The Mystery of Light by Georg Feuerstein

The Mystery of Light is the first book-length account of the life and teaching of the Bulgarian-born spiritual adept Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov (1900-1986), who was one of the twentieth century’s greatest luminaries of Western spirituality. He was a disciple of the saintly Peter Deunov (Beinsa Douno), modern Bulgaria’s most remarkable spiritual figure. In 1937, at the behest of his teacher, Aïvanhov moved to France where he taught the timeless secrets of a universal gnosticism for nearly a half century. This book holds great appeal for seekers both within and outside established spiritual traditions.

Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned Yoga researcher and historian of religion with thirty books to his credit, including the award-winning The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga and the best-selling Living Yoga. He is also the founder-director of the Yoga Research Center and editor of Yoga World newsletter.

‘In Georg Feuerstein’s wonderful presentation of a contemporary Master, I was deeply moved by Aïvanhov’s bodhisattvic simplicity, veracity, and good humor, and Feuerstein’s self-effacing clarifications where needed, that make this book a treasure trove for anyone open to the great wisdom traditions.’
— Frederick Franck, M.D., author of The Zen of Seeing and My Days with Albert Schweitzer

‘The Mystery of Light is a vibrant narrative of Aïvanhov’s remarkable life and is sure to touch many of its readers at the “true depth” that was part of Aïvanhov’s prescription for living.’
— Stanley Krippner, Ph.D, professor of psychology, Saybrook Institute, author of Personal Mythology

‘This book has a wide historical and cultural perspective and panorama on which Aïvanhov’s message is masterfully painted.’
— David Frawley, O.M.D., writing in Yoga Journal

PART I: THE TEACHER
1. The Early Life of Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov
The Prophecy — Childhood in Bulgaria — The Turning Point
2. Spiritual Discipleship
Entering the Stream — Master Peter Deunov — Discipleship
3. Aïvanhov: Visionary, Teacher and Healer
The Early Days in France — The Universal White Brotherhood — Combating the Forces of Darkness — Transformative Journey to India — Master of the Ordinary — Healer of Hearts — Traveling Wisdom — “I Shall Always Be With Them”

PART II: THE TEACHING
4. Philosophy and the Mystery of Being Human
The Essential Questions — True Philosophy — Evolution and the Purpose of Life — Personality and Individuality
5. The Magical Universe
The Subatomic World and Spiritual Presence — Multiple Bodies, Multiple Realities — The Cosmos, Good, and Evil
6. Deciphering the Book of Nature
A Different Kind of Book — The Animated Universe — Understanding the Language of Nature — As Above, So Below
7. The Secret of the Sun
Solar Intelligence — The Spiritual Sun in Hinduism — Pharaoh Akhenaton and Aïvanhov — The Solar Spirit in Gnosticism and Christianity
8. The Spiritual Work
Learning the Lesson of Life — Inner Work, Outer Work — Work As Conscious Participation in the Divine — Spiritual Metanoia — Purification and Harmony
9. The Discipline of Light
The Transformation of Ordinary Life — The Secret of Nutrition — The Food of Light — Solar Yoga — Practicing at Sunrise
10. Taming the Sexual Dragon
Light Beyond Sexual Pleasure — The Sacred Energy of Sex — Sublimating Sexual Energy — Tantra-Yoga and the Serpent Power — Sexual Communion
11. The True Depth of Christianity
The Third Testament — The Hidden Teaching of Jesus— The Light of Gnosis — The Bogomils and Cathars — The Cosmic Christ —
12. Aïvanhov’s Teaching and Global Renewal
The Hour of Decision — Eco-Spirituality: We Are the World We Live In — The Dawn of a Golden Age?— The Saving Grace of Universal Kinship
Afterword
Appendix: Important Dates in the Life d’Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov
Select Bibliography
Index
About the Author