Review: Journey Through the World of Spirit (Trade Paperback)

Title: Journey Through the World of Spirit / God, Gaia and Guardian Angels
Author: David L. Oakford
Media: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Reality Press
Date: 2007

This review originally appeared at Earthpages.org as a voice-over video on December 28, 2007. When recording I had no notes other than the memory of what I’d just read. As such, there’s a certain live quality to this review that I hoped to preserve in this transcript.

The soundtrack was spontaneously composed and recorded just before I made the review. The book was inspiring and plain text just wasn’t enough.

In editing the transcript some extraneous material (e.g. “ahh” “sort of”) was removed.

So here’s the original voice-over review and its much overdue and slightly edited transcript.

Original Introduction

I had a choice… spend hours trying to get something representative down in writing or have some fun doing a video review. I chose to do a video review.

This is my first video review and it’s been a while since I was a DJ but I think it gets the message across: “This is a great book…”

Transcript

This is a great book! I really enjoyed this book. I read it during the hustle and bustle of the pre-Christmas shopping period. And I just found it was a wonderful way to be reminded of things I already believed in. But I think I needed a little refresher course–and this book was it.

It starts off with David’s very honest and frank account of teenage angst and disillusionment. He’s planning on ditching out on his parents at about age 19 to go find himself. He’s going to, I think, live in a tent and travel around and live on the cheap and find a deeper meaning that he couldn’t find in his teenage years.

But before he plans to leave he wants to say farewell to all his friends. So he goes to a party, a farewell party, and one of his buddies comes up to him and gives him some pretty dangerous drugs. The buddy warns David not to take the drugs until he’s instructed on how to use them but David doesn’t listen and proceeds to slip into a coma. At that point he starts to have some pretty interesting experiences.

He starts off by seeing his friends – if I remember right, they’re in a car – but his friends can’t see him. Then he’s back in the house, looking at his motionless body; and he’s still fully awake and alive, moving about the house, sort of hovering like a spirit.

He notes that he can’t move objects. His hand goes through the faucet. And Jim Morrison and the Doors are playing and the music is very irritating to David, which I found interesting because I’ve always liked the Doors — as it deals with otherworldly themes — but it all just sounded like noise when he was in this refined consciousness.

He then proceeds to bigger and better things. A spirit guide comes to help him, one of several otherworldly beings whom David claims to meet in this account. And the spirit guide, whom David calls “Bob” – [laughs] it’s just so much like this book; it’s so unpretentious and straightforward and incredibly well-written, to boot. Anyhow, the spirit guide shows David a scene of the pyramids in Egypt, how they stand today and how they stood around the time of their construction.

One thing I found very interesting about this is that David claims the past and the present interact in some kind of mysterious way, like interacting, overlapping fields.

I think that’s fascinating. To read that in a book… that kind of thing is quite rare. You find it a bit in the Jane Roberts books, the Seth Books, and you find it I believe in Emmanuel’s Books if I remember right (I haven’t looked at those for a few years).

But it’s a fascinating idea that time is interactive, and I found that present in this book. I also found the idea that the heavens are interactive with our Earthly reality. David saw, as a matter of fact (after the Egyptian experience)… his guide took him up to a spiritual city. And this spiritual city apparently interacts with our Earth, and life on Earth, in ways we don’t fully understand.

The bottom line is the spiritual beings (and David outlines quite a few of them)… their basic message is that we should love one another. And I really can’t find any fault with that message whatsoever.

On page 74 David writes:

The unvarnished truth is that I went to heaven, or at least one of them, that is connected to Earth and brought back the simple message to love one another.

You know, I find there’s no conflict here with my Catholic faith. Some of you may know that I, myself, converted to Catholicism in 2001 and some Catholics might not like this book. There are a few swipes at organized religion and I understand that perspective. I used to be like that when I was a kid, actually.

I never went to Church or anything like that. If I didn’t have spiritual experiences within the Catholic Church I wouldn’t go. The whole reason I converted is because I do have spiritual experiences. But for those who don’t have spiritual experiences in the Church I understand how they can just see it as seemingly wooden and formulaic—it’s not, it’s not just that.

And I think this is one point I would disagree on but other than that, I mean… hey, Earthpages is about dialogue so I try to look for the interesting and the good and if I disagree with something I just say so.

I would highly recommend this book. I think it’s incredibly well-written, honest and there’s such a complexity to the account that it really makes one feel that it’s not just a hallucination. Some materialist psychiatrists will say that all near death experiences are just the brain’s way of trying to make you feel good before you die but, I don’t know, I just think that this book… the complexity, detail and duration of the near death experience really tends to make one think there’s something to it.

–MC

Remote viewing and more in documentary film ‘Something Unknown’

psychic reader: vistavision

By Steve Hammons

The new movie The Men Who Stare at Goats is bringing expanded awareness to the general public about unconventional and anomalous topics involving human consciousness and the nature of “reality.”

Another film, this one a documentary, is doing the same.

Dutch filmmaker Renée Scheltema’s film Something Unknown is Doing Something We Don’t Know What, like the “Goats” movie, looks at discoveries in modern physics and psychology, remote viewing, telepathy, precognition, psychokinesis, unconventional healing, therapeutic touch, psychic detective work and related subjects.

Scheltema has a background in Dutch TV and has created other documentaries. After her bachelor’s degree in law, she also earned advanced degrees in journalism and criminology.

INTEGRATIVE RESEARCH

In the film, various scientists and researchers give their views about the possibility or probability that unconventional and unusual forces are at work in the Universe and Nature – or at least they seem unusual to many of us.

Some of the people featured in the film include former Apollo astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, former Project STAR GATE researcher Dr. Harold (Hal) Puthoff, University of Arizona professor of psychology Dr. Gary Schwartz, University of California professor emeritus of psychology Charles Tart, parapsychologist Dr. Dean Radin and several other prominent scientists and investigators.

Something Unknown explores reports of phenomena and aspects of human consciousness that seem to defy logic and our general understanding of ourselves and our environments.

Yet, much research into topics like near-death experiences, remote viewing, ESP and other subjects seems to indicate that something truly is going on that should be thoroughly investigated. In addition to any understanding of these phenomena that can be attained, the film serves as a vehicle to communicate to and educate us about these discoveries.

As the title of the film seems to indicate, there is “something” in the Universe and Nature, or perhaps many “somethings,” that are behaving in ways that are unique, puzzling and at times, amazing.

Physicists, psychologists, biologists and other investigators are changing their views of how things work around us and within us – and the interesting connections between the two.

Are these unconventional phenomena really “paranormal” or simply normal and natural?

GETTING UP TO SPEED

Different human cultures certainly approach human consciousness, dreams, visions, the afterlife, Nature and other common experiences in different ways. The modern scientific approaches of Western civilization have often created and reflected a different view of how things work and how Nature operates.

In addition, the divide between “science” and “spirituality” seems, at times, to define a separation that may not really be present at all.

The trends and trajectory of our understanding about human consciousness, biological systems, quantum physics and a wide swath of other studies seem to be moving toward a new way of looking at things – at the “something” and what it is doing.

The general public is now being exposed to more kinds of films, TV programs, books and other information that are getting all of us up to speed on the discoveries and developments in these fields that affects each and every one of us.

These communications efforts, like Something Unknown, seem to be part of the process to inform us, deepen our understanding, enhance our consciousness and … well, “we don’t know what.”

Something Unknown will be shown at the Santa Fe Film Festival on Dec. 3 and 5. The film is also available on DVD. For more information and to view the movie trailer, go to SomethingUnknown.com.

Steve Hammons writes on many topics. For more information, visit these websites: Joint Recon Study Group, Transcendent TV & Media and American Chronicle.

‘Goats’ movie helps us stare at human mind

Photo: Ryan Coleman | photography.ryancoleman.ca

By Steve Hammons

The new fact-based fiction movie The Men Who Stare at Goats deals with more than meets the eye. Or at least, we see some subjects touched on in quick and sometimes subtle ways that might trigger more thought.

In other scenes, certain topics are dealt with at length or even hit viewers between the eyes with a cinematic sledgehammer.

Incredibly funny parts of the movie are juxtaposed with the troubling, tragic and frightening.

Besides looking at the concepts of the First Earth Battalion and its real-life outside-the-box leader Army Lt. Col. Jim Channon (played by Jeff Bridges), we also get a glimpse at the Vietnam War years and post-Vietnam U.S. Army. These were dark and difficult times in the military and in America.

Yet, the 1960s and ´70s also brought forth the “human potential movement” which included a variety of touchy-feely human encounter activities, experimentation with mind-altering substances, a renewed interest in planet Earth and the natural environment, as well as the value of peace and human love.

From the troubled years after the Vietnam War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, moviegoers are asked to consider some basic questions about human beings, the U.S. government and military, and even the forces of good versus “the dark side.”

THE HUMAN MIND

The movie, and the book upon which it is based, bring together various subjects in ways that give us the opportunity to reflect further about the larger, deeper and more complex aspects of the real-life material.

For example, the research and operational activities of Project STARGATE, probably the most widely-known U.S. remote viewing program, was not part of Channon’s First Earth Battalion.

However, as indicated by the scene when George Clooney identifies the contents of a small closed box as “a man sitting in a chair,” remote viewing did turn out to be a real and valid human skill.

Generally speaking, it is a sub-type of ESP, but conducted according to specific and scientific research and operational protocols.

Remote viewing-type skills are related to what we call intuition, gut feelings, instincts and the sixth sense. We probably all have these abilities and can practice and develop them further.

Some of the Project STARGATE personnel reportedly had quite excellent results at times.

On a separate topic, in the movie an entire Army outpost in Iraq is slipped a mind-altering substance, LSD, via the food and water. In fact, during Army and CIA research of LSD a couple of decades ago, unwitting troops, intelligence officers and civilians were reportedly given this substance to test its effects.

The dangers of this and other mind-altering substances is clearly demonstrated in one troubling and shocking scene. This danger is real and was an unfortunate result for many people in the ’60s, ’70s and beyond. In fact, certain mind-altering drugs continue to cause severe health, social and legal problems today.

The often valuable research into human consciousness, from the ’60s to the present, has been marred in many cases by excess, ignorance, misuse and dangerous behavior.

Defining, understanding and separating worthwhile and constructive approaches from stupid and destructive behavior continue to be a challenge now.

VICTORY WITHIN REACH

In the movie, we also get glimpses of the positive potential of human beings, our military and our society.

When the Jeff Bridges character has a near-death experience in Vietnam after being shot, we might wonder about the many reports of similar encounters that have been thoroughly researched and documented. And we might wonder what conclusions can be drawn from them.

The reverence for the Earth through various rituals by some of the characters can also be interpreted as a valid perspective that connects humans with Nature – and helps keep our feet on the ground as well as offering benefits to mental and spiritual health.

Mention in the movie of U.S. military humanitarian operations, peace operations, conflict resolution and similar activities might seem whimsical. However, these activities are now considered important parts of American foreign policy and important missions of the U.S. armed forces.

How fitting that the movie portrays some recent activities in Iraq and Afghanistan as being part of “the dark side.”

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a funny, thought-provoking and very entertaining movie. It moves along quickly, but not like the rapid-fire pacing of a thriller. It is more like a gentle roller-coaster of humor and tragedy, action and more contemplative moments, with representations of good and evil, light and darkness.

Perhaps most importantly, the movie gives us insight into human nature at its best and worst.

The lessons that can be learned from the film, and the stories upon which it is apparently loosely based, are probably more valuable than we might think.

Human consciousness is now changing and evolving in ways that might result in developments so positive that the goals of people like Col. Channon may finally be within reach.

Steve Hammons writes on many topics. For more information, visit these websites: Joint Recon Study Group, Transcendent TV & Media and American Chronicle.

Review – The Cross of Thoth (DVD)

Reality Films

Title: The Cross of Thoth
Interviewer and Director: Philip Gardiner
Media: DVD
Producer: Reality Films

The Cross of Thoth makes esoteric connections among astrology, navigation, archaeology, linguistics, ancient Pagan and early Christian history.

So much material is covered in this DVD that the intelligent layperson might have a hard time assessing each and every one of its assertions.

The host, Crichton E. M. Miller, seems to be a contemporary Gnostic. And Gnostics are a bit different from orthodox Christians.

Not unlike the word orthodoxy, the term Gnosticism is somewhat ambiguous because there have been several different Gnosticisms throughout history.

In the general sense, however, Gnostics are those who apparently learn about spiritual truth through direct, inward experience. Unlike orthodox believers, Gnostics say they don’t believe at all. They know.

While orthodoxy tends to embrace a linear view of history, where Christ is seen as the perfect fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets, contemporary Gnostics tend to emphasize a circular or upwardly spiraling view of time.

Gnostics also say (or imply) that orthodox churches place too much emphasis on externally imposed rules and blind obedience. For Gnostics, orthodox doctrines and well-worn structures apparently squelch out genuine spirituality.

Meanwhile, orthodox churches tend to say (or imply) that Gnostics are fuzzy-minded mavericks, possibly deceived by ungodly spiritual powers–i.e. Satan.

Perhaps alluding to this orthodox idea, Toronto Catholic Archbishop Michael Collins said to a Sikh spiritual leader (in an interfaith dialogue on TVO’s The Agenda) that true spirituality isn’t a mere “glow” but an ongoing commitment to serve God.

The popular author Elaine Pagels attempts to sum up the main differences between Gnosticism and aspects of Western orthodoxy:

When the Jewish theologian Martin Buber sought to explore the sources of religious experience, he characterized the Jewish devotee’s relationship to God as “I and Thou”; but no orthodox Jew, any more than an orthodox Christian, could say, with the Hindu devotee, “I am Thou.” But Gnostic interpreters share with the Hindu…that very conviction (Adam, Eve and the Serpent. New York: Vintage Books, 1989: 65).

This brings to mind a Catholic homily I once heard where a priest said that God doesn’t want “Lone Rangers” but, rather, obedience to the Pope.

Whether or not this is an accurate depiction of what most Catholics actually believe seems debatable. But to my mind Miller would probably be viewed by traditional Catholics as both a Gnostic and a Lone Ranger.

This kind of polarized ‘in-group/out-group’ approach, so common today, probably doesn’t help to lessen the split between orthodox Christians and Gnostics.

But these two groups haven’t always been at loggerheads. Elaine Pagels notes that some early Christians admired their Gnostic counterparts, if not in every respect.

Could contemporary Gnostics and orthodox believers benefit from well-intentioned dialogue?

It seems they could, providing each side checked their biases at the door and looked to the other as fellow human beings instead of mere objects for conversion. Dialogue isn’t really dialogue is one or more parties are utterly convinced they’re right.

Along these lines, some orthodox believers might angrily react to several of Miller’s ideas in this DVD. But sincere seekers of all persuasions should recognize that overblown, emotional reactions often point to something lurking in the unconscious just begging to be brought to light and integrated within consciousness.

Agree or disagree with Miller’s complex observations and far-reaching conclusions, The Cross of Thoth is highly recommended for those wishing to dig a little deeper into the mysteries of the human soul.

–MC

With minor revisions from 2008/06/01

The Power of Divine Feminine and the Great Awakening

Shekinah: Mystic Lens / Sadiq Alam

By: Kiernan Antares

Are you hearing talk of 2012 and wondering what all the hype is about? Are we on the verge of Armageddon as doomsday sayers are spouting? 2012 movies are starting to come out and many of them will support this theory to strike fear in the hearts of many or just for the sensationalism to attract people’s attention and dollars.

When I started to write my book Phoenix Star in 2004, I was struggling to understand what I believed surrounding the prophecies of 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar. My research had revealed that there is a rare astronomical alignment known as the ‘Dark Rift’ that is predicted to occur on December 21, 2012 but the logical part of my brain couldn’t seem to grasp its meaning. What exactly is going to happen?

Did it mean the planet would implode or explode? Would humans as a race simply disappear as the planet travelled through the Milky Way Galaxy? Or would some, who had attained a certain level of enlightenment, survive and then exist on a higher plane?

Inspiration led me to craft a story weaving in elements of transformation, divine spirit, and magical gifts that culminated in a moment of time that stood still on the planet. When I completed writing the final scene something extraordinary happened to me. Something more mystical and divine than my imagination could conjure up.

I experienced an awakening of light and sound and spirit radiating throughout my entire being. I experienced the power of the Divine Feminine.

The sound of angels singing within, through, and around me was almost deafening.

It left me sobbing, shaking, and vibrating with intense divine love.

There were and are no words to describe this experience that I still remember as vividly as when it happened in 2006.

Since being touched with this power of the Divine Feminine my life has changed irrevocably. The process of transformation has been deep at work, awakening and healing my heart to what feels like back to the source of my creation.

Spirit gifted me with inspiration and a vision for all that could be that is being validated with each passing day, in my life and the world at large.

Getting back to December 21, 2012 for a moment, let’s contemplate what the ‘Dark Rift’ is and what I believe it may mean. The Mayan long calendar ends on this date, marking the end of a period of 5,200 years and it also happens to align with a rare astrological alignment that only occurs once every 26,000 years.

The scientific community has concluded that our planet, sun and our entire solar system originated in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. They are also now convinced that at the center of the Galaxy is a massive black hole. The ancient Maya believed that this black hole is the ‘birthing place’ for all life and the bulge in the center of the Galaxy was termed the Cosmic Womb. Within the center of this womb there appears to be a dark corridor and it is this place that has been named the ‘Dark Rift’.

The December Solstice Sun of 2012 is expected to align with and arise out of the back side of the ‘Dark Rift’, passing through the Galactic Equator as if it is being birthed anew. This period marks the end of the Fifth Mayan Sun and the dawning of the Sixth; a New Galactic Cycle and the transformation of our world or what I call the Phoenix Star.

What is not widely known, however, is according to recent astrological calculations the Solstice Meridian began aligning with the Galactic Equator between 1998 and 1999. The Sun because of its size moves very slowly and will not fully cross the Equator and emerge onto the other side until 2018?a full 20-year cycle.

Meaning, that we are already smack in the middle of this birthing process and need not wait until 2012 to see that the world is changing and urging us to let the power of the Divine Feminine energies of love transform our lives.

2012?will it be death or the midway moment of our journey through the Center of the Cosmic Womb?

I believe it is the latter and I believe we have the power, strength, and fortitude to ride the waves of labor pains and raise our collective consciousness to witness the birth of a New World, if we embrace the power of the Divine Feminine now and let it reawaken our hearts.

Whether or not you believe this is real, something is going on. Millions of people around the world are meditating, participating in world peace initiatives, turning to healers, coaches, spiritual teachers and holistic or alternative modalities to help them find greater health, more meaning and purpose to their lives?an awakening is occurring on a global scale.

We are living in these times to experience and master what is known as the Hero’s Journey?or rites of passage, something every single one of us must endure, in one form or another.

Some of the elements of the Hero’s Journey include experiencing and transforming:

• Lack of self-worth and self-love
• Lack of courage and focus
• Pain and patterns of illusion and programs from past lives
• Overwhelming guilt and shame that suppresses our gifts
• Taking responsibility for one’s life and actions
• Healing our wounds
• The Dark Night of the Soul
• Finding our ‘voice’ and purpose
• Reclaiming and standing in our power

As we clear the layers of the past we become open and receptive to heart and soul activations which translate into feeling great love for ourselves and humanity. We are able to experience true freedom, become leaders, and step into our divinity that is waiting for us as our birthright.

This may seem overwhelming, but if you have the desire and invite the Divine Feminine into your life miracles can and will happen.

Watch for signs, listen and act on inner guidance and you will be shown the way. Pay attention to what you are resisting because this is often the very thing you need to do to master the next step on your path. Explore new avenues previously feared or ignored.

No one knows for certain what is really going to happen but I’d rather live each day as if it was my last and treasure each moment in the eternal bliss of my heart.

SAY YES! To life and let the Divine Feminine awaken, bless and activate your heart and soul.

About the Author:

Kiernan Antares is an author, healer and spiritual teacher dedicated to awakening the hearts of humanity. Whether through the written and spoken word or through her healing touch this modern day mystic and visionary is becoming widely known as a pure source of Divine Love. She has an uncanny ability to get to the core essence of any matter and transform it into an expression of infinite love, beauty and wisdom. Contact:
Email: kiernan@kiernanantares.com
Website: www.kiernanantares.com
Website: www.divineblessings.ca

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Power of Divine Feminine and the Great Awakening

Review – The Spirit of the Serpent: An Exploration of Earth Energy (DVD)

Reality Films

Written, directed and produced by Tim Walter, The Spirit of the Serpent opens with a beautiful sky shot near the megaliths known as the Merry Maidens, a Neolithic stone circle in Cornwall, UK.

Host Rupert Soskin says a team of experts previously investigated the Maidens with the intent of making a TV documentary.

We’re then introduced to the experts.

The first expert, Hamish Miller, gives an utterly credible account of a near death experience (NDE) that he says changed his life for the better.

Miller also forwards theories about the relationship between ritual and energy at sacred sites, Feng Shui, ley lines and differences in ancient vs. contemporary perspectives.

Jim Lyons, the second expert, is an academic specializing in the sciences with an interest in quantum physics. Lyons is primarily concerned with potential correlations between (a) Earth energy and (b) hormonal and neurological changes. He provides an interesting discussion on hypothesized links between consciousness and biophysics within the non-local paradigm that has arisen from the world of subatomic physics.

Julle Soskin, the third expert, is a psychic who prefers to be known as a ‘sensitive’ due to the negative connotations and practical repercussions often associated with the term ‘psychic.’ Soskin gives a candid and, I think, valuable first-hand account of some of the pros and cons that the gifted saint, seer, mystic or psychic may encounter along the course of his or her psychosocial development. In fact, she’s a good reminder that even unusually gifted people are still just people.

The fourth expert, Ba Russell, is a former physiotherapist turned spiritual healer who discusses the need to release the selfish, fearful, controlling and biased aspects of the ego and yet respect boundaries when working with sacred power. Russell claims that everyone has healing abilities (such as the laying on of hands) but adds that some individuals feel especially drawn to developing them.

The final expert and host, Rupert Soskin, is a researcher, outdoorsman and guide interested in diverse forms of energy that he, drawing from the work of Aristotle, defines as “the capacity for movement and change.” Soskin touches on the notion of subtle energy, an idea tacitly assigned to the fringes of Western culture but often embraced and even carefully classified in the spiritual traditions of other, so-called underdeveloped societies.

Next, the DVD turns to the experts’ work at the Merry Maidens site. This portion of the video is presented by Clare Grogan (pictured above with Rupert Soskin) whose lighthearted approach helps to keep things moving at a good, fast pace.

At this point it should be noted that, until watching this DVD, I have been somewhat indifferent to idea of Earth energies and, for that matter, the entire phenomenon of dowsing. Rightly or wrongly, I’ve tended to see dowsing as a curious folkloric practice stemming from a somewhat limited cosmology that excludes the upper reaches of the spirit.

So while watching Mr. Miller traversing the field with dowsing rod in hand, at first it seemed a bit too easy the way his rod dipped along precise points outlining flower and spiral patterns in the turf, patterns which the academic Jim Lyons noted bore some kind of relationship to mathematical formulae (a relationship that I felt might have been better explained).

But not being an ideological ‘control freak’ nor close-minded debunker, I did a bit of research and found that, historically speaking, dowsing has its fair share of supporters and detractors. Like most kinds of paranormal practice, defenders of dowsing say that skeptics and scientific researchers do not appreciate the holistic paradigm required to yield positive results. Experimental research, dowsers say, fails to exhibit significant figures because, quite simply, the vibes aren’t right.

After thinking it over, I concluded that Mr. Miller is either a very talented dowser or perhaps unconsciously engaging in a bit of wish-fulfillment. It’s really impossible to tell from the outside and I’ll have to admit uncertainty on this point.

My main concern with the Serpent, however, isn’t about the truth or falsity of dowsing but with the DVD’s apparent homologizing of the, in my opinion, distinct realities of energy and spirit.

Is energy or even subtle energy qualitatively equivalent to spirit? And what of the Holy Spirit? Might this differ from other spiritual manifestations?

Postmodern thinkers may wrongly suppose that I’m just playing word games. And some New Age enthusiasts might blithely assume, as has been the case in the past, that I’m merely an overzealous Catholic passing on the latest teachings from the Vatican.

I’m definitely not alone, however, in discerning subtle energies from other forms of spirituality that are rightly called Holy.

Having said that, I would urge some conservative Catholics and fundamentalist Christians to think again before denouncing the notion of Earth energies as a mere Satanic deception or perhaps as an instance of unsound magical thinking. Surely there must be some middle ground where adherents of these disparate cosmologies could meet and learn from one another.

How dull, insipid and perhaps oppressive life would be if we uncritically agreed with any religious or professional group pretending to have all the answers to our essentially mysterious universe.

In short, The Spirit of the Serpent is a thought-provoking, wide-ranging DVD that any serious paranormal researcher will surely want to add to their collection.

–MC

With minor stylistic revisions from original post of 2008/05/08

Review – The Order of the Alchemists (DVD)

Philip Gardiner’s The Order of the Alchemists takes Reality Films to a new level in terms of both production values and content.

As a writer who enjoys words and analyzing different styles of writing and speaking, I was quite impressed by the narration.

On the arts side, the CGI (computer generated imagery) is a definite step up from earlier productions. And the soundtrack for this DVD is simply beautiful.

Gardiner himself seems to be something of a modern day Gnostic or, at least, an advocate for Gnosticism. But he’s certainly not lost in the clouds as some New Age enthusiasts seem to be. Instead, this film showcases his considerable abilities as a sometimes edgy but never too jagged communicator of ideas.

The DVD begins by looking at the 11^th century bigotry, as Gardiner puts it, of the Roman Catholic Crusades. Gardiner is critical of a Catholic Church that, so he implies, was chiefly concerned with the acquisition of riches and power through means of unsavory aggression.

While watching this part of the video and writing in my notepad,“he points the finger at the Roman Catholic Church” Gardiner soon after adds that Islam, historically speaking, was not exempt from succumbing to the fighting instinct.

But the Catholic power brokers, Gardiner says, started it all.

After this bold kickoff the narrative turns to the Portuguese nobleman Manuel Pinto da Fonseca (1681-1773). Here Gardiner provides a visually rich portrayal of this curious man’s quest for political power alongside his pursuit of the alchemical Elixir of Life.

Throughout his account Gardiner develops a controversial theory dealing with alleged connections between the longstanding Knights of Malta and an assortment of contemporary world powers.

But to avoid a spoiler I won’t reveal Gardiner’s unsettling conclusions.

Suffice it to say that I found The Order of the Alchemists a provocative investigation into some hidden histories that, for all we know, just might need more telling.

–MC

Updated from May 1, 2008 with minor stylistic revisions

Review – Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21st Century (Trade Paperback)

Reality Press

Dr. John Jay Harper’s Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21^st Century presents an engaging survey of wisdom teachings from around the world and questions many underlying assumptions that inform 21^st century culture.

Tranceformers also includes diverse parapsychological reports from NDEs, premonitions, astral travel, UFO encounters to different types of loving bliss. And it notes the alleged difference between Eastern and Western mysticism, a distinction mentioned by Carl Jung, Rudolf Otto, Mircea Eliade and several others.

Based on Harper’s interpretation of a vast amount of data, humanity apparently could be headed for global disaster by 2012 if we don’t make a collective course change for the better.

Harper envisions an abrupt polar reversal of the Earth’s magnetic field, with devastating effects on climate and ecology and an overall breakdown of satellite technology.

In short, Tranceformers suggests that the very survival of mankind could be at stake.

While some sociologists and historians might dismiss this as yet another case of millennial hysteria (remember Y2K?) or fast-buck scamming, the idea of magnetic pole shifts isn’t just a New Age fable.

Earth scientists have long known that magnetic north isn’t true north. And it’s generally accepted that pole shifts, even complete North-South reversals, have occurred in geological history.

Most people, however, probably wouldn’t embrace the idea that a catastrophic shift could happen as soon as 2012.

But we may never know for sure if the growing number of 2012 warnings are valid because if there’s no pole shift by 2012 one could say our collective prayers and meditations saved the Earth, a strategy that Harper calls for.

To his credit, Harper says on more than one occasion in the book that he’s not 100% sure. And this personal and scientific humility sets Tranceformers apart from most other New Age prophecies.

Believers in sync with Martin Buber’s I-Thou philosophy probably won’t take kindly to Tranceformers’ natural pantheism (where God is portrayed as the living universe), while others will likely find this cosmology inspiring.

Whatever one believes in, Tranceformers is an honest, fast-moving work that gives a reasoned argument and passionate plea for humanity to adopt a holistic, prayerful approach to the universe, the Earth and ourselves. It should be a captivating read for those drawn to parapsychology and, in particular, the cataclysmic idea of Earth Changes.

Perhaps most important, Tranceformers might help to spearhead a whole new kind of scientific theology–one based on direct experience and humble reflection instead of the unconscious reproduction of age-old tropes and modes of reasoning.

–MC

Revised from a review originally appearing in 2006. My outlook has changed considerably since that time and this update reflects those changes

Review – Reality UFO Series Volume 1: The Evidence is Here (DVD)

Reality Films

Reality UFO Series Volume 1: The Evidence is Here looks into the possibilities of alien life, expanded reality and directed human evolution.

The DVD features three different speakers at the 2003 International Scientific & Metaphysical Symposium and an interview with an American reporter on the controversial Billy Meier case.

In Part 1 a down to earth medical man, Dr. Roger K. Leir, forwards original theories about alien implants, genetic manipulation and accelerated human development.

Dr. Leir presents evidence from his alleged alien implant removal procedures along with several decades of statistics on the changing rates of child development. But as a scientist he rightly admits that he doesn’t have all the answers–just theories leading to more questions.

Part 2 introduces Travis Walton who tells of his encounter with an alien spacecraft while working as a logger in 1975. Walton says he was forcibly taken aboard and describes in detail what he saw, right down to the unusual instrumentation panels and strange, morphing star charts. Travis concludes his account by telling how he was rudely ejected from the craft, left lying face down beside a highway and having to struggle, utterly exhausted, to the nearest town.

Part 3 contains an interview with Michael Horn who provides an engaging account of the Billy Meier case. Horn summarizes Meier’s life and thought and reflects on the nature of knowledge and religious belief. Those interested in Meier, his prophecies, dire warnings and advocacy of a collective “course correction” toward a peaceful New World Order should find this segment of the DVD extremely worthwhile.

Part 4 includes Kathleen Anderson’s fast-paced presentation on UFOs, the ancient Sumerians, theories about multidimensional reality and the relativity of space and time. Anderson’s relentless questioning combined with her considerable research skills and innovative examples should compel even the most hardened skeptics, scholars and pragmatists to stop and rethink their beliefs about life and the world around us.

The Evidence is Here is essential viewing for those wanting to get the inside track on recent theories about ET and UFO phenomena as seen through the dual lens of science and spirit.

–MC

Review: The Ark, The Shroud And Mary (DVD)

Reality Films

Title: The Ark, The Shroud And Mary
Author/Director: Philip Gardiner
Media: DVD
Publisher: Reality Films
Date: 2007

Philip Gardiner’s The Ark, The Shroud And Mary is a captivating look into the possible roots of contemporary Gnosticism.

Based on the book by the same title, the story begins with Philip Gardiner’s journey to Winchester Cathedral, where he happens to notice a carving of the Ark of the Covenant.

This sparks off some kind of realization that compels him to travel the world in search of a better understanding of mysticism.

Gardiner says that much of religion and our current belief structures are premised on the insights of mystics and he asks the controversial question: Are prophets the same as mystics? along with the related concern: Are all mystics essentially the same?

For Gardiner the answer seems to be “yes” to both of the above. Accordingly, he proposes a kind of Sufi-style definition where mysticism is seen as a ‘union of opposites.’

He then takes a journey to several different countries to learn more about his inner realization. During this time he meets up with esoteric believers and uncovers secret information that apparently links a wide variety of religious data to the all-pervasive symbol of the Ark.

His interpretation of this data is decidedly Gnostic. For instance, at one point Moses and Buddha are both described as “avatars,” a claim that would probably make many orthodox Jews and Christians, alike, shake their heads with indignation.

Gardiner also touches on the idea of Alchemy and offers an interesting explanation for the Shroud of Turin, rightly questioning the accuracy of Carbon 14 dating.

Virtually no stone is left unturned here. In fact, Gardiner uses special stones, meteors, to evidently link Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Additional mythical and religious data in support of Gardiner’s synthesis derive from Greek and Egyptian mythology, Hinduism, Cistercian monasticism, the Knights Templar and the Essenes, to mention just a few.

Whether or not one agrees, disagrees or perhaps partly agrees with Gardiner’s perspective, the innovative audiovisuals in The Ark, The Shroud And Mary can’t be overlooked.

Serving up a rich diversity of spiritual imagery to the driving music of Soul Path, Freakhouse and others, one gets the impression that this DVD’s assemblage of sights, sounds and ideas points to the future of educational video.

–MC