❓
Questions and Answers
Find answers to the most popular questions about our products — 7716 questions total
All
Alchemy & Hermeticism
Astrology & Cosmology
Divination & Tarot
Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism
Magic & Ritual
Mysticism & Contemplation
Occult Philosophy
Theosophy & Anthroposophy
Witchcraft & Paganism
Freemasonry & Secret Societies
Spiritualism & Afterlife
Sacred Texts & Gnosticism
Supernatural & Occult Fiction
Spiritual Development
Esoteric History & Biography
When was Dōgen Zenji alive and when was "Beyond Thinking" first published?
Dōgen Zenji lived from 1200 to 1253 CE. The work "Beyond Thinking" was first published in 2004, bringing his ancient teachings to a modern audience.
📦 Beyond thinking
Spiritual Development
What is the primary practice Dōgen emphasizes in his teachings?
The primary practice emphasized by Dōgen is *shikantaza*, often translated as "just sitting" or "bare attention." It is a form of meditation without a specific object, focusing on the act of sitting i...
📦 Beyond thinking
Spiritual Development
How does Dōgen's philosophy challenge conventional understanding of thought?
Dōgen challenges conventional understanding by positing that conceptual thinking creates a false sense of separation between the self and the world. He advocates for transcending this dualistic though...
📦 Beyond thinking
Spiritual Development
What is the significance of "form is emptiness, emptiness is form" in Dōgen's context?
This concept, echoed in Buddhist traditions, signifies that phenomena (form) are not inherently substantial and are characterized by impermanence and interdependence (emptiness), and vice versa. Dōgen...
📦 Beyond thinking
Spiritual Development
Is "Beyond Thinking" suitable for beginners in Zen?
While accessible in its 2004 publication, the text demands deep engagement. Beginners might benefit from introductory materials on Zen Buddhism or guidance from an experienced teacher to fully grasp D...
📦 Beyond thinking
Spiritual Development
What is the historical lineage of Dōgen's teachings?
Dōgen Zenji founded the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan, a lineage that traces its roots back to Chinese Chan Buddhism, specifically to the teachings of Rujing.
📦 Beyond thinking
Spiritual Development
What is the primary purpose of the spells in The Book of the Dead?
The spells are intended to guide the deceased through the perils of the afterlife, protect them from malevolent forces, and ensure their successful rebirth into the eternal realm. They are essentially...
📦 The Book of the Dead
Spiritual Development
Who is E. A. Wallis Budge and why is his translation important?
Sir Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis Budge was a prolific scholar and translator of ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts. His 1933 compilation, while based on earlier texts, became a standard English ...
📦 The Book of the Dead
Spiritual Development
Is The Book of the Dead a single, unified text?
No, it is a compilation of various funerary texts that evolved over centuries. Budge's edition brings together selections from earlier collections like the Pyramid Texts and Coffin Texts, alongside la...
📦 The Book of the Dead
Spiritual Development
What role does the concept of 'Ma'at' play in these texts?
'Ma'at' represents truth, balance, order, and justice. The deceased aimed to live a life in accordance with Ma'at to pass the judgment before Osiris and achieve a blessed afterlife, thereby maintainin...
📦 The Book of the Dead
Spiritual Development
Can The Book of the Dead be considered a religious scripture like the Bible or Quran?
While it details religious beliefs and practices, it functions more as a collection of magical spells and liturgical texts for funerary purposes rather than a narrative scripture. It was intended for ...
📦 The Book of the Dead
Spiritual Development
What are some key deities mentioned in The Book of the Dead?
Prominent deities include Osiris (god of the underworld), Anubis (god of mummification and the afterlife), Thoth (god of wisdom and writing), and various forms of Ra (the sun god). The deceased also e...
📦 The Book of the Dead
Spiritual Development
When was 'Heart and Soul for Europe' originally published?
'Heart and Soul for Europe' by E. J. Korthals Altes was first published in 1999, offering a late 20th-century perspective on European spiritual history.
📦 Heart and soul for Europe
Spiritual Development
What kind of spiritual traditions does the book explore?
The book explores a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions, including ancient mythologies, the esoteric interpretations of Christianity, and the subtle influences of pre-Christian European beliefs.
📦 Heart and soul for Europe
Spiritual Development
Is 'Heart and Soul for Europe' a history book?
While it engages with history, it is more accurately described as an esoteric inquiry, focusing on the underlying spiritual and energetic currents that have shaped European consciousness and culture.
📦 Heart and soul for Europe
Spiritual Development
Who is E. J. Korthals Altes?
E. J. Korthals Altes is the author of 'Heart and Soul for Europe,' a work that positions them as an interpreter of esoteric European thought and cultural history.
📦 Heart and soul for Europe
Spiritual Development
What does the book say about the 'European soul'?
The book interprets the 'European soul' not as a fixed entity but as a living, evolving manifestation shaped by a confluence of diverse historical impulses and spiritual traditions.
📦 Heart and soul for Europe
Spiritual Development
Can 'Heart and Soul for Europe' be considered a work of comparative religion?
Yes, it functions as a comparative study, examining how various spiritual and esoteric concepts have manifested and interacted across different periods of European history.
📦 Heart and soul for Europe
Spiritual Development
What is the core message of Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?
The core message is that true peace and enlightenment are found by living fully in the present moment, "the Now." Tolle argues that most suffering arises from dwelling on the past or worrying about th...
📦 The Power of Now
Spiritual Development
Who is Eckhart Tolle?
Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual teacher and author, best known for "The Power of Now." He leads workshops and retreats internationally, focusing on consciousness and spiritual awakening, with his teachin...
📦 The Power of Now
Spiritual Development
When was "The Power of Now" first published?
"The Power of Now" was first published in 2016, though its core teachings have been disseminated through Tolle's work for many years prior. The 2016 date often refers to a specific edition or wider re...
📦 The Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the 'pain-body' in "The Power of Now"?
The 'pain-body' is a concept introduced by Tolle to describe an accumulation of past emotional pain that resides within us. It is an energy field that feeds on negative emotions and thoughts, seeking ...
📦 The Power of Now
Spiritual Development
Is "The Power of Now" a religious book?
While "The Power of Now" draws on concepts found in many spiritual and religious traditions, it is not affiliated with any specific religion. Tolle presents his teachings as a universal spiritual mess...
📦 The Power of Now
Spiritual Development
How does one "disidentify" from the mind according to the book?
Disidentification involves observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment or attachment, recognizing that you are the conscious awareness behind them, not the thoughts themselves. This is achie...
📦 The Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the primary goal of Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth?
The primary goal is to guide readers toward spiritual awakening by helping them recognize and transcend the limitations of the egoic mind and its associated "pain-body."
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
How does A New Earth define the ego?
The ego is defined as a false sense of self constructed from thoughts, memories, and identification with possessions or external validation, which Tolle argues is the root of suffering.
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
What is the "pain-body" in the context of A New Earth?
The "pain-body" is an accumulation of past emotional pain that resides within individuals and unconsciously seeks out experiences to feed itself, perpetuating cycles of suffering.
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
When was A New Earth first published?
A New Earth was first published in 2005, gaining widespread recognition following its selection by Oprah Winfrey for her Book Club in 2008.
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
What is the core practice recommended in A New Earth?
The core practice is to become present, to disidentify from the thinking mind, and to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment, thereby accessing a deeper state of Being.
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
How does A New Earth relate to other spiritual traditions?
It draws upon perennial wisdom found in various spiritual traditions, particularly emphasizing mindfulness and the transcendence of the ego, concepts explored in Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta.
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
Is 'Practising the Power of Now' a sequel to 'The Power of Now'?
While not a narrative sequel, 'Practising the Power of Now' is a companion workbook designed to offer practical exercises and meditations for applying the core principles of Eckhart Tolle's 1999 book,...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the 'pain-body' concept in Tolle's work?
The 'pain-body' refers to the accumulated emotional pain from past experiences that resides within individuals. Tolle's teachings encourage observing this pain without identification, allowing it to b...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
How does this book differ from mindfulness meditation guides?
While it employs mindfulness principles, 'Practising the Power of Now' is specifically framed within Tolle's unique philosophy, focusing on transcending the egoic mind and realizing the formless Self,...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
Can I read 'Practising the Power of Now' without reading 'The Power of Now' first?
It is highly recommended to read 'The Power of Now' first. This book acts as a practical guide to the concepts introduced in the original, and without that foundation, the exercises might be difficult...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the primary goal of the exercises in this book?
The primary goal is to help readers cultivate a continuous state of presence, disidentify from the thinking mind, and realize their true nature beyond the ego, thereby achieving a deeper sense of peac...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
When was 'Practising the Power of Now' originally published?
While its predecessor 'The Power of Now' was published in 1999, this companion practice book was released later, in 2001, to further support readers in their spiritual journey.
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the core message of Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth?
The core message of *A New Earth* is that spiritual awakening—achieved by recognizing and transcending the egoic mind—is essential to end psychological suffering and create a more conscious world. It ...
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
How does A New Earth differ from The Power of Now?
*A New Earth* builds upon the concepts introduced in *The Power of Now* (1997). While *The Power of Now* focused on the immediate practice of presence, *A New Earth* expands to address the collective ...
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
What is the 'pain-body' in A New Earth?
The 'pain-body' is a concept in *A New Earth* referring to a state of mind where past emotional pain becomes a living entity within an individual. It feeds on negative experiences and seeks to perpetu...
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
What does Eckhart Tolle mean by 'ego' in this book?
In *A New Earth*, the 'ego' refers to the false sense of self that is constructed from thoughts, memories, and identifications with external factors like possessions or social status. Tolle posits it ...
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
Can A New Earth be read by people of any religious background?
Yes, *A New Earth* is written from a universal spiritual perspective, drawing on various traditions but not adhering to any single dogma. Its focus on consciousness and presence is intended to be acce...
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
What is the significance of the 'New Earth' itself in the book?
The 'New Earth' signifies a future state of collective human consciousness characterized by presence, peace, and interconnectedness, rather than by the ego-driven conflicts and suffering that dominate...
📦 A New Earth
Spiritual Development
What is the primary difference between *The Power of Now* and *Practising the Power of Now*?
*The Power of Now* lays out the philosophical framework for presence, while *Practising the Power of Now* provides more direct, actionable exercises and meditations to integrate those principles into ...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
How does Eckhart Tolle define the 'pain-body' in his work?
Tolle describes the 'pain-body' as an accumulation of past emotional pain that resides within individuals. It can be triggered by external events and temporarily taken over, leading to emotional react...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
Are there specific meditation techniques recommended in *Practising the Power of Now*?
Yes, the book emphasizes techniques such as 'feeling the inner body,' conscious breathing, and observing thoughts and emotions without judgment. These practices are designed to anchor the reader in th...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What does Tolle mean by identifying with the 'Now'?
Identifying with the 'Now' means recognizing that the present moment is the only reality. Tolle encourages shifting awareness away from dwelling on the past (memory) or projecting into the future (ant...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
Is this book suitable for beginners to spiritual concepts?
While it builds on *The Power of Now*, *Practising the Power of Now* is accessible to beginners seeking practical methods. Its focus on direct experience rather than complex doctrine makes it approach...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the concept of the 'inner body' in Tolle's teachings?
The 'inner body' refers to the sense of vital life energy or consciousness that is felt within the physical body. Tolle suggests turning attention inward to this sensation as a pathway to presence and...
📦 Practising the Power of Now
Spiritual Development
What is the primary goal of Inner Conscious Relaxation?
The primary goal is to achieve a state of profound inner peace and expanded awareness by systematically quieting mental chatter and cultivating focused attention, as outlined in the book's practical t...
📦 Inner Conscious Relaxation
Spiritual Development
When was Inner Conscious Relaxation first published?
Inner Conscious Relaxation was first published in 2002, placing it within a period of growing interest in mindfulness and stress-reduction practices.
📦 Inner Conscious Relaxation
Spiritual Development
