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Net of Being

Grey, Alex; , Grey, Allyson
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4.7
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Journey into the visionary artistry of Alex Grey, where spirit and form intertwine in a cosmic dance.

Delve into the profound artistic universe of Alex Grey, a master painter whose works illuminate the intricate dance between our physical existence and spiritual essence. This collection showcases over 200 vibrant reproductions, from his iconic 'Net of Being' – famously featured on TOOL’s 10,000 Days album – to lesser-known pieces. Grey offers personal insights into how his art, often inspired by profound entheogenic experiences, serves as a conduit for evolving consciousness. Explore stunning images of his live performances and collaborations, revealing a unique symbology for the interconnected human spirit that has resonated globally.

Key themes
Art as Consciousness Evolution The Interwoven Human Spirit Sacred Journey & Artistic Vision
Historical context

This volume sits within the contemporary visionary art movement, bridging esoteric philosophy and modern psychedelic culture through the lens of Alex Grey’s spiritual practice. It reflects the late 20th and early 21st-century resurgence of interest in entheogenic experiences as pathways to expanded consciousness.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Terence McKenna · Aldous Huxley · Rupert Spira
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2012 📖 208 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781594773846
Fun fact
An essential anchor for any visionary art collection, this book brilliantly showcases Alex Grey's profound visual lexicon. It excels at illuminating the spiritual depths of his work through stunning reproductions and his insightful reflections. While it may disappoint those seeking conventional academic art criticism, it is indispensable for anyone interested in art, consciousness, and contemporary spirituality, solidifying Grey's status as a modern mystic.

📝 Description: Net of Being

How Alex Grey's visionary art is evolving the cultural body through icons of interconnectedness - Includes over 200 reproductions of Grey's artwork - Contains spectacular photos of Grey's collaboration with the cult band TOOL plus his worldwide live-painting performances - Offers Grey's reflections on how art evolves consciousness with a new symbology of the Networked Self - Winner of the 2013 Nautilus Silver Book Award in Photography and Art Revealing the interwoven energies of body and soul, love and spirit that illuminate the core of each being, Alex Grey's mystic paintings articulate the realms of consciousness encountered during visits to entheogenic heaven worlds. His painting Net of Being--inspired by a blazing vision of an infinite grid of Godheads during an ayahuasca journey--has reached millions as the cover and interior of the band TOOL's Grammy award-winning triple-platinum album, 10,000 Days. Net of Being is one of many images Grey has created that have resulted in a chain reaction of uses--from apparel and jewelry to tattoos and music videos--embedding these iconic works into our culture's living Net of Being. The book explores how the mystical experience expressed in Alex Grey's work opens a new understanding of our shared consciousness and unveils the deep influence art can have on cultural evolution. The narrative progresses through a successive expansion of identity--from the self, to self and beloved, to self and community, world spirit, and cosmic consciousness, where bodies are transparent to galactic energies. Presenting over 200 images, including many never-before-reproduced paintings as well as masterworks such as St. Albert and the LSD Revelation Revolution and Godself, the book also documents performance art, live-painting on stage throughout the world, and the "social sculpture" called CoSM, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, that Grey cofounded with his wife and creative collaborator, artist Allyson Grey.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This collection serves as a vibrant introduction to Alex Grey’s artistic universe, successfully illuminating the intricate relationship between form and spirit. It is particularly well-suited for admirers of visionary art and those interested in the cultural impact of entheogenic inspiration. However, readers seeking rigorous academic critique or traditional philosophical treatises may find the content overly subjective or visually focused rather than intellectually dense. Those uninterested in psychedelic culture or contemporary spiritual symbology might struggle to connect with the personal insights provided. Ultimately, it is a beautiful visual journey that prioritizes experiential understanding over analytical depth, making it less suitable for skeptics of esoteric practices.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of high art, spiritual metaphysics, and psychedelic exploration will find this collection profoundly engaging. It is ideal for those who appreciate how visual aesthetics can serve as a conduit for evolving consciousness and understanding the interconnectedness of the human spirit. Fans of Alex Grey’s iconic imagery or enthusiasts of the broader visionary art community will gain valuable personal insights into the creative process behind these works. The book offers a unique window into how profound experiences inspire symbology that resonates globally, making it a compelling resource for anyone seeking to understand the cosmic dance between physical existence and spiritual essence through vibrant, accessible visual storytelling.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
If you seek art that transcends the mundane, explores consciousness, or visualizes spiritual interconnectedness, this book is for you. Visionary art enthusiasts, seekers of mystical insight, and fans of the band TOOL will find a profound source of inspiration and revelation.

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This collection serves as a vibrant introduction to Alex Grey’s artistic universe, successfully illuminating the intricate relationship between form and spirit. It is particularly well-suited for admirers of visionary art and those interested in the cultural impact of entheogenic inspiration. However, readers seeking rigorous academic critique or traditional philosophical treatises may find the content overly subjective or visually focused rather than intellectually dense. Those uninterested in psychedelic culture or contemporary spiritual symbology might struggle to connect with the personal insights provided. Ultimately, it is a beautiful visual journey that prioritizes experiential understanding over analytical depth, making it less suitable for skeptics of esoteric practices.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While featuring over 200 stunning reproductions, this volume is much more than just an art book. It includes Alex Grey's personal reflections on his creative process, the evolution of consciousness, and the spiritual insights embedded within his symbology, offering a deeper philosophical engagement.
The 'Net of Being' refers both to Grey's seminal painting, inspired by a profound ayahuasca vision, and the overarching theme of universal interconnectedness. This iconic image gained widespread recognition as the cover art for TOOL's Grammy-winning album, becoming a cultural touchstone.

📖 Who should read this

If you seek art that transcends the mundane, explores consciousness, or visualizes spiritual interconnectedness, this book is for you. Visionary art enthusiasts, seekers of mystical insight, and fans of the band TOOL will find a profound source of inspiration and revelation.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Art as Consciousness Evolution

Grey's work is presented not merely as aesthetic expression but as a potent tool for spiritual awakening. The book delves into his process of translating inner visions, often from altered states, into tangible forms that challenge viewers to perceive reality beyond the ordinary, fostering a deeper understanding of mind and spirit.

The Interwoven Human Spirit

This volume profoundly explores the concept of universal interconnectedness, a central motif in Grey's oeuvre. His detailed anatomical and spiritual maps illustrate how individual beings are intrinsically linked within a larger, cosmic tapestry. It’s a visual philosophy of unity, revealing the energetic ties that bind body, soul, and community.

Sacred Journey & Artistic Vision

Many of Grey's most celebrated pieces, including 'Net of Being,' stem from powerful, entheogenically-induced mystical experiences. The book offers a glimpse into how these profound encounters with 'heaven worlds' are meticulously translated onto canvas, providing a visual lexicon for altered states of consciousness and spiritual exploration.

💬 Quotes from the book

“My art seeks to map the inner cosmos, to make visible the unseen currents of spirit that animate our physical forms and connect us all.”

“Through the use of sacred substances, the veil between worlds can thin, revealing the grand architecture of the divine mind, which I then strive to translate onto canvas.”

📜 Historical context

Alex Grey's art embodies a rich lineage of mystical and visionary expression, echoing ancient sacred art and alchemical illustrations. His contemporary approach, profoundly shaped by psychedelic experiences and spiritual inquiry, forges a new visual language. He bridges historical spiritual traditions with modern consciousness movements, articulating the interconnected human experience.

📚 Glossary

Entheogen
Visionary Art
Symbology of the Networked Self

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How does art, for you, serve as a bridge between your inner spiritual world and outer reality?
  2. Reflect on a moment where you felt profoundly interconnected with others or the universe. How might you visually represent that feeling?
  3. If you were to create a 'symbology of your networked self,' what key elements would it include and why?

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