"Novelists, artists, and philosophers of the eighteenth century understood pleasure as a virtue - a gift to be shared with one's companion, with a reader, or with the public. In this daring new book, Thomas Kavanagh overturns the prevailing scholarly tradition that views eighteenth-century France primarily as the incubator of the Revolution. Instead, Kavanagh demonstrates how the art and literature of the era put the experience of pleasure at the center of the cultural agenda, leading to advances in both ethics and aesthetics."--Publisher's description.
Explores the intersection of Enlightenment ideas and colonial realities amongst White, male colonists in the eighteenth-century French and British Caribbean. For them, becoming 'enlightened' meant diversion, status seeking, satisfying curiosity about the tropical environment, and making sense of the brutal societies and the enslaved Africans.
How do seemingly disparate arenas of Enlightenment philosophy, economic theories, boudoir etiquette, literary styles, and artistic modes coincide in the late eighteenth century? In this poetic essay on the evolution of the idea of luxury and art, Rmy Saisselin uses precise, witty examples to describe the development of our modern taste, ultimately the successor of the more spiritual and grand baroque got. His analysis both illuminates and distinguishes between eighteenth-century and modern varieties of conspicuous consumption. This persuasive discourse depicts the rise of luxe as an escape from ennui and shows how, for the first time in European history, a large class of wealthy, leisured people emerged to make art, luxury, and the avoidance of boredom its preoccupation. Saisselin provides an original and lucid picture of the first phases in the emergence of a specifically bourgeois taste. How do seemingly disparate arenas of Enlightenment philosophy, economic theories, boudoir etiquette, literary styles, and artistic modes coincide in the late eighteenth century? In this poetic essay on the evolution of the idea of luxury and art, Rmy Saisselin uses precise, witty examples to describe the development of our modern taste, ultimately the successor of the more spiritual and grand baroque got. His analysis both illuminates and distinguishes between eighteenth-century and modern varieties of conspicuous consumption. This persuasive discourse depicts the rise of luxe as an escape from ennui and shows how, for the first time in European history, a large class of wealthy, leisured people emerged to make art, luxury, and the avoidance of boredom its preoccupation. Saisselin provides an original and lucid picture of the first phases in the emergence of a specifically bourgeois taste.
How does an Enlightened person know that they are Enlightened? Does Enlightenment depend on the world or is it a state of being? Is Spiritual Initiation by a Guru or a Spiritual Master, an automatic way to be Spiritually Awakened or Enlightened? Enlightenment can only be attained by one who self-certifies that they are Enlightened. Only a sincere seeker, who takes the help of an Enlightened Master, can reach this state. This book will not only start your journey to Spiritual Awakening but also Initiate the process of your Enlightenment and liberate you from all misery on earth and from the cycle of death and rebirth.
"Divine Ascension: A Journey to Enlightenment via Selfless Service" by Keith R. Parker offers a transformative perspective on spiritual practice, drawing from ancient Vedic teachings and presenting them through a modern lens. This work invites readers to move beyond traditional paths that emphasize suppressing desires, restraining actions and detaching from outcomes. Instead, it proposes a vibrant, engaged approach to spirituality through selfless service. Parker's revival of Krishna’s teaching on Karma Yoga highlights the profound spiritual growth from serving others’ desires. By placing the desires of others at the forefront, we align with a divine force, leading to personal and spiritual evolution. This practice of selfless service is not merely an act of kindness but a profound spiritual practice that leads to the renunciation of selfish desires, fostering true spiritual growth and fulfillment. Each chapter of "Divine Ascension" delves into the practical application of these principles. The book emphasizes living a life of ordered harmony and divine increase, where spiritual and material wellbeing are interconnected. Parker draws from the Bhagavad Gita, providing insightful commentary on its teachings and showing how they apply to achieve higher consciousness. The journey towards enlightenment in "Divine Ascension" is framed as an active, integrated practice where the self and service to others merge seamlessly. This approach dissolves the traditional dichotomy between self-interest and self-sacrifice, presenting a path where personal fulfillment and spiritual growth are achieved through selfless service. The practice of Karma Yoga is a powerful tool for transforming one's life, leading to a deeper understanding and experience of one's divine potential. Through the alchemy of gratitude and the practice of Karma Yoga, "Divine Ascension" encourages readers to unlock their divine potential and experience God's presence in the everyday. This book is a call to action, urging readers to participate in their spiritual journey and find fulfillment through dynamic service to others. By embracing these teachings, readers transform their lives and touch the infinite, experiencing a deeper connection with the divine in their daily lives. Key Themes: - Redefining Karma Yoga: Parker challenges traditional Karma Yoga, emphasizing serving others’ desires as the means to innocently renouncing their own. - Active Engagement: The path to spiritual and material wellbeing favors the householder engaged in serving the desires of those they honor and love. - Integration of Physical and Cognitive Realms: The book shows how aligning physical actions with cognitive understanding leads to a harmonious and fulfilling life. - Practical Application of Vedic Teachings: Each chapter provides insights into how ancient teachings apply to active lives, achieving spiritual and material wellbeing. - Self-sacrifice as a Path to Enlightenment: The practice of selfless service dissolves the separation between self and others, leading to personal and spiritual fulfillment. - Gratitude and Divine Potential: The book emphasizes the transformative power of gratitude to God and its role in unlocking one's divine potential. Conclusion: "Divine Ascension" invites readers to transform their lives through selfless service and experience the divine in the everyday. Parker's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita and his modern reinterpretation of ancient Vedic teachings provide a compelling guide for those seeking deeper understanding on their spiritual journey. This book encourages readers to accelerate their spiritual evolution by embracing a life of selfless service, harmonizing their physical and cognitive realms, and unlocking their divine potential through Karma Yoga.
This volume offers authoritative discussions of all aspects of the philosophy of Epicurus (340-271 BCE) and then traces Epicurean influences throughout the Western tradition. It is an unmatched resource for those wishing to deepen their knowledge of Epicureanism's powerful arguments about death, happiness, and the nature of the material world.
So many myths and stories occur about enlightenment that we can find ourselves chasing after an impossible goal. We may waste years along the pathway to enlightenment pursuing what we think it is and not what it actually is. This book is unique and original in that it offers readers the chance to navigate through the stories, myths and legends without getting trapped. Find out the pitfalls and traps along the way and stop trying to reach some ideal that probably dos not exist. Awakened beings have kept to a very simple path which is described for you here. Each time you read the next myth you will feel more empowered to wake up fully to the truth of what you are. You will begin to see that the great beings of the past and present that have transcended the mind were just ordinary human beings. They had no superhuman abilities or powers but simply worked with what they had. Each myth is clearly explained and clear guidance is given as to how to navigate around it. Never before has enlightenment been so clearly and simply described and available for everyone.
A bold new interpretation of 'consumer revolution' in 18th-century Europe, examining globalization and the politics of consumption in the age of Revolution.
From a critically acclaimed author comes an engagingly written and groundbreaking new work that highlights the long-underestimated British role in delivering the Enlightenment to the modern world. Porter reveals how the monumental transformation of thinking in Great Britain influenced wider developments elsewhere. of color illustrations.
