In this Gnostic tale, the Apostle Philip details the captivating journey of Simon, one of the first disciples to witness Jesus during the formation of early Christianity.
All of the verses from chapters five through seven of the Gospel of Matthew, also known as the Sermon on the Mount, explored in resonance with quotes from others scriptures - Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Pagan, the threads of ideas tie together traditions from different languages and cultures and ages. Each preserved insight from the spectrum of traditions serves to shine lights of meaning and focus on the ideas presented. In the end it is observed that Jesus takes on the best of human ideas and presents them as an external message from the sacred mountain. This message is not just for Moses, but is for all of us. We are all invited to sit and contemplate.
A consideration of how the Buddhist and Taoist ideas resonate through the Jesus parables, stories, and teachings. A consideration of what this would have meant in the context of the Third Jewish Roman War that lasted from the years 132 through 135. A consideration of Emperor Hadrian. A consideration of the fabled Gnostic teacher Basilides. A consideration of the fall of Messianic Judaism. A consideration of what this all would have meant to those standing in Aelia Capitolina in the aftermath of so much destruction.
In his previous book, Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts, Reb Anderson Roshi described how we must become thoroughly grounded in conventional truth through the practice of compassion before we can receive the teachings of the ultimate truth. In The Third Turning of the Wheel, he introduces us to the next stage of our journey by invoking the wisdom of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra. According to Anderson, the main purpose behind this enigmatic sutra is to reconcile the apparent contradictions between the original teachings of the historical Buddha and the later teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Anderson reflects on the great metaphysical questions proposed in the Samdhinirmocana Sutra—the nature of ultimate reality, the structure of human consciousness, the characteristics of phenomena, the stages of meditation, and the essential qualities of a buddha—with the clarity of a scholar and the insight of a practitioner.
The very idea that the teachings can be mastered will arouse controversy within Buddhist circles. Even so, Ingram insists that enlightenment is an attainable goal, once our fanciful notions of it are stripped away, and we have learned to use meditation as a method for examining reality rather than an opportunity to wallow in self-absorbed mind-noise. Ingram sets out concisely the difference between concentration-based and insight (vipassana) meditation; he provides example practices; and most importantly he presents detailed maps of the states of mind we are likely to encounter, and the stages we must negotiate as we move through clearly-defined cycles of insight. Its easy to feel overawed, at first, by Ingram's assurance and ease in the higher levels of consciousness, but consistently he writes as a down-to-earth and compassionate guide, and to the practitioner willing to commit themselves this is a glittering gift of a book.In this new edition of the bestselling book, the author rearranges, revises and expands upon the original material, as well as adding new sections that bring further clarity to his ideas.
It has been scientifically proven that meditating for just 20 minutes a day a few days a week can reduce anxiety and stress dramatically, and this book shows you how to do just that, whatever your spiritual and religious beliefs. It will introduce you straight away to the practice of meditation, showing you a whole series of different exercises so you're sure to find one that works for you, and will help you to understand the link between body, brain, and why meditation works. NOT GOT MUCH TIME? One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. TEST YOURSELF Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of meditation. FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. TRY THIS Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.
Advancing to higher levels of ritual magic with purpose and power requires an exaltation of consciousness-a spiritual transformation that can serve as an antitode to the seeming banality of modern life. Based on Kabbalistic techniques, the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and an Hermetic tradition spanning nearly two thousand years, this innovative new work introduces the history of the Golden Dawn and its mythology, the Tree of Life, Deities, demons, rules for practicing magic, and components of effective ritual. A comprehensive course of self-initiation using Israel Regardie's seminal Golden Dawn as a key reference point, Kabbalah, Magic and the Great Work of Self-Transformation guides you through the levels of the Golden Dawn system of ritual magic. Each grade in this system corresponds with a sphere in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and includes daily rituals, required reading, written assignments, projects, and additional exercises. Knowledgeable and true to tradition, author Lyam Thomas Christopher presents a well-grounded and modern step-by-step program toward spiritual attainment, providing a lucid gateway toward a more awakened state. Finalist for the Coalition of Visionary Resources Award for Best Magick/Shamanism Book