Showing results by narrator "Matthew Schmitz" in All Categories

Hávamál is presented as a single poem in the Icelandic Codex Regius, a collection of Old Norse poems from the Viking age. The poem, itself a combination of numerous shorter poems, is largely gnomic, presenting advice for living, proper conduct, and wisdom. It is considered an important source of Old Norse philosophy.

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. "Applied Magic is a selection of Dion Fortune's writings on the practical applications of magical and esoteric techniques. Everyone has the ability to access the invisible planes of existence a whole kingdom of mind and spirit which cannot be perceived with the physical senses.

Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180.

Along with Aleister Crowley, Madame Blavatsky, and George Gurdjieff, P. D. Ouspensky (1878-1947) was one of the most important and influential figures in the occult movement of the 20th century. His book on the tarot has remained practically unknown since its initial publication in Russia in 1913. Yet, it is an important work presenting a general introduction and Ouspensky’s insights on the 22 cards of the Greater Arcana.

The Way of Initiation, by Rudolf Steiner, is a profound exploration of the spiritual path towards self-knowledge and initiation. In this book, Steiner provides a practical guide to spiritual development, drawing upon various esoteric traditions and offering detailed descriptions of the stages of initiation. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep inner life, developing a strong moral character, and engaging in practical service to others as an integral part of the spiritual path.

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz."Kīmīyā-yi Sa'ādat, English: The Alchemy of Happiness/Contentment, is a book written by Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, a Persian theologian, philosopher, and prolific Muslim author, often regarded as one of the greatest systematic thinkers and mystics of Islam, in Persian. The Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat was written towards the end of his life shortly before 499 AH/1105 AD.

A Road to Self-Knowledge by Rudolf Steiner is a spiritual-guide structured as eight meditations, each focusing on successive layers of human being — from the physical body and etheric (life-force) body, through the elemental world and the “Guardian of the Threshold,” to the astral body, the I- or thought-body, the nature of experience in supersensible realms, and finally the remembrance of one’s repeated earthly lives.

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered spiritual and philosophical texts in Hindu tradition, forming a part of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It is presented as a dialogue between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, moments before the start of a great war. Arjuna, faced with the dilemma of fighting against his own relatives and teachers, is overcome by doubt and despair. Seeking guidance, he turns to Krishna, who serves as his charioteer and divine teacher.

The Conference of the Birds or Speech of the Birds is a Persian poem by Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur. The title is taken directly from the Qur'an, 27:16, where Sulayman and Dāwūd are said to have been taught the language, or speech, of the birds.

In this controversial book, Kersey Graves presents a historical and comparative analysis of the concept of Satan in various religious traditions. The book explores the origins of the devil figure, tracing its roots in ancient mythologies and religious beliefs. "The Biography of Satan" challenges conventional religious interpretations and sheds light on the diverse and evolving perceptions of evil and temptation throughout human history.

G. R. S. Mead has issued a translation of the whole body of extant literature, with extended prolegomena, commentary, etc. There is a wide difference of opinion as to the date at which this literature was produced. Mead believes that some of the extant portions of it are at least as early as the earliest Christian writings, while von Christ assigns them to the third Christian century. To affirm that they influenced New Testament usage would be hazardous, but they perhaps throw some light on the direction in which thought was moving in New Testament times.

The New Testament tells the story of Jesus Christ and the beginning of Christianity. It starts with the four Gospels, which describe Jesus’ teaching, miracles, conflicts with religious leaders, death by crucifixion, and resurrection. Acts follows by showing how the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preach in Jerusalem and beyond, leading to the growth of the early church and the spread of the message throughout the Roman world, especially through the missionary work of Paul.

This is the voice of the Aeon, the word that reshapes the path of the initiated. The Book of the Law is not merely a text—it is a transmission, a cipher of the cosmos, a revelation dictated beyond the veil of mortal understanding. It speaks in symbols, in silence, in fire and force. It does not beg to be understood; it demands to be lived.

Dion Fortune’s Psychic Self-Defense is a seminal work on the hidden dimensions of psychic and spiritual vulnerability, exploring how unseen forces—whether psychological projections, unconscious influences, or genuine occult phenomena—can affect human well-being. Drawing from her own experiences as a psychotherapist and occultist, Fortune examines cases of psychic attack, obsession, and energy vampirism, offering practical methods of protection through mental discipline, moral clarity, and spiritual hygiene.

Dated to the late 18th century, the book is divided into 12 sections representing the 12 zodiacal signs. The veiled content is said to refer to an allegorical initiation, detailing many Kabbalistic, alchemical, and masonic mysteries.

Manly Palmer Hall (18 March 1901 – 29 August 1990) was a Canadian author, lecturer, astrologer, mystic and Freemason. Over his 70-year career he gave thousands of lectures and published over 150 volumes, of which the best known is The Secret Teachings of All Ages (1928). In 1934 he founded the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles. The Initiates Of The Flame - Few realize that even at the present stage of civilization in this world, there are souls who, like the priests of the ancient temples, walk the earth and watch and guard the sacred fires that burn upon the altar of humanity.

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell is a book by the English poet and printmaker William Blake. It is a series of texts written in imitation of biblical prophecy but expressing Blake's own intensely personal Romantic and revolutionary beliefs.

"The Transcendentalist" is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson that was first published in 1841. In this work, Emerson defines and reflects on the Transcendentalist movement, a philosophical and literary movement that was influential in the United States in the 19th century. Transcendentalism emphasized the importance of individualism, intuition, and a direct connection to the divine, and rejected the materialism and conformity of contemporary society.

This is G.R.S. Mead's translation of the Pistis Sophia, the most extensive Gnostic scripture available until the discovery of Nag Hammadi texts in 1945. The Pistis Sophia is a startling blend of primitive Christianity and Hellenic Paganism, with other elements such as reincarnation, astrology, mystery religion and Hermetic magic.

The lectures here presented in book form were first written in 20 lectures and delivered during the month of November 1908 in Columbus, Ohio, by Max Heindel. He also mimeographed them and distributed copies to all who attended his lectures.