Symbol and the Symbolic: Ancient Egypt, Science, and the Evolution of Consciousness

by R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz

Symbolism is the intuitive means of overcoming the limitations of reason. Here Schwaller explains how true progress in human thought can be made only if we call upon the "symbolizing" faculty of intelligence, developed and refined in the temple culture of ancient Egypt and reflected in its hieroglyphs.

Genres: Egypt, Philosophy, History, Science, Religion, Nonfiction, Mythology

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Known to English readers primarily for his work in uncovering the spiritual and cosmological insights of ancient Egypt. In books like Esotericism and Symbol, The Temple in Man, Symbol and the Symbolic, The Egyptian Miracle, and the monumental The Temple of Man--whose long awaited English translation has finally appeared--Schwaller de Lubicz argued, among other things, that Egyptian civilization is much older than orthodox Egyptologists suggest, a claim receiving renewed interest through the recent work of Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval.

If his view of Egyptian antiquity wasn't enough to place him securely beyond the pale, he also argued that the core of ancient Egyptian culture was a fundamental insight into "the laws of creation." Everything about Egyptian civilization, from the construction of the pyramids to the shape of a beer mug, de Lubicz claimed to be motivated by a central metaphysical vision about the nature of cosmic harmony and an awareness of humanity's place in the evolution of consciousness. As his translator Deborah Lawlor remarks (introduction to Nature Word 47), Schwaller de Lubicz's Egyptian studies are only a part of his overall work as a metaphysician and philosopher.

Born in Alsace-Lorraine, then part of Germany, René Schwaller grew up in a polyglot atmosphere. (He was later given the title "de Lubicz" by the Lithuanian poet and diplomat O. V. de Lubicz Milosz, for his efforts on behalf of Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I.) Alsace-Lorraine has oscillated between French and German rule many times since Schwaller's birth, and this Franco-Germanic blend lends a curious characteristic to his work. As Christopher Bamford (introduction to Schwaller’s Study of Numbers 1) suggests, Schwaller thought in German, but wrote in French. Added to the inherent difficulties of expressing nonlinear, "living" insights in "dead" linear language, this odd combination places many obstacles before a first-time reader. As he wrote apropos the insights into "functional consciousness," presented in his truly hermetic work, Nature Word (129): "Nature had shown me a great mountain, crowned with a peak of immaculate whiteness, but she was unable to teach me the way leading to it."

Readers wishing to grasp Schwaller's insights may feel that they, too, have found themselves at the foot of a very steep mountain. This challenging prospect would not have fazed Schwaller. He believed knowledge was the right only of those willing to make the effort to achieve it, the elite who would endure suffering in their pursuit of wisdom. This sensibility influenced his political views as well.

(extracted from "Rene Schwaller de Lubicz and the Intelligence of the Heart", by Gary Lachman: http://www.unitedearth.com.au/lubicz....)

Reviews

[Algirdas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Įdomus faktas apie autorių: "He was later given the title "de Lubicz" by the Lithuanian poet and diplomat O. V. de Lubicz Milosz, for his efforts on behalf of Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I."

[Timothy Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

" A research without illumination is the character of modern western science. This indecision colors everything, Art as well as social organization, and even, in many cases, Faith.

The West is ignorant of that serenity of which all of ancient Egypt bears the imprint.

The tombs of the leaders of this people are consecrated to their profession of faith in the survival of the soul. For these men, to die is the certitude of living again. Terrestrial life is merely a passage; the mortal body is a temporary temple for the living soul."

[Nice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most likely you are not ready for this book.

[Chris Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Symbolism is the only way to true knowledge- the crux of our justification in existing as abstract symbols ourselves ('momentary corpses') of human consciousness. He explores quantum physicis and the leading edge of 'exoteric' understanding to reach the point of dismissing language necessarily upon inevitably reaching the present moment- the boiling pot of esoteric truth, the understanding of which the Egyptians evidently had, based on the illustrations throughout the book.
Short demanding read, one worth owning and coming back to.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and insightful!

I highly recommend this book.It is fascinating and
Very insightful for anyone interested in Egypt and
Symbology.I loved every word,idea,and concept.
It is a super unique approach to decoding this
Ancient culture and Art.

[Chiara Rizzarda · Rating 2 out of 5]

You should know what you're getting yourself into (which I didn't): this is a booklet of pseudoarchaeology which mixes esotericism, philosophy and mysticism. Many of the proposed "facts" about ancient Egypt are to be double-checked through more reliable sources and, though fascinating, lots of them are quite a stretch from credited theories.
Though fascinating, these speculations are far from being harmless and lead to stuff like Theosophy.

Still, I give it two stars instead of one because a couple of concepts might be of interest also to rational people who prefer archaeology over mysticism, particularly the idea of a centripetal vs centrifugal mind process when it comes to processing symbols.
A text to be handled with care.

[Andreas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of it was over my head so maybe not the first book one should read about Symbolism. Still, there is something in this little book is offering that one needs to be ready to let in, like a picture at close range that becomes more and more comprehensible the more one zooms out to see it in its entirety. Only when you can see the whole picture the dots which were incomprehensible to you before start making sense. I will come back to this book for a second reading at one point.

[Rose Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a meaty little read. Makes me realize how inadequate my understanding of Egyptian mythology is.

[Viktor Shchedrin]

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[Hameed · Rating 1 out of 5]

An ingenious thought poorly executed using creationist viewpoint with help of pseudo-science and pseudo-philosophy -- failed mapping of ideas using references from Numerology, Astrology, Chiromancy and Homeopathy (to name a few!)

[George Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very brief introduction to a very complex subject. In reality, I feel as if the book is nothing more than an introduction to a much more extensive book. The content really is not sufficient enough to justify the cost of the book.

[Dem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book's title definitely an indicator that you are about to go down the rabbit hole with this short but powerful read. Worth a revisit from time to time.