This book is my token of love and gratitude for our great religion that has preserved India and has maintained its great heritage despite its struggles with so many negative forces trying to bring it down. We may not be the greatest in terms of our economic stance, but we do produce the best minds globally in virtually all the fields of material and worldly enterprise. Our religion keeps us rooted, and it also helps to produce the rigour with which all of us can excel in our individual pursuits. Today, the government in India is openly religious, and that is great for all those of us who have been ignored, abused, molested and ravaged by the ugly, cancelling , capitalist and cancerous forces of the past. I urge all of us modern Hindus to get back in touch with our philosophy, practice our religion, and not let it become a prized possession of the pilferers of the past.
As a world religion, Hinduism remains one of the most elusive for many. Its teachings, beliefs, practices, and history are reviewed here by an expert hoping to introduce readers to the world of Hinduism. While there are many forms of Hinduism, and offshoots as well, the complex nature of this faith makes it elusive to many. This straightforward overview, focusing on Vaishnavism-the most common form of Hinduism—is ideal for those who wish to learn more about this ancient tradition.. Beginning with chapters about the foundations of Hinduism, Rosen clearly lays out what is otherwise a complicated history. Providing Hindu terms alongside English translations, he is able to bring the faith alive for readers unacquainted with its varieties and its tenets. Moving on to chapters about practices, including festivals, teachings, chanting, eating habits and more, Rosen brings Hinduism to life in vivid detail.
“Lash is capable of explaining the mind-bending concepts of Gnosticism and pagan mystery cults with bracing clarity and startling insight. . . . [His] arguments are often lively and entertaining.”—Los Angeles Times Fully revised and with a new preface by the author, this timely update is perfect for readers of The Immortality Key. Since its initial release to wide acclaim in 2006, Not in His Image has transformed the lives of readers around the world by presenting the living presence of the Wisdom Goddess as never before revealed, illustrating that the truth of an impactful Gnostic message cannot be hidden or destroyed. With clarity, author John Lamb Lash explains how a little-known messianic sect propelled itself into a dominant world power, systematically wiping out the great Gnostic spiritual teachers, the Druid priests, and the shamanistic healers of Europe and North Africa. Early Christians burned libraries and destroyed temples in an attempt to silence the ancient truth-tellers and keep their own secrets. Not in His Image delves deeply into ancient Gnostic writings to reconstruct the story early Christians tried to scrub from the pages of history, exploring the richness of the ancient European Pagan spirituality—the Pagan Mysteries, the Great Goddess, Gnosis, the myths of Sophia and Gaia. In the 15th Anniversary Edition, Lash doubles down on his original argument against redemptive ideology and authoritarian deceit. He shows how the Gnostics clearly foresaw the current program of salvation by syringe, and places the Sophianic vision of life centrally in the battle to expose and oppose the evil agenda of transhumanism, making this well-timed update more relevant than ever. “Sometimes a book changes the world. Not in His Image is such a book. It is clear, stimulating, well-researched, and sure to outrage the experts. . . . Get it. Improve not just your own life, but civilization’s chances for survival.”—Roger Payne, author of Among Whales
This book examines the role of Hindu-inspired faith movements (HIFMs) in contemporary India as actors in social transformation. It further situates these movements in the context of the global political economy where such movements cross national boundaries to locate believers among the Hindu diaspora and others. In contemporary neoliberal India, HIFMs have become important actors, and they realize themselves by making public assertions through service. The four pillars of the contemporary presence of such movements are: gurus, sociality, hegemony and social transformation. Gurus, who spearhead these movements, create a matrix of possible meanings in their public discourses which their followers pick up to create messages of personal and social change. Sociality is a core strategy of proliferation across such movements and implies social service, which is qualified by memories of the guru and what they are believed to embody. Hegemony is reflected in the fact that social service in such movements often ominously imbibes right-wing or far-right Hinduism. They propose a model of Hindu-inspired social transformation, involving faith building into and transforming the civil society. The book discusses in a nuanced way several Hindu-inspired faith movements of various hues which have made national and international impact. This topical book is of interest to students and researchers in the fields of sociology, anthropology, social work, and social psychology, with a special interest in the study of religious movements.
Description: Edinburgh 2010 has a special relevance for Christians in India particularly when we consider the contributions Indian Christians continue to make both academically as well as in their day-to-day lives to living out and promoting interfaith relations and interfaith dialogue. For the typical Indian Christian, living with a neighbor of another faith is a daily reality and this pluralism has also influenced Christians in India to view ecumenism in a realistic and appreciative manner. The essays in this book reflect not only this acceptance and celebration of pluralism within India but also by extension an acceptance as well as a need for unity among Indian Christians of different denominations. The essays were presented and studied at a preparatory consultation on Study Theme II: Christian Mission Among Other Faiths under the theme ""Interfaith Relations Among Other Faiths "" at the United Theological College, Bangalore, India from 17th - 19th July 2009. Interfaith Relations After One Hundred Years: Christian Mission Among Other Faiths contains material, which it is hoped will contribute to the aims of the overall Edinburgh 2010 publications, to be studied and reflected on both in the Church and for academic purposes. About the Contributor(s): Dr. Marina Ngursangzeli Behera, from the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod, is an Associate Professor and currently teaches in the Department of History of Christianity at the United Theological College, Bangalore. She is also the Chairperson of the department.
A successful, ruthless businessman, Amar ends his life to reunite with his beloved in the afterlife. He, an atheist, believed his devout God-loving beloved Sakshi will be in the care of God and is determined to find her again. The journey in the afterlife world is a cascade of tribulations and revelations that hit him to the core. In his search, he finally recognises God’s pride, strength, beloved, wisdom, glory, most beautiful creation and reincarnation on Earth. Facing against ungodly forces, he takes a stand. A man with the ability to always get what he wants on Earth rebuilds himself in the face of harsh truths and realises the reality of this universe, “God needs us.” A swaying journey to realise the big picture from God’s perspective. A book to answer all questions forever unasked, revealing a reality never acknowledged. A voyage to re-recognise kindness and humanity.
Based On Both Original Classical Sources And Modern Literature, As Well As The Author`S Considerable Personal Experience, This Is Not Only A Fascinating Survey Of Islamic Customs And Beliefs, But Also A Serious Attempt To Show The Place Of Islam In The Religious Universe.