I think its a bit of a Con

The Celestine Prophecy is fiction but it is apparently widely treated as non-fiction, this is where it appears in Ciao – rather strangely under lifestyle/health and beauty. If it had been classed as fiction I might have been reluctant to divulge the whole story but, as it is not and the plot is so weak anyway, it will do no harm to do so.

The climax of the book takes place at some ruins of a Mayan/Inca temple. The disappearance of these very special Peruvian Mayans took place at the same time as the (Aramaic!) Manuscript was written at around 600BC. The ninth Insight of the book explains that the Mayans all crossed from the physical to the spiritual together (as did Christ apparently but alone) and this event is a precursor of the ‘general rapture’ which will occur in the third millennium when humanity, or the chosen few of humanity, gets its act together. The heroes all get a go at this when they miraculously disappear to escape from the baddies.

My own view of the insights is that they are given using similar techniques used in ‘cold reading’ and astrology. There vague statements are used which seem specific but which could in fact be applied to anyone. These are given knowing that the interested person will relate to them and find them true – basically a case of wishful thinking. The first insight is the most important for the plot:

In my opinion the book is playing on one of humanity’s ever present myths or beliefs that in a far distant past people had a oneness with nature and spiritual security (the paradise myth) which has been lost but now can once more be regained. ) It is only thinly disguised by the idea of evolution for it is clear that if the Mayans were able to zap themselves off then they had already evolved to perfection.) This, of course, forms the bulk of many myths and religions, and the plot of many SF and fantasy books. Had the author kept to the fantasy genre this book might have been acceptable but he didn’t.

The follow up book is not fiction but is ‘An Experiential Guide’, there is also a newsletter one can subscribe to, tapes and other things and another book about the Tenth Insight which was mentioned briefly at the end of the Celestial prophecy.

I am sorry to sound so cynical about this book for I am in sympathy with at least some of the ideas contained within it and it is obvious that it has in some way helped some people. But it is equally possible that it may upset or confuse others because it implies that seeing auras and having mystical experiences are essential requirements and in my opinion these experiences are not so easily attainable by most people. Also the emphasis on ‘control dramas’ and parents might be a problem – he seems quite adamant that it is parents who are the main influences. If you do decide to read this book please read it with care – and remember that it is fiction.