Decouvrir le Maitre Interieur

Jean-Louis Siemons was is a professional agricultural biochemist when I first met him in Paris over 20 years ago, and was already the author of two books on reincarnation. This is his most ambitious book, which sums up his conclusions from 50 years of reading. He rejects the dichotomy between materialism and atheism, arguing instead that esotericism provides a middle way appealing to both the intuitive and rational sides of our nature. This tendency has been active in Western thought since the late 19th century with the advent of Theosophy and psychical research. The kind of truth Jean-Louis writes about emerges gradually through a process of osmosis and inner reflection. In our time, a number of factors have contributed to a resurgence of spirituality, including interest in mystical and near death experiences, in which Jean-Louis is well versed. Both forms of experience are akin to initiation, bringing people to realise the underlying unity of consciousness, which in turn corresponds to the emergence of a global ethic, foreseen to some extent as far back as the first parliament of world religions in 1893 where Vivekananda was a key speaker (his life written by Romain Rolland is quoted in the text).

The central theme in the book is to be found in the title, namely the inner teacher or master. In Hindu thought, this corresponds to the relationship between the Self (Atman) and the self (jivatman), but similar ideas are to be found in the NDE being of light, Guardian Angels and the transpersonal idea of the higher self. In any event, this presence is a source of love and wisdom which we are all invited to remember as we awaken to the reality of our divine identity. All this points towards the emergence of a universal outlook, if not to a universal religion as such. The book is clearly and engagingly written, and the author's sense of humour is never far away, reminding me of the many long and interesting conversations we have had.