- Taschenbuch: 352 Seiten
- Verlag: Shambhala; Auflage: 1 (8. Oktober 2002)
- Sprache: Englisch
- ISBN-10: 1570628106
- ISBN-13: 978-1570628108
- Größe und/oder Gewicht: 15,1 x 2 x 22,7 cm
- Durchschnittliche Kundenbewertung: 5.0 von 5 Sternen Alle Rezensionen anzeigen (1 Kundenrezension)
- Amazon Bestseller-Rang: Nr. 322.767 in Englische Bücher (Siehe Top 100 in Englische Bücher)
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From Library Journal
While the institutional church has frequently set boundaries limiting what ideas, beliefs, and practices could be considered Christian, Smoley, a former editor of Gnosis magazine, reminds readers that adventurous seekers have always borrowed freely from many sources to enhance their inner spiritual knowledge. Smoley collectively labels these disparate voices "inner" (or "esoteric") Christianity. The writings used to construct this tradition are diverse, ranging from Gnostic gospels and kabbalistic cosmologies, through late medieval alchemical theory, right up to Swedenborgian and New Age teachings. An initial chapter spells out the historical breadth of these traditions, but the bulk of the book offers a contemporary synthesis, providing insight into the deeper, mystical meaning of traditional Christian doctrines. Quotations from the sources are usually more engaging than the synthesis itself, but the author makes the case for listening more closely to an eclectic Christianity's own esoteric voices. Many readers will filter much of the material through a selective sieve of skepticism, but the book overviews a wide range of material and provides a solid introduction to esoteric Christianity for the general reader. Recommended for all libraries.
Steve Young, McHenry Cty. Coll., Crystal Lake, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Steve Young, McHenry Cty. Coll., Crystal Lake, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Pressestimmen
"A wide range of material . . . provides a solid introduction to esoteric Christianity."— Library Journal
"Smoley traverses a vast continent of belief and practice in this lively guide to Christian esotericism, and he does so with great intelligence and style."—Philip Zaleski, editor of the Best Spiritual Writing series
"We overlook the very heart and soul of Christianity when we reduce it to rules, dogmas, and rigid moral directives. Inner Christianity helps correct that mistake by spelling out, clearly and thoughtfully, the subtle interior mysteries of this religion. This book could help many, Christians and others, find a new level of intelligence in Christian thought and practice. It could change the direction of your spiritual life."—Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and The Soul's Religion
"In this deeply wise and important work, Richard Smoley restores the realm of inner space to the Christian tradition. Drawing upon a wide range of mystical and esoteric literature and practice, he shows how multidimensional is the Christian message, and how profound its understanding of the nature and purpose of the psyche. In a time of so much change and confusion, this potent book serves as a source of profound guidance and gnosis."—Jean Houston, Ph.D., author of A Mythic Life and Jump Time
"Richard Smoley has rolled away the rock of symbol, myth, metaphor, and obscuration and resurrected the radiant light of an inner Christianity. In clear and vibrant language, he makes the deepest wisdom of the Christian tradition available and accessible to everyone. This book is an empowerment of faith and spirit and will, I predict, become a classic for all who walk the path of Christ in the midst of their everyday lives."—David Spangler, author of Everyday Miracles, Blessing: The Art and the Practice, and Apprenticed to Spirit
"Smoley traverses a vast continent of belief and practice in this lively guide to Christian esotericism, and he does so with great intelligence and style."—Philip Zaleski, editor of the Best Spiritual Writing series
"We overlook the very heart and soul of Christianity when we reduce it to rules, dogmas, and rigid moral directives. Inner Christianity helps correct that mistake by spelling out, clearly and thoughtfully, the subtle interior mysteries of this religion. This book could help many, Christians and others, find a new level of intelligence in Christian thought and practice. It could change the direction of your spiritual life."—Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and The Soul's Religion
"In this deeply wise and important work, Richard Smoley restores the realm of inner space to the Christian tradition. Drawing upon a wide range of mystical and esoteric literature and practice, he shows how multidimensional is the Christian message, and how profound its understanding of the nature and purpose of the psyche. In a time of so much change and confusion, this potent book serves as a source of profound guidance and gnosis."—Jean Houston, Ph.D., author of A Mythic Life and Jump Time
"Richard Smoley has rolled away the rock of symbol, myth, metaphor, and obscuration and resurrected the radiant light of an inner Christianity. In clear and vibrant language, he makes the deepest wisdom of the Christian tradition available and accessible to everyone. This book is an empowerment of faith and spirit and will, I predict, become a classic for all who walk the path of Christ in the midst of their everyday lives."—David Spangler, author of Everyday Miracles, Blessing: The Art and the Practice, and Apprenticed to Spirit
In diesem Buch
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Einleitungssatz
NO ONE HAS EVER WRITTEN a definitive history of inner Christianity; perhaps no one can. Lesen Sie die erste Seite
Buchdeckel | Copyright | Inhaltsverzeichnis | Auszug | Index | Rückseite
NO ONE HAS EVER WRITTEN a definitive history of inner Christianity; perhaps no one can. Lesen Sie die erste Seite
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1 von 1 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
Format:Taschenbuch
In this thought-provoking work, the author draws upon a wide spectrum of esoteric and mystical sources to demonstrate the multidimensional nature of the Christian tradition. In simple language he brings to light the most profound wisdom of Christianity as a remedy for the loss of faith in these times. The book concentrates more on the esoteric rather than the mystical. In other words, the knowledge gained by going further into oneself, an active investigation as opposed to the passive tendency of mysticism.
The universal truths of esoteric knowledge are expressed just as much in Christianity as in other traditions. The Bible was always meant to be read on several different levels, the literal being only one of at least four. Smoley argues that the spirit's harmonious and integrated development requires that the pole of love be counterbalanced by the pole of knowledge. However, the polarity between heart and mind is not rivalry as blending the opposites creates positive energy. In this way, sentimental or fanatical devotion and pedantic or rigid knowledge may be avoided. Integrating the poles knowledge sets in motion a process of synergy which benefits both heart & mind.
Part One explores the history of the hidden teachings with reference to Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism, Monasticism, the Church Fathers Clement and Origin, Gnosticism, Manichaeism, the Cathars, the Freemasonry of the Founding Fathers, William Blake, Theosophy, Rudolf Steiner and Carl Jung. He also looks at modern practitioners of inner Christianity like Stephan Hoeller. Part Two: The Vision, considers issues like The World and The Fall, Salvation and Gnosis, The Second Birth, Cosmology, The Gospels and the Works of Christ, and the Feminine Face of God. Part Three: Expressions, investigates spiritual practices, love, evil, forgiveness, symbols, sacraments and the secret church.
The afterword includes a list of recommended books with comments, such as A Course In Miracles, Meditations On The Tarot by Valentin Tomberg, The Cloud Upon The Sanctuary by Karl von Eckarthausen, A Different Christianity by Robin Amis, The New Man by Maurice Nicoll and The Rose Of The World by Daniel Andreev. The book includes black and white illustrations, copious notes, a selected bibliography and an index.
The universal truths of esoteric knowledge are expressed just as much in Christianity as in other traditions. The Bible was always meant to be read on several different levels, the literal being only one of at least four. Smoley argues that the spirit's harmonious and integrated development requires that the pole of love be counterbalanced by the pole of knowledge. However, the polarity between heart and mind is not rivalry as blending the opposites creates positive energy. In this way, sentimental or fanatical devotion and pedantic or rigid knowledge may be avoided. Integrating the poles knowledge sets in motion a process of synergy which benefits both heart & mind.
Part One explores the history of the hidden teachings with reference to Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism, Monasticism, the Church Fathers Clement and Origin, Gnosticism, Manichaeism, the Cathars, the Freemasonry of the Founding Fathers, William Blake, Theosophy, Rudolf Steiner and Carl Jung. He also looks at modern practitioners of inner Christianity like Stephan Hoeller. Part Two: The Vision, considers issues like The World and The Fall, Salvation and Gnosis, The Second Birth, Cosmology, The Gospels and the Works of Christ, and the Feminine Face of God. Part Three: Expressions, investigates spiritual practices, love, evil, forgiveness, symbols, sacraments and the secret church.
The afterword includes a list of recommended books with comments, such as A Course In Miracles, Meditations On The Tarot by Valentin Tomberg, The Cloud Upon The Sanctuary by Karl von Eckarthausen, A Different Christianity by Robin Amis, The New Man by Maurice Nicoll and The Rose Of The World by Daniel Andreev. The book includes black and white illustrations, copious notes, a selected bibliography and an index.
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46 von 46 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
Great bridge
24. November 2005
Format:Taschenbuch
To appreciate my comments it is perhaps necessary to tell you a itlle bit of where I am coming from. I was raised in an essentially non-practicing Eastern Orthodox family, where the church was more of a cultural and identity institution. Combine this with the innate belief in the supremacy of rationality, and I was at a point where I believed that Christianity was nothing more than a social institution with rituals to just perpetuate itself.
Theologically, I felt that the doctrine of original sin was something I could not believe. I also became convinced of the reality of re-incarnation, that Karma is not a "punishment" meted out by a "judge", but a universal principle of justice flowing from the fact that we create our destiny because of what we will into our lives. I thought the "faith only" formula was a socially useful convention, but that it did not answer our needs as intellectually curious human beings. So overall, one can see that by this point, it was hard for me to say I was a Christian according to the orthodox definition.
This led me to read a lot of New Age, Buddhist, Hindu, Gnostic and even some channelled literature. If there was a thread combining these, it was that we are spiritual beings, who can realize our true nature through internal contemplation.
I found this book, curiously enough, in the metaphysical section at a Borders shop, and not among the other Christian literature.
To my mind, the esoteric tradition described in this book starts by acknowledging the gnostic path. That is, inner knowledge of God is possible. It extends this by stating the inner journey is a journey back to our oneness with God and with our true nature. Hence, there is no difference between creator and creation, but there is the illusion of separation because of the exercise of free will.
This book has allowed me to appreciate much more the Eastern Orthodox tradition I was brought up under. Even given its warts and all, the Eastern church focuses more on spiritual practice leading to inner knowing, on contemplation of unanswerable mysteries rather than on intellectual understanding.
Perhaps one of the commentators below is right - it is perhaps more "pre-christian" than christian. But, to my mind, that gives it more value, not less, as it points to a universality that both pre-dates and post-dates the emergence of Christ.
Overall, I really liked this book and would highly recommend it.
Theologically, I felt that the doctrine of original sin was something I could not believe. I also became convinced of the reality of re-incarnation, that Karma is not a "punishment" meted out by a "judge", but a universal principle of justice flowing from the fact that we create our destiny because of what we will into our lives. I thought the "faith only" formula was a socially useful convention, but that it did not answer our needs as intellectually curious human beings. So overall, one can see that by this point, it was hard for me to say I was a Christian according to the orthodox definition.
This led me to read a lot of New Age, Buddhist, Hindu, Gnostic and even some channelled literature. If there was a thread combining these, it was that we are spiritual beings, who can realize our true nature through internal contemplation.
I found this book, curiously enough, in the metaphysical section at a Borders shop, and not among the other Christian literature.
To my mind, the esoteric tradition described in this book starts by acknowledging the gnostic path. That is, inner knowledge of God is possible. It extends this by stating the inner journey is a journey back to our oneness with God and with our true nature. Hence, there is no difference between creator and creation, but there is the illusion of separation because of the exercise of free will.
This book has allowed me to appreciate much more the Eastern Orthodox tradition I was brought up under. Even given its warts and all, the Eastern church focuses more on spiritual practice leading to inner knowing, on contemplation of unanswerable mysteries rather than on intellectual understanding.
Perhaps one of the commentators below is right - it is perhaps more "pre-christian" than christian. But, to my mind, that gives it more value, not less, as it points to a universality that both pre-dates and post-dates the emergence of Christ.
Overall, I really liked this book and would highly recommend it.
34 von 35 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
Clear, Considered, Eye Opening
1. Dezember 2002
Format:Taschenbuch
Inner Christianity give a new, powerful view of the Christian faith, its history and the work of self-transformation found within its teachings. Not pedantic, not preaching, just a clear, calm , non-sectarian guide to the inner meanings of Christianity. I have found over the years that Richard Smoley, who edited Gnosis magazine for many years, is one of the very best writers on (sometimes difficult) esoteric spiritual subjects, making them understandable without sacrificing intelligence or balance. I highly recommend this book.
49 von 53 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
The Secret Church
18. Juli 2004
Format:Taschenbuch
Unlocking the wisdom of esoteric Christianity
In this thought provoking work, the author draws upon a wide spectrum of esoteric and mystical sources to demonstrate how multidimensional the Christian tradition really is. In simple language he brings to light the most profound wisdom of Christianity as a remedy for the loss of faith in these times.
In this thought provoking work, the author draws upon a wide spectrum of esoteric and mystical sources to demonstrate how multidimensional the Christian tradition really is. In simple language he brings to light the most profound wisdom of Christianity as a remedy for the loss of faith in these times.
The book concentrates more on the esoteric rather than the mystical strain and claim that the Bible was always meant to be read on several different levels. It is certainly true that the universal truths of esoteric knowledge are expressed just as much in Christianity as in any other tradition.
Part One explores the history of the hidden teachings with reference to hermeticism, kabbalah, Rosicrucianism, monasticism, the church fathers Clement and Origin, plus Rudolf Steiner and Carl Jung. He also looks at modern practitioners of inner Christianity like Stephan Hoeller.
Part Two: The Vision, considers issues like The World and The Fall, Salvation and Gnosis, The Second Birth, Cosmology, The Gospels and the Works of Christ, and the Feminine Face of God. Part Three: Expressions, investigates spiritual practices, love, evil, forgiveness, symbols, sacraments and the secret church.
The afterword includes a list of recommended books with comments, such as A Course In Miracles, Meditations On The Tarot by Valentin Tomberg, The Cloud Upon The Sanctuary by Karl von Eckarthausen, A Different Christianity by Robin Amis, The New Man by Maurice Nicoll and The Rose Of The World by Daniel Andreev. The book includes black and white illustrations, copious notes, a selected bibliography and an index.
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