Angels of Desire: Esoteric Bodies, Aesthetics and Ethics — Occult Philosophy

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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Angels of Desire: Esoteric Bodies, Aesthetics and Ethics

Name: Angels of Desire: Esoteric Bodies, Aesthetics and Ethics
Price: 57.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781845533083

✍️ Johnston, Jay

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$57.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Jay Johnston delves into the profound concept of 'subtle bodies,' those non-physical, psycho-spiritual dimensions of self found across diverse esoteric traditions. This work fundamentally challenges entrenched Western dualisms—mind/body, spirit/matter—by presenting an understanding of embodiment not solely defined by the material. "Angels of Desire" meticulously explores the aesthetic and ethical implications of these ethereal forms, weaving together insights from yogic, Tantric, Hermetic, Sufi, and Theosophical wisdom to redefine human experience and spiritual identity.

Johnston, Jay

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🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Routledge 📅 2009 📖 320 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781845533083

Fun Fact

This scholarly work excels in its comprehensive mapping of subtle body concepts across spiritual traditions, offering a robust intellectual challenge to entrenched Western thought. While rich in theory and insight, those seeking practical techniques or a purely devotional text might find its academic rigor less engaging. It firmly establishes itself as a significant contribution to the philosophy of religion, aesthetics, and esoteric studies, broadening our understanding of human embodiment and spiritual identity.

📝 Description: Angels of Desire: Esoteric Bodies, Aesthetics and Ethics

The idea that the human body consists of 'subtle bodies' - psycho-spiritual essences - can be found in a variety of esoteric traditions. This radical form of selfhood challenges the dualisms at the heart of Western discourse: mind/body, divine/human, matter/spirit, reason/emotion, I/other. 'Angels of Desire' explores the aesthetics and ethics of subtle bodies. What emerges is an understanding of embodiment not exclusively tied to materiality. The book examines the use of subtle bodies across a range of traditions, yogic, tantric, theosophical, hermetic and sufi. 'Angels of Desire' shows the relevance of the subtle body for religion, philosophy, art history and contemporary feminist religious studies and theories of desire.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Johnston provides a dense, scholarly exploration of subtle bodies across multiple esoteric traditions, effectively dismantling materialist assumptions about embodiment. While intellectually robust for those versed in comparative religion or occult philosophy, this work is not suited for casual readers seeking accessible spiritual self-help or simple narratives. The rigorous academic tone and complex synthesis of disparate systems may alienate those looking for practical meditation guides or straightforward dogmatic teachings. It demands active engagement with abstract concepts rather than offering easy answers, making it a specialized resource for serious students of esotericism rather than the general public.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply invested in the study of subtle bodies and non-physical dimensions of existence will find this text indispensable. It offers a rigorous intellectual framework for those seeking to transcend entrenched Western mind-body dualisms, providing a holistic view of embodiment that integrates psycho-spiritual insights. By weaving together diverse esoteric wisdom from Yoga, Tantra, Hermeticism, Sufism, and Theosophy, the book redefines spiritual identity for those willing to engage with complex aesthetic and ethical implications. It is ideal for scholars and practitioners who wish to understand consciousness beyond the physical form, offering a profound reimagining of human experience through the lens of desire and unseen realms.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you are a seeker intrigued by the non-physical dimensions of self, or a scholar challenging conventional Western thought, this book offers profound insights. It's for those eager to explore how ancient spiritual concepts redefine our understanding of ethics, aesthetics, and human desire.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Johnston provides a dense, scholarly exploration of subtle bodies across multiple esoteric traditions, effectively dismantling materialist assumptions about embodiment. While intellectually robust for those versed in comparative religion or occult philosophy, this work is not suited for casual readers seeking accessible spiritual self-help or simple narratives. The rigorous academic tone and complex synthesis of disparate systems may alienate those looking for practical meditation guides or straightforward dogmatic teachings. It demands active engagement with abstract concepts rather than offering easy answers, making it a specialized resource for serious students of esotericism rather than the general public.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, "Angels of Desire" is primarily a philosophical and theoretical exploration. It delves into the concepts, ethics, and aesthetics of subtle bodies across traditions, rather than offering instructional techniques for their development or experience.

The book draws from a wide array of traditions, including Yogic, Tantric, Theosophical, Hermetic, and Sufi teachings. It provides a comparative analysis of how each tradition conceptualizes and utilizes the idea of the subtle body.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Subtle Embodiment Redefined

This book redefines what it means to possess a body, moving beyond mere physicality to explore psycho-spiritual essences. It investigates how diverse esoteric paths conceive of these non-material forms, offering a radical departure from conventional biological understandings of self and experience and expanding our perception of human identity.

Challenging Western Dualisms

Johnston directly confronts the pervasive Western separation of mind from body, spirit from matter, and reason from emotion. By foregrounding the subtle body, the text demonstrates a holistic, integrated model of selfhood where these perceived divisions dissolve, fostering a more unified perspective on human existence and consciousness.

Esoteric Ethics & Aesthetics

Delving into how subtle bodies inform our sense of beauty and moral conduct, the book uncovers an ethical framework rooted in interconnectedness and an aesthetic appreciation extending beyond the tangible. It explores how these traditions shape our understanding of desire, interaction, and our place within the cosmos.

📜 Historical context

The concept of 'subtle bodies' has permeated esoteric thought for millennia, from ancient Egyptian and Indian spirituality to Hermeticism and Neoplatonism. This book situates itself within this rich lineage, demonstrating how these enduring ideas persist and evolve across diverse traditions, offering alternative paradigms of selfhood that challenge the materialist leanings of modern philosophy.

📚 Glossary

Subtle Body
Dualism
Esoteric

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might conceiving of yourself as a 'subtle body' rather than purely a physical one alter your daily perceptions or interactions with the world?
Reflect on a time you felt a strong connection to something non-physical (an idea, a feeling, a spiritual presence). How does the concept of a subtle body help explain this experience?
In what ways do traditional Western dualisms (mind/body, reason/emotion) limit our understanding of ourselves and others? How does an integrated view change this?