In this collection of provocative essays by prominent teachers of Yoga and Buddhism, the common ground of these two ancient traditions becomes clear. Michael Stone has brought together a group of intriguing voices to show how Buddhism and Yoga share the same roots, the same values, and the same spiritual goals. The themes addressed here are rich and varied, yet the essays all weave together the common threads between the traditions that offer guidance toward spiritual freedom and genuine realization. Contributors include Ajahn Amaro Bhikkhu, Shosan Victoria Austin, Frank Jude Boccio, Christopher Key Chapple, Ari Goldfield and Rose Taylor, Chip Hartranft, Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, Sarah Powers, Eido Shimano Roshi, Jill Satterfield, Mu Soeng, Michael Stone, Robert Thurman.
Science journalist John Horgan presents a radical new perspective on the mind-body problem and related issues such as consciousness, free will, morality and the meaning of life. Horgan argues that science will never discover an objectively true solution to the mind-body problem because such a solution does not exist. Horgan explores his thesis by delving into the professional and personal lives of nine mind-body experts, including neuroscientist Christof Koch, cognitive scientist Douglas Hofstadter, child psychologist Alison Gopnik, complexologist Stuart Kauffman, legal scholar and psychoanalyst Elyn Saks, philosopher Owen Flanagan, novelist Rebecca Goldstein, evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, and economist Deirdre McCloskey.
Ancient Buddhist meditations and modern Western somatic therapy are united in this fascinating book. Both philosophies — and their healing capabilities — recognize that a structurally balanced human body is the key to a mentally and emotionally balanced human mind. This book explains the beautiful simplicity of these healing techniques and how to make them part of your life. Following its path, you’ll learn how to attain the spiritual and physical balance needed to create your own optimum environment through: -Understanding the experience of balance -Balancing time, present time and change -Balancing sound, vision and the components of reality -Balancing your heart and breath -Balancing “luminous vision” and the “luminous world” -Understanding suffering and its causes -Understanding your heart and breath and how they work together to help create balance What readers are saying about this book: “This book signals a new and sorely needed vitality in a field which, even though it is about life, so often seems to bring out the gray and pedantic in its champions.” — Peter Melchior, senior faculty member, the Guild for Structural Integration
Discover a Path to Liberation Through the Art of Living Naturally In an age where the digital world shapes our perceptions and societal norms dictate our expressions, Free Body, Free Mind: The Philosophy of Naturism emerges as a beacon of enlightenment, advocating for a lifestyle deeply rooted in freedom, health, and self-acceptance. This compelling read delves into the heart of naturism, unveiling its rich history, debunking long-held misconceptions, and paving a way towards a liberated existence. Embark on a journey through the pages of this enlightening book, where each chapter unfolds the layers of naturism, revealing its impact on mental wellness, physical health, and spiritual connection. Discover how embracing your natural state can lead to profound improvements in body image, self-esteem, and stress management, with case studies showcasing transformative experiences. Explore the societal norms surrounding body image and uncover the stigma attached to nakedness. Learn how naturism serves as a form of rebellion against these constraints, offering a pathway to breaking free from societal chains. Gain insights into the science of skin breathing, the undeniable benefits of sunlight and air, and how naturism fosters a healthier relationship with the environment. Free Body, Free Mind also illuminates the role of naturism in fostering positive growth from childhood, promoting safety, consent, and education. It brings to light the diverse practices of naturism across different cultures, detailing Europe's vibrant movement, America's unique approach, and the global quest for legal and societal acceptance. As you venture deeper, discover the spiritual aspects of naturism and its ability to connect the human spirit with nature, alongside personal stories of spiritual awakening. The book also highlights the importance of community and connection in the naturist lifestyle, offering guidance on finding and engaging with fellow naturists both online and in person. Dive into the world of Free Body, Free Mind, where the future of naturism is envisioned with optimism. This book is not merely a guide but a doorway to understanding how living closer to nature can unlock profound freedom and joy in your life. Whether you are a seasoned naturist or new to the concept, this book promises a journey towards embracing the naturist philosophy with an open heart and a free body. Let Free Body, Free Mind challenge your perceptions, inspire your journey towards liberation, and transform the way you view yourself and the world around you. It's time to rediscover the innate freedom that comes from living in harmony with nature.
From the Back Cover: Everyone should realize the natural abilities we all have that enable us to pass successfully through this life. Unfortunately there are too many people who continue aimlessly along, overshadowed psychologically and physically because they are not aware of their own abilities. Such people are a great minus from their own viewpoint and from the viewpoint of society as well. The principles of ki lie in bringing to light man's natural strength and his hidden natural abilities. The author's earlier works, in which he introduced the principles of ki and aikido with mind and body coordinated, met with great response in many countries and created a demand for a still more detailed explanation of what ki really means. The present work is an answer to that demand. In the first section, while delving deeply into the principles of ki, the author gives a number of practical examples which anyone can easily follow. These examples are straight to that point, concrete and avoid abstractions such as how much power is there in spirit and the nature of feeling. The author's point is to have the reader learn the proper method of mastering the spirit and to have the spirit pervade the reader's body so that he will be able to grasp the basic meaning of ki. In part two of the book, the author gives detailed and concrete examples of how to apply the principles of ki to our daily lives. The author wishes that not only those who are in positions of leadership but also those who have physical or spiritual problems, or who do not fully realize their own abilities and strength, will learn the full meaning of ki. He also wishes that those who have learned the principles of ki will instill them in their hearts and help those around them walk a brighter and happier path.
A complete manual for physical and spiritual well-being from the founder of the OM yoga center. In Yoga Body, Buddha Mind, the first book to give readers the best of both inextricably linked practices, Cyndi Lee -- author of the bestselling series OM Yoga in a Box -- shares her twenty years of experience as a practicing Tibetan Buddhist and one of the country's most famous yoga instructors. This easy-to-use guide shows readers of all yoga levels how to combine the basic tenets of Buddhism and meditation with yoga practice. Her book offers simple meditation programs and exercise sequences that can be done just about anywhere, in addition to more advanced and rigorous regimens. Written in the same personal, comfortable, and charismatic style that Cyndi Lee has brought to her classes, Yoga Body, Buddha Mind is a comprehensive how-to guide for spiritual well-being and the ultimate enlightening experience.
Revered Zen teacher and best-selling author Thich Nhat Hanh explores the connection between psychology, neuroscience, and meditation to reveal how we can cultivate our own happiness. In his previous book Understanding Our Mind, Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh explored Buddhist psychology and its applications in everyday life. Here, he continues that study by asking, “Is free will possible?” as he examines how the mind functions and how we can work with it to cultivate more freedom and understanding, be in closer touch with reality, and create the conditions for our own happiness. Drawing stories from the life of the Buddha and Hanh's own experiences, Buddha Mind, Buddha Body addresses such topics as: • The importance of creativity and visualization in a mediation practice • Basic Buddhist meditation practices such as sitting and walking meditation • The importance of brotherhood and sisterhood in everyday life Delivered in Hahn’s inimitable light, clear, and often humorous style, Buddha Mind, Buddha Body will appeal to those new and familiar with Buddhist psychology.
The world of yoga is astonishingly rich in its array of schools and practices. Yet, as diverse as they seem, they share a common aim: the discovery of the essence of existence that can be found at the core of our being, and the liberation that comes from that discovery. With this worthy goal in mind, Richard Freeman presents an enlightening overview of the many teachings, practices, and scriptures that serve as the basis for all the schools of yoga—hatha, bhakti, jnana, karma, tantra, and others. He shows how the myriad forms are ultimately related, and can even be perceived to make up a vast, interpenetrating matrix, symbolizing the unity, profundity, and beauty of the ancient tradition. Richard's wide-ranging discussion includes the Upanisads and Samkhya philosophies, the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the eight limbs of astanga yoga, the process and purpose of hatha yoga, and much more. He also explores the role of the guru, chanting, meditation, and the yogic imperative of offering service to others. All of this is applied to the actual practice, giving the reader the tools to digest and apply the wealth of information to daily life. The Mirror of Yoga will be a welcome resource to all yogis who wish to better practice the profound philosophy underlying their practice.
Harness your mind-body connection for lasting ease and well-being In our busy, get-it-done-now culture, stress has become the new normal—a normal that’s embedding itself into our minds and our bodies. If left unchecked, stress can dictate how we think, feel, and act. Overwhelm, anxiousness, malaise, and unease are a daily experience. And over time, these stress-reactions turn into habits, leaving us stuck in a mental and physical rut. So, how can you soothe stress before it becomes your go-to? In this practical and accessible guide, you’ll find powerful and effective tools for calming stress in both mind and body. Based on the innovative Mind-Body Reset (MBR) program, you’ll learn how to stop stress in its tracks with simple somatic exercises. You’ll also discover how you can “reset” your nervous system, alleviate stress flare-ups, and boost your overall health and happiness. If you’re ready to combat stress, cultivate calm, and live a more vital life, it’s time for a reset!
An eye-opening journey into the power of human movement and how we can harness it to optimize our brain health, boost our mood and improve every aspect our lives For our earliest ancestors who hunted and gathered, movement meant survival. Our brains evolved to reward physical activity. Moving, thinking and feeling have always been inextricably linked. Yet what happens when we stop moving? Today, on average, we spend around 70% of our lives sitting or lying completely still. Our sedentary lifestyle—desk jobs, long commutes and lots of screen time—is not only bad for our bodies. It can also result in anxiety, depression and a lower overall IQ. But there’s good news. Even the simplest movements can reactivate our bodies and open up a hotline to our minds, improving our overall well-being and longevity. And we don’t have to spend countless hours in the gym. In fact, exercise as we understand it misses the point. Veteran science journalist Caroline Williams explores the cutting-edge research behind brain health and physical activity, interviewing scientists from around the world to completely reframe our relationship to movement. Along the way she reveals easy tricks that we could all use to improve our memory, maximize our creativity, strengthen our emotional literacy and more. A welcome counterpoint to the current mindfulness craze, Move offers a more stimulating and productive way of freeing our caged minds to live our best life.
