Fan Mail

E-mail Webmaster
All e-mail sent becomes property of Spiral Nature to use as it wills.

Table of Contents:

Blank [Religious], 28-11-04
Review of "Beyond Duality" [Criticism], 03-03-04

Subject:
From: Van Wyk, Arauna, The-Corps (Arauna.VanWyk@gb.vodafone.co.uk)
Date: 28 November 2004

HI

I HOPE YOU ALL BURN IN HELL ONE DAY WHEN GOD COMES TO FETCH HES CHILDREN!!!!!!!
THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD
ONLY ONE TRUTH
ONLY HE HAS THE POWER, HE CREATED SATAN AND WILL DESTOY HIM!!!!!

ONS HEMELSE VADER, DANKIE VIR AL U GENADE. VERLOS ONS VAN DIE BOSE EN VERSLAAN SATAN VEREWIG!!!!!!

PLEASE DO ME A FAVIOUR AND TAKE THIS WEBSITE OF AIR. YOU ALL BETTER START PRAYING!!!! CAUSE
JESUS
IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the guestbook:

PLEASE CLOSE THIS WEBSITE DOWN!!!!!!!!!

JUDGEMENT DAY IS COMING

BE AFRAID, GOD IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HE WILL DESTROY ALL OF THOSE WHO GAVE

THEIR SOLES TO satin.

Subject: Review of "Beyond Duality"
From: Laurence J. Galian
Date: 03 March 2004

Dear Psyche,

Is my book really that bad? You claim that it contains "the same tripe commonly found in fluffy new age books." Would a Louise Hay or a Shakti Gawain write something like: "In balancing each desired goal with the contradiction contained therein, we cause our thought to be re-born at the very point from which all creation manifests."? or: "This divine matrix exits at the junction of the twofold movements."? Especially, would a Louise Hay or a Shakti Gawain, or any other fluffy new age book contain the sentence: "This kind of affirmation is, in truth, the Affirmation of Inadequacy." ??? Do New Age books have chapters on "Masturbation Magick"? I suppose I could respond to your comments point by point, but the damage is already done. Couldn't you have shown me the courtesy of asking me to clarify my thoughts and intentions before posting such a scathing review and calling my work "tripe"?

Your review comes very close to defaming me and sullying my reputation. I can't help but wonder if you had ulterior motives behind your review. "Galian believes that his book will be enough to sustain the reader throughout hir magickal practice," - how do you know this? Did you take the time and effort to contact me and find out if this is what I believe? The you write: "There is, however, a rather lengthy biography of claimed accomplishments, nothing more than a list of personal attributes he somehow feels are relevant." - "claimed accomplishments"? How dare you suggest that what I have written is anything but the truth! Being an initiated Wiccan Priest and an initiated Dervish is relevant when one is writing a book about metaphysics. You are treading dangerous legal ground with such disparaging statements.

You write: "Vague statements such as "recent scientific research has confirmed..." (pg 24) and similar can be found throughout the book, with no evident basis in reality." Would you say that a statement such as "Our eyes cannot perceive that the atoms of a Cesium molecule vibrate at over five billion cycles a second!" has no basis in reality? Curious.

Did you take the time to read all the reviews on Amazon.com? The majority of the reviews seem to sharply disagree with your assessment of my book. Even more astonishing to me is that an indisputable metaphysical genius, Rachel Pollack, author of "78 Degrees of Wisdom" and other great works, has a completely different opinion than you regarding the book.

I would very much appreciate it if you would rethink some of your harsh criticisms, as they directly affect a man's attempt to earn a livelihood, and to offer something of value to humanity. Perhaps you might re-write your review from a more compassionate point of view. I would be happy to answer any of your questions, or to clarify any confusion you may have about my work.

Laurence Galian, Author
The Sun at Midnight: The Revealed Mysteries of the Ahlul Bayt Sufis
Website: http://www.Quiddity-Inc.com
Join group: Sun_at_Midnight-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
"Mr. Galian's latest scholarly work presents a well thought-through treatise that is essential reading for all those seeking enlightenment, no matter their current level of awareness."
- Rod Marden, Ph.D.

My reply Subject: Re: Review of "Beyond Duality" From: Psyche Date: 09 March 2004

Mr. Galian,

Honestly, yes, I did find the book that bad. I understand that this was your first book, and you’re proud of it, but you have to expect that not every review will be positive, even if you think what you’ve written is excellent.

However, I am sorry you found my review overly harsh, it was merely intended to be an honest, impersonal criticism. While it’s unfortunate that you took that personally, you are incorrect in your assumption that I have anything personal against you. I have never met you, nor have I so much as read anything by you prior to the book New Falcon sent, ‘Beyond Duality’.

Reviews are merely personal criticisms on the part of the reviewer on the book itself, not on the author. In fact, I had one reader go out of his way to e-mail me saying what a great guy you were.

I will not re-review this book, it would be dishonest for me to give a review I didn’t believe in. I stand by my criticisms, I feel they were fair. However, I see you’ve published a new book recently. If you like, I could read and review that, keeping an open mind. I view each book on an individual basis, although of course it’s nice to see an author progress as s/he practices hir craft.

Regards,

--Psyche
Spiral Nature – http://www.spiralnature.com