Divine Books

It has a tonne of new spells for druids and clerics. Some of the spells are a little off colour but quite useful (I'm not really British, I just decided to try British spelling). For instance, Breeze protects you against hot weather, Resist Water will help keep you waterproof, and Dig allows you to burrow underground. These are functional spells, but there are also spells that are just weird. Bandit's Lament causes someone to lose body parts if they commit crimes, Surface keeps objects from sinking in water, and Awaken Element is oddest of all as it allows a ball of fire to become sentient. All in all very interesting spells, which I plan to add to a druid or cleric I play as.

Picked up this book to read over the weekend and was totally blessed. Mr. Voysey touched some subjects and questions that have been on my heart and gave me, through the Lord, some insight that really blessed me. It is a thoughful, thinking book. I was reminded of Os Guinness as I was reading ... I would highly recommend it!

The essential tenets of classical theism on the doctrine of God can be stated simply. First, God exists. Second, He created the world--meaning, everything other than God--in such a way that the world owes its existence and individual features to him. Thirdly, God created the world freely--that is, nothing external or internal to God compelled him to create this or any other world. Additionally, most theists believe that God is maximally perfect in knowledge, power, goodness, love, freedom, existence, holiness, justice, and the like. As the great medieval theologian Anselm said, "God is that than which none greater can be conceived." Finally, Christian theists also profess that God exists as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit while still being one God.

Many questions have been raised regarding the coherence of these beliefs taken as a whole. Some have seen fit to abandon classical theism. Others, acknowledging tensions in the traditional concept of God, have sought to resolve them by means of making significant concession.

Mindful of these issues, Jay Richards uses the tools of analytic philosophy to explore and critically engage the tenets of classical theism. His own carefully crafted proposal upholds the historic Christian doctrine of God while critiquing some of its more stringent formulations that render God's relations with contingent creation problematic. Astutely interfacing with the thought of Karl Barth and Charles Hartshorne, Richards concludes by addressing the related and currently debated matters of divine simplicity and immutability.

As a newcomer to leading morning prayer I found this book invaluable in developing the understanding and confidence that I needed. During Lent I purchased multiple copies of this for my parish so that others would also feel empowered to lead morning or evening prayer. Fr. Webber concisely frames morning prayer in its historical context and provides valuable insights though the use of running commentary in a parallel page format throughout the text of the prayer service. By explaining the purpose of each component Fr. Webber removes the uncomfortable sense of not knowing why or if participation includes recitation of all of the various components that comprise morning prayer. After reading this book anyone should feel at peace in leading a morning or evening prayer service.

_The basic premise of this series is that a transcendent God (or Vast Active Living Intelligence System) not only exists, but also periodically "breaks through" into our own material world, "the Black Iron Prison." If we are receptive, or desperate enough, it makes itself known (i.e. grants "gnosis"- the knowledge of the true state of things.) I consider Dick to be an expert on Gnosis, after all, it actually happened to him. You see this story is semi-autobiographical. Considering the hell that the protagonist, Horselover Fat, goes through in his interactions with a totally incompetent mental health bureaucracy, and a completely dysfunctional social and family life, you hope that it isn't too close to his actual life. Still, it was no doubt this living hell (coupled with his drug abuse) that led to his epiphany. This is somewhat like true shamanic initiation- the ordeal either kills you, or you break through the veil of this prison world into the "real" world beyond.

_Actually, it is the ideas imbedded in this novel that are its true worth. These are best expressed in _The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick: Selected Literary and Philosophical Writings_ by the same publisher.

_The Divine Invasion_ is the only other _Valis_ novel. There was supposed to have been a third, but Dick died before it was finished. _The Transmigration of Timothy Archer_, while good, is not properly part of the _Valis_ trilogy.

_The Divine Invasion, while set in the far future, does continue the specific themes introduced in _Valis_, and reference is made back to some of the specific characters. You see, this is the time when VALIS, the Logos, the greater face of God, or whatever name you choose to limit it by, breaks through into our "black iron prison" to reclaim it and banish the Empire and the Adversary behind it.

_I admit that the story takes 50 or 60 pages to get up to speed, but by that time the IDEAS that are the real value of P.D.K.'s writing begin to surface. For instance, the idea of the "Hermetic Transform" and how the microcosm and macrocosm can interpenetrate and become One- and how to God time can run backwards. Pretty deep stuff compared to most of the semi-literate pap that is published nowadays.

_What really leaped out at me though was the fact that Dick wrote of the Torah as an interactive, holographic, computer code. It predicts the future because it is the blueprint for creation that even God refers back to. He wrote this in 1981- _The Bible Code_ wasn't published until 1997. Talk about being "ahead of the curve."

_The basic premise of this series is that a transcendent God (or Vast Active Living Intelligence System) not only exists, but also periodically "breaks through" into our own material world, "the Black Iron Prison." If we are receptive, or desperate enough, it makes itself known (i.e. grants "gnosis"- the knowledge of the true state of things.) I consider PKD to be an expert on Gnosis, after all, it actually happened to him. You see this story is semi-autobiographical. Considering the hell that the protagonist, Horselover Fat, goes through in his interactions with a totally incompetent mental health bureaucracy, and a completely dysfunctional social and family life, you hope that it isn't too close to his actual life. Still, it was no doubt this living hell (coupled with his drug abuse) that led to his epiphany. This is somewhat like true shamanic initiation- the ordeal either kills you, or you break through the veil of this prison world into the "real" world beyond.

_Actually, it is the ideas imbedded in this novel that are its true worth. These are best expressed in _The Shifting Realities of Philip K. D*ck: Selected Literary and Philosophical Writings_ by the same publisher.

_The Divine Invasion_ is the only other _Valis_ novel. There was supposed to have been a third, but D*ck died before it was finished. _The Transmigration of Timothy Archer_, while good, is not properly part of the _Valis_ trilogy.

_The Divine Invasion, while set in the far future, does continue the specific themes introduced in _Valis_, and reference is made back to some of the specific characters. You see, this is the time when VALIS, the Logos, the greater face of God, or whatever name you choose to limit it by, breaks through into our "black iron prison" to reclaim it and banish the Empire and the Adversary behind it.

_I admit that the story takes 50 or 60 pages to get up to speed, but by that time the IDEAS that are the real value of P.K.D's writing begin to surface. For instance, the idea of the "Hermetic Transform" and how the microcosm and macrocosm can interpenetrate and become One- and how to God time can run backwards. Pretty deep stuff compared to most of the semi-literate pap that is published nowadays.

_What really leaped out at me though was the fact that D*ck wrote of the Torah as an interactive, holographic, computer code. It predicts the future because it is the blueprint for creation that even God refers back to. He wrote this in 1981- _The Bible Code_ wasn't published until 1997. Talk about being "ahead of the curve."

This book is a very good introduction to the teachings of the Catholic Faith or Divine Truth. I would recommend this to any minds that need some more layers of truth on thier hearts !

A great book to read whenever you feel you need to reaffirm
great truth.

Some of you must have read the "Vision of the Divine" by Dr Eruch Fanibunda. The first edition appeared in 1976- that is a long time ago. I came across it recently and enjoyed reading it though with difficulty. I cannot claim, however that I understood all that Dr Fanibunda was trying to explain. His tone and approach to Satya Sai Baba's spiritual philosophy and divinity verges on the academic, like a text book on divinity, well researched and ably interpreted. Therein, I suppose, lies the originality, strength and value of the book. I wish I knew Sanskrit, the Vedas and ancient classics. It would have enhanced my comprehension of the subject.

Some of the books recommended to me in the past on Sathya Sai Baba amplified his miracles. They were either based on personal experience or hearsay. There are two types of people who seek God: one seeks recourse for his problems or sufferings and the other, satisfied with his circumstances, wants to draw closer to God. I am still at the periphery of the spiritual domain.

Dr Fanibunda's purpose in writing the book seems clear. He wants to put the teachings of Baba in context and underline his own scared belief in Baba as divine.

Dr Fanibunda devotes a full chapter on Sanathana Dharma (Eternal religion or Truth) and the Religion of Zarathushtra. Dr Fanibunda not only acquaints the reader with Sanathana Dharma as expounded by Baba but also introduces the teachings of Zarathushtra, the Prophet of ancient religion. He shows the unity between the both. Dr Fanibunda himself was subject to ridicule by his own colleagues of Zoroastrian persuasion. They looked with askance at Dr Famibunda's close association with Baba.. Dr Fanibunda attempts with religious zeal to allay the doubts and fears of cynical sceptics.

Of particular interest to me was Baba's mission, his beliefs, his message and his expectations from his devotees. Dr Fabibunda deals with all these and many more complicated issues of mantras and life and death in his usual style that goes deep into the genesis, meaning and significance.

Baba's Mission

What then is Baba's mission? Baba has often said that it is not his miracles that are important but his Message. "The removal of misery and distress is incidental to my mission", he emphasises. He explains that his task is the re-establishment of the Vedas (Ancient Sacred Knoweldge) and Shastras (Sacred Hindu Scriptual Texts) and revealing the knowledge about them to all people- his aim, the establishment of Dharma (Code of Righteousness).

Yet, many who seek His darshan (Sight of a Holy Person) are unable to see His divine pretence. Baba laments that people forget all the other great things in him except to talk about his miracles.

"There is a very scared thing in Me - that is Prema (Love), he assures. "It is immeasurable. It is only those people who have experienced this Prema in Me can realise what I am", he explains.

Baba's Miracles are Divine

When I read Dr John Hislop's "My Baba and I (1984)" for the first time, I felt that I was knowing Baba better. That book is a solemn discourse of Dr Hislop's discovery of the divinity of Baba. Now, I have this other insightful book titled "Vision of the Divine". Like Dr Hislop, Dr Fanibunda was in search of Truth. He found Baba, who was able to "clarify his doubts and dispel his ignorance of God."

Dr Fanibunda, a Zoroastrian, is firstly, a well renowned dental surgeon and secondly, an accomplished magician. He has the research mind and discipline of a scientist and an eagle's eye for psychic phenomena. He concluded that there was no fraud in Baba's miracles- they were not in the realm of magic or illusion. He gives examples of vibhuthi (Sacred Ash) manifesting in the forms of droplets or showers from across picture frames and quotes an incident where Baba in 1971, even revived a dead man (Walter Cowan) about five hours after he was declared dead by the doctors. He concluded there is no scientific or rational explanation for these and other phenomena. It is not magic. There is only one answer to it, it is Divinity.

Baba's Message

I had often asked myself what is that that Baba preaches. Is it a religion of some sort, something anew? I suppose, it must also have struck the fore of some enquiring minds. My first reaction was that it is Hindu- based. This, of course is not true. Dr Fanibunda says that Baba declares that all religions are his. Baba does not extol one religion and decry others. He teaches Sanathana Dharma.

Baba says: "There is no need for you to change from one religion to another. You carry on in your own established modes and practices of worship, and when you do so, you will come nearer and nearer to me." Therein lies the attraction of Baba's teachings- non judgemental and non-proselytising. That appeals to me.

Science and Religion

I grew up imagining that science is boon and religion, chaos. When I looked around me the miseries and mercies, I told myself that the only salvation rests with science. Religion has created doubts, anxieties and turmoil. Indeed, to the uninitiated it may be a truism as of now with the hot-spots in the world. Baba helps to clear these doubts in a non-dogmatic manner. He accepts science and research as necessary and useful in the beginning but he cautions that these should be used intelligently to reach the final destination, the goal of divinity. People talk glibly of discarding or disregarding religion "because they confuse it with social customs and associated ceremonies and superstitions." This is an eye-opener for me. I had myself gone through this phase while growing up. I often questioned the meaningless traditions, stifling rituals and rites that are not of practical value. "Religion is a bond between us and the source from which we come", says Baba. It is basically the product of awareness- of self existence, that is: "I EXIST".

Service in Society

Something that is close to my heart is Baba's teachings on "Service in Society". I have been engaged in social and community service from my days at school through university and they formed an integral part of my life-style in adulthood.

My concept of service to society went through a major metamorphosis on understanding Baba's teachings on the subject. I learnt that service to fellow men is service to God. Since the service is rendered to the omnipresent God, there is no need for pompous show or publicity. God knows. No one else needs to know. "This Service is something which flows from one heart to another, from one Atma (The Real Self) to another Atma.". Baba has said that if one cannot positively help an individual, at least one should not hurt that individual. That is the least service one can perform in society.

Dr Fanibunda in recalling Baba's wisdom on service in society states: "Selfish people have no right to serve the Society. Only when man is able to develop selflessness and selfless service, can he acquire the right to serve the common man.

I was pleasantly surprised to note a discussion on the subject in a dialogue between Arujna and Krishnan in the Gita. It is somewhat long to quote but it appears at page 70 in Dr Fanibunda's book. In short Krishna tells Arujna that that is given or done is not for name or fame. It should have no motive for pomp or publicity. It should be purposeful and useful.

Dialogue between Fanibunda and Baba

One must not miss the chapter on a dialogue between Dr Fanibunda and Baba. Like Dr Hislop, Dr Fanibunda clarifies with Baba questions on the "religion of Baba" and on the basics of living a fuller life. I was struck by the answer Baba gave on "status and position". Baba says, among other things that if "you are thinking of respect being given to individuals on account of their status and position, then as soon as the status disappears, the respect also disappears." They are not permanent. It is the qualities and attributes of a person one should look for and these decide the person's worth and dignity. How true!

Dr Fanibunda's "Vision of Divine" is a must read for the "converted" and the "doubters". There is no harm in reading it. One will enjoy and learn from it as much as I did.


K.V.Veloo

Review on back of box of cards: "The visions and dreams divine deck is one of the most mystical set of cards I have ever experienced. When I have them in my presence or field of energy, I am overcome with peace and love."Jonathon Ray Spinney-metaphysical author or Awakening of Red Feather and others.
The art of the 49 cards was locked away for three decades and inspired , channeled mystically by bible prophet Obadiah. Search the internet for the magical story!

Many of us today, accept the concept of Divine Union without a second thought - not realizing that it was akin to heresy in the middle ages and still is in many churches today. Waite brings all of his voluminous knowledge in the field of mysticism, Hermeticism, and esoteric Christianity into one hugely inspiring work on the path towards becoming one with God. A masterpiece!