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Kokoro: Japanese Wisdom for a Life Well Lived
by Beth KemptonThis book invites you to cultivate stillness and contentment in an ever-changing, uncertain world, inspired by ancient and contemporary Japanese wisdom. Drawing on a thousand years of Japanese literature, culture, and philosophical ideas to explore the true nature of time and what it means to be human, Kokoro–which mysteriously translates as "heart-mind"–is a meditation on living well. Join Japanologist Beth Kempton on this life-changing pilgrimage far beyond the tourist trail, to uncover the soul of the country, its people, and its deeply buried wisdom. Distilling insight from a rich variety of sources, from centuries-old poetry and ancient Zen texts to martial arts teaching and contemporary philosophy, alongside the real-life stories of modern day pioneers, Kokoro offers an inspiring take on what it truly means to be happy,so that you can live each day with wonder and ease.
Kollektives Verzeihen: Die konstruktive Kraft eines rätselhaften Gefühls
by Oliver ErrichielloDas kollektive Verzeihen steht in seiner Rätselhaftigkeit der Liebe in nichts nach. Wir Menschen sind unergründliche Wesen. Zwar agieren wir meist bedächtig und rational und doch lassen sich viele Handlungen und Entscheidungen scheinbar nicht logisch herleiten. Das Verzeihen – jeder kennt es und hat es erfahren – gehört dazu. Verzeihen ist eines der wichtigsten und spannendsten Phänomene menschlicher Kommunikation. Das Buch beantwortet Fragen wie: Warum verzeihen wir einigen Menschen und anderen nicht? Warum braucht Verzeihen Zeit? Warum verzeihen Menschen einander seit jeher – oder lehnen eben gerade den Akt des Verzeihens ab? Verzeihen wir einzelnen Menschen im persönlichen Umfeld leichter oder schwerer als einer Gruppe von Menschen? Und vor allem: Warum ist das kollektive Verzeihen zeit- und kulturübergreifend wirksam? Im Zeitalter der hyperkomplexen und total vernetzten Welt, die keine Pausen mehr kennt, ist Verzeihen unerlässlich. Das Buch regt zum Nachdenken an und bietet wertvolle Impulse, um das eigene und das soziale Handeln besser zu verstehen.
Konfigurationen des: Diaspora-Narrative und Transnationalität in jüdischen Literaturen der Gegenwart (Exil-Kulturen #3)
by Sonja DickowDie komparatistische Studie arbeitet anhand von Parallellektüren deutsch-, englisch- und hebräischsprachiger Gegenwartstexte den Befund heraus, dass gerade an der Konfiguration des immobilen Hauses Mehrfachverortung und Grenzüberschreitung verhandelt werden. Das Zuhause verliert durch die Zerstörungen der Shoah und die Exilerfahrungen der jüdischen Figuren seine Funktion als Heimat und Ort der Stabilität und Kontinuität. Erinnerndes Erzählen und Traditionen des diasporischen Schreibens werden dagegen als Orte der Zugehörigkeit diskutiert. Der in der mehrsprachigen jüdischen Literaturgeschichte ohnehin angelegte Transnationalitätsdiskurs wird in Untersuchungen zu Nicole Krauss und Anna Mitgutsch, Jenny Erpenbeck und Eshkol Nevo, Michal Govrin und Barbara Honigmann aufgerufen.
Konfliktuelle Kulturpolitik (Politologische Aufklärung – konstruktivistische Perspektiven)
by Oliver Marchart Anke Schad-Spindler Friederike Landau-Donnelly Stefanie FridrikDieser Sammelband vereint Beiträge aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen der Kulturpolitikforschung. Impulsgebend für den Band war das Forschungsprojekt „Agonistische Kulturpolitik (AGONART) – Fallstudien zur konfliktiven Transformation von Kulturstandorten“. Dieses verstand sich als interdisziplinärer Beitrag zwischen qualitativ-empirischer Grundlagenforschung in Politikwissenschaft (mit Schwerpunkt auf Kulturpolitik) und politischer Theorie (mit Schwerpunkt auf Konflikttheorie bzw. agonistischer Demokratietheorie). Das Buch regt somit zu einer wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzung mit Kulturpolitik(forschung) in Österreich, dem deutschsprachigen Raum und darüber hinaus an.
Konsum: Reflexionen über einen multidisziplinären Prozess (essentials)
by Dieter BögenholdDieter Bögenhold nähert sich dem Thema Konsum aus soziologischer Perspektive und bezieht dabei wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Themen wie Marketing und Konsumökonomik sowie andere angrenzende Fachgebiete ein. Der Leser bekommt auf diese Weise einen Überblick über die vielen Facetten dieses Forschungsbereiches. Die Rolle des Konsums in der Ideengeschichte wird ebenso angesprochen wie das Verhältnis zwischen Konsum und Mode oder die ,,McDonaldisierung" des Konsums.
Korah: The JPS B'nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary (JPS Study Bible)
by Rabbi Jeffrey K. SalkinKorah (Numbers 16:1-18:32) and Haftarah (1 Samuel 11:14-12:22): The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary shows teens in their own language how Torah addresses the issues in their world. The conversational tone is inviting and dignified, concise and substantial, direct and informative. Each pamphlet includes a general introduction, two model divrei Torah on the weekly Torah portion, and one model davar Torah on the weekly Haftarah portion. Jewish learning—for young people and adults—will never be the same. The complete set of weekly portions is available in Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin’s book The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary (JPS, 2017).
Koran für Dummies (Für Dummies)
by Sohaib SultanAlles Wissenswerte über die heilige Schrift des Islam Der Koran ist die heilige Schrift von über 1,8 Milliarden Muslimen auf allen Kontinenten. Er ist die Offenbarung Allahs an den Religionsstifter Mohammed, hohe Literatur und zugleich Leitfaden für das tägliche Leben der Gläubigen. Was sagt der Koran über den Glauben, über Frauen, über die Familie, über Andersgläubige, über Verbrechen und ihre Bestrafung? Sohaib Sultan berichtet über die Entstehung der heiligen Schrift und erläutert die Sprache des Koran. Er räumt Missverständnisse über den Koran aus dem Weg und eröffnet damit Möglichkeiten zu einem besseren Verständnis des Islam. Sie erfahren Wie der Koran entstanden und wie er aufgebaut ist Wie vielfältig sich der Koran interpretieren lässt Wie ein Leben nach dem Koran heute aussieht Was der Koran zu gesellschaftlichen Fragen sagt
Koranic Allusions
by Ibn WarraqFor anyone with an interest in the early history of Islam, this erudite anthology will prove to be informative and enlightening. Scholars have long known that the text of the Koran shows evidence of many influences from religious sources outside Islam. For example, stories in the Koran about Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other characters from the Bible obviously come from the Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels. But there is also evidence of borrowing in the Koran from more obscure literature. In this anthology, the acclaimed critic of Islam Ibn Warraq has assembled scholarly articles that delve into these unusual, little-known sources. The contributors examine the connections between pre-Islamic poetry and the text of the Koran; and they explore similarities between various Muslim doctrines and ideas found in the writings of the Ebionites, a Jewish Christian sect that existed from the second to the fourth centuries. Also considered is the influence of Coptic Christian literature on the writing of the traditional biography of Muhammad.
Korea - A Religious History
by James H. GraysonThis is an historical survey of all the religious traditions of Korea in relation to the socio-cultural trends of seven different periods of Korean history. The book includes a discussion of the history of the study of religion in Korea, a chronological description of Korean folk religion including shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Islam, and Korean New Religions, and some final observations about the unique characteristics of religious beliefs and practices in Korea.
Korean Buddhist Nuns and Laywomen: Hidden Histories, Enduring Vitality
by Eun-Su ChoExplores the roles of Korean Buddhist nuns and laywomen from the Koryo period to the present. Uncovering hidden histories, this book focuses on Korean Buddhist nuns and laywomen from the fourth century to the present. Today, South Korea's Buddhist nuns have a thriving monastic community under their own control, and they are well known as meditation teachers and social service providers. However, little is known of the women who preceded them. Using primary sources to reveal that which has been lost, forgotten, or willfully ignored, this work reveals various figures, milieux, and activities of female adherents, clerical and lay. Contributors consider examples from the early days of Buddhism in Korea during the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla periods (first millennium CE); the Koryŏ period (982–1392), when Buddhism flourished as the state religion; the Chosŏn period (1392–1910), when the Neo-Confucian Court actively suppressed Buddhism; and the contemporary resurgence of female monasticism that began in the latter part of the twentieth century.
Korean Religions in Relation: Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity (SUNY series in Korean Studies)
by Anselm K. MinInstead of simply being another survey of the three dominant religions in contemporary Korea—Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity—this unique book studies them in relation to each other in terms of assimilation, accommodation, conflict, and exclusion. The contributors focus on major issues that have historically challenged the relations between the three religions from the Goryeo period to the present and how each religion has responded to them. The essays bring a new perspective to the study of Korean religions, one that is especially pertinent in the current age of religious pluralism with all its tensions.
Korean Shamanism: The Cultural Paradox (Vitality Of Indigenous Religions Ser.)
by Chongho KimTitle first published in 2003. Shamanism has a contradictory position within the Korean cultural system, leading to the periodical suppression of shamanism yet also, paradoxically, ensuring its survival throughout Korean history. This book examines the place of shamans within contemporary society as a cultural practice in which people make use of shamanic ritual and disputing the prevalent view that shamanism is 'popular culture', a 'women's religion' or 'performing arts'. Directly confronting the prejudice against shamans and their paradoxical situation in a modern society such as Korea, this book reveals the cultural discrepancy between two worlds in Korean culture, the ordinary world and the shamanic world, showing that these two worlds cannot be reconciled. This unique study of shamanism offers a significant contribution to growing studies in indigenous anthropology and indigenous religions, and provides a captivating read for a wide range of readers through retelling the stories-never-to-be-told involving shamanic ritual.
Koreans' Social Identity
by Myoung-Jin Lee Ji-Young ChoiThis book examines the changing characteristics of Korean society and Koreans in various areas, including politics, economics, and society, providing rich analyses on social identity. Factoring in the trajectory of Korean history, the authors chart the rapid economic growth of Korea and the ways in which this has significantly improved Koreans' material living standards. The book shows that despite the Cold War and inter-Korean confrontation, active citizen participation has institutionalized democracy in Korea. A society once characterized by strong familial ties and patriarchal verticality has shifted to a more horizontal structure with diverse values. Transitions from agricultural to industrial and information societies have occurred within one or two generations. Rapid aging is another critical issue, with Korea experiencing one of the fastest aging trends globally. The shift toward a multicultural society challenges the traditional identity of Koreans based on a single ethnicity. Against this backdrop, this book seeks to capture the characteristics of changing Korean society and the people living in it, based on the concept of social identity that an individual's evaluation is not just a temporary personal feeling or prejudice but a cultural product. It allows for an objective analysis of a society or its cultural characteristics by measuring social identity. The first part of the book introduces the concept of social identity and presents analysis results in several fields. The second examines changes in the values and attitudes of representative Koreans. The third part discusses the social problems and tasks created by the changes in various values and attitudes. Finally, the last section explores concrete measures to overcome these problems and aim for social integration in future and emphasizes elements that enhance social trust and integration. It is relevant to sociologists and scholars working across various social science dimensions focused on Korea.
Koresh: The True Story of David Koresh and the Tragedy at Waco
by Stephan Talty"Impressively researched and written with storytelling verve. ... Talty delves the deepest into the history and twisted personality of David Koresh." —Wall Street JournalThe first comprehensive account of David Koresh’s life, his road to Waco, and the rise of government mistrust in America, from a master of narrative nonfictionNo other event in the last fifty years is shrouded in myth like the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. Today, we remember this moment for the 76 people, including 20 children, who died in the fire; for its inspiration of the Oklahoma City bombing; and for the wave of anti-government militarism that followed. What we understand far less is what motivated the Davidians’ enigmatic leader, David Koresh.Drawing on first-time, exclusive interviews with Koresh’s family and survivors of the siege, bestselling author Stephan Talty paints a psychological portrait of this infamous icon of the 1990s. Born Vernon Howell into the hyper-masculine world of central Texas in the 1960s, Koresh experienced a childhood riven with abuse and isolation. He found a new version of himself in the halls of his local church, and love in the fundamentalist sect of the Branch Davidians. Later, with a new name and professed prophetic powers, Koresh ushered in a new era for the Davidians that prized his own sexual conquest as much as his followers’ faith. As one survivor has said, “What better way for a worthless child to feel worth than to become God?”In his signature immersive storytelling, Talty reveals how Koresh’s fixation on holy war, which would deliver the Davidians to their reward and confirm himself as Christ, collided with his paranoid obsession with firearms to destructive effect. Their deadly, 51-day standoff with the embattled FBI and ATF, he shows, embodied an anti-government ethic that continues to resonate today.Now, thirty years after that unforgettable moment, Koresh presents the tragedy at Waco—and the government mistrust it inspired—in its fullest context yet.
Kosher Lust: Love is Not the Answer
by Shmuley BoteachAs many as one in three long-term marriages in America are sexless, and most people accept this as the inevitable course of a romantic relationship. In this groundbreaking book, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach explains why the prioritizing of love and companionship in marriage is all wrong, and why we should not go quietly into that dark night of celibate marriage. It is not love, Rabbi Shmuley shows, but lust that is the glue of a marriage. In this book you will learn how to restore lust to its rightful place as the central pillar of marriage. You will learn about the three principles of lust, and how to tap into them to keep the flames burning in the family hearth. Finally, you will discover the incredible emotional and spiritual potential of the intimate marital bond. In a wide-ranging discussion that plumbs the depths of the erotic mind, Rabbi Shmuley delivers a revolutionary message with the power to completely transform your most important relationship.
Kosher Nation: Why More and More of America's Food Answers to a Higher Authority
by Sue FishkoffIn this captivating account of a Bible-based practice that has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, Fishkoff travels throughout America and to Shanghai, China, to find out who eats kosher food, who produces it, who is responsible for its certification, and how this fascinating world continues to evolve.
Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy
by Shmuley BoteachIn Kosher Sex, Rabbi Boteach pioneers a revolutionary approach to sex, marriage, and personal relationships, drawing on traditional Jewish wisdom. Using his experiences counseling individuals and couples, the author breaks down sexual taboos and openly, yet respectfully, discusses the meanings, emotions, and the hidden power of sex. With his unique anecdotal style, Rabbi Boteach illustrates each and every point, using real couples who have discovered the joys of "kosher sex"--sex based on love, trust, and real intimacy. He profiles the two most common types of couples--best friends and passionate lovers--and suggests ways of synthesizing the best that each type has to offer. Rabbi Boteach also has advice for singles on finding the right partner; for individuals either willing to take their long-term relationship to the next level or unsure about doing so; and for married couples who may be experiencing problems in their sex life. At a time when three out of every five marriages fail, Kosher Sex will have an astonishing and positive impact. With a no-holds-barred conversational style and keen insight, Rabbi Boteach breaks all the taboos and pioneers a new approach to sex, marriage, and personal relationships. He not only brings traditional Jewish wisdom into the twentieth century but makes it relevant to everyone searching for a deeper, more meaningful, and more satisfying love life.
Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy
by Shmuley BoteachGreat sex consists entirely of motions, Kosher Sex consists of motions that elicit lasting emotions. Great sex is an undertaking of two separate bodies, Kosher Sex is two halves of the same whole. Twenty-five years ago, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's celebrated international bestseller Kosher Sex changed how we view and approach sex, marriage, erotic attraction, and personal relationships by drawing on traditional Jewish wisdom. Based on his extensive experience counseling individuals and couples, the author breaks down sexual taboos and openly yet respectfully discusses the meanings, emotions, and hidden power of sex. With his unique anecdotal style, Rabbi Boteach illustrates each and every point, using real couples who have discovered the joys of "kosher sex"—sex that blends passion and lovers—and suggests revolutionary ways of synthesizing the best that each has to offer. When half of all marriages fail and one third are sexless and platonic, Kosher Sex has an astonishing and electrifying impact.
Kosher and Halal Business Compliance
by Johan Fischer John LeverKosher is a Hebrew term meaning ‘fit’ or ‘proper’ and halal is an Arabic word that literally means ‘permissible’ or ‘lawful’. Within the last two decades or so, kosher and halal markets have become global in scope and states, manufacturers, restaurants, shops, certifiers and consumers around the world are faced with ever stricter and more complex requirements – most clearly exemplified by Muslim and Jewish groups’ call for kosher and halal certification by third party certification bodies. During this period hundreds of kosher and halal certifiers have emerged around the world, and while thousands of manufacturers, restaurants and shops have been certified, the majority have not. Kosher and halal requirements are comparable, but there are also many differences and the book discusses how these similarities and differences affect production, trade and regulation around the world. The authors research demonstrates that there is a need to address kosher and halal markets simultaneously and answers the question "what characterizes global kosher and halal markets and how can businesses comply with the rising demands and requirements that have emerged?" This is the only book of its kind and it will appeal to manufacturing companies, restaurants and shops that already are or want to be kosher/halal certified. The book can also be assigned in a variety of upper-level undergraduate courses and graduate seminars in business studies, management and marketing. Moreover, the book will be of interest to readers in the natural sciences (for example, food scientists) and outside academia, that is, to state as well as non-state kosher/halal certification bodies, policy makers, interest groups and consultants. Kosher and Halal Business Compliance is accessible in style, global in scope and based on decades of research.
König, Weiser, Liebhaber und Skeptiker: Rezeptionen Salomos (Studien zu Literatur und Religion / Studies on Literature and Religion #4)
by Susanne Gillmayr-Bucher Elena Deinhammer Antonia Krainer Imelda RohrbacherKaum eine andere biblische Figur wird so enthusiastisch geschildert wie König Salomo. Er ist unvergleichlich weise, erbaut den Tempel in Jerusalem, und er verhilft auch seinem Volk zu einem Leben in Frieden und Wohlstand. Dennoch scheitert Salomo und erfüllt die in ihn gesetzten Erwartungen letztendlich nicht. Dadurch entsteht ein ambivalentes Bild, das innerhalb des biblischen Kanons und in der späteren Rezeptionsgeschichte vielfältig ausgestaltet wird. Wie facettenreich die Figur Salomos vom 16. bis 21. Jahrhundert in Literatur und Musik entfaltet wird, zeigt dieser Band auf. Die Beiträge im ersten Teil bieten überblicksartige Querschnitten, die Salomo als König, Weisen, Skeptiker und Liebenden in den künstlerischen Bearbeitungen präsentieren. Die Studien im zweiten Teil zeigen am Beispiel ausgewählter Werke, welche Diskurse der jeweiligen Zeit in der Figur König Salomos gespiegelt werden.
Kraft in Zeiten des Zerbruchs: Biblische Wahrheiten über Trauer, Depression, Ehekrisen, Abhängigkeiten und Furcht
by Kelvin ArmstrongKraft in Zeiten des Zerbruchs ist ein inspirierendes christliches Buch, dass dir helfen soll mit den Herausforderungen des Lebens umzugehen, indem du Kraft und Ermutigung aus dem Wort Gottes erhälst. Wenn wir durch schwierige Zeiten gehen, fragen wir uns oft, wieso es gerade uns trifft. Warum hat Gott mich verlassen? Diese Fragen bedrängen uns, wenn wir in Schwierigkeiten stecken. Das Leben macht es uns manchmal sehr schwer und wir versuchen in all dem unseren Weg zu finden. Unser ultimatives Ziel im Leben ist es glücklich zu sein, aber leider ist seit dem Sündenfall alles zu Bruch gegangen. Die Erde ist gebrochen, nichts funktioniert perfekt, selbst unsere Körper, das Wetter, unsere Pläne, unsere Beziehungen, unsere Ehen, nichts funktioniert fehlerfrei, denn das Leben ist von Hochs und Tiefs bestimmt. Vielleicht stehst du Niederlagen und Enttäuschungen gegenüber; vielleicht wurdest du von jemandem betrogen, den du liebst und sehr vertraut hast. So ist das Leben. Wir begegnen Prüfungen, Schwierigkeiten, Leiden, Trauer, Verlust, Einsamkeit, Depression, Ehekrisen, Abhängigkeiten und Ängsten, während wir von einer Phase des Lebens in die Nächste gehen. Aber mitten in all dem was das Leben nach dir wirft, solltest du dich an jemanden anlehnen, jemand der dir helfen kann das durchzuziehen, damit der überwältigende Stress, durch den du im Moment gehen musst, dich nicht um den Verstand bringt. Dieses Buch gibt dir biblische Grundlagen, die dir helfen werden, über die unvermeidlichen Verluste im Leben hinauszuwachsen.
Kreten van de Ziel: Complete Editie
by Tammy HensonDe vrouw in mij groeit. Deze gedichten zijn de diepste gedachten en verlangens van Tammy Henson. Dit boek is specifiek geschreven voor God, christenen en voor de pijnlijke wereld. Zonder God faalt Tammy uiteindelijk. Tammy's diepste roep tot God is voor meer van Hem. Er zijn mensen die wensen en verwachtingen nodig hebben om hoger te gaan. In dit boek zul je Tammy's verlangens zien, hoop op God en op deze wereld. Dit boek is samengesteld uit een serie met twee boeken.
Krishna Ek Rahasya: कृष्ण एक रहस्य
by Ishan Mahesh‘कृष्ण एक रहस्य’ आध्यात्मिक उपन्यास (प्रथम भाग) जब मुझसे लिखा जा रहा था; तब उस पूरे काल में मैंने यह अनुभव किया कि मैं बाँसुरी हो गया हूँ। बाँसुरी होने की आत्मा को मैंने दिव्य रूप में अनुभव किया। मैंने देखा कि उसमें से जो संगीत झर रहा है, वह आ तो मुझमें से होकर तो आ रहा है; किंतु मैं भली-भांति जानता हूँ कि उसमें बहती प्राणवायु मेरी नहीं हैं। जिन अधरों पर यह बाँसुरी रखी है, उसके छिद्रों पर जो अंगुलियाँ नृत्य कर रही हैं और शब्दों का जो महारास हो रहा है-यह सब कृष्ण की विराट ऊर्जा से अनुप्राणित है। इस उपन्यास का आधार कृष्ण और सुदामा की सुप्रसिद्ध पारंपरिक लोक-कथा है। इस कथा में मैंने ध्यान के अनुभवों को समोने का आनंद लिया है। सुदामा को यादव शिरोमणि श्रीकृष्ण के पास उनकी पत्नी ने भेजा तो आर्थिक सहायता प्राप्ति के उद्देश्य से था; किंतु द्वारका पहुँचकर सुदामा ने देखा कि जिस कृष्ण को वे अभी तक अपना बालसखा समझे बैठे थे- वह तो करुणा, प्रेम, भक्ति, न्याय, सत्य, ज्ञान,रस, योग और भोग की पराकाष्ठा हैं। सुदामा बाकि सबकुछ भूल कर कृष्ण की थाह लेने में जुट जाते हैं। अपने इस खोजी अभियान में वे कृष्ण का पार तो पा नहीं पाते; अपितु यह अनुभव करते हैं कि कृष्ण उनकी प्रत्येक श्वास में आ बसे हैं और वे पूर्णतः कृष्णमय हो चुके हैं। कृष्ण उनके मन के उठनेवाले अनेक जटिल प्रश्नों के मौलिक उत्तर देकर उनकी प्यास बुझा रहे हैं। अंततः सुदामा नतमस्तक हो यह स्वीकार कर लेते हैं कि वे कृष्ण के विराट् रूप को बुद्धि के द्वारा तो जान ही नहीं सकते ; किंतु उनके प्रेम की गंगा में नित् स्नान कर आनंदित तो हो ही सकते हैं।
Krishna in the Sky with Diamonds: The Bhagavad Gita as Psychedelic Guide
by Scott TeitsworthA verse-by-verse examination of Arjuna’s soma experience and Krishna’s psychedelic guidance in the Bhagavad Gita • Explains how the Bhagavad Gita provides complete guidelines for the spiritual use of entheogens--from prior mental preparations to the integration of profound visionary insights into everyday consciousness • Examines Chapter XI of the Gita in detail to illuminate Arjuna’s hallucinogenic experience and expose Krishna as the ultimate psychedelic guide • Shows psychedelic experience to be an essential and ancient part of the path to spiritual transformation Known as a text of liberation and enlightenment and praised not only by Indians but also by prominent modern thinkers such as Aldous Huxley and Albert Einstein, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the most commented-upon books of all time, yet one aspect has never before been examined: Arjuna’s psychedelic soma experience with his guru Krishna. Drawing upon his many years as a student of Nitya Chaitanya Yati, whose teacher was Gita scholar Nataraja Guru, preeminent disciple of Narayana Guru, Scott Teitsworth explains how the Bhagavad Gita, through the story of the hero Arjuna and his guru Krishna, provides complete guidelines for the spiritual use of entheogens, from prior mental preparations to the integration of profound visionary insights into everyday consciousness. Examining Chapter XI of the Bhagavad Gita verse by verse, he illuminates Arjuna’s complex revelatory experience and exposes Krishna’s role as the ultimate spiritual guide--facets of the Gita evident to anyone with psychedelic experience yet long suppressed in favor of paths to enlightenment through service or meditation. He shows that psychedelics are indeed “gateway drugs” in that they stimulate open exploration of the mind and the meaning of life. Uncovering new depths to this revered manual of spiritual instruction, Teitsworth reveals psychedelic experience to be an essential and ancient path to ignite realization in the prepared student, turn theory into direct experience, and bring the written teachings to life.
Krishna: Srimad Bhagavata Purana
by Edwin F. BryantThe Purana is one of the two most important and popular Hindu texts, the other being the Ramayana. It is part of the popular tradition, rather than a literary classic like the Upanishads or the Gita. It tells the story of the god Krishna, the supreme godhead of the Hindus and worshipped by them for over two and a half millennia. The most popular stories about him occur in this, the 10th book, which is the climax of the epic. The stories relate to Krishna's childhood and adolescence in the forests of Vrindavan among the herdspeople, delightful tales which lie behind much of Hindu art, appearing in painting, temple sculpture, drama, dance and song.