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Saving The World
Saving The World, by Henry Guy, Vox Sophia Publishing, Arlington Texas, 2002
A rather grand title for such a short book, only 144 pages. For 30 years Henry Guy has studied and taught at the School of Ageless Wisdom located in Arlington Texas. The School exists "for those attracted to the study and application respectively of the Cosmology and Teaching of 'the Ageless Wisdom' in a group setting. The Ageless Wisdom consists of that vast body of written and unwritten material available to humanity throughout all time relating to certain fundamental laws of the universe which underlie all political, religious, philosophic, artistic, scientific thought and existence in general."
Basically Saving The World is a basic statement of the philosophy of the School of Ageless Wisdom, which in tern is deeply influenced by the writings of Alice Bailey, particularly Esoteric Psychology, Vols. I & II.
More specifically Henry Guy says he hopes to accomplish five things with this book: 1) help us to remember how basic the idea of saving (the world) is in our lives; 2) the problems and obstacles that make our lives so difficult are integral to saving (you get lemons, make lemonade); 3) seeking to help in a great preparation of which we are all a part whether we know it or not, i.e. saving the world; 4) we are not alone in this grand project; 5) a plan exists for saving the world as each of us has a part to play.
Guy certainly does achieve his goal but how convincingly will vary widely depending on ones own religious philosophy. For example, saying something is so does not necessarily make it so. We see this in the chapter on Redemption: The spiritualization of Matter. The idea that we can spiritualise and save the physical world (the atom) is a stretch for me but on the other hand beginning to consider such ideas does help one to focus on the environment and how we can "save the earth".
This book does much to support the, perhaps naïve, concept that all faiths are striving to the same end (in Guy's view, to save the world). This echo's the vast contribution of people like Joseph Campbell and is therefore a significant contribution to the multifaith dialogue.
There are some marvellous insights on subjects like unity and truth, meaning and symbols. These ideas make the book well worth a read.
I found the language quite sexist for such a supposedly advanced and "new age" thesis. There is a disclaimer suggesting that we should read these statements as inclusive. My thought is why not remove this irritation and make the language inclusive from the beginning.
Overall a useful contribution and excellent addition to the Multifaith Library.
R. M. Steeves is a Consultant for the Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care.
Posted by editor on September 30, 2003 10:07 AM