Download or read book Chinnamast the Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess written by Elisabeth Anne Benard and published by Motilal Banarsidass Publ.. This book was released on 2010 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first monograph which examines the rare Buddhist and Hindu Tantric goddess, Chinnamasta, her rituals, her names and forms (namarupa) and their symbolism by comparing and contra-sting her sadhanas (spiritual practices) in Hinduism and Buddh-ism. The entire Hindu Chinnamastatantra section from the Sakta Pramoda, the Buddhist Chinnamunda Vajra-varahisadhana and theTrikayavajrayoginstuti are translated for the first time into English. Since Chinnamasta is a rare goddess, her texts were not popularized or made fashionable according to the dictates of a particular group at a particular time. The earliest extant texts dated from the ninth and tenth centuries a time when Hindu and Buddhist Tantras were developing under common influences in the same place in India. Having such texts about Chinnamasta Chinnamunda from these centuries, one can begin to understand the mutuality of a general Tantric tradition and the exclusivity of a particular Hindu or Buddhist Tantric tradition. Hence the study not only examines Chinnamasta, but also attempts to under-stand what is a Tantric tradition.

Download or read book Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine written by David Kinsley and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2023-07-28 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Hindu pantheon is rich in images of the divine feminine—deities representing a wide range of symbolic, social, and meditative meanings. David Kinsley's new book documents a highly unusual group of ten Hindu tantric goddesses, the Mahavidyas, many of whom are strongly associated with sexuality and violence. What is one to make of a goddess who cuts her own head off, or one who prefers sex with a corpse? The Mahavidyas embody habits, attributes, or identities usually considered repulsive or socially subversive and can be viewed as "antimodels" for women. Yet it is within the context of tantric worship that devotees seek to identify themselves with these forbidding goddesses. The Mahavidyas seem to function as "awakeners"—symbols which help to project one's consciousness beyond the socially acceptable or predictable. Drawing on a broad range of Sanskrit and vernacular texts as well as extensive research in India, including written and oral interpretations of contemporary Hindu practitioners, Kinsley describes the unusual qualities of each of the Mahavidyas and traces the parallels between their underlying themes. Especially valuable are the many rare and fascinating images he presents—each important to grasping the significance of the goddesses. Written in an accessible, engaging style, Kinsley's book provides a comprehensive understanding of the Mahavidyas and is also an overview of Hindu tantric practice.

Download or read book The Man from Chinnamasta written by Māmaṇi Raẏachama Goswāmī and published by Katha. This book was released on 2006 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Katha proudly presents Indira Goswami's hugely successful novel, The Man from Chinnamasta. Set in the times of unrest and turmoil at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel paints the hoary history of Assam's most famous temple of the Sakta cult, Kamakhya.The story flows as swiftly as the Brahmaputra; it holds the reader's attention as seductively. And as the narrative moves inexorably towards its end, we see the power of the storyteller in Indira Goswami. This evocative translation by Prashant Goswami makes the novel a must read for all lovers of good fiction.

Download or read book Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess written by Sree Padma and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2014-07-03 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Popular religion in village India is overwhelmingly dominated by goddess worship. Goddesses can be nationally well-known like Durga or Kali, or they can be an obscure deity who is only known in a particular rural locale. The origins of a goddess can be both ancient—with many transitions or amalgamations with other cults having occurred along the way—and very recent. While some have tribal origins, others sprout up overnight due to a vivid dream. Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess: Contemporary Iterations of Hindu Divinities on the Move looks at the nature of how and why goddesses are invented and reinvented historically in India and how social hierarchy, gender differences, and modernity play roles in these emerging religious phenomena.

Download or read book At the Eleventh Hour written by Rajmani Tigunait and published by Himalayan Institute Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 476 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the Eleventh Hour is more than just a biography about the accomplishments of Himalayan master Swami Rama and an overview of the profound system of yogic knowledge he brought to the West. This book tells the story of Swamiji through the eyes of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, his devoted student and successor as the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. As you read Pandit Tigunait's account of life with his master, you will gain insight into the guru-disciple relationships Swami Rama had both with his master and with his own students.This book serves as a guide to some of the more esoteric practices of tantra not commonly known or understood in the West. It brings you to holy places in India, to the source of the Himalayan Tradition, revealing why these sacred sites are important and how to go about visiting them. The wisdom in these stories penetrates beyond the power of words. Discover the legacy of a true Himalayan master and the nature of the yogic wisdom he shared. Purchase your copy of At the Eleventh Hour today!

Download or read book Holistic Spaces written by Anjie Cho and published by Ryland Peters & Small. This book was released on 2018-12-06 with total page 399 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Transform your home into a calm, balanced and harmonious oasis using architect Anjie Cho's helpful advice, drawing on her background in green design and feng shui. You don't have to get rid of all your possessions and become an ascetic to change your space and discover the benefits that living in a considered, organic way can bring. The easy suggestions in Holistic Spaces show you how to implement the principles of feng shui and green design in your home. Written for the way we live today, as we move toward a more mindful approach to health, diet and the way that we choose the objects in our homes, this is the perfect guide to help you to clear and refresh your living environment. Learn how to make every room in your home serve its highest purpose, create eco-friendly spaces, bring nature indoors, choose colours for maximum impact, select a space for meditation practice, and overall, create a peaceful and organic home. From the bedroom to the home office, these intuitive, straightforward tips will teach you to how improve your spaces to boost the flow of energy through your life.

Download or read book Ashemaogha Becoming Ahriman Volume 1 written by Dastur Adam Daniels and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2018-04-14 with total page 718 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The contents of this tome have been denied by every publishing company. This book is for people who are looking to gain self-knowledge and a better understanding of how to function in society in any culture.

Download or read book Buddhist Goddesses of India written by Miranda Eberle Shaw and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Publisher description

Download or read book God of Desire written by Catherine Benton and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2006-06-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: God of Desire presents Sanskrit tales of the Indian deity Kāmadeva as he battles the ascetic god Śiva, assists the powerful goddess Devī, and incarnates as the charming son of Kṛṣṇa. Exploring the imagery and symbolism of the god of desire in art and ritual, Catherine Benton reflects on the connection of Kāmadeva to parrots, makaras (gharials), and apsarases (celestial nymphs), and to playful devotional rituals designed to win his favor. In addition to examining the Hindu literature, Benton also highlights two Buddhist forms of Kamadeva, the demonic Māra, who tries to persuade the Buddha to trade enlightenment for the delights of a woman, and the ever-youthful Mañjuśri, who cuts through ignorance with the bodhisattva sword of wisdom. Tales of Kāmadeva from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions present desire as a powerful force continually redefining the boundaries of chaos and order and gently pulling beyond the ephemeral lure of passionate longings.

Download or read book The Triple Goddess written by Adam McLean and published by Red Wheel/Weiser. This book was released on 1989-01-01 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A unique overview of the various goddesses of antiquity, outlining ways to work with their mythology and symbolism.

Download or read book Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy written by Mukunda Stiles and published by Lotus Press. This book was released on 2008-05 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Yoga.

Download or read book Tantra Yoga Secrets written by Mukunda Stiles and published by Weiser Books. This book was released on 2011-08-01 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The practice of Tantra Yoga is considered to be the highest and most rapid path to enlightenment. Master teacher Mukunda Stiles offers 18 lessons in Tantra Yoga, a practice of transformational self-healing in which we can deepen awareness of our bodies, their energy forces, and the connections to the natural world around you and those you love. While many movements today describe tantra as a sexual practice promising longer and better orgasms, increased stamina, and ecstasy, the real Tantra aims to awaken Kundalini, the dormant potential force in the human personality. The Tantra tradition includes a vast range of practical teachings leading to the expansion of human consciousness and the liberation of primal energy. By heightening their awareness to this connective energy, readers will learn to embrace and develop a higher level of intimacy, the heart of tantra. Stiles explains this intimate and life-changing practice with grace, structure, and clarity--an easy-to-follow Tantra Yoga workshop in book form. Tantra Yoga Secrets will empower readers to overcome emotions, gain new knowledge, and live a more fulfilling spiritual lifestyle.

Download or read book KALI HER YOGINIS written by MEENAKSHII and published by Blue Rose Publishers. This book was released on 2024-02-08 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Kali and Her Yoginis" is a comprehensive guide that not only unravels the mystique of the fierce goddess Kali but also presents a wealth of spiritual knowledge. Within its pages, readers will discover the sacred compilation of the goddess's 1000 names, providing a profound resource for devotion and meditation. The book delves even deeper by exploring the mystical world of the Dus Mahavidyas, the ten wisdom goddesses of Tantra, offering insights into their significance and practices. Moreover, "Kali and Her Yoginis" introduces Kali's 64 Yoginis, each with their unique attributes and energies. This rich collection empowers readers to embark on their spiritual journey at any level of practice. Whether you are a novice or an experienced practitioner, this book serves as a valuable guide, offering the wisdom and tools needed to connect with these divine energies and enhance your spiritual path. With Meenakshii's guidance, readers can explore and engage in the sacred practices associated with these goddesses, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey. This comprehensive work promises to be a transformative companion for seekers, providing the knowledge and inspiration to dive deep into the realm of the divine feminine and elevate their spiritual practice.

Download or read book The Sakya Jetsunmas written by Elisabeth A. Benard and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 2022-03-01 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An exploration of an extraordinary group of female meditation masters from the Buddhist tradition in Tibet whose determination and accomplishments can serve as a great example for meditators the world over. Among Tibetan spiritual biographies there are many life stories of exceptional male wisdom-holders or vidyādharas. But biographies of religious women are few. This book focuses on the hidden world of the great female spiritual adepts who were born into a prominent lineage of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. For centuries, this family of wisdom holders has been committed to helping others alleviate their suffering and develop a strong dedication to spiritual practice.

Download or read book Irreverence and the Sacred written by Hugh B. Urban and published by Paperbackshop UK Import. This book was released on 2019 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Irreverence and the Sacred brings together some of the most cutting edge, interdisciplinary, and international scholars working today in order to debate key issues in the critical and comparative study of religion. The project is inspired in large part by the work of Bruce Lincoln, whose influential and wide-ranging scholarship has consistently posed challenging, provocative, and often-irreverent questions that have really pushed the boundaries of the field of religious studies in important, sometimes controversial ways. Retracing the history of the discipline of religious studies, Lincoln argues that the field has tended to champion a "validating, feel-good" approach to religion, rather than posing more critical questions about religious claims to authority and their role in history, politics, and social change. A critical approach to the history of religions, he suggests, would focus on the human, temporal, and material aspects of phenomena that are claimed to have a superhuman, eternal, or transcendent status. This volume takes up Lincoln's challenge to "do better," by engaging in critical analyses of four key themes in the study of religion: myth, ritual, gender, and politics. The book also interrogates the "politics of scholarship" itself, critically examining the relations of power and material interests at work in the study as well as the practice of religion. The scholars involved in this project include not only some of the most important figures in the American study of religion--such as Wendy Doniger, Russell McCutcheon, Ivan Strenski, and Lincoln himself--but also European scholars whose work is hugely influential overseas but not as well known in the U.S.--such as Stefan Arvidsson, Claude Calame, Nicolas Meylan, and others.

Download or read book In the Company of Sages written by Greg Bogart and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2015-01-30 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explains how to successfully navigate the process of initiation, instruction, testing, and self-transformation under the guidance of a spiritual teacher • Explores how to approach a teacher for initiation and the importance of gauging your inner response and feeling of trust and resonance with the teacher • Discusses the process of separating from a spiritual teacher and how to negotiate the emotional conflicts that can arise at this stage • Shares the author's experiences with several remarkable teachers and details lessons learned through testing and confronting doubts and fears In the search for inner awakening and self-realization, a spiritual mentor can be key to advancement. Yet the process of finding an authentic spiritual teacher who resonates with you can be daunting, especially for anyone who has had a negative experience with a guide. Exploring the emotional nuances of mentoring relationships, Greg Bogart details the path of spiritual apprenticeship: the process of aligning with a teacher, establishing a dynamic spiritual practice, and the later stages of separation and finding the teacher within. The author explores the importance of gauging your inner response and feeling of trust and resonance with a teacher and your readiness to receive initiation. He explains how the teacher-student relationship affects the student’s state of consciousness over time and how most students eventually need to become independent from their spiritual guides. Describing emotional conflicts that can arise at this stage, he shows how wise teachers accept our need to separate and graduate while immature teachers try to thwart and control us. Openly sharing his own personal journey, the author illustrates the lasting resonance of his encounters with several provocative spiritual mentors, including Swami Muktananda and Dane Rudhyar. He discusses how some fierce teachers practice "crazy wisdom" to confront our doubts, fears, and fixations and to activate our dormant potentials. Examining practices in Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist Yoga, Sufism, and Jewish and Christian mysticism, he also explores the deeper mystical aspects of the guru-student relationship. The author shows how, ultimately, initiation leads the spiritual seeker to find the teacher within and how this can naturally lead to teaching others. Describing nine stages of the spiritual seeker’s journey, the author affirms that a direct path to self-liberation is still attainable through initiation and instruction in the company of sages.

Download or read book Awakening Shakti written by Sally Kempton and published by Sounds True. This book was released on 2013-02-01 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How do you live a life of spiritual awakening as well as outer abundance, inner freedom as well as deep intimacy? How do you serve the world selflessly, yet passionately celebrate your life? The sages of Tantra have known for centuries that when you follow the path of Shakti—the sacred feminine principle personified by the goddesses of yoga—these gifts can manifest spontaneously. Yet most of us, women as well as men, have yet to experience the full potential of our inner feminine energies. When you know these powers for what they are, they heighten your capacity to open spiritually, love more deeply and fearlessly, create with greater mastery, and move through the world with skill and delight. In Awakening Shakti, you will learn how to recognize and invite: Kali, bringer of strength, fierce love, and untamed freedomLakshmi, who confers prosperity and beautySaraswati, for clarity of communication and intuitionRadha, who carries the divine energy of spiritual longingBhuvaneshvari, who creates the space for sacred transformationParvati, to awaken creativity and the capacity to love With a wealth of meditations, visualizations, mantras, teachings, and beautifully told stories, Awakening Shakti provides a practical guide for activating the currents of the divine feminine in every aspect of your life. “Sally Kempton's new book is a treasure that brings myth, meditation, and everyday revelation together in a way that will allow every woman to embody the divine feminine in her life. Sally enlivens the full spectrum of the goddess—from independent protector, to lover, to dynamic and powerful creatrix. I highly recommend this soon-to-be classic!” —Shiva Rea, yogini “Sally Kempton has given us a mythic manual for a new kind of feminism—a feminism of the soul. And this is a good thing, because humanity needs feminine power now as both a healing tonic and a source of reinvention.” —Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder of the Omega Institute, author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow