Embassy of the Free Mind

Such an inspirational place. Small but amazingly deep. If you’re a high sensitive-artistic person this is your must in Amsterdam. There’s also a super cozy café where you can relax or meditate about everything you’ve seen. ( ps: the chairs are extra comfortable) Will definetely come back :) Thank you!

Very interesting and unusual place. It has the status of museum, and there is a small collection of esoteric prints and an enormous vase painted in the Eastern Orthodox iconic tradition. However, the chief attraction is the library of esoteric books, based on the collection of Hermetic philosophical books of Dutch philanthropist Ritman. They also have a nice garden and a nice cafeteria to hang out.

Not the best experience. I was really excited for it but it was a flop. There wasn’t that much to see. A lot of art that you need to look for the description in a folder. Generally very old content. I’m not sure why they don’t want to include contemporary thinkers and ideas. Not much that can trigger a discussion. Their space is very nice looking though. It would be a great cafe space for discussion.

The Embassy of the Free Mind in Amsterdam is one of the BEST places to be in the whole wide world. To truly appreciate the museum and library, I suggest doing some research as to the resources available there. Perhaps, start with the documentary by Sara Ferro and Chris Weil entitled The Ritman Library, in which Mr. Ritman and the enthusiastic staff showcase not only the rare, first and early edition books and manuscripts, but also their love and passion for their incredible treasury of gnostic, hermetic, alchemical, Rosicrucian, mystic, Freemason and theosophical knowledge, to name a few. I was there for a week, and if the Embassy of the Free Mind was open every day, I would have spent every single day there. All the members of the staff are incredibly personable and made me feel at home. I know of no other museum that can boast of such a staff. The volunteers and regular visitors are so friendly, as well. The free and open communication and sharing of ideas, no matter the level of study, provides any student of life with the freedom and space to either begin a journey into the self or to add to one’s enlightenment in a safe and accepting space. There is no other place that can offer an amalgamation of diverse texts on wisdom. Some of the books in the Rare collection were published in the 1400s, but the knowledge goes back farther than the past couple of centuries. When you are ready to ask yourself what life is about, all you have to do is browse through the shelves, pick up a book, and scan the table of contents. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find, and then you’ll realize it’s 5:00 PM, and you’ll want to come back for more. There are over 24,000 books, and you’ll want to go on all the tours – the regular Daily Tour, Rare Books, The Grail and any current exhibit. You’ll also want to visit the website to see which collections appeal to you. Chances are, they all will, because all the ideas are connected by threads that begin to bring ideas into focus, depending on who you are (or who you are becoming)! The building itself has a rich history, and the curators are more than happy to answer questions that you have. I, myself, don’t speak Dutch or any other European language, but I benefited greatly from the entire experience at the Embassy of the Free Mind. Everyone speaks English. Please remember that admission isn’t free – it’s your mind that is given the space to be free to explore and create your own understanding of the art (reproduced prints, texts). Imagine a place in which you can view something and engage in meaningful conversation with the text, with other people, and hopefully, with yourself. You can’t put a price tag on that. What places the Embassy of the Free Mind above all other museums and libraries is the fact that each of the 24,000+ texts and works of art (prints, sculptures) offers seeds of knowledge and wisdom from which any individual can grow and become aware of her/his place in the world and be connected with something greater. Perhaps, when you are so moved, you will even be inspired to act. Thank you to everyone at the Embassy of the Free Mind. I am grateful.

Enlightening museum! Absolutely loved it, awesome art, books and quotes, super kind staff, beautiful flower garden in the backjard, the place had a great energy!