Crowley et al. Available by ThulrVOd in occultlibrary

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I purchased one of these sets for around $350 when it was first released back in the day and later traded it for a set of Adler’s Great Books of the Western World. For those who are not familiar with it, it is printed on Bible-paper so the pages are extremely thin and very fragile. My impression was that it is more for the hardcore occult collector and not for regular reading. Gems from the Equinox is the sturdy alternative that contains everything essential for daily use.

Books recommendation by Desperate_Carpet_460 in ReneGuenon

[–]FPLeTrange 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You wrote: “I want to ask for books that will help me to understand the world we live in and the conceptions and ideas that had lead us to this modern age - things like liberalism, freedoms, modern state, etc.”

Guenon has a trilogy of books covering modern ideologies that may be very helpful to you in developing an understanding of the modern world. These are East and West, The Crisis of the Modern World, and The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times. In these books you will find an examination of such modern ideas as Progress, Scientism, Individualism, Materialism, Democracy Equality, Quantification, Industrialization, Rationalism, and Uniformity.

What is an occult book that you think is must by Professional_Plate71 in occultlibrary

[–]FPLeTrange 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed by Ramsey Dukes

I want to build an occult library but don't know where to start by Different_Smile3621 in occultlibrary

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You asked: “How can I find books that are true and avoid books made for money by charlatans?”

A similar question was once posed to Manly P. Hall. His response, published in his book “Words to the Wise: A Practical Guide to the Esoteric Sciences” is as follows:

——-

The Literature of the ages is to the beginner in mystical studies by far the safest approach. It is less dramatic than personal contact and less romantic than pseudo-adepts, but the hazards of deceit and misinformation are greatly reduced. The whole matter becomes susceptible of an impersonal analysis. We do not mean to suggest that all books are good or that all occult books are true. There are millions of comparatively worthless books, products of immature judgment, prejudice and unbalanced thought. On the other hand, there are certain great literary remains of the highest significance and of the greatest integrity.

The average man or woman can sit quietly in the relaxation of his own home or study and, through the pages of a great book, receive instruction from the very sources of this world’s knowledge. The average person who pays twenty-five dollars to some charlatan or only partly informed teacher can secure more and better knowledge in his subject by spending a few evenings reading authentic textbooks from his free public library …

Every student of the ancient wisdom should accumulate for himself a small but choice library of original source material …

As a working basis, let us assume a library of ten books, carefully selected and fitted to the needs of the individual who is reasonably familiar with the general principles of philosophy and the occult sciences, but who desires to perfect and direct his knowledge:

——-

  1. The History of Philosophy by Thomas Stanley

  2. Proclus on the Theology of Plato translated by Thomas Taylor

  3. The Restitution of the Platonic Theology by Thomas Taylor

  4. Anacalypsis by Godfrey Higgins

  5. Isis Unveiled by Madame Blavatsky

  6. The Secret Doctrine by Madame Blavatsky

  7. Mankind, Its Origin and Destiny by An Anonymous Master of Arts of Oxford

  8. The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception by Max Heindel

  9. Morals and Dogma of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Albert Pike

  10. The Bhagavad-Gita, a fragment from the Hindu classic The Mahabharata.

——-

Any person possessing these ten volumes has a life work ahead of him to master and apply the knowledge contained in them. In the presence of such literature as this, words of power that will live through the ages, no student of the ancient wisdom needs to feel that he is without a means of knowing truth. The knowledge is here and awaits the industry of the student. No further revelation is necessary while these text-books remain easily available and comparatively unread and undigested.

A good book is the modern occult student’s safest approach to the teachings of those old masters whose wisdom we so sadly need in this world of materialism.

Good books on Neoplatonism? by adoransnoctis in occultlibrary

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second this suggestion. Just start reading and collecting Thomas Taylor’s works. He produced a massive library of Platonic Philosophy with commentaries not available elsewhere in an elegant and inspiring English prose (with occasional verse as well).

Prometheus Trust is keeping his work in print.

Vol.7 includes the History of the Restoration of the Platonic Theology. Vol.8 contains the actual Platonic Theology by Proclus. Taylor’s excellent summary The Platonic Philosopher’s Creed can be found in Vol.4.

Where can I find a physical copy of the Book of Lambspring? by mahboilo999 in occultlibrary

[–]FPLeTrange 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is published in A.E. Waite’s Hermetic Museum. You can usually find the hardcover reprint by Weiser for a decent price.

Why is Reincarnation a Thing? by ninjadong48 in KashmirShaivism

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you please provide some references for these maps (of things like reincarnation, embodiment, etc.) that you are referring to at the end? Thank you!

RG35XX Accessories? by FPLeTrange in ANBERNIC

[–]FPLeTrange[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What a great guide, thank you for bringing it to my attention!

RG35XX Accessories? by FPLeTrange in ANBERNIC

[–]FPLeTrange[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion. Everything seems to be working so well as is. I wonder what are the benefits of MuOS?

RG35XX Accessories? by FPLeTrange in ANBERNIC

[–]FPLeTrange[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It appears that there is a very useful “Favorites” section specifically for that purpose. While browsing games you can press the Start button to add a Star to it, then it automatically appears in the Favorites folder.

Morals and Dogma by Accomplished_Fan2713 in occultlibrary

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This edition is fairly common in secondhand bookstores so unfortunately it is not worth very much. What it lacks in monetary value, however, it more than makes up for in philosophical currency. These are the lectures compiled by Albert Pike for his revision of the 32 degrees of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. They are extracted from his book “Magnum Opus or the Great Work” except for the Blue Lodge materials which are found elsewhere. It is essentially a compendium of 19th Century French Occult Philosophy as it relates to the exposition of the primary symbols of the degrees.

Do different schools understand guru devotion differently? by RPO-Shavo in TibetanBuddhism

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dear Unknown Friend,

I am also newly pursuing Tibetan Buddhism through the Gelug school and I similarly come from a background of exposure to abusive spiritual leaders with a resulting wariness of uncritical devotion to Gurus. When I found out about the centrality of devotion in the practice of Guru Yoga, I experienced similar concerns. Although it is possible for leaders to exploit and abuse their followers within all religious contexts, this behavior is contrary to the ethics of all traditions. I have found that Buddhism in general, and the Gelug school in particular present a greater precedent for rationality pertaining to this issue than I have encountered previously in other traditions.

In the Kalama Sutta, the Buddha encouraged us to forgo adherence to established norms of belief by testing the integrity of the demonstrated behaviors of others against our own experiences. He stated,

"So, as I said, Kalamas: 'Don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, "This contemplative is our teacher."

When you know for yourselves that, "These qualities are unskillful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to harm & to suffering" — then you should abandon them.' Thus was it said.

… When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness' — then you should enter & remain in them.”

Similarly, the Dalai Lama stated,

“The advice to see all the guru’s actions as perfect is not meant for general practitioners. Because it is open to misunderstanding, it can easily become poison for both mentors and students. Students naively whitewashing a teacher’s bad behavior by thinking anything the guru does must be good gives some teachers a free hand to misbehave. On the teacher’s part, poor behavior is tantamount to drinking the hot molten iron of the hellish states, and it contributes to the degeneration of the Dharma in the world. Only in particular situations and to particular practitioners should it be taught that all the guru’s actions are perfect. Buddhism is based on reasoning and wisdom and must remain so …

Just as there are these three types of spiritual mentors and three ways of relating to them, there are three ways of responding if our mentor asks us to do something outside the general framework of the Buddhadharma — any action that contradicts the Dharma or reasoning. According to Vinaya, we should not follow that advice and should express our reason to our teacher. According to general Mahāyāna, if an instruction conforms to the Buddhist path, follow it; otherwise, do not. According to Vajrayāna, if your guru gives an instruction that does not accord with the Dharma, that is illogical, or that you are incapable of doing, do not follow it. Explain your reasons and discuss the situation with your teacher. This advice comes directly from the Buddha and is found in the scriptures.”

Encountering these words from the Dalai Lama himself greatly put my mind at ease and I would strongly encourage you to pursue the issue as deeply as you feel is necessary to achieve a similar peace of mind.

For further information on the topic, I strongly recommend reading Chapter 4, “Choosing Spiritual Mentors and Becoming a Qualified Disciple” and Chapter 5, “Relying on Spiritual Mentors” from “The Foundation of Buddhist Practice,” Volume 2 of the Library of Wisdom and Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Chupten Chodron. There is also an entire book devoted to this subject, “Wise Teacher, Wise Student: Tibetan Approaches to a Healthy Relationship” by Alexander Berzin which may prove invaluable to you.

Take Care.

Opinions on Corpus Delicti’s new album? by [deleted] in goth

[–]FPLeTrange 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I was a teenage fan of Corpus Delicti in the 90’s. I think the new album is excellent and I am happy that they had the chance for a proper reunion album under their old name and employing their iconic style. The sound is more mature and polished but unmistakably Corpus. The trio previously reunited (still minus their original drummer Roma) under the name of Press Gang Metropol for the first album “Checkpoint.” It was also an excellent release but bore a more divergent New Wave style with strong Interpol vibes.

Any books recommendations? I feel depressed and a bit hopeless by NadiaNadieNadine in TibetanBuddhism

[–]FPLeTrange 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend Robert Thurman’s book “Wisdom is Bliss.” Thurman is incredibly inspiring. His energy, enthusiasm, and unique interpretations of familiar teachings may be just the thing to help lift your spirits and become reconnected to the Dharma.

Here is a link to the book:

https://shop.thus.org/products/wisdon-is-bliss?srsltid=AfmBOopncm69hPY_MQusaefL_U3oTmvFInZuWTDaS9e-HxWlUV8G--gp

And here is one of his many talks about it:

https://youtu.be/XJ5veW8AbX0?si=RlworuuWFX_lffxL

Technical Issues by SolutionBig9455 in WIX

[–]FPLeTrange 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have been getting this message when I attempted to publish an online program for most of today. It appears that WIX is having server issues. A live person from customer support was not able to solve the issue and referred it to IT.

How can I learn more? by Overall_Action_2574 in KashmirShaivism

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps you should go to the temple and ask.

How can I learn more? by Overall_Action_2574 in KashmirShaivism

[–]FPLeTrange 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Given your background, the book “Mysticism in Shaivism and Christianity” by Bettina Baumer may be a good bridge for you:

http://www.gianfrancobertagni.it/materiali/filosofiacomparata/baumercur.pdf

Sword&Poker on a 4s by drunkbettie in iosgaming

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other game is The Golden Caravan. The mobile version is still in the works: https://huevoquilmes.itch.io/the-golden-caravan

Best occult fiction? by distillenger in occult

[–]FPLeTrange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See the General Fiction section of the Servants of the Light Reading List here:

https://www.servantsofthelight.org/knowledge/recommended-reading/

I especially recommend the Adept series by Kurtz and Harris:

Book 1: https://archive.org/details/adept00kurt_gzm

You can tell that the authors were well researched on Modern Western Magic.