Tag: bible

A New Shard Story From My Multi-Award-Winning Book “Ancient Ways.” A Story Of “Enoch, Hermes, & Osiris. . .

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ Leave a comment


“Enoch”
Part One


In Neolithic times, there was a bold and brilliant pre-flood Messenger born of the line of Jared.
He was referenced by many names around the world, including Enoch, Khonoukh, Hermes, Thoth, and Idris. Although the name Enoch was also given to the son of Cain, Enoch, the spiritual and literal King, was a son of Jared, and the father of Methuselah, who was the father of Lamech and grandfather of Noah. This Enoch was the first of the ‘children’ of Adam to be given prophethood after Seth. Later on, he was called Hermes Trismegistus, or ‘thrice great,’ excellent as a great king, a legislator, and a priest. It is everything He said and did that really sets him apart.

He renewed his forefather, Adam’s, religion for the Babylonians, but only a handful listened. As usual with the appearance of one of God’s Messengers, the majority of His people turned away, and He was forced to abandon the land of His birth. Though Babylon failed to grasp His revelation, His teachings did succeed famously in other parts of the world.

He fled to Egypt, where, as Thoth, he was the first to invent a basic form of written language. There, He was also called Hermes by the Greeks, who visited Egypt in search of wisdom. Edouard Schure gives us this glimpse in his tome, The Great Initiates.

Leading his brave followers out of Babylon, He headed for Egypt. There, as Thoth to the Egyptian, and Hermes to the Greek, He carried on His mission, (having) His greatest effect on mankind from Egypt, where the effect of His Illumination was gargantuan and mysterious.

Beneath the seeming idolatry of its external polytheism, Egypt preserved the ancient foundations of esoteric theology and its priestly organization. In Assyria, royalty controlled and crushed the priesthood… whereas in Egypt, the priesthood disciplined royalty, and never abdicated even in the worst times, standing up to kings, driving out despots, and constantly governing the nation… for a period of over 5,000 years, Egypt was the stronghold of pure and exalted teaching.

Like other Prophets, He bade people to do what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on certain days, and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.  He shared a vast amount of divine knowledge.”

He must have been a Supreme Prophet of God, destined to leave a prominent mark, even past the destruction of the flood and the millennia beyond. He still influences our society today. You might be interested to know that Enoch not only laid the foundation of philosophy, but also filled libraries in Egypt with scientific volumes.

Incidentally, He is known for his hermetic sealing techniques. Enochian knowledge and Hermetic ideas were basic to the turn of the last century’s secret societies like the Illuminati, and social fraternities which began with the Greeks and Egyptians, which continues even today with the Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Rotary Club, Lions, etc.

But did he also influence black magic and sorcery? The introduction of the sciences seemed like nothing short of magic to many. The concept of dark magic, as seen today, forms in the realm of a twisted or influenced human mind. The following quote gives us more insight. In The Gods of the Egyptians (1899), E. A. Wallis Budge adds:

In Egypt, Thoth is considered to be Ra’s Will, translated into speech. He is associated with the arts of magic (dealing with Angels and Demons), a system of writing, as well as the development of science. He became associated with the judgment of the dead.

The Egyptians attributed forty-two books on esoteric science to Hermes. The Doctrine of the Fire-Principle and Words of Light contained in the Vision of Hermes became the climax of initiation into the Egyptian priesthood.

 Although there have been subsequent inventions and improvements in writing and communication systems coincidental with the arrival of other Revealers, Hermes/Thoth is credited with filling several Egyptian halls with collected spiritual wisdom, science, and magic.

Enoch, like other Messengers, is often shown in the company of a lamb or ram. He is a Healer with Stone Age roots and His head in space. According to Muhammad and Baha’u’llah, another name for the Shepherd of men was Idris.

The first person who devoted himself to philosophy was Idris. Some also called him Hermes. In every tongue, he hath a special name. He is who hath set forth in every branch of philosophy thorough and convincing statements. After him, Balínús derived his knowledge and sciences from the Hermetic Tablets, and most of the philosophers who followed him made their philosophical and scientific discoveries from his words and statements.

In summary, he was a Prophet, a philosopher, and the author of the esoteric work that is the source of the occultic philosophies and rituals, as well as a host of fraternities, and of benevolent and charitable orders, and all of the Greek secret societies.

Hermes and Osiris
Part Two


Here is a selection from the ‘Vision of Hermes‘ that tells us about death and salvation. And even the possible destruction of a soul as described by Osiris, the Lord of Light, as recorded in Edouard Schure’s book The Great Initiates.


One day, Hermes fell asleep after having reflected upon the origin of things. A heavy torpor took hold of his body, but as the latter became numb, his spirit ascended into space. Then it seemed to him that an immense being, without definite form, called him by name. ‘Who are you?’ asked Hemes, startled.

‘I am Osiris, Sovereign Intelligence, and I can unveil everything. What do you wish?’
“To look at the source of beings, O divine Osiris, to know God!’‘
You will be satisfied.’

Immediately, Hermes was flooded with a blissful light. Upon its diaphanous waves, the captivating forms of all beings passed. But suddenly, the terrifying shadows of sinuous shapes descended upon him. Hermes was plunged into a humid chaos filled with smoke and dismal moaning.

Then a voice arose from the abyss. It was the cry of light. Suddenly, a faint fire burst forth from the humid depths and reached the ethereal heights. Hermes arose with it and found himself once again in space. In the abyss, the chaos became ordered; the choirs of the stars stretched out over his head, and the voice of the light filled infinity. 

‘Did you understand what you saw?’
Osiris asked Hermes in his dream, suspended between earth and heaven.
‘No, replied Hermes.’

‘Well then, you will know. You have just seen what is for all time. The light you first saw is divine intelligence, which contains everything, including the archetypes of all beings. The gloom into which you were plunged is the material world where men of earth live. But the fire which you saw flame forth from the depths is the Divine Word, God is the Father, the Word is the Son, their union is Life.’

‘What wondrous sense has opened within me?
Asked Hermes, I no longer see with the eyes of the body, but those of the spirit.
How is this?’

‘Child of dust,’ said Osiris, ‘it is because the Word is within you! What in you hears, sees, acts — is the Word itself, the sacred fire, the Creative Word.’

‘Since that is so,’ said Hermes, ‘let me see the life of the worlds, the way of the souls, whence man comes and whither he returns.’

‘Let it be as you desire.’

Hermes again became heavier than a stone and fell through space like an aerolite. Finally, he saw himself at the top of a mountain; it was night; the earth was dark and bare; his limbs seemed heavy as iron.

‘Lift up your eyes and behold!’ said Osiris’ voice.

Then Hermes saw an amazing sight. Infinite space and the starry heaven enveloped him in seven luminous spheres. In a single glance, Hermes saw the seven heavens above him like seven transparent, concentric globes, whose sidereal center he occupied. The last had the Milky Way as an enclosure. In each sphere, a planet with a Genius of different form, sign, and light revolved. While the awestruck Hermes viewed their scattered efflorescence and their majestic movements, the voice said to him:

‘Look, listen, and understand. You see the seven spheres of all life. Through them, the fall of souls takes place, and also their ascension. The seven Genii are the seven rays of Word-Light. Each of them governs a sphere of the Spirit, a sphere of the life of souls. The one nearest you is the Genius of the Moon with a disquieting smile and wearing a silver sickle. He presides at births and deaths.

He disengages souls from bodies and draws them into his ray. Over him, pale Mercury shows descending or ascending souls the way with his staff, which contains knowledge. —Higher still, bright Venus holds the mirror of Love where souls alternately forget and recognize each other. Above her, the Genius of the Sun raises the Triumphal torch of everlasting Beauty. –Yet higher, Mars brandishes the sword of Justice. –Sitting on his throne over the azure sphere, Jupiter holds the scepter of supreme power, which is Divine Intelligence. –At the boundary of the world, under the signs of the zodiac, Saturn bears the globe of Universal Wisdom.’

The vision of Hermes gives us mesmerizing details regarding death and salvation. This sort of thing has been used a basis for all sorts of religious imagery, and I think you can see threads of it used in Dante’s Inferno.

Osiris speaks of the journey of the soul guided by the various Revealers of God’s Word through the realms of the visible and invisible worlds – the seven heavens so often referred to in other texts, and the outcome of irremediably base and wicked souls. Remember, this talk of the planets took place near the end of the Stone Age – before the Great Flood, and way before telescopes. 

 ‘I see,’ exclaimed Hermes, ‘the seven regions which make up the visible and invisible world. I see the seven rays of the Word-Light, of the only God, who penetrates and governs them by these rays. Can souls die?’ asked Hermes.

‘Yes,’ answered the voice of Osiris. ‘Many perish in the fatal descent. The soul is the daughter of heaven, and its journey is a test. If in its wild love of matter, it loses the memory of its origin, the divine spark which was in it and which would have become brighter than a star, returns to the ethereal region, a lifeless atom, and the soul disintegrates in the whirlpool of crude elements.’

At these words of Osiris, Hermes trembled, for a roaring storm enveloped him in a black cloud. The seven spheres disappeared beneath thick vapors. He saw human specters uttering strange cries, carried away and torn to pieces by phantoms of monsters and animals, amidst groans and endless blasphemies.

This,’ said Osiris, ‘is the fate of irremediably base and wicked souls. Their torture ends only with their destruction, which is the loss of all consciousness.
But see, the vapors disperse; the seven spheres reappear beneath the firmament!
Look this way!

Do you see that host of souls trying to climb back into the lunar region?
Some are pushed down to earth like flocks of birds in the blast of the storm. With a great stirring of wings, others reach the higher sphere which draws them into its revolving.

Like hosts of sparks! For you too can follow them; it is sufficient to will it, in order to lift oneself. See how they gather into divine choirs, each under its chosen Genius! The most beautiful live in the Solar region, and once they arrive, they recover the vision of divine things.

But now they are not content with reflecting the latter in a dream of powerless bliss. They become infused with the lucidity of conscience lighted by grief and with the strength of will acquired in battle. They become luminous, for they possess the divine in themselves and reflect it in their acts.



Therefore, strengthen your soul, O Hermes, and quiet your clouded mind by watching these distant flights of souls,’ mount to the seven spheres and scatter the most powerful rise as far as Saturn. Some even rise to the Father, themselves becoming powers among Power. For there where everything ends, everything eternally begins, and the seven spheres intone in unison, “Wisdom! Love! Justice! Beauty! Splendor! Knowledge! Immortality!’ 

“Think back to the Old Testament. Isn’t this amazing? Let’s finish the evening with a couple of quotes from the Stone-Age Prophet known as Enoch, Hermes, Khonoukh, Thoth, or Idris.”

From one Soul of the Universe are all Souls derived. Of these Souls, there are many changes; some move into a more fortunate estate, and some quite contrary. . . Not all human souls, but only the pious ones, are divine. Once separated from the body, and after the struggle to acquire piety, which consists in knowing God and injuring none, such a soul becomes all intelligence.

None of our thoughts can conceive of God, nor can any language define Him. The incorporeal, invisible, and formless cannot be comprehended by our senses…God is ineffable. …the First Cause remains hidden. 

Even today, Bahá’u’lláh of the Baha’i Faith mirrors this warning.

O SON OF DUST! Beware! Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him, for such companionship turneth the radiance of the heart into infernal fire . . .


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About The Author
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Diane Olsen is a multi-award-winning author who gained recognition with her nonfiction book Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion. Her book won a bronze medallion at the Christian Illuminations Book Awards and established her presence on readers’ radars and the literary map.
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New Shard Short Story: ‘Yima of Airyana Vaeja’ From Excerpts of ‘Rising Wind’ Series Books Four and Five and My Book ‘Ancient Ways’…

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ 2 Comments

‘Yima of Airyana Vaeja’

Prologue:

The last glacial period, often called the “last ice age,” peaked in Europe between 26,500 and 19,000 years ago, with the most severe cold conditions occurring from 26,000 to 20,000 years ago.

This period, known as the last glacial maximum, during the late Pleistocene, saw large ice sheets covering much of northern Europe, including what are now the British Isles, and ice caps in the Alps and Pyrenees.

It did not completely cover Siberia’s north and some of the Arctic Circle, where people had avoided the bitter cold. Gradually, the ice faded, and small family groups moved south, following the melting ice that watered the grass that fed the game animals. People split their travels to the east and west of the Urals as the ice of the snowpack eventually diminished and disappeared. There were no countries, cities, or kingdoms to name or refer to. It was still cool, but the climate changed yet again, water began to disappear, and then the land dried.

Trees and grasses died away, as did the plants and grazing animals. Gradually, even the fish disappeared when the streams and rivers dried up. Floods, dust storms, and fires devastated the remaining natural resources, triggering drought and famine. The various sorts of humans who had survived as hunter-gatherers in greater Asia trembled as famine and eventually, cannibalism became a gruesome and damning necessity.

In painfully slow increments of time, agriculture took hold out of desperation, people gathered into small groups, and then into cities. Trade and law were outcomes that led toward the dawn of civilization.


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Morning light cracked through the small Armenian hotel window as Gideon Yellow Thunder brought his wife, a paleontologist and paleoarchaeologist, Secora James, a mug of hot water and a bag of Constant Comment tea with its fragrances of orange and clove. He took a seat with his own cup. They had come here to relax and absorb their feelings while discovering Armenia with their travelling companion, Seamus McGill.

After they had barely taken a sip of the redolent beverage, their eager young Irish friend came into the room and pulled a brochure from his pocket. He eagerly unfolded it. “Hey guys, check this out. I found a map in the free pile at the library. It says we are situated in the Ararat Plain, flanked by Turkey, Iraq, Albania, and Georgia. Smack dab between Asia and Europe. Armenia is bordered on the south and east by Iran and Nachjavan, an Azerbaijan enclave. I’m interested in seeing a pilgrimage site near Mount Ararat, which used to be in Armenia before Turkey swiped it.”

Gideon asked, “Wasn’t this country formerly part of the Soviet Republic?”

Seamus sighed. “Yes, both Turkey and Russia have taken away large chunks of land. Armenia is now a fraction of its original size. Even though the nation has diminished, Armenia is proud to be one of the earliest Christian nations, and it’s defined by spectacular religious sites, including the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni, and four other 4th-century castles, churches, and monasteries. Its capital is Yerevan, where the Mahendran Library houses thousands of ancient Greek and Armenian manuscripts.”

(The above image is the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni today)



“You sound like a walking billboard.” Secora sipped and said, “Did you know that at one time Armenia spread over an area almost as big as mainland China? It was home to the clans and tribes, and civilizations of Airyana Vaeja. Traces of that name still live across Eurasia, like Iran, Eire, Ireland, Iraq, Erin, and Oran.”  “How about Armenia?” Seamus enthused. “I mean, we’re looking at “Or”, “Ir”, “Er”, and “Ar” names as clues, right?” Secora rolled her eyes and agreed. “Armenia is special. Interestingly, before Christianity, the earliest Prophet we may have scriptural references for is Lord Yima – Bright Shining as the Sun – from Aryana Vaeja in Eurasia, perhaps in “Greater Armenia” before it was pillaged. Gideon scrunched his face and said,” Earliest Prophet? You’re saying then that this Yima came before Adam? Oh, that’s just wrong!” “He might have been earlier. We will never know all of the dates and times of each First remembered Prophet in a certain region.The “Firsts” of which I am aware, include Rama in Central Asia, Fo-Xi in China, Gayomart in Persian texts, Adam in the area of Mesopotamia, and Lord Yima or Yama, Known as the Son of the Sun. 

“The term YIMA, or Yama, and later name versions like Jamshid, pronounced as Yom-shed and then Yima Ksheta, meaning Bright Shining as the Sun – Apollo-like, lasted over several thousands of years, anywhere in time between 22,000 to 10,000 years, or later. His latter manifestation, or more likely a descendant of His lineage, lived until the Bronze Age, – around 5,000 years ago. His name  (or lineage) covered a period of several thousands of years – from hunter-gatherer stone age, through the beginning of agriculture and on into civilization as the “Lawgiver”, and beyond. 

“He was surrounded by a radiant splendor which burned about Him by divine favor. Some call it ‘Farr’, a shimmering aura that can overwhelm onlookers when a divine being reveals the Word of God. Sometimes it is portrayed as a halo or aura, as with Christ.

“Jamshid (pronounced Yomshed), one of Yima’s latter names, remained humble, but this radiance allowed Him to command mortals, angels, and demons; banishing evil and rewarding good people. 

“He was listed under ‘Firsts’ on an ancient tablet found in Persepolis; and because of this interesting answer given by God, known in that time as Ahura Mazda or Ormuzd – to the Persian Prophet Zoroaster’s query in the following passages in the Vendidad: .

“Zoroaster asked Ormuzd, ‘O Ahura Mazda, righteous Creator of the corporeal world, who was the first person to whom You taught these teachings? Who is the first man with whom you conversed?” Then spoke God (Ahura Mazda): “ O righteous Zarathushtra, I first did teach the Aryan religion to Him, (Yima the splendid who watched over His subjects) before you.” – The Vendidad 

Gideon fidgeted. “What? That sounds so confusing, Secora.” “Just wait, He may have been the ‘First’ (of that previous age) – but according to tradition, He was not always the Revealer of God’s guidance. 

At a subsequent time, Ahura Mazda continued: 

“Yima spoke to me, and said he would like to spread the religion among mankind by teaching others. Then, I replied, ” Oh, Yima, you are not created for this task by me. You have not learned enough to increase the religion among mankind. – You are not the Messenger of the religion.

As I made my pleasure known to Yima, he proceeded south, towards the path of the high sun, increasing the land with his  golden plough, conquering and cultivating the lands.” 

“This suggests a future agricultural time, as humans moved into lands free of ice. The boundaries of the Aryan kingdom were extended in breadth, one-third greater than before.” 

“Ahura Mazda visited him once more, warning him again of overpopulation. Yima, shining with light, faced southwards, once again towards lands freshly freed of ice.” 

“Because a slow accumulation of agricultural abundance began to cause overcrowding, God encouraged Yima to proceed in the second great migration of the Aryans, towards the south and the west, even into Europe, thus extending the boundaries of the Aryan kingdom two-thirds greater than before.” 

“A third crisis of abundance led to Yima increasing the land with his golden plough, towards the south and west…  It became necessary for Yima the Splendid to enjoin righteous order on his subjects. It is said He controlled invisible time itself, making it much larger in size so as to praise and spread His righteous law.” 

“This third great migration extended the ancient homeland, Airyana Vaeja (“j” sounds like “y’), the land of the Aryans, by four and a half times towards the south into Afghanistan and even the upper Indus valley..  

“Rama or Ram – is likely Yima or Yama’s counterpart in early Hindu traditions, and as such, one Being might be the basis for both the Persian and Hindu Faiths; in the scriptural histories of both the Zend Avesta and the Vedas.  
He may also be associated with pieces of the Atrahasis and Gilgamesh stories in Babylonia and Mesopotamia.”

Gideon sighed and rubbed his forehead. “How does that fit into history?”

“Well, these vast migrations displaced other local groups, or bands of ancient human forms, who were also struggling to make a living – especially in the light of massive climate changes from icepack, to plenty, to deadly drought. Some encounters with giants are remnants of legends and scripture.”

Seamus asked, “What else?”

“One of Yima’s most wonderful miracles occurred at Ahura Mazda’s (God’s) bidding. He ordered the people to build a vara underground settlement to avoid freezing and hunger. It would house hundreds of people, as well as the animals and plant crops. Such an underground city with thirteen levels still exists in Derinkuyu, Turkey. And people in parts of Asia and Siberia still move underground during winter cold spells.”

Gideon’s face was torqued with confusion. “So, what about Adam? Where does He fit in?”

Secora smiled. “Dear, the truth is that man has had guidance from his Creator since immemorial. Adam, whom we now recognize as the First Prophet of the last Age, is another example. He is also referred to as the First Mortal. However, it seems likely that Adam and Eve hunted and gathered relatively plentiful food before the Great Starvation, which actually may have taken their lives when the resources (Eden) disappeared. 


“The couple may have suffered famine at the end of the time of plenty as represented by the Garden. However, they lived prior to the stage of domestication, where Cain and Abel were a farmer and a herdsman. Seth might have come at a later time, when earlier villages might have required the establishment of law and the beginnings of civilization. So they were possibly descendants rather than children of Adam.”

“Similar layers can be found for all of the Earliest Prophets we can recall. The first mortal, the first Prophet, the first agricultural king, the first lawgiver, etc. Obviously, specific dates and names don’t really matter.

“There is no way we can remember the dates of these Prophets’, or every layer of God’s Revelations throughout the millions of years of human development. We have relied on scriptural scraps, and tantalizing bits of wisdom, as well as fables, and parables from the most ancient times until the traces of Revelatory guidance could be recorded in writing. 

“It is tempting to think that the begats of the Bible may be an attempt to remember the genealogy of the prophets, which would inhibit such overlap.” 

Seamus snickered, then teased,“What, no amoeba, fish, or turtle guidance?”

She paused, looked at her cup, and then took a sip. “Oh yeah! You’re  getting the idea.” Seamus and Gideon laughed. “Go ahead, laugh, but ask a Baha’i or a Hindu. We were guided throughout Creation. We even have shreds of wise advice on family and morality from a very early female educator – could be around Australopithecine times.” 

“I’m so confused – I’ve never heard of any of them.” Gideon set his teacup down on a side table and shook his head as he mumbled, “This is what I get for marrying you, Secora.” He reached over and kissed her. Then Seamus stood up and headed for the door as he said, “Let’s grab some breakfast.

We have a big day of exploring ahead of us!”

*********

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The ‘Rising Wind series’ of novels, Ancient Ways,
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“ADAM” A Shard Story From My Book Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion. Happy New Year…

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ Leave a comment


Most of us have an idea about the story of Adam.

For some, He is the First human. Others see Him as the first Prophet of this last age. If Adam was the first man ever created – when was that – 8 million years ago, or 13,000, or 3,000 years ago? In Genesis, Adam is considered the first man. Yet, He may have actually lived during the time of the great starvation.

Adam and Eve are said to have covered themselves with fig leaves in Eden, but their family is said to be fully clothed farmers living among other agricultural people. He and Eve were noted as parents (or more likely ancestors) of farmers of sporadic, domestic herds and crops, somewhere around 13,000 to 10,000 years ago. The Quran says Adam and Eve were created in heaven, and then sent to earth.

The Great Prophets or Manifestations, all concur They were created before coming to earth – as were we. But, in the Torah and the Bible, Adam is made from mud, and Eve, from one of His ribs. Each Great Prophet, or Manifestation of God’s will, was the bearer of the Holy Spirit for a new Age of human development – at times this great Holy Spirit is surprised that we haven’t reached a higher stage of maturity since the last visit.

In mortal bodies, Adam and Eve became God’s representatives and lived in a place referred to as Eden. A place where all their needs were met, until Eve gave Adam the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the Qur’an, it is claimed that Adam gave Eve that forbidden fruit. Either way, they became enmeshed in the conflict between Good and Evil on earth.

With the encouragement of a snaky tempter, perhaps they made the material choice between good and evil and were evicted from Eden. Did God punish them and make them leave Eden? In the Quran, it was they who turned away from their Creator; turning towards something more worldly for a time. They later grieved the loss of connection with God. When they realized their mistake, and knew His disappointment and displeasure. They felt a great remorse, and realized that they were unable to find food.



When they were driven out from paradise, they made themselves a booth, and spent seven days mourning and lamenting in great grief. But after seven days, they began to be hungry and started to look for victual to eat, and they found it not. Then Eve said to Adam: ‘My lord, I am hungry. Go, look for (something) for us to eat. Perchance the Lord God will look back and pity us and recall us to the place in which we were before.’ And Adam arose and walked seven days over all that land, and found no victual such as they used to have in paradise.”

~Genesis, King James Bible


This brings up an environmental question.

It seems that after leaving Eden, Adam and Eve suffered from a horrible famine, similar to that experienced elsewhere in the postglacial world. As the glaciers melted, the land and even the rivers dried up. The animals and fish disappeared and there was tremendous suffering. Perhaps Adam and Eve were unable to cling to the Revelation that was the very purpose for their existence. There were reasons – sanity was deteriorating.

People everywhere were starving to death, fighting over scraps, and resorting to cannibalism. This is recorded in other recollections, as in the Persian memory of those times. Mashya and Mashyana, while guarding the new Revelation of Gayomart, in Zoroastrian texts; (in Persian, Keyomars), had to eat their precious child. Quite possibly, Adam and Eve starved to death along with many of those living in the post-glacial drying regions.

So, did the serpent represent human frailty or a need for a material attachment to the earth for existence? In those desperate times, the Ancient Faith was again corrupted. People made sacrifices to the rain god or a fertility goddess. Maybe Adam’s followers chose idol worship; praying to elements as gods, or calling on personifications, icons, or statues, for specific personal favors like finding food, water, or freedom from having to eat, or be eaten by those around them.

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Leaving Eden means so little as a sentence, but understanding the real-life environmental drama gives significance to those words. Our ancestors could no longer satisfy their needs from the forests and the waters. Many died from outright hunger, thirst, or cannibalism. Adam and Eve were likely unable to hold onto the holy Revelation. Some humans endured, but perhaps Adam and Eve did not.

This is our human history – and may God forgive us – maybe our future too. Again, we’re faced with global warming, starvation, and death as rivers shrink and storms rage. However, in God’s mercy, starvation became the engine that impelled humanity to tame plants in their desperate hopes for survival. Over time, Adam and Eve’s descendants became ancestors to early farmers like Cain and Able who learned to raise and defend patches of herbs, vegetables, grains, and fruit. They even confined a few treasured animals in small breeding flocks; all the while trying to defend their tiny farms from fierce raiders and starving neighbors.

The concept of sacred white bulls, and not eating sacred cows, is an ancient remnant of those times. With the guidance of several succeeding Great Prophets, this process eventually led to the grouping of farmers into communities, or early cities defended by warriors, and ruled by law. Civilization had started its path. Eventually, there was enough food to initiate barter, then trade; forming routes for the transfer of goods and ideologies. Does this layering of the exploits of an early Prophet’s life sound familiar?

In the stories of the first remembered Great Prophets, the shreds of memory cover thousands of years, yet only one name serves as the “First”, though many Prophets whose names were forgotten over time, came in between their age and the age of the next remembered Prophet. Besides Adam, other first-remembered Prophets you’ll want to check out are: Nu Wa, Gayomart, Rama, and Fu-Xi. Adam’s Revelation was followed in sequence by Seth, on the flickering cusp of domestication.

Seth’s descendants built two pillars inscribed with many scientific discoveries and inventions – notably in astronomy in order to protect the knowledge so it could be remembered after the destructions of flood and fire, which Adam had predicted. One was composed of brick, and the other of stone, so that if the pillar of brick should be destroyed, the pillar of stone would remain. Enoch, known by many names like Hermes, Thoth, and Idris worldwide, gifted us His massive Revelation before the flood. His philosophies, sciences, and libraries still influence our societies today.

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Our first remembered Prophet’s painted for us a tremendously long prehistory. They brought richness and noble beauty to the development of human religion, society, and culture. They took on the forces of evil rulers, idolatry, and ignorance to renew the Ancient Faith. They had one goal – for humans to worship the Supreme Creator: to purify their hearts and to turn away from self and materialistic distractions; to refrain from forming cults and making offerings to various elements, talismans, idols, or icons in order to get something in return.

The Ones we can name guided us through three global stages. First, the hunter-gatherers who lived in lush lands in times of relative plenty. Next, a cold, drying climate caused starvation and cannibalism. Finally, they drew a path for the success of domestication, agriculture, and trade; then guided us through the glimmerings of civilization, helping us achieve a civil, just, and compassionate organization of society. Each, renewed the ancient Faith of God, which was tarnished time and again, by human perceptions and changes to the holy Word.

And that renewal continues today.

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I am pleased to have shared an excerpt from my first published book, “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion“…
My hope is that this brief preview will inspire you to purchase and read the entire book. It explores the connections between the beginning of the Earth and our present times, highlighting various topics that demonstrate our unity as one humanity.

It is available from Amazon in
Paperback and Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0996756558/



ABOUT THE BOOK: 

To enjoy this book you may have to suspend current beliefs, since some of the concepts may seem quite foreign at first. What if monotheism always existed, and revelations were given to all human forms. There are hints to that effect. We should not assume primitive peoples weren’t smart enough to grasp the concept of a single Creator!

Too often we tweak religion to reflect our personal thoughts rather than dealing directly with the Word of God.  Monotheism, today is represented by at least nine living faiths, yet praying to God alone is not enough, for many. Instead, we pray to Prophets, angels, saints, ancestors, deities, and even the universe.

This creates a chain of “Paths” and “Ways” that become stained, over time, by human desires for control and material benefits. And as darkness and materialism overtake one Faith, another is born, through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, which is clothed in a different form, with a new name, and very familiar teachings.

Like the Tree of Life, monotheism can be visualized as a chain linking prehistory and history, entwined with human additions, wisps, and twists that produce an undulating, ultimate Yin and Yang. This constant interaction of complementary, as well as conflicting, forces and energies, exhibits both organic unity and dynamism-even war. Those who suspect there is a unified core of basic beliefs will enjoy Ancient Ways.

Hopefully, you will find precious gems to take with you.

Happy New Year & Winter Reading!