Shambhala: In Search of the New Era

by Nicholas Roerich

Nicholas Roerich--prolific artist and writer, renowned philosopher, educator, and explorer--relates the remarkable encounters and events of his travels through central Asia and Tibet at the turn of the century. Through his detailed diary notes and the chronicling of legends and parables, he reveals the many facets of the tale of Shambhala, the long-awaited realization of paradise on earth. In Western mythology, Shambhala appears as the mythic land of Shangri-la. In the prophecies of the East, it is seen as both a physical place and the dawning of a New Era of enlightened consciousness. Roerich found signs of the imminent arrival of Shambhala at every juncture of his journey--in the legends of local villagers and within their rock paintings and engravings. In keeping with the ancient traditions, Roerich felt that Shambhala would be attained not inevitably or without effort, but only as a result of “the Noblest and most intensive activity.” A living example of this philosophy, he worked unceasingly for peace through culture, believing that “obstacles are only new possibilities to create beneficent energy.” Chapters on Tibetan art, the desert cities, subterranean dwellers, and the Great Mother give the reader crystalline glimpses of Roerich’s manifold vision and the vast panorama of his life journey toward a new age of human achievement.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Buddhism, Mysticism, Esoterica, New Age

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1930

About the author

Nicholas Roerich, also known as Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh (alternative transliteration) (Russian: Никола́й Константи́нович Ре́рих), was a Russian painter, writer, archaeologist, public figure, mystic, enlightener and philosopher.

Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia to the family of a well-to-do notary public, he lived around the world until his death in Punjab, India. Trained as an artist and a lawyer, his interests lay in literature, philosophy, archaeology and especially art. Roerich was a dedicated activist for the cause of preserving art and architecture in times of war. He earned several nominations for the Nobel Prize. The so-called Roerich Pact was signed into law by the United States and most member nations of the Pan-American Union in April 1935.

Reviews

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Ashley Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a time machine. Otherworldly and evocative. A true pleasure to pursue.

[Susana Blancomurillo]

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