Devas And Men

A compilation of Theosophical Studies on the Angelic Kingdom.

When we experience the powerful force of a waterfall, the elusive beauty of a rainbow, or the stark strength of a craggy expanse of cliff many of us have perceived “something else” that goes beyond the five senses: feelings of peace, comfort, healing, and inspiration. Native traditions throughout the world have taught that these intuitive impressions are caused by the subtle forces of the living world. These forces are known by different names: angels, nature spirits, orishas, or by the Sanskrit term devas, meaning “the shining ones.” The Deva Handbook guides us back to these keepers of earth wisdom. The author draws on native traditions from around the world as well as modern teachings to explore the roles, characteristics, and significance of the devas. You can learn to communicate with the devas anywhere: in a backyard garden, or near a tree in a city park. This illustrated handbook offers practical tools--including visualizations, prayers, and offerings--that will help you to get in touch with the “power spots” of nature and receive their healing energy.

Psychedelic Shamanism presents the spiritual and shamanic properties of psychotropic plants and discusses how they can be used to understand the structure of human consciousness. Author Jim DeKorne offers authoritative information about the cultivation, processing, and correct dosages for various psychotropic plant substances including the belladonna alkaloids, d-lysergic acid amide, botanical analogues of LSD, mescaline, ayahuasca, DMT, and psilocybin. Opening with vivid descriptions of the author’s personal experiences with psychedelic drugs, the book describes the parallels that exist among shamanic states of consciousness, the use of psychedelic catalysts, and the hidden structure of the human psyche. DeKorne suggests that psychedelic drugs allow us to examine the shamanic dimensions of reality. This worldview, he says, is ubiquitous across space, time, and culture, with individuals separated by race, distance, and culture routinely describing the same core reality that provides powerful evidence of the dimensional nature of consciousness itself. The book guides the reader through the imaginal realm underlying our awareness, a world in which spiritual entities exist to reconnect us with ourselves, humanity, and our planet. Accurate drawings of plants, including peyote, Salvia divinorum, and San Pedro, enhance the book’s usefulness.

First Published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The great premium that comes with practice is Wisdom. Thanks to her, things are seen from the right point of view. And most of the time, seeing things from the right place is enough for everything to make sense. And everything makes sense when the conditions for which it has come to be seen are seen. Like when the conjurer is seen in full swing, but from behind. The tricks appear obvious and even crude as you watch people marvel at the function. And you don't know if it's really worth explaining anything to them, because from where they are they can't see it. If they're comfortable watching the show, nothing will stir them up. Therefore, my preference for those who do not like the seat in which life has put them to contemplate the function.

Originally published in 1935, this book contains an English translation of the Pravacana-sara, an early Jain text that embodies the teaching of the Digambara sect, along with the translation of a commentary by Amŗtacandra. The introduction by F. W. Thomas provides background to the dialect of Sanskrit used by Kunda-kunda, the original author, and a few details on the author as a historical figure and his importance in Digambara Jainism. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Jain literature and scripture.