Secret Practices of the Sufi Freemasons: The Islamic Teachings at the Heart of Alchemy

Description

* Shows how this order, also known as oriental Freemasonry, preserves the ancient spiritual doctrines forgotten by modern Freemasonry * Explains how to transform the soul into the alchemical Magnum opus by combining Masonic grips and the abbreviated letters of the Qur'an * Includes a detailed biography of Baron von Sebottendorff Originally published in Germany in 1924, this rare book by Baron Rudolf von Sebottendorff reveals the secret spiritual exercises of the Bektashi Order of Sufis as well as how this order, also known as Oriental Freemasonry, preserves the ancient spiritual doctrines forgotten by modern Freemasonry. Sebottendorff explains how the mysterious abbreviated letters found in the Qur'an represent formulae for perfecting the spirit of the individual. When combined with Masonic hand signs and grips and conducted accordingly to a precise schedule, these formulae incorporate spiritual power into the body and transform the soul from its base state into a noble, godlike state: the Magnum Opus of the mediaeval alchemists. Laying out the complete programme of spiritual exercises, Sebottendorff explains each abbreviated word-formula in the Qur'an, the hand gestures that go with them and the exact order and duration for each exercise. Including a detailed biography of Sebottendorff and an examination of alchemy's Islamic heritage, this book shows how the traditions of Oriental Freemasonry can ennoble the self and lead to higher knowledge.

Baron Rudolf von Sebottendorff (1875-1945) was a Freemason and practitioner of alchemy. In 1917 he founded the Thule Society, an occult organisation that led to the German Workers' Party-joined in 1919 by Adolf Hitler, who transformed it into the Nazi Party. Sebottendorff left the Thule Society as it became increasingly political, fleeing to Turkey. Translator Stephen E. Flowers received his doctorate in Germanic languages and mediaeval studies from the University of Texas at Austin and studied the history of occultism at the University of Gottingen, Germany. The author of more than two dozen books, including Lords of the Left-Hand Path, he lives near Austin, Texas.

"The book is very insightful and I leaned so much. The author does an excellent job conveying the concepts." * David H., Book Bargains and Previews, May 2013 * "Touching on the spiritual ideas that lie beneath it, its relation to alchemy, and many other topics, Secret Practices of the Sufi Freemasons is a fascinating read for anyone curious about the old ways of the occult in history." * Midwestern Book Review, May 2013 *