• Humanistic or Transpersonal?
  Homo Spiritualis and the Perennial Philosophy by Samuel Bendeck Sotillos

God became man so that man might become God. — St. Irenaeus

In man the Spirit becomes the ego in order that the ego may become pure Spirit. — Frithjof Schuon

The polarity between what is human and what is spiritual is not only harmonized but actually re-
solved by the plenary principles of the perennial philosophy. It is only through an alignment of humanistic and transpersonal psychologies with the tenets of the perennial philosophy that an integral psychology addressing the entirety of the human person—Spirit, soul and body—may be authentically effective. What has been presented here is only the outline of such an alignment, partial at best, yet it underscores what is indispensable to any operative psychology
that means to address the human being in toto, which is to also say in divinis. We are quite aware that it is a nearly impossible task, or at least a daunting one, to compare the primordial tradition, unanimous in all times and places, with modern psychology.

And although many questions, and important ones at that, remain unanswered, it is throught he guiding light of the perennial philosophy that we may progressively achieve greater clarity on this matter, a viewpoint that reminds us of the immense danger of disowning spirituality, for it is only through the spiritual that man may know what it means to be fully human: “Without the
transcendent and the transpersonal, we get sick, violent, and nihilistic, or else hopeless and apathetic” Rerad more here

• Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad-Gita by Swami Rama

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most influential spiritual texts of ancient India. In Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Rama makes this classic scripture accessible to all students by vividly drawing out the psychological concepts found within. The teachings in this book are based on the understanding that the outside world can be mastered only when one’s inner potentials are systematically explored and realized.With the guidance and commentary of Himalayan Master Swami Rama, you can explore the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, which allows one to be vibrant and creative in the external world while maintaining a state of inner tranquility. This commentary on the Bhagavad Gita is a unique opportunity to see the Gita through the perspective of a master yogi, and is an excellent version for practitioners of yoga meditation. Spiritual seekers, psychotherapists, and students of Eastern studies will all find a storehouse of wisdom in this volume. Read here

• PRIMA MATERIA – الرَحِم الأوّل – AL‑RAHEM Al‑AUOAL

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) is one of the most important women of the German Middle Ages and is known today far beyond the borders of her Rhenish homeland. She succeeded in captivating her contemporaries as much as people today who are searching for meaning, orientation, wholeness and salvation. In several songs and texts she uses the expression “Prima Materia”. Hidden in the Latin word “materia” is the word mater = mother. Translated, “Prima Materia” means primordial womb, from which God accomplishes creation. That is why Mary was the center of her veneration, because in Hildegard’s thinking Mary was the embodied “Prima Materia”.

Mary plays a prominent role in the Q’ran: she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Q’ran and after Moses, Abraham and Noah, Mary is the most frequently mentioned person, i.e. she is mentioned more often than Muhammad and Jesus. And the Qur’anic descriptions of her character are consistently full of recognition and admiration. Thus, an entire sura bears her name, Maryam, sura 19. In this sura, mercy itself repeatedly becomes the name of God, thus reminding us that it would be a simplification to associate God only with male attributes. Especially through Mary, a space opens up in these verses to be able to approach God from a female perspective. For the Arabic roots of the word mercy: al rahmam الرَّحمن are the same roots of the word for womb: al rahem الرَحم . Read here Songs in English

• The song of Vézelay

• Ancient Gregorian plays interpreted by Iégor Reznikoff in one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches: the Sainte-Madeleine basilica in Vézelay.

Look at me, this little caterpillar man seems to tell us, look at me well; the position seems impossible to hold and yet, you cannot imagine how pleasant it is: I breathe… my skull resting on the soles of my feet, as if earth and sky come together!” Under the impetus of a new energy, all the inhabitants of this tympanum, men and beasts, plants and constellations, also begin their dance around Christ, “New Adam”. This film is a symbolic journey. Thanks to exceptional photos, it invites you to slip into the folds of the stone. It makes vibrate a universal word that outstanding craftsmen, who have remained anonymous, have been addressing to us since the 12th century. It offers everyone, visitors or pilgrims, adults or children, simple landmarks for in-depth reading, a wonder that suspends the march of time. The Great Tympanum of the Basilica of Vézelay “The Dance of the New Adam” DVD