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The Lost Teachings of Atlantis
This is the account of an American teenager who discovered a monastery in Tibet that was the inspriation for the legend of "Shangri La". It might be categorized as a 'new age' or philosophy book, like The Celestine Prophecy, since it focuses on his spiritual training and their teachings in a novel-like format. Hard to believe, but interestingly, the sub-tropical region amongst the Himalayas that he describes finding, was later documented by explorers from National Geographic, the 'covered up' (there is still evidence of this). Also interesting is that the author was apparently mentioned in the Edgar Cayce readings (the famous American psychic whose books have sold millions of copies), as someone who would one day bring an important message to the world.
376 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 19, 2007
The best book I have ever read about becomming spiritual. If people lived by the Golden Rule the world would be peaceful.
January 28, 2016
This book literally jumped off the shelf and into my hands. I found the philosophy to be very much aligned with my own thinking, yet different in some respects. Recommended.
September 11, 2017
The most important book I own. If you just read the story and not look into the deeper meaning behind it, you will not get all you could out of the message. I have read this book several times and take it with me on all my trips. I first read it when I was 21 when the book fell off a shelf at a bookstore. The exercises in the book are pivotal. I opened up to Oneness experiences several times from the exercises. You have to truly have to give yourself to the exercises. I woke up one morning to find my consciousness expanded to the furthest reaches of the Universe. I was in Oneness for a week. I have since felt the Oneness. I wish all people could catch even just a glimmer of the Oneness. It would make for a peaceful, loving world.
May 13, 2009
I really don't know how to review, or even rate this book. I first read it years ago, and at the time, I was really blown away. While the story was a little "out there", I just thought the message was amazing, and some of the spiritual ideas just made sense to me in a way nothing else had...
Fast forward to present day: being between library trips, I decided to pick it up again, and see what it was I found so amazing; I had a completely different experience the second time around. The story is so "out there" that I could hardly stomach the book. There are some inconsistencies, and in an attempt to appeal to the readers, the format is almost too casual and clumsy. And those spiritual ideas I found so amazing before? They're not as revolutionary as I thought - I have since found many of the same ideas from other sources.
Bottom line: there is a beautiful message here, about unselfishly loving above all else. I'm sure the world would be a better place if we all did that. However, despite the author's repeated instructions "that the story doesn't matter, as long as you get the message", you may find the whole thing just too hard to swallow.
Fast forward to present day: being between library trips, I decided to pick it up again, and see what it was I found so amazing; I had a completely different experience the second time around. The story is so "out there" that I could hardly stomach the book. There are some inconsistencies, and in an attempt to appeal to the readers, the format is almost too casual and clumsy. And those spiritual ideas I found so amazing before? They're not as revolutionary as I thought - I have since found many of the same ideas from other sources.
Bottom line: there is a beautiful message here, about unselfishly loving above all else. I'm sure the world would be a better place if we all did that. However, despite the author's repeated instructions "that the story doesn't matter, as long as you get the message", you may find the whole thing just too hard to swallow.
September 16, 2008
Very simple,very powerful. Very life-changing for me.
Read
January 9, 2011We're reading this in our Edgar Cayce book study group covering a chapter or two a week. Very intriguing stuff.
May 6, 2012
This is a book on spiritual teachings of Atlantis. A relay good book with valuable insight.
November 14, 2015
I highly recommend this book to any person seeking to further their knowledge of Spiritual Philosophy. It also included some pretty beneficial meditation techniques.
August 6, 2023
1997 book written by Jon Peniel, the man Edgar Cayce said in his psychic trance would be the reincarnation of John the Beloved, before Peniel was even born. I thought it was cool that Cayce predicted a man being born who would go on to say many of the same things Cayce said, without knowing of Cayce’s existence. However, it turns out that Jon Peniel *did* know of Cayce and mentions him in the book (1, 8, 87), so that makes me wonder if Jon Peniel is just a made up name by someone who wanted to echo Cayce’s teachings and fulfill the prophecy. On p. 273, Jon says that his teacher Zain gave him the name “Peni-el,” so was Peniel even Jon’s real last name? The book claims that what Peniel read of Cayce, he did not know of the Peniel prophecy (1), but it also says Peniel did read “The Story of Jesus,” which I know included the prophecy. The book says, “We don’t claim Jon was the one Cayce prophesied, and consider it irrelevant. Any book or teachings should be judged on its own merit” (1)
I also found it suspicious that there was a preface written by a supposed “friend” of Peniel whose name was “Jean D’Esprit.” Jean is pronounced “jon” in French, and I’m pretty sure “D’Esprit” means “of the spirit.” Seems to me it’s another made up name of “Peniel’s.”
Peniel says the golden rule was the only commandment Jesus ever gave (2), and it’s the most important spiritual teaching in the world, and universal as well (45). (I found that interesting since I said myself that the golden rule is the only true morality because it’s universal and common sense.) Selfishness is the root of every evil and problem we have (vi, 68). (That’s another thing I deduced by myself.) “Understanding the substance of even the ancient ‘beliefs’, requires no faith, but rather a certain quality of ‘intuitive logic’. In fact, the path urges us not to take the teachings on faith, but to EXPERIENCE God and higher consciousness directly. That way we can really know” (55). The gods often invented by religions teach that we must fear God and do as he says, otherwise, like an evil king, he will punish you (47). In contrast, COTLO only seeks to educate, not to control others, make them afraid, make them worship someone, or to answer spiritual questions (48, 52). (I’m not sure I agree with this. I think COTLO explains how we humans got here, how we’re different from animals, and what we need to do to escape the suffering of life, the suffering of life being the punishment we get if we don’t do what we should.)
“The most popular religions are the ones that allow the most selfishness, and place the least self-sacrificing demands on the person, or are the least threatening to the separate self” (178). The original religion of Jesus was to give up all your possessions and help others. But Christianity became the religion of “do whatever sins you want and just believe in Jesus and ask to be forgiven, and you will be.” That makes it more attractive to people, and likely why it is one of the most popular religions. But Buddhism is pretty popular too, and that one is very similar to COTLO. It can probably be explained by conformity; people tend to be the religion of their parents or the religion dominant in their culture. But most Buddhists don’t take their religion seriously; they don’t become monks who give up everything.
There are no good political solutions to the selfishness problem, including such things as communism or socialism - because the problems are in basic human nature, and corruption always seems to get a big foothold, regardless of the political system (I’ve come to the same conclusion!). The answer to the problem can only come from within each person (119). “And I knew the chances for that were absurd” (6). “The ideal state of things is for everyone to be giving all the time. This is the state of paradise. In an ideal material world this would include material things. On the material plane (which indeed is part of the whole and should reflect Universal Harmony) everyone has different talents and skills, and if all give, all needs will be filled. For example, a seamstress makes clothes, a shoemaker makes shoes, a carpenter carps, etc. In a world where everyone is giving, taking care of each other, it would work very simply. If the seamstress needs shoes, she gets them. If the shoemaker needs a house, it’s built. If the carpenter needs clothes, they’re made. No bargaining a trade, no buying or selling, just giving, just Unselfish Love. This is the idea behind ‘brotherly’ love - and communism. But communism doesn’t work well for the ordinary people of the world. Do you know why? The same reason nothing works well. Selfishness. And with selfishness mixed with communism, it can be worse. When you take away the greed factor in making a living, and put things on a level that all things are shared, people start putting out less effort. They do this for a couple of reasons: 1) they know they will get taken care of regardless of how much they contribute. 2) They know that regardless of how much they contribute, they won’t get any more than a share in everyone’s prosperity” (244). My thoughts exactly!
“No form of government can really ‘work’, or last, when separate consciousness exists. Why? Because the people running the government have the same separate consciousness, and when they get power, you see the worst of selfishness, and they can appeal to the selfishness in the populace, to get what they want. When you stop and think about these things it is easier to understand why the Children teach that only when all people have Universal Consciousness, and everyone is primarily governed from within by the Universal Spirit, will there ever be peace & harmony, and freedom from tyranny on Earth” (69). If everyone had Universal Consciousness, there would be no need for government, because we would be governed from within (70), and this will eventually happen, but until then we need leaders (245). If you want to live in a world of unselfish people, you need to be unselfish too (42). We are not defined or excused by the environment we grow up in. We have personal responsibility for our choices (43). No one becomes anything of worth without hardship and self-discipline” (257). “The Children teach that moderation, coupled with consistency and perseverance are the best way to insure that you will achieve your goals. Put simply, don’t bite off more than you can chew (moderation - a smaller bite is easier to chew), but once you’ve chosen your bite, make sure you chew it properly, and finish it (consistency and perseverance)” (260).
“The new age of peace and oneness cannot be achieved by governments. And while this age of enlightenment is close, it is not here yet - so beware - a false, negative ‘new age’ is at your door” (84). Ancient prophecies from many diverse cultures all over the world predict that there will be a great darkness coming to full power. They will be a tyrannical world elite who are the reincarnations of the secret brotherhood of the Belialians. Then Earth changes will eliminate 2/3 of humanity, before the age of peace and harmony (84, 315, 316). “We are about to see tyranny, oppression, and control/enslavement on a scale that is unprecedented. A helping hand will be offered to a collapsing world, an economically desperate world, a crime-ridden world - a hand that will welcome you and take care of you - and make you a servant for the dark side, if you grasp it” (84). Those of the darkness who “thirst for power will grow in power, controlling communication and education, for all to believe their ways are good, their true ways they will not show, they come instead as great men solving problems created themselves . . . To convince all the people that changes must there be, then will they come to our aid with concepts good. World peace and harmony. But the truth hidden is slavery they sell, which many will buy, their choice bringing hell. As the dark ones take control, nature spins out of control. the universal spirit, acting through nature becomes the redeemer of those who reject the dark powers” (313). Sounds like Agenda 21. “The Earth is cleansing itself of the ‘virus’ (human beings) that has infected her and made her ill. Even if you have changed so that you are not part of this disease, her fever, shaking, and purging will not necessarily leave you unscathed. It is very difficult to reincarnate when there are few physical vehicles, or none, for your spirit to enter. Even in the advent of a new age of enlightened humans, you will be waiting in a long line. And if you don’t become transcendent of your separate self before the coming tribulations are over, and you have not met the obligations of your karma before you leave your present body, you will be waiting in an undesirable, unpleasant state of existence, for a very, very, long time before your opportunities again exist” (90). A lava-like state for millions of years in the bowels of Saturn to be exact (322). (This doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t those who reach enlightenment leave the physical realm while the unenlightened continue to reincarnate? Also, if only humans reincarnate, and our population keeps increasing exponentially, then where are all these new souls coming from?) If you’re looking for a safe place to weather the coming storm, raise your consciousness first, then move to a place where there are a lot of people who also have a higher consciousness (318). “Change for the better, so that you CAN save yourself, so you CAN be saved, so you CAN go onto a wonderful place - whether it be on a physical plane or a spiritual one” (320). (IMO, pursuing this goal is selfish, and therefore a contradiction/paradox.)
(I think that for some animals, teamwork and selflessness comes naturally. The ant is an example. They work together, each stays in its proper station, they don't pursue individual desires, etc. But other animals, like the tiger, are independent and selfish. Once the cubs are grown up, they have to fend for themselves. It's every tiger for itself. Selflessness doesn't come naturally to humans, despite them living in groups. Every human child naturally wants possessions for itself and doesn't like to share. Sharing is taught, and even then people only do so to be polite, not because they actually want to without wanting something in return. Peniel had to go through three years of living in a monastery, which was an unnatural environment around unusual people, meditating and working hard in order to eradicate his selfishness. This shows how tough it is to stamp out selfishness. How can one realistically expect every human on earth to not be selfish? Even if one person changes herself to be selfless, what guarentee is there for this person who gives freely and generously, that their own needs will be taken care of? I think it's best to work with humanity the way it is, making use of their selfishness, which means capitalism. Communism is an unrealistic ideal that is too dependent on everyone changing themselves to become perfect and selfless. Capitalism works because it operates with people the way they are; people don't have to change at all for capitalism to work.)
See comments below for more of my review.
I also found it suspicious that there was a preface written by a supposed “friend” of Peniel whose name was “Jean D’Esprit.” Jean is pronounced “jon” in French, and I’m pretty sure “D’Esprit” means “of the spirit.” Seems to me it’s another made up name of “Peniel’s.”
Peniel says the golden rule was the only commandment Jesus ever gave (2), and it’s the most important spiritual teaching in the world, and universal as well (45). (I found that interesting since I said myself that the golden rule is the only true morality because it’s universal and common sense.) Selfishness is the root of every evil and problem we have (vi, 68). (That’s another thing I deduced by myself.) “Understanding the substance of even the ancient ‘beliefs’, requires no faith, but rather a certain quality of ‘intuitive logic’. In fact, the path urges us not to take the teachings on faith, but to EXPERIENCE God and higher consciousness directly. That way we can really know” (55). The gods often invented by religions teach that we must fear God and do as he says, otherwise, like an evil king, he will punish you (47). In contrast, COTLO only seeks to educate, not to control others, make them afraid, make them worship someone, or to answer spiritual questions (48, 52). (I’m not sure I agree with this. I think COTLO explains how we humans got here, how we’re different from animals, and what we need to do to escape the suffering of life, the suffering of life being the punishment we get if we don’t do what we should.)
“The most popular religions are the ones that allow the most selfishness, and place the least self-sacrificing demands on the person, or are the least threatening to the separate self” (178). The original religion of Jesus was to give up all your possessions and help others. But Christianity became the religion of “do whatever sins you want and just believe in Jesus and ask to be forgiven, and you will be.” That makes it more attractive to people, and likely why it is one of the most popular religions. But Buddhism is pretty popular too, and that one is very similar to COTLO. It can probably be explained by conformity; people tend to be the religion of their parents or the religion dominant in their culture. But most Buddhists don’t take their religion seriously; they don’t become monks who give up everything.
There are no good political solutions to the selfishness problem, including such things as communism or socialism - because the problems are in basic human nature, and corruption always seems to get a big foothold, regardless of the political system (I’ve come to the same conclusion!). The answer to the problem can only come from within each person (119). “And I knew the chances for that were absurd” (6). “The ideal state of things is for everyone to be giving all the time. This is the state of paradise. In an ideal material world this would include material things. On the material plane (which indeed is part of the whole and should reflect Universal Harmony) everyone has different talents and skills, and if all give, all needs will be filled. For example, a seamstress makes clothes, a shoemaker makes shoes, a carpenter carps, etc. In a world where everyone is giving, taking care of each other, it would work very simply. If the seamstress needs shoes, she gets them. If the shoemaker needs a house, it’s built. If the carpenter needs clothes, they’re made. No bargaining a trade, no buying or selling, just giving, just Unselfish Love. This is the idea behind ‘brotherly’ love - and communism. But communism doesn’t work well for the ordinary people of the world. Do you know why? The same reason nothing works well. Selfishness. And with selfishness mixed with communism, it can be worse. When you take away the greed factor in making a living, and put things on a level that all things are shared, people start putting out less effort. They do this for a couple of reasons: 1) they know they will get taken care of regardless of how much they contribute. 2) They know that regardless of how much they contribute, they won’t get any more than a share in everyone’s prosperity” (244). My thoughts exactly!
“No form of government can really ‘work’, or last, when separate consciousness exists. Why? Because the people running the government have the same separate consciousness, and when they get power, you see the worst of selfishness, and they can appeal to the selfishness in the populace, to get what they want. When you stop and think about these things it is easier to understand why the Children teach that only when all people have Universal Consciousness, and everyone is primarily governed from within by the Universal Spirit, will there ever be peace & harmony, and freedom from tyranny on Earth” (69). If everyone had Universal Consciousness, there would be no need for government, because we would be governed from within (70), and this will eventually happen, but until then we need leaders (245). If you want to live in a world of unselfish people, you need to be unselfish too (42). We are not defined or excused by the environment we grow up in. We have personal responsibility for our choices (43). No one becomes anything of worth without hardship and self-discipline” (257). “The Children teach that moderation, coupled with consistency and perseverance are the best way to insure that you will achieve your goals. Put simply, don’t bite off more than you can chew (moderation - a smaller bite is easier to chew), but once you’ve chosen your bite, make sure you chew it properly, and finish it (consistency and perseverance)” (260).
“The new age of peace and oneness cannot be achieved by governments. And while this age of enlightenment is close, it is not here yet - so beware - a false, negative ‘new age’ is at your door” (84). Ancient prophecies from many diverse cultures all over the world predict that there will be a great darkness coming to full power. They will be a tyrannical world elite who are the reincarnations of the secret brotherhood of the Belialians. Then Earth changes will eliminate 2/3 of humanity, before the age of peace and harmony (84, 315, 316). “We are about to see tyranny, oppression, and control/enslavement on a scale that is unprecedented. A helping hand will be offered to a collapsing world, an economically desperate world, a crime-ridden world - a hand that will welcome you and take care of you - and make you a servant for the dark side, if you grasp it” (84). Those of the darkness who “thirst for power will grow in power, controlling communication and education, for all to believe their ways are good, their true ways they will not show, they come instead as great men solving problems created themselves . . . To convince all the people that changes must there be, then will they come to our aid with concepts good. World peace and harmony. But the truth hidden is slavery they sell, which many will buy, their choice bringing hell. As the dark ones take control, nature spins out of control. the universal spirit, acting through nature becomes the redeemer of those who reject the dark powers” (313). Sounds like Agenda 21. “The Earth is cleansing itself of the ‘virus’ (human beings) that has infected her and made her ill. Even if you have changed so that you are not part of this disease, her fever, shaking, and purging will not necessarily leave you unscathed. It is very difficult to reincarnate when there are few physical vehicles, or none, for your spirit to enter. Even in the advent of a new age of enlightened humans, you will be waiting in a long line. And if you don’t become transcendent of your separate self before the coming tribulations are over, and you have not met the obligations of your karma before you leave your present body, you will be waiting in an undesirable, unpleasant state of existence, for a very, very, long time before your opportunities again exist” (90). A lava-like state for millions of years in the bowels of Saturn to be exact (322). (This doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t those who reach enlightenment leave the physical realm while the unenlightened continue to reincarnate? Also, if only humans reincarnate, and our population keeps increasing exponentially, then where are all these new souls coming from?) If you’re looking for a safe place to weather the coming storm, raise your consciousness first, then move to a place where there are a lot of people who also have a higher consciousness (318). “Change for the better, so that you CAN save yourself, so you CAN be saved, so you CAN go onto a wonderful place - whether it be on a physical plane or a spiritual one” (320). (IMO, pursuing this goal is selfish, and therefore a contradiction/paradox.)
(I think that for some animals, teamwork and selflessness comes naturally. The ant is an example. They work together, each stays in its proper station, they don't pursue individual desires, etc. But other animals, like the tiger, are independent and selfish. Once the cubs are grown up, they have to fend for themselves. It's every tiger for itself. Selflessness doesn't come naturally to humans, despite them living in groups. Every human child naturally wants possessions for itself and doesn't like to share. Sharing is taught, and even then people only do so to be polite, not because they actually want to without wanting something in return. Peniel had to go through three years of living in a monastery, which was an unnatural environment around unusual people, meditating and working hard in order to eradicate his selfishness. This shows how tough it is to stamp out selfishness. How can one realistically expect every human on earth to not be selfish? Even if one person changes herself to be selfless, what guarentee is there for this person who gives freely and generously, that their own needs will be taken care of? I think it's best to work with humanity the way it is, making use of their selfishness, which means capitalism. Communism is an unrealistic ideal that is too dependent on everyone changing themselves to become perfect and selfless. Capitalism works because it operates with people the way they are; people don't have to change at all for capitalism to work.)
See comments below for more of my review.
August 5, 2021
I except a story about a mythical place with some lessons learned, but the book turned out as a full-out spiritual guide. Yeah, the book is quite long, but the wisdom I found inside is really something. This is not my first book about spirituality, but it seems as this book contains it all. At the same time I was motivated many times by reading a new chapter in it.
Doest all the stories make sense? Who knows, I had hard times to believe in all of them, but does it matter when those stories and experiences from the book can help you on your spiritual journey?
Jon Peniel did a great job by making such a great summary of the lost taeching. If you are new to the spirituality and you do not know where to start I recommend to start with this book as it has all you need on your journey.
Doest all the stories make sense? Who knows, I had hard times to believe in all of them, but does it matter when those stories and experiences from the book can help you on your spiritual journey?
Jon Peniel did a great job by making such a great summary of the lost taeching. If you are new to the spirituality and you do not know where to start I recommend to start with this book as it has all you need on your journey.
September 30, 2007
This has some very good philosophical nuggets.
December 15, 2011
I can't believe I ever bought this.
February 12, 2012
This book was truly amazing, it seems all of the teachings of modern times stem from this culture. It was amazing.
July 22, 2012
Truth
April 25, 2017
This book is straight up magic. Live it and love it. I couldn't put it down.
January 18, 2024
0 stars. I almost got inducted into a cult because of this book. Never read EVER….
December 30, 2022
An excellent book, from an author who is genuinely both enlightened and a member of the atlantean order he describes.
Some points I would like to clarify. From my intuition it seems he was of Judaic origin, and it was a US based organization that genocided the atlantean order in Tibet.
More generally he has an anti-channeling chapter which I disagree with on the grounds that he was simply unaware of the ability of a person to challenge or test a contact before channeling, he also seemed unaware of conscious channeling, basically he is not an expert on it, nor is anyone in his order, so unfortunately he gives a prejudiced account.
Otherwise yeah in general it's all pretty good stuff. Goes over some of the enlightenment process at the end as well.
Some points I would like to clarify. From my intuition it seems he was of Judaic origin, and it was a US based organization that genocided the atlantean order in Tibet.
More generally he has an anti-channeling chapter which I disagree with on the grounds that he was simply unaware of the ability of a person to challenge or test a contact before channeling, he also seemed unaware of conscious channeling, basically he is not an expert on it, nor is anyone in his order, so unfortunately he gives a prejudiced account.
Otherwise yeah in general it's all pretty good stuff. Goes over some of the enlightenment process at the end as well.
February 6, 2024
A lot of this "Atlantean" teaching is commonly known, even by the casual seeker. There are a few surprises, but they are somewhat tainted by the pitch for tapes, videos, etc. On the plus side, the author refrains from completely criticizing Christianity, which is often the trend in "new age" topics that promote anything other than Christianity.
March 14, 2021
Loved it
Read
February 5, 2023It was interesting subject matter. It is written memoir-style .
Something like a David Wilcock read , but not my cuppa.
Something like a David Wilcock read , but not my cuppa.
June 20, 2025
He explains perfectly how to live in a spiritual way. I love the part about unselfishly caring for others. This is the best book I have ever read on spirituality, no other book has come close!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews