The reason for the following selections: I’ve long looked for
philosophic works that took advantage of all forms of truth, modern, ancient,
scientific, esoteric, exoteric. Also that they’re clearly written, easy
to read even. With no intentional barriers or axes to grind (no social,
political or academic poses to sustain—the doom of recent work). Great
philosophy doesn’t have to be hard in the literal sense. True, some specialized
works can be read ‘for what they’re worth’, but usually such a focus results
in imbalance and a spiral out to some periphery (of ‘answers’, sect, despair,
or depravity). I prefer holistic works where all eggs are gathered and
put into one brave basket (maybe so that they can all be broken at once,
as in the case of Nietzsche, who knew the sneaky adaptive influence of
any preconceptions left standing). However, in today’s cultural state,
good books are harder than ever to find due to the flood of frauds and
depraved trends coming from commerce, pop religion, pop psych, pop meds
and ever-shifting cults. It helps to be able to find and go back to the
core to avoid, detect and defuse such distractions. This is why I avoid
books by the likes of Deepak Chopra, with his venal promises of wealth,
and evangelical books of all stripes—with their shallow anecdotal anti-writing
style and appeals to biased, lower egoism and its loss of perspective and
truth. Some following titles may have been labelled as ‘hard to read’,
but that’s just coz the weak are scared and try to put seekers off the
scent. These books march straight and clear into new territory, that’s
all. The last frontier!
A Guide for the Perplexed ~
in 24 hours
E. F. Schumacher / Paperback / Published 1978
Our Price: $9.20 ~
Read more about this title…
Learning How to Learn; Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way ~
Shah / Hardcover / Published 1978 —The essence of the parable form of
teaching from the first guy to bring esoteric Central Asian heritage thought
to the West (1970’s). More obvious, though, and thus more practical for
normal folk, than Biblical parables, which are too deep for most (despite
their supposed popularity). Strong effect for humility and realizing how
little one knows. Perspective is the thing most at risk for moderns and
the cause of our worst trouble, so an education styles that gives it is
most helpful. Sufism has been a strong part of the interior form of most
religions since their beginnings. It is basically the force which goes past
the biased parts of religion. The influence of Sufism on religions is easy
to find and has been credited for the rescue of religion, culture and even
societies. Our Price: $15.40 ~
(30%)
Magic Monastery by Idries Shah / Paperback / Published 1992 –High impact
tiny ancient stories of donkeys, melons, idiots and seekers, where as usual
life is not what it seems–especially when you’re as biased as those who
think they know! Our Price: $10.00 ~
Is There Life on Earth? : An Introduction to Gurdjieff ~
/ Paperback / Published 1989. Our Price: $13.00
The Philokalia, vol. 1. The esoteric sky-high writings of the early
desert fathers and monks. Ageless and clear.
Gravity and Grace, by Simone Weil. Counterintuitive faces of reality in
the form of developing aphorisms. Quick little thoughts play off each other
and enlarge the world, awesome.
Mutant Message Down Under, by Marlo Morgan. An American gets accidently
on purpose caught up in a WalkAbout. She was ready but didn’t know it. Abo
wisdom. A gulp of essence boost for moderns who tend to be overloaded in
baggage of ego and personality chasing.
Meetings With Remarkable Men ~
G. I. Gurdjieff / Paperback / Published 1991 . A good first book to read
by G. Action packed philosophical adventure memoirs about a guy and his
pals growing up in Central Asia questing for the meaning of life, no holds
barred. The picture of gungho resourcefulness. And role models. And the
taste of an evolving discovery of ancient truths for life. Unique combination
of modern psychology and science standards with ancient truth. G was the
first Sufic teacher to the West, but unlike Idries Shah, he kept his methods
hidden. Our Price: $10.36 ~
(20%)
Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution ~
in 2-3 days
slim, elegant volume and presentation of an alternative approach to personal
growth, as compared with today’s popular methods which all (not accidently)
seem to focus on promises, wealth and power with slim attention to reality
(at what cost? and to whose benefit?). A fresh look at ego factors. Scientific,
rational truths finally combined with those from religion. Our Price: $6.40
~
Boyhood With Gurdjieff by Fritz Peters / Published 1980 . —G started the
Institute, a global project in France in the ’20s, where people came to
live and study under esoteric concepts. Memoirs of his boy valet and lawn-mower.
Often humorous stories about an over-the-top teacher who had more to offer
than the usual.
Masters of Wisdom (Bennett Books Spiritual Classic) by John G. Bennett /
Paperback / Published 1995 —An overview of esoteric presences throughout
existence of the earth, humanity and civilization. The chain has been kept
alive. Sufis and more here. New views of Christianity and the rest. Our
Price: $18.00 (Special Order)
The Spiritual Hunger of the Modern Child by J.G. Bennett, Mario Montessori
/ Paperback / Published 1984 —Haven’t read or seen this, but haven’t seen
any other book on raising kids in light of esoteric truth otherwise, so
this would probably be something more realistic than what it found in bookstores
anywhere. Our Price: $9.95 + $0.85 special surcharge (Special Order)
Long Pilgrimage : The Life and Teaching of Sri Govindanda Bharati, Known
As the Shivapuri Baba by John Godolphin Bennett / Published 1983 —Lived
to be 135 or so. Walked around the world for 40 yrs. Smart guy. That sort
of thing. Not to be confused with…
