When the Soul Awakens: The Path to Spiritual Evolution and a New World Era

257 Pages·2009·1.02 MB·English

by  Nancy Seifer

E n d o r s E m En t s
“When the Soul Awakens is a rare and welcome book. The authors have done
the near impossible—they have distilled the meaning of centuries of spiri-
tual wisdom from a multiplicity of sources—familiar and unfamiliar—and
presented it in clear and succinct language. Their exceptional facility for
synthesizing deep and complex knowledge is a rare gift for those familiar
with the knowledge, as well as for those approaching it for the first time.”
Lamar Carter – past president, International Center for Integrative Studies
“This book deserves to become a classic in esoteric philosophy. It’s thrilling
to see how the authors have woven together the esoteric and ageless wisdom
traditions with the arts and letters of the ages. From Emerson and Steiner
to the Buddha and Rumi, the Kabalah and yoga, Plato and Dante, St. Francis
and John Paul II, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky – there is a taste of wisdom from
each major branch on the tree of knowledge. This is the best book showcas-
ing the modern wisdom teachings that I’ve read to date.”
J.S. Bakula, Ph.D. – psychologist, author and lecturer
“Among countless attempts to bring awareness of the spiritual underpin-
nings of life to the thinking public, When the Soul Awakens is outstanding. It
builds a bridge to intellectuals of goodwill who are on the verge of awaken-
ing or have recently found the Light. This book is a must-read for closing
gaps in understanding and lending confidence to those who are finding their
way into the uncharted but irresistible new territory of the Soul. The authors
will attract the gratitude of many for years to come.”
Gloria Crook – president, School of Ageless Wisdom
“When the Soul Awakens is an affirmation of the real spiritual potential that
is within each of us and within the world. Most important it emphasizes the
experience of the oneness of life that belongs to spiritual awakening. It also
takes us beyond individual awakening to the evolution of global conscious-
ness, a new era of oneness that is awaiting us. This book sends a message of
joy and hope to the soul.”
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee – Sufi teacher and author
“This book presents an exciting and unique perspective on the human soul
and the spiritual path. It offers a rich experience to the reader, as the au-
thors draw on a great variety of sources about the deeper truths of existence.
The book offers a vision of both the great diversity and the universality of
humanity’s experience of the soul and its evolutionary journey. For read-
ers new to esoteric wisdom it will be interesting, challenging, and highly
rewarding.”
Irene Seeland, M.D. – psychiatrist and author, Fire on the Mountain
“This work is truly soul food for people who are hungry for spiritual truth.
The authors tackle the compelling question of what it means to be alive at
this moment in history, bringing to light the genuine opportunity for spiri-
tual seekers. They have synthesized the essences of the Ageless Wisdom in a
way that invites and informs people new to the teachings as well as long-time
students. This book will fuel the powerful undercurrent of transformation
in the world today.”
Susan MacNeil, Ph.D. – psychologist
“When the Soul Awakens provides a rich introduction to esoteric teachings
known broadly as the Ageless Wisdom. The mind and heart of humanity are
undergoing a profound transformation at this time. The insights of esoteri-
cism give a unique perspective that can help us deepen our cooperation with
the evolutionary changes. This book has much to say to the modern seeker
who, inspired by the wholeness vision which comes from the soul, wants to
enter into that vision.”
Steve Nation – writer and co-founder, Intuition in Service
“This book is fascinating and enlightening. It’s a treasure trove of informa-
tion that demystifies the nature of the soul and spiritual experience. It is
so informative, and so carefully and thoughtfully laid out, that it could be
used as an introductory text in a course on the Ageless Wisdom. For many
seekers who are moving from the realm of the rational, concrete mind into
the more mystical realm of intuitive knowing, it will provide much needed
validation. This book not only informs, it also inspires.”
Nancy Wait – artist and writer
“When the Soul Awakens makes a wonderful contribution to the current of
spirituality that is sweeping the modern world. The authors draw upon an-
cient teachings, religion, science, and literature to present an exciting view
of humanity’s expanding consciousness. Particularly valuable is the integra-
tion of ideas from 19th- and early 20th-century Russian literature which, in
many ways, were prophetic of the new spirituality of the 21st century.”
John F. Nash, Ph.D. – historian and author, The Soul and Its Destiny
“When the Soul Awakens is engaging, intelligent and highly informative. It
takes an inclusive approach to spirituality that breaks down the barriers
between religions and highlights what is universal. The authors enrich our
lives with their presentation of the ageless wisdom.”
Jackie Durham – science editor
“When the Soul Awakens presents a vast range of information about the
spiritual path in clear and understandable prose. It is an accurate and well-
researched overview of the thinking of many of the world’s great mystics,
dealing with subjects like karma and reincarnation in a way that makes it
apparent that these beliefs are not wacky and eccentric, but genuine spiritual
principles widely followed throughout the ages by many different cultures.
The book’s non-dogmatic and objective approach to truth, and its analysis of
world developments through ‘an esoteric eye,’ make it worth reading more
than once. It is ideal for sharing the experience of the Path with others.”
Christine Townend – author and artist
“This extraordinary work is just what is needed by those awakening to
a higher stage of consciousness. Through the perspective of the Ageless
Wisdom, the authors illuminate the mysteries of spiritual evolution in a way
that reassures those who are starting their journeys that they are following
in an ancient tradition; that there is a growing body of seekers who are on
the same path; and that it is the birthright of all human beings to become
co-creators with God.”
Jean Boston – publisher, Willow Way Press
“…This book will expand the reader’s understanding of the conditions by
which the Way can be followed. It is particularly suited to the intelligent,
searching inquirer but even those who consider themselves well-read in eso-
tericism will find illumination in the many insights expressed with preci-
sion and thoughtful understanding of the joys and challenges of the spiritual
Path.”
The Beacon – a magazine of esoteric philosophy

When
soul
The
Awakens
A
T he Path to Spiritual Evolution
and a New World Era
second Edition
nancy seifer and martin Vieweg
Gathering Wave Press
Reston, Virginia
When the Soul Awakens:
The Path to Spiritual Evolution and a New World Era, Second Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Nancy Seifer and Martin Vieweg
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system without
the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief
quotations utilized in critical articles and reviews.
Published by
Gathering Wave Press
P.O. Box 2185
Reston, VA 20195-0185
www.whenthesoulawakens.org
ISBN: 978-0-9820047-0-8
(previous edition 2008—ISBN 978-0-595-46580-4)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2008934566
Printed in the United States of America.
Cover design by Mayapriya Long / Bookwrights
Text design and production by Bookwrights
to All Who rEcognizE
thE inhErEnt onEnEss of lifE on our plAnEt
And sEEk to mAkE it mAnifEst in our World.

The things we now esteem fixed shall, one by one,
detach themselves like ripe fruit from our experience and fall.
The soul looketh steadily forwards,
Creating a world before her, leaving worlds behind her.
∼ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Everything on earth is subject to the laws of evolution,
And this is particularly true for the human soul.
∼ Rudolf Steiner