The Masters And The Spiritual Path

"You have friends in high places. There are masters who have come out of all the world’s great spiritual traditions. These great lights of East and West have graduated from earth’s schoolroom and reunited with Spirit in the process known as the ascension. The masters tell us that they are examples and not exceptions to the rule. We, too, are destined to fulfill our life’s purpose and reunite with Spirit. This intriguing work offers an innovative perspective on the universe and your role in it. In this brilliant blend of East and West, you will discover valuable keys for your own spiritual path. You’ll learn about the relationship between the ascension, nirvana and samadhi, the parallel structure of the spiritual and material universes, the difference between ascended and unascended masters, and the function of the spiritual hierarchy and the role of the masters. The Masters and the Spiritual Path also offers a unique meditation on the bliss of union with Spirit and a breathing exercise to help you balance and expand consciousness."

One of the fundamental theosophic beliefs is that there exists a collection of true knowledge that is the foundation of all world religions. In pursuit of this truth and the perfection of mankind, humans are constantly reborn, evolving toward their highest state. In this book, originally published in 1925, Charles Leadbeater discusses the existence of Masters, or men who have reached the highest state of human consciousness, and how they can be identified. He further explains to the reader how they may make their own way on the path toward perfection. Anyone interested in religious studies will be interested in this classic example of theosophical philosophy.English clergyman turned spiritualist CHARLES WEBSTER LEADBEATER (1854-1934) was ordained as an Anglican priest, but later joined the prominent Theosophical Society and traveled to India to study alternative spiritual and occult practices, eventually settling into his life as a clairvoyant and author. His other works include Man Visible and Invisible and The Science of the Sacrament.

This is the story of a young man who was contacted by discarnate spiritual beings who spoke to him through the medium of an ex-monk, some 36 years his senior. It concerns the spiritual training of the younger man given by these Masters, for that is what they were, and although the contact lasted for 21 years, from 1979-1999, the greater part of the book has to do with the first year when the process was at its most intense. Although originally intended for just one individual the training imparted is actually suitable for any spiritual seeker at any level, and there is discussion of many different aspects of the spiritual path as well as elucidation of occasionally controversial points such as the nature of the ego, the problem of evil, the place of sex in the spiritual life, the relevance of spiritual experiences and the function of teachers, all in a form that combines simplicity with depth.

There are Masters who have come out of all the world's great spiritual traditions. They have reunited with Spirit in the process known as the ascension. They tell us that we are destined to fulfill our life's purpose and reunite with Spirit.

“A wonderfully significant and important book.” —Ken Wilber, The Integral Vision “A timely and penetrating analysis of spirituality’s shadow.” —Stephen Batchelor, Buddhism without Beliefs A spiritual teacher and integral psychotherapist offers a first-of-its-kind study on how we use—and abuse—spiritual beliefs and practices, revealing how to identify and move beyond what holds us back from living life fully. Spiritual bypassing—the use of spiritual beliefs to avoid dealing with painful feelings, unresolved wounds, and developmental needs—is so pervasive that it goes largely unnoticed. The spiritual ideals of any tradition, whether Christian commandments or Buddhist precepts, can provide easy justification for practitioners to duck uncomfortable feelings in favor of more seemingly enlightened activity. When split off from fundamental psychological needs, such actions often do much more harm than good. While other authors have touched on the subject, this is the first book fully devoted to spiritual bypassing. In the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa’s landmark Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, Spiritual Bypassing provides an in-depth look at the unresolved or ignored psychological issues often masked as spirituality, including self-judgment, excessive niceness, and emotional dissociation. A longtime psychotherapist with an engaging writing style, Masters furthers the body of psychological insight into how we use (and abuse) religion in often unconscious ways. This book will hold particular appeal for those who grew up with an unstructured new-age spirituality now looking for a more mature spiritual practice, and for anyone seeking increased self-awareness and a more robust relationship with themselves and others.

Seven Masters, One Path brings together the seven primary practices of the world’s most revered spiritual masters—Krishnamurti, Lao-tzu, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, Gurdjieff, and Patanjali—in one simple yet complete program. Finally everyone who wants to learn how to meditate, or to deepen their meditation practice, can turn to one comprehensive guidebook that leads readers gently yet surely into experiencing the seven universal dimensions of daily meditation practice. Seven Masters, One Path guarantees access to deep meditative experience for people seeking relief from emotional and mental stress, and especially for anyone who longs to experience a deeper sense of connection with our spiritual core. No matter how divergent all the theologies, philosophies, rituals, and dogmas of the world’s great meditative traditions might appear, John Selby reveals that the underlying intent of the original masters was remarkably similar—to help people to point their attention toward regular contact with the divine, through opening hearts and souls to direct communion with God by whatever name. Offering one meditation each from the seven teachers, Seven Masters, One Path emphasizes the commonalities in the diverse traditions, ultimately providing a unique and accessible meditation program that anyone can master.

Author Sam Podany's personal experiences bring the reader up close and personal to some of the world's greatest masters. At 16 years old, author Podany began his search for enlightenment. His desire for a "real yogi" led him to, of all places, Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he found in the person of "Dr." George Gaye, a "secret" saint and direct disciple of the renowned yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, all of the enlightening experiences his heart desired - and more. In subsequent years, the author met others on the path of Self-realization who helped him grow and understand. He traveled to India numerous times and had a number of personal audiences with Sathya Sai Baba, also coming to know Baba's disciples and associates. Podany studied the teachings of Swami Rama, a great Himalayan master, and personally knows Swami Vishwananda. Get ready to experience the first-hand accounts of many of these masters and along with the abilities, compassion, divine love, and power that being in their presence evokes.