Download or read book Journeys in Lands of Awakening and Sainthood written by Michele Michael and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-10-15 with total page 414 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What convergence is there between the spiritual path of the Theravada master Ajahn Mun and Madame Guyon, the still largely unknown great Christian mystic? Between Gerta Ital, who took the path of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, and Swami Ramdas, who practiced bhakti yoga, the path of devotion? What are the denominators common to these out-of-the-ordinary beings who, in such apparently different ways, have climbed the ladder leading to the ultimate realization? Is this not a question of the greatest importance for a seeker in search of Truth? Is the crux of this not to interrogate oneself over what is at the heart of a spiritual practice, beyond factors that are particular to a culture, an era, or a religion? Finding the universal behind the particular is the approach taken by science; it is also the approach necessary in order to disentangle the essence of spirituality from its various cultural and historical contexts.Five women, five men, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, ten different journeys, ten different paths. The lives of these inspiring beings are retraced here, firstly, to show that there are and will always be, in no matter what era, people who commit totally to responding to the inner call and, secondly, to shed light on what they had in common, not in order to define a single possible path, but to find what one must pass through without fail, the necessary steps, if one wishes one day to approach, as these beings did, lands of awakening and sainthood.

Download or read book Inner Awakening and Practice of Nada Yoga written by Edward Michael and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-03-06 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How much choice do I have in my life? What is liberation? How can one experience enlightenment? Onto all these questions and many others, Edward Salim Michael shines the light of a master who, with infinite compassion, guides aspirants on the path he, himself, traveled, a path that permitted him to attain the highest realizations and whose obstacles and traps he knows. To experience enlightenment, first one must emerge from the "diurnal sleep" in which human beings are ordinarily plunged, unaware of the divine origin of their nature; a situation that makes of them "tragically incomplete beings." Step by step, in his own words, accessible to all, the author explains the conditions that allow human beings to reunite with themselves. An astonishing force emanates from this work, which speaks to intuition as well as to feeling, a force that comes from an entirely out-of-the-ordinary sincerity. A book that one will, without doubt, come back to many times throughout one's life.

Download or read book The Law of Attention written by Edward Salim Michael and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2010-01-27 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to achieve a direct inner experience of your higher nature and the after-death state from which you originate and will return • Provides techniques for listening to the primordial sound within • Offers yoga and meditation techniques that are still little known in the West This book--at once simple and powerful--stands as a monument to the lifelong spiritual struggles of Edward Salim Michael, struggles that he heroically surmounted on his path to enlightenment. Due to the circumstances of his birth, Michael had no education, no mother tongue, and no book learning when he was drafted at the age of 19 into the British Royal Air Force during World War II. After learning to read and write he became an accomplished classical composer in France. In 1949, after seeing a statue of a Buddha for the first time, he experienced a powerful awakening of his innate Buddha Nature, which inspired him to begin a sustained and extremely disciplined meditation practice. Michael abandoned his career as a composer and went to India, the home of his maternal grandmother, where he lived for seven years fully focused on his spiritual awakening. Michael’s spiritual teachings reveal techniques of yoga and meditation that can open the door to one’s higher nature and to directly experience the after-death state. Nada yoga (meditation on the inner sound) is one of the core techniques for this realization. There is a vast luminous consciousness already within us, but it is obscured by the clouds of our incessant thoughts. With sincerity, moral integrity, and inner vigilance, which, when embodied, implies that we have internalized the basic tenets of the law of attention, we can move beyond the promptings of our lower nature and break through the clouds of our ordinary mind to realize our own divine nature. Emphasizing inner attention and an awareness of attitude, Michael’s practices can help aspirants make direct contact with the divine source each of us unknowingly carries deep within.

Download or read book The Supreme Quest written by Edward Michael and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2015-12 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Living beings are born and die continually. Sensations appear and disappear perpetually. Thoughts arise and recede unremittingly. Objects also take form and disintegrate. Desires wax and wane. Feelings are also changeable and fleeting. So, what remains that is permanent behind all these movements, behind all these creations, and behind all these incessant destructions around the human being and within him? Is it not a vital duty for him to seek to know the Immutable within himself, within which birth and death and all these perpetual changes have no place?" To know this Immutable, it is necessary to look within oneself, to learn to meditate, to know an authentic moment of pure inner silence. It is a question, little by little, of trying the precious advice set out in this work, especially concerning control of the mind during meditation; it is the fruit of forty years of intensive meditation on the part of the author. Edward Salim Michael emphasizes, in particular, the importance of habit because, he says, "Human beings cannot help being creatures of habit. It is necessary to establish consciously within them habits and tendencies that can help them in their spiritual practice." And to strive against the routine, the seeker is invited to keep constantly alive within him/her burning questions concerning the Universe, consciousness, and the mystery of life and death. Born in England, Edward Salim Michael (1921-2006) spent his youth in various Eastern countries and lived for a long time in India, the country of his grandmother. After many years of assiduous meditation practice, at the age of thirty-three, he had an extremely powerful experience of awakening to what one might equally well call either the Buddha-Nature or the Infinite within oneself. He is the author of The Law of Attention: Nada-Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance, now a recognized classic.

Download or read book Awakening with the Enemy written by Mark Dillof and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Have you ever found yourself quarreling with someone you love over mere trifles? Been attracted to someone bad for you? Been plagued by dark desires, infected by jealousy, devastated by a break-up? Are you tired of being Love's victim?

Download or read book Journey to the West 2018 Edition PDF written by Wu Cheng'en and published by Asiapac Books Pte Ltd. This book was released on 2018-08-14 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The bestselling Journey to the West comic book by artist Chang Boon Kiat is now back in a brand new fully coloured edition. Journey to the West is one of the greatest classics in Chinese literature. It tells the epic tale of the monk Xuanzang who journeys to the West in search of the Buddhist sutras with his disciples, Sun Wukong, Sandy and Pigsy. Along the way, Xuanzang's life was threatened by the diabolical White Bone Spirit, the menacing Red Child and his fearsome parents and, a host of evil spirits who sought to devour Xuanzang's flesh to attain immortality. Bear witness to the formidable Sun Wukong's (Monkey God) prowess as he takes them on, using his Fiery Eyes, Golden Cudgel, Somersault Cloud, and quick wits! Be prepared for a galloping read that will leave you breathless!

Download or read book The Varieties of Religious Experience written by William James and published by The Floating Press. This book was released on 2009-01-01 with total page 824 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Harvard psychologist and philosopher William James' The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature explores the nature of religion and, in James' observation, its divorce from science when studied academically. After publication in 1902 it quickly became a canonical text of philosophy and psychology, remaining in print through the entire century. "Scientific theories are organically conditioned just as much as religious emotions are; and if we only knew the facts intimately enough, we should doubtless see 'the liver' determining the dicta of the sturdy atheist as decisively as it does those of the Methodist under conviction anxious about his soul. When it alters in one way the blood that percolates it, we get the Methodist, when in another way, we get the atheist form of mind."

Download or read book The Mind Illuminated written by Culadasa and published by Hay House, Inc. This book was released on 2017-01-03 with total page 675 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Mind Illuminated is a comprehensive, accessible and - above all - effective book on meditation, providing a nuts-and-bolts stage-based system that helps all levels of meditators establish and deepen their practice. Providing step-by-step guidance for every stage of the meditation path, this uniquely comprehensive guide for a Western audience combines the wisdom from the teachings of the Buddha with the latest research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Clear and friendly, this in-depth practice manual builds on the nine-stage model of meditation originally articulated by the ancient Indian sage Asanga, crystallizing the entire meditative journey into 10 clearly-defined stages. The book also introduces a new and fascinating model of how the mind works, and uses illustrations and charts to help the reader work through each stage. This manual is an essential read for the beginner to the seasoned veteran of meditation.

Download or read book In Search of the Christian Buddha How an Asian Sage Became a Medieval Saint written by Donald S. Lopez, Jr. and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2014-04-07 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fascinating account of how the story of the Buddha was transformed into the legend of a Christian saint. The story of Saint Josaphat, a prince who gave up his wealth and kingdom to follow Jesus, was one of the most popular Christian tales of the Middle Ages, translated into a dozen languages, and cited by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice. Yet Josaphat is only remembered today because of the similarities of his life to that of the Buddha. In Search of the Christian Buddha is set against the backdrop of the trade along the Silk Road, the Christian settlement of Palestine, the spread of Islam, and the Crusades. It traces the path of the Buddha’s tale from India and shows how it evolved, adopting details from each culture during its sojourn. These early instances of globalization allowed not only goods but also knowledge to flow between different cultures and around much of the world. Eminent scholars Donald S. Lopez Jr. and Peggy McCracken reveal how religions born thousands of miles apart shared ideas throughout the centuries. They uncover surprising convergences and divergences between these faiths on subjects including the meaning of death, the problem of desire, and their view of women. Demonstrating the incredible power of this tale, they ask not how stories circulate among religions but how religions circulate among stories.

Download or read book The Mountain of Silence written by Kyriacos C. Markides and published by Image. This book was released on 2002-11-19 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An acclaimed expert in Christian mysticism travels to a monastery high in the Trodos Mountains of Cyprus and offers a fascinating look at the Greek Orthodox approach to spirituality that will appeal to readers of Carlos Castaneda. In an engaging combination of dialogues, reflections, conversations, history, and travel information, Kyriacos C. Markides continues the exploration of a spiritual tradition and practice little known in the West he began in Riding with the Lion. His earlier book took readers to the isolated peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece and into the group of ancient monasteries. There, in what might be called a “Christian Tibet,” two thousand monks and hermits practice the spiritual arts to attain a oneness with God. In his new book, Markides follows Father Maximos, one of Mount Athos’s monks, to the troubled island of Cyprus. As Father Maximos establishes churches, convents, and monasteries in this deeply divided land, Markides is awakened anew to the magnificent spirituality of the Greek Orthodox Church. Images of the land and the people of Cyprus and details of its tragic history enrich the Mountain of Silence. Like the writings of Castaneda, the book brilliantly evokes the confluence of an inner and outer journey. The depth and richness of its spiritual message echo the thoughts and writings of Saint Francis of Assisi and other great saints of the Church as well. The result is a remarkable work–a moving, profoundly human examination of the role and the power of spirituality in a complex and confusing world.

Download or read book The Flower Ornament Scripture written by Thomas Cleary and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 1993-10-12 with total page 2759 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A masterful translation of one of the most influential Buddhist sutras—the Avatamsaka Sutra—by one of the greatest translators of Buddhist texts of our time Known in Chinese as Hua-yen and in Japanese as Kegon-kyo, the Avatamsaka Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture, is held in the highest regard and studied by Buddhists of all traditions. Through its structure and symbolism, as well as through its concisely stated principles, it conveys a vast range of Buddhist teachings. This one-volume edition contains Thomas Cleary’s definitive translation of all thirty-nine books of the sutra, along with an introduction, a glossary, and Cleary’s translation of Li Tongxuan’s seventh-century guide to the final book, the Gandavyuha, “Entry into the Realm of Reality.”

Download or read book Windows on the House of Islam written by John Renard and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 1998-06-18 with total page 460 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume and its companion, John Renard's 1996 book, SEVEN DOORS TO ISLAM, together integrate a wide range of Islamic literary and visual forms, offering a superb introduction to the primary religious sources, as well as a general understanding, of Islamic spirituality and culture. 66 illustrations. 1 map.

Download or read book The Spirit of Catholicism written by Dr. Karl Adam and published by Pickle Partners Publishing. This book was released on 2017-06-28 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the 1929 English translation of the original German text first published in 1924 and authored by one of the world’s most distinguished Christian philosophers, Dr. Karl Adam. This book is a brilliant and evocative study of the fundamental concepts of the Catholic Faith, from its tenets, its historical development and the role of the Church in world society. For many on the outside, Catholicism, according to Dr. Adam, represents a daunting and somewhat foreign confused mass of conflicting forces that has somehow survived the tests of time. Catholicism is simultaneously new yet quite old; holy yet corrupt; hierarchical yet personal; dogmatic yet utilitarian, and so on. How can someone outside the Church get a good grasp on the essence of Catholicism when it is so vast and seemingly complex? Those attempting to grasp the very heart and spirit of Catholicism should read Karl Adam’s book, which is a most elegant and concise exploration of the faith and an attempt to address these ambiguities. What are the fundamental attributes of the Catholic Church? What is the source from which it has drawn vigor and life through its two thousand years of life on earth? What are the secret sources of its incredible vitality in the world today? The author answers these and many other questions about the nature and structure of the Church. He examines the essential nature of the Catholic Church from the basic premise that it was expressly founded by Christ, traces its historical development and analyzes its actual functioning through the ages.

Download or read book Immortal Diamond written by Richard Rohr and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-01-02 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dissolve the distractions of ego to find our authentic selves in God In his bestselling book Falling Upward, Richard Rohr talked about ego (or the False Self) and how it gets in the way of spiritual maturity. But if there's a False Self, is there also a True Self? What is it? How is it found? Why does it matter? And what does it have to do with the spiritual journey? This book likens True Self to a diamond, buried deep within us, formed under the intense pressure of our lives, that must be searched for, uncovered, separated from all the debris of ego that surrounds it. In a sense True Self must, like Jesus, be resurrected, and that process is not resuscitation but transformation. Shows how to navigate spiritually difficult terrain with clear vision and tools to uncover our True Selves Written by Father Richard Rohr, the bestselling author of Falling Upward Examines the fundamental issues of who we are and helps us on our path of spiritual maturity Immortal Diamond (whose title is taken from a line in a Gerard Manley Hopkins poem) explores the deepest questions of identity, spirituality, and meaning in Richard Rohr's inimitable style.

Download or read book The Secret History of the Jesuits written by Edmond Paris and published by Chick Publications. This book was released on 2011 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Secrets the Jesuits don't want Christians to know Out of Europe, a voice is heard from the secular world that documents historically the same information told by ex-priests. The author exposes the Vatican's involvement in world politics, intrigues, and the fomenting of wars throughout history. It appears, beyond any doubt, that the Roman Catholic institution is not a Christian church and never was. The poor Roman Catholic people have been betrayed by her and are facing spiritual disaster. Paris shows that Rome is responsible for the two great world wars. Author Edmond Paris explains why he wrote this book... "The public is practically unaware of the overwhelming responsibility carried by the Vatican and its Jesuits in the start of the two world wars -- a situation which may be explained in part by the gigantic finances at the disposition of the Vatican and its Jesuits, giving them power in so many spheres, especially since the last conflict." "In fact, the part they took in those tragic events has hardly been mentioned until the present time, except by apologists eager to disguise it. It is with the aim of rectifying this and establishing the true facts that we present in this and other books the political activity of the Vatican during the contemporary -- activity which mutually concerns the Jesuits." "This study is based on irrefutable archive documents, publications from well-known political personalities, diplomats, ambassadors and eminent writers, most of whom are Catholics, even attested by the imprimatur."

Download or read book Zen and the Brain written by James H. Austin and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 1999-06-04 with total page 876 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A neuroscientist and Zen practitioner interweaves the latest research on the brain with his personal narrative of Zen. Aldous Huxley called humankind's basic trend toward spiritual growth the "perennial philosophy." In the view of James Austin, the trend implies a "perennial psychophysiology"—because awakening, or enlightenment, occurs only when the human brain undergoes substantial changes. What are the peak experiences of enlightenment? How could these states profoundly enhance, and yet simplify, the workings of the brain? Zen and the Brain presents the latest evidence. In this book Zen Buddhism becomes the opening wedge for an extraordinarily wide-ranging exploration of consciousness. In order to understand which brain mechanisms produce Zen states, one needs some understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry of the brain. Austin, both a neurologist and a Zen practitioner, interweaves the most recent brain research with the personal narrative of his Zen experiences. The science is both inclusive and rigorous; the Zen sections are clear and evocative. Along the way, Austin examines such topics as similar states in other disciplines and religions, sleep and dreams, mental illness, consciousness-altering drugs, and the social consequences of the advanced stage of ongoing enlightenment.

Download or read book Unmasking Buddhism written by Bernard Faure and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-09-13 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: UNMASKING BUDDHISM Can we talk of Buddhism as a unified religion or are there many Buddhisms? Is Buddhism a religion of tolerance and pacifism as many people think? Is Buddhism a religion without god(s)? Or is it more of a philosophy than a religion? Renowned Buddhist scholar Bernard Faure answers these and other questions about the basic history, beliefs and nature of Buddhism in easy-to-understand language. It is an ideal introduction for anyone who has unanswered questions about one of the world’s largest and most popular religions.