Fascinating - a new-age bible that explores the miracle of creation and existence, validated by ancient history, mathematics, science and sacred geometry.

In this book, Drunvalo presents the first half of 'The Flower of Life' workshop, illuminating the mysteries of how we came to be, why the world is the way it is and the subtle energies that allow our awareness to blossom into its true reality.

Some might find this book outrageous. Drunvalo is candid and upfront in claiming that a large part of the contents were a result of guidance from two angels, and communication on interdimensional levels with a being called Thoth. So is it all balooney? Being aware of the 'unbelievable' aspect of this channel of information, Drunvalo ensures dramatic overdoses of mathematical and scientific evidence to prove his theories. And in the process he does such a brilliant job that one is left wondering if there could be any other possible understanding.

The 'hero' of the book is the 'flower of life' pattern, the geometrical design that leads us in and out of this physical existence. Right from its discovery in the ruins of Egypt to how it represents all who we are, it's truly to be read to be believed. So in the process, Drunvalo undertakes the herculean task of trying to get a vast and diverse body of information through to the reader in this book. He uses pictures and graphics to help us understand the concepts better.

Here's a sampling of the contents. Fragmented though it may seem, it all merges fantastically into a 'oneness', as one moves from chapter to chapter. So, we're given snippets of information on the fall of Atlantis, the rise of Lemuria, the ancient history of the world completely different from that taught to us in school, the sudden rise of the Egyptian civilization, the true age and importance of the Sphinx and how it's connected to the Akashic records, planetary grids for each species in the world, the birth of human consciousness, its subsequent rape and rescue, Metatron's cube - the first informational system, the astounding similarity between the universe and the human body explained step-by-step, sacred geometry including the fascinating Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Mean spiral. Phew! All in 223 pages.

The concepts and theories are astounding: the 'Halls of Amenti' located towards the centre of the Earth, the relationship between 'pi' and sanskrit shlokas, the importance of Sirius, the Star Tetrahedron, Leornardo Da Vinci's drawing of the Vitruvian man, and how crucial its understanding is, and so on.

On the downside, in the latter half there's a tremendous overload of sacred geometry and though its inclusion might have been imperative, it gets a bit tedious to read. There are segments which are 'way-out', literally: The Lucifer rebellion on Mars and how the Martians rape the Human Child Consciousness and take over. Ummm, what was that again? And of course, the fact that it is a 'channeled' book is, and always will be, fodder for sceptics.

So, if you have the DNA and programming of a believer, this is the book for you. You'll love its sheer expanse and its ability to provide you content on things you 'simply did not know'. And if you're a born sceptic, it might just prompt you to doubt your current beliefs. However, due to the information overload it's a book to be read over a number of sittings. And then some more.

Upon reading the book, what comes to mind is the famous quote of the German mystic, Meister Eckhart: "All we can do is wonder and marvel at the magnificence and variety of God's creation."

Reviewed by Gautam Sachdeva

• Title: The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life
• Author: Drunvalo Melchizedek
• Publisher: Light Technology Publishing