Westerns Books

J. Krishnamurti found a path with leads generally in the direction of "enlightenment." His books offer a point in the right direction, but, as such, they are only for those who are willing to do the hard work of actually walking the path themselves and observing their consciousness and their word with honest eyes. Intelligence for Krishnamurti was the ability to keep the mind from lazily settling on any one conclusion ("blocking itself"), and maintaining always an open, alert and unending curiosty about everything. Concentration was another key word for Krishnamurti, and he seemed to feel that most people were unable to take concentration to the level of an art-form, which is what he felt it should always be. That said, this book is an excellent career overview of his "work," but, in my mind, intended for those already acquainted with his take on life. I would advise starting with As One Is or Think on These Things.

One of the gratest spiritual book. This is a life changing book and you will start observing with every aspect of life with new angle after reading this book. It covers the spiritual journey of K from 1929 to 1985. One will find it difficult to give off the concepts of nationalism and religion from their lives,particularly in such a hostile environment where social and religious conflicts are present in almost every continent,but if those barriers are overcome,world will certainly be a better place to live.
Very insightful and thought provoking book.

Krishnamurti...

Who reads him nowadays? Who ever listened to him when he was still with us? At the end of his life, people were deriding him because apparently nobody, not a single child in all the schools he had founded in Europe, America and India, had awakened. Apparently, it was all a failure and today Brockwood Park, the school he helped set up in England, is begging money because hardly anybody sends gifts or remembers K's noble educational cause in his will.

This message is truly an austere and challenging message of no hope, of no tomorrow of guaranteed liberation. There is no comforting Krishnamurtite doctrine to hold onto. This the mind must irrevocably hate if it is flippant, looking for pleasure or security.

I first read Krishnaji when I was still a staunch traditionalist Catholic. I think the title of the unassuming little volume was "Letters to Students". Although it was couched in very simple terms and contained no slick neo-advaita paradoxes about nonpeople having ever bought any shoes, I didn't understand a word of what was said and thought the man must be some sort of crazy radical. The only idea that stuck with me was the saying "a truly humble man doesn't know he is humble". That sounds awfully trite, but it isn't. It is so true.

We never know it. We can never say: "This is it!"

Krishnamurti truly has nothing to offer you. Most of what he says are questions, invitations to enquire. But he also knows how to write delightful prose, describing nature and people with a love that is both quiet and poignant. In his essays, which make up about half of this superb collection of Krishnamurti's works, one is first invited to wonder at the fragile beauty of the world and to rest for a timeless moment in the innocence of trees, rivers, mountains and a clear starry night sky, before being taken to the enquiry and the clarity of its burning flame.

Who can enquire at all?, some clever neo-advaitists will perhaps ask derisively. You. You can look at your life and see all the deception and mischief wrought by the predatory "me", the "self". Although it is true that K. speaks of going beyond the self, there is not so much as a hint in all of K's works that people are walking nobodies devoid of volition. Buddha, who preached anatta, non-ego, also enjoined people to act. Krishnamurti assumed as a given truth that we could truly do something about ourselves and therefore about the terrible state of the world. But the doing was first and foremost a seeing. One is invited to see, and to keep seeing.

Seeing what? One's desperate and ugly face, one's mean ego and its for ever reborn attempts at escaping reality. To see it in the chaos and violence in the world outside and also within, for "the world is you and you are the world". This coming face to face with oneself happened through the teachings, which he liked to compare to a mirror.

It is important to see in the context of rampant teachings about Consciousness Already Realized and Being Perfect Right Now that the image K showed his hearers wasn't a hypothetical and dogmatically asserted feel-good "perfect oneness", but "what is" in all its disturbing crudeness. Therefore it is no wonder that the Ultimate Mystery, when he talked about it, which he did rarely, was expressed by the word "Otherness". How could "otherness" be "already the case"?

For that to arise, the reality of evil had to be faced. But it was to be faced without judgment, in choiceless or passive awareness. Then and only then, would the transformation occur as the observer would realize his fundamental identity with the observed. It is certainly one of the great and painful paradoxes of this teaching that it vehemently denounces evil within and without, but at the same time shows that colllective and individual holy wars against it will inevitably not only fail, but aggravate the situation. Yoga, rituals, breathing techniques and the rest of the religious arsenal of self-improvement are dismissed as so many routines of the ego. There only remains a passionate inquiry, which is wisdom in search of itself.

Asked by a swami how he would sum up his whole message, he reluctantly said: "Look". It is important to see, specially in our sense and eye-obsessed culture, that he didn't say, "See this", "this" referring to the outside world. K. is not inviting you to lose yourself in the object. Rather he is inviting you to observe, relentlessly but affectionately, the movement of thought, which is the ego. When its utter destructiveness is recognized WITHOUT any judgment or preconception, something else arises, which K. always refused to theorize about.

The difference between "Look" and "See this", which is the slogan of neo-advaita, is a crucial one, one that distinguishes a teaching about immanence and transcendence and the creative and challenging tension between the two, and one that confuses the Absolute with sensual experience and thereby dissolves all creative tension in the mere frictionless movement of the "already" known.

There can be no rest and its corollary, dogmatism, in this. Krishnaji often summed up our existential condition by conjuring the striking metaphor of someone living in a small room with a deadly cobra. As he often said, "It is only the serious man who lives". One is invited to realize the danger and seriousness of living in the world. And even when the transformation has occurred, it isn't the case that one simply self-contentedly celebrates, but there is a constant "learning", a deepening without end and without accumulation because Life is never known completely, because Life is for ever new. To use a word that is greatly appreciated in some quarters, there is for ever more "oneness" because the content of "oneness" is inexhaustible.

Therefore learn, o eternal beginner!

I have been reading this book for almost 7 years many times over. It has been one of the most difficult books I have read. But why don't I just stop reading? Because I can't.

K challenges every bit of our thinking about the truth. After quite a while, I realised why he does not provide answers but just swirls our heads around with questions. He keeps telling us what one is NOT instead of what one IS. He is trying to help us know the "unknowable". He is trying to help us conceive the "inconceivable". He is trying to make us understand why any attempt at organizing the truth only produces an effect to the contrary. How would one explain that in words? I could never do that. But K does that brilliantly. It just takes some effort on the reader's part to follow his words and give them their due moment.

This was my first of a few Krishnamurti books... and I cherish it. What one gains from the book depends on where the reader is on the path of understanding. My experience with this book has proven that the book (it's effect on me) evolves as I evolve. I can only guess what his words will bring me when I read it 10 years from now.

This is the first time I had read Krishnamurti, so I don't know how it compares to other compilations of his writings and discussions, but I can say that his is a beautiful mind. What he shares with his audience cannot be classified as doctrine or technique, but rather guidance on how to look for the truth. The teaching that initially resonated with me is his suggestion to start by observing yourself and your thinking, without judgment (good or bad), to really understand your thoughts and move beyond the series of events that you use to define "you." I found that the process of attentive observation is extremely powerful, dissolving the tensions I have built over time and revealing something truly beautiful and energizing. For those who want to explore his works before buying, there are websites with many of his "lessons." If these bits of information ring true to you, do yourself a favor and buy the book.

One last word of advice: Krishnamurti does not offer packaged answers to life's questions like one finds with religion. His suggestions require serious effort by the reader to find total freedom.

I was looking for a book that described in depth how the various cycles (e.g., Revenue Cycle) worked in conjunction with the various tables. Does an outstanding job with in-depth details where you not only learn the steps, but how the system is updated at each stage. Good material on controls, especially application controls that need to be built into the system. Normally I never look at case studies and assignments, but in this book, they were useful.

This is a great book if you are wanting to know more about the underground world of black metal. It also has subjects of diff. religions, Nazism, Fascism, Norse Mythology. It also has very good interviews with Black Metal musicians.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT BLACK METAL AND THE EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED WITHIN IT.

Although it does a good job of getting into the background of the Black Metal tools in Norway, their thesis meanders a bit halfway through. For me, it was more helpful to learn about some of the names used in Metalocalypse.

A fascinating account of the formation of Norwegian Black Metal and its aftermath that attempts to delve into the minds of a handful of originators. The first half of the book makes for intriguing reading as the events of the black metal subculture branch out into an unsuspecting society. The latter half of the book attempts to discover the motivation behind the more sinister deeds of the black metal fraternity, but at times tends to be a little confusing and lacking focus, which is possibly a reflection of the state of mind of the book's antagonists. The authors successfully present the facts and let the reader draw their own conclusions, ensuring this book is a great conversation starter.

This is a pretty good look at the genesis of the Black Metal sub-subculture for about half the book. It details the horrible acts of certain individuals of the scene and allows them to voice their own opinions, and this is how we learn that most if not all of the members and leaders of this "cult" are just reactionary idiots with too much time on their hands.

But halfway through the writers lose their momentum and it becomes a fairly unfocused look at satanism and black magic - which ultimately has little to do with the subject at hand.

The final chapters feel like repetition of much of the information in the first eight chapters, but are interesting because of the detailing of bands in different areas of the world and what different scenes are like there.

As I put in my title, this is a good book, but it could have been great with some editing.

"This clear, balanced book will help you understand the crucial political events, social and economic developments, ideas, and artistic creations that have helped to shape the Western world.

So clear, so balanced!
Thomas H. Greer and Gavin Lewis's A Brief History of the Western World will take you on a fascinating journey through Western civilization---a comprehensive view that gives you all the information you need in half the length of conventional survey texts.

In addition, the Ninth Edition includes so much that is new:
* An entirely new Prologue, "What Is Western Civilization?" that provides guidance on fundamental questions involved in the study of Western history

* A greatly expanded map program that incorporates full-color, spot maps, and icons for maps that appear in interactive form on the Western Civilization Resource Center

* An entirely new chapter devoted to events in recent history that helps you understand today's major political, economic, and cultural issues

* Expanded map and figure captions that enrich the reader's experienced of the places and events of the past

* A vivid, full-color design that enhances maps, timelines, and illustrations."

"THIS IS THE BEST ONE-VOLUME SURVEY OF WESTERN HISTORY THAT I KNOW OF."
---Warren Treadgold, St. Louis University

[from the book of the back cover]

John Michael Greer has created a great Occult dictionary that provides quick and well researched definitions for pretty much any Occult term one can think of as well as the biographies of influential luminaries of esoterica, their ideas and contributions. If you're doing any sort of academic research into mysticism and the Occult, it's a great starting point for your study and a good source for finding related information.

Wealth of information.
Substance.
Thematic work.
Clarity.
Knowledge.

In brief, get a copy!

So I'm pretty new to occult studies. I bought this book due to general interest and to help decode some references made in lyrics by the band TOOL. I would say it is a pretty informative, but like any encyclopedia the topics are addressed in very general terms. However, I've felt completely lost after reading about some topics. This is likely due to my inexperience with the occult. I imagine I would get a great deal more out of the encyclopedia if I had more basic knowledge. This is a good reference for starting primary research into a particular field of occult study. I would recommend it to anyone who has a general interest in occult studies.

Greer has done an amazing amount of research putting this massive collection together. This is history, definition, and explanation all in one.

The editor needs to be spanked, however.

Even so, the poor editing does not bring this great reference book down from five stars. This book should be read and reread by every pagan, magic worker, and interested individual. Both the scope and depth are incredible.

I'm definitely a J.M. Greer fan, but this work stands out above Greer's typically excellent body of work.

I would love to give this book five stars. But my conscience can only allow me to give it one, because the book is presented as being something that it is not.

It is very useful to have a comprehensive list of occult subjects in one place, as in this encyclopedia. But it should be called ``A' New Encyclopedia of the Occult', not ``The' New Encyclopaedia of the Occult'. Different occult groups have different ideas about the subjects discussed. So it is extremely biased to present one perspective on a subject as `the' perspective.

For example, in the article entitled `Initiation' on p. 242, it says that spiritual, as opposed to physical ritualistic initiation, "has very little to do with the reality of initiation as actually practiced by magical lodge organizations". But this is biased because in certain significant magical lodge organizations, initiation is actually considered to be a spiritual transformation, not a physical ritual. An example is explained in Chapter II of "A Compendium of Occult Laws" by the Rosicrucian Grand Master, Dr. R. S. Clymer, entitled "The Philosophy of Occult Initiation" (1966).

I would also like to pick up on the article "Randolph, Paschal Beverly", beginning on p. 389. This is an extremely offensive article, which can incite hate between occult groups. For example, it says on p. 390, "Unfortunately Randolph's considerable creativity and intelligence were more than overbalanced by his arrogance, egotism, and uncontrolled temper". This is bad history. It is bad because it does not corroborate different primary sources before concluding what Randolph's character was actually like. Arthur Marwick, a professor of History at the Open University, explained that even the most accurate history is only about 80% true. History is a representation of the past. It cannot be considered identical with the past.

Randolph is highly respected by Modern Rosicrucian orders, and his teachings are used by them as the foundation. For example, referring to the preface of "Compendium of Occult Laws", by the Rosicrucian Grand Master Dr. R. S. Clymer, he says, "The second section, "The Philosophy of Occult Initiation", is based almost exclusively upon the secret writings of those versed in Hermetic Science and Alchemical Processes, notably Dr. P.B. Randolph ..."

`The New Encyclopedia of the Occult' even contradicts itself concerning the character of Paschal Beverly Randolph. For example, on p. 390 it says, "[Randolph] ... travelled on the anti-Spiritualist lecture circuit, attacking Spiritualism as earnestly as he had praised it a few years earlier." But as is explained in the article "New Age Movement" in the same Encyclopaedia, page 330, paragraph 2, "...occultists of the Victorian period shook their heads at the excesses and follies of the mesmerist and spiritualist movements ..." So Randolph's actions were in harmony with the Victorian occultism zeitgeist.

Randolph also explained that his intention was not to attack spiritualism. Randolph states, for example, in his book, "Soul, The Soul World," Chapter 8, Paragraph 21, in which he outlines Rosicrucian philosophy, "The sole business of this book is not to controvert any current system of philosophy . . . but to give forth what I know to be the truth." This of course means that Randolph's intention was not to attack spiritualism, but simply to express his Rosicrucian philosophy. When defining one thought system, it is necessary to contrast it against others that are different. This is the way that academic argumentation works. Such argumentation and contrasting does not constitute attacking e.g. explaining how chemistry is not biology is not an attack upon biology by chemistry. Randolph also explains: "much herein given necessarily antagonizes a few of the popular Spiritual theories" ("Soul, The Soul World," Chapter 8, Paragraph 21). Explaining that the Rosicrucian view of the Soul World is hierarchical, necessarily antagonises spiritualism, because it is impossible to describe the soul hierarchy without saying that certain souls are lower in the hierarchy than others. There would be no Masters if there were no apprentices.

Further regarding Randolph's abandonment of the spiritualist worldview. Bryan Magee says in his text `The Great Philosophers' (1987), Oxford, Oxford University Press, p. 66, that the abandonment of one's beliefs that are shown to be flawed in the light of new knowledge is part of what constitutes intellectual advance.

"There is no justice in the world's censorious eyes. They will not wait to learn a man's true character. Though no wrong has been done them, one look - and they hate". - From Medea by Euripides, Lines 18-21 (431 BCE)

So, if you want to know about occultism, `The New Encyclopedia of the Occult' is not the place to start. The information it presents is not trustworthy. And the articles require corroboration with other sources, preferably direct (e.g. what occult orders actually say about themselves), primary, and several secondary sources about a particular subject.

A much more thorough and less biased way to learn about the occultism is through the up to date leading academic research on the subject. This can be found through `The Association for the Study of Esotericism'. URL: http://www.aseweb.org/

Another useful academic resource on occultism is `Esoterica: The Journal of Esoteric Studies'. URL: http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/

It's so difficult to capture the spirit and beauty of the West, but this book does an outstanding job of doing so. Also loved the character development.

Fleeing an unhappy home life, young Boone Caudill heads west and meets up with Jim Deakins, an easy-going wanderer. In the company of seasoned trapper Dick Summers, they become mountain men, living a hard, cruel life that suits them because of their need for freedom and appreciation of nature's beauty. A.B. Guthrie, Jr. evokes the landscapes of the Old West so well that I could see them clearly as I read; he is equally skilled at evoking a sense of loss as we see this world disappearing before the pressure of the Westward Expansion.

But lest this description make the novel seem too romanticized, let me add that this is primarily the story of Boone's slide into savagery, a state in which he is unfit for human society. He emerges as a truly tragic figure, mourning his sins but prevented by his nature from acting in any other way.

Some of the terms in the book are not PC now, and a little hokey when he tries to write about "romance".
But I still remember how "un-Hollywood" Gutherie's writing was when I first read it in the 50,s. The film sort of sucks, Kirk Douglas was too old for the roll, but Arthur Lee Hunnicut the actor who tells the story just sounds like the salt of the earth, although I think he was trained on the east coast Then there is the black and white, the film crew goes on location in a great place and shoots in back & white.
If you go to upper Montana, along the Missouri, (where the tourists don't go), you'll find a little town with the original boat on display in the park. Read the book, then see the movie if you must.

If you like this kind of book you may be interested in "The Revenant" by Michael Punke, "based" on a true story.

I felt this novel could just as easily won the pulitzer.Guthrie has a way of knowing his characters deep down and portraying all that and more to the reader.

Take the plunge and read the whole series. I found this book by accident and was drawn in by its lonely main character, Boone, from the start. The language is a little odd to get used to at first, as Guthrie's characters talk in the syle of men of their ilk and era. It transports the reader to a time when Indians and trappers lived freely. I think if you stay with it you will be richly rewarded. To me, Guthrie's characters are like characters in many McMurtry books I have loved; I remember them as if they were real people I have known. Also I found Guthrie's plots to be surprising and moving. After finishing this book I continued with four more, reading them in order. Guthrie chronicles the West, returning to Montana after The Way West, a wagontrain journey to Oregon, from the early unsettled times of The Big Sky to post World War II. Some characters, or their decendents, thread their way through each novel. This was an extremely rich reading experience that left me with a deeper understanding of the "progress" we have made.

Well worth the money. Very informative. It puts a whole new side to astrology.

I had a copy of this book several years ago, loaned it out and never got it back, so when I found it on Amazon I reordered it. Very pleased with Amazon as always. In a nutshell, it combines eastern astrology's signs based on what year you were born and western signs which rely on the month. The book itself is well organized, easy to navigate, informative, and entertaining. About the only drawback was that it lacks the indepth compatibility comparisons common to most of these types of books. You won't find much information regarding yourself the Taurus/Goat getting along with your spouse the Leo/Monkey unless the author thought it was a particularly good or poor match. Still, overall it is well worth getting.

I expected a good reference book comparing & combinging the two astrology systems & what I got was a simple horoscope with no substance or explaination behind it. Very disappointing when you consider her works. She could have done so much more.

This book contains 90% very accurate descriptions of characters and personality of the 12 chinese signs x the 12 western signs. I got this book many years ago, and it is accurate when I read her readings for my father, sisters and friends. I would say I find her description to be 90% accurate, I think the 10% deviation may be factoring in environmental influence (eg. if she says this person likes to dress up or vain, but sometimes if the person is brought up in a family or culture that doesn't support that, or if the person is not physically attractive, they may do the reverse from low self-esteem etc). But nonetheless, her description of people's personality and character is usually very spot on.

I used her book to read several of my girlfriends, it is incredible. The ones Suzzane say that are loving, kind natured, nice,- they are indeed very nice and loving! The ones she says are cheerful and humourous- they are indeed those who like to laugh and joke! She said my father's sign is a 'born winner', she is right too, for my dad worked from a job of a teacher to become a multi-millionaire investor and director. She said I'm the sincere and serious/hardworking type,and I make a livelong good friend, well that's also true as I have many friends whom I knew since kindergarten and primary school!

I thought I just had a bad copy of the book or something when I was reading her definitions of yin and yang, and I've also never seen the Dog classified as yin. In ALL other material I have seen or read about yin/yang (which is considerable since I studied Taoism for years) yin is known to be feminine, dark, moist, contractive, connected to the moon. Yang is known to be masculine, bright, dry, expansive, connected to the sun. And as another reviewer farther down the line noted, her associations between the Chinese zodiac sign and its yin/yang quality are not at all in line with the ancient traditionally taught paradigm. I'm not sure where that comes from or where she learned it the way she did, but I stick with the ancient texts and original source books.

It's an ambitious undertaking, certainly, and I love the idea of blending the two forms of astrology but the actual book left me a bit cold. It's juicy reading for a few moments, but I didn't learn anything. If you're new to astrology this could be fun, but if you study the subject (Chinese or Western) this won't do much for you. And I can't stress enough the importance of the yin/yang symbolism and qualities. You can't separate that from Chinese astrology and with her system being totally different from the way it's been taught for ages I can't put any faith into it.

Cute and fluffy fun, but steer clear if you are looking for accurate information. I've owned this book for over 10 years and while I'm an enthusiastic student of astrology, I never use this as a tool.

Couldn't get through it, found it tedious and insulting to my intelligence. A great book about Amsterdam is My 'Dam Life by Sean Condon, but this one will only put you off the author, if nothing else.

As a dutch expat, this book was given to me by friends as a joke. I read it, and was severely disappointed. As has been stated before, the authors try so hard to be funny and give an accurate description of the Dutch, that they fail on both accounts. I did laugh on occasion, but all in all I found this book pretty pathetic. I don't mind at all looking at my own country with critical eyes, as long as the information is correct. Unfortunately, in this book, it isn't.
The Low Sky (Han van der Horst) is much better at describing the Dutch. So, if you're really interested in Dutch culture, by that book.If you are looking for a book to tell you something about where to go and what to see while in Amsterdam, buy the Lonely Planet.
For those among you who read Dutch books: Retourtjes Nederland by Simon Kuper. This is an interesting book about the changes that have taken place in the Netherlands over the last few years.

My my, what fun! And gives so much important information at the same time, it's incredible. Having seen and experienced many of the described traits and reactions - now I got the explanation or justification for what had been perplexing or just a feeling. I love that country and I've got wonderful, loyal friends there, but oh, how some of the petty details hit you... Generous but looking at the pennies, yes, standing up for you but hiding from unpleasantness, yes, making life easy and happy for you but graciously declining a little help in an office, yes... all these contradictions are there. And it's mostly chance which face of it is turned toward you more often - or is it? Maybe you've got to develop a certain wisdom to dodge the risk of reacting your usual way, and be a little more observant... yes, the result will probably be worth the effort.

The book helps you prepare yourself to endure the petttiness for the reward of the generosity which is greater in the long run. Worth your effort - and worth every penny you spend on this book!

I'm very happy with this book. I lived and worked in the Netherlands for 6 months and reading this book after being there is very funny! Everything that I criticized is written in this book but in a very funny way! I recommend this book to everyone that is going to live in the Netherlands for more than one month and to everyone that lived or still lives there. Hilarious!

As a dutch woman, being married to an american man, this book came in very handy! For my husband it was a tool that gave him much needed information about the dutch culture and habits that made him think how we could function without losing our minds. To me, it was a reason for lots of hysterical laughter throughout the book. The descriptions and details are amazing and so very true, but the reason they made me laugh is because I never thought of them being typically dutch. If you get a view of yourself through the eyes of an american, it can be quite an eye opener. I highly recommend this book!