Winter 2015

88 Pages·2014·2.72 MB·English

Winter 2015, Volume 10, Number 4

The Esoteric Quarterly
An independent publication dedicated to the trans-disciplinary investigation
of the esoteric spiritual tradition.
______________________________________________________________________
Esoteric philosophy and its applications
to individual and group service and
the expansion of human consciousness.

Washington, DC, USA.
www.esotericsquarterly.com
e-mail: [email protected]
The Esoteric Quarterly

The Esoteric Quarterly is an online, peer-reviewed, international journal, published
by The Esoteric Quarterly Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Washington, DC. It
is registered as an online journal with the National Serials Data Program of the
Library of Congress. International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) 1551-3874.

Further information about The Esoteric Quarterly, including
guidelines for the submission of articles and review procedures,
can be found at http://www.esotericquarterly.com. All corres-
pondence should be addressed to [email protected]

Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief: Donna M. Brown (United States)
Editor Emeritus: John F. Nash (United States)

Alison Deadman (United States)
Celeste Jamerson (United States)
Jef Bartow (United States)
Katherine O'Brien (New Zealand)
Kevin Hataley (Canada)
Miguel Malagreca (Italy)

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Miguel Malagreca (Italy)

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015.
All rights reserved.

Copies of the complete journal or articles contained therein may be made for
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or redistribution without the permission of The Esoteric Quarterly is strictly
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Esoteric Studies
Winter 2015
T E Q
he soteric uarterly

Contents
Volume 10, Number 4. Winter 2015
__________________________________________________________________________

FEATURES
Editorial 4
Publication Policies 5
Poems of the Quarter
A selection of poems from “Gifts with No Giver” by Nirmala 6
Pictures of the Quarter
“The Diamond Path,” “Vajrayana,” “Invocation to the Adi Buddha” and
“Offering to the Universe” by Charmion von Wiegand 7
Quotes of the Quarter 10
Advertising 12
ARTICLES
The Tibetan Tetralogy of W.Y. Evans-Wentz: A Retrospective Assessment,
by Iván Kovács 15
Journeys of the Soul in the Afterlife: Egyptian Books of the Afterlife
and Greek Orphic Mysteries, by Aaron J. French 35
The Apocalypse of St. John, by Dorje Jinpa 45
Richard Wagner: An Esoteric Perspective, by Donna M. Brown 55
BOOK REVIEWS
The Path to Higher States of Consciousness: A Collection of Esoteric Essays,
by Iván Kovács 84
Nicholas & Helena Roerich: The Spiritual Journey of Two Great Artists
and Peacemakers, by Ruth A. Drayer 86

The mission of the Esoteric Quarterly is to provide a forum for the exploration of esoteric
philosophy and its applications. Full-length articles and student papers are solicited pertaining to
both eastern and western esoteric traditions. We also encourage feedback from readers. Comments
of general interest will be published as Letters to the Editor. All communications should be sent to:
[email protected].

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015. 3
The Esoteric Quarterly

Editorial

The Afterlife, the Apocalypse and Musical
Esotericism

T
he great religions are in accord in their The second article also examines systems of
beliefs about the immortality of the Soul belief regarding death and the afterlife. The
and its posthumous journey into the afterlife. article, Journey of the Soul in the Afterlife, by
Eschatological concerns about death and Aaron French, compares ancient Egyptian
dying, the end of ordinary reality and safe visions for living and dying with the Greek
passage to a nether world played an especially Mystery Cults. French begins his investigation
important role in Egypt, Tibet and ancient with one of the most famous funerary texts, the
Greece and resulted in various manuals such as so called Egyptian Book of the Dead, which
the Egyptian and Tibetan Books of the Dead, consists of a group of mortuary spells, rituals,
or in the case of the Orphic Mysteries, the prayers and hymns designed to help both the
Gold-leaf instructions for dealing with the living and the dead confront, prepare and pass
rulers of the underworld. Christianity is also through the dangers of the underworld to
concerned with the theme of death and the attain an afterlife of immortality and bliss. The
afterlife as evidenced by Apocalypse of St. article also examines the initiatory practices
John. However, these texts have been and afterlife conceptions of the ancient Greek
frequently misunderstood due to the general Orphic Cults and Dionysian Mysteries.
disregard given to the mystical and esoteric Although the ancient Egyptian and Greek
symbolism they contain, omissions which the funerary customs are usually viewed as being
first three articles in this issue seek to redress. significantly different, this comparison
uncovers the marked parallels and motives
Our first article in this issue is part of a series
behind the various beliefs and practices they
by Iván Kovács exploring several early 20th
both share.
century Tibetologists. The initial article, which
appeared in the Winter 2013 issue, surveyed Our next article, from Dorje Jinpa, provides an
the life and works of the French Tibetologist, alternative interpretation of one of the least
Alexandria David-Neel. This work examines understood and most controversial books in the
the life and works of W. Y. Evans-Wentz, the Christian Bible—The Apocalypse of St. John.
American anthropologist and pioneer in the The article draws upon the new Terra Lucida
study of Tibetan Buddhism and its teachings and the writings of both the Tibetan
transmission to the West. The article begins by Master Djwhal Khul and Rudolf Steiner to
touching on Evans-Wentz’s scholarship, his demonstrate that John’s secret and sacred
influences and his travels. This is followed by vision concerns a great event in which the
a brief summary of his Tibetan tetralogy and physical substance of the Earth together with
then a more in-depth discussion of the first of all its beings will be alchemicalized into a
these four books, the famous Tibetan death heavenly body or “Body of Light.” Jinpa’s
text, the Bardo Tö-dröl, which Evans-Wentz decoding of the archetypal images and
christened, The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The symbolism in the Apocalypse gives credence to
article also includes a discussion of the book’s an entirely different futurist view of a new
commentaries and forewords by such notable evolutionary impulse resulting in the initiation
figures as C. G. Jung and Lama Anagarika and the spiritualization of the world.
Govinda highlighting the fact that the Bardo
The last article in this issue examines the life
Tö-dröl was much more than a funerary text.
and works of Richard Wagner, one of the most
4 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015
Winter 2015
controversial and misunderstood figures of the through stages toward higher states of
nineteenth century. The article explores the consciousness.” For more information on Von
psychological, political, philosophical and Wiegland’s abstract mandalas we encourage
sociological foundations of Wagner’s creative you to visit: www.michaelrosenfeld.com.
genius in both his written works and his music
Donna M. Brown
dramas along with his interest in myth and
Editor-in-Chief
metahistorical processes. The composer’s anti-
Semitism and his attitude toward the Jews are Publication Policies
also discussed. Although the article touches
Articles are selected for publication in the
upon the complex and enigmatic world of
Esoteric Quarterly because we believe they
allegory and symbolism embedded in his
represent a sincere search for truth, support the
operas, its primary focus is the astonishing
service mission to which we aspire, and/or
range of esoteric and spiritual ideas which both
contribute to the expansion of human
inform and emanate from the temple of his
consciousness.
music. More importantly, the article shows that
Publication of an article does not necessarily
Wagner’s greatest concern was humanity’s
imply that the Editorial Board agrees with the
innermost soul and the creation of an all-
views expressed. Nor do we have the means to
embracing form of art that would transform its
verify all facts stated in published articles.
perilous social, spiritual and political state.
We encourage critical thinking and analysis
In addition to the featured articles, this issue
from a wide range of perspectives and
includes two book reviews. They are: The Path
traditions. We discourage dogmatism or any
to Higher States of Consciousness: A
view that characterizes any tradition as having
Collection of Esoteric Essays, by Iván Kovács,
greater truth than a competing system.
and Nicholas & Helena Roerich: The Spiritual
Journey of Two Great Artists and Peace- Neither will we allow our journal to be used as
makers, by Ruth A. Drayer. a platform for attacks on individuals, groups,
institutions, or nations. This policy applies to
We also include several inspirational poems.
articles and features as well as to letters to the
The “Poems of the Quarter” offered in this
editor. In turn, we understand that the author of
issue are by Nirmala, a spiritual teacher and
an article may not necessarily agree with the
poet in the Advaita Vedantic tradition, whose
views, attitudes, or values expressed by a
works also appeared in the Fall 2011 edition of
referenced source. Indeed, serious scholarship
this journal. The poems featured here are from
sometimes requires reference to work that an
a collection of works titled Gifts with No
author finds abhorrent. We will not reject an
Giver: A Love Affair with Truth.
article for publication simply on the grounds
Finally, we draw your attention to our
that it contains a reference to an objectionable
“Pictures of the Quarter” featuring the
source.
paintings of Charmion von Wiegand (1896-
An issue of concern in all online journals is
1983), which were generously contributed by
potential volatility of content. Conceivably,
the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery in New York.
articles could be modified after the publication
Von Wiegand, an American journalist, painter
date because authors changed their minds
and art critic, drew inspiration for these
about what had been written. Accordingly, we
paintings from eastern philosophies, especially
wish to make our policy clear: We reserve the
Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese astrology, tantric
right to correct minor typographical errors, but
yoga, and Theosophy. According to Dr.
we will not make any substantive alteration to
Jennifer Newton Hersh, “Von Wiegand’s
an article after it “goes to press.”
mature works reflect her core beliefs: the
universe is a single living substance; life is the We also want to acknowledge that as the
expression of a dialectic process based on original sponsor of the Esoteric Quarterly, the
opposites; the goal of living is to achieve School for Esoteric Studies retains the
oneness; and reality is reached by progressing copyright of the material in volumes 1-8.
Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015. 5
The Esoteric Quarterly

Poems of the Quarter by Nirmala

A selection of poems from:
“Gifts with No Giver”

where is absence of desire
once I dreamed there would only be bliss
now I am in awe of the ordinary
now I am content with longing or no longing
desires do not disturb the source of all desire
life and death carry on as they always have
and always will
only the dreamer is gone
behind the flow of imagination
beyond any effort to be still
dancing in the ebb and flow of attention
more present than the breath
I find the origins of my illusions
only the dreamer is gone

the dream never ends
why fear this moment
when no thoughts come
at last I lie naked
in the arms of experience
why fear this moment
when no words come
at last I find rest
in the lap of silence
why fear this moment
when love finds itself alone
at last I am embraced
by infinity itself
why fear this moment
when judgment falls away
at last my defenses
fail to keep intimacy at bay
why fear this moment
when hope is lost
at last my foolish dreams
are surrendered to perfection

6 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015
Winter 2015
Pictures of the Quarter by Charmion von Wiegand
(1896-1983)

Charmion von Wiegand
The Diamond Path 1966-1967
,
1966-67, gouache on paper, 28 1/4" x 21 1/4", signed and dated
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC, New York, NY
Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015. 7
The Esoteric Quarterly

Charmion von Wiegand (1896-1983)
Vajrayana, 1969
oil on canvas
48" x 36", signed and dated.
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC, New York, NY’

8 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015
Winter 2015

Charmion von Wiegand (1896-1983)
On the right, Invocation to The Adi-Buddha, 1968-70
oil on canvas, 50" x 27", signed and dated.
On the left, Offering of the Universe, 1964
oil on canvas, 72" x 28", signed and dated.
All paintings courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC, New York, NY.
Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015. 9
The Esoteric Quarterly

Quotes of the Quarter
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T
he importance of the Tibetan tradition for Robert Wicks, The Therapeutic Psychology of
our time, and for the spiritual development “The Tibetan Book of the Dead,” Philosophy
of humanity, lies in the fact that Tibet is the East and West, Vol. 47, No.4 (Honolulu, HI,
last living link that connects us with the University of Hawaii, 1997), 494.
civilizations of the distant past. The mystery-
T
cults of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece, of he question of the pagan or Christian
Incas and Mayas, have perished with the origin of the Book of Revelation is…of
destruction of their civilizations and are little importance. The intrinsic value of the
forever lost to our knowledge except for some book lies in its magnificent epitome of the
scanty fragments. Universal Mystery—an observation which led
St. Jerome to declare that it is susceptible of
The old civilizations of India and China,
seven entirely different interpretations.
though well preserved in their ancient art and
Untrained in the reaches of ancient thought,
literature, and still glowing here and there
the modem theologian cannot possibly cope
under the ashes of modern thought, are buried
with the complexities of the Apocalypse, for to
and penetrated by so many strata of different
him this mystic writing is but a
cultural influences, that it is difficult, if not
phantasmagoria the divine inspiration of which
impossible, to separate the various elements
he is sorely tempted to question.
and to recognize their original nature.
Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teaching of all Ages
Lama Anagarika Govinda, The Foundations of
(Los Angeles, CA: The Theosophical Research
Tibetan Buddhism (York Beach, ME: Red
Society, Inc., 1988), 185.
Wheel/Weiser, 1969), 13.
O
T n the hypothesis that the Bible, as divine
he Tibetan Book for the Dead is a book
revelation, contains a record of God’s
written especially for benighted and
dealings with mankind throughout the ages, the
bewildered souls. It acknowledges that
historical element has been unduly
enlightenment is difficult, and that it takes
emphasized, while books that are purely
many repetitions of the key message for there
allegorical and mystical have been construed
to be any significant spiritual effect. It repeats
as history. For several centuries it was
its message that we, and only we, are the
attempted to give the Apocalypse an historical
source of our desires, our interpretations, our
presentation; and failing this, through the lack
evaluations, our pleasures, and our fears, and
of any record of past events that would serve
that we can render such sources of suffering
this purpose, it was next interpreted as a
ineffectual, if we were only to interpret the
history of the future, that is prophecy. At the
apparent seriousness and significance of the
present time, the Apocalypse is the despair of
world as the play of our own creation. In this
theology; the ablest scholars in the ranks of the
respect, The Tibetan Book for the Dead is a
orthodoxy frankly admit that it must be
book of practical wisdom comparable to
regarded as an unsolved and possibly insoluble
Epictetus' Handbook; it offers a set of
enigma. They translate its title “Revelation,”
advisories intended to reduce suffering and to
yet it reveals nothing to them. Literally
guide all people, not just the select initiates,
“ἀποκάλυψιν” means “disrobing” or “un-
toward a rebirth of personality and
veiling;” but Isis in her peplum was not more
composure—a rebirth to take place not within
safe from profane gaze than the Apocalypse,
a life after clinical death but within our very
nor is any book in all of literature more heavily
present life.
veiled.

10 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2015