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If You Could See What I See: The Tenets of Novus Spiritus
This enlightening work by renowned psychic Sylvia Browne contains the Gnostic tenets of her church, the Society of Novus Spiritus, and is a map of our charts regardless of what spiritual path we follow .
It has taken many years of research to put together what at first seems simple tenets to follow, but in going deeper, this book carries within it the very heart of humankind’s search for our own spirituality. Sylvia has also included many details from her own personal journey, which she feels is comparable to the quest that each of us follows to find our own God-center. As we travel this road, we can realize that long-forgotten, yet simple and truthful goal of viewing our life on Earth as our path to God.
It has taken many years of research to put together what at first seems simple tenets to follow, but in going deeper, this book carries within it the very heart of humankind’s search for our own spirituality. Sylvia has also included many details from her own personal journey, which she feels is comparable to the quest that each of us follows to find our own God-center. As we travel this road, we can realize that long-forgotten, yet simple and truthful goal of viewing our life on Earth as our path to God.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2006
71 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Browne
237 books595 followersSylvia Browne was an American author and self-proclaimed psychic who built a lucrative career through books, television appearances, and psychic readings. Known for her frequent guest spots on The Montel Williams Show and Larry King Live, she claimed to communicate with angels, spirit guides, and the deceased, and said she had psychic visions from the age of three. In 1986, she founded the Society of Novus Spiritus, a Gnostic Christian church, and ran a variety of businesses, reportedly earning millions annually.
Browne wrote over 40 books, many of which were bestsellers, and maintained a dedicated fanbase throughout her life. However, her career was marked by controversy. She made numerous high-profile predictions about missing persons and criminal cases that were later proven false—errors that drew widespread criticism and scrutiny from skeptics and media outlets. A 2010 study by the Skeptical Inquirer concluded she had not been accurate in any verifiable case. Her reputation suffered further after her 1992 conviction for securities fraud.
Despite criticism from figures like James Randi and John Oliver, Browne retained a devoted following. Her vague prediction about a “pneumonia-like illness” spreading around 2020 drew renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. She remained a polarizing figure—revered by some, discredited by others—until her death in 2013 at the age of 77.
Browne wrote over 40 books, many of which were bestsellers, and maintained a dedicated fanbase throughout her life. However, her career was marked by controversy. She made numerous high-profile predictions about missing persons and criminal cases that were later proven false—errors that drew widespread criticism and scrutiny from skeptics and media outlets. A 2010 study by the Skeptical Inquirer concluded she had not been accurate in any verifiable case. Her reputation suffered further after her 1992 conviction for securities fraud.
Despite criticism from figures like James Randi and John Oliver, Browne retained a devoted following. Her vague prediction about a “pneumonia-like illness” spreading around 2020 drew renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. She remained a polarizing figure—revered by some, discredited by others—until her death in 2013 at the age of 77.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 14, 2022
This book is totally against the principles which I was brought up to, therefore I did not like it. Further more I made a research about Sylvia Browne and discovered that the majority of her predictions are false. After reading this book I have come to the conclusion that she is probably one of the false prophets mentioned in the Bible that would come to earth and deceive the followers of God.
July 29, 2017
I iz ove knjige sam nešto naučila
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June 3, 2007What I see is a polished liar making millions off of stupid people who will believe anything. The tenets of Novus Spiritus? What does that mean???
Sylvia Brown has always struck me as a crass charlatan. If you want spiritual advice dispensed from someone who looks like Mrs. Roper (from Threes Company for the young un's) she's your girl.
Sylvia Brown has always struck me as a crass charlatan. If you want spiritual advice dispensed from someone who looks like Mrs. Roper (from Threes Company for the young un's) she's your girl.
December 2, 2013
Because Sylvia Browne died last week, I ended up re-reading one of my favorite books she had written. This book goes into the Essenes, Gnostic Doctrines and Dead Sea Scrolls and reasons why a lot of the history of the Catholic church has been hidden from the public for all these years. (Does anyone remember reading Dan Brown's DaVinci Code?) The Knights Templar and the Rosicrucians both believed the tenets and information written in the Gnostic Doctrines. One of the major differences between the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Gnostic Doctrines was the idea that Mary Magdalene was the highest Apostle of Jesus Christ. One other major difference was the belief in reincarnation. Of course, the Catholic Church could not even entertain this idea due to the patriarchal nature of the institution founded by Simon Peter, and if the church members believed in reincarnation, the church's coffers would have gone down by quite a bit. I had already known about this due to the fact that several of my family members were Rosicrucians and I had read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" by Michael Baigent, et. al. several years ago. The last two to three chapters in this book, in my opinion, were the most fascinating. (In 1969, Mary Magdalene was no longer called a 'harlot' in the official records of the Catholic Church, although this fact was not well publicized). Where there is smoke.....
April 16, 2012
Absolutely amazing read, I read it over along we period of time so that I could take it all in, about a chapter every few days. That way i could really chew over her tenets and what they meant to me personally in this rat race life we all
Lead with no time to look onwards. Food for thought I dare say, much loved.
Lead with no time to look onwards. Food for thought I dare say, much loved.
January 2, 2019
Omg. Sylvia Browne talks more about her self than her church she created. She barely mentions the tenets before going on and on about her. She's such a phony. I grew up watching her on Montel. Yes, I believe in mediums, spirits, ghosts, evil, etc. So many times in this book she contradicts herself. Christians do not believe in reincarnation. I am no longer Christian, but was raised in the church, Christian school, and in a Christian family. I've been to numerous different churches (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Church of Christ, non denomination, etc). Some points near the end was interesting and she finally got to the point in the last 10 or so pages about tolerance, acceptance, and love.
February 13, 2023
I've read all her books. She really helped me after a the death of a close family member. In one of her books, she did predict the pandemic...something world wide happening in 2020, but I don't recall which book it was.
July 14, 2020
She was a fraud. Period.
March 15, 2021
Sylvia talked a lot about herself in this book. It wasn't really what I was looking for. I wanted more information on her spirituality and her church so I decided to give this book a shot and I really didn't learn anything new. I do love Sylvia's sense of humor and I am trying to make my way through all of her books.
April 4, 2021
Makes a huge amount of sense to me
February 12, 2025
I read as a recommendation by a friend. She was excited about it. I understood her excitement; however, it did not excite it me.
January 19, 2016
This is another of the many books that Sylvia Browne has written, this one emphasizing her spiritual organization Novus Spiritus.
A lot of the book covers material she's covered in other books. Most of the material is what would be termed “New Age” in nature, generally dealing with personal behavior. She is a Gnostic Christian, which is where she differs with the traditional Christian views.
For one thing, she says:
”I cannot understand how, for instance, some so-called Christians can preach about Jesus and then turn around and evaluate others to the point of creating hatred and dissent among humankind...They slam other religions and even churches within the same faith; lambasting Catholics or other Protestant sects; they condemn homosexuality, mixed marriages, certain ethnic groups, and the list goes on and on. How on earth is this Christian? Jesus taught us to love one anotehr, be tolerant and peaceful toward others, and to help one another.”
She is also anti-pornography and doesn't support stem sell research. She believes in Atlantis and Lemuria and that humans, as a species, have only about a hundred years left, although she doesn't say what is supposed to happen to end the entire human race.
She talks about the events of 9/11 and is of the opinion that “...people do karmically come down to create a greater good through suffering. ...Those incredible people didn't die in vain; rather, they were like saints who chose to show us that this country was far too complacent.”
I didn't accept that type of thought when Shirley MacClaine referred to a busload of people that died as having chosen that path, and I don't believe that the victims of 9/11 had decided, between lives, to sacrifice themselves so the US would be less complacent.
She also holds with a dual nature of God, a male God and a female God. I have a problem with this since it's so based on human concepts. Assuming that there are other intelligences in the universe, which it seems likely that there are, it is quite possible that some other arrangement of reproduction could have been devised, and that not every single species of intelligent life in the universe is necessarily divided between male and female. Any Great Maker would have created things for all forms of life, and would not be limited to two sexes just because humans are. I'm of the opinion that the Great Maker is beyond the concepts of male and female, composed of those and perhaps other systems, and that he/she/it/they appear to the species that honors them in a manner which that species feels comfortable with.
Although I find much of what Sylvia Browne writes to be basically good advice, I don't find much in this book that is significantly different from what I've read in other New Age-type books. Also, this concept she brings up about humans having only about a hundred years left should have been developed further rather than just say “we're running out of time” and leave it at that.
A lot of the book covers material she's covered in other books. Most of the material is what would be termed “New Age” in nature, generally dealing with personal behavior. She is a Gnostic Christian, which is where she differs with the traditional Christian views.
For one thing, she says:
”I cannot understand how, for instance, some so-called Christians can preach about Jesus and then turn around and evaluate others to the point of creating hatred and dissent among humankind...They slam other religions and even churches within the same faith; lambasting Catholics or other Protestant sects; they condemn homosexuality, mixed marriages, certain ethnic groups, and the list goes on and on. How on earth is this Christian? Jesus taught us to love one anotehr, be tolerant and peaceful toward others, and to help one another.”
She is also anti-pornography and doesn't support stem sell research. She believes in Atlantis and Lemuria and that humans, as a species, have only about a hundred years left, although she doesn't say what is supposed to happen to end the entire human race.
She talks about the events of 9/11 and is of the opinion that “...people do karmically come down to create a greater good through suffering. ...Those incredible people didn't die in vain; rather, they were like saints who chose to show us that this country was far too complacent.”
I didn't accept that type of thought when Shirley MacClaine referred to a busload of people that died as having chosen that path, and I don't believe that the victims of 9/11 had decided, between lives, to sacrifice themselves so the US would be less complacent.
She also holds with a dual nature of God, a male God and a female God. I have a problem with this since it's so based on human concepts. Assuming that there are other intelligences in the universe, which it seems likely that there are, it is quite possible that some other arrangement of reproduction could have been devised, and that not every single species of intelligent life in the universe is necessarily divided between male and female. Any Great Maker would have created things for all forms of life, and would not be limited to two sexes just because humans are. I'm of the opinion that the Great Maker is beyond the concepts of male and female, composed of those and perhaps other systems, and that he/she/it/they appear to the species that honors them in a manner which that species feels comfortable with.
Although I find much of what Sylvia Browne writes to be basically good advice, I don't find much in this book that is significantly different from what I've read in other New Age-type books. Also, this concept she brings up about humans having only about a hundred years left should have been developed further rather than just say “we're running out of time” and leave it at that.
September 26, 2013
Everyone I've met who knows of Sylvia Browne either loves her or hates her. My mother is a big believer, and my husband thinks she's hogwash. So, naturally, I decided to see what the hype was all about and figure it out for myself. I've seen Sylvia on the Montell Williams show before, so I had some idea what to expect. This book contains her (and her Gnostic group's) beliefs. Most of it makes sense- there being a Mother God to even out the patriarchal god that most of us believe in, the fact that we live many lives to improve our souls, and that this earthly plain is our school, of sorts. I really liked the idea that life is circular- that if we miss an opportunity to learn a lesson, a time will come when that lesson will come around again, and give us another chance to take hold and learn what we need to learn. She seems a little preachy at times, and repetetive at others- but on the whole, her belief system is rather sound. I'm a firm believer that Jesus was simply a man who taught lessons and told stories for people to better themselves; that he did NOT die on the cross, but married Mary Magdalene and had a bloodline that continues to this day. Now, whether the Illuminati and the Knights Templar are real and still around to protect this secret, I'm really not sure. Sylvia sometimes goes off the deep end with talks about Atlantis and all of her past lives. I really can't tell sometimes whether she's truly genuine or she's making stuff up as she goes along. Or she's crazy. Crazy or honest, who's to say? But it certainly is interesting, and a different take on the strict dogma that most Christians are used to. Her generic message is sound- to love one another, be honest, and kind, and treat others with respect. You really can't argue that.
April 25, 2023
Updated Review 4/24/2023
It's amazing what a few years can do. I re-read this book, completely forgetting that I had read it prior. What a waste of a book! I don't know how I so completely ignored all the commercialism of her selling other books throughout this one. This also reads like it was hammered out in 2 days, without thought for if there's any substance here. I was shocked to find my review below on Goodreads. Dropping from 4 to 2 stars.
7/21/2020
I maintain that there are a few minor conflicts across her books, but they still resonate and I love her practical, no-nonsense tone. This one has a lot of good merit for it's simple principles and engaging voice.
It's amazing what a few years can do. I re-read this book, completely forgetting that I had read it prior. What a waste of a book! I don't know how I so completely ignored all the commercialism of her selling other books throughout this one. This also reads like it was hammered out in 2 days, without thought for if there's any substance here. I was shocked to find my review below on Goodreads. Dropping from 4 to 2 stars.
7/21/2020
I maintain that there are a few minor conflicts across her books, but they still resonate and I love her practical, no-nonsense tone. This one has a lot of good merit for it's simple principles and engaging voice.
September 6, 2009
This book was not my wisest read, but I thought trying a different genre would be a great idea to go by, but obviously it wasn't. I chose 2 stars because the book wasn't entirely boring. Less than 5 or so chapters peaked my interest, but that's not a good sign when the book has 20 or so chapters.
If you're a fan of Sylvia Browne (I am to an extent) and you like her work, then go for it, read the book. But I think it would be wise to skip it entirely.
If you're a fan of Sylvia Browne (I am to an extent) and you like her work, then go for it, read the book. But I think it would be wise to skip it entirely.
February 5, 2010
I've never read anything by her so I'm giving it a try. Well, the book was pretty good. But I won't read any more of hers. She claims to be using her gift for the grace of God but she charges 850.00 a 30 minute session and ONLY endorses her son, Chris who charged 500.00 a 30 minute session. Does she REALLY think that she and he are the only legitimate psychics?
Even the great James Van Praagh endorses others as well as the great John Edward.
Come on Ms. Browne- REALLY???
Even the great James Van Praagh endorses others as well as the great John Edward.
Come on Ms. Browne- REALLY???
August 20, 2011
I liked learning about Sylvia's life and agree with most of the tenants of her church. However, I believe people can reincarnate as animals (or even plants) and that all creation is inherently equal so being born an animal doesn't mean you were "bad." I also don't believe there are dark souls with no real divine essence that dissolve upon death. I believe there's a divine spark in literally everyone and everyone is redeemable, and I've met some pretty nasty people.
January 28, 2013
This book is about the Tenets of Sylvia Browne's church Novus Spiritus. Good premise for living life but some of the Tenets challenge the modern world's belief in God and what happened to Jesus after he died. If you are a Sylvia Browne fan then the likelihood of already knowing some of these Tenets are quite high.
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February 7, 2009I love Sylvia Browne. I first saw her on Montel Williams and have been fascinated with her beliefs ever since. If you have an open mind, or just up for some good fantasy reading, this will be a good read for you.
July 5, 2009
I choose this book because I have become somewhat interested in the Gnotic Bible and hoped for more information about the Novus Spiritus movement.
However, I'm not sure that I can continue reading many more pages since it seems so self indulgent. It seems to be all about the author.
However, I'm not sure that I can continue reading many more pages since it seems so self indulgent. It seems to be all about the author.
July 3, 2013
This book is part of a three part combo that i got. Don't care to much about her new religion but it was an ok read if u just pay attention to point behind her tennents. Shows people about Opening up and allow people to live and be free with their faith and thats a great thing. :)
January 31, 2008
Talks about Gnostic Christianity, some good info but also very autobiographical
March 9, 2008
This was pretty good but contained a lot of information specifically about her religion and its dogma, which I didn't care for too much.
Currently reading
May 5, 2008I was reading it at the SF library but I couldn't check it out, so I'm only on the 4th tenant.
May 16, 2008
One word: BORINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
May 29, 2008
I really liked it at the time. It's very new age but that's not for me anymore. If that's what you're into I suggest it though.
June 12, 2008
This book makes sense of what I've been wondering all these years and brings my spiritual life together
October 8, 2008
Interesting yet again, I think she's a great writer, easy reads
December 13, 2008
I love Sylvia....but I found this a bit too dry and hard to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews