Beyond Words: A Lexicon Of Metaphysical Thought was first published in 1990 with a second edition in 1993 by Astara Publishing, Inc. This first book was co-authored with my sister, Paula Slater, who also created the artwork for the cover, as well as, the drawings found inside. Paula is my "twin soul" and has been my biggest supporter for my writing endeavors. She has progressed in her career to become a renown sculptor bringing to the world everlasting beauty. Visit her website to see other fine art: www.paulaslater.com. This book was a jumping-off place for each of us to present to the world who we were becoming…
The book has five chapters based on mind, body, spirit, the past and the future:
Thought Games
The Psychic Window
Words of Substance
The Past Reborn
Future Visions
There are over one hundred words defined in a few pages within these five Chapters. At the end of each defined word, there is a glossary of other books and information listed so the reader can search further on his/her own.
To give you an idea of what you can find in this dictionary of metaphysical terms, here are a few excerpts from definitions found in this book:
Aura
An Aura is the energizing halo or life-force which surrounds animate and inanimate objects. The human Aura is similar to a force-field protecting and emanating from every cell and organ of the body. This glowing energy has been called a "non-physical matrix," or "electric blue-print." The Aura's spiraling vibrational field can be seen, felt, and interpreted. Although some very sensitive people are acutely aware of auric colors, anyone can see or sense an Aura. [Auric Colors and Interpretations are included, pg. 81]
Divine Order
Divine Order is a belief in the underlying harmony and order in our universe. One windy evening a nameless philosopher looked up a the night sky and said, "The stars are in their heaven and everything is right with the world." If not for Divine Order, these words would never have been uttered; planets would cease to rotate around the sun; constellations would collide; and the cosmos would probably wobble. Our personal worlds are directed by Divine Order as well….Nothing random lives in the universe. Divine Order operates to bring all life into its highest Light and karmic balance. Even that which appears in disorder has purpose. [pg. 234]
Reincarnation
Reincarnation assumes belief in the eternity of the soul. It means, literally, "in the flesh again." The word signifies the progression of the soul or life essence from the non-physical to the physical body, repetitively. A recent Gallup poll reports that one in four people in the United States believes in Reincarnation. That's an amazing 55 million people! It is a popular concept in part because it attempts to deal with the desire for continuity in one's life and the immortality of life itself….There are as many variations to the theory of Reincarnation as there are off-shoots of major religions. The ancient Hindus believed one could regress on the path of Reincarnation and transmigrate to animal form; however, most people who accept Reincarnation today do not share this belief. It is more commonly felt the purpose of Reincarnation is to progress or evolve into higher and higher life forms….Whether by personal choice or higher design, the lessons learned in one's life experience are presumed to carry over to the next, making each new life richer than the last….In his famous book, The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran shares his acceptance of Reincarnation: "Yes, I shall return with the time, and though death may hide me and the greater silence enfold me… A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind, and another woman shall bear me." [pg. 213]
Transformation/Transcendence
Transformation literally means to transform or restructure. It is a process of change in which higher levels of unity and unconditional love are integrated in one's personality and consciousness. Transcendence is seeing beyond our 'normal' unawakened state of awareness through the eye of enlightenment. Personal transformation systems abound, such as: yoga, alchemy, shamanism, meditation, relaxation through breath control, affirmations, dream analysis, modern psychotherapy, sensitivity groups, rolfing, running, chanting, hypnosis, etc. Human beings by their very nature are in a constant state of transformation, although the degree and form with which this process occurs is as unique as the individual. No single discipline works for everyone…. Transformative experience reflects light on the soul and guides one to a new knowing of the center. Transformation moves us closer to the Mystery, spiraling toward the center. "We sit around in a ring and suppose," wrote Robert Frost, "but the Secret sits in the middle and knows." [pg. 254]
Beyond Words
From the Foreword by Willis Harman, Ph.D. who was the Founder and President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences:
"New Age is a term toward which there are a range of reactions, and of which there are a variety of interpretations. Whether you feel yourself to be a part of it or mildly repelled, whether you are an avid enthusiast or disinterested bystander-even if you feel hostile to it and find it threatening to the well-being of society-clarity of definition is certainly desirable, so at least when we discuss or evaluate, we are talking about the same thing…. What better way to be knowledgeable about the emerging "New Story" than through a brief encyclopedia with short articles on key terms! That is what these authors have provided in Beyond Words: A Lexicon Of Metaphysical Thought."
More praise and endorsements for this book came from many well known professionals such as Dr. Stephen LaBerge, Kevin Ryerson, and Dr. Stanley Krippner. Here are a few review quotes found on the back cover:
"In Beyond Words, the authors have compiled a perfect potpourri of New Age information. This book would make a welcome addition to the libraries of all those who are seeking enlightenment. I highly recommend it!""Beyond Words embraces the vast array of
ideas, approaches and models of reality which characterize the many
paths of developing body-mind-spirit. Many will benefit and expand
their understanding; and through these pages, perhaps even see the
glimmerings of what remains beyond words."
~Dan Millman,
Author, Way of the Peaceful Warrior
and The Life You Were
Born to Live
"Thank you for the most timely and well researched book. We've been waiting for a way for the left brain to understand what the spirit and the right brain are doing. You did it with this book Beyond Words.
~Terry Cole-Whittaker, Author, Love and Power in a World without Limits
"Paula Slater, M.A. and Barbara Sinor, Ph.D. have
prepared an ambitious glossary of terms used in New Age parlance. The
smorgasbord found within Beyond Words is a delightful one, even if all the offerings are not
sampled."
~Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Coauthor, Personal
Mythology
"In the beginning was the word and the spoken word
carries power. Beyond Words is a book that will help anyone
better understand the need and the importance of personal expression
through the transformative power of words."
~Kevin Ryerson, Coauthor, Spirit Communication: The
Soul's Path
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