Lost Knowledge of the Imagination

Gary Lachman is the author of several books about the links between consciousness, culture, and the western esoteric tradition, including Rudolf Steiner: An Introduction to His Life and Work; Jung the Mystic: The Esoteric Dimensions of Carl Jung’s Life and Teachings; The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus, Carektakers of the Cosmos, and A Secret History of Consciousness. He is a regular contributor to newspaper columns and radio programmes. A founder member of the rock group Blondie, in 2006 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in London.

'Very important'-- Philip Pullman'One of the leading students of the western esoteric tradition, Lachman has published critical studies of Swedenborg, Madame Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, P.D. Ouspensky and Jung -- and he has done so without being raptly worshipful or casually dismissive.'-- Michael Dirda Washington Post'Lachman...manages to make basic concepts in esoteric philosophy and history lively as well as readable.'-- Kirkus Review'Lachman creates a history of ideas that fascinates and excites'-- New York Journal of Books' Lost Knowledge of the Imagination rejoins the parted Red Sea of modern intellect, demonstrating how rationalism and esotericism are not divided forces but necessary complements and parts of a whole in the human wish for understanding. Let's be done, once and for all, with the shallow and misdirected notion that reason and mysticism are at odds. Lachman demonstrates their harmony.'-- Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life'[A] compact, erudite and thoughtful book.'-- David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer (Scientific and Medical Network journal)'An excellent book -- scholarly but eminently readable by anyone seeking appreciation of the spiritual.'-- Howard Jones, Alister Hardy Society'Gary Lachman has done an impressive amount of research. His thesis is very carefully laid out and his conclusions are sensible and attractive.'-- Magonia Review of Books'Gary Lachman is one of my favorite authors alive. Scholarly in his approaches to esoteric topics and historical figures, Lachman has blessed us with a deep crop of books... Thankfully, Lachman is here to emphasize the importance and power of the imagination, and the inner and outer worlds of the mind -- 4.5/5 stars'-- Rusties

• Acknowledgments 7Chapter One: A Different Kind of Knowing 9Chapter Two: A Look Inside the World 32Chapter Three: The Knower and the Known 54Chapter Four: The Way Within 80Chapter Five: The Learning of the Imagination 103Chapter Six: The Responsible Imagination 126Notes 141Further Reading 156Index 159