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We learn how Dadashri stayed away from the intoxicated ego of dhanipanu dominance as a husband in married life with his wife Hiraba. His worldly interaction was with such awareness that matabheda divisiveness due to difference in opinion did not arise at all and during certain events if matabheda arose then how he rose above it with ingenuity by accepting his own mistake, with his exclusive insight and the art of living a worldly life by this aphorism ‘samaya varte savdhan – exercise caution according to the event in time’. Also he did not let any kashaya: anger-pride-greed-deceit arise. He maintained the ideal company of wife by saying ‘promise to pay’, during any event he interacted dramatically yet lovingly with her, and until the last moments he assured her that he is with her. At home he remained as a guest with her all his life. He accomplished brahmacharya celibacy even in married life and unfolded its special importance for spiritual progress. He remained as a friend for his wife. ...

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Kabbalists state that there is no reality at all, but something called His Essence, the Upper Force, and this is what we perceive as our world. As uncanny as it sounds, this notion hides in its wings the very prospect of freedom, for every person, for every nation, and for the entire world. The structure and the perception of reality are the surface of this book. But the story of humanity, or more accurately, of the human soul, is the undercurrent that drives the reader forward in this book. It is about you, about me, about all of us. This book is about the way we were, the way we are, the way we will be, and most importantly, it is about the best way to get there. In this neatly structured composition, every part speaks of a different aspect of Kabbalah. It starts with our perception of reality, our perception of the Creator, and the evolution of our soul in the spiritual worlds (including explanatory drawings). The book also clears up misconceptions about Kabbalah and explains, in plain words, how to experience the spiritual realm of our lives....

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This issue of Hinduism Today is one of contrasts, from the deepest teachings on meditation to a stroll through a magnificent New Delhi shopping emporium. Here a few highlights: The 18-page cover story is all about meditation, including beginners' guidelines and tips for the virtuoso. There is abundant guidance from Hindu masters and yogis, clarifying definitions, delineations of basic goals, methods, principles, guidelines, tips on overcoming obstacles and rewards to expect. In his editorial, Publisher Satguru Bodhinatha points out that we need not limit ourselves to just one perspective when facing the world and our experiences. He explains that there are, in fact, four distinct perspectives always available to us, and we can learn to move awareness from one and then the other, thus giving ourselves a much greater field of possibilities in thought and action. The issue features a profile of one of last century...

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Your world is ready for change. Make it happen, with guidance from one of the greatest Kabbalists of our generation.Rav Michael Laitman, PhD, sees Kabbalah as a science that deals with drawing near to the Creator. It studies the system of creation, examines how the Creator conducts this system, and how creation can rise to the level of the Creator. It is a method of reaching spiritual fulfillment. Through the study of Kabbalah, you too can learn to direct your heart--and consequently your life--toward success, tranquility, peace, and happiness.In this distinctive, personal, and awe-filled introduction to an ancient wisdom tradition, Rav Laitman--a disciple of the great Kabbalist Rabbi Baruch Ashlag (son of Yehuda Ashlag)--provides you with a deeper understanding of the fundamental teachings of Kabbalah, and how you can use this wisdom to clarify your relationship with others and the world around you. Using language both scientific and poetic, he probes the most profound questio...

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It is under a deep impression that the place and power of prayer in the Christian life is too little understood, that this book has been written. I feel sure that as long as we look on prayer chiefly as the means of maintaining our own Christian life, we shall not know fully what it is meant to be. But when we learn to regard it as the highest part of the work entrusted to us, the root and strength of all other work, we shall see that there is nothing that we so need to study and practise as the art of praying aright. ... the Father waits to hear every prayer of faith, to give us whatsoever we will, and whatsoever we ask in Jesus’ name. (Andrew Murray, quoted from the Preface of this book)...

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Religion, Instruction

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This e-book is valuable to all who are considering joining a church, such as youngsters preparing for confirmation, as well as those interested to learn what Christianity is all about - including those who have grown up in a family whose traditions are rooted in a different religion. It provides a concise overview of the key doctrines, origins and history of the Christian religion and its various denominations, with a "decision tree" to help the reader choose one best suited to him- or herself; and it points to "none of the above" as an alternative if none are found believable....

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More by far, in a very low-key way Jesus let his understanding of his identity be known. He never was so crass as to stand on a soap box and announce “Listen up, I'm the Son of God!” but rather waited for those who knew him well to reach that conclusion for themselves. The most significant occasion appears in Matthew 16:13 ff, where he asks his twelve disciples who they think he is. Peter is the one who answered “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” and at once, Jesus replied “thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” That exchange is central to understanding the identity of Jesus, yet is very controversial – as we'll see below. It's a play on words. They were of course speaking Aramaic, which has fallen out of use except in a few parts of Syria, so we don't know exactly what was said – but we do have Matthew's Greek version, and the play on words is clear there. “Peter” was the disciple's name, a proper noun, Πέτρος (Petros) - and “this rock” was a noun, πέτρᾳ (petra.) To what did “this rock” refer? - Roman Catholics insist it referred to Peter as a person, and his successors as (eventua...

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1. Jesus - his ministry and identity Page 3 2. The Early Church – its growth and divisions Page 8 3. Nicea – the Establishment and the Creed Page 12 4. Schisms and the Reformation Page 17 5. Modern Denominations Page 26 6. How to Choose: the Decision Tree Page 30...

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Hinduism Today Releases a Special Issue on Balinese Hindus The April/May/June 2012 issue of our flagship magazine focuses on the Hinduism of Bali, where we experience the people and explore the philosophy and temple culture of this unique Hindu outpost. If you ask the Balinese, they will tell you theirs is the real, the ancient and the true form of the faith! They may well be right. Our Delhi correspondent flew to the island and spent two weeks among the Balinese, diving ever deeper into their special expression of Sanatana Dharma and their tightly-knit and proudly Hindu community. To get us started, he relates the history of how Hindus settled on this unlikely island and later uncovers the little-known Lontar palm-leaf manuscripts which reflect Bali's connection with ancient India. An expatriate Australian married to a Balinese shares her keen insider-outsider cultural insights, and there is a rich sampling of the Hindu arts, music, painting and dance which permeate Bali's way of life. Dare we speak about Nyepi, the day of silence, when all of Bali comes to a complete stop? Yes, everyone, even the tourists, enjoy a day wit...

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Hinduism Today New Issued Released The July/August/September 2012 issue of our flagship magazine travels the worlds: the outside and inside worlds, that is. On the Outside Travel with us to an amazing mela just outside of Mysore, India. We did! The Hinduism Today editor attended the five-day festival in January as a chief guest of the Suttur Mutt and its spiritual head, Sri Shivaratri Desikendra. For over 1,000 years this festival has been held, drawing some 400,000 pilgrims this year. The JSS Jathra, as they call it, is part carnival, part pilgrimage, part state fair, part musical concert and part Disneyland. Our article takes you inside the event, but more importantly inside the institution that runs it. Suttur Mutt is among India's best-kept secrets, a massive institution (with education, medical and agricultural projects that are nothing short of mind-boggling) that is founded on the Lingayat/Virasaiva tradition. Enough said. Other major articles include the Sanskrit renaissance, the beleagured Afgan Hindus who are fleeing to Germany, and a new US Supreme Court ruling that will impact Hindus in important ways. On the ...

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“With the Greek civilisation beauty perished from the world. Never again has it been possible for man to believe that harmony is in fact the truth of all existence.” This elegantly-written work provides a splendid introduction to the Greeks of the classic period: how they thought, wrote, and organised their lives and loves. Although it dates from the 1890s, there is very little about it that has dated. To its author’s credit, the subject of “Greek love” is dealt with in a sane and factual context - despite the judicial assassination of Oscar Wilde going on in the background. A Cambridge don much admired by his students (including E. M. Forster), Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson belonged to the Apostles, a secret society with a strong ethic of male friendship. Alfred Tennyson and his beloved Arthur Hallam were early members. Dickinson is chiefly remembered as a historian and pacifist who played a significant part in the founding of the League of Nations. Inevitably, given his interests and intellectual background, he became a close associate of the Bloomsbury Group. The Greek View of Life is no dry academic tome. It is a popularizing work...

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Essay/Short nonfiction, Religion, Politics, Philosophy, Art

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Like a good psychotherapy session, WHO ARE YOU? poses essential questions - about the psychology of human behavior, politics, science, metaphysics, and the mysteries of God - without imposing dogmatic answers. It can be used as a meditation companion, a catalyst for group discussion, a personal mirror for honest glimpses at the soul and tool for self-growth....

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In Zen circles it is often said that a teacher’s finger, pointing at the moon, should not be confused with the moon itself. The implication is that no lesson on Truth, no matter how profound, could ever be a suitable substitute for Truth itself. Zen is a tradition that prioritizes personal experience above all else – hence, the emphasis on meditation as a teacher par excellence. As such, students are cautioned to be wary of lessons taught by another, regardless of how wise or respected the teacher. This does not mean that didactic lessons have little value in the Zen tradition. Rather, it means that the best a teacher’s lesson can provide is a fingertip’s point in the direction of an educational experience for which a student is ripe. It is from this perspective that I deliver this book, in hope that the passages within can point you in the direction of introspective experiences for which you may be ripe. The passages of this book are the residuals of a particular type of recurring, sublime experience that I have had many times in my life. These experiences would usually occur at random moments – sometimes during a meditat...

Table of Contents Details
Preface..4 Chapter 1: Ethics, Leadership & Governance..14 Chapter 2: Religion & The Scriptures..26 Chapter 3: Science & Nature..38 Chapter 4: Psychology..44 Chapter 5: Metaphysics, Meditation & Spirituality.. 74 Chapter 6: God..108 Chapter 7: Truth..116 Appendix A: The Lost Sayings of Guru Sakshat..118 Appendix B: Song List..120 Appendix C: Notable Reflections of Others..122 Appendix D: Rides for Hitchhikers..135...

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The April-May-June edition of Hinduism's flagship spiritual magazine, Hinduism Today, has been released in digital form and is now available for free on your desktop. The issue takes you to South America, Texas, Vermont, Nepal, Northeast India and more. Hold on to the adventure. Sacred Earth But first, our 16-page Insight Section, called "The Sacred Earth." It's a rich survey of the Hindu view of environment, its protection and degradation. World-class photographer Thomas Kelly traveled the world to capture stunning images of the growing human impact on nature and climate change, and writer Matthew McDermott interviews spiritual leaders for their insights and potential solutions for the human predicament. Their words are trenchant and their warnings dire. Thomas doubles teams the editors and also writes a piece on his sometimes frightening but always fascinating encounters with the sadhus of India and Nepal. Bharat Sevashram Sangh You may never have heard of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh, but they are among the leading institutions around the world protecting Hinduism and providing social service. The story of the 6-foot, 6-i...