Hidden Wisdom

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 3 MAY 1999

For many years, spiritual seekers have turned East in search of the wisdom of Buddhism, Hinduism and other Eastern religious traditions. Smolley and Kinney, editors of Gnosis magazine, contend that the wisdom so eagerly sought from these Eastern traditions has been readily available in Western esoteric traditions. In their introduction, the authors note that "esoteric traditions are concerned with transcendence.... sotericists say it may be possible not only to reach God in the next life, but to experience him in this one." These traditions emphasize self-awakening to inner wisdom. According to the authors, esoteric spirituality teaches that such an awakening brings great clarity and insight into the meanings of dreams, myths and symbols. The opening chapter explores how Jung's idea of the collective unconscious and his discussions of alchemy spurred new interest in Western esotericism. In subsequent chapters, Smolley and Kinney offer engaging and lively histories of esoteric movements, ranging from Kabbalism, magic, Wicca and neopaganism to shamanism, alchemy, hermeticism and Sufism. Each chapter provides a historical overview, an introduction to the major beliefs and practices of the movement and comments on the reasons spiritual seekers might find that particular esoteric tradition attractive, closing with an annotated bibliography. Smolley and Kinney's handbook provides a useful introduction to the many varieties of Western esotericism.