The Secret Science (Hermetic Philosophy, Book 1)

Author: John Baines
List Price: $12.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 1882692012
Publisher: John Baines Inst (01 November, 1994)
Sales Rank: 44,022
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5

Customer Reviews

Rating: 1 out of 5
Buyer Beware
First of all, this writer's real name is Dario Salas Sommer and he's from Chile. He claims to have knowledge of the secret teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, an ancient Egyptian mystic. Interestingly enough, there is another John Baines, an Englishman, who is REALLY an Egyptologist, but has nothing to do with these books. That's not a good sign.

The second thing that should make you lift an eyebrow is the fact that Mr. Salas is a bit of a cottage industry in his native Chile and elsewhere, as the Founder and Spiritual Master of the Dario Salas Institute For Spiritual Science. Which undoubtedly you can gain enlightenment from. For the right amount of money, of course.

There is nothing in this book that cannot be discovered in other, older, and more legitimate works. The material in this book that isn't in other older works is not worth reading, because Mr. Salas has MADE IT UP out of whole cloth.

Give this one a pass. Try The Kybalion, by "The Three Initiates" instead.


Rating: 5 out of 5
Finally, a book that takes a chance
In the Secret Science, the author touches on many topics that are likely to push your buttons, if you have pre-established opinions about how information should be disseminated. The first time I read this book I was offended by the direct approach the author took in describing the poor condition that human beings are in and how oblivious we are to the only thing that really matters in life --our own internal development. THEN, I actually tried some of his suggestions and realized that there is only one way to discover the validy of someone's statement. PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE.

John Baines takes a real risk in both the things that he is suggesting and the way in which he suggests them. Sometimes they sound far fetched and impossible, but I challenge anyone to put 100% of themsleves into actually following some of his suggestions and see the results for themselves. No one should be able to convince you one way or another until you actually have the experience yourself.

This book is like no other esoteric book I've ever read. There's a subtle difference that I didn't fully realize until I actually started DOING something.


Rating: 4 out of 5
Good introduction to occultism
This is an excellent introduction to Hermetics and should be read before "The Kybalion." His defenition of occultism is practical AND factual. I love the way he casts aside the demonized veil of its defenition. Were it not for his somewhat jaded opinion of women, I would have given this book 5 stars. Perhaps I misunderstood his words but, I felt an all to familiar chauvanistic tone common in the culture he and I both share, that being latin. Its hard to believe anyone who claims to be wise or a teacher who has not yet learned to conquer themselves. I dont know, maybe its me, but I found his somewhat unflattering comments to actually remove some of the credibility I would have otherwise given to this brilliant and talented pseudo-philosopher. He makes a lot of sense but the book reads like one long essay. Though he readily admits the importance of verifiable evidence, he goes on to document 230 pages of opinion. And at the end is his address, where you can aquire "real" wisdom, undefiled.

For a price no doubt.

I can't get past this. Because true wisdom is learned and passed on--not sold. I felt a little distubed by this because I immediatly imagined an outrageous price tag and that this book was one big promo. But--it is a great read, and simple to comprehend. It is an excellent springboard for further study and on that note it has a redeeming value. If one has just discovered occultism and is trying to disassociate themselves with the hate and intolerance that can sometimes occompany religion, than this book is nothing short of priceless. And if his goal was to assist in a lukewarm "awakening" than he has done just that and is a much better teacher than I have given him credit for. Because he definitely does that.

Overall this book is definitely worth the prce and is actually one of the better tomes of occult literature as it really makes no serious pretenses save the endorsement of Rosicrucianism as superior to all forms of occult study, including Yoga and freemasonry. The learned brother is entitled to his opinion. His approach is very blunt but only partially unassuming. So straightfoward is his appraoch in fact, that he will make matter-of-fact comments that may on occasion blur the line between fact and opinion. But overall, this book is NOT a waste of time, lest you have a dogmatic, pre-concieved notion of the world that is...

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