Publisher's Synopsis
The Doctrine of the Subtle Body in Western Tradition is a book by G.R.S. Mead that explores the concept of the subtle body in Western philosophy and mysticism. Mead, a prominent scholar of esotericism, examines the historical and philosophical roots of the idea of the subtle body, tracing its development from ancient Greece to the modern era. He explores the various ways in which the subtle body has been understood and used in Western traditions, including in Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and Christian mysticism. Mead also discusses the practical applications of the subtle body, such as in meditation and spiritual practice, and how it has been used to explain various phenomena, such as astral projection and near-death experiences. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the subtle body in Western thought and its significance for spiritual seekers and practitioners.The notion that the physical body of man is as it were the exteriorization of an invisible subtle embodiment of the life of the mind is a very ancient belief. It is however, the prevailing habit of skeptical rationalism of the present day to dismiss summarily all such beliefs of antiquity as the baseless dreams of a prescientific age, and to dump them all indiscriminately into the midden of exploded superstitions. Not only do the acute intellects who upheld it in the past, dispose one to a favorable consideration of their plea; but I am persuaded that, the more deeply modern research penetrates into the more recondite regions of biology, psycho-physiology and psychology, the more readily will reason be inclined to welcome the notion as a fertile working hypothesis to co-ordinate a considerable number of the mental, vital and physical phenomena of human personality which otherwise remain on our hands as a confused and inexplicable conglomerate."" Contents: The Spirit-Body; The Radiant Body; The Resurrection-Body; Epilogue.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
