Recommended Reading, CDs, Cassettes, and Videos

Below is a list of resources that the School of Spiritual Integrity recommends. If you have difficulty locating any of the materials, e-mail the school and we will assist you.

BOOKS

Messengers of Light: The Angels' Guide to Spiritual Growth, Terry Lynn Taylor, HJ Kramer, Inc
Wonderful book for all backgrounds. Effective methods of working with angels in every activity. Delightful stories and very humorous.

The Astral Plane: Its Scenery, Inhabitants & Phenomena,The Devachanic Plane or The Heaven World. Its Characteristics and Inhabitants, The Science of the Sacraments, Charles Leadbeater, Theosophical Publishing House
The first two books listed are excellent descriptions of various planes of consciousness and the experiences and entities associated with each. The Science of the Sacraments is fascinating reading for anyone who is interested in Christian liturgy. It explores the magical principles behind the mass and what a Priest and the congregation should be doing to facilitate the building of a temple on the inner planes and the evoking of angels. Detailed explanations of the why's of liturgical garments...how they are designed to promote subtle energy movement. Great resource for Western Tradition ritual work, or those who would like to know what a traditional service is supposed to do.

The Power of Your Other Hand : A Course in Channeling the Inner Wisdom of the Right Brain, Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D., Newcastle Publishing Co
The first lesson in all metaphysical studies is to "know thyself." This text (and all her others) is an excellent "how to" book. It is designed to facilitate self-understanding through drawing and journal work. One of the best books for people to study on their own as a basis for any other further study.

The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail, Margaret Starbird, Bear & Co
This Roman Catholic scholar set out to refute the idea that Jesus was married to the Magdalen; instead, she found new and compelling evidence for the existence of the bride of Jesus. She draws her conclusions from an extensive study of history, heraldry, symbolism, medieval art, mythology, psychology, and the Bible itself. The book is a quest for the forgotten feminine...in the hope that its return will help restore a healthy balance to planet Earth. The author is a seeker after truth, not a defender of doctrine. She recognizes that orthodoxy is orthodox because it won and not necessarily because it is true. This book restores the "lost feminine principle" to impoverished Christian theology.

Melchizedek Truth Principles from the Ancient Mystical White Brotherhood: Fourth dimensional teachings, Frater Achad, DeVorss & Co., Publishers
Foundation books based on Universal Law. Coached in "Christian Metaphysical" terminology, but the truths are universal. Highly recommended.

 The Secret Teachings of All Ages Manly P. Hall , Philosophical Society
A wonderful compendium of just about everything in metaphysics, from Masons and Alchemy to Mithra and Pythagoras. Wonderful art plates, great reference. It took me a year to read from cover to cover; it's worth it. Many of his other titles are also intriguing.

Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus, Neil Douglas-Klotz , Harper & Row, Publisher
Radical exploration of some of the most familiar words of Jesus. This Aramaic scholar reveals a mystical, feminist, cosmic master. Example: "Our Father which art in Heaven" can, when approached through the original Aramaic, as easily become "O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos," or "Source of Sound: in the roar and the whisper, in the breeze and the whirlwind, we hear your Name." Author includes a series of meditations or "body prayers" of a kind practiced for thousands of years in the Middle East. The meditations allow one to experience directly ("gnosis") the meaning behind the form. The original Aramaic is used for each meditation.

The Jew in the Lotus: A Poet's Rediscovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India (Plus), Rodger Kamenetz , Harper Collins, Publisher
This book is ostensibly a true account of a meeting in Dharamsala between Jewish religious leaders and the Dalai Lama...but the book is much more. This is a fascinating tale of two worlds, Jewish and Tibetan...a profound discussion of religion, exile, and survival in our time. It is a spiritual adventure story that brings to life the mystery of connections between seemingly different gods. But this is also a poetic manifesto calling for the creative rethinking of religion and ritual. With a lovely sense of humor, this book raises questions each individual needs to answer for themselves.

The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism, Daniel C. Matt , Harper Collins, Publisher
Text and commentary alike are accurate, precise, useful, and truly suggestive. This book offers a generous and accessible sampling of the world of kabbalistic thought from its founding texts...down to some of its modern heirs.

Moses Cordovero's Introduction to Kabbalah: An Annotated Translation of His or Ne'Erav, Ira Robinson, translator, KTAV Publishing House
First published in 1587, this classic text was intended to serve two purposes: it was meant both to provide a justification for the study of Kabbalah and to encourage that study by providing detailed instructions for interested laymen on how to go about that study. Or Ne'erav succeeds in fullfilling these purposes to this day.

 The Way of Flame: A Guide to the Forgotten Mystical Tradition of Jewish Meditation, Avram Davis , Harper Collins, Publisher
Packed with passion and humor, this powerful guide incorporates philosophy and story with suggestions for daily living...including exercises and examples for setting up your own practice. Text emphasizes the need for joy and community in meditation. Davis combines traditional teachings with his own unorthodox experiences, including a stint as a mendicant monk ("though in a Jewish sort of way") at a Catholic abbey in Southern California. The text brings forth that all paths lead to Spirit. Wonderful book!

Pistis Sophia: A Gnostic Gospel, G.R.S. Mead , Spiritual Science Library
All texts by Mead are excellent; he was a scholar of Christian Gnosticism. This text explores the gnostic teachings of the various conversations between Jesus and the Apostles referred to in Acts of the New Testament. Definitely unorthodox, but not untrue.

Sacred Geometry: Symbolism and Purpose in Religious Structures, Nigel Pennick , Harper & Row, Publishers
Any text by Pennick is informative. This slim volume is a tantalizing introduction to the world of "Sacred Geometry," and a thorough exploration of how religious architecture through the ages has embodied these principles.

The Hebrew Goddess 3rd Enlarged Edition, Raphael Patai , Wayne State University Press
This text has excellent information in it. Unfortunately the author is not a Kabbalist so his interpretation of the information is pathetic. On the other hand, he has translated texts that are essential to a true Kabbalist that I haven't seen in English elsewhere. So if you can ignore his Freudian commentary, you'll find this a great resource.

Kabbalah the Harmony of Opposites, W.J.Coleville , Kessinger Press
If you have to choose just one book to learn about Kabbalah, this is the one I would choose. It's not only a beautiful and lucid overview of the subject...but the love and joy and universality achieved by a master kabbalist comes through on every page. Whether you're investigating Kabbalah for the first time or have read entire libraries on the subject, this book will leave you feeling good and wishing the author had more texts.

 The Key to the Universe AND The Key of Destiny (Two Book Set), by Harriette Augusta Curtiss and F. Homer Curtiss, B.S., M.D. , Newcastle Publishing Co.
Great books with a huge amount of information on symbolism, number symbolism, the Hebrew glyphs, and Tarot symbolism.

The Bible and the Tarot, by Corrine Heline, DeVorss Press
Interesting book with lots of trivia on Hebrew letters from a Christian Cabalistic perspective. Meditation on the Psalms using the "Brotherhood of Light" tarot deck. The Bible and the Tarot is a must for studying gematria.

The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet (Artscroll (Mesorah Series)), Rabbi Michael L. Munk , Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
Traditional Kabbalistic and Gematria lore on each letter. Wonderful tidbits of Rabbinic exegesis. A must for anyone into learning the letters for Kabbalah study.

The Book of Letters: A Mystical Alef-Bait (The Kushner Series), Rabbi Lawrence Kushner , Jewish Lights Publishing
Beautiful calligraphy and thoughts...teachings on each letter. Great gift book for all Kabbalists you love, or ask for it for your birthday!

Bahir, Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide , Meditation and Kabbalah (PBK), Meditation and the Bible, Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan , Samuel Weiser Publishers
If you want to study serious Kabbalah, you have to read Kaplan. His texts are wonderful. It's a pleasure when a mystic can write so lucidly and scholastically and maintain the insights of their meditation all at the same time.

Archetypes on the Tree of Life: The Tarot as Pathwork (Llewellyn's Spiritual Perspectives Series), Madonna Compton , Llewellyn Press
Delightful exercises and visualizations for each Hebrew glyph. Information on gematria and correspondences. Very readable for the beginner.

The Dream Assembly: Tales of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (Consciousness Classics), collected & retold by Howard Schwartz , Gateways/IDHHB, Inc. Publishers
An incredible selection of stories that are multi-dimensional. The stories teach more and more, each time read. Haunting imagery. If you're a Kabbalist with a classical background In Jewish Kabbalah, you'll love this.

The Fruits of the Tree of Life : The Cabbalistic Tradition (Complete Works : Vol 32), Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov , Editions Prosveta
All of Aivanhov's works are well worth reading. Lucid texts taken directly from his lectures. Practical and funny. Plenty of meat for the beginning metaphysical student and those who have studied metaphysics for years. He was a rare, modern-day, Cabalistic Christian Gnostic Adept.

The Rabbi's Tarot, by Daphna Moore , Hughes Henshaw Publications
Using the Rider-Waite deck, the author explains the symbolism, color significance and Hebrew-letter correspondences in great depth. Very modern "quantum physics" type metaphors used in the explanations. Great for tarot students and/or kabbalah students.

Call Adonoi: Manual of Practical Cabalah and Gestalt Mysticism, Exodus-Exodus Cabalistic Bible: Part 1 : Slavery and the Coming of Moses (Books of oral tradition), Exodus - - Exodus: God's Call: The Cabalistic Bible Part 2, Albert L. Schutz , Quantal Publishing
Call Adonoi: Manual of Practical Cabalah and Gestalt Mysticism has information on the hand gestures used in ceremony from a Masonic perspective. Also lots of little gems of Cabalistic information. Both parts of Exodus--Exodus have a detailed Cabalistic exegesis of the hidden meaning of the text. Excellent way for people to see the step-by-step analysis of a Cabalist's mental process. Hebrew and English text side by side.

Book of Tokens-Tarot Meditations, Paul Foster Case, Builders of the Adytum
Evocative poetry on each Hebrew letter.

Songs of Light, Kythera Ann, School of Spiritual Integrity, publisher
Booklet and cassette or CD on the usage of sound in Hebrew and Greek sacred texts. Guided visualizations and explanations on various classic phrases.

If you wish to purchase Songs of Light (booklet & tape or CD)  click the button below:

By the Holy Tetraktys: Symbol and Reality in Man and Universe (Point Loma Publications Study), L. Gordon Plummer , Point Loma Publications, Inc.
Sacred geometry at its finest. Wonderful diagrams of the unfoldment of the platonic solids. Mathematical exegesis lucid and easily followed by non-math majors.

Hebraic Tongue Restored: And the True Meaning of the Hebrew Words Re-Established and Proved by Their Radical Analysis, Fabre D'Olivet, Samuel Weiser Publisher
An extraordinary detailed analysis and reconstruction of the Hebrew language as well as a new translation of the Book of Genesis. Illuminates the symbolic and divine meaning behind the words.

Gates of Light: Sha'are Orah: Sha'are Orah (The Sacred Literature Trust Series), Rabbi Joseph Gikatilla , Harper Collins, publisher
Translation of a Classic Introduction to Jewish Mysticism. This book is for the advanced Kabbalist. It is a detailed analysis of all the sacred names and how they connect in meditation for ascending the tree in consciousness.

Jesus Christ, Sun of God: Ancient Cosmology and Early Christian Symbolism, David Fideler, Quest Books
Connects Pythagorean numbers to visual speculations of the late Alexandrian mathematicians, philosophers, gnostics, and mystics. Explains the sacred geometry and gematria of the Greek in the New Testament. Excellent resource.

Art and Symbols of the Occult: Images of Power and Wisdom, James Wasserman , Destiny Books
Fabulous color plates. Text is very well written. A superb introductory text and resource volume in one.

Inner Landscapes: A Journey into Awareness by Pathworking, The Shining Paths: An Experimental Journey Through the Tree of Life, Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, Aquarian Press
If you like guided visualizations, these two books have some of the most evocative guided visualizations I've seen collected for climbing the Tree of Life. Excellent for groups to work with.

Growing The Tree Within (Llewellyn's New World Magic Series), William G. Gray , Llewellyn Publications
Book written at the request of Dion Fortune. William Gray was one of her students. Fascinating explanation on the symbols of the major arcana and teachings. Correspondences not the normal B.O.T.A. or Crowley ones. Makes one think and realize that such things as correspondences are not engraved in stone, but are a matter of perspective.

The Alef-Beit: Jewish Thought Revealed through the Hebrew Letters, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh , Jason Aronson Inc.
Explores each character in the Hebrew alp habet. Summarizes and discusses each glyph's essence in relation to shape, name, and numerical value in the three lower worlds of the Kabbalah. Not recommended for beginners.

A Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism, Gareth Knight , Samuel Weiser, publisher
Compares Western Occultism with the Eastern systems of yoga, analyzes the Tree of Life in full detail, and describes the practical application, as well as the theory, of Qabalistic symbolism in the Western Esoteric Tradition. Writer has a very good sense of humor.

The Nature and Use Of Ritual for Spiritaul Attainment (Llewellyn's Spiritual Perspectives Series), Peter Roche de Coppens, Ph.D.
Llewellyn Publications, Basic aim of the book is to render the essence of the process of "bio-psycho-spiritual" transformation in terms of our own Spiritual Tradition, which we can fi n d in the very basic Christian prayers and documents. Dr. Roche does an admirable job of presenting simple ritual techniques to the modern reader.

The Other Bible, Willis Barnstone , Harper Collins, Publisher
A must-have resource compiling many ancient esoteric texts, including: Jewish Pseudepigrapha; Christian Apocrypha; Gnostic Scriptures; Kabbalah; Dead Sea Scrolls. Included are the writings of Hermes Trismegistus, Plotinus, Ptolemaeus, Marcion, Mani, and Pseudo-Dionysius; and works attributed to Enoch, Solomon, Isaiah, John, James, Peter, Paul, Augustine, and others.

Metaphysical Bible Dictionary (Charles Fillmore Reference Library), Charles Fillmore, Unity School of Chrisitanity
A wonderful resource! All proper names in the Bible are taken to their Greek or Hebrew roots. Literal interpretation. Text reference. Metaphysical interpretation. Example: Hebronites, (Heb.)...of or belonging to Hebron; the confederated; the allied; the united. A Family of Kohathite Levites (Num. 3:27). Metaphysical meaning; Thoughts belonging to and springing from the Hebron consciousness unified with the love thought (Levi). (See HEBRON)

The Book of Rituals: Personal and Planetary Transformation, Reverend Carol E. Parrish-Harra , IBS Press, Inc.
Presents specific rituals involving prayer, song, chanting, dance, and meditation for each full moon period and for solstice and equinox festivals. Practical methods as to how to open up one's physical and non-physical senses so that one can effectively utilize the many subtle energies of the universe. Superb foundation book for those interested in solitary or group ritual work. Author's study of Alice Bailey material very evident. Nice blend of traditions and techniques. Good explanation of Wesak.

Sane Occultism, Dion Fortune , Samuel Weiser, Publisher
This is a good practical overview of occult techniques. Read anything by this author. Her texts are based on solid experience, and she has a very good sense of humor. She has a long list of titles, and in many circles is known only for her novels like the The Sea Priestess. The novels are excellent and fun. Metaphysical Goddess stories at their best...but her serious texts are worth years of the "hard knock" school of metaphysics. Save yourself a lot of stumbling and learn from someone who "went there" and "did that." Trust me, it's a lot easier.

 Finally, when you're really burned out on study, read anything by Charles deLint. He's a fabulous writer! He specializes in what he calls "Urban Fantasy." The books are magical! Get a large mug of hot chocolate, tuck yourself under your favorite blanket, and plan to read all night. Wonderful...wonderful...wonderful!

VIDEOS

"Meru - Geometric Metaphors of Life," Stan Tenen , Meru Foundation
Stan Tenen has seemingly discovered nothing less than a mathematical and geometrical model for the self-organizing and self-referential processes of consciousness and life itself, a model which is encoded into the very shapes and sequences of the letters of the first passage of Genesis. The tape is a whirlwind: Using 3-dimensional hand-held models, quotes from the Zohar and other mystical Jewish texts, and insights from quantum physics. Stan discovered that the first letters of Genesis, when placed in a cartesian coordinate system based on a base-3 counting system, reveal startling symmetries, and that various shadows cast by a stylized candle flame produce startlingly accurate portrayals of all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. If you enjoy this video, you'll want the other seven! I love them!
Visit the Meru Foundation home page

"VIDEO HYPNOSIS: PAST-LIFE REGRESSION," Dick Sutphen , Valley of the Sun Publishing
A fun exploration of your past lives. Sutphen's tapes are well done. He is a master at teaching people self-hypnosis. This tape is about as safe as this technique can get. Enjoy!

CASSETTES/CDs

"The Mystical Kabbalah," Rabbi David A. Cooper , Sounds True Audio
This is a set of five tapes that will immerse you in this traditional school of sacred wisdom for reaching peace through union with God. Experience directly the path of inner knowing with a master of the meditations associated with its practice. Wonderful, heart centered and informative tapes.

"Mother Wisdom: Original and Traditional Chants", KIVA
Wonderful selection of original and traditional songs/chants dedicated to the Divine Feminine. Draws from all religious traditions. Great CD to meditate with or use cuts for ceremonies.

"Radiance - Songs for the Age of Miracles," Kim Converse , Academy for Future Science
Beautiful Hebrew chants for meditation and ceremonial purposes. All of the Academy music tapes/CDs have beautiful renditions of sacred Hebrew phrases. Their teaching tapes, especially on Bible interpretation are intriguing. The audio delivery, on some tapes, is not necessarily of the best quality.

"Nightwork: Men in Chant," Doug Von Koss , Sounds True Recordings
A wonderful instructional tape that demonstrates the beauty and spirit of this traditional form of self-expression. Presents eight chants based on world religious traditions. Every man I know, especially my husband, loves this tape. Women, if you want the men to sing with you, get this...very, very, good.

 Any tape or CD by Robert Gass , Spring Hill Music
Each tape/CD is a magical journey inspired by a different religious tradition. Some of the tapes have a variety of songs; most have just one song that is 45 minutes long. This may sound boring, but his use of harmonics and voices makes a backdrop for a wonderful extended meditation. Choral pieces are often artfully blended with traditional instruments and sounds of nature.
 

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