Exoteric and Esoteric Christianity

Exoteric and Esoteric Christianity
Author: Rudolf Steiner
Publisher: North Vancouver : Steiner Book Centre
Total Pages: 18
Release: 1983
Genre: Anthroposophy
ISBN: 9780919924208

Exoteric Christianity is to be found in the Gospels and as they have been interpreted through history; esoteric, inner Christianity is the living teaching of the Risen Christ: resurrection. Today it lies in the resurrection of thinking: how dead thoughts can be awakened to life in the form of moral impulses.

Esoteric Christianity

Esoteric Christianity
Author: Annie Besant
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2020-07-30
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 3752374160

Reproduction of the original: Esoteric Christianity by Annie Besant

A Different Christianity

A Different Christianity
Author: Robin Amis
Publisher: Praxis Research Institute
Total Pages: 413
Release: 2003-06-13
Genre: Occultism
ISBN: 9781872292397

This book presents the esoteric original core of Christianity, with its concern for illuminating and healing the inner life of the individual. It is a bridge to the often difficult doctrines of the early church fathers, explains their spiritual psychology, and provides new insights for studying and following the spiritual path outside a monastery.

The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism

The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism
Author: Glenn Alexander Magee
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 820
Release: 2016-04-18
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1316679357

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, numerology, Christian theosophy, spiritualism, and much more. This Handbook serves as both a capstone of contemporary scholarship and a cornerstone of future research.

Philosophy Between the Lines

Philosophy Between the Lines
Author: Arthur M. Melzer
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 472
Release: 2014-09-09
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 022617512X

“Shines a floodlight on a topic that has been cloaked in obscurity . . . a landmark work in both intellectual history and political theory” (The Wall Street Journal). Philosophical esotericism—the practice of communicating one’s unorthodox thoughts “between the lines”—was a common practice until the end of the eighteenth century. Despite its long and well-documented history, however, esotericism is often dismissed today as a rare occurrence. But by ignoring esotericism, we risk cutting ourselves off from a full understanding of Western philosophical thought. Walking readers through both an ancient (Plato) and a modern (Machiavelli) esoteric work, Arthur M. Melzer explains what esotericism is—and is not. It relies not on secret codes, but simply on a more intensive use of familiar rhetorical techniques like metaphor, irony, and insinuation. Melzer explores the various motives that led thinkers in different times and places to engage in this strange practice, while also exploring the motives that lead more recent thinkers not only to dislike and avoid this practice but to deny its very existence. In the book’s final section, “A Beginner’s Guide to Esoteric Reading,” Melzer turns to how we might once again cultivate the long-forgotten art of reading esoteric works. The first comprehensive, book-length study of the history and theoretical basis of philosophical esotericism, Philosophy Between the Lines is “a treasure-house of insight and learning. It is that rare thing: an eye-opening book . . . By making the world before Enlightenment appear as strange as it truly was, [Melzer] makes our world stranger than we think it is” (George Kateb, Professor of Politics, Emeritus, at Princeton University). “Brilliant, pellucid, and meticulously researched.” —City Journal

The Cross and the Grail

The Cross and the Grail
Author: Robert Ellwood
Publisher: Quest Books
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2014-01-29
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 083563096X

The two symbols at the heart of Christian belief -- the Cross and the Grail -- represent the two faces of contemporary Christianity. The Cross is its outward face -- masculine, public, exalted. The Grail is its hidden or esoteric face -- magical, feminine, sought by many, but found only by those who are able to ask the right questions. In this inspiring and practical book, Robert Ellwood examines ways of making Christian belief vital and responsive to contemporary life, now and for the future. Drawing on the teachings of Theosophy and of the Liberal Catholic Church, as well as the themes and motifs of medieval romance, Ellwood shows Christian practice at its most profound to be a philosophical, meditative, and mystical path well in keeping with the Ancient Wisdom Tradition.

Guénonian Esoterism and Christian Mystery

Guénonian Esoterism and Christian Mystery
Author: Jean Borella
Publisher: Sophia Perennis
Total Pages: 532
Release: 2005-03
Genre:
ISBN: 9781597310147

Rene Guenon's explication of the principles of an interior understanding of sacred forms has established his reputation in the West as the master theorist of esoterism. But till now his doctrine has not been the focus of thorough study in Christian circles, and this has had serious consequences. Guenonian Esoterism and Christian Mystery is the first major work to combine an analysis of Guenon's ideas about esoterism with a critical examination of their application to Christianity in terms of data provided by Christianity itself. But to accomplish this, such data cannot simply be surveyed superficially-it must be known firsthand; hence the abundance of citations and references in this text. Such an approach not only lets us decide about certain issues, but may also help us rediscover an all too misunderstood facet of the revelation of Christ. Jean Borella taught philosophy at the University of Nancy until 1995. A Platonist by formation, he has been strongly influenced by Guenon and Eastern metaphysics. But his deepest inspiration derives from unceasing meditation on the Christian faith, which led him to undertake the present searching critique of 'Guenonian Christianity'. A religious philosopher, he strives to hear the reverberations awakened in human thought by revelation. "Rene Guenon was one of the great metaphysical minds of the last few centuries, and it was a great loss to the Catholic Church when he converted to Islam. Prof. Borella shows in this landmark study exactly where Guenon's work remains of perennial value for Christians, but also demonstrates the limitations and personal idiosyncrasies which led Guenon to distort some of the most important elements of Catholic and Orthodox doctrine. Prof. Borella's book may well stimulate the recovery of authentic metaphysics within the Church for which Guenon longed, but which he despaired of seeing in his lifetime." -Stratford Caldecott Editor, Second Spring, Director (UK) of the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture"

Inner Christianity

Inner Christianity
Author: Richard Smoley
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2002-10-08
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1570628106

An eye-opening introduction to the complex world of esoteric Christianity—perfect for the general reader This guide to mystical and esoteric Christianity speaks from a nonsectarian point of view, unearthing insights from the whole of the Christian tradition, orthodox and heretical, famous and obscure. The esoteric tradition has traditionally searched for meanings that would yield a deeper inner knowledge of the divine. While traditional Christianity draws a timeline from Adam's Fall to the Day of Judgment, the esoteric often sees time as folding in on itself, bringing every point to the here and now. While the Church fought bitterly over dogma, the esoteric borrowed freely from other traditions—Kabbalah, astrology, and alchemy—in their search for metaphors of inner truth. Rather than basing his book around exponents of esoteric doctrine, scholar Richard Smoley concentrates on the questions that are of interest to every searching Christian. How can one attain direct spiritual experience? What does "the Fall" really tell us about coming to terms with the world we live in? Can we find salvation in everyday life? How can we ascend, spiritually, through the various levels of existence? What was Christ's true message to humankind? From the Gospel of Thomas to A Course in Miracles, from the Jesus Prayer to alchemy and Tarot, from Origen to Dante to Jung, Richard Smoley sheds the light of an alternative Christianity on these issues and more.

Integral Meditation

Integral Meditation
Author: Ken Wilber
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2016-03-15
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 0834802864

A radical approach to mindfulness and self-transformation that combines an ancient meditation technique with leading-edge theory With practical teachings and detailed instructions, Ken Wilber introduces Integral Mindfulness, a new way of practicing the widely popular meditation. Integral Mindfulness applies many of the leading-edge insights of Ken Wilber's Integral Theory—the first system to combine Eastern teachings on the five stages of awakening with the eight major Western models of human development, thus portraying the complete path of human evolution. In addition to all the benefits to body, mind, and spirit that standard mindfulness meditation confers, practicing Integral Mindfulness promises a more powerful approach to personal transformation and brings within reach the fullest experience of Enlightenment possible. Beginning with as little as fifteen to thirty minutes of daily sessions, the meditator can gradually expand from there by slowly and easily adding significant aspects of the practice. Meditation instructions and step-by-step guided contemplations are given in detail. Readers learn how to create a graph to track progress and discover natural strengths and potentials. The book also offers recommended readings and resources to facilitate further study.

Magic and Mysticism

Magic and Mysticism
Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2007
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 9780742558366

Provides overview, from antiquity onwards, on various Western religious esoteric movements. This book includes topics such as: alchemy, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy and more.