Pratyabhijnahrdayam : The Secret of Self -Recognition by Jaideva Singh

The ancient scriptures hold the secret of creation and unfoldment of all that 'is'. Here is a gem of a book that holds the answers to those that genuinely are looking for answers far beyond the material world and have the curiosity and persistence to pursue.

For the serious, this book will take a life time of dedicated study as it requires contemplation. Although the author has made it easy to read, the content is anything but easy to understand. Unless you have some Eastern exposure to spirituality it is a mind bender at best as it requires a mind shift to fully comprehend what is being presented to the reader.

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Grimoire of Dr. John Fian

This book was translated by Robert Blanchard, from an original manuscript of the 16th Century practitioner Dr. John Fian, in the Scottish and English traditions of old black witchcraft.

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The Grimoire of St. Cyprian - Clavis Inferni (Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic) By Stephen Skinner & David Rankine

 There have been many grimoires attributed to St. Cyprian of Antioch due to his reputation as a consummate magician before his conversion to Christianity, but perhaps none so intriguing as the present manuscript.

This unique grimoire addresses the summoning and use of the four Archangels, Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel as well as their opposite numbers, the four Demon Kings, Paymon, Maimon, Egyn and Oriens. The latter are shown in their animal and human forms along with their sigils, a resource unique amongst grimoires. The text is a mixture of magical scripts, Greek, Hebrew, cipher, Latin, (and reversed Latin) made plain by the editors.

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The Phenomenon Of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Published in 1955, English translation of the original.

I quite like the theory of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881 – 1955). He was a French philosopher and Jesuit priest who trained as a paleontologist and geologist and took part in the discovery of both Piltdown Man and Peking Man. Teilhard views evolution as a process that leads to increasing complexity. From the cell to the thinking animal, a process of psychical concentration leads to greater consciousness. Teilhard describes humankind as evolution becoming conscious of itself. This conscious principle is actually centered in some future time and it is sucking history into itself.

His ideas came into conflict with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and his books were censured.

His works are very difficult to find anywhere so here is one of his rarest and best:

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Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing and Hallucinogenic Powers by Richard Evans Shultes and Albert Hofmann

Plants Of The Gods is a comprehensive reference work on psychoactive plants. It provides a definition of plant hallucinogens and information on phytochemical research on sacred plants, geography of usage and botanical range, the chemical structures of these substances and the use of hallucinogens in medicine.

The plant species discussed include the Amanita (Fly Agaric) mushroom, Atropa (Deadly Nightshade), Yellow and Black Henbane, Mandrake, Cannabis Ergot, Datura, Iboga, Yopo beans, Ayahuasca, Yage, Brugmansia, Peyote, the San Pedro cactus, the Morning Glory plus what the authors term "the little flowers of the gods" which include the various types of Psilocybe mushroom.

The text is enhanced by a wonderful variety of color and black & white photographs, illustrations and quite impressive paintings. The section Overview Of Plant Use consists of tables listing every plant's common name, botanical name, historical ethnography, context and purpose of usage, preparation and the chemical composition and effects.

Plants Of The Gods is a great and detailed investigation of entheogenic plants from around the world. This valuable reference book concludes with a bibliography and index.

". . . an extraordinary blend of botany, ethnootany, chemistry, history, mythology, and art. A visual, spiritual, and intellectual feast, Plants of the Gods is the best book ever written on hallucinogenic plants . . ."
-- Dr. Mark Plotkin, Conservation International

"Carefully researched, beautifully written, and abundantly illustrated, this book reminds us that the use of hallucinogenic plants has been a fundamental part of human experience for millennia."
-- Michael R. Aldrich, Ph.D., Curator of the Fitz Hugh Ludlow Library

". . . shows the importance of the rituals and ceremonies of tribal peoples for the discovery and conservation of new medicines . . . a volume that anyone interested in medicinal plants, economic botany, or ethnobotany would want to possess."
-- Ghillean T. Prance, Director Royal Botanic Gardens

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Aleister Crowley: The Equinox Vol. 1 Numbers 1-10

The Equinox, also called The Review of Scientific Illuminism, has become the standard for English language esotericism, aptly termed the "Encyclopedia of Initiation" by its principal editor and contributor, Aleister Crowley. The remarkable variety, depth, and utility of its contents encompass Qabalah, tarot, yoga, and the essential papers of Crowley's teaching order, A. A. The new edition is supplemented by Crowley's serialized biography along with excerpts from his many diaries, an overview of the Golden Dawn System, a book-length special section of the Qabalistic dictionary Sepher Sephiroth, fiction, poetry, book reviews, and extracts from The Vision and the Voice and The Rites of Eleusis as well as important works by other noted authors such as The Key of the Mysteries by Eliphas Levi. Crowley's extensive annotations from his personal copies have been collected at the end of the set, along with biographies of the contributors. Begun in 1909, it remains one of the definitive works on occultism and magick.

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The Mind's Own Physician: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama on the Healing Power of Meditation

By inviting the Dalai Lama and leading researchers in medicine, psychology, and neuroscience to join in conversation, this book set the stage for a fascinating exploration of the human mind. Here are some reviews of the book:

“The Mind’s Own Physician offers us a precious portal into the seminal conversations that gave birth to the nascent field of contemplative neuroscience. The issues digested, debated, and ignited in its pages will serve as a road map and inspiration for my students and their students over the coming decades.” —Amishi P. Jha, PhD, contemplative neuroscientist, Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Miami

“It is extremely exciting to read what emerges from the dialogues between the leading experts in the scientific investigation of contemplative practice who present their excellent scientific work and the profound wisdom of contemplative teachers. This is a wonderful book that takes us right into the heart of these inspiring and engaging conversations by exploring profound and essential questions about how we can enhance human potential by cultivating positive human qualities.” —Britta Hölzel, PhD, Research Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Giessen University, Germany

“A fascinating book exploring two contrasting views of the human mind. The scholarly discussions between His Holiness and leading scientists provide deep insights into how ancient Buddhist teachings and modern science can inform each other, and potentially transform Western clinical practices.” —Sara Lazar, PhD, Associate in Psychology, Psychiatric Neuroscience Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Instructor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

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