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Stairway to Heaven: Chinese Alchemists, Jewish Kabbalists, and the Art of Spiritual Transformation by Peter LevendaMy rating: 5 of 5 starsThis is one awesome book. Peter Levenda writes great books about occult subject with great perspective. In this volume the author rights about the subject with passion and clarity. The core spiritual program of Babylonian religion, Egyptian religion, Kabballah, African religions and Western Esotericism are covered. The book starts out with an analysis of the Pharaohs ascent after his death up into the realm of the stars. In the "Egyptian Book of the Dead" when the Pharaoh passes on his body is washed and then his mouth is washed. Prayers are said to guide him from the physical realm unto the stars. The Pharaoh has to pass through seven level until he reaches his place in the North Pole Star. The seven level are based on the seven stars of the big dipper leading up to the North Pole star. This was first made available to the Pharaoh and then later on it was made available to the common people.In Babylon and Sumeria is it was much the same. they even had a washing and opening of the mouth ceremony much like the Egyptians did for their statues and passed on leaders. The statue of the gods were placed atop of a seven leveled Zigguarat. During Holiday the statue would be brought down or the king would ascend to where the God or Goddess was and commune with the deity. Passing from level to level one had to know pass words and the names of various deities. This would translate into Jewish mysticism.Hekhalot or Merkava mystism is where the practitioner could ascend to the throne of God during their life time. Ezekial is one of the first. He saw animals, angels and visions that resembled the Babylonian captivity. In Babylon deity statues were made and washed in a sacred garden that was meant only for initiates. then the deities were escorted to their high places. To break into a garden was it court danger. In Jewish mystics there are 4 sages who made the ascencion to the garden. One went mad, one an atheist, one dies and one came out ok.The book then delves into the big dipper's impact on Indian, African and Chinese system. Finally there is a foray into the Golden Dawn and other Westen Magical groups. Very enlightening read.
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