Description
This is the only published work dealing with the subject of Initiation in the Ancient Greek Mystical Tradition in a modern context embracing connections with Egyptian and eastern traditions. It is a narrative record documenting an individual case, detailing the ups and downs, the shocks, fears, disillusionment and desperations as well as the elations experienced on this journey led and guided by an incisive and inspirational Greek shaman-mystic.
The whole process unfolds organically, revealing how general rules are adapted to fit the individual’s personality and aptitude and how the person involved is allowed to grow within the system – often in leaps and bounds and repetitions.
Being a primarily Greek approach, the procedure is one of engaging the whole person cultivating and promoting both intellectual doubt and intuitive certainty, guiding and challenging mind and spirit leading gradually from the former to the latter.
This journey takes us into areas of crucial interest to all human beings and presents experiences that cast penetrating light on such fundamental concerns as the status of consciousness, space and time, the real nature of sex, the meaning and experience of assimilating other people’s psychological identities (including past lives) and offers insights into the nature of reality and the function of memory in regards to truth.
The book is written with a great sense of humour, inviting the reader to participate and enjoy the author’s journey. An Appendix contains useful and exciting exercises.
Reviewers speak of this book as “an intriguing and highly readable book”, “gripping“, “dramatic”, “the experiences are described in breathtaking immediacy”, “packed with tantalising gems of ideas”, “a thrilling journey of spiritual discovery“, “the author paints a picture of unusual depth and clarity illuminating through vivid personal experience”.
Klaus Herold, The Watkins Review –
Written by a long-term disciple of…. The Magus of Strovolos… This fascinating account describes a sequence of initiatory experiences with Yiannis a modern day Greek shaman.
The first disorientating and then revelatory processes the author is exposed to are described in breathtaking immediacy… A highly readable book. Dr Mavromatis is the author of Hypnagogia, the only extant full study on the unique state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep.
With his new book he even more emphatically invites the reader to question our understanding of consciousness and reality.
Dr Clara Guyon-Green –
‘know thyself’ – A thrilling first-hand account of a journey that takes in psychic and shamanistic phenomena, Initiation, philosophical argument, and an intriguing revelation of the true nature and work of Homer and the great Presocratic philosophers including Anaximander, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Democritus, Parmenides and Empedocles (with a touch of Plato!)… mystical visions that contain human and non-human entities, and powerful existential experiences.
Nick Zachary JBM –
The ancient Greek Mystery teachings coming to light in a present-day setting: This is a profound and insightful yet easy to read account of initiatory experiences…
Mavromatis paints a picture of unusual depth and clarity, illuminating through vivid personal experience…A must read…Are you interested in the survival of the fittest? Read this – and practise.
The exercises in the Appendix are a real bonus.
Arion Marsyas, PhD –
An engaging and absorbing series of dramatic encounters with an enigmatic and acute spiritual master…it opens up key areas of fundamental human interest and introduces us to new levels of consciousness and to multiple realities.
Dr Rosemary Russell –
A gripping account of the author’s experiences in being initiated into aspects of ancient Mystical traditions in which many of his cherished everyday perceptions of reality are turned on their head, and expansion and continuity of consciousness acquire a new and unexpected meaning.
Gina Connor, psychologist –
An engaging book that dares you to find your own enlightenment… fascinating and with a sense of humour…packed with tantalising gems of ideas and intimations of further Initiatory experiences.
Robert L. Paskin, group facilitator –
Dear Andreas,
I have thoroughly enjoyed re-reading your excellent book and have appreciated it even more this time. It is a wonderful book full of profound insights, intellectually and emotionally exciting and spiritually inspiring.
Thank you
Rob