Knowledge is power and the right knowledge makes man perform God.We have evolved across centuries and advanced exponentially just off the surface of our human brains and there are more recesses of intellect in us to make us truly superior. Our early forefathers have passed us upon to us those ancient wisdom for that very transformation and all we have to do is look up for those among our holy doctrines and manuscripts, not literally but with a shift of perspective.
The Dan brown’s novel offers such a proclamation as its essence among its 500 odd pages. The information density in the book is rich with a revelation of historical significance or just some scientific observation almost page to page. Just like the earlier two novels, this one is fast paced a guaranteed page turner.
There are puzzles in plot and storyline from chapter to chapter and then there is this melancolia I, the 33rd degree and the order eight Franklin square for Robert Langdon to take cue from to follow the trails and you are in for a delightful ride.
Can ancient wisdom really empower man with that much potent, you may feel like questioning and Dan brown draws another parallel here in Noetic science to justify that. There are some interesting observations on how shortly after 9/11 the random event generators were synchronized in their outputs, with the millions of minds milling in shock and concern at the same time on the events of the tragedy. The human mind can effect a change in the physical world and all the minds focusing on the same thought can bring about a change in the world. You realize that universal consciousness is established as a Noetic science here. Makes a lot of sense.
There are some instances in the book that evoke deep thought - when Solomon ponders on oncoming period of enlightenment that is professed by all religions, to a group of audience. Truth makes all religions profess the same thing and a period of apocalypse is really nothing but a period of new enlightenment and knowledge for upheaval. The darker our lives have become in is just an indication that a period of illumination will follow it and we all being in such a moment of history to witness ‘Renaissance’ is indeed a blessing. I suggest anybody to slow down their reading pace here and muse on this. How positive?
All our yogic preachings tell us exactly what Freemasonry proclaims, “mind is atop golden capstone atop the human body” and the energy rises from spine to the mind to truly elevate us to that of the outer world.
Having said all this, I just cannot help questioning this – wont evolution, a normal course of progress, make man’s intellect superior just as everybody feels. Should enlightenment be really necessary transform mankind to a level of superiority? Having explained Noetic science, Dan Brown could have discussed this one.
I admit one cannot truly review the book. There are two reasons to this . One, only true experts can opine on the facts and claims on Freemasonry, and two, the illustrations here transcend normal research, like the vast expanding night view of Washington when Robert Langdon goes atop the US Capitol and realizes what the order eight Franklin square actually depicts, it is as if we ourselves are blindfolded and taken to the place and experience that marvel unfold before us. Truly amazing.
And then there are some ‘’benefit of plot” instances, that a brilliant scientist and a brilliant professor will fall for the assassin’s phone call for the nth time without verifying the claims of the call, that a powerful and influential father will entrust his spoiled son upon with a crucial Masonic ‘wisdom’ even before his decision, and that Solomon forgetting everything about having lost a hand will accompany his friend for gaping over Washington immediately after his rescue - hard to digest.
The Lost Symbol, is still much worth a read just as the Angels and demons or Da vinci code. just don’t turn pages in haste to see what happens next . things will be fine .go slowly as there are some true wisps of wisdom scattered across these pages you will appreciate.