Spirituality and the human
What are African religions? African Religions: A Very Short Introduction answers this question by examining primarily indigenous religious traditions on the African continent, as well as exploring the impacts of Christianity and Islam. It focuses on the diversity of ethnic groups, languages, cultures, and worldviews, emphasising the continent’s regional diversity.
Many readers here will be aware of the Hiranyagarba, the Golden Lingham in which the entire universe is enclosed. Here, the BBC explores the nature of the humble egg and asks, Do eggs contain the secrets of the Universe?
The message of Guru Nanak after emerging from the river Bein, three days after he had been in communion with God, was the opening of the Japji Sahib — the Mool Mantar that described the oneness of God and his attributes. He emphasised that God existed and was synonymous with truth before time, was present throughout the ages, is present now, and will be forever present in the future. He declared that: “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim.”
A Very Short Introduction: Spirituality by Philip Sheldrake
An overview of ‘What is Spirituality’, its origins, definitions, the emergence of contemporary spirituality, spiritual types in practice and attending to this day, this age: secular spirituality. Is religious spirituality in the process of being replaced? What is the value of spirituality? How do we deal with different kinds of spirituality such as Engaged Buddhism, Cyberspace and Spirituality, and the forms of mysticism? All this is examined in this small tome.
The Indian Himalayas is a hub for spiritual seekers and religious practitioners, attracting a plethora of religious figures over time. The region has been a melting pot of diverse religious traditions for centuries.
Chaitanya, also spelled Caitanya – more formally known as Sri Krishna Chaitanya, also called Gauranga. His birth name Vishvambhara Mishra, (born 1485, Navadvipa, Bengal, India – died 1533, Puri, Orissa), was a Hindu mystic whose mode of worshipping the god Krishna with ecstatic song and dance had a profound effect on public devotional activities in Bengal. Chaitanya was also instrumental in interfaith activities bringing about the re-creation of Brindavan.
On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church. He was the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, the first Jesuit, and the first to choose the name Francesco in honor of St. Francis of Assisi (1181 – 1226). He was named Person of the Year by Time magazine in 2013 and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. Here, we look to Pope Francis’ interfaith works.
It was the turn of the Ladies of Maharasthra-Goa this evening. When I arrived at the darshan hall there were many banners hanging in the centre of the darshan hall, and there were groups of men and ladies seated in the centre area where students normally sit. Chanting was going on in the mandir, and the darshan hall was filled with waiting devotees; silence prevailed.
A presentation of the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga to balance all the layers of life so that your body, mind, heart, intellect and spirit flow in harmony.
Cutting the Ties that Bind – the work of the late Phyllis Krystal – focuses on a core method of releasing people – and their minds – from experiences, matters and issues that restrict their growth as healthy individuals. The problem Mrs Krystal addresses in some depth is the collapse of age-old puberty rituals and rites of passage into adulthood: those all-important stepping stones to human maturity. This is a most valuable work, comprehensive in its detail.
Ganesh Jayanti will be celebrated on January 25. Ganesh Jayanti literally “Ganesha’s birthday”, also known as Magha shukla chaturthi, Tilkund chaturthi, and Varad chaturthi, is a Hindu festival. This occasion celebrates the birth day of Ganesha, the lord of wisdom. Today we are celebrating Ganesh Jayanti, the birthday of Vighneshwara. Who is He? What is His greatness? What has He taught to the world? We celebrate the jayanti but do not make any effort to understand the tattva (principle) behind it.
Saint John of the Cross (original name of Juan de Yepes y Álvarez)(1542-1591) was a Spanish Catholic mystic. He belonged to the Carmelite order. He is one of the Doctors of the Church. And He is a patron saint of mystics and contemplatives and of Spanish poets.
A Very Short Introduction: Jewish Literature by IIan Stavans
The story of Jewish literature spans the globe as well as the centuries, from the marrano poets and memorialists of medieval Spain, to the sprawling Yiddish writing in Ashkenaz (the “Pale of Settlement’ in Eastern Europe), to the probing narratives of Jewish immigrants to the United States and other parts of the New World. It also examines the accounts of horror during the Holocaust, the work of Israeli authors since the creation of the Jewish State in 1948, and the “ingathering” of Jewish works in Brazil, Bulgaria, Argentina, and South Africa at the end of the twentieth century. This kaleidoscopic introduction to Jewish literature presents its subject matter as constantly changing and adapting.
Today we explore the subject of Blue. Blue from your atmosphere is seen as the sky in daytime: it is pale blue, or darker blue and at night it graduates to a deep mid-night blue. But the blue is a colour that has an energy. There are Beings that have a bluish white skin – they are sometimes referred to as The Blue People. These Blue People, at another time, came to this planet you call Earth.
On this day, 7 January 2022, the OM Full Moon Day, it is also Mahayana New Year. Just as Christianity and Islam have different streams of practice, so also does Buddhism. There is the “Great Vessel” and there is Theravada (also known as Hinayana, the vehicle of the Hearers), and Vajrayana. Mahayana means ‘the great way’, which aims to benefit all people and all forms of life. This word comes from one of the ways a person can practice Buddhism. The motivation for their meditation, prayers, ritual, and mantra can be not just for their own sake, but for the sake of all their precious family, and for the sake of all beings. On this day of Mahayana New Year we take an overview of Mahayana Buddhism.
