World Religions
Overturns the long-established historical narrative about the origins and purpose of the Knights Templar - Explains how and why the Templars created Europe's first nation-state, Portugal, with one of their own as king - Reveals the Portuguese roots of key founding members, their relationship with the Order of Sion, the Templars' devotion to Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist, and the meaning and exact location of the Grail - Provides evidence of Templar holy sites and hidden chambers throughout Portugal - Includes over 700 references, many from new and rare sources Conventional history claims that nine men formed a brotherhood called the Knights Templar in Jerusalem in 1118 to provide protection for pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. Overturning this long-established historical narrative, Freddy Silva shows that the Order of the Temple existed a decade earlier on the opposite side of Europe, that the protection of pilgrims was entrusted to a seperate organization, and that, in league with the Cistercian monks and the equally mysterious Order of Sion, the Templars executed one of history's most daring and covert plans: the creation of Europe's first nation-state, Portugal, with one of their own as king. Including over 700 references, many from new and rare sources, Silva reveals Portugal, not Jerusalem, as the first Templar stronghold. He shows how there were eleven founding members and how the first king of Portugal, a secret Templar, was related to Bernard de Clairvaux, head of the Cistercians. The author explains the Templars' motivation to create a country far from the grasp of Rome, where they could conduct their living resurrection initiation--whose candidates were declared "risen from the dead"--a secret for which the Church silenced millions and which the Templars protected to the death. Placing the intrepid Knights in a previously unknown time and place, Silva's historical narrative reveals the Portuguese roots of key founding members, their relationship with the Order of Sion, the Templars' unshakeable devotion to Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist, and how they protected a holy bloodline in Portugal. He also provides evidence of secret Templar holy sites, initiation chambers, and hidden passageways throughout Portugal, often coinciding with pagan and Neolithic temples, and explains how their most important site forms a perfect triangle with the Abbey of Mont Sion in Jerusalem and the Osirion temple in Egypt. The author also reappraises the meaning of the Grail and reveals its exact location, hidden in plain sight to this very day.
Renowned meditation master Chögyam Trungpa challenges popular misconceptions of the Buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth, in the process showing how to step beyond karma on the path to awakening. Karma has become a popular term in the West, often connected with somewhat naive or deterministic ideas of rebirth and reincarnation or equated with views of morality and guilt. Chögyam Trungpa unpacks this intriguing but misunderstood topic. He viewed an understanding of karma as good news, showing us that liberation is possible and that the future is never predetermined. His unique approach to presenting the Buddhist teachings lends itself to an insightful and profound view of karma, its cause and effects, and how to cut the root of karma itself.
The Gathering is a story about ascension. It is a fictional story, but many of the ideas are close to the truth. For instance, a gathering is taking place today on this planet. This is a gathering of advanced souls who have come for the single purpose of raising the vibration of Earth. This is a metaphysical book for those on a new-age spiritual path. It will feed your soul as it delves into subjects such as Gnostic spirituality, ascension, spiritual dimensions, spirit guides, DNA changes, the coming Earth shift, and the crystalline grid. Many ideas are covered that will help those on their spiritual journey. The Gathering is a very timely book. It helps to explain what is happening today and the transition into a new way of life. It shows how new communities will form, including their structures and foundations. And like in Durrett's previous books, the spirituality of the future is clearly described.
When Chariots of the Gods was published 50 years ago, it began a worldwide change in humanity's view of the cosmos. In an era of the military space race, Erich von Däniken boldly proclaimed that Earth had been visited by more advanced beings early in our history. But prescientific man had no concept of space ships, so he called their vehicles "chariots," and those driving the chariots became "gods."
Over the next five decades, von Däniken's more than 40 books built an ever-stronger case for Earth being visited by extraterrestrial visitors. And Chariots became an international best seller, with 30 million copies sold in more than two dozen languages. Also during that time, the case for ET visitations millennia ago was being reexamined by contemporary UFO researchers, who found evidence of modern visitations. And von Däniken expanded his perspective to encompass the present.
Now, he presents his long-awaited sequel to Chariots of the Gods, proclaiming that the gods never left us with all-new material to show that ancient aliens are still with us.
The Gods Never Left Us contends that recent advancements in biotechnology, astrophysics, engineering, and artificial intelligence not only give us a fresh perspective on his ancient astronaut theory but actually validates it. We are--as a race--embarking on the exact same trajectory of our own interplanetary colonization, just as von Däniken suggested Earth itself was colonized.
ETs are definitely at work today. And that affects all of us.
That is what this book deals with.
"Erich's newest book is a fascination journey from the ancient past into the present with a plethora of scientific evidence and documented research. As always, he ads his own "to the point" take on it all. Readers may also like that his newest work moves in a slightly different direction from his past books. A thoroughly enlightening and enjoyable Read." --Bruce Cunningham, Director, Ancient Mysteries International LLC & Publisher of Advanced Archaeology Review magazine
First published in France in 1929, Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of the author's experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. Alexandra David-Neel's memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet--including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water! She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about these spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain enlightenment; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending "messages on the wind"; and much similar material. An unusual aspect of her book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections. This deluxe edition has all of the original photographs plus additional photos and maps, as well several introductions. Chapters include: Tibet and the Lamas; A Guest of the Lamas; A Famous Tibetan Monastery; Dealing with Ghosts and Demons, Disciples of Yore and their Contemporary Emulators; Psychic Sports; Mystic Theories and Spiritual Training; Psychic Phenomena in Tibet--How Tibetans Explain Them; more.
Discover how to use the spiritual teachings of the Tree of Life to learn more about yourself, improve your experience on Earth, and fulfill your life purpose. The Qabalah is a Western non-religious mystic tradition (differing from the Kabbalah, which is an aspect of Jewish mysticism) offering teachings on the nature of divinity, the creation, the origin and fate of the soul, and the role of human beings. It consists of meditative, devotional, and mystical practices, including astrology, tarot, and magic. The central organizational system of the Qabalah is the Tree of Life - a mystical symbol consisting of ten interconnected spheres and considered to be a map of the universe and the psyche, the order of the creation of the cosmos, and a path to spiritual illumination. This introductory book breaks down the ideas of the Tree of Life into an easy to follow path, and shows how to use it effectively in our lives. Readers will learn:
-the meaning of each of the spheres
-a ritual and a meditation for each sphere
-the gods, archangels, crystals, and magical tools connected to each sphere and how to work with them
-how to set up a personal temple and create their own magical symbol
-how to chant the Qabalistic prayer to draw down the Archangels for protection This book was previously published in the Hay House Basics series.
-the meaning of each of the spheres
-a ritual and a meditation for each sphere
-the gods, archangels, crystals, and magical tools connected to each sphere and how to work with them
-how to set up a personal temple and create their own magical symbol
-how to chant the Qabalistic prayer to draw down the Archangels for protection This book was previously published in the Hay House Basics series.
In yoga practice, mantra and kirtan (call-and-response devotional chanting) get short shrift in the West because they aren't well understood, though they are an integral part of almost every Eastern spiritual practice. They are designed to provide access into the psyche while their underlying mythology helps us understand how our psychology affects daily life. Sacred Sound shares the myths behind the mantras and kirtans, illuminating their meaning and putting their power and practicality within reach of every reader. Each of the twenty-one mantras and kirtans presented includes the Sanskrit version, the transliteration, the translation, suggestions for chanting, the underlying myth, and its modern-day implications. Based on Alanna Kaivalya's years of teaching and studying the myths and sacred texts, this book offers a way into one of the most life-changing aspects of yoga practice.
This priceless and inexhaustible resource is the ultimate synthesis of "science, philosophy and truth, " of "reason, wisdom and faith, " and of "past, present and future." Features the complete original 1955 text.
From the bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart, an open-hearted call for human connection, compassion, and learning to love the world just as it is during these most challenging times. In her first new book of spiritual teachings in over seven years, Pema Chödrön offers a combination of wisdom, heartfelt reflections, and the signature mix of humor and insight that have made her a beloved figure to turn to during times of change. In an increasingly polarized world, Pema shows us how to strengthen our abilities to find common ground, even when we disagree, and influence our environment in positive ways. Sharing never-before told personal stories from her remarkable life, simple and powerful everyday practices, and directly relatable advice, Pema encourages us all to become triumphant bodhisattvas--compassionate beings--in times of hardship. Welcoming the Unwelcome includes teachings on the true meaning of karma, recognizing the basic goodness in ourselves and the people we share our lives with--even the most challenging ones, transforming adversity into opportunities for growth, and freeing ourselves from the empty and illusory labels that separate us. Pema also provides step-by-step guides to a basic sitting meditation and a compassion meditation that anyone can use to bring light to the darkness we face, wherever and whatever it may be.