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An overview, focusing on Vaishnavism - the most common form of Hinduism, this work is suitable for those who wish to learn more about this ancient tradition. Beginning with chapters about the foundations of Hinduism, It lays out what is otherwise a complicated history.
The Agni and the Ecstasy compiles essays that the renowned scholar of Vaishnavism, Steven J. Rosen, has published throughout his 25-year writing career. Ranging from commentary on transcendental philosophy and scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, to personal reminiscences of prominent spiritual figures and devotional music, there is virtually no topic on which he does not shed illumination. This book is an excellent introduction to Rosen's work, whether one is a newcomer or a long-time reader. " T]here is something in this book for everybody. If one leans toward academia and intellectual approaches to spirituality, one will appreciate the articles included here that are informative, well-re...
Krishna movement's pioneering and even visionary efforts in popularizing vegetarian cuisine and the compassionate treatment of animals in the West -- how they did so from the days of their first Sunday Love Feast (in 1966) and how they continue to do so in the present day. Book jacket.
The Jedi in the Lotus is the first-ever examination of the Star Wars universe from a Hindu perspective, illuminating many hitherto undiscovered aspects of the background and meaning of the widely acclaimed film series. We are shown how its creators were influenced by the famed mythologist, Joseph Campbell, whose reading of the ancient Indian Epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, can be seen throughout the Star Wars films. This book also demonstrates how the metaphysical understanding of the Jedi Knights and the divinity conceived of as 'the Force' have resonances with teachings passed down by Hindu gurus and mystics for centuries, and how fantastic worlds and technology similar to that of the...
Like taxes, death is inevitable. Everyone experiences it sooner or later. This book offers perspectives on death and dying from all major religions, written by experts in each of those religions. Focusing on the major world traditions, it offers important information about what death and dying means to those practicing these faiths. The second part of the book adds a necessary and truly unique perspective - a personal look at how people actually die in the various world religions, as told by a hospital chaplain, with anecdotes and experiences that bring the death process to life, so to speak. Each chapter engages the theology of each religion, giving quotes from the literature of their respective scriptural traditions, to explain the process of dying, death, and the afterlife. In doing so, each author draws on the history of his respective tradition and looks at real-life figures, exemplars of the tradition, showing how practitioners view death and hope to one day engage the death process themselves.
Black Lotus: The Spiritual Journey of an Urban Mystic explores the life and mission of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami, an African-American seeker who became one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the twentieth century. His story begins in a Cleveland ghetto and culminates in the spiritual world. Along the way, readers meet John Favors, known by family and friends as "Johnny Boy." A particularly gifted youth, he overcame numerous obstacles, including a speech impediment and impoverished conditions, to reveal his exceptional character, wisdom, and spirituality.In his teenage years, he worked with Dr. Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and became a y...
Rosen offers Westerners an easy-to-read introduction to a sacred text, demystifying its considerable philosophy in a user-friendly way. This is not yet another translation, merely reiterating what the Gita itself has to say. It is rather an attempt to culturally translate the text, making use of concepts and categories to which Western readers are accustomed. By engaging familiar motifs—such as issues of modernity, pop-culture icons, and well-known philosophers in the West—the author brings the Gita into focus for non-specialists and scholars alike. Through a series of contemporary news references and insightful summaries, readers will finally understand the facts and personalities that ...
A reference book on Hindu spirituality includes information on the ancient texts of India, the power of mantras, Ayurveda, karma and reincarnation, deities, mythological figures, festivals, yoga, and more.
Kirtan and yoga are spiritual practices that originated in the mystic East. In fact, kirtan - singing for the Divine - is a form of yoga that engages the heart, evoking emotion and joy. The Yoga of Kirtan will introduce readers, many for the first time, to this blissful yogic tradition. Here we learn of kirtan's history and origins, its different musical forms,and the instruments used in its performance. But, most importantly, in The Yoga of Kirtan we hear the voices of kirtan yogis from ages past. They reach out to us through the hearts and minds of their present-day representatives, such as Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Deva Premal and Miten, Snatam Kaur, Vaiyasaki Das, Ragani and David Newman, among others. Through the insights of these modern-day chanters, we get a peek into the ecstasy of the chanting process. By allowing us to eavesdrop on their intimate conversations with Vaishnava scholar Steven Rosen, they unlock the mysteries of this age-old yogic tradition, helping us to see why chanting is indeed yoga and how easy and pleasurable it is to perform.