The Illustrated Egyptian Book of the Dead: A New Translation with Commentary

The translations in this book incorporate the symbolic meaning of the texts. Here is an example given by Dr. Seleem: A sentence from the text, if translated literally without consideration of the symbolic meaning, would read: "I am pure in my great double nests, in the city of Sutnny, in the day where the people gave offerings to the great principle in it." This translation is not only hard to understand, but misses the deeper meaning completely. However, if we look at the same sentence and consider its symbolic meaning we will obtain the following translation: "I achieved purification of my body and soul in the time of my youth, when other people were busy with the dazzling illusion of life." Dr. Seleem not only gives us a refreshing, new and insightful translation, but also includes valuable commentary. Included in this book is the entire Papyrus of Hunefer, and extracts from the Papyrus of Ani, the Papyrus of Enhai, the Papyrus of Gerusher, and the Negative Confessions of the Papyrus of the Royal Mother Nezemt. Dr. Seleem has also divided the translation into numbered sentences for easy reference and includes a glossary. This book is essential for understanding the True Spiritual meaning of literal translations of the texts.

There have been different editions of Illustrated Egyptian Book Of The Dead, a true spiritual and metaphysical classic; but this one from Stering Publishing provides a new translation by Dr. Ramses Seleem of the first two chapters, extracts from the entire book selected with modern audiences in mind, and color photos and illustrations of both Egypt and ancient Egyptian relics. A gorgeous, gift quality edition offering new insights.

Don't be put off by the title! The real title of `The Egyptian Book of the Dead', is actually `The Book of Coming Forth by the Light of Day', which describes how the soul travels through this world, the netherworld, and the spiritual realm and is therefore very relevant to the living person. This ancient text is said to be the only record of the two-fold mystery - the mystery of life and death and is meant to be read and re-enacted by the living to help them on this journey.In reality, therefore, the book of the dead is the Egyptian book of life - life now, life hereafter and life everlasting. Dr Seleem explains that a human being needs a map in order to travel both in this lifetime and beyond: `How can you travel in life after death without knowing the way? The roads, ways, gates, hours, laws and guardians of life after death are explained in detail in the Book of the Dead and even though a copy is buried with the deceased, it is better to learn this divine knowledge by heart and live it in this lifetime.' Dr Seleem has produced a magnificent book, beautifully illustrated with many stunning illustrations from a 19th century edition of the papyrus. As a background to his translation, he has incorporated an impressive and revelatory account of the Egyptian religion, philosophy and mythology which he studied for over 25 years, which for itself, is a sufficient reason to buy the book. He has worked with the original texts and incorporated the symbolic meaning which they contain, often missed by earlier authors. It will serve scholars, people fascinated by this most ancient of traditions and anyone seeking to understand the mystery of life and death and the journey of the soul.

As a none beliver in God it made me look at things in a completely different way I see this book as a better, nicier way at looking at how life begane, Dr Seleem, explains things clearly and I would have to say that after reading this book, I have certainly opened my life to a new religion and a different kind of spiritual awareness. Thank you Dr Ramses Seleem.