• Inner Christianity

  • A Guide to the Esoteric Tradition
  • By: Richard Smoley
  • Narrated by: Richard Smoley
  • Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (253 ratings)

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Inner Christianity  By  cover art

Inner Christianity

By: Richard Smoley
Narrated by: Richard Smoley
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Publisher's summary

Definitively read by author Richard Smoley, this audio version of Inner Christianity brings a clear understanding to the listener of the complex universe of esoteric knowledge. Topics include esoteric orders past and present, inner traditions, Sophia and Mary, and Gnosticism, as well as well as the mystical body of Christ.
©2002 Richard Smoley (P)2006 BMA Studios

Critic reviews

"Smoley presents his work simply and convincingly, with a conversational tone of voice. His scholarly text is balanced by an overriding gentleness that encourages his listener to take in the book's message of spiritual study and discovery. Those with an academic bent will find much to stimulate new inquiry, and those with a more heart-based faith will absorb the message and appreciate the guided meditations." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Inner Christianity

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is a modern classic for the esoteric

I really never thought I'd find a modern book that gives so much hidden esoteric & symbolic knowledge & wisdom. I have been a member of several esoteric groups for many years that have not penetrated this deeply into the true & highest levels of understanding of a path that I gave up many years ago. This book has given me a new & dynamic perspective of Christianity & completely reinvigorated my interest in it's teachings. Richard Smoley is not only an adept but his voice & tone is pleasant & scholarly while he is able to articulate intricate information in a way that even a beginner on the path can understand & assimilate into daily practices that will reap wisdom & self knowledge for a lifetime.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

Would you consider the audio edition of Inner Christianity to be better than the print version?

I have over 300 audio books in my Audible library and this is the first book that compelled me to write a review. It continues to hold my interest and is a great balance of scholarship and modern language. There is substance for the experienced adept as well as the uninitiated. There are so many outstanding attributes contained in this audio book, that I also purchased and read the paperback and buy copies for friends and fellow esoteric students. Give this well researched and written gift to yourself.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Comprehensive and Achieves its Goal

Very detailed without being overwhelming. He explains much in a very orderly manner that most who follow the path must either discover or dig out on ones own. He provides a launch pad for further study, (very little of which is unfortunately in Audible.)

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great primer ( and more )

If you could sum up Inner Christianity in three words, what would they be?

Eye-opening, inspiring, amazing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Inner Christianity?

Richard Smoley unveils some of the symbolisms of the cross to make it understandable by the layman. One of them, the cross as the living intersection of time and space was brought about by unassailable reasoning. And led the listener to a long meditative inner travel...

Have you listened to any of Richard Smoley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but seriously looking forward to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

This can't be made into a film, as several avenues are only uncovered and not followed.

Any additional comments?

Some reviewers blamed the book for trying to be all things to all. I'd rather want to thank the author for sharing so much knowledge in so narrow a space. The book needs to be listen over and over to be truly digested.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

At least half wrong

Smoley takes on the daunting and laudable task of examining the intersection of esoterica and exoteric praxis within Christianity. Unfortunately, he has done only damage to the topic. The most notable failure for Smoley is not his breadth of knowledge concerning esoteric subjects (of which I claim no expertise with which to judge), but his impoverished understanding of Christianity and its doctrine, out of which comes an even more impoverished sense of history and sacramentality. One should not, as Smoley does, neglect to make distinctions between an orthodox Christian canon of spiritualities and anthropologies and the botched attempts by unanchored fools whose addled sense of spirituality leads to lunacy more than illumination.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting but arcane

I enjoyed parts of the book here and there, but in my opinion, the book tries to do too much. The book is far from being a history book, but also touched on Biblical symbolism, meditation method and modern theological theory. Ultimately, the effort was a far cry from the success it could have been, it would also help if the subjects were arranged chronologically instead of by topics.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Can it be re-recorded?

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Richard Smoley?

ANY professional narrator would have improved this project. The author's delivery was flat, and the cringe-worthy regularity of word mispronunciation mistakes shows that he knows the words from reading, not from ever hearing them said aloud - a professional narrator would have researched the material and made sure they were pronouncing the terms and names correctly.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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wisdom you will find

I loved it! Never felt like someone explained something to me as a teaching rather than their opinion. I didn't feel like there was an agenda but rather just simply teaching. such an eye opener! absolutely reccomend if you want knowledge and wisdom and to open your eyes to so much more to the questions you may have once had. it connects the missing dots.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Profound. Beautiful. Well written.

This is a far more profound and illuminating book than I expected. A must read for s time who thinks they understand Christianity or the esoteric mysteries.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best one so far!

Would you listen to Inner Christianity again? Why?

Yes. Interesting approach to old stories!

What did you like best about this story?

Fresh, interesting, well presented by author!

What does Richard Smoley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither! Good book!

Any additional comments?

Like to see more speakers like Smoley! Straight forward! No music! Just the facts as the writer sees it.

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