The Dark Side of Dharma

The Dark Side of Dharma
Author :
Publisher :
Total Pages : 177
Release :
ISBN-10 : 191350459X
ISBN-13 : 9781913504595
Rating : 4/5 (9X Downloads)

Synopsis The Dark Side of Dharma by : Anna Lutkajtis

The Dark Side of Dharma, looks at why meditation side effects, also known as "adverse effects," while well known in spiritual and religious traditions, have been ignored in contemporary secular contexts such as Western psychology. For some meditators, adverse effects are completely unexpected and undesirable. Others believe that these effects are a normal part of the contemplative path, and as such they are a welcome sign of progress. Through her academic research Lutkajtis discovered that while the scientific studies and popular media coverage of meditation have been overwhelmingly positive, a small but growing number of studies also speak of meditation adverse effects. Lutkajtis found that in religious traditions, such as Buddhism, these types of difficulties associated with meditation are acknowledged, and are usually understood to be either milestones on the path to enlightenment, the result of improper practice, or due to individual differences. In traditional contexts, meditation teachers are equipped to deal with adverse effects when they arise. However, in the modern West, meditation adverse effects have been largely ignored. Given the current popularity and proliferation of secular meditation-related products and services, it is important to understand why meditation adverse effects have been overlooked, under-researched, and generally misunderstood. This book attempts to answer that question.

The Dark Side of Dharma

The Dark Side of Dharma
Author :
Publisher : Aeon Books
Total Pages : 217
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781801520072
ISBN-13 : 1801520070
Rating : 4/5 (72 Downloads)

Synopsis The Dark Side of Dharma by : Anna Lutkajtis

A dive into the less-known and undesirable side-effects of meditation and mindfulness. Researcher Anna Lutkajtis investigates why these negative ramifications of meditation and mindfulness, which are well-known in spiritual and religious traditions, have been ignored in contemporary secular contexts, such as Western psychology. Lutkajtis' research reveals that while meditation is commonly portrayed as a practice that is overwhelmingly positive, a growing number of research studies and anecdotal reports suggest that meditation can also have negative effects. Some meditators believe that these adverse effects are a normal part of the contemplative path and a welcome sign of progress. For others, such effects are completely unexpected and can be psychologically harmful.In religious traditions like Buddhism, difficulties associated with meditation are acknowledged and are usually viewed as milestones on the path to enlightenment or the result of an unbalanced practice. In such traditional contexts, meditation teachers are equipped to deal with adverse effects if and when they arise. However, in the modern West, meditation adverse effects have been overlooked, under-researched, and generally misunderstood. Given the current popularity of meditation, Lutkajtis argues that it is important to understand why meditation adverse effects have been ignored in contemporary secular settings.

The Dharma of Star Wars

The Dharma of Star Wars
Author :
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
Total Pages : 176
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781614292869
ISBN-13 : 1614292868
Rating : 4/5 (69 Downloads)

Synopsis The Dharma of Star Wars by : Matthew Bortolin

Is Yoda a Zen Master? Is the story of Luke Skywalker a spiritual epic? The answers, as well as excitement, adventure, and a lot of fun, are here! This revised and expanded edition of The Dharma of Star Wars uses George Lucas’ beloved modern saga and the wise words of the Buddha to illuminate each other in playful and unexpectedly rewarding ways. Matthew Bortolin writes an inspiring and totally new take on this timeless saga, from A New Hope through Revenge of the Sith and television's Clone Wars. Great fun for any Star Wars fan. Includes instruction in The Jedi Art of Mindfulness and Concentration and The Padawan Handbook: Zen Contemplations for the Would-Be Jedi.

The Dark Side of the Mirror

The Dark Side of the Mirror
Author :
Publisher : Windhorse Publications
Total Pages : 234
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781911407263
ISBN-13 : 1911407260
Rating : 4/5 (63 Downloads)

Synopsis The Dark Side of the Mirror by : David Brazier

This new commentary by Buddhist teacher and author David Brazier draws back the curtain revealing the deeper meaning of the text in language that will be as transparent to the general reader as it is informative to the specialist.

Encountering the Dharma

Encountering the Dharma
Author :
Publisher : Univ of California Press
Total Pages : 278
Release :
ISBN-10 : 0520939042
ISBN-13 : 9780520939042
Rating : 4/5 (42 Downloads)

Synopsis Encountering the Dharma by : Richard Hughes Seager

This engaging, deeply personal book, illuminating the search for meaning in today’s world, offers a rare insider’s look at Soka Gakkai Buddhism, one of Japan’s most influential and controversial religious movements, and one that is experiencing explosive growth around the world. Unique for its multiethnic make-up, Gakkai Buddhists can be found in more than 100 countries from Japan to Brazil to the United States and Germany. In Encountering the Dharma, Richard Seager, an American professor of religion trying to come to terms with the death of his wife, travels to Japan in search of the spirit of the Soka Gakkai. This book tells of his journey toward understanding in a compelling narrative woven out of his observations, reflections, and interviews, including several rare one-on-one meetings with Soka Gakkai president Daisaku Ikeda. Along the way, Seager also explores broad-ranging controversies arising from the Soka Gakkai’s efforts to rebuild post-war Japan, its struggles with an ancient priesthood, and its motives for propagating Buddhism around the world. One turning point in his understanding comes as Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai strike an authentically Buddhist response to the events of September 11, 2001.

Zen at War

Zen at War
Author :
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Total Pages : 310
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781461647478
ISBN-13 : 1461647479
Rating : 4/5 (78 Downloads)

Synopsis Zen at War by : Brian Daizen Victoria

A compelling history of the contradictory, often militaristic, role of Zen Buddhism, this book meticulously documents the close and previously unknown support of a supposedly peaceful religion for Japanese militarism throughout World War II. Drawing on the writings and speeches of leading Zen masters and scholars, Brian Victoria shows that Zen served as a powerful foundation for the fanatical and suicidal spirit displayed by the imperial Japanese military. At the same time, the author recounts the dramatic and tragic stories of the handful of Buddhist organizations and individuals that dared to oppose Japan's march to war. He follows this history up through recent apologies by several Zen sects for their support of the war and the way support for militarism was transformed into 'corporate Zen' in postwar Japan. The second edition includes a substantive new chapter on the roots of Zen militarism and an epilogue that explores the potentially volatile mix of religion and war. With the increasing interest in Buddhism in the West, this book is as timely as it is certain to be controversial.

The Buddha Pill

The Buddha Pill
Author :
Publisher : Watkins Media Limited
Total Pages : 298
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781786782861
ISBN-13 : 1786782863
Rating : 4/5 (61 Downloads)

Synopsis The Buddha Pill by : Miguel Farias

Millions of people meditate daily but can meditative practices really make us ‘better’ people? In The Buddha Pill, pioneering psychologists Dr Miguel Farias and Catherine Wikholm put meditation and mindfulness under the microscope. Separating fact from fiction, they reveal what scientific research – including their groundbreaking study on yoga and meditation with prisoners – tells us about the benefits and limitations of these techniques for improving our lives. As well as illuminating the potential, the authors argue that these practices may have unexpected consequences, and that peace and happiness may not always be the end result. Offering a compelling examination of research on transcendental meditation to recent brain-imaging studies on the effects of mindfulness and yoga, and with fascinating contributions from spiritual teachers and therapists, Farias and Wikholm weave together a unique story about the science and the delusions of personal change.

Dharma Road

Dharma Road
Author :
Publisher : Hampton Roads Publishing
Total Pages : 258
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781612830018
ISBN-13 : 1612830013
Rating : 4/5 (18 Downloads)

Synopsis Dharma Road by : Brian Haycock

This memoir and spiritual guide from an Austin, Texas cab driver is “the real deal: good taxi and straight dharma” (Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of The Wise Heart). Brian Haycock was a cabdriver—who happened to be a Buddhist. During the course of his career, he learned that each fare provided an opportunity to learn the life lessons of the Buddha. So, hop in and buckle up; we’re off on our journey to self-discovery, passing through the precepts, the four noble truths, taking a hard left to stop and get coffee—where we’ll learn a few breathing techniques to bolster our patience—all the while watching for ambulances and bikers, focusing our attention and awareness so that we can arrive at our destination in good time and in one piece. Here are stories from everyday life that demonstrate how we can all benefit from a little Buddhist philosophy. With each chapter focusing on a specific topic, readers will learn to coast their way to building a life routine, focusing the mind, calming themselves with breathing exercises, and much more. “Engagingly written.” —Stephen Batchelor, national bestselling author of Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist “Compassionate and entertaining.” —David Brazier (aka Dharmavidya), author of The Feeling Buddha “Amusing and wise.” —Arthur Jeon, author of City Dharma and Sex, Love, and Dharma: Finding Love Without Losing Your Way “Wise and witty and direct: very Zen. Also, fun to read.” —Sylvia Boorstein, national bestselling author of Happiness is an Inside Job and That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist

Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha

Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha
Author :
Publisher : Aeon Books
Total Pages : 715
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781780498157
ISBN-13 : 1780498152
Rating : 4/5 (57 Downloads)

Synopsis Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha by : Daniel Ingram

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.

Buddhist Warfare

Buddhist Warfare
Author :
Publisher : OUP USA
Total Pages : 270
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780195394832
ISBN-13 : 0195394836
Rating : 4/5 (32 Downloads)

Synopsis Buddhist Warfare by : Michael Jerryson

This book offers eight essays examining the dark side of a tradition often regarded as the religion of peace. The authors note the conflict between the Buddhist norms of non-violence and the prohibition of the killing of sentient beings and acts of state violence supported by the Buddhist community (sangha), acts of civil violence in which monks participate, and Buddhist intersectarian violence.