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The Deep Within: Towards an Archetypal Theology

ISBN: 9780646560793
Price: AU$15.00 +p&h
Author: Eugene Stockton

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Psychologists are familiar with the hidden depths of consciousness powerfully breaking out in ordinary life. This study looks at the influence of deep consciousness on a person’s religious expression and how it might be harnessed and co-ordinated for one’s spiritual wellbeing in the service of God.
Interest in this study arose out of the author’s long time exploration of an Australian spirituality. His conviction was that Aboriginal spirituality must eventually find its place in the mainstream and that the mutual engagement of European and Aboriginal thinking can only be possible at the deepest level of consciousness. This is equally true of interfaith dialogue. ...Eugene Stockton

CONTENTS

• Introduction
• 1. Truth of God
• 2. Development of my Thinking
• 3. Depth of Self
• 4. Layers of Perception
• 5. Emergence of Mind
• 6. Denizens of the Deep
• 7. A Personal Theology
• 8. Ora et Labora
• 9. De Profundis Clamavi ad Te
• Appendix I: Prologue of St John's Gospel
• Appendix II: Wisdom: Intuitions of Universal Mind
• Appendix III: A Spiritual Journey
   

REVIEWS:
"In barely more than a hundred pages, Eugene Stockton - priest, writer, archaeologist, anthropologist, contemplative – launches his readers into 'the deep within'. His range of reference is astonishing, explained only by the interests that have filled his fifty years of thinking and writing, and then further back to his childhood in the bush of the Central Blue Mountains. From the depths of his own awareness, he invites us all into the depths of "the Kingdom of God within you', of the real self of connections and relationships, too often neglected and ignored by the restless ego of routine life. Guiding the descent into the depths of the true self are a wide variety of religious, philosophical and psychological markers, 'since it is difficult to describe on the surface what is shared in depth'. One constant resource and guide is the Aboriginal experience and Eugene Stockton's long familiarity with the spirituality of the original Australians. In short, there is something both homegrown Australian and genuinely universal about this book. The depths into which this author calls us will be a wondrous refreshment for all his readers." ...Professor Anthony Kelly, Australian Catholic University

"The Deep Within is an essay in 'depth theology'. The highly conceptualised theology taught in seminaries and universities has its place, but in the age of interreligious dialogue we realise that, however sophisticated, it remains on the surface. Stockton, drawing on a lifetime of biblical and archaeological research but also spiritual experience and a profound knowledge of Australian Aboriginal religion, invites us to embark on a journey within, beyond the constructed ego-self to a total unknowing immersion in the primordial 'I'. In touch with the unmanifest self, the transcendence within, in the medium of symbol and story beyond rational distinctions, we are set free for prayer in a way that is closely related to Aboriginal contemplation of the Land (dadirri) and Buddhist meditation (samadhi). The result is a spiritual journey corroborated by informed psychological introspection." ...John D'Arcy May, Trinity College Dublin and Australian Catholic University, Melbourne

"Eugene Stockton is one of Australia's most creative and visionary spiritual thinkers. A distinguished academic career in theology, scriptural studies and archaeology, imbued with a deeply sensitive and highly attuned spiritual sensibility, has yielded a distinct attentiveness to the deepest currents underneath the surface of life and recognition of the traces of divine activity that permeates the whole of reality. In The Deep Within Eugene's radically contemplative disposition presents an anthropological and theological framework for an 'everyday mysticism' informed by both his Western heritage and his immersion into Australian Aboriginal consciousness. Through a careful and considerate reading of this important contribution to a contemporary discussion about mysticism, I am confident that the reader will be led into that realm of deep consciousness which lies within each of us and from which springs of life wait to flow anew." ...Rev. Dr. David Ranson, Catholic Institute of Sydney
 

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Blue Mountains Dreaming: The Aboriginal Heritage (Second Edition)

ISBN: 9780646503868
Price: AU$35.00 +p&h
Authors: Eugene Stockton & John Merriman

PRODUCT DETAILS:
In 1788 the Aborigines of the Blue Mountains had had no contact with Europeans; within 30 years their traditional way of life had been irrevocably changed.

Increasingly however, widespread discoveries of art sites, occupation sites, stone tools, axe-grinding grooves and stone arrangements, research into the journals and early writings of European explorers and settlers, and the compilation of oral histories, are providing a rich, if incomplete, account of the traditional lifestyles and environment of the Gundungurra and Darug people of the Blue Mountains.

Beautifully illustrated with new and historic photographs, drawings, maps and charts, this volume is invaluable as a research reference for those interested in the history of Aboriginal culture and European settlement in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.

This second edition of Blue Mountains Dreaming builds on the earlier one and presents new research and interpretation about the Aboriginal presence in the area from prehistoric times to the present.

CONTENTS

• Introduction: John Low
• About the Authors
• 1. New Discoveries Eugene Stockton
• 2. Environmental Conditions of the Past in the Blue Mountains Scott D. Mooney and Helene A. Martin
• 3. Archaeology of the Blue Mountains Eugene Stockton
• 4. Aboriginal Art in the Blue Mountains Matthew Kelleher
• 5. The Mountain Darug Val Attenbrow
• 6. Seeing Gundungurra Country Jim Smith
• 7. Traditional Subsistence in the Blue Mountains John Merriman
• 8. The Gully Aboriginal Place Dianne Johnson
• 9. An Introduction to the Dharug Language Jim Kohen and Jeremy Steele
• 10. Gundungurra: Language of the Burragorang and Wollondilly Jeremy Steele
• Appendix: Baiame Eugene Stockton
• Index
   

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Bruny D'Entrecasteaux and his encounter with Tasmanian Aborigines: from Provence to Recherche Bay

ISBN: 9780646570563
Price: AU$35.00 +p&h
Authors: Dianne Johnson

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Born in eighteenth century Aix-en-Provence to French nobility, Bruny d'Entrecasteaux enjoyed a distinguished naval career as an intrepid navigator and diplomat before family tragedy struck. Dispatched by King Louis XVI in 1791 on a quest to find the missing explorer La Pérouse and to conduct extensive scientific surveys, d'Entrecasteaux embarked on a mission which saw the two small frigates Recherche and Espérance eventually take shelter from a storm in south-eastern Tasmania in 1792. It is a vibrant, meticulously researched and richly illustrated narrative which unfolds against the turbulent backdrop of the French Revolution.

The re-imagining of the encounters, on the basis of available documentary sources, provides new insights into an important part of the story of Tasmanian Aborigines and into the role that early French navigators did have (and might have had) in Australian history. The litany of French names dotted around the southern Tasmanian landscape are here given a context and significance hitherto unexplored in such an entertaining and informative manner.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dianne Johnson trained as an anthropologist gaining her PhD at the University of Sydney. Her initial research interest concerned women of the governing elite in Papua New Guinea. She has since published books and articles concerning contemporary Aboriginal issues as well as seminal material concerning Aboriginal astronomies. Diane died in May 2012 to the great sadness of members of the Blue Mountain Education and Research Trust but with deep appreciation for her lifetime's work.
 

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Aboriginal Church Paintings: Reflecting on Our Faith

ISBN: 9780646532387
Price: AU$20.00 +p&h
Authors: Eugene Stockton (editor)

PRODUCT DETAILS:
This unique publication provides an introduction to an aspect of Aboriginal spirituality that has not before been widely appreciated.

"The images illustrated (and discussed) in this book are unfamiliar and challenging to the western, Christian eye. They don't obey the standard liturgical or artistic rules of content and form. They certainly do not spring from any pre-conceived notion of how a 'religious' painting should look. However they do take us on a deeper theological and spiritual journey than any of the sentimental images that currently inhabit most of our churches." ...From the Preface by Terence O'Donnell

Generously illustrated in full colour, this book explores the varied responses by several Aboriginal artists, and groups of Aboriginal artists, across Australia to the Christian message, its relevance to their traditional culture and their firmly held beliefs. The result is a revealing insight into the depth of understanding of the Gospels by the artists and the important relevance this understanding has to Australian spirituality today.
 

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A Scriptural Way of the Cross

ISBN: 9780646528472
Price: AU$12.00 +p&h
Authors: Terence O'Donnell & Eugene Stockton

PRODUCT DETAILS:
This full-colour book, designed either for private devotion or with an assembly praying the Stations of the Cross, is based directly on the Gospel passages describing the Passion and Death of Jesus. The subjects for each Station are those chosen by Pope John Paul II when he officiated at a Scriptural Way of the Cross, at the Coliseum in Rome in 1991 and again in 1994. The traditional number of Stations is retained, but the events are only those referred to in the Scriptures. A Gospel reading and an appropriate Psalm upon which to meditate accompany each illustration.

In addition the book contains the full text of the Stabat Mater in English and a new translation of the song of The Suffering Servant of God, with commentary, by Eugene Stockton. Father Eugene has served as a parish priest and priest assistant to the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (Parramatta Diocese). He has gained doctorates in theology and philosophy (Sydney) and a licentiate in sacred scripture (Rome). Lecturing for many years in the Catholic seminaries at Springwood and Manly, he has written widely on theology, spirituality, scripture, archaeology, anthropology and social issues.

The fourteen paintings of the Way of the Cross, reproduced in this book, are the work of Terence O'Donnell. They hang in the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Nativity, at Lawson, in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. Terence is currently a parishioner at Lawson. His other projects, concerned with religious subjects are located at Saint Brendan's Catholic Church, Annandale; Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Dulwich Hill; Saint Mel's Catholic Church, Campsie; and the chapel of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd at Homebush.

REVIEW:
"This little booklet brings together the Scriptures, the tradition of the Church on the passion of Jesus and the lives of Jesus' disciples today. All disciples of Jesus will find this booklet helpful in their everyday journey with Jesus" ...Bishop David Walker, Diocese of Broken Bay
 

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Tossimo: Memories of Ethiopia

ISBN: 9780646569314
Price: AU$25.00 +p&h
Author: Helena Gormally

PRODUCT DETAILS:

The Dance of Creation (cover image of the book)
Painted by the author to mark the approach of the new Millenium. It was inspired by the dancing Maaza.

The Dancer
Eternal youthfulness in all persons, but
especially on the youthful continent of Africa
where rhythm, song and dance is so much a part
of daily life.

She treads lightly along the path of life, skipping
joyfully, dancing gaily in hope, like a child of
wonder.

Her hair flows into the hills, mountains, valleys
as she is a part of all of creation. It holds the
shades of all the hair colours of the peoples of
this Earth, with their holy origins, holy destinies
reaching to oneness.

Divine energy penetrates the three circles of
existence, as does the dancer. With her left hand
she beckons us to follow her in the dance because
we too, are the dance and the dancer dancing.

It is a delight to bring into public view this gem of writing. To most of us Ethiopia is a mysterious unknown. Embedded in Africa it yet has a unique geography, history, ethnic complexity and ancient Christian origins. Helena Gormally brings it to life for us in the stories of little people in the rural market town of Wolaita-Soddo. In the background we hear the turbulence of late 20th Century Ethiopia, the Communist Revolution, the Red Terror, the Famine of 1984-85, which often breaks into the lives of hapless villagers.

It is a story of joy and sorrow, of devastation and dancing, of misfortune and resilience. Woven into these threads is the remarkable story of a frenji, missionary, teacher and hermit. ...Eugene Stockton