Customer Reviews

African Religion Vol. 3 (Volume 3)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the spiritual aspirant and those who are serious about learning, I highly recommend it. It's written very well and easy to understand.

"African Religion Vol. 3: Memphite Theology - Mystical Psychology for Enlightenment and Immortality based on the Ancient Egyptian Philosophy of Menefer" is aka "Mystical Psychology and Secrets of Creation" and "African Religion Vol. 3: Memphite Theology and Mystical Psychology based on the Ancient Egyptian Philosophy of Menefer", as Muata Ahby's books change title a lot. Originally written in 1996, I read the "2003-2006" edition. Obviously, this book wasn't intended as part 3 in the "African Religion" series as the original title (#2 above) and publication BEFORE volumes 1 and 2 suggest. Since I bought it as part of that series, it will be reviewed accordingly.

Which means a subtraction of stars for EXTREME repetitiveness. Volume 1 (African Religion Vol. 1, Anunian Theology and the Philosophy of Ra) is very repetitive already, if the reader has read other books by the same author before. Nevertheless I reviewed that book as for itself and gave full five stars as the mystical vision of Muata Ashby diserves that, even though I do not agree a full 100% with the I / "him". A certain amount of repetition I can take. However, to start at zero again in the third volume of a mini-series is really something. The 40 page introduction I could have skipped altogether, as it is basically a copy and paste procedure from various other Muata Ashby books. But beware, the majority of the book isn't edited (I refrain from saying "written") in a much different approach. As if that wouldn't be time thieving to read already, the book is very repetitive within itself. For example, pages 42 and 55 are virtually identical in text and appearance. Even the pictures are repetitive, one time a slightly bigger version of the very same one finding itself directly beneath the smaller. The rest which I hadn't read before in the exact same wording (maybe because I haven't read all 30 capping books of the author) is repetitive in content nevertheless.

Further, the section about the theology variation of Menefer/Memphis/Hetkaptah is very brief, comprising not more than a thin booklet if published by itself. The rest is about the usual Muata Ashby take on general Egyptian mysticism, compared to its daughter mysticism in Indian theologies and translated into the modern world. In other words, it wouldn't even have been necessary to produce a separate volume, but instead include a brief Menefer chapter in a book on the general theology of ancient Egypt, erase the usual repetitions and have a thinner book as a result. The final spiritual exercise in remaining calm was the following sentence I had to read about the special Memphis theology: "full treatment would require a separate volume". Given twice. THIS WOULD BE SUCH A VOLUME I THOUGHT I BOUGHT.

I am afraid - as much as I venerate Muata Ashby in principle - that he STARTS to get ever more "radical". It is one thing to realize the illusory world of separation we live in and change living accordingly. It is another to attempt ever more to build a Vulcan/Body Snatcher society, as much as I am a trekky myself. A world without parties, entertainment, excitement, fun, movies, even usual conversation may be an "individual"'s choice of spiritual fulfillment, I absolutely agree with that, yet, this is surely not the ONLY way. I may live spiritually within society and have some fun, while being aware of that illusion. For one thing, I wouldn't have been created to enjoy sex, if I shouldn't engage in it. (That's another thing, Muata Ashby is basically against.) In other books, probably written later, he warns against extremes such as formulated in this book.

I am also afraid, Muata Ashby is ever increasingly falling for the authority trap. Now that he has written some 30 books, or maybe 30 times the same book differently arranged and elaborated, and has given spiritual courses etc., he feels himself a little in the position to tell people what to do. It is all in the wording. For example about following one's desires: "This is a pathetic state of Dullness which EVERY human being NEEDS to grow out of THROUGH THE TEACHINGS of the meditative lifestyle." (Highlights by myself.) I am glad that Muata Ashby has written enlightening books on mystical knowledge, yet I am glad he isn't in charge to make rules for society. However, his followers may be in charge or in charge one day. Dread the usual way of hierarchical and dogmatic branches of religion which turn downpressive sooner or later and thereby defeat their original cause! Other warning signs of that path are to be found in this book: The emphasis on needing a teacher to absolutely follow (which is against the author's teaching of needing an intermediary), but not of any reasoning WITH the teacher. Six pages of test questions at the end of the book to be answered in writing in the space provided, to underline the student-teacher relationship. The decision of the teacher, what has to be read repititiously - not leaving that up to the reader - by repeating himself again and again. Which is the old method of indoctrination. Playing with the collector's greed by retitling existing books to turn them into an artificial series, such as "African Religion" in five volumes. Which is directly against his own teaching of freeing the mind of thinking to need the satisfaction repetition of having acquired a desired object. Which I fell for as sick, as I appreciated one book by the author and immediately ordered half a dozen others in an attempt to repeat my good feeling of having read great upwise and information. So, he is acting against his own teachings already. To indoctrinate by repetition and make dunza (money), another illusory concept.

Besides that, in this book Muata Ashby hasn't reached all the potential levels of leaving constructed separations to soar to teacher without needing to learn as well. (It is besides the point that this is true for myself.) For example, even though he writes about the illusion of individualism, he still believes in the individual soul. He writes about genders not existing, but constructs everyone being of both genders. There are some other paradoxes like this he hasn't solved yet.

It isn't only necessary to change constructed beliefs of the mind into knowledge of reality, but also to leave the way spirituality had and has been attempted to get hierarchically organised, so that following generations won't jump to extremes. For that it isn't about radical approaches in the realization and implementation of concepts, but in the consequential leaving of the meme pool of separation, which is stronger than Muata Ashby has perceived yet. If that doesn't get regarded future generations will push to ever more extremes, which one generation will push from the pedestal entirely one day and declare ALL of spirituality as "the opium of the people".

If you want to get volume 4 of this series, as it isn't that easy to find on amazon currently: Resurrecting Osiris: The Path of Mystical Awakening and the Keys to Immortality.