In today’s online edition of The Independent, Gary Lachman expertly deflates The Occult Tradition, a new book released in the UK by Tel Aviv University historian David S Katz. As Lachman combs through his contentions, he invokes a small but wonderful list of prominent occultists from the last 150 years (including Rudolf Steiner, Aleister Crowley, GI Gurdjieff, C G Jung, Henri Bergson, William James, Isaac Newton, Daniel Dunglas Home, Eliphas Levi, and Madame Blavatsky). In doing so, he paves the way for a smart, level-headed critical engagement with the material. From the review at The Independent—
Interests: Anything with an ING:
dancing, biking, listening, talking, writing, reading,
watching, eating, drinking, running, thinking, working, dreaming,
surrendering, laughing, smiling, acting, traveling, singing, surfing,
driving, shopping, thanking, observing, welcoming, connecting,
loving, learning, sharing, practicing, asking.
Inspiration: Books: Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke/
Music: Linkin Park and The Cure/
People: My mother and all of those that have come before me that have fought their
own battles and didn't give up/
Places: Carl Schurz Park, New York, NY/
Movies: In Search of a Midnight Kiss, Stealing Beauty, Beautiful Girls, When A Man Loves a Woman, In America, Magdelene Sisters, The Notebook, Run Fat Boy Run/
Things: Causes worth fighting for: Lupus and other auto-immune disorders, Organ Donation and impoverished and at-risk youth.