WHEN THE SOUL AWAKENS

An intense exploration of the mystical concept of “ageless wisdom,” which Seifer and Vieweg describe as a body of ideas, laws and truths that have guided seekers throughout time in finding and reveling in the world’s spirituality.

This second edition of the text, following closely on the heels of the first, opens with a well-written and thought-provoking introduction that quickly lays out the authors’ hypothesis–mankind is now, more than ever, ready and willing to embark upon a spiritual quest. The authors point to tragedies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as catalysts for this movement. Seifer and Vieweg support this theory with a series of 10 dense chapters, each of which opens with a thought-provoking quotation from a saint, poet, writer or prophet that logically guides the chapter. Although the book provides ample coverage of the history of ageless wisdom, the authors also focus on illuminating its role in the world’s current state, and make predictions about its future. Seifer and Vieweg thoroughly cover reincarnation, the qualities and existence of the human soul, the experience of spiritual awakening and the history of ageless wisdom. Woven throughout the text is a fine balance of description of and quotations from spiritual leaders from around the world and across time–this provides this text with a global and timeless perspective. Each chapter concludes with end-notes which provide additional information, much of which is historical in nature and provides opportunity for future exploration. The book also includes a short glossary of terms, enabling readers to better understand some of the more complicated spiritual concepts, such as Etheric Vision (“the power to see the subtler grades of matter with the strictly physical eye”). Though abstract and wordy, the book is appropriate for seekers wanting to understand the roots of ageless wisdom.

A useful text for readers curious about New Age spirituality.