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The book provides a detailed study of the Vaisnava acaryas such as Sri Ramanuja, Sri Nimbarka, Sri Madhvacarya, Sri Caitanya, Sri Vallabha, Sri Sankaradeva and Sri Swami Narayana and their religious philosophies vis-à-vis Sri Sankara’s jnana theory.
The book provides a detailed study of the acaryas such as Sri Sankara, Sri Ramanuja, Sri Nimbarka, Sri Madhvacarya, Sri Caitanya, Sri Vallabha, Sri Sankaradeva and Sri Swami Narayana and their philosophies. The schools of Vaisnavism belonging to these venerable acaryas primarily promulgate for the seeker an alternate method which emphasizes that samsara is real, liberation is real, and worship and meditation are equally real, not mock battles. God is accepted as the Ultimate Reality – merciful and gracious, the seat of all auspicious attributes – by whose grace alone one can be freed from the bondage of samsara. These schools are well established in the Vedas and do not make a distinction between the Absolute (Brahman) and God (ISvara) or equate jiva with Brahman. Most of these schools, identify ISvara or Brahman with Visnu, who has a particular form (Catur-Bhujam, Sanku-Cakra, etc.) which distinguishes Him from other gods. All the acaryas of the schools of Vaisnavism had Lord Mahavisnu as the Supreme Reality, but for each one of them the Lord presented Himself in a different form. For example, for Sri Ramanuja, it was Sriman Narayana, for Sri Nimbarka, Sri Vallabha and Sri Caitanya it was Sri Krsna and for Sri Ramananda it was Sri Rama.
This volume should invoke keen interest in the philosophical community and among the followers of Vaisnava Sampradaya, along with a wide range of students, researchers and teachers of all religious philosophies.
A dialogue between science and spirituality is a necessity in our times where both, differences and mutual enrichment of the two great fields of human approach to reality, are taking place. This volume addresses this need from the perspective of different areas of science and spiritual traditions. The starting point is the intention of the founder of the IIAS, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, who saw that both the practice of science and experience of spirituality are intimately related to being human. Although much thought has gone into their relationship, the present volume intends to broaden and deepen the possibility of a harmonious integration, necessary to overcome the present-day crisis of humanity.
From the side of science, the contributors come from the fields of physics, plant biology, neuroscience, psychology, ecology and philosophy of science; and from the side of spirituality, following traditions and spiritual masters are represented: PÀtaðjala Yoga, Trika aivism of Kashmir, VedÀnta, Buddhism, Christianity, Theosophy, and Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and J. Krishnamurti. The deliberations included topics such as Awareness in plants, Neuroplasticity and Habit, appropriate use of terms such as Consciousness and Energy in different contexts, clarifying several issues concerning the on-going dialogue. The contributing scholars have built bridges of understanding, thus encouraging the reader to proceed further in this quest.
A dialogue between science and spirituality is a necessity in our times where both, differences and mutual enrichment of the two great fields of human approach to reality, are taking place. This volume addresses this need from the perspective of different areas of science and spiritual traditions. The starting point is the intention of the founder of the IIAS, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, who saw that “both the practice of science and experience of spirituality are intimately related to being human”. Although much thought has gone into their relationship, the present volume intends to broaden and deepen the possibility of a harmonious integration, necessary to overcome the present-day crisis of humanity.
From the side of science, the contributors come from the fields of physics, plant biology, neuroscience, psychology, ecology and philosophy of science; and from the side of spirituality, following traditions and spiritual masters are represented: PÀtaðjala Yoga, Trika Œaivism of Kashmir, VedÀnta, Buddhism, Christianity, Theosophy, and Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and J. Krishnamurti. The deliberations included topics such as Awareness in plants, Neuroplasticity and Habit, appropriate use of terms such as “Consciousness” and “Energy” in different contexts, clarifying several issues concerning the on-going dialogue. The contributing scholars have built “bridges of understanding”, thus encouraging the reader to proceed further in this quest.
The book concentrates on consciousness because of two reasons: (i) in consciousness, both being and becoming are involved and (ii) pure consciousness happens to be the essence of human nature. It further discusses concepts like One and Many, Time and Space of Buddhist philosophy and Vedānta have scientific support.
The synthesis between Vedanta and Buddhist philosophy has been attempted in this study on the ground that the former is the philosophy of “being”, whereas the latter happens to be the philosophy of becoming. The being and becoming, both are important for proper understanding of the Absolute Reality and its manifestation. In synthesizing, it has concentrated on consciousness because of two reasons: (i) in consciousness, both being and becoming are involved and (ii) pure consciousness happens to be the essence of human nature.
In Buddhist philosophy the concepts like citta-nirvana, bhavanga-citta and alaya-vijnana having a bearing on pure consciousness, which happens to be the Upanisadic atman and the Vedantic Brahman. Since these concepts represent the essence of human beings, the similarities among the Upanisads, Vedanta and Buddhism have been established. However, the differences between Vedanta and Buddhist philosophy (Yogacara Vijnanavada) on several issues like momentariness, changing reality will continue because these are merely modes of manifestations or appearances.
It has also been shown that the concepts like One and Many, Time and Space of Buddhist philosophy and Vedanta have scientific support. Time and Space have no independent existence in Buddhist philosophy and Vedānta. In fact, both being the manifestations of consciousness, become the objects of consciousness. It means that Buddhist philosophy and Vedanta have treated Time and Space in relative framework. So is the case with science.
This work demystifies the entire subject of spirituality and the phenomena of Enlightenment and Liberation by demonstrating how they have a scientific basis and are definable in scientific/psychological terms.
What is the precise nature of Reality or God? And what exactly, in scientific terms, is the much-talked about spiritual phenomenon called Enlightenment? Is it at all scientifically possible for a state devoid of ego to exist? And can a person do his normal duties in life in such a state? This book answers these and kindred questions convincingly: in a way that should appeal to a scientist, a spiritualist and a lay person alike. Uncommonly combining in him the rationality of a medical scientist and the profundity of his religio-philosophical studies, the author demonstrates how the spiritual phenomena of Enlightenment and Liberation do have an eminently satisfactory scientific explanation an explanation which he also reconciles with conventional spiritual teachings. Finally, flitting adroitly from Advaita to Tao, Zen to Sufism, Buddhism to Christianity, Dr. Trasi shows how the teachings of different faiths arent different in essence, but just constitute intricate parts of the one and the same grand, big picture. With deep insight, forceful logic and supporting references, Dr. Trasis book not only dispels many of the myths, mis-conceptions and distortions woven around Enlightenment, the Liberated State, the Soul and Death, but explores the rationale behind wide-ranging traditional beliefs as well. Also set out is a scientific explanation of diverse spiritual terms. Nor is the practical aspect neglected here including, as it does, a scientifically-backed guide to offset the oft-recurring doubts and questions that nag the average spiritual enthusiast. Written lucidly, the book is bound to interest scientists, sceptics, and anyone else even remotely concerned with spirituality.
The book talks about the concept of consciousness, its incorporation in physical theories, presents the basics of Vedanta philosophy, theory of karma, man-machine interaction, the interaction of human being with physical world as per Vedantic philosophy, and interactions among human beings. It also points out the limitations of modern science in describing some aspects of human behaviour.
The volume is concerned with the concept of consciousness and its incorporation in physical theories. It tries to look for a unifying mechanism for fundamental processes taking place inside the human being which are responsible for all human actions and behaviour in outer world. It argues that the essences of life in conjunction with the consciousness can provide a viable framework for understanding the physical world as well as of human/non-human behaviour and its experiences.
The book presents the basics of Vedanta philosophy, comparing its viewpoint with that of objective science and other philosophies to throw light on classification of objects and inner and outer worlds and associated experiences. It studies the theory of karma, recapitulating the western view and views of modern science, and presents the Vedanta theory of karma. It takes up aspects like the role of the human being in a process with a discussion on the man-machine interaction; the interaction of the human being with the physical world within the framework of Vedanta philosophy; and the interactions among human and non-human beings. Several new concepts like dressing of essences of life with consciousness, principle of minimum efforts, a (3/2)-rule for the fragmentation of consciousness, a definition of mind set function and its evolution, K-effect etc. are introduced in the book for the first time. It repeatedly points out the limitations of modern science in describing some aspects of human behaviour.
The work will be useful to a broad spectrum of readers, particularly scholars and students, physicists, biologists, psychologists, professional philosophers, particularly philosophers of science.
The question of the relationship between the ultimate reality of the universe, and its proximate reality as experienced by us, is apt to boggle the mind. Nevertheless, the Hindu school of philosophy, known as Advaita Vedanta, tries to render it comprehensible at the level of the individual through everyday analogies like mistaking a piece of seashell for a piece of silver.
The question of the relationship between the ultimate reality of the universe, and its proximate reality as experienced by us, is apt to boggle the mind, given the vastness of the dimensions involved. The distinction between it and us is like the difference between an avalanche and a snowflake. Nevertheless, the Hindu school of philosophy, known as Advaita Vedanta, tries to render it comprehensible at the level of the individual by pressing everyday analogies into service. One such analogy is suggested by our experience in life when we momentarily mistake a piece of seashell for a piece of silver. Advaita Vedanta then proceeds to employ this pivotal analogy to explore the various dimensions of the relationship of the individual to the world, to the ultimate reality, and of the ultimate reality to the world. This book uses this metaphor as a window which opens out into the world of Advaita Vedanta.
The contributions in this volume deal with contemporary debates in Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Action and Moral Philosophy. Some of them relate these current debates to questions raised by ancient Greek and Indian philosophers regarding the nature of self-knowledge and moral agency.
Inquiry concerning the nature of self-knowledge has been one of the fundamental concerns of philosophy from its very inception. The enterprise of providing an adequate account of self-knowledge is closely related to questions regarding the role of humans as subjects of experience and as agents of actions. This collection of essays purports to address the problem of self-knowledge and agency by focusing on: a) the epistemological questions, and b) the relationship between the epistemological issues, and issues centering on agency and morality.
The contributions in this volume not only deal with contemporary debates in Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Action and Moral Philosophy, some of them relate these current debates to questions raised by ancient Greek and Indian philosophers regarding the nature of self-knowledge and moral agency.
A whole range of questions regarding the nature and status of first-person epistemology, its connection with questions concerning consciousness, intentionality, rationality, agency, personal identity, and morality are discussed in the twelve essays in this volume written by philosophers actively engaged in research in these areas. These essays provide accounts of the complex manner in which human beings understand and describe themselves as well as engage with the world.
The book constellates Sri Aurobindo’s approach with transpersonal psychology, contemporary lineages of phenomenology, so as to develop a transformative Yoga psychology redefining the boundaries and possibilities of the human and opening up lines of self-practice towards a wholeness of being and becoming.
Groomed in a modern academic tradition and post-Enlightenment ideals of creative freedom and social critique, Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) turned his attention to yoga and the limits of consciousness in its ability to relate to and transform nature. In the process, he documented scrupulously his experiments and experiences based on a synergistic existential framework of practice.
Debashish Banerji correlates the approach to yoga Sri Aurobindo took in his diaries with his later writings, to derive a description of human subjectivity and its powers. Banerji constellates Sri Aurobindo’s approach with transpersonal psychology and contemporary lineages of phenomenology and ontology, to develop a transformative yoga psychology redefining the boundaries and possibilities of the human and opening up lines of self-practice towards a wholeness of being and becoming.
Both scholar and Yogi, Aurobindo (1872-1950) carefully documented the unfolding of spiritual consciousness starting shortly after his deep revelatory experiences while in prison in 1908. His observations were recently published in a two volume set, The Record of Yoga. Debashish Banerji has analyzed this work and offers a detailed, clear, systematic and inspirational interpretation of how the Yoga of Sri Aurobindo may be understood and practiced.
Þ From the `Foreword’ of
Prof. Christopher Key Chapple
Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, (USA)
A German lady, a veteran Yoga practitioner, travels to Ladakh, also known as ‘Little Tibet’. There she dives as much into life in its bustling capital Leh as into moonlike landscapes and Buddhist locales. She spends a week in a solitary meditation cabin, goes on a trek and meets not just Ladakhis but also interesting fellow travellers from all over the globe.
So is this a travelogue? Or are these musings in a journal? Yes, but also much more. Charmed by her chatty narration, spiced with irony and humour, you are gently led to contemplations on life and living, changes wrought by globalization, man-woman relationships, cultural differences, loss of identities, fear as an inherent part of the human psyche and the burgeoning objects of enjoyment versus the diminishing capacity to enjoy.
Before you know it, you realise that HellaNaura’s deep reflections have awakened in you a need to integrate some spiritual viewpoints into your busy modern life. Why? Because her experiences and many joys, in spite of several difficulties, are a proof that a ‘spiritual’ outlook is an effective antidote to the crafty seduction by material and sensual gratifications. And, as she notes, even parts of Ladakhi society – formerly happy, prosperous and woven tightly together with warmth and intimacy – seem to be succumbing to its lures.
Mankind, when it gave expression to its first dawning of religious thoughts, wove a fabric of myths and theories about religion, the warp of which ran through from earliest historical times to our own days as threads of the warp of philosophies and theories about sex, male, female, love, passion, lust, desire, procreation, offspring, etc. The succeeding ages and civilizations wove into its warp the woof of the individual religions, myths and fables of gods and goddesses, so that the whole fabric of beliefs became refined as mankind itself advanced.
Sex and Sex Worship is the result of a long-time, arduous study of the concept of sex and the worship of phallus in various civilizations and in the development of different religions, modern and old, over a period of many millennia. The book makes one grasp a lot of topics associated with sex and sex symbols such as nature of sex and reproduction, status of women, cosmo-gonies, sex in man and animal, sexual relationship of gods and goddesses, virgin worship, phallic festivals, among many, while making it clear that the worship of generative organs was rather a use of representations of phallus and yoni as symbols for certain religious ideas which were embodied in nature worship.
It also vividly talks about the concept of sex and sex organs in art and ethics, sculpture, art anatomy, etc. The contents in toto lead one to the myriad aspects and concerns associated with sex and phallic worship. It is a must read for a scholar and a common man alike.
Mankind, when it gave expression to its first dawning of religious thoughts, wove a fabric of myths and theories about religion, the warp of which ran through from earliest historical times to our own days as threads of the warp of philosophies and theories about sex, male, female, love, passion, lust, desire, procreation, offspring, etc. The succeeding ages and civilizations wove into its warp the woof of the individual religions, myths and fables of gods and goddesses, so that the whole fabric of beliefs became refined as mankind itself advanced.
Sex and Sex Worship is the result of a long-time, arduous study of the concept of sex and the worship of phallus in various civilizations and in the development of different religions, modern and old, over a period of many millennia. The book makes one grasp a lot of topics associated with sex and sex symbols such as nature of sex and reproduction, status of women, cosmo-gonies, sex in man and animal, sexual relationship of gods and goddesses, virgin worship, phallic festivals, among many, while making it clear that the worship of generative organs was rather a use of representations of phallus and yoni as symbols for certain religious ideas which were embodied in nature worship.
It also vividly talks about the concept of sex and sex organs in art and ethics, sculpture, art anatomy, etc. The contents in toto lead one to the myriad aspects and concerns associated with sex and phallic worship. It is a must read for a scholar and a common man alike.
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