Lectures on Ancient Philosophy

by Manly P. Hall

Complete in itself, this volume originated as a commentary and expansion of Manly P. Hall's masterpiece of symbolic philosophy, The Secret Teachings of All Ages.  
In Lectures on Ancient Philosophy, Manly P. Hall expands on the philosophical, metaphysical, and cosmological themes introduced in his classic work, The Secret Teachings of All Ages. Hall wrote this volume as a reader's companion to his earlier work, intending it for those wishing to delve more deeply into the esoteric philosophies and ideas that undergird the Secret Teachings. Particular attention is paid to Neoplatonism, ancient Christianity, Rosicrucian and Freemasonic traditions, ancient mysteries, pagan rites and symbols, and Pythagorean mathematics.
 
First published in 1929-the year after the publication of Hall's magnum opus-this edition includes the author's original subject index, twenty diagrams prepared under his supervision for the volume, and his 1984 preface, which puts the book in context for the contemporary reader.

Genres: Philosophy, Occult, Nonfiction, Mysticism, History, Spirituality, Metaphysics

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Canadian born, Manly Palmer Hall is the author of over 150 published works, the best known of which are Initiates of the Flame, The Story of Healing, The Divine Art,Aliens Magick and Sorcery The Secret Teachings of All Ages, and An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.

Reviews

[Gregory Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent and enlightening travel through philosophy from ancient times to the present. A companion book for Mr. Hall's big book, The Secret Teachings of All Ages.

I just finished this a second time, I read it slowly this time to really savor, and found it well worth the effort and patience. A very enlightening perspective on most Philosophic systems. The last chapter alone is recommended for all politicians, and all others as well! This book was based on a series of lectures to promote his 'big book' referenced in my prior review. It is refreshing to think that these were delivered before he reached thirty years of age. The several times I had the good fortune to see and hear him speak were inspirational. He used no notes, no hesitation, no wandering, no ahhhs, just perfect pitch and delivery. For me it was interesting to know that maternal grandfather heard one of these talks in San Francisco and was impressed.

[Gregory]

Of all the books I have read by Manly P. Hall I'd say all of them are great reads, some have a little more difficulty than others but some have such a profound and beautiful sequence of thought/thinking/meditating that they seem almost to easy to read. He has a wonderful way of building concepts which help me understand many puzzling ideas now and from long ago as in the Ancient Philosophers'. I really enjoy MPH, style too. :) greg

I really enjoy the second read of books by Manly P Hall too!
Been doing that more lately, rereading books that I have read.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant in-depth look into existence. This book is more complex than "The Secret Teachings", and should be read slowly as to fully understand the wisdom being shared. Hall has a unique writing style where he'll explain an idea in many different ways within one paragraph so as to help all readers to grasp the topic. I am on my third read, and am still learning and realizing more each time through.

[Jaco Steyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first part of the book very insightful, but I was disappointed with the author's promotion of a coming New World Order in the last two chapters.

[Minäpäminä · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't say how accurate the information presented by Mr. Hall here is, but he sure seems to have read a lot concerning metaphysics and history of religions. He purports to put in writing the metaphysical scheme of 'the primordial tradition' which reaches as far back as the mysteries of Egypt and was most eloquently formulated by the Neoplatonists of the 3rd and 4th centuries.

It's not so much a focused exposition - though it starts off that way - as it is a series of essays more or less related to each other. It's obvious Mr. Hall has difficulty talking about that which words cannot express - but who could blame him? The writing is pompous and often turgid, but it does radiate an immediacy, a sympathetic, naïve honesty.

There are plenty of interesting passages on symbolism and very alien ways of thinking. Hall really gave me a few good jolts, but I doubt their permanence. I do think this will be a work I will be returning to, if and when I need to remind myself what this specific worldview (a 20th century syncretist occultism, I guess) is about.

[Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very great intelligent book! I have read 4 of Manly P. Hall's books, including this. I found his writing like an ancient storytelling book. And his vibe, his words, everything feels so ancient to me. And sometimes I wonder if what he wrote is a reality or just a mere metaphor. But he was assured the readers that the world beyond fantasy truly exists. His philosophy of this life is wonderful, and his mindset about our lives as human. I've learned so much from his books. He shared so much of his knowledge regarding the heavenly inspiration of this universe. I study lots of celestial knowledge from his books as a reference of what I've been writing so far. He is indeed, one of the best sages all time. His contribution to the world will always be forever remembered. :)

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible work from Hall and an essential follow-up piece to the 'Secret Teachings of All Ages'. Hall here presents an enquiry into the mystical elements of ancient philosophy and links it to the work of his aforementioned text.

For the student of philosophy, another piece of Hall's work which is indispensable. For the true seeker of knowledge - it is equally valuable.

[HillbillyWizard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be mandatory reading for every high school freshman. I am a better person for just reading it and have yet to even begin to meditate on the lifetime of quotes I have highlighted and meme’d. I wish I would have known culture, LSD and the Grateful Dead were just CIA Psyop, distractions. In retrospect, most of what they got everyone to pay attention to, from football to the sorcerers in Hollywood, were simply bread and circuses, while tyranny was incrementally installed. I read once from an author, circa 1950, “Every occultist knows radio and tv contain demons of hypnotism.” I have to concur, otherwise there would have, nay should have, been a second revolution after the Federal Reserve Act began illegally and immorally taxing our earnings. The demons of hypnotism must have been working overtime when Frank Roosevelt tried to confiscate everyone’s gold. Luckily for me, my family was not dumb enough to keep their holdings in a safety deposit box. Just wasn’t safe from a democrat. My great-great grand pappy had a ranch next to his BFF, whom he is also buried beside, Jesse James. We have not trusted these tyrants and have been burying gold and silver for many generations. But I have said enough and cannot begin to give this book the credit it is due. So I will end with just a few of my favorite quotes from this treasure.

“All the world is at hazard when God lets loose a thinker.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Externally we are simply over-civilized, internally we are morons.”
“A civilization established on virtue and beauty will endure long after the structures erected upon foundations of finance and war have vanished from earth.”
“The mystic dares not share his vision with the world which will crucify him if not in body at least in soul.”
“Death is but an exchange of vestments; it is no cure for that sickness of the soul which the wise term ignorance.”
“To assume the visible to be the all is to deny even the most rudimentary instincts of human nature.”
“No one is wise who is not as fully acquainted with the extent of ignorance as with the extent of wisdom.”
“We are naturally inclined toward inertia; we prefer to vegetate and woe unto him who dares disturb our proletarian serenity.”

I guess I do have more to say. The Dark Lodge occultists running this shit show rely on ancient psychology and modern technocracy like digital dopamine addiction for their cradle to coffin mind control. One of the oldest secrets of the Lodge is that we humans tend toward laziness and these controllers count on that to keep us all as dumbed down and compliant as possible.

“You who would discover the inner mysteries of life, depart from the concepts of the many. Become creative thinkers, not simply followers of blind cults” *see the Pfascist Pfizer compliant for followers of blind cults.
“When we see only the physical nature of the individual we behold that which least adequately expresses, and often misinterprets, the internal qualities.”
“The foolish are incapable of benefitting from that which may in its own nature be good; conversely, the wise are incapable of being injured by evil, for understanding renders all things usable”
“Mystics, philosophers and alchemists were all bound together with a secret tie, and dedicated to the emancipation of humanity from ignorance and oppression.”

[Puteri Haris · Rating 5 out of 5]

To see these concepts being summarized so elegantly and seamlessly in this book is such a joy to behold.. a must read for someone who wants to delve deeper into the concepts of consciousness, reality, symbolism, and spiritualism

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great fortune of acquiring a copy of this amazing volume. In my first reading, however, at arriving in chapter thirteen, Emerson's Concept of the Oversoul: third and last paragraph of page 297 ends about 5 lines before any other paragraph in the book and the passage that reads "though our body be still of mortal size, the scope of expanding consciousness becomes tions of inspiration." seems to take a wild spin somewhere away from my comprehension.
I wonder if any of my fellows was also struck and surprised or is this to be expected in this specific edition.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

the companion value to The Secret Teachings Of All Ages.