Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee - Böcker

This book explores the relationship between the lover and the Beloved, that profound inner bond of love which is central to every mystical path. Drawing on sources both Christian and Sufi, author Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee details the stages of this relationship as it unfolds in the heart of the seeker, from effort to grace. He describes how the heart is dynamically activated by this powerful inner love, which gradually awakens the lover to a new level of consciousness, an awareness of the oneness of life.

With the passion and depth of feeling that belongs to lovers, Sufi Masters through the centuries have described the soul's journey toward union with God. This collection of sayings, dating from the ninth century to the present day, follows the stages of the journey, allowing the masters to beckon us along this ancient path.

SUFISM: The Transformation of the Heart is a clear and accessible approach to the spiritual tradition of Sufism, a mystical path which uses the energy of love for inner transformation. This new work by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee gives an outline of Sufism - its basic principles, historical background and recent development in the West, and offers practical guidelines to help the seeker.

Spiritual life is a process of inner transformation in which the whole psychic structure of the seeker is changed. Exploring the threshold between spirituality and psychology, Llewllyn Vaughan-Lee shows how dreamwork guides us on this inner journey and helps us to understand the different stages of the path. From the transformative darkness of the shadow he takes us into the love affair with our inner partner and from there into the archetypal realm and the symbolic dimension of the Self. He explores the psychological dynamics of the relationship with the teacher, so often misunderstood in the West and then describes what is hardly mentioned in the great spiritual literature of the world: how the soul of the disciple merges with the soul of the teacher. CATCHING THE THREAD is a pioneering work, integrating the traditional wisdom of the Sufis with the insights of modern psychology - a valuable guide for any spiritual student.

“Step out of the circle of time And into the circle of love.” - Rumi The circle of divine love is always present within the heart. The journey of the mystic is to retrace this circle and so experience the oneness that is hidden within us. In THE CIRCLE OF LOVE Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, continuing his work of providing a contemporary understanding of Sufism, draws us into this mystery of the soul. He describes the way of mystical prayer and of listening with the heart. He offers valuable insight into power and the spiritual life: how to use one's power to break free of restrictions and live the joy of one's divine nature. He explores the primordial question of why we so easily forget our origin in God. Finally, THE CIRCLE OF LOVE takes us deep into the mystical secret of being lost in God, to the centre of the circle where the lover merges into the Beloved and the heart's deepest truth is revealed. The Persian saying in the front-cover image is from a poem by Hafîz: “We have not come to this door looking for greatness and glory.”

Based on live talks and meetings with Vaughan-Lee, this is an introduction to the passion and wisdom of the mystical Sufi path of love. One of mankind's greatest secrets is the call of the heart, and how it draws us back to union. For the Sufi, this love is a fire that burns away all traces of separation. Vaughan-Lee teaches how to live this burning. He describes the stages of the path of love on the soul's journey home.

THE SIGNS OF GOD explores the importance of mystical consciousness at this time of global transition. Mystical consciousness is an awareness of the real nature of life, of the secret purpose of creation. Amidst the increasing information, opportunities, pressures, choices and demands of our culture it is easy to get lost and miss the true purpose of life. Traditionally cultures have been guided by the signs of God, which are present in the inner and outer world, but we have forgotten how to read them. We do not even know they are present. We need to reclaim our awareness of the signs of God and thus our natural ability to be guided by the divine. Only then can we rediscover life as a place of divine revelation.

The feminine holds the mystery of creation. This simple and primordial truth is often overlooked, but at this time of global crisis, which, also, carries the seeds of a global transformation, we need to reawaken to the spiritual power and potential of the feminine. Feminine qualities belong to both men and women and they draw us into the depths within us, into the mysteries of the soul whose wisdom is called Sophia. Without the feminine nothing new can be born, nothing new can come into existence - we will remain caught in the materialistic images of life that are polluting our planet and desecrating our souls. We need to return to the core of our being, to where the sacred comes into existence. And the mystical feminine holds the key to this work of redemption and transformation. Over the past two decades Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee has been given different teachings on the feminine and the anima mundi, the World Soul. They are compiled here for the first time.

SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY is a groundbreaking book, fostering the emergence of the “Spiritual Ecology Movement,” which recognises the need for a spiritual response to our present ecological crisis. Bringing together voices from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity and Native American traditions, as well as from physics, deep psychology and other environmental disciplines, this book calls on us to reassess our SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY is a groundbreaking book, fostering the emergence of the “Spiritual Ecology Movement,” which recognises the need for a spiritual response to our present ecological crisis. Bringing together voices from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity and Native American traditions, as well as from physics, deep psychology and other environmental disciplines, this book calls on us to reassess our underlying attitudes and beliefs about the Earth and wake up to our spiritual as well as physical responsibilities toward the planet. This is vital and necessary if we are to help bring the world as a living whole back into balance. The first edition of Spiritual Ecology drew an overwhelmingly positive response from readers. This second expanded edition offers new chapters, including two from younger authors who are putting the principles of spiritual ecology into action, working with their hands as well as their hearts. It, also, includes a new preface and revised chapter by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, that reference two major recent events: the publication of Pope Francis's encyclical, “On Care for Our Common Home,” which brought into the mainstream the idea that “the ecological crisis is essentially a spiritual problem”; and the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference, which saw representatives from nearly 200 countries come together to address global warming, including faith leaders from many traditions. SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY speaks with the voices of many different traditions, but with the single note of love for the Earth and the knowing that Her cry has begun to be heard. Authors include: Thich Nhat Hanh, Vandana Shiva, Joanna Macy, Wendell Berry, Sandra Ingerman, Richard Rohr, Bill Plotkin, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Brian Swimme, Oren Lyons and others

SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY offers inspiring and practical guidance for reconnecting to the sacred in everyday life and transforming our relationship with the Earth. Describing the power of simple, daily practices such as Walking, Gardening, Cooking with Love and Prayer, this small book supports profound changes in how we think about and respond to the ecological crisis of our times. SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY follows our ground-breaking Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, now in its second edition, which included spiritual perspectives on climate change, species loss, deforestation and other aspects of our present environmental crises from renowned spiritual teachers, scientists and indigenous leaders. That book drew an overwhelmingly positive reaction from readers, many of whom are asking: “What can I do?” SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY answers that question with inspiring, personal anecdotes from the author – Sufi teacher, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee – and simple practices we all can do. Rooted in the mystical foundation of the world's great spiritual traditions, with a particular connection to Sufism, these timeless practices remind readers of our deep connections to life, each other and the Earth and invite a return of meaning to our desecrated world. As Rumi says, “there are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground” and it is this sacred ground that is calling to us, that needs our living presence, our attentiveness. This small book offers simple ways to reconnect so that we can once again feel the music, the song of our living connection with the Earth.

Seasons of the Sacred offers a timeless exploration and reminder of the sacred connection between humanity and the Earth and its cycles, appealing to readers of all ages. With inspiring guidance, this little book offers accessible spiritual perspectives, inspiration, and nourishment to support individual, cultural, and planetary renewal. In particular it helps the reader to reconnect to our source and sense of belonging in relationship to the natural world. Author Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee adeptly connects the reader to the deepest envisioning of contemporary challenges. Climate catastrophe, refugees, cultural degradation, and political divisiveness are all contextualized within natural cycles of birth, loss, and transition, and the reader is guided to listen through the fear and anxiety of our age to the deeper ground of belonging that calls from even the most destitute inner and outer landscapes. “Seasons of the Sacred is a beckoning down into the simple rhythms of nature. With his guiding eloquence, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee moves us into conversation with the sacred, calling our awareness to the concealed gifts of each season. Drawing on the ancient poetry of Rumi, Hafiz, Julian of Norwich, Wordsworth, and others, we can't help but fall into step with the numinous found in ordinary life.”  —Toko-pa Turner, author of Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home "Vaughan-Lee encourages reconnecting with the Earth in this heartfelt compilation of essays, poems, and illustrations [….] Suitable for readers of all spiritual persuasions, Vaughan-Lee's soothing observations will inspire a more mindful contemplation of Earth's rhythms.”  —Publishers Weekly