Showing results by author "David Christopher Lane" in All Categories

There is no doubt in my mind that Faqir Chand is one of the most important shabd yoga masters in history and that his frank confessions of “unknowingness” are of vital importance for those interested in religion and spiritual masters. Faqir reveals what other gurus will not. Here in the MSAC Philosophy Group at Mt. San Antonio College, it is our wish to republish almost all of Faqir Chand's books and pamphlets in English and give them a wider audience.

Human interest in the nature of consciousness dates far back to our ancestral past. However, it is only in the last century or so that researchers and philosophers have been able to tackle the problem in a more scientific way. This is primarily due to our increasing understanding of human physiology and how our brain functions. The following essays briefly explore the life and work of pioneers in the field of consciousness studies.

What makes Errol Flynn so fascinating is that he lived a life that was so adventurous and seemingly impossible it borders on the surreal. Refreshingly, Flynn makes no apologies for his lifestyle and even revels in his iconoclastic ways. Flynn captures the essence of his thinking when he opines, "I know that truth is sometimes an octagon and that I am one. Contradiction is a cardinal element of life and of itself may be no contradiction."

Beginning with two autobiographical essays about Professor David Lane's book addiction and his 40-plus years of exposing cults, this volume includes critical essays on Andrew Cohen, a spiritual teacher who was forced to resign only to repackage himself several years later; the new age philosopher, Ken Wilber, and his "integral" theory; a skeptical analysis behind why Donald Trump was elected; the future of books in light of virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift; and insights on the religious visions of Sri Ramakrishna and the role of guru "transparency".

Professor Lane, known for his critical studies of such cults and gurus as Eckankar, MSIA, and Sathya Sai Baba, goes on a quest in North India to find out if the ancient astrological treatise is authentic. However, in his search, he must overcome threats and personal attacks from several cult organizations.

This is a small book on the great mystic-sage, Maharishi Shiv Brat Lal, who authored hundreds of books in Urdu, Hindi, and English. He is most famous today as the guru of Baba Faqir Chand, the unknowing sage of Hoshiarpur. Touches upon shabd yoga and Radhasoami and gives an outline of Maharishi's biography.

This is a new edition of selected stories from Arabian Nights as chosen by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. Includes the following fantastic tales: "The Talking Bird, the Singing Tree, and the Golden Water"; "The Story of the Fisherman and the Genie"; "The History of the Young King of the Black Isles"; "The Story of Gulnare of the Sea"; "The Story of Aladdin; or, the Wonderful Lamp"; "The Story of Prince Agib"; "The Story of the City of Brass"; "The Story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves"; "The History of Codadad and His Brothers"; and "The Story of Sinbad the Voyager".

This audiobook contains distinct essays on Darwinian epistemology, the future of shabd yoga, Ken Wilber's Atman Project, Clarence Darrow's agnostic philosophy, and the debate between Richard Feynman and John Lilly over the reality/non-reality of out-of-body experiences. Excerpt from one of the chapters: I think it is important to distinguish methodological naturalism from a philosophically absolutist position, since trying to ground all things down to the empirical realm and testable realm is a practical process and doesn't necessarily mean that nothing else exists beyond what we can scientifically discern.

What is matter anyways? - From organisms to cells to proteins to molecules to atoms to electrons to light? The most famous equation in modern physics is Einstein's E=MC2, which, if we pause for a second, is as mysterious as anything written in our ancient religious scriptures and measurably more radical. My point is that the resistance we have to reductionists who say we are "just matter" is because we tend to think of matter as flat. It is, of course, anything but.

I suffer from a most incurable disease. It is technically known as bibliomania, which simply translated means “book madness.” I love books too much. My family is convinced that I got it from my father, Warren, who also suffered from it but to a lesser degree.

In our postmodern age, with all things socially mediated, we often forget those wise sages of years past, who had deeper insights about how to live life, than we might have imagined. We may consider ourselves more educated and more skeptically resistant to those myths that trapped our ancestors centuries ago, but that is not always the case.

This little meditational audiobook focuses on Salig Ram's very pertinent advice on how to meditate.

This book provides an introduction into the fascinating life and work of one of the great Indian mystics of the 19th century, who was a contemporary of Sri Ramakrishna. It is surprising that Rai Salig Ram, who is such a pivotal figure in the history of Radhasoami, is not better known among satsangis in the Beas related branches of the movement. In contrast, in the Agra connected satsangs - Soami Bagh, Dayal Bagh, and Peepal Mandi - Huzur Maharaj (as Salig Ram is honorifically called) is deeply revered since he is regarded as the chief successor and Gurumukh of Shiv Dayal Singh.

This book provides a critical overview of such subjects as mysticism, speaking in tongues, John-Roger Hinkins and MSIA, Sathya Sai Baba, astrology, near-death experiences, and UFOs. Previously published under the title The Mystical.

This diary covers the period between 1999 and 2001 and discusses science, philosophy and religion via the lens of surfing. Penned by David Christopher Lane, a longtime professor known for his critical books on cults, this book takes a very personal look at the deep questions of human existence coupled with seasoned (and at times humorous) observations of day to day life. Lane uses surfing as the guiding metaphor throughout the text.

This book contains an introduction by Professor David Christopher Lane on why the feeling of free will is an evolutionary hack. It contains judicious selections from the writings of Bertrand Russell, William James (for free will), Arthur Schopenhauer, and other philosophers and scientists on the issue of free will and determinism.

A critical essay which points out that gurus, masters, and prophets must be held accountable for their actions. Argues that we far too often rely on what Ken Wilber insightfully calls "The Atman Project" where we use substitute icons in place of doing the hard work necessary in our own lives.

Faqir Chand died on September 11, 1981. He was 95 years old. During his lifetime, this most remarkable of shabd yoga masters was relatively unknown, since he eschewed publicity and refused to grant initiation after 1942. However, he is unique among Radhasoami gurus for his exceptional honesty in explaining the illusory nature behind religious visions.

This is the first in a series of "mini" audiobooks on scientists who have provided us with great insights into how nature works. The first audiobook is on Charles Darwin's understanding of natural selection as excerpted from his classic tome On the Origin of Species. Includes a brief introduction by Professor David Christopher Lane, PhD.

This is the fifth very small book in The Mystics of the World series. Jagat Singh was a shabd yoga adept and a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. Focuses on shabd yoga meditation and the importance of concentrated repetition (simran).