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New-The Immortality Key
Brand New Deliver In 6-18 Working Days
1000 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 1905
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90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 19, 2024
This book was extremely interesting. Backed by actual research and exploration of ancient sites and texts by the author, yet written in a way that was more digestible for people without a background in theology, greek/latin languages, or history. It was much more enjoyable than reading a scientific or historical paper, of which the author includes countless citations for throughout the book. At times it was difficult to sit and focus on, but the read was well worth the conclusion.
The main arguments: There is a possibility that Christianity originally existed as a “mystery religion” — an experiential religion (initiates see/feel/experience the presence of god firsthand, THEN believe) such as the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Dionysian mysteries. Additionally, there is a possibility that those mystery religions, including Christianity, were centered around psychedelic experiences resulting from drugged sacraments/Eucharists. There also is a likelihood that this sect of Christianity has been forcefully and violently suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church ever since the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as the state religion in around 400 AD.
These hypotheses are supported by evidence which the author presents in this book, and it is clear that the “pagan continuity hypothesis with a psychedelic twist” does seem extremely plausible. It is undeniable, as well, that humans have had a profound relationship with psychedelics for thousands of years before the mystery religions were even a thought. But there is no sure way of “proving” any hypothesis scientifically, especially when the hard data is difficult to collect, and very well may be lost or destroyed. I appreciate the author’s inclusion of an afterword which makes this point; he underlines the fact that this is very much a work in progress. History is always written by the conquerors, and the truth may only be uncovered by disentangling centuries of oppression and censorship. This book is a very important piece of the puzzle. I look forward to reading more on this subject and seeing what future investigation yields.
I learned a LOT from reading this book, regardless of the many questions that were still left unanswered by the conclusion, that I feel I should have been taught growing up, and that was veiled from me by the US education system. I feel our society is still very much stunted by a lack of separation between church and state, resulting in a culture of blind belief and a “sheep” mentality. Western cultures are still very deeply embroiled with ancient Roman dogmas, traditions, and prejudices — especially in the oppression of women and the war(s) on drugs (combined: “witchcraft”). Though these are generalizations, everyone can agree that we have a lot of work to do to heal and grow together. I hope that the spiritual growth our ancestors intended for us will be normalized and made more accessible to the masses in the future.
The main arguments: There is a possibility that Christianity originally existed as a “mystery religion” — an experiential religion (initiates see/feel/experience the presence of god firsthand, THEN believe) such as the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Dionysian mysteries. Additionally, there is a possibility that those mystery religions, including Christianity, were centered around psychedelic experiences resulting from drugged sacraments/Eucharists. There also is a likelihood that this sect of Christianity has been forcefully and violently suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church ever since the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as the state religion in around 400 AD.
These hypotheses are supported by evidence which the author presents in this book, and it is clear that the “pagan continuity hypothesis with a psychedelic twist” does seem extremely plausible. It is undeniable, as well, that humans have had a profound relationship with psychedelics for thousands of years before the mystery religions were even a thought. But there is no sure way of “proving” any hypothesis scientifically, especially when the hard data is difficult to collect, and very well may be lost or destroyed. I appreciate the author’s inclusion of an afterword which makes this point; he underlines the fact that this is very much a work in progress. History is always written by the conquerors, and the truth may only be uncovered by disentangling centuries of oppression and censorship. This book is a very important piece of the puzzle. I look forward to reading more on this subject and seeing what future investigation yields.
I learned a LOT from reading this book, regardless of the many questions that were still left unanswered by the conclusion, that I feel I should have been taught growing up, and that was veiled from me by the US education system. I feel our society is still very much stunted by a lack of separation between church and state, resulting in a culture of blind belief and a “sheep” mentality. Western cultures are still very deeply embroiled with ancient Roman dogmas, traditions, and prejudices — especially in the oppression of women and the war(s) on drugs (combined: “witchcraft”). Though these are generalizations, everyone can agree that we have a lot of work to do to heal and grow together. I hope that the spiritual growth our ancestors intended for us will be normalized and made more accessible to the masses in the future.
May 7, 2025
A fascinating theory, with varied and strong sources. Changed my entire view of history in the western world. The Immortality Key details the history of what truly unlocks the god in each of us, and what measures have been taken to hide it.
August 3, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ THE IMMORTALITY KEY by Brian C. Muraresku
Overwhelming, ambitious… FUN.
For the past 2 months I’ve not been reading, I’ve been studying this volume.
The scope of Muraresku’s academic research, detective investigation and spiritual search is simply titanic, epic.
51 pages of notes and bibliography are good proof of it.
Purposely-random and intentionally misleading list of names and topics:
Depression and anxiety in cancer patients, Pagan Continuity Hypothesis, Pico della Mirandola, Circe, Mysteries of Eleusis, Göbekli Tepe, Catherine Nixey, USA War on drugs, Giordano Bruno, ayahuasca, “kukeon”, Dionysus & Jesus Christ, the Vatican, psychedelic beer and wine, Neolithic Revolution, Euripides, Aldous Huxley, mysticism, “incubatio", the great library of Alexandria, 19th c. prosecution of peyote, bioarchaeology, Triptolemus, Dioscorides, Phocaeans sailing West, Greek Mysteries in Iberian lands, “marzeah”, “pharmaka”, “refrigerium”, Walter Burkert, witch-hunting as a war on women, Peter Kingsley, Demeter & Persephone, Gnostics, skull cults, prehistoric ecstatic communions, Indo-Europeans and their death cult potions, Minoans & Mycenaeans, Roman Senate vs. Paculla Annia, elitism vs. democracy in the experience of the divine, patriarchal institutions vs. female-lead rituals, Dionysian iconography of Christ, caves and catacombs, beatific visions, Plotinus, Augustine of Hippo, Sol Invictus, Inquisition, a shaman and poet called María Sabina…
The author is aware of the massive amount of information he’s providing to the reader. As an antidote for boredom he makes a risk choice: an unashamed first-person narrative in a best-seller style.
The result? Ridiculously fun!
Muraresku has degree in Greek, Latin and Sanskrit but –surprise-surprise- he has worked for 15 years as a lawyer. Muraresku thinks he has a case here and he’s determined to win it:
The Religion with no name, “the best kept secret”, the eldest religious tradition in the history of humankind, ignored and ridiculed by mainstream Academia… until now.
Bravo, Brian. According to this judge, yours is a TRIUMPHANT ACADEMIC AND LITERARY SUCCESS.
Overwhelming, ambitious… FUN.
For the past 2 months I’ve not been reading, I’ve been studying this volume.
The scope of Muraresku’s academic research, detective investigation and spiritual search is simply titanic, epic.
51 pages of notes and bibliography are good proof of it.
Purposely-random and intentionally misleading list of names and topics:
Depression and anxiety in cancer patients, Pagan Continuity Hypothesis, Pico della Mirandola, Circe, Mysteries of Eleusis, Göbekli Tepe, Catherine Nixey, USA War on drugs, Giordano Bruno, ayahuasca, “kukeon”, Dionysus & Jesus Christ, the Vatican, psychedelic beer and wine, Neolithic Revolution, Euripides, Aldous Huxley, mysticism, “incubatio", the great library of Alexandria, 19th c. prosecution of peyote, bioarchaeology, Triptolemus, Dioscorides, Phocaeans sailing West, Greek Mysteries in Iberian lands, “marzeah”, “pharmaka”, “refrigerium”, Walter Burkert, witch-hunting as a war on women, Peter Kingsley, Demeter & Persephone, Gnostics, skull cults, prehistoric ecstatic communions, Indo-Europeans and their death cult potions, Minoans & Mycenaeans, Roman Senate vs. Paculla Annia, elitism vs. democracy in the experience of the divine, patriarchal institutions vs. female-lead rituals, Dionysian iconography of Christ, caves and catacombs, beatific visions, Plotinus, Augustine of Hippo, Sol Invictus, Inquisition, a shaman and poet called María Sabina…
The author is aware of the massive amount of information he’s providing to the reader. As an antidote for boredom he makes a risk choice: an unashamed first-person narrative in a best-seller style.
The result? Ridiculously fun!
Muraresku has degree in Greek, Latin and Sanskrit but –surprise-surprise- he has worked for 15 years as a lawyer. Muraresku thinks he has a case here and he’s determined to win it:
The Religion with no name, “the best kept secret”, the eldest religious tradition in the history of humankind, ignored and ridiculed by mainstream Academia… until now.
Bravo, Brian. According to this judge, yours is a TRIUMPHANT ACADEMIC AND LITERARY SUCCESS.
April 29, 2024
The Immortality Key was one of the first books I read following my return to reading, and I was excited to learn that Muraresku had written a follow up chapter regarding the reception to his book, and the further scientific discoveries that only strengthen the case he made previously.
I'm also excited that I get to mark it as another book read.
Part of me wonders what the debate here really is. The Pagan Continuation hypothesis has been widely contested over the years, but to me it's OBVIOUS that the Roman Pagans who became Roman Christians carried forward many of the customs that they'd lived with forever, and that the Church co-opted much of the lifestyle to their own mythology.
Where Muraresku takes the conceit further is to say that Jesus was a drug-dealing wine God whose holy sacrament was a cocktail that allows you to die before you die, and attain divinity. I support this hypothesis, and find that the historical record more than supports a mystical Jesus that the Church has fought heavily to lift upward as the only begotten son.
Anyway. Good book. Glad I have four years more of context historically this time around. I know all of the actors and players Muraresku wrote about, and I've read much of the source material he refers to.
Still great.
Makes me want to learn Greek and Sumerian and that's difficult with my work/life balance. I think I'd be up to the task, but that may be my delusional Spanish reading skills kicking in.
I'm also excited that I get to mark it as another book read.
Part of me wonders what the debate here really is. The Pagan Continuation hypothesis has been widely contested over the years, but to me it's OBVIOUS that the Roman Pagans who became Roman Christians carried forward many of the customs that they'd lived with forever, and that the Church co-opted much of the lifestyle to their own mythology.
Where Muraresku takes the conceit further is to say that Jesus was a drug-dealing wine God whose holy sacrament was a cocktail that allows you to die before you die, and attain divinity. I support this hypothesis, and find that the historical record more than supports a mystical Jesus that the Church has fought heavily to lift upward as the only begotten son.
Anyway. Good book. Glad I have four years more of context historically this time around. I know all of the actors and players Muraresku wrote about, and I've read much of the source material he refers to.
Still great.
Makes me want to learn Greek and Sumerian and that's difficult with my work/life balance. I think I'd be up to the task, but that may be my delusional Spanish reading skills kicking in.
June 26, 2025
Been edging to read this one for a few years, what a gem Brian is, hope this opens up for more research in the same spirit. And hope it gives institutions and churches confidence and faith to open up their libraries for more efficient investigation so we can learn more about the history of how humans have tried to systemise and ritualise union with God through the use of plants/herbs/fungi and other sensory disturbing/enhancing techniques. To take yourself out of yourself, see from the perspective of the all knowing, and come back into yourself realising your dependencies and limitations. To listen in awe to what the earth and heaven is constantly trying to tell you. Take care of it. Take care of eachother. Live in love and walk the path of harmony.
Love//knowledge.
Careful//precise.
Intriguing//quest-ioning.
Love//knowledge.
Careful//precise.
Intriguing//quest-ioning.
March 17, 2024
Excellent new chapter - worth reading if you’ve read the first edition to be updated with the latest evidence.
It seems clear whether or not we have the hard evidence, that where you find ancient peoples, you will find psychedelic usage. All our ancestors used this plant technology for spiritual purposes and you can’t change my mind.
Thanks Brian for continuing to shed light on this important subject — finding our “fullest-self”, our soul.
It seems clear whether or not we have the hard evidence, that where you find ancient peoples, you will find psychedelic usage. All our ancestors used this plant technology for spiritual purposes and you can’t change my mind.
Thanks Brian for continuing to shed light on this important subject — finding our “fullest-self”, our soul.
April 20, 2024
Second time reading this and it’s just as mind blowing as the first. If you want to think how western civilization as we know can flip on it’s head, read this.
June 16, 2024
What a great book, the level of investigation that was carried out and the facts really astonishing. A great case has been made.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews