The Unity of Mystical Traditions
The Unity of Mystical Traditions

Author: Randall Studstill

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2018-08-14

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 9047407210

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This book argues that mystical doctrines and practices initiate parallel transformative processes in the consciousness of mystics. This thesis is supported through a comparative analysis of Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen (rdzogs-chen) and the medieval German mysticism of Eckhart, Suso, and Tauler. These traditions are interpreted using a system/cybernetic model of consciousness. This model provides a theoretical framework for assessing the cognitive effects of mystical doctrines and practices and showing how different doctrines and practices may nevertheless initiate common transformative processes. This systems approach contributes to current philosophical discourse on mysticism by (1) making possible a precise analysis of the cognitive effects of mystical doctrines and practices, and (2) reconciling mystical heterogeneity with the essential unity of mystical traditions.

The Life of Longchenpa
The Life of Longchenpa

Author: Jampa Mackenzie Stewart

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2014-02-04

Total Pages: 215

ISBN-13: 1559394188

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The first complete English-language life story of Longchenpa (1308-1364), one of the greatest masters in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Compiled from numerous Tibetan and Bhutanese sources, including Longchenpa's autobiography and stories of his previous lives and subsequent rebirths, The Life of Longchenpa weaves an inspiring and captivating tale of wonder and magic, of extraordinary visions and spiritual insight, set in the kingdoms of fourteenth-century Tibet and Bhutan. It also reveals for the first time fascinating details of his ten years of self-exile in Bhutan, stories that were unknown to his Tibetan biographers. Renowned as a peerless teacher, dedicated practitioner, and unparalleled scholar, Longchenpa thoroughly studied and mastered every one of the many Buddhist vehicles and lineages of teachings existing in Tibet at his time. Through his radiant intellect and meditative accomplishment, in both his teachings and written works, he was able to reconcile the seeming discrepancies and contradictions between the various presentations of the view and the path within the many lineages of transmission. His written works are also famous for being able to transfer true blessings just by reading or hearing his enlightened words. A lyrical introduction by Venerable Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche on the significance of Longchenpa and the importance of his birth and teachings; an essay by the late Khenpo Shenga (1871-1927), In Praise of Longchenpa; plentiful illustrations; and a comprehensive glossary round out this compelling tale.

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

Author: Sam Harris

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2005-09-17

Total Pages: 349

ISBN-13: 0393327655

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Harris offers a vivid historical tour of mankind's willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs, even when those beliefs are used to justify harmful behavior and sometimes heinous crimes.

Transformations
Transformations

Author: Gail Stenstad

Publisher: Univ of Wisconsin Press

Published: 2006-02-22

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 0299215431

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How are we to think and act constructively in the face of today’s environmental and political catastrophes? Gail Stenstad finds inspiring answers in the thought of German philosopher Martin Heidegger. Rather than simply describing or explaining Heidegger’s transformative way of thinking, Stenstad’s writing enacts it, bringing new insight into contemporary environmental, political, and personal issues. Readers come to understand some of Heidegger’s most challenging concepts through experiencing them. This is a truly creative scholarly work that invites all readers to carry Heidegger’s transformative thinking into their own areas of deep concern.

Reflections in a Mirror
Reflections in a Mirror

Author: Charlie Singer

Publisher: iUniverse

Published: 2011-09-07

Total Pages: 81

ISBN-13: 1462046576

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This distillation of important doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism includes a presentation of the four reflections that change the mind, bodhichitta, emptiness, the nature of mind, and Dzogchen. Also explores the nature of human embodiment and the apparitional nature of the world, with Buddha-nature as the common thread. A thought-provoking study. This certainly is in the tradition of the wise ones." From the Foreword by Ven. Lama Pema Wangdak

Muslims Like Us
Muslims Like Us

Author: David J. Roomy

Publisher: iUniverse

Published: 2005-05-14

Total Pages: 108

ISBN-13: 0595800874

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Ever wonder if there are alternatives to hostilities between nations and cultural groups? Would you be interested in learning more about common roots and values among Muslims and Westerners? More so, would you like to learn ways the individual citizen can work for increasing understanding between Westerners and Muslims? If so, Muslims Like Us, provides some answers. The author, David Roomy, learned about cross-cultural communication during the height of the Cold War. Living in New York City during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he grasped the urgency of finding forms of communication between hostile groups. He then helped form a program involving articulate graduate students, from counties along the Iron Curtain, with powerful U.S. corporate executives. After the destruction of war, we often ask ourselves, "Couldn't something more have been done beforehand?" Muslims Like Us speaks directly to that creative approach toward finding bridges of communication, now. Roomy speaks here about his mentor in this field, William Harrison Kennedy, who made a difference in world tensions. Roomy speaks about alternatives to warring and also opens up Muslim secular literature and the Grail legend in the West to discover common roots of Muslim and Western peoples.