7 Mysteries: Contemplative Arts for the Modern Mystic [Paperback]

D.D. Rev. Alesia Matson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 2004

This ground-breaking book takes meditation, contemplation and prayer and makes them accessible to anyone interested in personal evolution. Using the symbolic information encoded in the number 7, and a set of beads designed to take advantage of the many sets of ``7 Mysteries'' in human cultures, Rev. Alesia Matson D.D. places before the reader a banquet of choices for contemplative study, then in a warmly engaging way shows how these ``sets of 7'' can literally transform an entire life -- for the better. From an interview with Dr. Matson, published in the March 2004 issue of The New Age Journal: ``There is a reason why 7 occurs so often as a set delimiter, and each time it does it's reminding us in a covert way of why we're here: Evolution. Transformation. Transcendence.'' Personal evolution. Self empowerment. World transformation. Presented without devotion to any one dogma or doctrine. Let 7 Mysteries: Contemplative Arts for the Modern Mystic be your guide into a more powerful, higher functioning you!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Never in human history has the responsibility for personal transformation been more important. We stand at a crucial crossroads in human history, and never have the choices before us been more clear. As individuals, we can leave the determination of our common fate to regressive fundamentalist regimes (internal and external), or we can reject such fear-based thinking in favor of a compassionate, more integral future. We must evolve beyond our every limitation, transcend our fears, and seize responsibility for re-creating ourselves, our nation, and our world. In this book, readers will find just such an integral approach to personal transformation, one that explains the importance of regular contemplative practice, and provides a wealth of information for future study.

From the Author

From an interview published in the March 2004 edition of The New Age Journal:

"...every time someone tries to concretize the concept of "God," they're basically putting God in a box. Everything they understand God to be is in that box, and anything outside the box can't be God. To a mystic, that kind of thinking is not only flawed, its dangerous -- and its what's at the core of why our nation and our race is in so much trouble."

"God is everything. All of it. God is the noun, and the verb. The being, and becoming. God is the process of evolution, and that which is evolving. God is the inherent contradiction -- and as such, God speaks to us most clearly in paradox."

"[7 is] about personal transformation. Encoded in every set of seven things or events or steps you can think of is a path of transformation. To see it, you have to know symbolic analysis and be fluent with symbolic sight. In everything from the 7 colors of the rainbow to the 7 chakras or 7 Sacraments -- it's there."

"... no one has to live in bondage to their own fears. That it's possible to embrace all the joy, love, wealth, and contenment imaginable. That there is an ultimate purpose to our lives here. That the compulsion we feel to achieve, to strive, to gain the pinnacle of success in our endeavors is a mirror of a deeper drive, a higher compulsion -- and that we all need to honor that. It's the best way I know of to get our race out of the difficulties we're now experiencing."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Metaphor Publications (July 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975410709
• ISBN-13: 978-0975410707
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,402,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me fresh perspective, August 24, 2006

By 

Denise (Jade) Greene (Bisbee, AZ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 7 Mysteries: Contemplative Arts for the Modern Mystic (Paperback)

I've been studying in the mystical and contemplative tradition for many years now, but Matson's book gave me fresh insight, inspiration and perspective to fuel the mystic fire! Whether this is your first foray into this tradition, or you're a long-time practitioner of the contemplative arts, 7 Mysteries is a delightful, refreshing look at an old subject.