MYSTICAL BEAUTY

Sep 01, 2019 - 05:01 Leave a Comment 3555 views

For more blog postings
https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/ep-blog-posts or
https://digitalbloggers.com/articles/elysiumspassage

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PULCHRITUDO SPLENDOR VERITATIS: BEAUTY IS THE SPLENDOR OF TRUTH

I'm a big fan of C.S. Lewis, especially his Chronicles of Narnia which I read to my sons at bedtime when they were young boys. In fact, I later read it again for myself since it was so pleasurable and meaningful to read. I have also read several of Lewis' other books which I highly recommend, such as Pilgrim's Regress, Till We Have Faces, Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, with these last three being part of his Science Fiction Trilogy.

The quote I have featured here on beauty is not surprising, and yet to me, it seems somewhat uncharacteristically mystical for him, or at least my perception of him as an Oxford don.

What this seems to be saying to me is that we were built for Oneness, being one with God's essence and too long to have these mystical experiences of Oneness. It is beauty that draws us in, not just with sight or descriptive words, but directly to comingle with it.

I have included a couple of excerpts from ELYSIUM'S PASSAGE: SURREAL ADVENTURES, (publication pending), that discuss this point.

From Chapter Four

‘What words would reveal the mystical wonderment of experiencing the splendours of the meadows, flowers, shrubs, streams, lakes, birds and animals? And what words might describe what it’s like to stand on the highest peak of the snow-capped mountains, where the sierras glistened all about in the morning sun. What else can evoke that glorious ecstasy in the depths of your soul except to experience it for one’s self.

‘While you might attempt to translate what you saw and heard into words, they can never convey the enchantment you felt. To know, you must first experience what words mean. And though descriptions may inspire the imagination with intimations of grandeur, still they are just words...

‘I’m not sure that’s completely true,’ I said. ‘Is that not what poetry is for, to take us to new realms we could never become aware of without crafting descriptions that quicken our souls to see what our eyes oversee.’

‘You make a good point,’ Mo said. ‘Certainly, exquisite poetry can be very helpful in opening the windows to our heart, and yet it has its limitations. It may paint wonderful pictures for the mind’s eye, but wonderful is not wonderment.

‘And why not?’ I asked.

‘Well-chosen words might evoke the imagination to enhance whatever thoughts the senses might have overlooked, but words only have meaning when they describe what has already been experienced, otherwise, they are mere sentiments, or pictures, as Sir Francis Bacon stated so succinctly: Words are but images on matter, to fall in love with them is to fall in love with a picture.

‘That’s why we don’t wish to offend you when we say you aren’t ready to experience what you most desire. Though we may not be poets, the images we present to you will prepare you for what is presently beyond your capacity to experience, which is why we encourage you to venture beyond the words we speak. Words alone don’t teach, so it’s up to you to discover what only you can experience for yourself directly.

‘Though there is much you have already seen on your ascent, still, you must ascend to higher vistas yet before you are able to discern the wonders that lie ahead. We speak here of intimations of Elysium’s splendours where you are headed. Because you have ascended this high, you now have a perspective of the Lowlands in ways you could never have had before ascending to these heights. Likewise, you won’t know this Summit until your rise to new heights to perceive from a higher perspective.

From Chapter Five

‘You know,’ Mo said, ‘we all have within us the ability to create whatever splendours we wish to manifest, far more stupendous than the views up here. This joy continues without end, as we expand our capacity to appreciate the essence of love, beauty and truth. All souls in Elysium project images that emanate from love and light. But, if you are surrounded by magnificence, yet have no capacity to appreciate what’s there, what value does it have? Elysium really is a domain of euphoria, because euphoria pre-exists in the souls.

‘There was a time that mountains were not seen for their beauty, but only as obstacles to where you wished to go. What if, after arriving in Elysium, you couldn’t appreciate any of it… would you even want to be there? It probably wouldn’t be long before you headed off in the other direction of lower frequencies.’

‘That’s the kicker,’ Mo said. ‘Nothing’s wonderful unless you are first have a relationship with it in some way, be it direct or indirect. Even in Elysium that’s the case. You can only feel at one with what your heart consociates with.’

Mo was right, I thought. Since my previous philosophical beliefs no longer served me, my greatest challenge was to realign my focus from just the cognitive perspective to the significantly broader understanding of my heart.

This meant leaving the narrow judgements of my past that I might become more open to my heart’s greater wisdom. To quiet my mind, it was helpful to shut everything out by listening only to the surf. At times, when I took everything in while listening to its rhythm, I could feel a strong mystical urge to be at one with the tranquillity of nature’s beauty.

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SUMMARY OF ELYSIUM'S PASSAGE: THE SUMMIT

This the first in a series of five Elysium narrations regarding a young British philosopher named James Phillips who finds himself living in an altered state of reality while still remaining on earth.

After experiencing a near-fatal fall while climbing to the summit of a remote mountain in the Andes, James awakens in a new dimension. He soon encounters two mysterious beings who provide him with a very different perspective on the nature of his existence. Over the next year, before his body recovers from the coma, he is challenged to re-examine his understanding about life’s meaning and purpose far beyond anything he previously believed or could believe.

An engaging and sometime surreal adventure with intimations of impending romance, the narrative explores the most important questions about life, death, reality and our ultimate destiny.

The Plains of Elysium (Champs-Élysées) was described by Homer, Hesiod, Virgil and many other poets as the paradisiac afterlife realm reserved for heroes. As the title suggests, this is about a journey through a passage that leads towards Elysium’s exciting realm of existence.

To read a sample press review at https://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/05/prweb15515775.htm

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(ATTEMPTED) VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES

ELYSIUM'S PASSAGE: READER REVIEWS

The following comments are excerpts from among the first readers including a number of Amazon five star reviews. To read the full reviews, go to READER REVIEWS on www.elysiumspassage.com or directly at https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/reader-reviews

"A delightful mix of fantasy, reality, conjecture and humour; Mr Meyers draws the reader into the story with a gentle narrative that captures the imagination, leaving one anxious to get to the next page drawing you into his exceptional world.”

"Quietly, gently, and without imposition, the Author unfolds the pages, creating an intricate, interlocking bridge spanning the chasm between mind and heart. Renewing, refreshing, restoring. In my bereavement, it was vigil and light…"

“Excellently written with an exceedingly deep understanding of this world and the next. The characters are very well written and engaging. I can't wait to complete this book!"

“Takes the reader on both a philosophical and spiritual journey, a journey that at times is both disquieting and tranquil. James, a British Philosopher can be irreverent and caustic, traits that should have left me cringing, but instead made me laugh out loud. Elysium’s Passage is a fun, enlightening and remarkable book.”

“This is a masterful fantasy, becoming a real possibility, as the reader is drawn into the story. The Summit leaves you anxious for the next book in the series, yet also leaves you totally satisfied with the world you have just visited. Genius! An exciting, yet calming, experience that is not to be missed."

"There was hardly a page on which I did not find at least one sentence worthy of hi-lighting for future reference. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the main character, James, whose personality and passionate verbal exchanges with the other characters, kept me coming back for more. I am reading the book for a second time while I wait for the next one in this series to be made available."

“N.G. Meyers has clearly put a great deal of research and thought into what the afterlife may look like and I like his perspective. It’s an altogether welcoming and exciting vision. The book gives one a great deal to think about and a reassuring confidence that the end of our lives is truly the beginning of life in the next. I highly recommend it."

"I am really enjoying your book, it’s fantastic! It is so incredible and diversified that I can’t really explain it other people, so what I say is just read this book. Thank you so much for the blessings that you’ve given the world!"

“The humour interjected into a serious discussion makes me laugh out loud. Totally unexpected....l may be in the presence of at least a master, if not a genius. A fair ride into reality... seeking that which is unseen, yet absolutely real.”

“An engaging story of adventure embracing man's deepest desire to search for meaning and purpose, N.G. Meyers takes the reader on an adventurous thought provoking journey. This book has substance. It is a perfect blend of adventure and fantasy combined with spiritual philosophy. It ignited my imagination. The author magically weaves a good story laced with wit and humor together with deep philosophical wisdom. This book has it all!”

“An evolution in thought is triggered by many fresh philosophical themes which could inspire readers to re-think their reality and former ideologies that have dictated their lives… the author fires readers’ imaginations to view what could be possible when spirit vacates the body.”

“This is the book spiritual seekers have been waiting for. For me, it granted a great read as well as increased inspiration to live every day with a heightened sense of purpose. I highly recommend it.

“The Summit is capable of hooking readers and luring them to search for Book 2 to discover more about Dr. Philip’s surreal trek into the mysterious unknown universe. This thick book is well worth the read and to share…”

“Mind-blowing statements and speculation (‘…everyone is a non-physical thought form conceived in the Mind of God, preserved for all eternity because God’s thoughts never die…’). Many will find Meyers’ journey up the Mountain intriguing—and possibly even life-changing.” (BLUEINK REVIEW)

“In its effort to grapple with fundamental questions about the meaning of life, it raises questions that have echoed throughout the ages, including about where we come from, where we are going, who we are.” (CLARION REVIEW)

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PENDING PUBLICATION OF ELYSIUM’S PASSAGE SERIES

Amazon in 2024

THE ASCENT: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

THE SUMMIT: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

QUANTUM LEAPS: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

SURREAL ADVENTURES: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

MYSTICAL ROMANCE: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

THE ELIXIR: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

THE RETURN: Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage

1. The Ascent is the first novel in the Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage that’s foundational to everything that happens in the following narratives that embark on an adventure that will surprise and delight the reader like no other book.

It all begins with an extreme adventure of climbing a remote and challenging mountain somewhere in the Andean Mountains. Just as James, the protagonist, is about to reach the mountain summit, he falls into an abyss that leaves him in a coma for almost a year.

After being airlifted by a forestry helicopter and flown back to London, where his body remains for almost a year. Eventually, he learns it was not him but his body that was rescued. Several days later, without understanding what happened, he continues to climb to the summit in an alternate dimension of higher consciousness.

Fortuitously, he meets two adventurers on the summit ridge who are no longer of this world. After that, his surreal life leads him to several new adventures in the subsequent chronicles that include a rich mix of adventure, romance, and fantasy, along with profound discussions of philosophy, spirituality and the afterlife.

2. The Summit, the second novel in the Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage, carries on where James, the narrator and protagonist, is taught more about a multidimensional reality that he finds difficult to comprehend.

Not only does he find he’s not as clever as he imagined, but his off-world companions on the summit demonstrate that much of what he believed about life was not just parochial but wrong. At first, he finds this difficult to comprehend since their teachings are contrary to his limited understanding of non-material reality.

After being tricked into teleporting off a ledge where he was trapped, James becomes aware of the new reality that makes him capable of far more adventures than could have ever been experienced previously in his physical body back home.

Now, if only he would win over the only woman in this life who matters, the nurse on the other side of the veil, who continually demonstrates her unconditional love toward his healing.

Warning: This book may also open the reader’s eyes to a much vaster reality than most might be aware. As with the other Chronicles, there are discussions of philosophy, the spiritual afterlife and what might seem like fantasy.

3. Quantum Leaps is the third novel in Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage, where James, the philosopher-protagonist, teleports back to London to visit his body and make contact with the special nurse taking care of it in his absence. Immediately, he feels an inexplicable spiritual bond with her for reasons he remains unaware of.

Now aroused by a renewed interest in matters of love, the beginnings of a relationship begin to emerge as he attempts to reach across the chasm of their worlds. But it’s not until the fifth novel, Mystical Romance, that he encounters her in a way that he finds difficult to believe.

However, before that can happen, there is much about his failed relationships that must be resolved before he is ready to move forward in his new life in Elysium’s Passage. It is during this time he christens his comatose body as the fall guy since it took the fall for him down the abyss so he could learn the lessons he’s now learning.

That will be the next focus of his life, where in his next Surreal Adventures, he is given virtual lessons to release many of his past beliefs about life.

4. Surreal Adventures is the fourth novel in the Chronicles of Elysium’s Passage, which finds James, the protagonist and narrator, escorted by his companions to a remote South Pacific Island, where he is left to reflect on what he’s learned.

During the next forty days, he battles the demons of his past as he works through some rather painful issues from his early youth. Here, in a tropical storm, he encounters an eery suspended spectre of the one he loved yet still resents for abandoning him as a child.

After this, he achieves peace of mind and is ready to return to his lodge to join his off-world companions on the Andes summit. However, just when it seemed things couldn’t get any stranger, a sixteenth-century sea captain sails his ancient ‘ghost’ ship onto the beach. Together, they sail off on a mystical ocean voyage to a couple of virtual islands supposedly in the South Pacific, where he witnesses and, at times, participates in several important life lessons.

Near the end, these encounters help prepare him for a new challenge within the interior of a mountain, where he falls deep into a dark tomb of fear. After being rescued by a mysterious stranger wielding his Excaliber, he continues on to where his life is about to be transformed in the following chronicle, Mystical Romance.

5. Mystical Romance is the fifth chronicle in Elysium’s Passage, which will surprise the reader with a romantic twist of how love is expressed in higher realms. From this lofty perspective, everything about intimacy is understood as within, so without.

After escaping his tomb, James, the narrator and protagonist, makes his way through a maze of tunnels until he arrives at a large oak door, which he opens with the golden key he had been given. There, he steps into Elysium’s Passage’s Great Hall, where his life and recent achievements are celebrated now that his eyes have been opened to perceive a fascinating interior world of wonderment… and romance.

To say more might risk diminishing the multitude of delightful surprises as circumstances begin to open to The Elixir, where James is about to re-enter his earthly body’s existence.

6. The Elixir is the sixth chronicle of the Elysium’s Passage series that prepares James, the narrator-protagonist, to awaken and return to his body in London. Before that can happen, however, his off-worlder friend presents a mysterious equation enshrouded with a light code frequency that will stimulate multidimensional DNA strands within him.

Much of this narration is centred in London, where his nurse unknowingly becomes involved in how the Elixir’s equation finds its way from a taxi cab driver to higher echelons of science. There are many twists in how she unwittingly brings the Elixir to the attention of mathematicians and physicists, after which they eventually discover how to code the equation into a laser ray to stimulate his fall-guy body into full consciousness.

Ostensibly a new Adam, he is destined to return humanity to a higher multidimensional existence. How this happens is filled with intrigue, as is his shocking return to his earthly body.

7. The Return is the seventh and last chronicle in the series where James, the narrator and protagonist, has re-emerged from Elysium’s Passage as he readjusts to life in the third dimension. Many of the events experienced in the previous novels are tied together in an exciting, fast-moving, action-packed narrative over several countries.

At first, it seems all memories have been lost, with his fall guy’s brain not being aware of what happened to him while in his coma. As a consequence, it takes a while for him to be convinced he had been out of his earthly body for almost a year.

Through some rather unexpected events and evidence, along with his girlfriend’s urging, he is brought to an awareness of much of what occurred. It takes a while for his mind to catch up with the changes made in his heart during his stay in the alternate realm. But after experiencing several harsh realities, he discovers what he became within while out of his body. Gradually, he comes to understand the many challenges that lie ahead for him in fulfilling his future mission on Earth.

This book is filled with adventure, romance and personal intrigue that ties together all six previous narratives of the Elysium’s Passage series.

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