 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
1
|
|
|
New from TSJ Publications!
Kali's
Bazaar Buy now at Amazon.com! Leading Authors' Praise For Kali's Bazaar: Extraordinary
poetry -- pure bhakti! This
collection of devotional poems, a rarity in today's world, will
awaken the heart of love within any reader whatever their spiritual
tradition. Lawrence Edwards, a long time devotee of the Devi (the
archetypal feminine that exists within all), has had the blessings
of some of the leading Masters of our time. As these ecstatic
poems reveal, he provides a shining example of the spiritual life
fully lived, able to embrace with eloquence all of life's extremes
from suffering to bliss. These poems are in the tradition of the
great ecstatic poets such as Rumi, Kabir, Hafiz and others. They
transport the reader beyond this world of duality into unconditioned
Oneness, a rare gift indeed!
Those
on a sacred path will recognize that Kalidas (Lawrence Edwards)
has made an authentic life journey and, through his poetry, is
sharing his piercing insights and exalted states. His relationship
to the Mother allows us to hear her voice in every sound, to see
her magnificence in every sight, to feel her fiercely loving caress
in every touch, and to sense the rhythm of her beating heart in
our soul. Reading these poems transports and transforms the reader
through delight and deep satisfaction. In
this collection, Kalidas (servant of Kali) offers us the distillation
of a lifetime of spiritual seeking and devotion. Each poem glows
with the iridescent spark of that sacred essence left in the alchemist's
dish when all the dross has been sifted away. Yeats used the phrase
"when naked to naked goes" to describe such moments,
when the unadorned soul unites with the Beloved in shameless adoration.
These poems allow us to observe at close hand this profound process
by which the mundane substance of the material self is transmuted
into the clarity of the refined being, the gold of pure spirit. The
poingnant imagery and keen spiritual insights I found in Kali's
Bazaar delighted me. But what moved me even more was that
they revealed Lawrence - whose vast knowledge and rare understanding
of Eastern traditions have long marked as a man of profound intellect
- to be a man of even deeper heart.... With
great humility (a sign of an authentic teacher) Lawrence Edwards
reveals to us his spiritual inner life empowering us to accept
our own inner experiences instead of thinking something might
be terriby wrong.
The
Soul's Journey: Guidance from the Divine Within can be ordered
through bookstores everywhere or online from: Foreword
by
Stephen Larsen, Ph.D., author of THE SHAMAN'S DOORWAY
and co-author of THE FASHIONING OF ANGELS. REVIEWS: Stanley
Krippner, Ph.D., professor of psychology, author of Spiritual
Dimensions of Healing and editor of Dreamscaping:
"...Edwards' first person accounts are riveting. [His] descriptions of his Kundalini states are eloquent, including colorful descriptions of his imagery (olfactory and tactile as well as visual and auditory) and profound insights into the human condition. …Edwards skillfully guides his readers through a pathway on which he has been an experienced traveler." (AHP Perspective, Sept/Oct 2001) Joseph Chilton Pearce, noted author and lecturer on human development whose books include THE MAGICAL CHILD, THE MAGICAL CHILD MATURES and EVOLUTION’S END:
Dr. Marion Woodman, the highly regarded Jungian analyst, author of numerous works and co-author of DANCING IN THE FLAMES: THE DARK GODDESS IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS:
Andrew Harvey, renowned teacher and author of THE DIRECT PATH and SON OF MAN: "This
is a moving and highly intelligent book that raises many searching
questions with honesty and love. I especially enjoyed Lawrence
Edwards' fearless nakedness about the nature of evil and the nature
of the dark obstacles that all true seekers at a certain level
will encounter. In the sickly caramel factory that is the New
Age it is profoundly invigorating to converse with a mind and
heart that knows the extreme price lovers of God must be prepared
to pay to come into the radiant atmosphere of union with the Beloved.
Whatever small differences I may have with Dr. Lawrence Edwards
on the guru question are not as important as my gratitude for
his integrity and acumen."
Living Traditions Magazine (www.livingtraditions-magazine.com): The Soul’s Journey: Guidance from the Divine Within is a real gift, so often we read stories about visions, spiritual experiences and mystical teachings which seem to be continents from our own experience. It is so easy to believe in such things in “romantic” kingdoms where miracles occur or even in our own literary recreations of Tibet or India and yet be unable to experience them in our own lives and lounge rooms. In this superb book, Dr. Edwards shares his experiences in a powerful and personal way and shows how visionary experiences and real spiritual growth can be achieved by all of us regardless of where we are.
We learn a lot about his experiences of the divine. Even as a child he experienced the power of the spiritual world and moreover recognized it as a potent and important aspect of his life; he did this despite the discouragement of his parents and the materialistic environment of the culture around him. He carried with him the truth of his early experience of the Great Mother Goddess Kali throughout his life. Later, he became a devotee of Muktananda, a remarkable Siddha or realized master from India, and under his instruction was able to refine his spiritual life and not only experience further visitations from the Goddess bur receive instruction from her.
She instructed him to transmit her teachings, so he recorded and then published them. This was his mission ordained by Kali. Kali told him stories which are enticing and enlightening. They are like the old legends and tales of the Hindu Puranas or even like the crazy wisdom of the Sufis, and while they may be enjoyable they are also allegorical and contain deep wisdom.
Dr. Edwards' book is a fascinating volume which combines a revealing and personal outline of his own experiences, profound revelations and visions and insightful commentary which is clarified by his own background in Jungian psychology. Here is an intelligent guide to spirituality which while upholding the integrity of the visionary experience (especially Kundalini), also decodes that experience and offers insights from psychology. This is a great achievement and will be of real value to anyone on the spiritual path.
Maurie D. Pressman, M.D., author of Enter the Supermind; co-author of Twin Souls; Professor of Psychiatry at Temple University and Emeritus Chairman of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein Medical Center:
With
quiet grace and the impressive assurance that comes from deep
familiarity with the path, Lawrence Edwards introduces us to ever
deeper levels of Divine Reality as manifested through the Goddess
(Kundalini). He achieves what few dare attempt and even fewer
succeed in: a profound and convincing revelation of his own inner
progression along that journey of spirit to which he has been
called. In his account of his personal quest, he includes the
full spectrum of what seekers may expect, from the overwhelming
bliss of ecstatic union to the terror of unexpected encounters
with the Shadow. This
book is an invaluable map to all who venture into similar spiritual
terrain. It will be most especially welcomed by those who have
tasted of comparable experience through Kundalini awakening, visionary
revelation, or the soul's dark night. His voice is that of the
authentic pilgrim whose many years of immersion into the ancient
practices and lore of Siddha Yoga together with his training in
Jungian/transpersonal psychology create a uniquely qualified spokesperson.
He is both practitioner and scholar, with a rich familiarity with
both Eastern mystical tradition and contemporary Western perspective.
He is a wise and trustworthy voice, a teacher whose knowledge
and counsel will benefit all those fortunate enough to be introduced
to this volume. And, for persons undergoing Kundalini transformation
who are seeking a more comprehensive understanding of the process,
this book is an invaluable source. Barbra Telynor, Editor, ATP Working Titles, January 2002: "Lawrence
Edwards is a mystic who shares a deep and abiding love and respect
for the Divine in his work. Through sharing his visions and stories,
honed in the fires of meditation and Eastern mythological symbolism,
he unlocks the particular to expose the Universal connection to
the Divine. For him, it is devotion to the Divine Feminine which
is so powerful. ...Here we see the Divine Feminine as reflected
by a man in search of Her. Lawrence is also able to express the
woundedness of men without the strength of a strong positive Masculine,
as well. If your path is rooted in meditation and Eastern mythology,
you will find a home in this spiritual autobiography which points
well beyond itself." Kathi Kemper, M.D., M.P.H., author of THE HOLISTIC PEDIATRICIAN, featured in One Spirit book club:
El Collie, publisher and editor of the internationally distributed newsletter, Shared Transformation:
Bob Boyd, Kundalini Survival & Support: I have been reading Dr. Edwards' book "The Soul's Journey: Guidance From The Divine Within" and, Wow!, it's fantastic! After seeing the Goddess in his childhood, years later, while sitting in a meditation hall, Dr. Edwards has six consecutive visions of six different forms of the Goddess prior to Kali lighting up his inner space with one cosmic revelation after another, culminating in profound realizations and a message from Kali. The Goddess then directs him to share her "gift" to him with others by writing it all down and getting it published. He is shown in visions what to write along with commentaries by the Goddess, presented to him as scenes in his mind. Dr. Edwards is just as amazed as his readers will be, and humbled by his cosmic visitations from Kali. Moreover, his surprise and humility at being "chosen" by the Divine give his words a solid ring of truth. Dr. Edwards extraordinary encounter with the Divine is one of the most impressive and inspiring books I have ever read about Kundalini. Perhaps devotion to the Mother Goddess is the highest path to fully awakening Kundalini with a Mother's Love guiding you safely home.
At last! A book on the spiritual path written by someone who has walked the walk instead of just talking the talk. Edwards' descriptions of personal revelations by the Goddess, dating from his early childhood, give clarity, inspiration and hope to all those yearning in their lives for a closer connection with the divine. This book inspires awe at the infinite beauty, grace and love which has flowed from the Goddess in Her many forms directly to the author's mind and soul. Just as importantly, though, it is a sobering reminder of the challenges, struggles and dangers of the spiritual quest which arise from the darkness of our own shadow side, and which we must continually acknowledge, confront and release in order ultimately to open ourselves fully to the ever-present divine love and grace always enfolding us. We see that these revelations, both positive and negative, were the product of years of intense and serious cultivation under the tutelage of a truly enlightened Master. Such devotion and perseverance, especially in the face of inner demons and outer tribulations, are the inevitable offerings necessary eventually to bear the ecstatic spiritual fruit that it has been the author's delight to have experienced. But what is also impressive is the sense throughout that the author sees himself as a human being, like the rest of us, working to get through each day and dealing with the myriad confusions, vices, and temptations that plague us all. His commitment to confront these issues as consciously as possible is what makes this book, and his example, accessible as a "better way" to deal with our own issues. It also gives the hope that, by following this "better way", we may ourselves one day personally experience the loving presence and guidance of the Goddess just as he has. This
book, and especially the chapter presenting the allegory of "The
Bird of a Thousand Lights," came at an especially critical
point in my own spiritual development. Reading that chapter brought
an immediate intuitive sense of recognition. Being able to identify
with the protagonist on his quest and to see clearly both where
I stood in my own journey, and what the path ahead held for me,
lent tremendous encouragement to me. As a long time follower of
the spiritual path, I have often "found" a book which,
after reading it, I knew was the "right book at the right
time." The Soul's Journey was one such book for me,
and I trust that it will be for many other "seekers"
as well. I highly recommend it! Judith
Miller, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of Direct
Connection:
Dr. José Stevens, author of TAMING YOUR DRAGONS, SECRETS OF SHAMANISM and several other books said he thought it was an excellent work on the Kundalini and the spiritual journey. He also said he thinks it will contribute to healing the masculine principle in men and in society.
Click here to return to top of page. Home
Book Author Kali
Kundalini Meditation
Resources Events Contact
(c)
2001 by Lawrence Edwards, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
|
Kali's
Bazaar by Lawrence Edwards
The
Soul’s Journey: Guidance from the Divine Within
(2000) propels the reader onto a breathtaking visionary quest
as the soul’s longing to know the Divine is answered by the loving
power of grace and revelation, known as Kundalini Shakti in the
yogic system. Dr. Edwards uses his personal mystical experiences
to gradually unfold the tasks to be mastered and the lessons to
be learned as we tread our individual path to the Divine. His
wisdom is grounded in both direct experience as well as in the
knowledge of Jungian archetypal psychology, Eastern and Western
mysticism and mythology. The book presents a rich interweaving
of personal trials and challenges, insights from poet saints and
mystics, uplifting experiences of the Divine being discovered
in everyday life, and lofty overviews of the spiritual terrain
from different vantage points. The reader will have the good fortune
to find their faith and enthusiasm for treading their path delightfully
boosted by what they encounter in this book. It contains profound
insights and revelations about Kundalini, chakras, the awakening
of this sublime power and the direct guidance it gives the seeker
from deep within. Kundalini is the Power of the Divine within
everyone.