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.
Description
Acknowledgments 7
Chapter One: A Different Kind of Knowing 9
Chapter Two: A Look Inside the World 32
Chapter Three: The Knower and the Known 54
Chapter Four: The Way Within 80
Chapter Five: The Learning of the Imagination 103
Chapter Six: The Responsible Imagination 126
Notes 141
Further Reading 156
Index 159
Reviews
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. Lets 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
I thought this was an excellent book -- scholarly but eminently readable for anyone seeking appreciation of the spiritual.
-- De Numine, The Journal and Newsletter of the Alister Hardy Trust
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
-- 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. Lets 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
I thought this was an excellent book -- scholarly but eminently readable for anyone seeking appreciation of the spiritual.
-- De Numine, The Journal and Newsletter of the Alister Hardy Trust
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