Whether or not Gardner faithfully preserved an ancient religions practice, and whether or not his conjuectures about its long history are correct, theWhether or not Gardner faithfully preserved an ancient religion´s practice, and whether or not his conjuectures about its long history are correct, the impact of this book on modern Wicca is evident. What surprised me was how easily the practices he describes align with Spiritism, and how Gardner used to be a practicing Kardecist. I didn´t know the two movements were related....more
I remember sneaking this one off the bookshelf in the spare room when I was little. It had a big impact on me then, when I could only just understandI remember sneaking this one off the bookshelf in the spare room when I was little. It had a big impact on me then, when I could only just understand it, and continued to be an interesting read now, when I can understand it a little better....more
As far as communicating with disencarnated beings goes, I found Spiritist literature more coherent and useful, though its always lovely to read aboutAs far as communicating with disencarnated beings goes, I found Spiritist literature more coherent and useful, though it´s always lovely to read about someone´s love for angels....more
This fell into my hands one night (white spectral mirror) when I was staying at the foot of a tepuy in La Gran Sabana. The book guided a group, now diThis fell into my hands one night (white spectral mirror) when I was staying at the foot of a tepuy in La Gran Sabana. The book guided a group, now disbanded, who (in loose terms) was waiting for a UFO/beings of light to descend onto the tepuy and invite them to ascend with them. The site was an alternative school while they waited for that special day. Apparently the ship never came-- I don´t know why-- and before the group broke up, they gave this book to the family I was staying with, since the family follows Saint Germain and many of the teachings of the Great White Brotherhood are similar.
I understood maybe 1/15th of the half of the book I got through by candlelight, and I´d like to give it more time in the future. Of course, to understand more than 1/10th, I´m going to need a much stronger knowledge of physics and electronics....more
I appreciated the authors clear explanations of alternate dimensions and his postulations on what kinds of entities inhabit them. His descriptions ofI appreciated the author´s clear explanations of alternate dimensions and his postulations on what kinds of entities inhabit them. His descriptions of how they make contact with us, and how this could have led to many of the world´s religions, are good cautionary tales for any psychedelic explorer.
For descriptions of the plants, I found Peter H´s work more useful and well-written. The chapter here on ayahuasca is entirely off, actually fearful, which clashes with his reverance for the plants in the rest of the work, which threw me off most sharply since that´s the brew I´m most familiar with. ...more
This is the most fascinating book I have read to date. It ties together absolutely everything going on in my head right now. It is the convergence ofThis is the most fascinating book I have read to date. It ties together absolutely everything going on in my head right now. It is the convergence of my universe, and I can´t wait to try the meditation described in part 2....more
I enjoyed Castaneda's descriptions of his time in nonordinary realities, both because of his writing style and because I could compare them to my expeI enjoyed Castaneda's descriptions of his time in nonordinary realities, both because of his writing style and because I could compare them to my experiences with ayahuasca. (Subsequently, I think I'll take more next time.) Reading this one helped me flesh out Journey to Ixtlan. His more academic analysis of his experience in part 2, while not the most engaging read for me, was interesting as an intellectual exercise in how to characterize these experiences of nonordinary reality (something I know I've had trouble doing in the past). ...more
Also part of the quantum physics meets Eastern mysticism syllabus I've unconciously assigned myself. Read for the information and not for the literaryAlso part of the quantum physics meets Eastern mysticism syllabus I've unconciously assigned myself. Read for the information and not for the literary style (plotline and characters were not skillfully executed), I recommend picking this up. Not strenuous reading, either-- I read it in one travel day....more
My first foray into Castaneda after some significant recommendations by two sons of Oxossi and Oxum.
Fits in well with other books I'm reading about thMy first foray into Castaneda after some significant recommendations by two sons of Oxossi and Oxum.
Fits in well with other books I'm reading about the nature of consciousness, and a good leaping-off point into Fritjof Capra's "The Tao of Physics"....more
A guy who works at Loui's gave me this book when he saw I was reading Terence McKenna on Ayahuasca. Chapter 13 characterizes the relationship betweenA guy who works at Loui's gave me this book when he saw I was reading Terence McKenna on Ayahuasca. Chapter 13 characterizes the relationship between reindeer and a psychodelic mushroom. I must read about flying reindeer.
I enjoyed the book-- accessible, with useful lessons in focusing on the moment.
However, any time a man tries to tell me what menstruation and PMS areI enjoyed the book-- accessible, with useful lessons in focusing on the moment.
However, any time a man tries to tell me what menstruation and PMS are and should be like, I just want to tie him down and bleed on him for a while....more
"The game has been disbanded./My mind has been expanded." This book was insane in the best way possible. It makes me want to study quantum physics and"The game has been disbanded./My mind has been expanded." This book was insane in the best way possible. It makes me want to study quantum physics and to become a shaman. Recommended recommended recommended.
This is how Arguelles should have been writing....more
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