Writer and reporter Louis Sahagun joins us to discuss his amazing new book, “Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall” available from Process Media. Louis’ book is an incredibly well-researched and revealing a biography of Manly Hall that contains so many previously unknown facts and stories that it is simply amazing. This book is a must-read for anyone that considers themselves a student of Hall and his work, or is simply interested in how a man came from almost nothing and made himself into one of the greatest teachers of his generation.
Our conversation begins by discussing how Louis came to know Hall and his work and describes his approach to writing the book as a history of Hall and the city of Los Angeles growing up together. Next, we talk about Manly Hall’s early life and how he began his career as a teacher and seer. In the early years, Hall was identified with Rosicrucianism, as were some of his contemporaries, including Max Heindel’s widow, Augusta, and H. Spencer Lewis. We get into Hall’s history as a Freemason and how this affected the subject matter of his writings and lectures. We trace the progression from writings on Magic, Tarot, Alchemy, and Freemasonry to his later works on mysticism, meditation, Eastern philosophy, and comparative religion. We also discuss the later years and Hall’s very mysterious death at the hands of the man who was supposed to be his friend and aide. Hall’s accomplishments are legion, including the hundreds of books, thousands of lectures, and the Philosophical Research Society that still stands as a living monument to the Wisdom of the Ages compiled by Hall during his lifetime.
I would encourage you to obtain and read a copy of Louis Sahagun’s “Master of the Mysteries” (also available from Amazon). It reveals the man behind the mysteries, telling all the details of Hall’s life that, apparently, not even very close friends knew. The result is a portrait of a genius who was driven to accomplish great things, as well as a human being. By doing this, Louis Sahagun brings us much closer to the man and his works - a truly great accomplishment.
“The 21st century has an extreme reminiscence to the 21st year of a person’s life. It is a year of coming of age … when a person becomes an adult… Mankind has not the right to take a beautiful world with all its privileges and opportunities and turn it into a purgatory. This situation should remind Freemasons that they have something to live for. We have the power to build worlds, the wisdom to govern them, and the divine right to inherit the earth and preserve it in good condition in order to pass it on to our descendents as a place of happiness, usefulness and security for thousands of years to come. We’re not asking for treason. We’re not asking for disobedience. We’re only asking … that in every way possible, when they have the choice, stand for truth and, if necessary, take a little punishment for it.”
- Manly Palmer Hall, 26 May 1990, Scottish Rite Temple, Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California (p. 1-2 of Sahagun’s “Master of the Mysteries”)
relevant links:
“Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall” by Louis Sahagun (also available from Amazon.com)
“The Great Work of Manly Hall”
“The Mysterious Career of Manly P. Hall” by Mitch Horowitz in episode 6 of Sub Rosa magazine
“Podcast 21 - Mitch Horowitz” - Mitch and I spend the last portion of the show discussing Manly Hall
Philosophical Research Society
University of Philosophical Research
“The Secret Teachings of All Ages” by Manly P. Hall
“Lectures on Ancient Philosophy” by Manly P. Hall
“The Secret Destiny of America” by Manly P. Hall
“The Lost Keys of Freemasonry (Also Includes: Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians / Masonic Orders of Fraternity)” by Manly P. Hall
“Road to Inner Light” by Manly P. Hall
intro music by HipGnosis
outro music by The Doors, excerpt of “Riders On the Storm”
original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/07/09/podcast-49-louis-sahagun-and-the-master-of-the-mysteries/
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/72/0/OoP_Podcast49_Sahagun_it.mp3
Our good friend Mitch Horowitz returns in this episode to reveal the amazing life of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907). Our conversation starts with young Olcott’s humble beginnings, early successes in scientific agriculture, and investigations into military contractor corruption during the U.S. Civil War and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It was after this point that Olcott’s life took an even more interesting turn.
Mitch describes how Olcott met Madame Blavatsky. The two helped found the Theosophical Society soon thereafter. Olcott served as the first president of the organization and did a tremendous amount to advance their cause. We talk about their Mahatmas and Olcott’s experiences with the Masters. Mitch describes the fascinating story of young Mohandas Gandhi’s involvement with Theosophy. We also discuss the Herculean work Olcott did to promote Buddhism and Hinduism. It is nothing short of miraculous how a man from such humble beginnings, without a formal education, was able to influence literally billions of people.Professional audio mastering by Jason Walraven (THANK YOU!!!)“There is a great earnestness in the character of this man and I think that too must have had something to do with the effectiveness of Theosophy as an organization. He brought principles and ideals and sincerity into Theosophy… Part of the reason we’ve heard of Henry Olcott was … that he was a man of great character… There was something of moral substance to this man. Studying the life of Henry Steel Olcott can challenge all kinds of prejudices, received opinions, and ideas about occultism, about the Western Esoteric Tradition, about how supernaturalism played itself out in the … nineteenth and twentieth centuries… His warmth, ethics, earnestness, and sincerity made him a great man of his time.” - Mitch Horowitz
relevant links:
Mitch Horowitz (previous appearances include Podcast 21 and Podcast 42 - The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case)
“Henry Steel Olcott” Wikipedia entry
“Spiritualism” Wikipedia entry
“Madame Blavatsky” Wikipedia entry
“People from Other Worlds” by Henry S. Olcott
“Morya” Wikipedia entry
“Kuthumi” Wikipedia entry
“Ascended Master Discussion”
“The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and the Myth of the Great White Lodge” by K. Paul Johnson
“The Count De Saint Germain and H.P.B.: Two Messengers of the White Lodge” by Henry S. Olcott
“Sri Aurobindo” Wikipedia entry
“Theosophy” Wikipedia entry
“Theosophical Society” Wikipedia entry
“Theosophical Society Adyar” Wikipedia entry
official website of The Theosophical Society - Adyar
“The Theosophist October 1889 to April 1890” by H.S. Olcott
“The Theosophist October 1890 to April 1891” by H.S. Olcott
“Buddhism” Wikipedia entry
“Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi” Wikipedia entry
intro music by HipGnosis
intermission music by The Quiet Earth Orchestra - excerpt of “Simple”
outro music by Derek Trucks Band - excerpt of “Maki Madni”
original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/06/18/podcast-48-the-life-and-work-of-col-henry-steel-olcott/
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/71/0/OoP_Podcast48_Olcott.mp3
Our good friend Christopher Moors of CreativeCosmos.org returns in this episode to discuss the exploration of the inner realms.
Chris begins our conversation by talking about bringing the soul into the body, making space for this process to occur, separating the subtle from the gross, and being open to new feelings and experiences. This leads into talking about the myriad ways that conscious unfoldment might manifest.
Psychic abilities like intuition, telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and visions have been experienced by those who align the outer and inner worlds. We also speak about animals and interacting with them.
The concept of the soul journey and walking the path round out our conversation.
Watch for Christopher’s upcoming new book entitled “Ruminations of the Universe”.
relevant links:
Creative Cosmos Books and Archives
previous appearances - “Podcast 41 - Journey to the East” and “Podcast 32 - On the Spiritual Path with Christopher Moors”
intro music by HipGnosis
outro music by Christopher Moors - “Are We Born Once or Twice?”
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/70/0/OoP_Podcast47_ChrisMoors_it.mp3
|
|
Dr. Paul Clark is a renowned writer and lecturer, as well as the Steward of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, or F.L.O. (Fraternitas L.V.X. Occulta). F.L.O. is a Mystery school in the western esoteric tradition. Dr. Clark joins us to discuss the nature and purpose of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, and what it offers to its members.
“Dr. Paul Clark began esoteric studies at an early age by corresponding with W.E. Butler. When Paul reached the age of twelve, W.E. Butler suggested Paul contact the Reverend Ann Davies, who was then Prolocutor-General of the Builders of the Adytum and thus began a long and rewarding relationship. Paul spent the next thirteen years studying under Ann Davies and Paul was a member of a select circle of seven “stewards” receiving advanced instruction directly from Ann.
In 1982, Paul and a group of Initiates of high grade, founded the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, an Aquarian Age Mystery School. As Steward of the Fraternity, Paul is known for his ability to inspire others to take their spiritual evolution in hand so that they may achieve their full potential as co-creators.
Paul has written several books including “The Book of the Rose”, “The Secret Cipher of the Golden Dawn” and “The Broken Seal” and has authored two instructional courses taken by numerous students around the world: “The Threshold” and “The Path of Return”.”
“My presence is the cause of every form,
And to those who have eyes to see,
Wherever a man may plant his foot is holy ground.
Not alone in sanctuaries set apart,
But in the street and market-place,
In the abode of sin
As well as in the house of prayer,
Mayest thou say with thy Father Jacob,
“Surely the Lord is in this place;
And I knew it not.”
Verily, thy consciousness of body
Is my self-knowledge of form,
And by that knowledge working in thee
Do I maintain thine existence
In all states and conditions.
Behold, I dwell with thee, O Israel,
And thou dwellest with me.
Take heed
That thou despise not thy Lord in human form.
- excerpt from “The Meditation on Qoph” in “The Book of Tokens”
relevant links:
Fraternity of the Hidden Light - “An Aquarian Age Mystery School of the Western Esoteric Tradition”
“Behind the Veil” - Fraternity of the Hidden Light mission statement
“On the Threshold” - correspondence course work
F.L.O. “Document Archive”
“Podcast 42 - The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case”
“Ann Davies” Wikipedia entry
“The Book of the Rose” by Paul A. Clark
“The Broken Seal and Other Cases” by Paul A. Clark
“Magic, Mysticism, and Initiation” video lecture by Dr. Paul Clark
intro music by HipGnosis
original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/05/04/podcast-46-fraternity-of-the-hidden-lights-steward-dr-paul-clark/
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/69/0/OoP_Podcast46_PaulClark_it.mp3
Paul Tisdell is a surfer, initiate, scribe, and teacher. He joins us to discuss his awakening process and spiritual journey, the compilation of Wisdom, and his work in the field of Hermes.
I AM the circle of eternal flame,
Self-fed.From this Fire all things proceed,
In it all things have their being,
And to it all return.To the unenlightened
It is a devouring flame,
And therefore is it the fang of death;
For by my transforming power
Do I cause the cessation of mine expression
In created forms,
And the unwise see not that cessation in one form
Is but the transition to another.SHIN, the TOOTH or fang,
Is the perfect circle also,
Without beginning,
Without end.
This the wise perceive,
And know that for no creature
Can there be death.Triple is my flame in manifestation,
And one in essence.
Three tongues of Fire,
Three manifesting Words,
And One Being whence all come forth.
One Archetypal world,
One creative letter.
And three worlds derived therefrom.
Such is the manifestation of the sacred Fire.- Paul Foster Case, excerpt from “The Meditation On Shin,” from “The Book of Tokens”
relevant links:
Spiritual Life - The Hermetic Work of Paul Tisdell
“The Christos Meditation Practice”
intro music by HipGnosis
outro music excerpt of “Dark Star -> Beautiful Jam” by Grateful Dead
original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/04/07/podcast-45-the-hermetic-work-of-paul-tisdell/
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/68/0/OoP_Podcast45_Tisdell_it.mp3
Lon Milo DuQuette is one of the preeminent occult writers and speakers of modern times. His work spans the subjects of Tarot, ceremonial Magick, Qabalah, and religion. He injects insight, understanding, humanity, and humor into his work that makes it both enlightening and joyous.
Lon joins us to discuss his interest in the Thoth Tarot, Solomonic Magick, Qabalah, and his new book, “Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told By His Uncle),” a work of historical religious fiction.
Our conversation also covers his research into the mythological King Solomon and the secrets of Masonry, a very humorous look at the occult correspondence of one “Stonehenge Equinox,” the importance of the contributions of Israel Regardie and the recently departed Dr. Christopher Hyatt, and the crucial concept of making life Magickal and not making Magick your life.
“I can only change one thing with Magick - myself.”
“Do I think I’m a holy man? Sometimes.”
“It’s all in your head. You just have no idea how big your head is.”
“If we can’t wake up to the fact that deep down inside we are good, then we deserve to remain asleep dreaming we are evil.”
relevant links:
Courses at Maybe Logic Academy featuring DuQuette’s “Initiation: The Western Magical Tradition”
“My Life With The Spirits: The Adventures of a Modern Magician” by Lon Milo DuQuette
“The Key to Solomon’s Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry” by Lon Milo DuQuette
“Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told by His Uncle)” by Lon Milo DuQuette
“The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed ben Clifford” by Lon Milo DuQuette
“The Book of Thoth” by The Master Therion
“Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot” by Lon Milo DuQuette
“Q.B.L. or The Bride’s Reception: Being A Qabalistic Treatise on the Nature and Use of the Tree of Life” by Frater Achad
“Aleister Crowley’s Illustrated Goetia” by Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher Hyatt Ph.D.
“Israel Regardie” Wikipedia entry
“Christopher Hyatt” Wikipedia entry
intro music by HipGnosis (new album “Ear Responsibility”)
outro music by Lon Milo DuQuette - “Sweet Babalon” (CD available here)
original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/03/16/podcast-44-lon-milo-duquette/
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/66/0/OoP_Podcast44_Duquette_i3.mp3
If you are so inclined, please check out:
Occult Sentinel Podcast - a new offering that featured yours truly in one episode
Modern Gnosis and Tannhaus’ video channel (”A Thelemite Speaks”)
Enjoy!
Our friend Bishop T Allen Greenfield returns to the show to talk about Gnostic history and philosophy.
Dr. Greenfield is particularly well-qualified to discuss this subject considering his extensive experience in Gnostic churches serving as bishop. Our conversation covers the definition of Gnosis and Gnostic, the history of ancient sects, the philosophy through the ages, modern permutations of the Gnostic doctrine, and Dr. Greenfield’s own personal lineage.
Notable points include differing perspectives on the concept of the Demiurgus and the resultant differences in the views on body and spirit, the secret societies and esoteric orders that have carried the Wisdom, and Apostolic succession.
“These are mysteries, O Israel,
Difficult to understand.
With much searching shalt thou still fail
To grasp them,
Unless thy search be rightly prosecuted.
Yet the Way to Understanding is ever open
To him who will follow it steadfastly.
It is the Way of the Heart,
And thou shalt be guided therein
By thine own inner Hearing.”- Paul Foster Case from “The Meditation on Vav” in “The Book of Tokens”
relevant links:
Smashing Illusions - Dr. T Allen Greenfield’s Livejournal web site
The Assembly of the Knowledge and Wisdom of Solomon
“T Allen Greenfield’s Spiritual and Fraternal Heritage”
The North American College of Gnostic Bishops
previous appearances - “Podcast 35 - An Inquiry Into Suppressed Information“, “Podcast 31 - Scrying the Universe“, and “Podcast 17 - The Secret Cipher”
“Victorian Fire: The Origins of Sexual Magick” by T Allen Greenfield
“Fragments of a Faith Forgotten: The Gnostics, a Contibution to the Study of the Origins of Christianity” by G.R.S. Mead
“Gnosis: The Nature and History of Gnosticism” by Kurt Rudolph
“Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times” by Roelof van den Broek
intro music by HipGnosis
outro music by The Quiet Earth Orchestra, excerpt of “God” (thanks to John Ludi)
original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/03/01/podcast-43-gnosticism/
direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/64/0/OoP_Podcast43_Gnosticism_it.mp3
