Hammering Hot Iron: A Spiritual Critique of Bly's Iron John

Politics & Social Sciences

Upton, Charles

Social Sciences

Quest Books

Investigates the present religious and cultural scene from the standpoint of traditional metaphysics and critiques the New Age spiritualities. Presents lore relating to the 'latter days' and the Antichrist from various religious traditions. Drawing on the writings of the leading perennialist thinkers Rene Guenon and Frithjof Schuon, sketches the particular quality of spirituality proper to apocalyptic times—both its dangers and the opportunities open to it.

The System of Antichrist: Truth & Falsehood in Postmodernism & the New Age

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Sophia Perennis

The System of Antichrist examines the present religious and cultural scene from the standpoint of traditional metaphysics and critiques the New Age spiritualities within their postmodern context. Its many references to René Guénon and Frithjof Schuon also help introduce these important but little-known 'traditionalist' thinkers. The book presents lore relating to the 'latter days' of the present cycle from the vantage point of comparative religion, drawing upon relevant doctrines from Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and the Native American traditions. It also speculates upon the social, psychic, and spiritual nature of that being known to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as the Antichrist, presenting him as both an individual and a system and warning those willing to be warned against the spiritual seduction and terror he represents, and against the regime which will be-and is-the social expression of that seduction and that terror. Finally, in tracing the roots of Antichrist in the fallen nature of man, the author sketches the particular quality of spirituality proper to apocalyptic times, the dangers it faces, the unique opportunities open to it. And along the way he describes his own course from the 'spiritual revolution' of the 1960s, through the world of New Age spiritualities, to the threshold of traditional esoterism and metaphysics. As he says, speaking of the angst that characterizes the modern world: 'The specific medicine for the shock of despair is the deeper shock of meaning. Nothing but the weight of eternity, breaking through the thin, brittle shell of the postmodern sky, can set us on our feet.'

The System of Antichrist: Truth And Falsehood in Postmodernism And the New Age

This issue of Sophia contains the much anticipated response to Stephen Hawkings' recent book, Grand Design, by the renowned traditional Catholic thinker, Wolfgang Smith. In his powerful essay, Smith sets forth Grand Design's key conceptions and the overall logic of its argument, offers a five-fold refutation, based upon both philosophic and scientific grounds, and, finally, places the phenomenon of Hawking's best-seller in perspective by reflecting upon the nature, motivation, and limits of the scientific enterprise as such. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the revered Muslim author and philosopher, offers profound insights into the meaning of "The Self and the Other" and how they must be re-evaluated in light of the crossroads at which we find ourselves today, focusing particularly on Jewish/Islamic relations. Charles Upton gives readers a glimpse into Quranic verses pertaining to the world of nature in "Tafsir of the Natural World"; Thomas Block writes on the spiritual teachings tales that are found in both Sufism and Hasidism; Larry Rinehart shares his insights in "Apologia for a Lutheran Mystical Gnosis"; and in "The Transcendental Unity of Revelations according to Nicholas of Cusa" Jean Borella presents Nicholas of Cusa's concept of the transcendental unity of revelations and the implicit recognition of this unity in the medieval and ancient Christianity preceding him. Darrell Blakeway's review essay of HRH Prince Charles' book, Harmony: A New Way of Looking at our World, provides an in depth look at the dedicated work of Prince Charles, his urgent call for environmental renewal, and his view of the way forward to the realization of the goal of humanity living in harmony with nature.

Sophia Volume 16, Number 2

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein

Smith, Wolfgang

Philosophy

Foundation for Traditional Studies

The interfaith movement, which began with the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, has grown worldwide. Although this movement has been largely unknown to the public, it now provides a spiritual face for globalization, the economic and political forces leading us all from nationalism to 'One World'. The most ambitious organization in today's interfaith movement is the United Religions Initiative (URI), founded by William Swing, the Episcopal Bishop of California. Investigative reporter Lee Penn, a Catholic ex-Marxist, exhaustively documents the history and beliefs of the URI and its New Age and globalist allies, the vested interests that support these movements, and the direction they appear to be taking. The interfaith movement is no longer merely the province of a coterie of little-heeded religious idealists with grandiose visions. The URI's proponents have ranged from billionaire George Soros to President George W. Bush, from the far-right Rev. Sun Myung Moon to the liberal Catholic theologian Hans Küng, and from the Dalai Lama to the leaders of government-approved Protestant churches in the People's Republic of China. The interfaith movement, including the URI, is being promoted by globalist and New Age reformers who favor erosion of national sovereignty, marginalization of traditional religions, establishment of 'global governance', and creation of a new, Earth-based 'global spirituality'—in effect, a one-world religion. Therefore, the URI and the interfaith movement are poised to become the spiritual foundation of the New World Order: the 'new civilization' now proposed by Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union. In The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times, French metaphysician Rene Guenon spoke of the 'anti-tradition' (the forces of materialism and secular humanism) finally giving way to the 'counter-tradition' (the satanic inversion of true spirituality), leading to the regime of Antichrist. The 'anti-tradition' weakens and dissolves traditional spiritualities, after which the 'counter-tradition' sets up a counterfeit in their place. Since Guenon's time, as is well known, anti-traditional forces have greatly advanced worldwide. It is less well-known that counter-traditional movements have also made great strides, and now stand closer to the centers of global political and religious power than ever before. The 'counter-tradition' is making inroads on the political and cultural Right, as much as it is doing on the Left. False Dawn painstakingly documents these trends, and speculates on their future development. In so doing, the author takes investigative reporting to the threshold of prophecy, and gives us a stunningly plausible picture of the global religious landscape of the 21st century. This extraordinary project is the literary equivalent of turning over a flat rock. There is much to be seen and learned here—all of it unsettling, disquieting, occasionally downright scary. —William Murchison, Radford Distinguished Professor, Baylor University When a bishop of a Christian church happily worships alongside a Wiccan invoking other gods, something has gone horribly wrong. In False Dawn, Lee Penn has produced a comprehensive and critical history of the United Religions Initiative. This book sounds a clear warning: Anyone who makes theological truth subservient to utopianism denigrates all religions.—Douglas LeBlanc, Editor, GetReligion.org

False Dawn: The United Religions Initiative, Globalism, and the Quest for a One-World Religion

Penn, Lee

Can we really know what UFO's are? The answer is Yes-but only if we study them armed with a kind of knowledge that explains the true and complete structure of the universe-spiritual, psychic, and material-a knowledge that only traditional metaphysics can provide. Science can supply one piece of the puzzle, detective work another, psychic investigation still another. But only metaphysics can put the puzzle together, and give us a complete and satisfying picture of the UFO phenomenon. Cracks in the Great Wall analyzes of the findings of UFO researcher Jacques Vallee and some of his colleagues in light of the teachings of René Guénon, particularly as expressed in his prophetic masterpiece The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times. According to Guénon, one of the signs of the End Times is the erosion of the energy barrier or 'Great Wall' between the material plane and the world of subtle realities-which is why our world is now being invaded by 'infra-psychic forces' of a terribly destructive nature. Author Charles Upton shows how one of the most obvious examples of this invasion is the UFO phenomenon, including the experience of 'alien abduction'. A lifetime student of comparative religion and mysticism, he explains the true nature of UFOs, the quality of the world they come from, and also something about the agenda these beings, or some of them, are trying to impose upon our world.  If you want to remain merely mystified or fascinated by the UFO phenomenon, this book is not for you. But if you want to understand it, Cracks in the Great Wall will give you the conceptual tools you need. With the help of UFOlogists Jacques Vallee and John E. Mack, Christian writers C.S. Lewis and Seraphim Rose, Kaballah authority Leo Schaya, and traditionalist writers René Guénon and Whitall Perry, Charles Upton has provided the most comprehensive explanation of the UFO phenomenon yet written. It is difficult to be objective in areas outside our collective view of reality-but if, as the author contends,  his argument is based on sound  principles, it deserves serious consideration by all who are interested in the UFO phenomenon  and its effect on our world. . "Charles Upton is a serious writer from whom I have learned much. His writing deserves close attention." - Prof. Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions, etc.

Cracks in the Great Wall: Ufos And Traditional Metaphysics

Legends of the End: Prophecies of the End Times, Antichrist, Apocalypse, and Messiah from Eight Religious Traditions

Whether the world ends tomorrow or lasts for centuries, we all exist in a 'climate' of the End of Days. As Thomas Merton wrote, 'We live in an age of two superimposed eschatologies: that of secular anxieties and hopes, and that of revealed fulfillment. Sometimes the first is merely mistaken for the second, sometimes it results from complete denial and despair of the second.' The 'end of time' obviously relates to history, but-just as obviously-it cannot be contained within it.  Legends of the End have always been with us; every spiritual tradition that has a story of the beginning of things must also have one of their final end-the end of the earth, of the universe, of time itself. And just as all such myths symbolize invisible realities, so every historical event is precisely an invisible reality made visible and tangible. This book takes a look at eight Legends of the End: Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hopi, and Lakota. When these stories are placed side-by-side, great differences and startling similarities become apparent-similarities both in broad outlines and in minute details. In light of this traditional lore, the author begins and concludes with a penetrating spiritual meditation on the meaning of the End. Without a grasp of this meaning, to date the End is impossible. With such a grasp, even the most accurate dating is irrelevant, for to know the meaning of the End of Days is already to be beyond it.  'Charles Upton is a serious thinker from whom I have learned much. His writing merits close attention.' - Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions, etc.

Legends of the End: Prophecies of the End Times, Antichrist, Apocalypse, And Messiah from Eight Religious Traditions

History

World

Can we really know what UFO's are? The answer is Yes-but only if we study them armed with a kind of knowledge that explains the true and complete structure of the universe—spiritual, psychic, and material—a knowledge that only traditional metaphysics can provide. Science can supply one piece of the puzzle, detective work another, psychic investigation still another. But only metaphysics can put the puzzle together, and give us a complete and satisfying picture of the UFO phenomenon. Cracks in the Great Wall analyzes of the findings of UFO researcher Jacques Vallee and some of his colleagues in light of the teachings of René Guénon, particularly as expressed in his prophetic masterpiece The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times. According to Guénon, one of the signs of the End Times is the erosion of the energy barrier or 'Great Wall' between the material plane and the world of subtle realities—which is why our world is now being invaded by 'infra-psychic forces' of a terribly destructive nature. Author Charles Upton shows how one of the most obvious examples of this invasion is the UFO phenomenon, including the experience of 'alien abduction'. A lifetime student of comparative religion and mysticism, he explains the true nature of UFOs, the quality of the world they come from, and also something about the agenda these beings, or some of them, are trying to impose upon our world. If you want to remain merely mystified or fascinated by the UFO phenomenon, this book is not for you. But if you want to understand it, Cracks in the Great Wall will give you the conceptual tools you need. With the help of UFOlogists Jacques Vallee and John E. Mack, Christian writers C.S. Lewis and Seraphim Rose, Kaballah authority Leo Schaya, and traditionalist writers René Guénon and Whitall Perry, Charles Upton has provided the most comprehensive explanation of the UFO phenomenon yet written. It is difficult to be objective in areas outside our collective view of reality—but if, as the author contends, his argument is based on sound principles, it deserves serious consideration by all who are interested in the UFO phenomenon and its effect on our world. "Charles Upton is a serious writer from whom I have learned much. His writing deserves close attention."—Prof. Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions, etc.

Cracks in the Great Wall: The UFO Phenomenon and Traditional Metaphysics

Whether the world ends tomorrow or lasts for centuries, we all exist in a 'climate' of the End of Days. As Thomas Merton wrote, 'We live in an age of two superimposed eschatologies: that of secular anxieties and hopes, and that of revealed fulfillment. Sometimes the first is merely mistaken for the second, sometimes it results from complete denial and despair of the second.' The 'end of time' obviously relates to history, but—just as obviously—it cannot be contained within it. Legends of the End have always been with us; every spiritual tradition that has a story of the beginning of things must also have one of their final end—the end of the earth, of the universe, of time itself. And just as all such myths symbolize invisible realities, so every historical event is precisely an invisible reality made visible and tangible. This book takes a look at eight Legends of the End: Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hopi, and Lakota. When these stories are placed side-by-side, great differences and startling similarities become apparent-similarities both in broad outlines and in minute details. In light of this traditional lore, the author begins and concludes with a penetrating spiritual meditation on the meaning of the End. Without a grasp of this meaning, to date the End is impossible. With such a grasp, even the most accurate dating is irrelevant, for to know the meaning of the End of Days is already to be beyond it. 'Charles Upton is a serious thinker from whom I have learned much. His writing merits close attention.'—Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions, etc.

Hammering Hot Iron is a rare work that raises important questions, draws vital distinctions, and elevates discourse within the spiritual community on the Men’s Movement, Jungian psychology, archetypal and mythological studies, and polytheistic religions. Drawing on the perennial philosophy, the universal expression of absolute truth, Upton offers a metaphysical and cultural critique of Robert Bly's Iron John. Upton adopts Bly’s shadow in the Jungian sense. His intellectual argument is masterfully intertwined with his own personal and spiritual journey, often expressed through original poetry. “The book is excellent. Upton's insights have exposed the shallow philosophical thinking associated with the Men’s Movement, the inadequacy of polytheism as a religious faith, and the bias against Christianity. Hammering Hot Iron does a splended job of critiquing Jungian writers and in showing there is more to God than the archetype of God in the psyche. Thank you for your excellent work in setting the record straight!” — John A. Sanford, Jungian analyst “Charles Upton provides a long-overdue masterful critique of the Men’s Movement, its popularizing heroes, and the archetypal psychology on which it is based. In this marvelously iconoclastic book, Upton articulates the feelings and thoughts of those who have left the movement or are wondering why they are still part of it. He does so with eloquence, wit, and not least, wisdom. —Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., author of Voices on the Threshold of Tomorrow and Structures of Consciousness Charles Upton is a poet, social activist, and writer of the spiritual path. He is author of many other books published by Sophia Perennis

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Books by Upton, Charles

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Upton, Charles. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Hammering Hot Iron: A Spiritual Critique of Bly's Iron John

The System of Antichrist: Truth & Falsehood in Postmodernism & the New Age

The System of Antichrist: Truth And Falsehood in Postmodernism And the New Age

Sophia Volume 16, Number 2

False Dawn: The United Religions Initiative, Globalism, and the Quest for a One-World Religion

Cracks in the Great Wall: Ufos And Traditional Metaphysics

Legends of the End: Prophecies of the End Times, Antichrist, Apocalypse, And Messiah from Eight Religious Traditions

Cracks in the Great Wall: The UFO Phenomenon and Traditional Metaphysics

Legends of the End: Prophecies of the End Times, Antichrist, Apocalypse, and Messiah from Eight Religious Traditions

Hammering Hot Iron: A Spiritual Critique of Bly's Iron John