Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions [Paperback]

Richard Smoley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

The co-editors of Gnosis magazine explore the many esoteric traditions that Western culture has to offer.

While terms from Eastern spiritual practices such as zen, mantra, and karma have become part of our daily lexicon, the traditions of Western spirituality have been largely unexplored by people searching for non-mainstream routes to spiritual experience. But for those who identify with Western culture, Western religious traditions have their own wisdom teachings that are more suitable to their needs and expectations. Many of those searching for alternative religions are not even aware that Western civilization has always had its own traditions, which are often hidden. In this fascinating introduction to non-mainstream Western spirituality, the coeditors of Gnosis magazine--today's leading journal of mystical spirituality--guide you through the teachings of Jung and Gurdjieff, the Kabbalah, neo-paganism, shamanism, alchemy, Sufism, and more. Explaining the history and practice of each tradition and describing its important figures, the authors present the ideas, strengths, and weaknesses of each tradition and offer a wealth of resources for those interested in pursuing these paths further.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The editors of Gnosis magazine present a fascinating primer on Western religious traditions. Since the early 20th century, seekers in America "were seized with a passion for the lore of mystic Asia," the authors explain in their introduction. Meanwhile, Western traditions seemed to slip out of vogue, especially in the recent realm of New Age spiritualism. But there is much magic and wisdom to be found in Western traditions, claim Smoley and Kinney, who have embarked on an ambitious mission: breaking down the fundamental differences between Eastern and Western traditions and then extracting the best of the West for today's seekers.

Because the editors are diligent about keeping the narrative accessible, clean, and intelligent (they are magazine editors, after all), this weighty material reads exceptionally smoothly. Starting with "Jung and the Discovery of the Unconscious," each chapter delves into the intriguing--and often little-understood--mysteries of the West, including Shamans, Alchemy, Hermetism, and Sufism. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

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.... [E]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.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140195823
• ISBN-13: 978-0140195828
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,756,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Balanced View of the Western Esoteric Tradition, August 18, 2004

By 

Stephen Triesch (Shoreline/Seattle USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions (Paperback)

Richard Smoley, former editor of the (lamentably) defunct magazine "Gnosis," has written an excellent introduction to the Western Mystery Tradition in all of its major forms: Hermeticism, Wicca, esoteric Christianity, Sufism, and "the Fourth Way," among others. As always, Smoley is balanced, objective, fair, and - above all - sane. There is nothing of the fanatic or obscurantist about Smoley, and he blends a wide knowledge of the field with bits of humor and insights gained from personal experience.

Smoley is an excellent writer - intelligent and engaging, without being pedantic or superficial. I have only one caveat about this book: those already familiar with these topics - including former readers of "Gnosis" - might find that the book covers familiar territory and offers little that is new. Still, even these readers might find it useful as a reference. But for those new to these topics, you couldn't do better than start with this book; Smoley is a trusted guide in a field too often inhabited by quacks, cultists, and uncritical enthusiasts.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent, entertaining, extremely learned yet readable..., October 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions (Paperback)

In the flood of psycho-spiritual babble books, this one is a quiet winner. Like the magazine Gnosis which the authors edited and published for many years, this book is intelligent and well-balanced and shines a much-needed light on musty areas of Western spirituality. I found it very useful, especially the annotated bibiography for each subject - sufism, Gurdjieff, alchemy, shamanism, etc. And where else would you find out the real reason why Hitler didn't invade England...? Highly recommended!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE guide to who's who & what's what in western esoterica, March 17, 2000

By 

Bernhard W. Hoff "benhoff" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions (Paperback)

The authors have accomplished a rare feat by being simultaneously sympathetic yet impartial in describing such a broad range of spiritual teachings. They provide succinct but nuanced descriptions of these teachings, along with each's history and relationships to other teachings. Also included is much sage advice for those who may wish to pursue these paths, and annotated references for additional reading. This has clearly been a labor of love on Smoley & Kinney's part. It is well worth reading for anyone with the slightest bit of interest in spiritual matters, whatever their religious preference.