A Most Unusual Life: Dora van Gelder Kunz: Clairvoyant, Theosophist, Healer

by Kirsten van Gelder, Frank Chelsey

Overview

Born on a sugar plantation in Java at the turn of the 20th century, psychic, alternative healer, and writer Dora van Gelder Kunz was to become one of the most unique and unforgettable women of her age.

This biography traces her life from her signs of clairvoyant ability in early childhood through her pioneering development, with Delores Krieger, of Therapeutic Touch; her presidency of the Theosophical Society in America; and, finally, her death at ninety-five.

Among her several seminal books in the genre of modern esoteric literature are The Real World of Fairies, The Personal Aura, and Spiritual Healing.

Those who knew Dora were captivated by her blunt honesty, tremendous perception, deep compassion, and infinite capacity for hilarity. As this book lovingly chronicles, hers was indeed a most unusual life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780835609364
Publisher:	Quest Books
Publication date:	07/01/2015
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Kirsten van Gelder received a Master's Degree from New York University. She works as a reflexologist in private practice. Her husband, Nicolas van Gelder, is the nephew of Dora van Gelder Kunz.

Frank Chelsey spent over fifty years working as a newspaper reporter and interviewer. His first interview with Dora Van Gelder Kunz was conducted in 1997.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1 Coming of Age in Java and Australia 11

2 A Young Theosophist in Australia 33

3 Decisions (1925-1928) 69

4 Transitions and Choices (1929-1939) 87

5 The Real World of Fairies and Pumpkin Hollow Farm 119

6 The War and Postwar Years (1939-1953) 131

7 Wainwright House and the Spiritual Healing Seminars 145

8 Dora's Turning Point 185

9 Healing and Therapeutic Touch (1972-1975) 199

10 President of the Theosophical Society in America (1975-1987) 243

11 Dora's Last Decade (1987-1999) 281

Notes 309

Bibliography 325

Index 333

Editorial Reviews

"Dora van Gelder Kunz was a driving force in the worlds of alternative healing and Theosophy until her death in 1999. Dora had a privileged childhood, growing up on a plantation in Java, catered to by servants, yet isolated from other children. She ended her life in much simpler circumstances, having turned her attention to the practice of energetic healing and spirituality. She learned to meditate at the age of five and soon after began developing her clairvoyant abilities. She was a student of C. W. Leadbeater, and an associate of Krishnamurti and Geoffrey Hodson, to name just a few. At the forefront of what would eventually become the New Thought and New Age movements, her finely tuned mind and rational approach to the metaphysical world still sets the bar within the field. Best known for co-creating Therapeutic Touch with Delores Krieger, her influence in the early days of alternative healing far exceeds her notoriety. In addition to being an in-depth portrait of a woman who favored practicality and logical analysis over mysticism and phenomenon, this book is also a unique behind-the-scenes look into the early days of The Theosophical Society. Written by two people who knew her very well, it is a labor of love which demonstrates the same determination and attention to detail that was the hallmark of Dora van Gelder Kunz's work. It will speak to a broad range of your customers on many levels. Let them know that Kunz was especially fond of nurses and worked closely with them during her healings." —Anna Jedrziewski, Retailing Insight magazine

Reviews

"Dora van Gelder Kunz was a driving force in the worlds of alternative healing and Theosophy until her death in 1999. Dora had a privileged childhood, growing up on a plantation in Java, catered to by servants, yet isolated from other children. She ended her life in much simpler circumstances, having turned her attention to the practice of energetic healing and spirituality. She learned to meditate at the age of five and soon after began developing her clairvoyant abilities. She was a student of C. W. Leadbeater, and an associate of Krishnamurti and Geoffrey Hodson, to name just a few. At the forefront of what would eventually become the New Thought and New Age movements, her finely tuned mind and rational approach to the metaphysical world still sets the bar within the field. Best known for co-creating Therapeutic Touch with Delores Krieger, her influence in the early days of alternative healing far exceeds her notoriety. In addition to being an in-depth portrait of a woman who favored practicality and logical analysis over mysticism and phenomenon, this book is also a unique behind-the-scenes look into the early days of The Theosophical Society. Written by two people who knew her very well, it is a labor of love which demonstrates the same determination and attention to detail that was the hallmark of Dora van Gelder Kunz's work. It will speak to a broad range of your customers on many levels. Let them know that Kunz was especially fond of nurses and worked closely with them during her healings." —Anna Jedrziewski, Retailing Insight magazine

From the Publisher