The Whole Elephant Revealed: Insights into the Existence and Operation of Universal Laws and the Golden Ratio

This is a 'must' read for anyone wanting to develop into a fully rounded spiritual being. It is extremely well researched and written in clear, concise format. It draws pointers from all aspects of world religions and spiritual and scientific texts and is unbiased and non judgemental. A brilliant overview. I applaud Marja de Vries.

When I was at school studying A-level mathematics, I did a project on the Fibonacci Series and the Golden Ratio, which fascinated me. How could a simple mathematical progression be the basis for so many natural shapes and aesthetically pleasing ratios in art works and the human form? That puzzle has stayed with me until now, in this remarkable book, Marja de Vries brings together a vast body of knowledge into an accessible volume. Her analysis highlights Universal Laws that influence the whole of creation and brings out the way in which the Golden Ratio and sacred geometry complement those laws as the masculine and feminine aspects of creation. It draws particularly on a little-known anonymous work, "The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greek," in which seven fundamental laws of the universe are outlined. These laws are seen to tie in with both mystical understandings of the nature of reality and cutting-edge scientific views.The first law she identifies as the Law of Oneness, that everything that exists emanates from one and the same Oneness or Source. This she goes on to identify as the One Consciousness in which everything is held in material reality, bringing together concepts from quantum mechanics, the Zero Point Field and the Akasha. Second is the Law of Correspondence, tieing together the multidimensional nature of reality with theories of consciousness, fractals and the holographic universe. Thirdly, the Law of Vibration draws together harmonic resonance with energetic vibration, the human aura, health and the heart, and the role of consciousness in healing.She goes on to explain the Laws of Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Dynamic Balance. For each law, she has a synthesis of spiritual and mystical insights from many traditions, and experimental evidence from Western science, which she weaves together into a fascinating tapestry. If you are interested in science and spirituality, this is a profound attempt to bring the two together into a coherent whole. It is also referenced, giving plenty of other writings to follow up.Having said that, there are a couple of points that let it down a little. Firstly, it is translated from the original Dutch, and whilst the writing is well-expressed for most of it, there are numerous typos throughout the book, which, as an ex-teacher, I couldn't help but notice! Secondly, the last two chapters needed more careful editing and rephrasing in places, with some form of conclusion to the whole project, maybe a short final chapter rather that the very brief epilogue. However, for the sheer volume of ideas, perennial wisdom and a ground-breaking synthesis of science and spirituality, it is well-worth reading and has given me much food for thought and further exploration.

A friend of mine strongly recommended me the book and it wasn't until a few months later that got it - I am really glad I did.Due to my involvement with Paganism and the esoteric, I am familiar with the Hermetic Principles. What I wasn't expecting was a book that, without speaking about Paganism, or Esoterism, or Witchcraft, would "talk" about them - would really put on the table the most essential parts of those paths or disciplines.The author starts with the allegory of the blind men and the elephant, thus setting up a humble context for the reading: "We can't just but grasp a small part of the whole, and every grasp is subjective". From that moment on, she pics the threads of the key principles behind most of the religious, spiritual and western mysteric schools, and starts weaving them into a comprehensible pattern. Furthermore she places that pattern side by side with the latest researches on western science and, of course, quantum physics. The result is just mind-blowing.Don't get me wrong, many of the theories are just...theories, and we are way behind of their full comprehension. But the author doesn't seem to intent to "give a scientific proof to spiritual principles". No, she's just weaving a pattern. In it makes sense, it definitely does.It cannot be said that the book is a self-help book (it's way way beyond that) but, in some sense, it does motion and encourage you to keep the thread and keep weaving the pattern. If there are any pagans, specially witches reading this review... go get it!You will immerse yourself in a travel through the laws of harmony, cause and effect, polarity, rhythm... yes! Doesn't it ring a bell? :)For those who are into physics, it's an amazing book to understand the principles that underlie some philosophies or spiritual paths from a more researched and analytics point of view.