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The Myth of the Great Ending: Why We've Been Longing for the End of Days Since the Beginning of Time

Felser, Joseph M
Reader rating
4.7
(1 reviews) 125 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover the profound spiritual yearning hidden within humanity's endless obsession with the End of Days.

Joseph Felser invites readers on an intellectual journey to decipher why humanity persistently anticipates apocalyptic conclusions. Moving beyond literal interpretations of prophecies, this work delves into the historical, psychological, and metaphysical underpinnings of doomsday narratives. Felser posits that these recurring myths aren't failed predictions, but rather symbolic expressions of a deeper, often unacknowledged human desire for spiritual renewal and harmony with both our inner landscape and the natural world. It's a compelling re-evaluation of our collective anxieties and aspirations.

Key themes
The Enduring Doomsday Myth Psychological & Spiritual Meaning Reconciliation & Inner Wisdom
Historical context

Situated within the English-language occult and esoteric tradition, this work explores metaphysical underpinnings of doomsday narratives rather than literal prophecy. It bridges historical analysis with spiritual renewal, challenging conventional apocalyptic expectations.

Difficulty
●● Moderate
Fans will love it
Carl Jung · Mircea Eliade · Joanna Macy · The Book of Revelations
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 Hampton Roads Publishing Company 📅 2011 📖 276 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781571746450
Fun fact
Felser's 'The Myth of the Great Ending' is a masterclass in reinterpreting collective anxieties through a spiritual lens. It excels at synthesizing disparate fields—from psychology to metaphysics—to offer a cohesive, compelling alternative to literal apocalyptic thinking. Those seeking simple predictions will be disappointed, but readers eager for a profound philosophical exploration of human consciousness and its relationship to myth will find a rich, rewarding journey. This book stands as a significant contribution to understanding the enduring power of myth in our spiritual lives.

📝 Description: The Myth of the Great Ending: Why We've Been Longing for the End of Days Since the Beginning of Time

From Christian believers in the Apocalypse and the Rapture, to New Age enthusiasts of prophecies concerning the year 2012, Doomsday lore has been a part of culture, a myth that colors how we perceive the world. Why do we remain obsessed with Doomsday myths even when they fail to materialize? What if we haven't recognized the true message of these myths? Blending history, psychology, metaphysics, and story, philosopher and author Joseph Felser explores the spiritual questions raised by these enduring myths. Along the way he consults the work of Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Marie-Louise von Franz, Black Elk, Wovoka, Itzhak Bentov, Jane Roberts, Seth, Hermann Hesse, Ingo Swann, David Bohm, Fred Alan Wolf, J. Allen Boone, William James, and Robert Monroe through ever-widening circles of understanding. Felser suggests that our obsession with "The End of the World" hides a repressed, healthy longing for reconciliation with our inner and outer worlds--with nature and our own natural spirituality. He urges us to recognize and act upon that longing. When we begin to listen to nature's voice and pay heed to our own dreams--including visions, intuitions, and instinctive promptings--the greatest revolution in all history will unfold. We can create a future of our own choosing, a beginning rather than an ending.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Felser offers a compelling re-evaluation of doomsday narratives by focusing on metaphysical and psychological underpinnings rather than literal prophecy. The book succeeds in uncovering the spiritual yearning hidden within humanity's obsession with the End of Days, providing a sophisticated intellectual journey. However, it does not suit readers seeking concrete historical dates, literal scriptural fulfillment, or sensationalist apocalyptic thrillers. Those looking for immediate solutions to global crises may find its abstract approach too detached. It is best for those willing to engage with symbolic expressions of anxiety and desire for harmony, making it a thoughtful but potentially dry choice for literalists.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a profound re-evaluation of their collective anxieties will find immense value in this intellectual journey. It appeals to those longing for spiritual renewal and harmony with the natural world, offering a compassionate lens through which to view humanity's obsession with the End of Days. By framing apocalyptic myths as symbolic expressions of deeper desires rather than failed predictions, the book provides comfort and clarity. It is ideal for individuals tired of literalist interpretations who wish to understand the psychological roots of their fears. This work transforms doomsday anticipation into a pathway for inner landscape exploration, making it essential for anyone yearning for meaningful connection amidst global uncertainty.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
If you're intrigued by the power of myth, the psychology behind collective beliefs, or seeking a deeper spiritual interpretation of our modern anxieties, this book offers a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective. It challenges you to look inward for the meaning of 'the end.'

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Felser offers a compelling re-evaluation of doomsday narratives by focusing on metaphysical and psychological underpinnings rather than literal prophecy. The book succeeds in uncovering the spiritual yearning hidden within humanity's obsession with the End of Days, providing a sophisticated intellectual journey. However, it does not suit readers seeking concrete historical dates, literal scriptural fulfillment, or sensationalist apocalyptic thrillers. Those looking for immediate solutions to global crises may find its abstract approach too detached. It is best for those willing to engage with symbolic expressions of anxiety and desire for harmony, making it a thoughtful but potentially dry choice for literalists.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not. This work explicitly moves beyond literal predictions, instead focusing on the symbolic and psychological significance of humanity's continuous fascination with 'the end' as a mirror to our collective spiritual longings.
The author synthesizes an impressive range of perspectives, consulting figures from mythology (Campbell), depth psychology (Jung, von Franz), indigenous wisdom (Black Elk), esoteric traditions (Seth, Monroe), and even quantum physics (Bohm, Wolf) to build his compelling argument.

📖 Who should read this

If you're intrigued by the power of myth, the psychology behind collective beliefs, or seeking a deeper spiritual interpretation of our modern anxieties, this book offers a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective. It challenges you to look inward for the meaning of 'the end.'

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Enduring Doomsday Myth

This book examines the perpetual fascination with 'the end of the world' across diverse cultures and eras, from ancient prophecies to modern New Age predictions. It questions why these narratives persist even when their timelines repeatedly fail, suggesting a deeper, more universal human engagement with concepts of closure and renewal beyond mere literal interpretation.

Psychological & Spiritual Meaning

Felser probes the underlying psychological and spiritual significance of apocalyptic lore. Drawing on thinkers like Jung and Campbell, he argues that the collective obsession with 'the Great Ending' is a subconscious manifestation of a healthy longing for inner and outer reconciliation, a desire to reconnect with our authentic selves and the natural world around us.

Reconciliation & Inner Wisdom

The text ultimately serves as an invitation to reframe our understanding of 'the end.' It encourages readers to recognize this pervasive longing as a call to action—to heed intuitive promptings, listen to nature's voice, and cultivate a deeper, more spiritually aligned existence, rather than passively awaiting an external cataclysm.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The recurring specter of Armageddon is not a prophecy of literal destruction, but a persistent echo of humanity's yearning for transformation, a call to shed the old and embrace a deeper truth.”

“Beneath the clamor of external omens lies a quiet, insistent voice—the whisper of nature, the guidance of intuition—beckoning us toward a sacred reunion with our authentic selves.”

📜 Historical context

Felser's work sits comfortably within a tradition of philosophical inquiry that seeks universal truths in human storytelling, echoing the archetypal explorations of Joseph Campbell and the depth psychology of Carl Jung. It extends these ideas into contemporary discussions of consciousness and spiritual evolution, bridging ancient wisdom with modern metaphysical thought to illuminate enduring human patterns.

📚 Glossary

Apocalypse
New Age
Collective Unconscious

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a 'doomsday' narrative you've encountered. What personal anxieties or hopes did it stir within you, and how might these relate to a deeper longing for change?
  2. Consider moments when you've felt a strong intuitive 'prompting.' How might listening to these inner voices lead to a greater sense of reconciliation with yourself or your environment?
  3. How does your perception of 'the end'—whether personal or global—shape your present actions and aspirations? Is there a hidden call to transformation within that perception?

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