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Books > Philosophy > Non-Western philosophy > Oriental & Indian philosophy
This title contains a series of 8 lectures, given in Ojai,
California in 1955, from one of the 20th century's greatest
philosophers and teachers. Krishnamurti confronts the typical
grasping and confused mind which lies at the root of all violence
and suffering. Though offered over fifty years ago, the ideas in
these talks are fresh, relevant and offer an enduring message for
today as Krishnamurti discusses a world in which booming
productivity and scientific advancement should promise a happy
future, but don't.He points also to the ongoing escalation of war,
competition, envy and territoriality despite gains in education,
religious ecumenism and the technologies of self-improvement. He
asks his listeners to consider that all apparent progress is simply
another illusion. In their brilliantly clear essays, his focus is
singular, with no glib answers to eternal questions. To read this
book is to venture into the unexplored assumptions that govern our
lives. The workings of the mind are so simple and obvious in J
Krishnamurti's explanations, yet so enormously challenging to
confront. Like other classic texts, such as religious scriptures,
the words ring true. The issues addressed include: the nature of
violence; the problem of change; the conditioning of the mind; how
to achieve "peace"; the nature of worship and spiritual practice;
and how to really listen.
Jan Westerhoff unfolds the story of one of the richest episodes in
the history of Indian thought, the development of Buddhist
philosophy in the first millennium CE. He starts from the
composition of the Abhidharma works before the beginning of the
common era and continues up to the time of Dharmakirti in the sixth
century. This period was characterized by the development of a
variety of philosophical schools and approaches that have shaped
Buddhist thought up to the present day: the scholasticism of the
Abhidharma, the Madhyamaka's theory of emptiness, Yogacara
idealism, and the logical and epistemological works of Dinnaga and
Dharmakirti. The book attempts to describe the historical
development of these schools in their intellectual and cultural
context, with particular emphasis on three factors that shaped the
development of Buddhist philosophical thought: the need to spell
out the contents of canonical texts, the discourses of the
historical Buddha and the Mahayana sutras; the desire to defend
their positions by sophisticated arguments against criticisms from
fellow Buddhists and from non-Buddhist thinkers of classical Indian
philosophy; and the need to account for insights gained through the
application of specific meditative techniques. While the main focus
is the period up to the sixth century CE, Westerhoff also discusses
some important thinkers who influenced Buddhist thought between
this time and the decline of Buddhist scholastic philosophy in
India at the beginning of the thirteenth century. His aim is that
the historical presentation will also allow the reader to get a
better systematic grasp of key Buddhist concepts such as non-self,
suffering, reincarnation, karma, and nirvana.
This illuminating account of contemporary American Buddhism shows
the remarkable ways the tradition has changed over the past
generation The past couple of decades have witnessed Buddhist
communities both continuing the modernization of Buddhism and
questioning some of its limitations. In this fascinating portrait
of a rapidly changing religious landscape, Ann Gleig illuminates
the aspirations and struggles of younger North American Buddhists
during a period she identifies as a distinct stage in the
assimilation of Buddhism to the West. She observes both the
emergence of new innovative forms of deinstitutionalized Buddhism
that blur the boundaries between the religious and secular, and a
revalorization of traditional elements of Buddhism, such as ethics
and community, that were discarded in the modernization process.
Based on extensive ethnographic and textual research, the book
ranges from mindfulness debates in the Vipassana network to the sex
scandals in American Zen, while exploring issues around racial
diversity and social justice, the impact of new technologies, and
generational differences between baby boomer, Gen X, and millennial
teachers.
Taoism for Beginners is a practical guide to applying the key
notions, concepts and beliefs underlying Taoism's various branches
and schools. Authors C. Alexander and Annellen Simpkins tap into
their years of training and study in meditation, martial arts and
Eastern philosophy to provide readers with a comprehensive
introduction to the spiritual tenets and attainments that mark the
holistic pathway to a life more in balance. This book offers
readers: A clear explanation of what Taoism is and how to apply its
most salient tenets and teachings to your daily life Simple
exercises to enable you to lead a calmer and more mindful,
connected life--taking in a range of practices that include
meditation, breathing, chi kung and tai chi chuan An exploration of
the origins and background of Taoism, including the various sects
and schools of thought An informative discussion of key Taoist
concepts, including wu-wei (nonaction), yin and yang, and the
powerful way of De (the cradle of power, virtue and life) This new
edition has been updated by the author to include the connections
between Taoism and mindfulness and meditation, as well as
ritualized practices to heighten mind-body connection in order to
control chi (energy). Taoist principles and concepts have guided
people on the path to harmony, wholeness, balance and greater
well-being for millennia. This beginning resource makes an ancient
religion, its practices and history accessible for a twenty-first
century reader.
Why did Greek philosophy begin in the sixth century BCE? Why did
Indian philosophy begin at about the same time? Why did the
earliest philosophy take the form that it did? Why was this form so
similar in Greece and India? And how do we explain the differences
between them? These questions can only be answered by locating the
philosophical intellect within its entire societal context,
ignoring neither ritual nor economy. The cities of Greece and
northern India were in this period distinctive also by virtue of
being pervasively monetised. The metaphysics of both cultures is
marked by the projection (onto the cosmos) and the introjection
(into the inner self) of the abstract, all-pervasive,
quasi-omnipotent, impersonal substance embodied in money
(especially coinage). And in both cultures this development
accompanied the interiorisation of the cosmic rite of passage (in
India sacrifice, in Greece mystic initiation).
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The Prophet
(Hardcover)
Kahlil Gibran; Contributions by John Baldock; Introduction by John Baldock
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R351
R294
Discovery Miles 2 940
Save R57 (16%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Until now, no single work has been devoted to both a scholarly
understanding of the complexities of the Daoist tradition and a
critical exploration of its contribution to recent environmental
concerns. The authors in this volume consider the intersection of
Daoism and ecology, looking at the theoretical and historical
implications associated with a Daoist approach to the environment.
They also analyze perspectives found in Daoist religious texts and
within the larger Chinese cultural context in order to delineate
key issues found in the classical texts. Through these analyses,
they assess the applicability of modern-day Daoist thought and
practice in China and the West, with respect to the contemporary
ecological situation.
The History of Indian Philosophy is a comprehensive and
authoritative examination of the movements and thinkers that have
shaped Indian philosophy over the last three thousand years. An
outstanding team of international contributors provide fifty-eight
accessible chapters, organised into three clear parts: knowledge,
context, concepts philosophical traditions engaging and encounters:
modern and postmodern. This outstanding collection is essential
reading for students of Indian philosophy. It will also be of
interest to those seeking to explore the lasting significance of
this rich and complex philosophical tradition, and to philosophers
who wish to learn about Indian philosophy through a comparative
lens.
Using eleven Zen stories as a starting point and diving deep into
their mysterious world, he then weaves his magical clarity on many
diverse contemporary topics. From the true meaning of happiness to
an understanding of the process of death, it's all here. To begin
reading this book is to commence a journey into the world of
wonder. Buddha's disciple Subhuti is showered with blossoms upon
experiencing sublime emptiness. But isn't emptiness usually an
absence of something? Through his commentary on this seemingly
strange tale, Osho illuminates the vast difference between a
negative and a sublime emptiness.
Internationally renowned and bestselling author Donna Farhi moves
yoga practice beyond the mat into our everyday lives, restoring the
tradition's intended function as a complete, practical philosophy
for daily living. Expanding upon the teachings of Patanjali's Yoga
Sutras, the core text of the yoga tradition, Donna Farhi describes
yoga's transforming power as a complete life practice, far beyond
its common reduction to mere exercise routine or stress management.
This is the philosophy of yoga as a path to a deeper awareness of
self. Drawing upon her years of teaching with students, Farhi
guides readers through all the pitfalls and promises of navigating
a spiritual practice. Farhi's engaging and accessible style and
broad experience offer important teachings for newcomers and
seasoned practitioners of yoga alike. And because her teachings of
yoga philosophy extend into every corner of daily life, this book
is an equally accessible guide to those seeking spiritual guidance
without learning the pretzel bendings of the physical practice
itself. As one of the top teachers worldwide, Farhi's exploration
of the core philosophy of yoga is destined to become an instant
classic.
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