Masters Among Us: An Exploration of Supernal Encounters and Miraculous Phenomena [Paperback]

Thomas Curley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2000

On June 11, 1988, the Kenya Times published an extraordinary front page headline, accompanied by the following declaration:

"About 6,000 worshippers at Muslim Village, Kawangware, Nairobi, believe they saw Jesus Christ, in broad daylight last week. "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus of Nazareth!" went the loud whispers from the crowd asthey raised up their hands in divine welcome. The tall figure of a barefooted white-robed and bearded man appeared from nowhere and stood in the middle of the crowd."

After addressing the crowd, the mysterious figure accepted an offered ride from an attending eyewitness, who later explained that minutes after departing, the stranger asked the driver to pull over, got out of the car, walked a few feet, and promptly vanished.

The story flashed around the globe overnight on cable news programs, and similar eyewitness reports of abruptly vanishing strangers who first delivered a prophetic message to unassuming individuals have trickled in to news bureaus around the globe. Popular television news programs have shown filmed footage of icons that weep oil or 'drink' milk, and countless reports of apparitions of the Madonna, Christ, and other saintly figures from all religious traditions have been discussed in all media outlets. Are these communiques from heaven? What are they trying to say?

Masters Among Us reviews such phenomena through the perspective of various theological and philosophical traditions. Journey with the author as he encounters: a mysterious, Islamic sage with the ability to heal, 'hear' prayers, and control natural forces; a modern-day 'John the Baptist' who intelligently explains how the most anticipated event of the last 2000 years has already occurred, consistent with Biblical prophecy; and a retired US Diplomat who claims that leaders of the world's governments as well as Vatican officials are well aware of an unrevealed truth that will undoubtedly affect us all.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Curley is an artist, writer, and lifelong student of comparative theology, mysticism, metaphysics, and philosophy. In the last quarter of the 20th Century, he has crossed paths with some of the world's most influential individuals in the field. Select memoirs of these events are featured in Masters Among Us.

He is also the author of Splendour Among Thorns, a collection of poetry scheduled for release in the near future. Several other writing projects, including a sequel to Masters Among Us, are currently in progress.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Chapter One: Signs, Wonders, and Warnings

Recently I glanced at the headline blaring from one of the tabloids, which proclaimed that "startling new evidence" was found which proves that the "Day of Judgment is at hand," and was attributed to Billy Graham, chief among Christian biblical proponents. Taking into account the 5th scourge of Fatima, seasoned with a few foreboding quotes from Isaiah or St. John's Revelations, one has to wonder about the plausibility of the doomsayers. Perhaps the tabloids aren't as preposterous as I thought.

On the other hand, what if humanity has adequately heeded Mary's innumerable warnings and petitions for prayer, thus averting an impending horror from which we have been spared and that we may never know? What is most confusing is the fact that, coinciding with the 'wars and rumors of wars' and other, similar gloomy messages of 'end time' prognosticators, there have been an equally considerable number of positive, hopeful 'signs' of an extraordinary nature.

Signs and Wonders

While the Fatima apparitions remain the most renowned, we now know they were by no means the last. In 1932 and 33, Mary appeared no less than 33 times in Beauraing, Belgium; in 1946, as mentioned, in Marionfried, Germany, and 15 years later in 1961, at Garabandal, Spain. From 1968 through 1971, particularly astounding apparitions occurred above a Coptic church in Zeitoun, Egypt. Interestingly, it was there, tradition holds, to which Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus fled for safety during Herod's 'slaughter of the innocents' after the nativity. As such, all three members of the holy family were seen in the visions, along with their donkey! On one occasion, an exceptionally brilliant appearance remained wholly in view for seven and a half hours!

But unique to the Zeitoun apparitions, apart from all previous, was the noticeable circumstance of a multi-denominational acceptance. There, Christians of all sects, Catholic, Protestant, and Coptic, gathered and tearfully prayed side by side with an equal number of Muslims. In fact, over those four years, it is estimated that over one million people from all walks of life, the largest number up to that time, witnessed the fantastic spectacle firsthand. So convincing were these appearances that the Egyptian Government, in clear support and acknowledgement of what was happening, tore buildings down to create more open space around the church to accommodate the steadily increasing number of pilgrims. It is said that, due to the deep impression made after witnessing the apparition firsthand, Egypt's president Anwar Sadat was able to open his mind and heart to begin peace negotiations with Israel. Further, the number of photographs taken at Zeitoun, tested, scrutinized, thoroughly examined and consequently given credence by experts, offer some of the strongest evidence to date of Marian phenomena.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (May 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552124029
• ISBN-13: 978-1552124024
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,287,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Antidote to Religious Fundamentalism, March 31, 2001

By 

"ichriss" (Stanford University, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masters Among Us: An Exploration of Supernal Encounters and Miraculous Phenomena (Paperback)

A journey of faith across belief systems and spiritual traditions. A
joyful affirmation of God's presence among us. Thomas Curley offers a
detailed account of his remarkable discoveries and miraculous
experiences in the past twenty years.

I finished the book with a
powerful realization. Comparative theology is not only useful but, to
those with right motivation and spiritual understanding, it becomes a
ladder to God. Without rejecting his solid Catholic background, Curley
embarked on an exploration of other spiritual traditions. In the
course of his quest, he encountered extraordinary sages like Swami
Muktananda, Benjamin Creme, and a relatively unknown Pakistani
initiate, remarkable individuals like an American diplomat with direct
experiences of the Masters of Wisdom, and a luminous string of fellow
seekers of truth. In the end, Curley revisits his own religion with
renewed fervor and deeper understanding. Faith and trust in God is all
we need to experience bliss and recognize the presence of the
Christ.

An evident disciple of Jesus, the author shares his
spiritual pilgrimage with millions of fellow Christians. May they heed
his generous call and begin to see that behind the wooden Christ of
dogma awaits the living One of Love.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Universal Appeal, November 20, 2000

By 

Zach Castleman (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masters Among Us: An Exploration of Supernal Encounters and Miraculous Phenomena (Paperback)

Masters Among Us takes on a subject of incredible moment. As he rightly points out in his book, a majority of people have experienced unexplainable things in their life that could be fairly considered supernatural, yet only rarely do people speak of these things. Mr. Curly has done so from the heart in this book, as well as correlated his and other's stories to many different spiritual traditions. Interesting and compelling to say the least. In fact, galvanizes readers into altruistic action.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author announces 2004 edition of this book, February 17, 2004

By 

Thomas Curley (Suburban Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masters Among Us: An Exploration of Supernal Encounters and Miraculous Phenomena (Paperback)

Hello folks. Forgive my indulgence for rating my own book at 5 stars, but what the heck - I like it. I want to announce the imminent release of the revised, 2004 edition of Masters Among Us, which will be available through Amazon.com and other major book outlets by Spring of this year. This revised work contains loads of new material. one entire new chapter, and the addition of photographs of many of the miraculous events discussed within the book. The book will retail for under $25.00, and is being published by 1stbooks.com. Come back soon. I highly recommend this new edition, and I look forward to your feedback in the future.