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Between the Gates: Lucid Dreaming, Astral Projection, and the Body of Light in Western Esotericism by Stavish, Mark(February 1, 2008) Paperback
An A to Z guide to evolved states of consciousness. Between the Gates is a manual of self-initiation and liberation that takes the student through the basic methods of experiencing dream states and conscious astral projection, to the ultimate culmination of consciousness-- creation of the Body of Light. Between the Gates is for anyone who has ever desired to experience the "afterlife" while still alive, or who has desired to rid themselves of the fear of death. While drawing upon traditional Qabalistic and alchemical sources, the methods presented are applicable to a variety of traditions and schools of thought. Between the Gates functions as an "A to Z" guide to psychic initiation toward higher consciousness, and ultimately, to preparation for the great transition beyond this life and this physical body. * Stavish is featured in Guy Ritchie's hotly anticipated documentary on the Qabala. * Features black and white illustrations to further guide the reader to a higher state of awareness.
Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
30 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Mark Stavish
44 books38 followersMark Stavish, the Director of Studies for the Institute for Hermetic Studies (which he established in 1998), is a life-long student of esotericism with over 25 years experience in comparative religion, philosophy, psychology, and mysticism with emphasis on Traditional Western Esotericism. His articles have appeared in academic, specialty, and mass market publications specializing in spiritual studies, making Mark one of the leading authorities in Hermeticism today.
In addition to being a member and officer of several prominent Rosicrucian and Martinist societies, he served as the Director of Research for the Occult Research and Applications Project, of the Philosophers of Nature (PON). The Philosophers of Nature was founded by Jean Dubuis in France in 1979 and for twenty years was the leading resource for practical information on mineral and plant alchemy, as well as qabala. ORA, a statistically based research wing of the American branch of PON performed detailed exploration into the validity and practicality of various traditional esoteric methods. Original research from the ORA Project was published in the organization's journal, The Stone.
A graduate of King's College, in Theology (B.A.), and Communications (B.A.), and Rhode Island College (Providence), with a Master's degree in Counseling emphasizing psycho-spiritual modalities and Psychosynthesis, he brings a unique blend of tradition with modern research to the application of esoteric philosophy.
In addition to being a member and officer of several prominent Rosicrucian and Martinist societies, he served as the Director of Research for the Occult Research and Applications Project, of the Philosophers of Nature (PON). The Philosophers of Nature was founded by Jean Dubuis in France in 1979 and for twenty years was the leading resource for practical information on mineral and plant alchemy, as well as qabala. ORA, a statistically based research wing of the American branch of PON performed detailed exploration into the validity and practicality of various traditional esoteric methods. Original research from the ORA Project was published in the organization's journal, The Stone.
A graduate of King's College, in Theology (B.A.), and Communications (B.A.), and Rhode Island College (Providence), with a Master's degree in Counseling emphasizing psycho-spiritual modalities and Psychosynthesis, he brings a unique blend of tradition with modern research to the application of esoteric philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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June 23, 2017
This is bold: mixing Kabbalah with Alchemy (and much more), the author ventures in enterprises such as: lucid dreaming, astral projection, creation of a body of light*, preparing for death and beyond, and physical resurrection.
Exercises for each theme invite you to try.
*or Rainbow body, for Tibetan Yogis.
December 21, 2016
This is a very well balanced and laid out book for those serious about getting into the Hermetic studies. As I haven't decided to make that my focus yet, I read it a little quick and didn't bother much with the exercises. But if I wanted to dedicate myself to this topic, this is definitely the book to start with.
October 9, 2025
⠀⠀◟ ⠀🚧Review a ser remodelada 🚧
3.5/5
Very interesting. I’ve learnt a lot of new things I didn’t even know where possible with this book, and overall it was very enlightening and made me realise how much potential we have, and that we are much more than “simple humans”. Learning about new philosophies and history of magic as been very fun.
However, the reason for my 3.5 grade:
For me there was a lot of “wtf” moments where I just didn’t understand what it was referring too, and I also didn’t quite grasp a lot of the meanings behind the rituals and stuff. For example, what have elemental symbols to do with lucid dreaming, or with the color gray? It was explained at first, but I feel like it was too vague and “cryptic”. Im guessing that the complexity, even tho it is labelled as “initiation” friendly, it’s due to it requiring some knowledge in esoteric traditions and practices that I wasn’t acknowledge with until reading this.
Also, I disliked that it constantly settled time gaps for methods to produce results, especially because the estimated time given was MASSIVE, like months or years. I understand that for moving up the qabaliatic path you need to put time and effort into learning and properly doing stuff, but I’ve lucid dreamed in barley 2 weeks just affirming I was going to do so, so it kinda feels like “gatekeeping” to me that such simple things get explained as super complex, knowledge requiring procedures.
Maybe understanding and controlling dreams in a esoteric way requieres more time and practice, but lucid dreaming is very easily done, and the book makes it feel like it’s an Herculean task, limited only for super knowledgable individuals that have put into it enormous investments of time. On the other hand, for the other practices I can’t really say, because I’ve never experienced them, especially things like rising on the planes and preparing for death, which feel more intimidating and knowledge requiring that lucid dreaming or astral projecting.
I might read it again once my knowledge on the subject is expanded, but I would only recommend the book to someone who is acquainted with esotericism in some sort of way. If you aren’t, prepare yourself for the ride.
Overall, I’ve learned a lot, and that’s what I’m taking from it. Even tho I didn’t quite understand the meaning behind the symbolism in meditations, I did follow up on them for a while, and got very nice results in regards to feeling better and being more grounded, so I will definitely resume them. Very fun meditations tbh.
3.5/5
Very interesting. I’ve learnt a lot of new things I didn’t even know where possible with this book, and overall it was very enlightening and made me realise how much potential we have, and that we are much more than “simple humans”. Learning about new philosophies and history of magic as been very fun.
However, the reason for my 3.5 grade:
For me there was a lot of “wtf” moments where I just didn’t understand what it was referring too, and I also didn’t quite grasp a lot of the meanings behind the rituals and stuff. For example, what have elemental symbols to do with lucid dreaming, or with the color gray? It was explained at first, but I feel like it was too vague and “cryptic”. Im guessing that the complexity, even tho it is labelled as “initiation” friendly, it’s due to it requiring some knowledge in esoteric traditions and practices that I wasn’t acknowledge with until reading this.
Also, I disliked that it constantly settled time gaps for methods to produce results, especially because the estimated time given was MASSIVE, like months or years. I understand that for moving up the qabaliatic path you need to put time and effort into learning and properly doing stuff, but I’ve lucid dreamed in barley 2 weeks just affirming I was going to do so, so it kinda feels like “gatekeeping” to me that such simple things get explained as super complex, knowledge requiring procedures.
Maybe understanding and controlling dreams in a esoteric way requieres more time and practice, but lucid dreaming is very easily done, and the book makes it feel like it’s an Herculean task, limited only for super knowledgable individuals that have put into it enormous investments of time. On the other hand, for the other practices I can’t really say, because I’ve never experienced them, especially things like rising on the planes and preparing for death, which feel more intimidating and knowledge requiring that lucid dreaming or astral projecting.
I might read it again once my knowledge on the subject is expanded, but I would only recommend the book to someone who is acquainted with esotericism in some sort of way. If you aren’t, prepare yourself for the ride.
Overall, I’ve learned a lot, and that’s what I’m taking from it. Even tho I didn’t quite understand the meaning behind the symbolism in meditations, I did follow up on them for a while, and got very nice results in regards to feeling better and being more grounded, so I will definitely resume them. Very fun meditations tbh.
June 7, 2023
Enlightening
There’s more to life (and death) than what we were taught in our usual western systems of education and belief.
Instead of a simple book denomination, these writings should perhaps be called a “map to the other side” for those out there that want to enhance and maintain (retain) their consciousness when they cross that unexplored frontier that unfolds when the physical aspect of life comes to an end.
There’s more to life (and death) than what we were taught in our usual western systems of education and belief.
Instead of a simple book denomination, these writings should perhaps be called a “map to the other side” for those out there that want to enhance and maintain (retain) their consciousness when they cross that unexplored frontier that unfolds when the physical aspect of life comes to an end.
April 9, 2018
quite a few interesting points.
April 7, 2016
This book was suggested to me by a friend, I didn't realize it was about the Kabbalah. I am on a different Journey, hence my two stars.
I am sure someone on the Kabbalah Journey would not only enjoy this book but also learn a lot.
It was interesting for me to read about a different Spiritual Path.
Half of the book is practice and it was waisted on me as I have already a well established practice.
I recommend this book to all people of Jewish Faith and Kabbalah Followers.
I am sure someone on the Kabbalah Journey would not only enjoy this book but also learn a lot.
It was interesting for me to read about a different Spiritual Path.
Half of the book is practice and it was waisted on me as I have already a well established practice.
I recommend this book to all people of Jewish Faith and Kabbalah Followers.
May 20, 2024
Promises to be a book about the role of various dreaming topics in western esotericism. Is actually a long ramble about Kabbalah and attempts to shoehorn unrelated dreaming practices into a kabbalistic framework.
April 11, 2017
Probably one of the most dangerous books I've read. There are many paths to discovering esoteric mysteries, but this book is based solely on the Qabbala.
I would like to explore other alternatives to Jewish Mysticism such as Greek, Hindu, Mithraic, Egyptian, or even Meso-American because the Qabbala is just one path out of many, and if not handled properly, you could be summoning powers and entities that might not have your best interest at heart.
Most people will not understand a word of this book as it is steeped in multi-layered language, but it has incredible insights and methods for lucid dreaming, astral projection, and the manipulation of symbols.
My only beef with this book is that it calls upon users to draw power from Hebrew symbols, pentagrams, and the teachings of Aleister Crowley -- a very controversial subject.
I would like to explore other alternatives to Jewish Mysticism such as Greek, Hindu, Mithraic, Egyptian, or even Meso-American because the Qabbala is just one path out of many, and if not handled properly, you could be summoning powers and entities that might not have your best interest at heart.
Most people will not understand a word of this book as it is steeped in multi-layered language, but it has incredible insights and methods for lucid dreaming, astral projection, and the manipulation of symbols.
My only beef with this book is that it calls upon users to draw power from Hebrew symbols, pentagrams, and the teachings of Aleister Crowley -- a very controversial subject.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews