Lost Masters: Rediscovering the Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers

by Linda Johnsen, Eckhart Tolle (Foreword)

Ashrams in Europe twenty-five hundred years ago? Greek philosophers studying in India? Meditation classes in ancient Rome? It sounds unbelievable, but it’s historically true. Alexander the Great had an Indian guru. Pythagoras, Empedocles, and Plotinus all encouraged their students to meditate. Apollonius, the most famous Western sage of the first century c.e., visited both India and Egypt—and claimed that Egyptian wisdom was rooted in India.

In Lost Masters , award-winning author Linda Johnsen, digging deep into classical sources, uncovers evidence of astonishing similarities between some of the ancient Western world’s greatest thinkers and India’s yogis, including a belief in karma and reincarnation. Today ancient Greek philosophers are remembered as the founders of Western science and civilization. We’ve forgotten that for over a thousand years they were revered as sages, masters of spiritual wisdom. Lost Masters is an exploration of our long-lost Western spiritual heritage and the surprising insights it can offer us today.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality, History, Theology, Historical

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Cosmin Octavian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightful. An abundance of insights, stories and holistic approach of Greek lost history of philosophy unfolded for our western societies, which will most likely clear your way of understanding the essential greek wisdom. The egyptian knowledge was passed on to the fabulous greek philosophers such as Pythagoras, Plato, Plotinus and others. Also the egyptians were initiated to higer levels of consciousness thanks to the indian philosophy. The western philosophy has deep roots back to the Eastern one. This is the main theme of the book. What a great journey did the author Linda Johnsen prepared for the reader!

[T Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go back in time and learn how the wisdom of the ancient philosophers is so very applicable today. I was amazed and fascinated while reading this book. It is not academic yet you will learn so much and you will gain an entirely new perspective, much different from what you were taught about these wise sages when you attended school. So much can be gained from this work – you’ll see parallels to what is happening in the world today and just maybe, you’ll glean a fresh perspective on your own life and the impact you have on the great good. Highly recommended.

[Tristy at New World Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endorsements:
“As you read this book, you will not only embark on a journey back in time to the very origin of our civilization but you will also find yourself on a journey without distance into the timeless dimension of who you are.”
— from the foreword by Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

“It is a tragedy, and deeply absurd, that we in the West have lost touch with the wisdom of the extraordinary mystics who gave rise to our own civilization. This book is a lively and valuable introduction to that wisdom, and helps open the door again to those mystics and their transformative teachings, which we have been denied access to for so long.”
— Peter Kingsley, author of Reality and In the Dark Places of Wisdom

[Jon Starnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable

This is a remarkable and enjoyable book to read. This is one of those books that once you start reading you can’t put it down. Then when you get to the end it makes you mad because you are not ready for it to stop. Lately I’ve gotten into quantum physics especially Robert Lanzar, MD’s three books with Bob Beeman discussing Biocentrism. I know this sounds strange but to me the thought process by the great “Lost Masters” discussed in Johnson’s book is the same currently being experienced by our leading scientist.

[Tijs Verbeke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dit was een interessant boek over Griekse filosofie. Linda Johnson neemt het standpunt van de invloed vanuit de Indische cultuur alleen veel te sterk in. Voor mij leek de clue van elk hoofdstuk gewoon dat elke Griekse filosoof al zijn invloeden uit de Indische cultuur haalde en hun literaire werken te maken hadden met ascetische, Indische rituelen. Ze verwachtte dat dit je elk hoofdstuk opnieuw ging verbazen, maar dit was helemaal niet zo.

[Ken Helfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Masters is a beautiful thing

As a 50 year follower of an ancient Indian meditation tradition, I was blown away to find the Greek philosophers were not just about logic. They had a deep connection to ancient Egyptian and Indian knowledge. So Much was lost with Christian hatred of all things “pagan” - but now we have a chance to rebuild those lost understandings. Loved this book!

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kind of book worth rereading. Johnsen looks at the Greek philosophers, and shows the impact of Hinduism on their thoughts. I didn't know much about many of these philosophers or these stories. Great book.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking. As a believer in the power of mystic christianity, it was interesting to see mystic expressions in Greek sources. I wish I'd taken more notes on this book before taking it back to the library. Would love to reread.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting look into the ancient Greek philosophers and where their wisdom may have come from. Definitely worth a second, more thorough read!