Real Energy: Systems, Spirits, And Substances to Heal, Change, And Grow
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By: Phaedra Bonewits and Isaac Bonewits
Format: Paperback
From: New Page Books
Pub. Date: February 2007
From: New Page Books
Pub. Date: February 2007
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2007-03-15
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 288
Ean: 9781564149046
Isbn: 1564149048
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2007-03-15
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 288
Ean: 9781564149046
Isbn: 1564149048
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
Energy. Psi, prana, mana, chi, divine power, the tao, reiki, or "vibes," every system of magic and mysticism calls the energies that power its practices by different names. Whether questioning the power of prayer or a healing session with a Reiki master an underlying question exists of whether this energy is all the same or if they exist as distinctly different "wavelengths" of some universal power?
When New Agers, occultists, spiritual healers, metaphysicians, artists, and Neopagans talk about the "energies" they use, what do they actually mean? Now, for the first time, a single book discusses the vocabulary, magic, metaphysics, art, and science of energy from a multi-model, 21st century perspective.
Lessons included will cover: • Physical vocabulary of energy • Metaphysical vocabulary of energy • How the laws of magic affect energy • The Importance of Focus
Real Energy will then take these lessons to the next level giving you direction on how to understand and begin working with different energies. Half of the book is dedicated to showing you how to work with specific energies, including: the four elements, crystals, plants, animals, your own body, nature spirits, ancestors, and deities to accomplish your goals and enhance life experiences. Specific energy work practices are also covered, including: Reiki, The Huna System, working with "Pure" ESP and PK, Feng Shui, and the Tantra System.
With tips from scientists, artists, magicians, and spiritual teachers, Real Energy will give you a solid introduction to both the theory and practice of energy work.
When New Agers, occultists, spiritual healers, metaphysicians, artists, and Neopagans talk about the "energies" they use, what do they actually mean? Now, for the first time, a single book discusses the vocabulary, magic, metaphysics, art, and science of energy from a multi-model, 21st century perspective.
Lessons included will cover: • Physical vocabulary of energy • Metaphysical vocabulary of energy • How the laws of magic affect energy • The Importance of Focus
Real Energy will then take these lessons to the next level giving you direction on how to understand and begin working with different energies. Half of the book is dedicated to showing you how to work with specific energies, including: the four elements, crystals, plants, animals, your own body, nature spirits, ancestors, and deities to accomplish your goals and enhance life experiences. Specific energy work practices are also covered, including: Reiki, The Huna System, working with "Pure" ESP and PK, Feng Shui, and the Tantra System.
With tips from scientists, artists, magicians, and spiritual teachers, Real Energy will give you a solid introduction to both the theory and practice of energy work.
USER REVIEWS
"I just wanted to write a quick thanks to Isaac and Phaedra for this book, and a recommendation for anyone considering reading it.
As an educated individual, a self-proclaimed intellectual, and a pagan, I've been thoroughly disappointed with the majority of works available on magic and witchcraft. Countless times I've read rosy and exciting accounts of magic, rituals, energy work, etc., without any attempt on the part of the authors to provide scientific, factual, or even rational bases for their claims. I have always been divided by my imagination and belief in the mystical, unseen world, and my need for "facts." I want to believe in the things claimed in the majority of pagan works, but I don't ever want to believe blindly...I was raised Christian...'nuff said.
Since becoming pagan three years ago it's been slow growing, as energy has been a hugely difficult concept for me. As one reviewer mentioned (an excellent observation), Christianity separates you from nature and the world. I've been searching for books and teachers to help me become open again, and to bring me back to the world in a way that both halves of my brain can understand.
"Real Energy" has been exactly the book I was looking for, and again, thank you Isaac and Phaedra for standing up and bringing reason back to the beauty of paganism, and for wielding the science stick in a way that supports magic rather than beating it down. This is an excellent addition to my studies and a great foundation, even for someone who's not naturally scientifically-minded.
"
~ Written on 2008-05-21
As an educated individual, a self-proclaimed intellectual, and a pagan, I've been thoroughly disappointed with the majority of works available on magic and witchcraft. Countless times I've read rosy and exciting accounts of magic, rituals, energy work, etc., without any attempt on the part of the authors to provide scientific, factual, or even rational bases for their claims. I have always been divided by my imagination and belief in the mystical, unseen world, and my need for "facts." I want to believe in the things claimed in the majority of pagan works, but I don't ever want to believe blindly...I was raised Christian...'nuff said.
Since becoming pagan three years ago it's been slow growing, as energy has been a hugely difficult concept for me. As one reviewer mentioned (an excellent observation), Christianity separates you from nature and the world. I've been searching for books and teachers to help me become open again, and to bring me back to the world in a way that both halves of my brain can understand.
"Real Energy" has been exactly the book I was looking for, and again, thank you Isaac and Phaedra for standing up and bringing reason back to the beauty of paganism, and for wielding the science stick in a way that supports magic rather than beating it down. This is an excellent addition to my studies and a great foundation, even for someone who's not naturally scientifically-minded.
"
~ Written on 2008-05-21
"To be honest, I wasn't really expecting to enjoy this book quite as much as I did Bonewit's earlier work, "Real Magic". Boy, was I wrong. I devoured this book.
Both Issac and Phaedra have created here something very special and unique. Where to begin?
First off, as a person with a technical background, I was throughly impressed and grateful to see that the inclusion of physics and quantum mechanics in the book were discussed factually and accurately, with no "fluff" or twisting of facts to fit preexisting hypotheses or ulterior motives. The Boneswits' are among the very few who are not afraid to attempt to reconcile magic, to some degree, with the scientific worldview. At stated in the book, there is no such thing as the Supernatural, all things follow natural laws, whether or not modern science is yet cognizant of them.
However, I believe it is not the authors' intent to "prove" anything to a non-believer, but only to provide insight and education to all those that believe or merely study the topic academically.
If there is one possible exception to the above, it's in one of my favorite sections where the authors discuss the modern (over?)usage of the word "Energy" by the New Age crowd; contrasting it first in strictly physicists' terms, they then make a rather appealing allowance for it's more colloquial and abundant usage by revealing startling similarities between ancient Hermetic concepts and modern string theory, among other cutting-edge modern day scientific constructs.
Like Real Magic, both Eastern and Western mystical concepts are covered in the book, from the Greek roots of the word "Spirit" to the Chinese "Qi" to the Indian "Prana", among others, all of which pertain, etymologically and interestingly, to "breath".
There is an updated section on the "Laws of Magic" formerly discussed in Issac's seminal "Real Magic", as well as treatises on traditional mystical sources of energy such as the Aristotelian Four Elements; herbs and plants; gemstones and minerals; Gaia(Earthmother/Biosphere)and Cosmos, and of course, animals and living beings. A very brief discourse on spirits, faeries, djinns, and the like, is also offered towards the end, as is a larger section on generating and controlling previously discussed energies.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed this book, and I would even recommend it over Real Magic, if one had no option but to choose between the two. However, the best option, by far, is to get both of them!"
~ Written on 2008-05-02
Both Issac and Phaedra have created here something very special and unique. Where to begin?
First off, as a person with a technical background, I was throughly impressed and grateful to see that the inclusion of physics and quantum mechanics in the book were discussed factually and accurately, with no "fluff" or twisting of facts to fit preexisting hypotheses or ulterior motives. The Boneswits' are among the very few who are not afraid to attempt to reconcile magic, to some degree, with the scientific worldview. At stated in the book, there is no such thing as the Supernatural, all things follow natural laws, whether or not modern science is yet cognizant of them.
However, I believe it is not the authors' intent to "prove" anything to a non-believer, but only to provide insight and education to all those that believe or merely study the topic academically.
If there is one possible exception to the above, it's in one of my favorite sections where the authors discuss the modern (over?)usage of the word "Energy" by the New Age crowd; contrasting it first in strictly physicists' terms, they then make a rather appealing allowance for it's more colloquial and abundant usage by revealing startling similarities between ancient Hermetic concepts and modern string theory, among other cutting-edge modern day scientific constructs.
Like Real Magic, both Eastern and Western mystical concepts are covered in the book, from the Greek roots of the word "Spirit" to the Chinese "Qi" to the Indian "Prana", among others, all of which pertain, etymologically and interestingly, to "breath".
There is an updated section on the "Laws of Magic" formerly discussed in Issac's seminal "Real Magic", as well as treatises on traditional mystical sources of energy such as the Aristotelian Four Elements; herbs and plants; gemstones and minerals; Gaia(Earthmother/Biosphere)and Cosmos, and of course, animals and living beings. A very brief discourse on spirits, faeries, djinns, and the like, is also offered towards the end, as is a larger section on generating and controlling previously discussed energies.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed this book, and I would even recommend it over Real Magic, if one had no option but to choose between the two. However, the best option, by far, is to get both of them!"
~ Written on 2008-05-02
"Clear, direct, and simple, this book is great for getting a handle on the etheral subject of magical energies. Anyone annoyed with breathy, wide-eyed authors who have their feet in the clouds or who are clearly in love with their own mystic 75-cent vocabularies will find the Bonewits duo's writing style and outlook to be refreshingly matter-of-fact and accessible, even humorous at times. Energy is broken down into component types (including how it's seen through beliefs from different world religions/philosophies), examined rationally in well-ordered chapters, and a few exercises are provided for those who wish to explore further. An interesting read all around."
~ Written on 2008-01-27
~ Written on 2008-01-27
"The book gave you a lot of information on the use of energy in other religions. There are exercise to do, to help you with the use of energy.
I highly recommend this book and any of Mr. Bonewits books"
~ Written on 2007-12-28
I highly recommend this book and any of Mr. Bonewits books"
~ Written on 2007-12-28
"The book gave you a lot of information on the use of energy in other religions. There are exercise to do, to help you with the use of energy.
I highly recommend this book and any of Mr. Bonewits books"
~ Written on 2007-12-28
I highly recommend this book and any of Mr. Bonewits books"
~ Written on 2007-12-28