The Sunday Lectures by Peter Deunov

VOLUME I:

What is the nature of freedom? What is the most prominent characteristic of love? How does the spirit differ from the flesh? These are some of life's most puzzling questions, some of which have stood at the forefront of people's minds for generations. In the span of 2,000 years since the time of Christ, we have been riddled with existential conundrums that stand before us like a stone wall, creating an impasse that keeps us glued to old values. Yet Christ, in His great Wisdom, provided so many answers to life's troubles. In this series of lectures, Peter Deunov shows us how the words of Christ relate certain Truths that give meaning to our current modern existence, even in the midst of our great technological advancement and scientific breakthroughs. For the Truths contained here are eternal, and as such, they are in the condition to eviscerate the plague of nihilism that veils our current perceptions.

Perhaps nobody understood Christianity as a science better than Peter Deunov. In the span of more than four decades he was able to disseminate and unravel the hidden meaning of Christ's words in such a way as to make them comprehensible and applicable in our modern age. It becomes more clear that the things Christ said in his time referred to us who live in the present age. Translated from the original Bulgarian, this collection of 32 lectures features Deunov's first official series, The Sunday Lectures, which began in March 1914. This was a special moment as it was the dawn of the so-called Age of Aquarius.

VOLUME II:

The lectures in this volume are a continuation of Peter Deunov's lecture series, Power and Life, which were delivered every Sunday from the year 1914 until his departure in 1944. Although he examines Biblical verses from both the New and Old Testaments, Deunov's primary focus is on the words of Christ as they relate to mankind in today's modern world. Some of the topics in this volume include: understanding and differentiating the essential from the transient; the difference between the Holy Spirit and the evil one; how to interpret suffering as a blessing; the profound meaning of birth; the true function of the brain as a conduit of Divine thought; the vastness of the human soul; the existence of Divine laws that regulate phenomena; the interconnectedness between truth and reconciliation; the importance of compassion in one's spiritual and moral development; the interrelationship between thoughts and feelings as they relate to dimensions leading to God.

Peter Deunov delivered these lectures at the onset of the first World War. In fact, the first lecture begins right after Bulgaria made a formal alliance with the Central Powers and declared war on Serbia. One of the most notable aspects in the lectures are the words of Christ and their meaning in relation to us. The lectures also feature an amalgam of folk tales, historical anecdotes, and even songs which relate certain proverbial truths that encapsulate not only the Balkan mentality of the time, but also explore the human condition. They were held in a time of great tribulation but alas, as Deunov points out, the difficulties only serve as conditions for our development, yet the lessons gleaned from the trials yield knowledge for all eternity. 

VOLUME III:

The collection of lectures in this volume are part of Peter Deunov's lecture series, Power and Life, which he delivered every Sunday for the next 30 years. Deunov primarily draws on verses from the New Testament. He examines the words of Christ as they relate to us and our modern world. Our modern views, however, are problematic. According to philosopher, Isaiah Berlin, what philosophy deals with are the assumptions on which a great deal of normal beliefs rest, the kind of beliefs which people don't want to probe. Modern-day people simply don't want to be bothered, lest such scrutiny expose their faults and weaknesses. Yet Deunov does just that! Many of modern man's faults are remnants from a distant past which has no foreseeable future. Most of these shortcomings lie hidden in the recesses of the collective unconscious. It is therefore our task to both identify and rectify them. Doing so will ensure a brighter future for all of us.

Peter Deunov concluded several of his lectures with the same message: "dress with hope, be filled with faith, and connect with love." These remarks not only reflect the themes of the lectures, but they also explain a process that takes place from within. Going beyond superficial definitions, Deunov explores everything in detail, oftentimes with several examples that are easy to grasp and which relate to our own lives. He therefore takes abstract subjects and makes them both concrete and applicable. Many of his lectures also reflect the turmoil of the times, namely the first World War, which was coming to an end. However, from his perspective, the real war is the one being waged between good and evil, and our task is to stand on the side of goodness, love, and truth.

VOLUME IV:

The Sunday Lectures comprise more than 25% of all the lectures given by Peter Deunov. They are also considered his most significant oeuvre as they contain the key topics and subjects which would serve as a template for all future lecture series. The collection of lectures in this volume are organized chronologically and span the years 1919-1920, covering roughly one year. Almost every lecture begins with a verse from the New Testament, followed by a detailed analysis by Deunov, in which he examines the meaning of the verse. Deunov oftentimes explains the effect of Christ's words in scientific and mathematical terms, which he uses to answer the questions set forth by his listeners. On many occasions he receives peoples' questions as he's giving the lecture, a factor that contributes to the diverse nature of topics encountered throughout many lectures. 

The course of these lectures is punctuated by two important events: The Paris Conference which officially put an end to the first World War, and the rise of Bolshevism in Russia. While the future of Bulgaria and all of Europe hung by the thread of these events, Peter Deunov insists that the real fate of mankind can only rest in the connection with the Divine. There is a profound Divine center within man, which anchors him to the eternal, and doesn't let him get rocked side to side from one popular uprising to another. This anchor is his safe haven, and whatever the individual does when in contact with this Divine origin will always remain true. The unity between man and the Divine is not conditioned by political episodes and the volatile nature of human opinion. It is rather and eternal oneness with the Divine principles that govern everything in existence. 

VOLUME V:

Embark on an existential voyage through "The Sunday Lectures, Volume 5," as Peter Deunov delves into the profound essence of being. In Lecture 32, "The Son of God," Deunov elucidates the intrinsic significance of eating, music, and prayer, delineating them as the elemental pillars of physical, mental, and spiritual life. These foundational principles, akin to the essence of first philosophy, offer indispensable guidance amidst life's complexities. Deunov seamlessly weaves these concepts with familiar notions such as form, content, and meaning, crafting a comprehensive framework for understanding existence. Drawing from the New Testament in Lecture 28, he reveals the interconnectedness of righteousness, truth, and holiness, mirroring the faculties of the mind, heart, and will. With remarkable clarity, Deunov's lectures illuminate the path to self-realization and enlightenment, encouraging us to embrace life's depth and fulfill our highest potential.

In this installment, we journey back to a post-World War I European society grappling with the aftermath of conflict. As the continent indulged in post-war revelry, Peter Deunov's lectures offered a profound counterbalance. In an era marked by cabarets and speakeasies, Deunov reminded us that true love and beauty cannot be found amidst fleeting pleasures. Material excesses, he cautioned, only lead to emptiness and boredom. Life, he argued, is not a mere spectacle to distract from monotony but an opportunity for profound creativity.

Deunov's teachings inspire us to look inward, tapping into our innate creative forces-heart, mind, and will. As we navigate the complexities of existence, let us heed his timeless wisdom, embracing the transformative power of genuine creativity. Join us on this illuminating journey as we rediscover the essence of life beyond superficial indulgence.

Peter Deunov (1864-1944), also known by the spiritual name Beinsa Douno, was a spiritual teacher in Bulgaria best known internationally for giving the Paneurhythmy, a communal dance set to music to promote spiritual development and physical health. The Iron Curtain obscured his teaching for forty-five years, but since the end of the Cold War the recognition of its value has spread. This awareness, which began slowly, has very much increased in recent years.