Gateway to the Heavens: How Simple Shapes Mould Reality and the Fabric of Your Being

by Karen L. French

Geometry orders the Universe...why? As a reason for some purpose for life, humans have searched throughout history for order and patterns in the seeming random nature of our surroundings. Our ancestors learned to unravel the importance of simple geometric shapes in this quest for knowledge that is still largely shrouded in mystery. In Gateway to the Heavens you will discover the purpose and meaning of simple geometric shapes and how they mould your reality and your perception of it. Learn how they have a direct bearing on who you are and why you are here. Then find out how this knowledge can be achieved through the expansion of your conscious awareness and how this expansion is made possible through the use of a universal model based on sacred geometry called the 'Gateway to the Heavens'. Gateway to the Heavens provides an insightful look at a wide range of diverse topics. Ideas are compared and clarified in an easily understood way using over 700 illustrations, pictures and drawings, and numerous quotes.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

The patterns underlying life fascinate me. I enjoy discovering and sharing knowledge about the basis of reality, the nature of consciousness and the Mind, the power of intent, the purpose and power of symbolism and especially sacred geometry.

‘The Gateway Series’ of books I am writing are all based on extensive research into a wide range of subjects covering different cultures and disciplines; as I endeavour to blend logic, creativity and intuition in my work. In this Series the sacred geometry of the Gateway to the Heavens model is the central theme.

Numerate and creative I have a Jnt Hons in Mathematics and Management Sciences, and an Msc, both from Manchester University UK. Originally I spent many years in international marketing. Once the ideas for 'The Gateway Series' took root in 1997 I have since dedicated my time to researching and writing. Also, I have had the privilege of speaking to a wide range of groups since geometry is a universal language.

Art has always featured in my life and over the last few years I have focussed on abstract, conceptual and expressionistic art. As described in my second book, ‘The Hidden Geometry of Life’, when we create we are actually co-creators of the Divine. As an artist every painting I do is imbued with symbolism, intent and is a visual expression of the science manifesting reality.

Reviews

[Danielle Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think people who did not like this book expecting a geometry textbook, a book of science demonstrating that in nature, geometry is everywhere from the infinitely small to the infinitely large. If it was a science book, he certainly would have had to demonstrate his words and cite his evidence. But, as the author says herself: ". "Using geometry for spiritual purposes incorporates intent, the right Mindset, when creating and using them, otherwise the geometric patterns remain merely pictures."

"Sacred geometry" is spelled out in the description and the back of the book. So those who gave a low rating to this book because the author does not give evidence of what she is talking should have first read the description.

So this is a book on spirituality and mysticism through its geometric symbols. It is also a collection of almost everything that has been written and said that can be represented by a geometric shape. It is surprisingly comprehensive.

Quotes from philosophers, mystics and well-known authors are numerous.

The only slight negative note is that, like many, I was more expecting a mixture of science and philosophical book than only a philosophical and mystical book. I am also a little surprised that the author has not mentioned fractals as a mathematical representations of "natural aesthetics."



But maybe, fractals are not enough mystical for this book.

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!

Gateway to the Heavens takes geometric shapes and symbols and provides explanations for them across cultures and time periods. It is a mammoth work and covers topics from crosses to eyeballs. There are pictures and appropriate quotations in each section. Its strength is that it has so much material and its downside is that it doesn't cover any of that material in great detail- mostly broad outlines.

It is impressive though and provides a great entry point for anyone obsessed with shapes and symbols. I think Gateway to the Heavens does for geometry what Chic and Sandra Cicero did for occult training in their book, Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition. Both manuals cover huge amounts of information, but can be useful as a reference and guide for further study.

[Lyle Appleyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway contest.

Symbols hold deep meaning. They can represent more than can be seen. We see them in art and design all the time. You have to think, did the artist choose that shape for reason, or is there more to it?

This book was definetly an interesting book to read. I have long been interested in the meaning of symbols, especially in religious art. This book was good beginners guide. It started with simple geometrical shapes and what they meean. Then it got into more complicated ones.

The book was easy to follow and did not talk over my head. There were plenty of illustrations, which was necessary.

I would recommend the book. I may go back to it again.

[Scott Haraburda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Book.

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The world according to Karen L. French. Gateway to the Heavens: How Simple Shapes Mould Reality and the Fabric of Your Being is the result of many hours of extensive research over many years of research into linking geometry to the world in which we live. I commend the author for writing her beliefs, along with the hundreds of photos in the book that she used to demonstrate her linkage.

The book has a wonderful glossary of useful terms, her recommended list of books for further understanding, a list of key events and people, and an index of key words throughout the book. However, I couldn’t find anything in this book to substantiate any of her claims, other than photographic, or the “believe me because I looked into this extensively” claim that we should use as her evidence. What I found lacking were the references and the endnotes that a non-fictional book should contain, especially one attempting to convince its readers to believe something new.

Gateway to the Heavens is a great picture book that links geometry to the world we live. However, I wouldn’t recommend it as factual since the claims presented weren’t substantiated in any remote way to convince us to believe her claims, no matter how valid or true they may be.

[Jeanine Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful I had to make my daughter wait for me to finish it before she took it. The cover feels and looks good. I love quotes and they are used freely throughout the pages to enhance the meaning of the shapes.
Anyone who wants to explore the deeper meaning of shapes we see in everyday life will find value in these pages. While it really resonated with me on a spiritual level, I also have an interest in language, the meanings we give to language and how different people interpret the same thing differently. I found the information in this book satisfied some of what I like to see in this arena as well.

Disclosure: I won my copy of this book in a Goodreads contest but I was not obligated to write a review or paid to do so.

Although my daughter now has the book I will refer to it again, especially as I work on a book that deals with language. This adds another dimension to that discussion.

[Joseph T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really interesting to read, but draws from alot of different sources that can contradict one another.

The book attempts to do should how interconnected our world is and how geometry is all around is through every kind of faith - the issue is that the book makes very strong claims about the divinity and status of numbers and symbols without any proof.

There are alot of interesting facts, and ideas to think about that this book gets at regarding how universal our basic numbers and shapes are, but it includes no references, no sources, and gets somewhat repetitive.

Anyone interested in very metaphysical or very spiritual ideas should pick up this book. it is very well written, and it attempts to do what "Godel, Escher, Bach" does but on a more large scale and through shapes/numbers.

It is only book one of four, and I must say despite not being very convincing, it draws you in making you want to read the next part.

I received this book for review from Goodreads

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have read this free book i won on goodreads first reads and was very impressed with the information in here.how simple shpes mould our reality is so true.
my favorite chapter was 10- window of our mind...
i am looking foreward in the next book in the series of four total.i think this is a book that can be used as a reference and as a update to what we may forget.
my only problem with this book ws that the print was too light and i struggled to read this.thanks again to goodreads and the author for allowing me to win this book and to review it.i was very impressed...

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject matter of this book is very different from most other books. It is about how shapes, numbers, and words serve as symbols for other things in culture and identifies patterns from the use of symbols and how they have been used throughout history. It is a large format book with many black and white photos and illustrations printed on high quality paper. I found it fascinating to read and recommend it for those who like to learn to see things from a new perspective. I received this book at no charge through the FirstReads program.

[Carol Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

Each day I came home looking forward to reading a new chapter.

A very interesting read and perspective. Thought provoking and made me think about shapes in a totally different way.

I have left this book on my coffee table, and anyone who comes over ends up picking it up and reading a few pages.

Thank you for a new perspective on shapes and how they mold us.

[Pamela Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of interesting facts, and ideas to think about that this book gets at regarding how universal our basic numbers and shapes are, but it includes no references, no sources, and gets somewhat repetitive.

I am learning so much from this book and enjoying it every step of the way! Thank you!

[Nom de Plume]

The book is packed with information on a wide range of shapes and signs we historically and routinely find throughout the world. I found it at once easy to read and comprehend, while highly researched and informative. I would consider this book a resource-type of book, where one can find information on the historical meaning of signs across most any category.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how shapes affect our world today. I found this book very fascinating. It was very interesting to see how much of our world is made up of shapes, including even in our own body! This book completely blew my mind! I would def recommend others read this book as well.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fairly interesting. I enjoyed it. I liked how well it was written, and how well (in my opinion) it was put together to explain how geometrical our universe is. The added photos also helped explain the concepts in the book. I liked it.


*won on GoodReads First Reads*

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I love geometry and shapes, so I was delighted by the huge number of illustrated examples. But, I'm not particularly interested in sacred geometry mysticism. I would have liked references.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a Goodreads winner, and very pleased to win this book! It was quite interesting to see how some things are connected to others in ways I never thought of. I keep flipping through it because it was a lot to absorb all at once. All in all I thought it was a good book!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to good reads first reads and author.i won this book in the giveaway.
This is a book rich with information.Wonderful information.

[Ron Frampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book notes how our lives are shapes by nunbers and geometry in the universe and religions .

[Susan Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not get much out of this book. Not my favorite.

[Kim]

I am very excited and grateful to be a Goodreads winner. Thank you. :)

[James Sorensen]

I won this book as part of the Goodreads First-Read program.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was amazed at how much research must have went into this book. I found it interesting and love that it had images.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK !!! I VERY MUCH ENJOYED READING THIS AND PUTTING MY MIND TO WORK IN NEW WAYS !! GREAT BOOK !!

[Christine Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the first reads. This was a very interesting book. It was cool to see how different cultures view different shapes.