10-21-2007, 12:28 AM
http://www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Mithras-Be...3815757-8338435
The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World (Paperback)
by Payam Nabarz (Author), Caitlin Matthews (Foreword)
# Paperback: 240 pages
# Publisher: Inner Traditions (June 20, 2005)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1594770271
# ISBN-13: 978-1594770272
From page one, Nabarz showers the reader with dense historical information about the origins of Mithras, an ancient Persian protector god whose worship can be traced as far back as the second millennium B.C.E. The Mithras cult is said to pre-date even Zoroastrianism, and made its way west into the pagan traditions of the Roman Empire. Nabarz, a Mithras revivalist, Sufi and practicing dervish, offers a book that is part history-primer, part practical guide "designed to help the spiritual seeker develop a deeper understanding of the Mithraic mysteries," and perform initiation rites and Mirthraic liturgy. Readers unfamiliar with Persian history, Eastern religions, and Roman paganism may find it difficult to wade beyond the background information packed into the first half of the book. Filled with interesting history, solid research and a range of Mithraic myths from around the world, the initial chapters are slow going. For those interested in the contemporary practice of Mithraism, Nabarz's exploration of this tradition picks up when he tells the Mithraic fairytale of Simorgh, which explains the nature of Mithras's partner, the goddess Anahita, and takes the reader step by step through a series of meditations and initiation rites. Luckily, Payam's chapters are organized so that the reader can choose between practical guidance and Mithraic history.
If you want a definative historical book that covers all aspects of mithraic religious beliefs, this book is probably not scholarly enough for you.
For me, this book was a great recaping of mithraic traditions and an overview of what we know.
One MAJOR advantage of this work is the fact that the author himself is Persian. And more importantly knows the "living mithraic traditions" that are still alive today either in full force or in echos. It's like reading a book about New York written by a Scholar from Bombay, India who's never been to the city but has studied every aspect of the city for years. Versus a native New Yorker who'll tell you how New York is, and what's good or bad about it.
Neither account should be dismissed, they offer different perspectives, this book is more like the native describing what the traditions of mithra are/were and how they play into a living people's traditions. From iconography, to prayers and customs.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in Religions, ancient history, and Philosophy.
I especially recommend this to dogmatic Muslims, Jews and Christians, as you may find that a lot about where aspects of your religion came from. Good customs and traditions never die, they simply change name.
The unlikely, connections between Ancient Irish and Iranian folklore is also amazing to read. Who knew that both Iran and Ireland mean the same thing......
The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World (Paperback)
by Payam Nabarz (Author), Caitlin Matthews (Foreword)
# Paperback: 240 pages
# Publisher: Inner Traditions (June 20, 2005)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1594770271
# ISBN-13: 978-1594770272
From page one, Nabarz showers the reader with dense historical information about the origins of Mithras, an ancient Persian protector god whose worship can be traced as far back as the second millennium B.C.E. The Mithras cult is said to pre-date even Zoroastrianism, and made its way west into the pagan traditions of the Roman Empire. Nabarz, a Mithras revivalist, Sufi and practicing dervish, offers a book that is part history-primer, part practical guide "designed to help the spiritual seeker develop a deeper understanding of the Mithraic mysteries," and perform initiation rites and Mirthraic liturgy. Readers unfamiliar with Persian history, Eastern religions, and Roman paganism may find it difficult to wade beyond the background information packed into the first half of the book. Filled with interesting history, solid research and a range of Mithraic myths from around the world, the initial chapters are slow going. For those interested in the contemporary practice of Mithraism, Nabarz's exploration of this tradition picks up when he tells the Mithraic fairytale of Simorgh, which explains the nature of Mithras's partner, the goddess Anahita, and takes the reader step by step through a series of meditations and initiation rites. Luckily, Payam's chapters are organized so that the reader can choose between practical guidance and Mithraic history.
If you want a definative historical book that covers all aspects of mithraic religious beliefs, this book is probably not scholarly enough for you.
For me, this book was a great recaping of mithraic traditions and an overview of what we know.
One MAJOR advantage of this work is the fact that the author himself is Persian. And more importantly knows the "living mithraic traditions" that are still alive today either in full force or in echos. It's like reading a book about New York written by a Scholar from Bombay, India who's never been to the city but has studied every aspect of the city for years. Versus a native New Yorker who'll tell you how New York is, and what's good or bad about it.
Neither account should be dismissed, they offer different perspectives, this book is more like the native describing what the traditions of mithra are/were and how they play into a living people's traditions. From iconography, to prayers and customs.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in Religions, ancient history, and Philosophy.
I especially recommend this to dogmatic Muslims, Jews and Christians, as you may find that a lot about where aspects of your religion came from. Good customs and traditions never die, they simply change name.
The unlikely, connections between Ancient Irish and Iranian folklore is also amazing to read. Who knew that both Iran and Ireland mean the same thing......