A noted historian, the late Gerda Lerner points out that women had no conscious history of feminist ideas until quite recently. Over the centuries, women who criticized sexist biblical interpretations were generally unaware of the efforts of previous generations. The great female mystics were liv...

Psychiatrist John Mack discusses clinical case histories involving memories of alien encounters. He suggests that these cases transcend dualistic categories, such as reality/fantasy, physical/mental, true/false. He argues that UFO abductions differ from past-life memories, near-death experiences ...

Daniel Matt discusses the core teachings of Jewish kabbalistic mysticism, and describes the qualities that connect the divine being to the human being. In discussing modern thought, he notes that while the big bang story is inconsistent with the biblical account of creation, it is in harmony with...

Dr. Sukie Miller reports on the wide variety of cultural approaches to existence after death. Her research suggests that there are four stages to the after death journey that can be found in the myths of virtually every culture�the waiting stage, the judgment stage, the exploration stage and th...

Judith Orloff describes her struggle coming to terms with her psychic abilities while establishing herself in a psychiatric career--where claims of psychic functioning are often viewed as signs of mental illness. She discusses the use of clairvoyance within her psychiatric practice, and suggests ...

The fourteenth century poet, Hafez, has been described as one of the "Iranian oil wells that never run dry." He was a mystic, a philosopher, who translated the ancient Zoroastrian world view into an Islamic mileau. His vision was so large as to speak across the centuries and touch, lovingly, upon...

Daniel Quinn proposes that the modern environmental crisis has its origins in the agricultural revolution that began about ten thousand years ago. At that time, humans developed a vision of themselves as the pinnacle of creation
--a species for whom the entire earth was intended. salvation depend...

A leading parapsychologist presents data on research in extrasensory perception, precognition and psychokinesis. He points out that statistical replication in this controversial field is as strong as exists in any behavioral science. He adds that the quality of the studies is higher than in most ...

Rachel Naomi Remen describes the awe and power of the life force--that enables thin blades of grass to grow up through concrete sidewalks. She emphasizes that we cut ourselves off from the power of the life force when we edit ourselves in accordance with the approval and disapproval of others. th...

Peter Russell maintains that the human race is the culmination of a continual progression toward greater self-awareness. Yet, only a shift in consciousness will prevent us from destroying the planet. Nor can we rely upon the great teachers of the past. True security will only be achieved by looki...

Consciousness may be thought of as the beginning point of evolution and of creation, rather than as a recent by-product of the evolutionary process. To support this view, Elisabet Sahtouris cites developments in quantum physics. She notes that a guiding intelligence can be observed in evolution, ...

In the past few decades a new profession has developed that combines the art of healing with the emotional pleasures of artistic creativity. Michael Samuels describes the dyadic relationship that occurs in a hospital setting between an artist and one who is suffering from an illness. Almost unive...

J. Nigro Sansonese maintains that ancient myths throughout the world are coded instructions for esoteric practice involving a deep awareness of the human body. He points out that the ancient Greeks share common ancestry with the Hindus and that the primal traditions of all peoples involve a knowl...

Jack Sarfatti presents his model for "post-quantum physics" in which he postulates that consciousness exists at a level outside of time and space, beyond that of quantum mechanical probability waves. He suggests that this scientific model may eventually allow us to build conscious computer chips....

The model of the spiritual elder is an appropriate one for individuals experiencing an extended lifespan. This process can be facilitated through the application of transpersonal and humanistic processes. A major part of this work involves an examination of one's life and an understanding of how ...

Therese Schroeder-Sheker describes her pioneering work in the application of palliative music during deathbed vigils. She also discusses the medicinal uses of music, pointing out that ancient traditions refer to music as a bridge between the earthly plane and the various celestial spheres through...

In ancient times, says Leonard Shlain, human societies universally worshipped the image of a goddess. Sometime about 5,000 years ago a massive shift occurred in which the sex of the diety changed. He presents his hypothesis that this change is related to the introduction of the alphabet and its e...

Saul-Paul Sirag reviews the history of our understanding of higher dimensions, from early ideas of the "fourth dimension" to the early 20th century dimensional theory that proved to be successful in unifying electromagnetism and gravity. This search for unification has lead to continued explorati...

Philosopher Huston Smith points out that we confront three essential relationships with nature, with other people, and with ourselves, and that these relationships correspond to the enduring philosophical traditions of the West, of China and of India. He also argues that human history may be divi...

Malidoma Some describes his childhood among the Dagara people, focusing on their use of ritual as a means of establishing an ongoing relationship with the worlds of their ancestors and of the spirits. He also describes his own shamanic initiation. He suggests that the elders of the Dagara communi...

Patricia Sun presents the provocative view that women have a more highly developed rational and verbal capacity than men and that men are more emotional than women. She suggests that women will better understand men if they take a softer, less judgemental approach. Men will better communicate wit...

Scientist Russell Targ describes remote viewing research he conducted with sponsorship from the CIA and military intelligence establishment. He presents graphic illustrations of the tests that persuaded the government to fund this research. He describes his own personal experiences as a remote vi...

Luisah Teish's work engages every aspect of life--from singing, dancing and storytelling to rituals observing the cycles of life. She describes the religions of the African diaspora, noting that they survive in the west by blending with the dominant Christian faith.

Luisah Teish is priestess of ...

Stan Tenen notes that the two primary names of God in the Hebrew Torah refer to the fundamental metaphysical principles of duality: the god within and the god without, god as a singular entity and god as infinite. The key insight of Judaism, that these principles are actually one, is embedded in ...