Download or read book Tapta Marga written by Walter O. Kaelber and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 1989-09-15 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the most comprehensive study yet made of tapas and of asceticism during the Vedic period. It also explains three other essential components of Vedic thought: sacrifice, homology, and knowledge. These concepts, along with tapas and initiation symbolism, reveal the heart of Vedic religion. therefore, this study presents a history of Vedic religion, organized around the central building blocks of that tradition.
Download or read book Tapta M rga written by Walter O. Kaelber and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Tapta M rga written by Walter O. Kaelber and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 1989-09-15 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the most comprehensive study yet made of tapas and of asceticism during the Vedic period. It also explains three other essential components of Vedic thought: sacrifice, homology, and knowledge. These concepts, along with tapas and initiation symbolism, reveal the heart of Vedic religion. therefore, this study presents a "history of Vedic religion," organized around the central building blocks of that tradition.
Download or read book Sacred Pain written by Ariel Glucklich and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2003-10-30 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why would anyone seek out the very experience the rest of us most wish to avoid? Why would religious worshipers flog or crucify themselves, sleep on spikes, hang suspended by their flesh, or walk for miles through scorching deserts with bare and bloodied feet? In this insightful new book, Ariel Glucklich argues that the experience of ritual pain, far from being a form of a madness or superstition, contains a hidden rationality and can bring about a profound transformation of the consciousness and identity of the spiritual seeker. Steering a course between purely cultural and purely biological explanations, Glucklich approaches sacred pain from the perspective of the practitioner to fully examine the psychological and spiritual effects of self-hurting. He discusses the scientific understanding of pain, drawing on research in fields such as neuropsychology and neurology. He also ranges over a broad spectrum of historical and cultural contexts, showing the many ways mystics, saints, pilgrims, mourners, shamans, Taoists, Muslims, Hindus, Native Americans, and indeed members of virtually every religion have used pain to achieve a greater identification with God. He examines how pain has served as a punishment for sin, a cure for disease, a weapon against the body and its desires, or a means by which the ego may be transcended and spiritual sickness healed. "When pain transgresses the limits," the Muslim mystic Mizra Asadullah Ghalib is quoted as saying, "it becomes medicine." Based on extensive research and written with both empathy and critical insight, Sacred Pain explores the uncharted inner terrain of self-hurting and reveals how meaningful suffering has been used to heal the human spirit.
Download or read book The Living and the Dead written by Liz Wilson and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2012-02-01 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This collection examines the social dimensions of death in South Asian religions, exploring the ritualized exchanges between the living and the dead performed by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and other religious groups. Using ethnographic and historical tools associated with the comparative and historical study of religion, the contributors also record the voices and actions of marginalized groups—such as tribal peoples, women, and members of lower castes—who are often underrepresented in studies of South Asian deathways, which typically focus on the writings and practices of elite groups. For many religious people, death entails a journey leading to some new condition or place. As the ultimate experience of passage, it is highly ceremonial and ritualized, and those beliefs and practices associated with the moment of death itself—death-bed ceremonies, funerary rites, and rituals of mourning and of remembering—are examined here. The Living and the Dead offers historical depth, ethnographic detail, and conceptual clarity on a subject that is of immense importance in South Asian religious traditions.
Download or read book Indian Writings in English written by Manmohan K. Bhatnagar and published by Atlantic Publishers & Dist. This book was released on 2000 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Indian English Literature In Its Very Tone And Tenor Presents A Unique Blend Of Tradition And Experiment In Both Its Matter And Manner. The Present-Day Indian English Literatteur Is Firmly Grounded In A Philosophico-Cultural Sensibility Tracing Its Uninterrupted Links With The Very Dawn Of Civilisation In This Part Of The World. And Yet The Product Is Not An Aberration In Any Way In The Modern Context. This Imbues Indian Writings In English With A Distinctive Aesthetic Flavour, To The Connoisseurs' Obvious Delight.The Present Volume Incorporates The Painstaking Application Of Diverse Critical Methodologies To Analyse Indian English Literature Poetry, Drama, Novels And Prose From This Broad Perspective. Comprising Close Analyses Of The Works Of Rabindranath Tagore, Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao, R.K. Narayan, Bhabani Bhattacharya, Anita Desai, Arun Joshi, Kamala Das And Nissim Ezekiel, The Collection Offers Fresh Critical Insights, Opening Possibilities Of Further Exploration Along The Avenues Here Suggested.A Fresh Look At Established Works, Highlighting Aspects Hitherto Unexplored.An Indispensable Source-Book For Students, Researchers And Teachers Of Indian English And Commonwealth Literature.
Download or read book A Light From Within Yoga Workbook and Journal written by Latronica J Miguel and published by Miguel James Latronica. This book was released on 2015-10-14 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Light From Within is the modern-day, must-have, mat-side yoga reference. It is a masterful combination of yogic wisdom, body mechanics knowhow, and spiritual guidance into this 342-page expert workbook and journal manual. It's interior is beautifully integrated and engages one on many different levels. In this workbook you will find yoga poses, affirmations, haikus, mudras and philosophy and much more. Organized by seasons of the year, the book is filled with copy, charts, removable cards, and illustrative graphics that enmesh yoga's physical, mental, spiritual, scientific and emotional aspects, including: - stories and explanations of yogic principles & poses - mudras for meditation - affirmations - haiku - chakras and energetic meridians - journaling and workbook opportunities - blog support that mirrors the book to work, in tandem, with others from around the world It is amazing in its depth and it's accessibility! It brings together so many activities, options, layers of self-enrichment in a beautifully illustrated, coherent and thought-provoking way. Both on and off the yoga mat, gurus, students, teachers, and novices can elevate their yoga practice far beyond down dog. At its surface, A Light From Within provides step-by-step instructions for each of 52 yoga poses, with detail on alignment and form, breathing and benefits, precautions, and modifications for each. Then in its countless tips and activities, the book adds personal meaning to every practice: "Pearls of Wisdom" provide historical, anatomical, and inspirational stories, including words by which to meditate. Adjoining space for continued journaling moves the experience from physical to emotional. Ambitious readers can keep the book bedside to reflect on their experiences weekly, record their reactions, and gauge their emotions. They create a Soul Symbol, resolve inner conflict, and complete a Chart of Emotions to experience newfound creativity and discover their personal relationship with the world. As yoga becomes the exercise of choice for America's aging population, A Light From Within offers a holistic approach. Whether a basic yoga resource or a self-actualization tool, this revolutionary volume is a must in yoga libraries, as it guides the way to higher forms of movement, inner harmony, balance and wellness.
Download or read book Minds and Sociocultures Zoroastrianism and the Indian religions written by Kevin R. D. Shepherd and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 1032 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The lengthy introduction, which has been described as a book in itself, includes a vigorous critique of the new age counterculture. A confrontation occurs with Eliade, Jung, Leary, Grof, Aldous Huxley, Ken Wilbur, Colin Wilson and others. The author objects to popular theories of the perennial philosophy and provides an alternative set of references from specialist scholarship. scholarly theories. The legendary prophet Zarathushtra gains life in this overview. The focus moves to the Sassanian era of Gnostic associations, encompassing not only Manichaeism, but also the more obscure Mazdakism. civilization to the Upanishadic era. Part four covers the six classical systems of Hindu philosophy, and includes the medieval Vedantic exponents Shankara and Ramauja. Part five investigates the Shramana philosophers who included Gautama Buddha, and an attempt is made to chart occurrences in Jainism, a subject more rarely dealt with.
Download or read book The Fiction of Raja Rao written by Mittapalli Rajeshwar and published by Atlantic Publishers & Dist. This book was released on 2001 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Raja Rao Is One Of The Triumvirate Of The Pioneering Indian Novelists In English. His Contribution To The Growth Of The English Novel In India Is Enormous. Each One Of His Novels Is A Trendsetter. Kanthapura, For Instance, Demonstrates How The English Language Can Be Used To Tell A Typically Indian Story Without Violating The Native Speech Rhythms And His The Serpent And The Rope Gave A New Direction To The Indian Novel In English By Philosophising It. His Range And Vision Transcend All Barriers. He Used The Fictional Medium To Portray His Patriotic And Philosophical Concerns In A Masterly Way.In This Volume, An Attempt Has Been Made To Assess Raja Rao S Novels And Short Stories In Terms Of His, Philosophy, Vision, Style, Themes And Techniques. It Is Hoped That Raja Rao Scholars Across The Globe Will Find The Book Irresistible.
Download or read book Changing Minds written by Michele Marie Desmarais and published by Motilal Banarsidass. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book by Dr. Desmarais is by all means a positive contribution in the field of Yoga, Indology and cognitive neurosciences. It covers Eastern and Western, ancient and modern, religion and metaphysics, psychology and epistemology, as well as the cultural heritage for these. The book is arranged in six chapters using our common concept of show as a metaphysical stage: getting ready for the show; entering the theatre; taking the stage; all the world as stage; following the plot; thickening of the plot; and finally, the lights come up. This has its source in the Samkhya metaphor of prakrti as analogous to a divine actor, on the world stage and in a cosmic drama. Another symbolic metaphor that comes before our mind is that of Ardhanarinatesvara of Lord Siva, depicted as the Cosmic divine Supreme actor endowed with half-female in his person. The reader, the spectator or audience member, symbolizes the Purusa of Samkhya and yoga.
Download or read book The Origins of Yoga and Tantra written by Geoffrey Samuel and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2008-03-27 with total page 429 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Yoga, tantra and other forms of Asian meditation are practised in modernized forms throughout the world today, but most introductions to Hinduism or Buddhism tell only part of the story of how they developed. This book is an interpretation of the history of Indic religions up to around 1200 CE, with particular focus on the development of yogic and tantric traditions. It assesses how much we really know about this period, and asks what sense we can make of the evolution of yogic and tantric practices, which were to become such central and important features of the Indic religious scene. Its originality lies in seeking to understand these traditions in terms of the total social and religious context of South Asian society during this period, including the religious practices of the general population with their close engagement with family, gender, economic life and other pragmatic concerns.
Download or read book Yoga FAQ written by Richard Rosen and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 2017-02-28 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Concise and readable answers to the most commonly asked questions about yoga, and illuminating little-known facts and esoteric aspects of the philosophy and practice--by renowned yogi Richard Rosen. Here are answers to all the questions that come up in your yoga practice and study! Renowned yoga teacher Richard Rosen has asked—and been asked—nearly every yoga-related question that there is, and his wonderfully practical, helpful answers will give you a thorough explanation of the tradition’s key concepts, and the nuts and bolts of yoga philosophy and practice, including: • Yoga’s main texts, including the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra, among others • Yamas and niyamas • The subtle body—what it means and what it looks like in practice • The evolution of asanas • Pranayama • Mudras and bandhas • And much more
Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology written by Jerry L. Walls and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2007-12-03 with total page 744 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Eschatology is the study of the last things: death, judgment, the afterlife, and the end of the world. Through centuries of Christian thoughtfrom the early Church fathers through the Middle Ages and the Reformationthese issues were of the utmost importance. In other religions, too, eschatological concerns were central. After the Enlightenment, though, many religious thinkers began to downplay the importance of eschatology which, in light of rationalism, came to be seen as something of an embarrassment. The twentieth century, however, saw the rise of phenomena that placed eschatology back at the forefront of religious thought. From the rapid expansion of fundamentalist forms of Christianity, with their focus on the end times; to the proliferation of apocalyptic new religious movements; to the recent (and very public) debates about suicide, martyrdom, and paradise in Islam, interest in eschatology is once again on the rise. In addition to its popular resurgence, in recent years some of the worlds most important theologians have returned eschatology to its former position of prominence. The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology will provide an important critical survey of this diverse body of thought and practice from a variety of perspectives: biblical, historical, theological, philosophical, and cultural. This volume will be the primary resource for students, scholars, and others interested in questions of our ultimate existence.
Download or read book The Samnyasa Upanisads written by Patrick Olivelle and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 1992-02-13 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first readable and accurate translation of twenty of the most authoritative Hindu documents pertaining to ascetic ideals and the ascetic way of life, this text opens to students a major source for the study of the Hindu ascetical institutions and of the historical changes they underwent during a period of a thousand years or more. Beginning with an analysis of the historical context that gave rise to Indian ascetical institutions and ideologies, Patrick Olivelle moves on to elucidate the meaning of renunciation—the central institution of holiness in most Hindu traditions—and the function and significance of the various elements that constitute the rite of renunciation. The Samnyasa Upanisads will be an unparalleled source of information and insight for students of Hinduism and Indian asceticism, mysticism, and holiness.
Download or read book In Search of the Cradle of Civilization written by Georg Feuerstein and published by Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. This book was released on 2005 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this pathbreaking book, the authors show that the ancient Indians were no primitives but possessed a high spiritual culture, which not only influenced the evolution of the Western world in decisive ways but which still hs much to teach us today. India's archaic spirituality is codified in the rich symbols, metaphors and myths of the magnificent Rig-Veda, which is shown to be much older than has been widely assumed by scholars. The present book also unravels the astonishing mathematical and astronomical code hidden in the Vedic hymns. Anyone interested in ancient cultural history, India, archaeo-astronomy or spirituality will find this well researched and cross-cultural work spellbinding and enriching.
Download or read book Real Sadhus Sing to God written by Antoinette Elizabeth DeNapoli and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2014-04-01 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing on ethnographic research spanning ten years, Antoinette Elizabeth DeNapoli offers a new perspective on the practice of asceticism in India today. Her work brings to light the little known and often marginalized lives of female Hindu ascetics (sadhus) in the North Indian state of Rajasthan. Examining the everyday religious worlds and practices of the mostly unlettered female sadhus, who come from a number of castes, Real Sadhus Sing to God illustrates that these women experience asceticism in relational and celebratory ways. They construct their lives as paths of singing to God, which, the author suggests, serves as the female way of being an ascetic. Examining the relationship between asceticism (sannyas) and devotion (bhakti) in contemporary contexts, the book brings together two disparate fields of study-yoga/asceticism and bhakti-using the singing of bhajans (devotional songs) as an orienting metaphor. This is the first book-length study to explore the ways in which female sadhus perform and thus create gendered views of asceticism through their singing, storytelling, and sacred text practices, which DeNapoli characterizes as their "rhetoric of renunciation."
Download or read book Asceticism and Its Critics written by Oliver Freiberger and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2006-10-19 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Scholars of religion have always been fascinated by asceticism. Some have even regarded this radical way of life-- the withdrawal from the world, combined with practices that seriously affect basic bodily needs, up to extreme forms of self-mortification --as the ultimate form of a true religious quest. This view is rooted in hagiographic descriptions of prominent ascetics and in other literary accounts that praise the ascetic life-style. Scholars have often overlooked, however, that in the history of religions ascetic beliefs and practices have also been strongly criticized, by followers of the same religious tradition as well as by outsiders. The respective sources provide sufficient evidence of such critical strands but surprisingly as yet no attempt has been made to analyze this criticism of asceticism systematically. This book is a first attempt of filling this gap. Ten studies present cases from both Asian and European traditions: classical and medieval Hinduism, early and contemporary Buddhism in South and East Asia, European antiquity, early and medieval Christianity, and 19th/20th century Aryan religion. Focusing on the critics of asceticism, their motives, their arguments, and the targets of their critique, these studies provide a broad range of issues for comparison. They suggest that the critique of asceticism is based on a worldview differing from and competing with the ascetic worldview, often in one and the same historical context. The book demonstrates that examining the critics of asceticism helps understand better the complexity of religious traditions and their cultural contexts. The comparative analysis, moreover, shows that the criticism of asceticism reflects a religious worldview as significant and widespread in the history of religions as asceticism itself is.
