The Direct Path: Creating a Journey to the Divine Using the World's Mystical Traditions - Softcover

Harvey, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1846042054 ISBN 13: 9781846042058

Publisher: Rider, 2009

Synopsis

Drawing on Tibetan, Hindu, Taoist, Christian and Kabbalistic traditions, Andrew Harvey shows why he believes the direct path is now essential to the future survival of humanity - and how the truth and vibrancy of this radical vision depends on reclamation of the Sacred Feminine.

From visualisations to T'ai Chi to Tantra, this magnificent book also offers specific practices for honouring the body and spirit, yet sanctifying the whole of life. Lucid, forthright, accessible and helpful, The Direct Path is a comprehensive handbook that is as thought-provoking as it is practical, and as radical as it is timeless in its sincerity of purpose.

About this title

Review

Andrew Harvey is a renowned spiritual scholar and a master of the world's mystical traditions. He's the author and editor of more than 30 books but The Direct Path can be viewed as the benchmark of his spiritual philosophy. "I feel I have been waiting all my life to write this book," he states, and at the core of The Direct Path are his clearly defined beliefs: organised religions and guru systems have largely failed to serve the spiritual needs of humanity. We are all children of God since we each contain a spark of God's divinity--ie, we each have a soul, and as such, we do not require middlemen to mediate our way to God. What is required is the Direct Path, sacred practices of mind, body and spirit through which we can each attain a personal union with the divine. The fruit of this union is the "birth" of energy which is transformative and boundless and which must be shared with our fellows through active humanitarian work so that we each become "servant-warriors for peace and justice". And on this birth depends the future of humanity.

"This is a radical vision, of course," Andrew Harvey explains, "but it is not a new one." The prophets across all native and religious traditions have espoused the same essential teachings, that the divine dwells within each of us and that by accessing our divinity we will attain union and so comprehend the true meaning of human fellowship. Judaeo-Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Islamic and native, Andrew Harvey, draws on mysticism rather than dogma from across the spiritual spectrum. He gives us an eloquent and wholehearted explanation of the Direct Path and its necessary practices, such as breathing, meditation and focused exercise, and he conveys a compelling vision of why the birth of transformative energy within each of us is so essential to the future of humankind. --Lucas LoBlack

Review

"The Direct Path leads us directly to the heart of the matter, the source and spirit of all life...don't miss it" (Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within)

"A rich offering from Andrew Harvey's deep cup. A book to work and live with, a cornerstone for the direct transmission from the heart to the open mind" (Stephen Levine, author of Embracing the Beloved)

"Embraces the truth in the world's mystical tradition while offering a very intimate direction to those on a spiritual path" (Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit)

Edition details

• Publisher: Rider
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1846042054
• ISBN 13: 9781846042058
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304