Audiobooks narrated by Matthew Schmitz

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. Written in the 19th century, this lengthy and thorough text documents the various manifestations of demons and devils in the Christian religion. The forms they take, and the means by which they appear in the physical world, are cataloged. How they correspond to actual phenomena, such as death and pestilence, is likewise noted. Conway draws upon various writings within the Biblical scriptures, together with later works published in the Middle Ages and subsequent centuries, to arrive at his own comprehensive treatment of the subject. The second half of the work concerns devils. Various figures such as Ahriman and Viswámitra receive chapters, in which the writings about them are quoted to form a complete image of their behavior and meanings. Appearances of devils in later works, such as the diabolical Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust, are also cataloged. The overarching aim of Conway's thesis is to draw parallels between the various demonic and devilish phenomena, while noting their overall influence across the history of Christianity. The text is informative in tone and does not stray to dogmatism; Conway instead provides sourced information in a factual, studied tone. For his part, Conway was not a believer in the lore of demons. Although he served variously as a Methodist, Unitarian and Freethought minister in life, he had little time for the supernatural elements of Christianity. It is thus that Demonology and Devil-lore is an effort toward debunking and discounting what Conway viewed as the fantastical elements of a faith he otherwise identified with spiritually and morally. Today, Demonology and Devil-lore is somewhat archaic in terms of tone owing to its age. However, it still counts among the most thorough, in-depth and wide-ranging treatments of a subject which has fascinated religious and non-religious persons alike for centuries.

Moncure Daniel Conway (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell is a book by the English poet and printmaker William Blake. It is a series of texts written in imitation of biblical prophecy but expressing Blake's own intensely personal Romantic and revolutionary beliefs. Like his other books, it was published as printed sheets from etched plates containing prose, poetry, and illustrations. The plates were then coloured by Blake and his wife Catherine. It opens with an introduction of a short poem entitled 'Rintrah roars and shakes his fires in the burden'd air'. William Blake claims that John Milton was a true poet and his epic poem Paradise Lost was 'of the Devil's party without knowing it'. He also claims that Milton's Satan was truly his Messiah. The work was composed between 1790 and 1793, in the period of radical ferment and political conflict during the French Revolution. The title is an ironic reference to Emanuel Swedenborg's theological work Heaven and Hell, published in Latin 33 years earlier. Swedenborg is directly cited and criticised by Blake in several places in the Marriage. Though Blake was influenced by his grand and mystical cosmic conception, Swedenborg's conventional moral strictures and his Manichaean view of good and evil led Blake to express a deliberately depolarised and unified vision of the cosmos in which the material world and physical desire are equally part of the divine order; hence, a marriage of heaven and hell. The book is written in prose, except for the opening 'Argument' and the 'Song of Liberty'. The book describes the poet's visit to Hell, a device adopted by Blake from Dante's Divine Comedy and Milton's Paradise Lost.'

William Blake (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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The Book Of Early Whisperings

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. 'These writings are the whisperings of God’s Voice to me during those early periods of illumination which occurred in May of every year of my life from the age of seven. These periods of ecstasy – which always characterized cosmic illumination – lasted from ten to fourteen days, during which time I was obliged to seek solitude and aloneness in forests. I endeavored to express the thoughts and moods of these periods of ecstasy as my varying lack of body awareness balanced with my ever increasing cosmic God-consciousness with God and Nature.' - WALTER RUSSELL. This video/audiobook was produced in cooperation with the University Of Science And Philosophy - https://www.philosophy.org/

Walter Russell (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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Quotes

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. This audiobook also includes an ambient version of the narration which features background music. Rudolf Steiner (February 1861 – March 1925) was an Austrian occultist, social reformer, architect, esotericist, and claimed clairvoyant. Steiner gained initial recognition at the end of the nineteenth century as a literary critic and published works including The Philosophy of Freedom. At the beginning of the twentieth century he founded an esoteric spiritual movement, anthroposophy, with roots in German idealist philosophy and theosophy. His teachings are influenced by Christian Gnosticism. In the first, more philosophically oriented phase of this movement, Steiner attempted to find a synthesis between science and spirituality. His philosophical work of these years, which he termed 'spiritual science', sought to apply what he saw as the clarity of thinking characteristic of Western philosophy to spiritual questions, differentiating this approach from what he considered to be vaguer approaches to mysticism. In a second phase, he began working collaboratively in a variety of artistic media, including drama, dance and architecture, culminating in the building of the Goetheanum, a cultural centre to house all the arts. In the third phase of his work, beginning after World War I, Steiner worked on various ostensibly applied projects, including Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, and anthroposophical medicine. Steiner advocated a form of ethical individualism, to which he later brought a more explicitly spiritual approach. He based his epistemology on Johann Wolfgang Goethe's world view in which 'thinking…is no more and no less an organ of perception than the eye or ear. Just as the eye perceives colours and the ear sounds, so thinking perceives ideas.' A consistent thread that runs through his work is the goal of demonstrating that there are no limits to human knowledge.

Rudolf Steiner (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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Magic Plants: Being a Translation of a Curious Tract Entitled De Vegetalibus Magicis

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz Privately printed at Edinburgh in 1886, this is a translation of a Latin text written by M.J.H. Heucher in the late seventeenth century. This is a short pamphlet recounting the use of numerous botanical applications with regard to ancient medicine and magic and religion. Appended to the title-work is a text entitled 'Confessions of Witches under Torture'.

M.J.H. Heucher (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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In Search Of The Miraculous

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. 'Since its original publication in 1949, In Search of the Miraculous has been hailed as the most valuable and reliable documentation of G. I. Gurdjieff's thoughts and universal view. This historic and influential work is considered by many to be a primer of mystical thought as expressed through the Work, a combination of Eastern philosophies that had for centuries been passed on orally from teacher to student. Gurdjieff's goal, to introduce the Work to the West, attracted many students, among them Ouspensky, an established mathematician, journalist, and, with the publication of In Search of the Miraculous, an eloquent and persuasive proselyte.'

P.D. Ouspensky (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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Applied Magic

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. 'Applied Magic is a selection of Dion Fortune's writings on the practical applications of magical and esoteric techniques. Everyone has the ability to access the invisible planes of existence a whole kingdom of mind and spirit which cannot be perceived with the physical senses. Fortune provides invaluable guidance to anyone intent on increasing their inner awareness. She declares, 'Esoteric tradition admits of no exclusiveness; it is the very essence of its spirit that it blasphemes no God that has been hallowed by our devotion. It sees all religions as the expressions of our spirit rather than the personal revelation of a jealous God to His chosen people. It suffers from neither superstitious awe nor bigoted fear.'

Dion Fortune (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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The Biography Of Satan

In this controversial book, Kersey Graves presents a historical and comparative analysis of the concept of Satan in various religious traditions. The book explores the origins of the devil figure, tracing its roots in ancient mythologies and religious beliefs. 'The Biography of Satan' challenges conventional religious interpretations and sheds light on the diverse and evolving perceptions of evil and temptation throughout human history. Key Aspects of the Book 'The Biography of Satan': Religious History: Graves' book provides a comprehensive study of the concept of Satan in different religious and mythological contexts. The author examines the symbolic significance and interpretations of Satan in ancient and modern belief systems. Controversial Perspectives: 'The Biography of Satan' presents alternative viewpoints on the devil figure, encouraging readers to critically examine religious narratives and their cultural implications. Kersey Graves is best known for his controversial works on comparative religion, mythology, and freethought. Graves' writings challenged conventional religious beliefs and sought to promote a more rational and humanistic worldview. His works, including 'The Biography of Satan,' contributed to discussions on the evolution of religious ideas and the role of mythology in shaping cultural beliefs. The Biography of Satan is a lovely collection of lore, logic, and philosophy, dating to the middle of the rational days of the 19th century. Within this work, Kersey Graves lays waste to the doctrine of eternal Hell and the very concept of a Satan, claiming that it is, within proper tradition, the Christian god himself who is the architect of evil and suffering. With numerous references to linguistics, pagan lore, and then-modern historical science, Graves' work deserves far more attention from the world at large; and for those interested in the occult, and in magic, the comprehension of proper demonology requires such concepts to be understood.

Kersey Graves (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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The Alchemy Of Happiness

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz.'Kīmīyā-yi Sa'ādat, English: The Alchemy of Happiness/Contentment, is a book written by Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, a Persian theologian, philosopher, and prolific Muslim author, often regarded as one of the greatest systematic thinkers and mystics of Islam, in Persian. The Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat was written towards the end of his life shortly before 499 AH/1105 AD. During the time before it was written, the Muslim world was considered to be in a state of political, as well as intellectual unrest. Al-Ghazālī, noted that there were constant disputes about the role of philosophy and scholastic theology, and that Sufis became chastised for their neglect of the ritual obligations of Islam. Upon the release of this book, the Kimiya-yi sa'ādat allowed al-Ghazali to considerably cut the tensions between the scholars and mystics. Kimiya-yi sa'ādat emphasized the importance of observing the ritual requirements of Islam, the actions that would lead to salvation, and avoidance of sin. The factor that set the Kimiya-yi sa'ādat apart from other theological works at the time was its mystical emphasis on self-discipline and asceticism. The Alchemy of Happiness (Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat) is a book by Persian philosopher Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, first published in the early twelfth century. Written towards the end of his life, and during a time of intellectual unrest in the Muslim world, the book was an attempt to show ways in which the lives of a Sufi could be based on what is demanded by Islamic law. It therefore emphasized the importance of observing the rituals (Sufis had been criticized before for their neglect of the ritual obligations of Islam), but also stressed the mystical side of self-discipline and asceticism. It has four principle parts; religious duties, salvation, human relations, and damnation.'

Al Ghazzali (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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Laocoon

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz.The Laocoon as Jehovah with Satan and Adam, c.1820 by William Blake was the last 'Illuminated' work produced by him, expounding upon the thoughts and ideas in poetic esoteric form. William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognized during his life, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of the poetry and visual art of the Romantic Age. William Blake worked to bring about a change both in the social order and in the minds of men.

William Blake (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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Symbology Of The Christ Blood

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. Symbology Of The Christ Blood - Frederick K. Davis - Full Esoteric Occult Audiobook. Originally published in Azoth Magazine in 1920, Davis writes about the modern profaned nature of blood symbolism and how we might redeem that symbolism through the recognition of the divine Father/Mother, resulting in becoming 'whole' through the divine Son (or Principal). This audiobook contains elements of Gnosticism, Alchemy, and Christian Occultism.

Frederick K. Davis (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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On The Operations Of Daemons

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. Michael Psellus (1018 – 1178 C.E) forms the bridge between the ancient classical view of the daemon as a beneficial guiding spiritual presence (a link between man and the gods) and the later Christian view of demons as intrinsically evil. His writing helps to explain both of these aspects, and the evolution from one to the other. Psellus was a noted author and philosopher of the Byzantine era in the Greek speaking part of the Roman Empire centred on modern Istanbul. Up until the arrival of the Arabs in the 7th century, the Byzantine empire was one of the strongest economies of Europe, being at the western end of the silk road from China. Psellus was a very practical man, being an illustrious political advisor to a succession of emperors, but was also interested in angels and demons. He was the driving force behind the university curriculum reform designed to emphasise the Greek classics, especially Homeric literature rather than just Christian theology. He was also adept at astronomy, medicine, music, theology, jurisprudence, physics, grammar and history. This work, 'Dialogue on the Operation of Daemons,' has been repeatedly cited in serious and academic literature and offers an interesting look at the Orthodox Christian conceptions of the roles of daemons and devils. His dialogue between Timothy and Thracian explores this line of thought in a truly Platonic form.

Michael Psellus (Author), Matthew Schmitz (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Matthew Schmitz