of the human body and mind.
The book also includes the complete original text of The Eye of Revelation.
This book examines in detail a short book, often referred to as The Five Tibetans that was published in 1939 teaching a simple yet effective set of five exercises for health and longevity, the Five Rites.
Certain dietary rules and lifestyle principles accompanied the Rites, so did a Sixth Rite that worked the diaphragm muscles and redirected sexual energies, and also a set of teachings about seven energy centers or vortices in the body, though not the same as the well-known seven chakras along the spine.
These vortices are among the most distinctive things about the system, and are found in only a scattered handful of sources elsewhere. It is by awakening the vortices to their normal rate of spin, the book claims, that the Rites achieve their effects.
John Michael Greer follows each of these threads back as far as possible, to reveal something of the landscape of ideas and practices that gave rise to these remarkable exercises.
He then spins the threads back together, putting the Five Rites in as much of their original context as he can, and describing in detail the practice of the broader system in which the Rites have their place—a system of inner alchemy meant to awaken certain subtle powers of the human body and mind.
The book also includes the complete original text of The Eye of Revelation.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2023
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About the author
John Michael Greer
206 books509 followersJohn Michael Greer is an author of over thirty books and the blogger behind The Archdruid Report. He served as Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. His work addresses a range of subjects, including climate change, peak oil, the future of industrial society, and the occult. He also writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 5, 2025
A chunk of this book is a reprint of the original Eye of Revelation. It also includes the history of the work, it's roots and its place in the occult scene of the time. I find that fascinating and that was probably worth the price of admission.
This book also rounds out the practice by bringing in the practices that were not included with the original publication. If you want to expand your practice of the five rites into more esoteric directions, this is your book for sure.
The second reading of this made me realize how much I enjoyed the tour through the history of western esotericism that it covers. It's a fascinating glimpse into another time and for me anyway, it's riveting.
This book also rounds out the practice by bringing in the practices that were not included with the original publication. If you want to expand your practice of the five rites into more esoteric directions, this is your book for sure.
The second reading of this made me realize how much I enjoyed the tour through the history of western esotericism that it covers. It's a fascinating glimpse into another time and for me anyway, it's riveting.
Displaying 1 of 1 review