Cracow Indological Studies XVI. Tantric Traditions in Theory and Practice Księgarnia Akademicka Sp. z o.o.

Książki ogólne / naukowe

PrefaceThe 16th volume of Cracow Indological Studies, which we would like to dedicate to the memory of Mr. Jozef Lqczak, concentrates on Tantric traditions of South Asia, just as the 8lh volume, published in 2006. The contributions to the present volume refer both to the topic of the theoretical side of these traditions and to practical issues; some of them pertain also to the mutual relations between theory and practice.The research on Tantric traditions of India, although based mostly on textual sources, deals also with the practical application of the textual prescripts into the daily practice of the followers and into the temple rituals. Therefore, besides inquiring into the theological and philosophical issues within the vast body of canonical scriptures and exegetical texts, scholars search for traces of actual practice. The mutual relation of the prescriptive or normative literature and the actual shape of the tradition is similarly interesting with regard to the past as well as to present-day India.Since our knowledge about the textual sources is growing, also due to several research projects dedicated to collecting new, hitherto unknown texts, scholars gain access to more source materials and are able to deepen or re-consider their views concerning the traditions under research. New data is provided by archaeology and history research; anthropological and ethnological inquiry into the stillliving traditions has also become one of the important components of Indological research. Thus better knowledge and understanding of Tantric traditions is made possible due to the involvement and cooperation of different disciplines: history of the region, ethnography, epigraphy, archeology, art history and obviously philology.The present 16th volume of Cracow Indological Studies is therefore meant for contributions concerning several issues connected with the new developments in the study on the textual sources as well as the more practical dimensions of Tantric traditions.Tantric traditions of South Asia created rich literature, an extensive part of which was viewed as canonical and revealed by the highest god himself, though collected and systematized by men. The theoretical needs imposed by the canonical scriptures, claiming also to belong to Brahmins (which very often was the case because it was mostly Brahmins who created them), were meeting the practical needs of the actual situation. Traditions, existing in the particular space and time, in their daily practice had to acknowledge and react to those needs. Some of these traditions were heterodox, unconventional and they openly presented their sometimes controversial views despite the critical opinions of the Brahma- nical and orthodox milieu. Other ones tried as much as possible to adapt their ideas to the mainstream of the surrounding traditions. Thus, being subject to internal and external influences, they included elements rooted in the orthodox cults, but also those coming from the local and heterodox cults; some of them contain also elements which transgress orthodox norms. The process of combining strands of different traditions can be observed for example in the South of India, where the Brahmanical culture was interacting with the local, social specificity and local religious traditions of Dravidian origin.Additionally, the theoretical canon has to interact with the ritualistic and technical needs of religious practice arising from the necessity of ensuring the proper place of worship, adequate representation of the god and efficient procedure of worshipping him.The relation of the theory and practice draws attention of several scholars, therefore the present volume inscribes also in these streams of Indological research.1 Axel Michaels, in his General Preface to the “Heidelberg Studies in South Asian Rituals”, points out that the study of rituals in South Asia for a long time existed in between philology and anthropology, but nowadays more often field-work and the study of texts are combined.2 It makes Indological research more interdisciplinary. Nevertheless, the research on textual sources still becomes indispensable to the acquisition of knowledge about theoretical doctrines as well as practical aspects of the traditions under research. However, not having enough sources about the history of reception of the theoretical texts (see for example Rastelli, in the present volume), we have to be cautious about referring scriptures to present-day ritualistic practice directly. The authors of the Words and Deeds volume even warn us about such danger.3 Similarly, some of the authors of the present volume draw our attention to the fact that the texts are usually normative and that it would be difficult to answer the question to what extent they were put into practice. Nevertheless, theoretical rules were probably quite often influenced by actual contemporary practice and also by contemporary context (...)

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Divine Comedy / La Divina Commedia - Parallel Italian / English Translation Benediction Classics

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

This edition gives a side-by-side parallel translation of Dante's Divine Comedy using Longfellow's translation. The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is generally considered to be the preeminent work of Italian literature and one of the greatest works of world literature. The poem is written in the Tuscan dialect, and the poem helped establish this dialect as the standardized Italian language. The poem is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. At the superficial level, the poem describes Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven; but at a deeper level, it ia an allegory of the soul's journey towards God. In order to articulate this journey towards God, Dante uses on medieval Christian theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. Longfellow's translation is considered to be the best translation, overall. Longfellow, being a poet himself, was able to create a flowing translation that has not been surpassed.

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Way of the Death Defier Independently Published

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

All biological life must end...but that is not the end of us!We are small specks of light scattered throughout space and time.We are tiny flames extended, pushed, and moved away from a great brilliance that is our source. We are a probe, a dream, a great desire, that is given a chance to be all that it could possibly be in dimensions far away from that brilliance.But who are we really?What is that brilliance? What is God?What is life and death?What happens after we die?What is the nature of heaven and hell?What is reincarnation? Karma?Why do we age? Why is life so hard? Are we missing something?What are ghosts?Is true immortality possible?In this last book in a trilogy of course books that began with The Magnum Opus, all of these questions will be answered from the point of view of the inner alchemist.Here you will find answers to the nature of God, the gods, heaven, hell, reincarnation, karma, the machine of death, Barbelo, the spice, the oversoul collective, and the garden of the gods.In this book I show you how to cross the sixth and the seventh room of the projectionist and attain true immortality!Whether you are a practicing inner alchemist and adept, or a curious and holistic person who needs to see the whole picture in order to understand the challenge of the life and death cycle in your own individual ways, here you will find many of the answers that you seek, including how to begin to learn to 'see' and perceive these things directly yourself. Some have asked why each course is presented as a book. Why not make a video course or some other digital presentation that is more popular in this era? And the reason for this is quite simply: time.I have been around long enough, and my senses have become keen enough to see some of the intricacies of this world. Through such experience and perceptions, I have seen things peak and wane, and I have seen many things lost within the medium of time.Videos and digital formats require complex systems to work and be maintained, and such complex systems are usually the first to fall, or change when exposed to the brutal torrents and extreme pressures of time.But a print book, especially a Harcover book with the longest shelf-life, is something that you can keep in your personal library for a lifetime with only moderate care.

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Divine Comedy / La Divina Commedia - Parallel Italian / English Translation Benediction Classics

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

This edition gives a side-by-side parallel translation of Dante's Divine Comedy using Longfellow's translation. The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is generally considered to be the preeminent work of Italian literature and one of the greatest works of world literature. The poem is written in the Tuscan dialect, and the poem helped establish this dialect as the standardized Italian language. The poem is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. At the superficial level, the poem describes Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven; but at a deeper level, it ia an allegory of the soul's journey towards God. In order to articulate this journey towards God, Dante uses on medieval Christian theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. Longfellow's translation is considered to be the best translation, overall. Longfellow, being a poet himself, was able to create a flowing translation that has not been surpassed.

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Poetics of Evil Oxford University Press Inc

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

What role does art play in unravelling the theological problem of evil? What can aesthetics show us about God's goodness in a world of iniquity? Philip Tallon constructs an aesthetic theodicy through a fascinating examination of Christian aesthetics, ranging from the writings of Augustine to contemporary philosophy. Tallon offers a new framework for theodicy that allows the substantial inclusion of aesthetics, building on the work of Eleonore Stump. He then examines the concept of cosmic harmony, the predominant aesthetic motif within medieval theodicy, and shows how Augustine develops this theme by interweaving his metaphysical, moral, and aesthetic views of reality. Tallon then examines other aesthetic themes within theodicy, with special attention to tragedy, a motif that has become increasingly integrated into theodicy in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He shows where tragedy falls short as a sufficient theme for theodicy, but also demonstrates how it complements Augustine's theme of cosmic harmony.Finally, Tallon considers the horror of evil, an aesthetic theme that has often been used as an attack on the existence of God, but which has recently been used to understand how theodicy should be formulated to respond to the worst evils. By digging more deeply into the darker side of aesthetics, The Poetics of Evil offers a deeper perception of tragedy and malevolence, but also a richer understanding of the Christian response to the problem of evil.

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Why is There Something Rather Than Nothing? Penguin Books

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Can nature make us happy? How can we know anything? What is justice? Why is there evil in the world? What is the source of truth? Is it possible for God not to exist? Can we really believe what we see? There are questions that have intrigued the world's great thinkers over the ages, which still touch a cord in all of us today. They are questions that can teach us about the way we live, work, relate to each other and see the world. Here, one of the world's greatest living philosophers, Leszek Kolakowski, explores the essence of these ideas, introducing figures from Socrates to Thomas Aquinas, Descartes to Nietzsche and concentrating on one single important philosophical question from each of them. Whether reflecting on good and evil, truth and beauty, faith and the soul, or free will and consciousness, Kolakowski shows that these timeless ideas remain at the very core of our existence.

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Holy Eros Angelico Press

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

In John Paul II's Theology of the Body, the sexed human body speaks a language revealing God's creative design and heralding humanity's ultimate goal in the nuptial union of Christ and the Church. In a similar way, the Church, the body of Christ, anticipates her future nuptial union with Christ here and now through the "body language" of her public worship. Holy Eros combines insights from the great Pope's theology of the body with traditional and contemporary liturgical studies, allowing each to shed light on the other. It shows how the various rituals of the Church, and the "shape" proper to the liturgical gathering, engage us as performative, physical enactments which actuate the spiritual and divine realities they signify, making heavenly marriage real on earth. "Inspired by the work of St. John Paul II, Adam Cooper succeeds in uncovering new and profound meanings in both liturgy and theology of the body." -- David L. Schindler, author of Ordering Love "Drawing together metaphysical, semiotic, and theological reflection, Adam Cooper's eloquent book shows us what the best of the new generation of Ressourcement theology looks like." -- Matthew Levering, author of The Theology of Augustine "This little book is brimming with profound insights, which carry one gracefully into the heart of the Church's liturgy." -- D.C. Schindler, author of The Catholicity of Reason "Those with an interest in liturgy and the theology of St. John Paul II will find Holy Eros to be an exciting contribution to both fields." -- Tracey Rowland, author of Culture and the Thomist Tradition

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Rise of Modern Philosophy Oxford University Press

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Sir Anthony Kenny's engaging new history of Western philosophy now advances into the modern era. The Rise of Modern Philosophy is the fascinating story of the emergence, from the early sixteenth to the early nineteenth century, of great ideas and intellectual systems that shaped modern thought. Kenny introduces us to some of the world's most original and influential thinkers, and shows us the way to an understanding of their famous works. The thinkers we meet include Rene Descartes, traditionally seen as the founder of modern philosophy; the great British philosophers Hobbes, Locke, and Hume; and the towering figure of Immanuel Kant, who perhaps more than any other made philosophy what it is today. In the first three chapters Kenny tells the story chronologically: his lively accessible narrative brings the philosophers to life and fills in the historical and intellectual background to their work. It is ideal as the first thing to read for someone new to the history of modern philosophy.In the seven chapters that follow Kenny looks closely at each of the main areas of philosophical exploration in this period: knowledge and understanding; the nature of the physical universe; metaphysics (the most fundamental questions there are about existence); mind and soul; the nature and content of morality; political philosophy; and God.A selection of intriguing and beautiful illustrations offer a vivid evocation of the human and social side of philosophy. Anyone who is interested in how our understanding of ourselves and our world developed will find this a book a pleasure to read.

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Reason For Hope Little, Brown Book Group

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Those who know Jane Goodall through her many books, speeches, and National Geographic television specials, know she is obviously no ordinary scientist. She is a genuinely spiritual woman who cares passionately about the preservation and enhancement of life in all its forms.Based upon the many spiritual experiences that have graced and shaped her outlook on life, Dr. Goodall is convinced there is a higher purpose to life, and that this purpose can best be served by a sense of reverence for creation- a commitment to opening our hearts and minds to the spiritual ties that bind us to the Earth.In this book, Dr. Goodall takes us through the pivotal events of her life- her childhood in war-torn England, her relationship with the Leakeys, her groundbreaking work with the chimpanzees of Gombe- and in doing so, touches upon such topics as faith and love, mysticism and science, the origins of good and evil and evolution, and the existence of the soul and of God. She sheds light not only on why millions of people today are hungry for meaning, but on the steps we can take to transform our lives for the better; to rekindle our spirits and reawaken our minds

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Super Attractor Hay House UK Ltd

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'A brilliant book that helped me out during lockdown. Oh my god, it's game-changing!' Fearne CottonAre you ready to take your spiritual practice to the next level and manifest love and joy like you've never experienced before?When we connect to the non-physical presence beyond our visible sight, true miracles happen. Super Attractor is a manifesto for making that connection and marrying your spiritual life with your day-to-day experience. In these pages, you'll learn to:- shift from occasional practising to living a spiritual life every day- create a life filled with purpose, happiness and freedom- release the past and live without fear of the future- tap into the infinite source of abundance, joy and wellbeing that is your birth right- bring more light to your own life and the world around youSuper Attractor teaches us how to co-create the life we want, that attracting is fun and that we don't have to work as hard to get what we want. Most importantly, it shows us that when we connect to our intuitive powers, we become a force of love in the world.

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How Not to Be Wrong Penguin Books

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

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Mighty and the Almighty Pan Macmillan

Książki / Literatura obcojęzyczna

Does America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over US foreign policy? And how should America and the West deal with violent Islamist extremists? Traditionally, politicians have sought to downplay the impact of religious beliefs in international affairs. In this illuminating first-hand account, Madeleine Albright examines religion and foreign affairs through the lens of American history as well as her own personal experiences in public office, with a preface and opening chapters specially written for the UK edition. She offers a sharp critique of US policy, condemnation for those who exploit religious fervor for violent ends, and praise for political, cultural, and spiritual leaders who seek to harness the values of faith to bring people together. Albright has written a thought-provoking work that calls for bold leadership to rein in the many religious rivalries around the globe and lay the groundwork for a new moral consensus.

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Alien Sex - The Body and Desire in Cinema and Theology John Wiley and Sons Ltd

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Gerard Loughlin is one of the leading theologians working at the interface between religion and contemporary culture. In this exceptional work, he uses cinema and the films it shows to think about the church and the visions of desire it displays. It discusses various films, including "The Alien Quartet", Christopher Nolan's "Memento", Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange", Nicolas Roeg's "The Man Who Fell to Earth" and Derek Jarman's "The Garden". It draws on a wide range of authors, both ancient and modern, religious and secular, from Plato to Levinas, from Karl Barth and Hans Urs von Balthasar to Andre Bazin and Leo Bersani. It uses cinema to think about the church as an ecclesiacinema, and films to think about sexual desire as erotic dispossession, as a way into the life of God. It is written from a radically orthodox Christian perspective, at once both Catholic and critical.

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Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis Angelico Press

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SINCE THE TIME of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has experienced an unprecedented crisis of identity, symbolized and propelled by the corruption of the greatest treasure of her tradition: the sacred liturgy. The result has been confusion, dismay, devastation. To the surprise of some, however, the same half-century has witnessed a growing counter-movement of Catholics who find in the Church's traditional liturgy a perennial witness to the orthodox faith, a solid foundation for the interior life, an ever-flowing source of missionary charity, and a living embodiment of the true Catholic spirit.In this book, Peter Kwasniewski presents a fearless critique of the path of liturgical novelty and a detailed apologia for liturgical tradition in all its beauty, richness, and profundity, addressing such topics as solemnity, sacredness, the language of symbols, contemplation, participation, the symbiosis of lex orandi and lex credendi, silence, music, worship in Latin, and Gregorian chant. He confronts the humanism, rationalism, utilitarianism, and modernism so prevalent in the liturgical reform, assesses the prospects and limitations of a "Reform of the Reform," and reflects on the great gift of Summorum Pontificum. In the end, Kwasniewski argues for a zealous recommitment to Catholic Tradition in its fullness, starting with divine worship and embracing the whole realm of faith and morals, including integral Catholic social teaching."I heartily recommend Peter Kwasniewski's new book for those struggling to come to terms not only with what happened to the liturgy of the Catholic Church, but with why those changes have had such disastrous consequences. As he shows in one aspect after another of the Mass, the changes have taken us further away from that inner transformation of the worshipper which is a secondary purpose of the liturgy, after the worship of God."--JOSEPH SHAW, President of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales"To come out of the present crisis we need to restore the liturgy in all its sacredness. Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis is a very important work that leads us to meditate in depth on the permanent value, theological centrality, and beauty of the traditional liturgy of the Church."--MSGR. IGNACIO BARREIRO, Executive Director of HLI's Rome Office"Peter Kwasniewski is one of a handful of 21st-century Catholic authors really in touch with our tradition who can, at the same time, carefully explain what is at stake in both the Catholic intellectual world and the culture as a whole. He is devastating in delivering his points, which he makes without wasting a word."--ROGER A. MCCAFFREY, President of Roman Catholic Books"Combining deeply human insight with supernatural faith, Prof. Kwasniewski presents a compelling case for the continuing necessity of the traditional Latin Mass for the Church's life and mission. Without questioning the validity of the modern rite, he illuminates in many ways how the older liturgy more clearly expresses the Faith and more richly nourishes the faithful."--FR. THOMAS KOCIK, author of Reform of the Reform? A Liturgical Debate: Reform or ReturnPeter Kwasniewski has taught and written on a wide variety of subjects, especially the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. After teaching at the International Theological Institute in Austria, he joined the founding team of Wyoming Catholic College, where he currently serves as Professor of Theology and Choirmaster.

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Healing for Damaged Emotions David C Cook Publishing Company

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Events in our lives, both good and bad, form rings in us like the rings in a tree. Each ring records memories that affect our feelings, our relationships, and our thoughts about God. In this classic work, David Seamands encourages us to live co

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