I became interested Kundalini and have been reading on Kundalini awakening for some time. Whilst there are many books out there on Kundalini rising I have found Hamilton's Caduceus to be the most informative. Caduceus provides perspective for those who have had such an experience and for those who wish to know more about it. Unlike many new age spiritual texts which are often lacking in substance, Caduceus presents the Kundalini experience in a scholarly way backed by fact, best evidence and much research which has not previously been done. For instance Caduceus also presents the history of Kundalini in the context of the bibles of the world, the forerunners and initiators of our religions and spiritual movements and even philosophers of note who have had this very same Kundalini experience. What I found very enlightening was that Hamilton wrote such a book many years after his own experience of Kundalini.

Just when you think that Caduceus has come to an end, Hamilton presents a volume of research that parallels the Kundalini experience with the near-death experience and includes a commentary of a discussion he had with Dr Raymond Moody (who coined the phrase near-death experience or NDE) on these many amazing similarities.

I would highly recommend Caduceus not only as a starting point on Kundalini, the mystic experience and its parallels with the near-death experience but as a permanent guide to be used in conjunction with books on Kundalini, mystic and near-death experiences.
M. Ramsaran, London

This lively book entitled Caduceus brings a new perspective on religious and spiritual reflections that is centered in the concept of light in the three Abrahamic religions. Mr. Hamilton's application of light as an interwoven common thread throughout the eight chapters fills the reader with anticipation to read his conclusive remarks. The book emphasizes the 'illuminating experience of light'' through the extensive travels of the author. Using the Rosetta stone which is the symbol for deciphering the mysteries of Egyptian hieroglyphics sheds light on the importance of ''light'' as a metaphor to unfold the mysteries of many civilizations and to answer many questions. The book unravels the mysteries of some ancient religious practices and the anomalies that can be substantive evidence for many unanswered questions that many academics describe as baffling and mysterious. The study can be summed up as a unique experience of reconciliation between spirituality and global dichotomy and disharmony. The four first chapters in the book captures the imagination through the details that explore the symbolic riddles of the Eye of Horus, the miracle of the Egyptian pyramids and the Taoist religion and how ancient civilizations started. The book uses the theme of light as revealed in the Torah and the new Bible and the Qur'an and in some of the spiritual texts from the Far East to argue the case about how the moment of ''enlightenment'' has a dramatic impact on the prophets, philosophers and writers who are inspired from that 'spark of light' that kindles the spirit.

Mr. Hamilton takes us on a spiritual journey by using the metaphoric presence of 'light' as the intuitive knowledge which creates a chart which he describes as the experience of the symbol of caduceus as reflected in every culture and philosophic system which helps us in understanding many of the mysteries of the civilizations of the world. The book links the dots together by referring to the quotation from Confucius about "Kundalini'' as a unifying force among all religions which Mr. Hamilton describes as seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Caduceus brings us closer to understanding the need to have that spark of light to build a constructive and sustainable dialogue at a time when the world is facing so many challenges. It is an inspirational and capturing book.
Dr. Shaker, Yale Divinity School.

I think CADUCEUS is a remarkable book in many ways. I am grateful for the extensive bibliography Robert Hamilton provides (one that indicates a considerable amount of research as well as wide-ranging interests and knowledge) and for the ways he has organized the information about texts and about those whose spiritual experiences offer us a great deal of insight. I am also grateful for his descriptions of what he himself encountered in his vast travels and for his own personal experience with "the light."
Leslie Lass, PhD, Washington D.C., USA

A very enjoyable read, interesting and thought stimulating, raises some very good questions to get you thinking about spirituality and a very good description of the authors own personal journey and experience of kundalini. Does a good job of bringing together the scientific and metaphysical and I enjoyed the very personal way the author has of discussing the topic while sharing his own experiences.
Patrick P, New York

Caduceus is an exceptionally well researched book. There can be few people who have not wondered 'Why am I here?', or 'What's the meaning of life?', or 'Is there a God?'. There are many potential sources of answers - religion, philosophers, science, history etc. Hamilton reviews each in turn, looking for wisdom and assessing the helpfulness of each source in improving our understanding of these deep questions.

The clear conclusion is that all men have a spiritual component in their makeup. It is only by tapping into ones own spiritual nature that answers can be found thus helping us lead more satisfying and fulfilled lives.

The book is thought provoking and very persuasive. The breadth of subject matter covered is remarkable. The book is written in an open, easily digested style making sometimes difficult, esoteric concepts approachable.

I recommend this book to anyone, from novices to savants, to believers to non believers. If the book succeeds in persuading you to try to get more in touch with your whole self, it may just change your life - for the better!
Keith Williams, Spain

I found Caduceus to be a very well reasearched and well written introduction (for me) to a number of theories, issues, and arguments. The theories are explored against the backdrop of the author's personal experience, drawing on the knowledge of historians, philosophers, scientists and religious scripts which makes it a very readable tome for novices in spirituality, and I am sure an interesting contribution for those who have already explored these areas.

Highly thought provoking and has already been the basis for number of interesting arguments!
Ian Chester, UK

Wow - fascinating stuff. This book really makes you think long and hard about the scientific `explanations' that have, perhaps, been too readily accepted as fact. It uncovers inconsistencies in commonly accepted theories - which most of us will have been taught in school - with well researched factual evidence to the contrary.

Combined with his commentary on religious, philosophical and spiritual matters, he covers a diverse range of topics but manages to bring them together with surprising harmony. In particular I liked the explanation of the Kundalini experience, its history and how he parallels it with the near death experience.

It's not often that you come across a book that provides so many topics for discussion.
N.Price, London