Richard Smoley

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Hi, Richard . . .

If you'd like an invitation to visit a 15,000 book metaphysical library, send a contact edress to airforz1@cox.net.

Please do not add my edress to any auto-subscription listing.

Thanx . . . Philip



I'm related to you and want to find out about your father. Was born in Waterbury in 1934 and am now in Florida. Going to the Philippines in early April. Don't know where you are. Barbara Snow Scully.

Loved Inner Christianity so I had to go out and buy another one of your books. About a quarter of the way into Forbidden Faith and it is fantastic. Your insight has bridged many gaps within my quest for Gnosis.

Eternal blessings in Light to you my Brother,

Shane, Michigan

Richard:

Thanks for putting Inner Christianity for Kindle on Amazon (and others who may have helped in that). I bought the book again and will give it as gifts too. Your other works need kindle editions too - like Conscious Love. Thanks.

Scott

Dear Mr Smolley.

On page 14 of Forbidden Faith, you seem to conflate the Immaculate Conception with the Virgin Birth. Of course they are not related. Am I misreading this section?

Andy, Vermont

Hi Richard:

I have enjoyed all your books very much. Inner Christianity is my favorite. I am reading The Dice Game of Shiva and it is a wonderful read as well; very thought provoking.

I have Inner Christianity is print and audio additions. Thanks. But please put Inner Christianity in ebook form - especially in Kindle form. I would buy it again if you did. The same goes for Conscious Love and the rest of your works. I know this is a selfish request but I do almost everything exclusively in ebook now. I also want to give them as gifts to others. What say ye???

Richard,
I just finished reading Forbidden Faith. I enjoyed it and learned a good bit. I do wish you had devoted a couple of pages in the introduction to a matrix or some other type of organized (possibly numbered) listing of the general characteristics of gnosticism. After reading the book, I had a better feel for your subject but still it would have been helpful to start with a framework or diagram.
Interestingly, I had read Harold Bloom's book on THE AMERICAN RELIGION twice and was still confused how he could apply the gnostic label to Southern Baptists and other relatively traditional Christian groups. Your commentary on Bloom's work was accordingly very clarifying.
I do have a question if you have the time. On page 208 in the final chapter of FORBIDDEN FAITH, you have a section on "The Imaginary Friend." Can you tell me which of your personal works or perhaps material by another author I can obtain to learn more about this psychological phenomena? I see it as a perceptual issue and would like to do more reading on the psychology of perception and falsely induced perception. Any recommendations?
James gaiuswolf@hotmail.com

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed.” __Lam 3.22
____________THE LAST WARNING______

The Christians who believe in prophetic words Note that'RE LIVING IN THE FINAL STAGES OF RECENT TIMES. However, a large number of non-Christians also are expressing their growing concern about the formation of a globalized world. Beginning to give some account of the danger of having a single ruler, which could lead to the greatest dictatorship in history. But world leaders are working hard to unite the planet. The design accepted by the majority is that when we are all united, wars end, the prosperity will be a global reality, the crime will be eliminated, poverty will no longer exist and the result will be a peaceful world society, which live in harmony with nature.

However, this theory clearly contradicts the Holy Scriptures, as they say at the moment imagine that the man reached a comprehensive peace and prosperity, they will begin their days more horrific the world has ever experienced. In 1 Thessalonians 5.3 read: "When you walk saying: Peace and security, here they occur sudden destruction, as is the pain of which is to give birth, and no way of escape."

There is only one way to escape the coming trial. It is not an escape to a new philosophy, or a different type of government, but only to follow Him who said: "I am the door. If anyone enters by me will be saved "(John 10.9). How can you get? By faith. Believe that Jesus, the Son of God, paid for his sins with His own blood on the cross of Calvary. John 3:36 guarantor "who believes in the Son has eternal life, which, however, remains rebel against the Son will not see life, but he remains on the wrath of God."

--------- Arno Froese of God in the Digital Era --------- www. Chamada.com.br
Already in 1980 the then pres. French VG d'Estaing said at a meeting of the 'rich':
'The world is sad. And It’s sad BY AND IS NOT KNOW WHERE WILL. And also because guess what if known only note that the march to disaster. "—JJss Le Defi mondial L’express

We’re still alive! We shouldn’t complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the Lord.------Lam 3.39,40
Why John Wrote His Book
Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life. __John 20.30
WWW.CHAMADA.COM.BR////////////////////WWW.IENSEN.COM///www.midnightcall.com; www.ipjc.com
(PSALMS 118.8, Hebrews 12.2 for reflection)





Hi Richard,

Your website caught my eye – haven’t had time to read any texts yet as only found it a couple of hours ago. Little time left for me – stage 4 colon, liver, lung cancer – maybe months if lucky.

Spent last ten years with non-dual teachers, about 12 prior to that Theravada Buddhist (some overlap) some time in SRF, 29 years in AA – that started my search in 1982.

Mostly go by intuition these days – what to read, what teachers to listen to, what retreats to sit.

I found your site don’t remember how. Was struck by something in it, or the way you said it. I don’t know.

Putting yourself in my shoes, where would you start off reading? Not A Course in Miracles – didn’t connect with me – about 20 years ago.

Like I mentioned – weeks rather than years so how would you approach it?

Many Blessings

Jonathan Boisseau
1028 5th St, Novato CA, 94945
jaitabla@gmail.com
415-336-1174


I was raised traditionally for a 5th generation native of the Pacific NW. Without religion whatsoever. The environmental factors-- huge trees, salt water, volcanoes--are imposing. And for me, rather conforting; I felt a sort of nature mysticism from an early age.

In 1965, I was taking Russian in high school. So aware that is was Orthodox "Easter." A loving Light filled the room. It flowed from the molecules of wood in the nightstand, form my own cells. The short version: I was lifted; I could see into the Atlantic at the macro & micro levels. Then past stellar systems. To what appeared to be the end of the universe, where all went black. Because even light cannot contain the Infinite. Since this was also the era of intense political action, I basically repressed most of what I had experienced, staying with what I knew. Politics and labor activism as a mechanic. The spiritual stuff, which I read voraciously, was kept safely compartmentalized. The two seemed incompatible.

It took me decades to find my own way of return. Via wisdom acquired through hardship. However, I had guides-- spiritual friends discovered in the printed word. Among them Evelyn Underwood, Carl Jung, Gershom Sholem, Frances Yates, Anthanasius Kircher, Rene Schwaller de Lubicz, many Tibetan Buddhists, et al. The usual authors people on the independent path find. Plus "Gnosis" magazine and Inner Christianity, which I have re-read every few months since 2003.

My conclusion? That Rudolph Steiner was right that some form of esoteric Christianity is more appropriate to the west than some syncretic amalgam of Buddhism/Vedanta. The de facto camp of many of the alternative writers, even great ones like Ken Wilbur. Or lesser lights like Eckart Tolle. Isn't it amusing, though, that these advocates of ego regicide have their own faces plastered across their book covers?

Their approach also implies that the entire arc of western development was an evolutionary mistake. I began to ask--what if the idea of the individual were spiritually legitimate? What would that path look like? Ye shall be as gods... Trintarianism, even if a theological muddle, is about independent relationships (perichoresis) even within the One.

We do have a map of the territory. A basic chart to guide one through the unknown. Kabbalah with the tarot paths. IMO, not as it is usually presented. It has taken over a decade, but I assembled a version that works. It's not THE truth, but a truth. And if I can get across Daath, so can every other esoteric explorer.
Rafi Simonton
alchemcath@yahoo.com




YES! I like your website, especially the duotone colors and mysterious imagery. The Indigo blue-violet hues are a favorite, pointing to the Vishudda chakra of creative communication. I love your book Inner Christianity, from which I have derived many affirmations on this path, as I integrate yogic spirituality with an indigenous Christian birth and baptism in the Lutheran tradition, and now current practice in the Episcopal church. I read from your book to a friend who is going blind exteriorly, but we share an upwelling conversation on the integrated, interior gnosis; she from her Roman church baptism-catechism-- as well as our common views on Christianity and yoga practice / teacher training in different places at different times.

Do you know of Bede Griffiths, and his monastery / ashram in Southern India? One of his students, Russill Paul, wrote a book with some similar "interspiritual" thoughts, in "Jesus In The Lotus; Yogic Spirituality and Christianity," which speaks directly to the end chapters of your book. Bonhoeffer is a favorite theologian as well, but I wonder if his writing has the anomaly of consciousness at his "time," yet he too, is also a time-less writer. I look forward to reading "The Dice Game...
yet prior to, is Einstein in error?
Namaste,
Melinda

Hello Richard. First, thank you for your willingness to receive comments and answer questions. My question deals with ACIM. I read an interview you did with D. Patrick Miller in which you said that even after years studying the Course you felt the need to explore paths that incorporated body awareness stuff (I think you mentioned Tibetan buddhism specifically). I've studied the Course for a couple of years and have recently gotten involved in the Diamond Approach. My question is, do you think that attempting to simultaneously follow both of these paths will prevent each from being as effective as they would be otherwise? Also do you think it is necessary to work through childhood memories?

While I loved your book "The Dice Game of Shiva'. I don't quite understand why Hinduism is considered a myth. It's very much real, as real as the God that the Christians proclaim. It's undoubtedly sad to to see that the Western world still deems itself superior.

Richard, After reading your article about Marcion, I'm curious to know if you believe in his conviction that Jehova was NOT the true father Jesus.

Dear Professor Richard

Over the past 6 or so years of studying Ancient Histories and Religeous Theologies, for personal benefit only - i came across some of your writings about a year or so ago (Nov-Dec 2010) and luckily enough for me was right up my alley.

At the time I was reading Zecharia Sitchin's writings on the Annunaki and Dr John Dickson's works on the Historical validity of the Gospels (Biblical and Non Biblical).

Your writings on 'Asherah' the wife of Yahweh - linking El, Yahweh and Asherah together I found particularly interesting, particularly after reading the book of Enoch ( three versions of it ).

What do you think of the Books of Enoch, and the correlations with Zecharia Sitchin's writings of the Annunaki and Nibiru?
I was reading ancient Sumerian mythology ( prior to this apparent Alien influence ) and found that their beliefs centred around a Magical Garden with a large tree in the centre - a story that sounds familiar when one reads the confusing and very absent of detail scrolls that make up Genesis ( Many thanks to the Council of Mycea for that... )

Not only that but the language of the Sumerians, in a way, supports Zecharia Sitchin's claims. ( From memory so correct me if i mix this up slightly ) An, Nu, and Ki are Sumerian words that mean: Gods, Sky, and Earth. Also interesting that images that I have seen ( post reading your works ) of Asherah are strangely similar to that of the Sumerian carvings of their Angel-like figures.

I also found your notes on Moses interesting, particularly his name and the Egyptian meaning of his name. But also the events surrounding his well known story ( whether he wrote it or not ) and an image that is probably subject to debate.
We can debate all we like about when Moses apparently lead the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan - as it is very difficult to pin point their place in history as there weren't, as you say, extrabiblical texts on the subject. However the debatable image i'm talking about is a Sumerian carving which seems to have some lesser people, a Giant on a throne and between them what seems to be The Ark of The Covenant. It was my understanding that Ancient Sumer was well and truly before the events surrounding Moses, as the birth of the Ark of the Covenant was ( Biblically ) on the summit of Mt Siani containing the 12 commandments.

What are your thoughts on these subjects, do you find these things interesting or just extremely coincidental?

With the Kindest Regards
Justin Banks

sonamulate@live.com.au

Read an article of yours on gnostifinfo about the "I am". Your explanation is the best I have found thus far. Oh the layers and layers that had to be peeled back to find this core of being! It has indeed changed my whole life. Thanks. Patricia

Hello again... My thought about the medulla oblongata is that it stores the personal emotions/memories that still have to be refined from past lives. We come back to work through these emotions to understand ourselves better in relation to our own divinity, to reconnect to our essential "I-ness." I believe that the "fall" is the story of our disconnection from that divinity, and we are all trying to find our way back to our true selves wading through the illusion of separation, which is the biggest illusion of all.

Thanks for your comments. Lisa, I'd never heard that the medulla oblongata stores past-life memories, and it occurs to me that I've never actually considered where in the brain they might be. I suppose I'd assumed that they were in some higher or later parts of the brain. There is also the rather vexed question of differentiating between past-life memories on the one hand and ancestral, racial, and species-related memories on the other. Anyway, thanks for your comment!

I've only read up to page 62 so this may be addressed later on, but In Inner Christianity you discuss the "circular serpent," which relates to our reptilian brain, the medulla oblongata. I've learned that the medulla oblongata stores our past life information, which is yet another aspect of time in this horizontal dimension of ours. We keep coming back to refine the "evil" energies in this human dimension so that we can blend more with the vertical dimension of soul/spirit.

Thank you, Lisa White

I like it very much!
-- Susie from Idaho