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The Book of Pleasure: The Psychology of Ecstasy by Spare, Austin Osman

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The Book of Pleasure: The Psychology of Ecstasy

Name: The Book of Pleasure: The Psychology of Ecstasy
Price: 16.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (2 reviews)
Author: Spare, Austin Osman
ISBN: 9781519340627

Spare, Austin Osman

Reader rating

4.6

(1 reviews) 130 sold

$16.00

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Dare to dismantle dogma and embrace the ecstatic wellspring of your own being.

Austin Osman Spare's seminal work, "The Book of Pleasure," delves into the profound psychological mechanisms behind human ecstasy and self-realization. Far from a conventional spiritual guide, this text challenges readers to discard external beliefs and established faiths, asserting that true power and divinity reside intrinsically within the individual. Spare argues that relying on external dogma is a form of self-negation, urging instead a radical introspection to uncover the 'Self' – the ultimate source of pleasure and creative will. It's a provocative exploration for those ready to redefine their understanding of existence and personal agency.

Key themes

The Illusion of Faith Embracing the Sovereign Self The Psychology of Ecstasy

Historical context

Austin Osman Spare’s work emerges from the early twentieth-century occult resurgence, specifically bridging Western esotericism with emerging psychological frameworks. It stands as a pivotal text in the shift toward individualistic magic, rejecting institutional religion in favor of personal gnosis and inner divinity.

Spare, Austin Osman

📚 all books by this author (3) →

Difficulty

●●● Demanding

Fans will love it

Aleister Crowley · Carl Jung · G.I. Gurdjieff · The Kybalion

☀️ Theosophy

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2015 📖 74 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781519340627

Fun fact

Austin Osman Spare's "The Book of Pleasure" is not an easy read, but it's an indispensable cornerstone for serious students of esoteric psychology and self-liberation. Spare's uncompromising attack on dogma and his fierce advocacy for the sovereign 'Self' are both refreshing and challenging. Those seeking a prescriptive 'how-to' guide or conventional spirituality will be disappointed. However, readers prepared for a deep dive into the nature of belief, identity, and ecstatic experience will find this a uniquely profound and ultimately empowering text that continues to influence modern occult thought.

📝 Description: The Book of Pleasure: The Psychology of Ecstasy

Thank you for checking out this book by Theophania Publishing. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you soon. We have thousands of titles available, and we invite you to search for us by name, contact us via our website, or download our most recent catalogues. Some praise the idea of Faith. To believe that they are Gods (or anything else) would make them such-proving by all they do, to be full of its non-belief. Better is it to admit incapacity or insignificance, than reinforce it by faith; since the superficial "protects" but does not change the vital. Therefore reject the former for the latter. Their formula is deception and they are deceived, the negation of their purpose. Faith is denial, or the metaphor Idiotcy, hence it always fails. To make their bondage more secure Governments force religion down the throats of their slaves, and it always suceeds; those who escape it are but few, therefore their honour is the greater. When faith perishes, the "Self" shall come into its own. Others less foolish, obscure the memory that God is a conception of themselves, and as much subject to law. Then, this ambition of faith, is it so very desirable? Myself, I have not yet seen a man who is not God already.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Spare presents a provocative dismantling of conventional spirituality, urging readers to embrace their intrinsic divinity. While intellectually stimulating for those seeking to break free from dogma, this text is unsuitable for individuals who rely on external authority or communal religious frameworks for comfort and structure. It demands a willingness to confront the self without the safety net of established doctrine. Readers expecting a traditional guide or comforting reassurance will likely find its radical individualism alienating. However, for the bold soul prepared to face the void and create meaning from within, Spare offers a potent, albeit demanding, path to true ecstatic self-realization.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is a vital resource for the independent thinker who feels suffocated by traditional religious structures and seeks authentic spiritual agency. It appeals to those willing to engage in radical introspection, offering a roadmap to unlock the ecstatic potential hidden within the self. Readers who value creative will and psychological depth over dogmatic comfort will find profound liberation here. Spare’s challenge to discard external beliefs invites a transformative journey toward self-realization, making it essential for anyone ready to redefine their existence through personal power rather than inherited faith.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

This book is for the intrepid seeker who dares to question everything, especially their own beliefs. If you're ready to shed inherited doctrines and explore the depths of your personal gnosis, Spare offers a challenging yet ultimately liberating path to self-sovereignty.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Spare presents a provocative dismantling of conventional spirituality, urging readers to embrace their intrinsic divinity. While intellectually stimulating for those seeking to break free from dogma, this text is unsuitable for individuals who rely on external authority or communal religious frameworks for comfort and structure. It demands a willingness to confront the self without the safety net of established doctrine. Readers expecting a traditional guide or comforting reassurance will likely find its radical individualism alienating. However, for the bold soul prepared to face the void and create meaning from within, Spare offers a potent, albeit demanding, path to true ecstatic self-realization.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, quite the opposite. Spare's work is a radical critique of organized religion and dogmatic faith. It champions individual spiritual autonomy rather than adherence to external creeds or deities, focusing on the innate 'Self'.

Spare's 'pleasure' and 'ecstasy' are not merely sensory or hedonistic. They refer to profound states of being achieved through self-realization and the uninhibited expression of one's will, a deep psychological and spiritual fulfillment found by transcending conventional limitations.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Illusion of Faith

Spare critically dissects the nature of faith, positing it as a societal construct that hinders genuine self-discovery. He suggests that adherence to pre-packaged beliefs is a denial of innate potential, often reinforced by institutions to maintain control. The book encourages readers to question all external doctrines, seeing them as barriers to true understanding and personal liberation.

Embracing the Sovereign Self

Central to Spare's philosophy is the concept of the 'Self' as the ultimate source of power and truth. He argues that when the shackles of external faith are cast off, the individual's inherent, divine nature emerges. This theme champions radical self-ownership and the realization that one's personal conception of 'God' is a reflection of one's own boundless creative essence.

The Psychology of Ecstasy

Beyond mere hedonism, Spare explores ecstasy as a deep, transformative state of being achieved through the uninhibited expression of the 'Self.' He details how by transcending conventional thought and belief, individuals can tap into profound psychological states of pleasure and creative flow. This is not about fleeting joy, but a sustained, vital connection to one's intrinsic power.

💬 Quotes from the book

“Better is it to admit incapacity or insignificance, than reinforce it by faith; since the superficial "protects" but does not change the vital.”

“When faith perishes, the "Self" shall come into its own.”

📜 Historical context

Published in the early 20th century, Spare's work emerged from a vibrant, often unconventional, British occult scene. His unique blend of art, psychology, and magical theory set him apart from contemporaries like Aleister Crowley. "The Book of Pleasure" foreshadowed many concepts later explored in chaos magic, solidifying his legacy as a profoundly original and influential figure in esoteric studies.

📚 Glossary

Faith
The Self
Ecstasy

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a deeply held belief you've inherited. How might letting go of it open new avenues for your personal 'Self' to express itself?
Describe a moment of profound 'ecstasy' or intense personal pleasure you've experienced. How did it connect to your sense of self or personal power?
Spare argues that 'God is a conception of themselves.' How does this perspective shift your understanding of divinity and your own creative potential?