...Wanda Jenkins Dr. Michael McLaughlin World Religions: Eastern and West 2 September 2014 The Four Yogas In Hinduism, there are four paths of yoga that are utilized as a reference guide that can help one along their spiritual journey towards self-realization. These paths provide different avenues that work for different people and are tailored towards certain temperaments so that one can choose the path that will provide them with the most success. According to Philip Novak, “Hinduism recognizes four paths of yoga or methods of self-transformation: the yoga of action (karma), the yoga of devotion (bhakti), the yoga of knowledge (jnana), and the yoga of meditation (raja yoga)” (Novak 34). These are paths to spiritual self- transformation that one can take after they have been taught that the controlling of the mind comes through meditation. Karma yoga is the pathway to self-transformation through work or action in the form of selfless service. Karma yoga appeals to those who have active temperaments. An example is given out of the book explaining that we are human machines made for action or work. Meaning, that our entire body, except for the reproductive apparatus merges together through action. The drive to work is mental not economical. We are by nature selfish beings, through Karma yoga we can step out of our spiritual ignorance through selfless actions. The goal of Karma yoga is for one to continually work towards acting in a selfless nature. Karma yoga is...
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...October 14, 2014 Upanishads The Upanishads are a collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature. It was written in India and happened between c.800 BCE and c. 500 BCE. This was during the time when Indian society started to question the traditional Vedic religious order. Some of their speculations and philosophy were compiled into the Upanishads. The name Upanishad is composed of the terms upa which means near and shad meaning to sit so it meant something like sitting down near. The books contained thoughts and insights of important spiritual Indian figure. The Upanishads are not parts of a whole, like chapters in a book. Each of them is complete in itself. There are over 200 surviving Upanishads, but only 14 are considered to be the most important. The names of these Upanishads are Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brhadaranyaka, Svetasvatara, Kausitaki, Mahanarayana, and the Maitri. These texts provide the basic source for many important topics of Indian philosophy and all major philosophical themes are covered in their pages. The purpose is not so much instruction as inspiration but they are meant to be expounded by an illuminated teacher from the basis of personal experience. The Upanishads do not offer a single comprehensive system of thought but they do develop some basic general principles. Some of these principles are samsara, karma, dharma, and moksha. The concept for Samsara is reincarnation which is the idea...
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...Pin it! How to use a yoga strap! Using: YogaRat Strap Yoga straps are a great addition to any yogis practice. As I mentioned a few weeks ago in the Choosing a Yoga Strap 101 post you can even use a tie if you don't have a strap yet though I do believe they're worth buying. There are endless ways you can use a yoga strap to deepen your practice through proper alignement and support. Here are a few poses to get you started! How to use a yoga strap: Seated Poses The two pictures above display two variations of cobbler’s pose. This pose is for stretching the inner thighs and hips though people with tight hips will have trouble with this one. Begin in an upright seated position, make a loop with your strap placing it around your sacrum (around the top of the hip bones) and around the feet. If you’d like your legs closer to your body tighten the strap. Using the strap in this pose keeps the body in proper alignment assisting the pelvis to tilt forward while keeping the spine straight. You can also lay on your back allowing the hips to open. Seated forward bend is a great pose for stretching the hamstrings. Many people have very tight hamstrings so using a strap in this pose is a great way to maintain length in the spine while stretching the hamstrings. Place the strap around the feet while holding onto the strap in each hand extend the legs out in front of you. Hold the strap in each hand as you gently pull yourself forward (keeping the arms bent or walking the...
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...Justin Paolo F. Segovia IV – Galileo My Valedictory Speech “Good bye to you Alma Matter†Rev. Fr. Ramonclaro G. Mendez, OP, School Director, Mrs. Muñoz, High School Principal, Mrs. Sandra Gratuito, English Teacher, High School Faculty and Non-teaching Staff, distinguished guests, dear parents, fellow graduates, ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon. I’ve heard a lot of valedictory addresses and usually, if not all the time they struck me as boring and bent out of formalities. All I pray is that you never get bored as I get this chance in my life to talk in the same pedestal as those boring people (hehe) A long time ago, a man once said that it is not the years in a man’s life that matters, but it is the life in his years. My fellow graduates, what does thirteen years of Aquinian education mean to you? Is it just time that has come and gone? Is it the years that have finally come to an end? Or is it more than just that? My brothers and sisters, if that is all what they mean to you, then I am sorry that you have failed to reap the fruits of your labour. These eleven years are filled with more than just months, weeks and days of experience and learning. The last four years I have spent studying in Aquinas with you, my fellow classmates, makes me truly say that I am better than what others say I could be. In fact, we all are, whether we know it or not. As a class, we may have gone through many difficult trials, events that shattered our unity. There...
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...Per annum (per year) The new business is earning a profit of ten million per annum. 10. Millennium (a period of 100 years) Such news is heard once in a millennium. 11. Resume (curriculum vitae) One of the essentials while applying for a job is to prepare a good resume. 12. Vice versa (in the opposite way) We want to translate our literature from French to English and vice versa. 13. Ditto (the same) She looks ditto like her brother and even acts like him. 14. Finesse (delicate skill in guiding relations between people) She is famous for her finesse among her friends. 15. Décor (style of decoration) I was highly impressed by the décor of his office. These examples with meaning and use in sentences gives us an idea of a few foreign words commonly used in English 1. Abinitio – From the beginning 2. Debacle – Sudden break down or failure 3. De facto – Actual/even though not planned or intended 4. En masse – As a group 5. Ex parte – One sided 6. Fait accompli- Something that has already been done and...
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...How to Worship Vishnu Perform Sudarshan Prayog, a Puja ritual that grants invincible protection against enemies and evil. Bathe before initiating Sudarshan Prayog on a Friday night after 11:00. Sit on a white mat facing east. Wear immaculate white clothing. Cover a wooden bench or seat with a spotless white cloth. Place a small mound of uncooked white rice on the cloth. Place a Sudarshan Yantra on the mound of rice. A Yantra is a talisman that offers various types of protection. In this case, the Sudarshan Yantra is inscribed with the discus of Vishnu. The devotee visualizes herself in the center of the pattern, protected from all evil. The mantra for this Yantra is "Om Namo Narayanaya Namah." Place to the right of the Yantra a Sudarshan Tarang Gutika (a small ball of protection). Offer vermilion, white flowers; rice grains, incense and a ghee lamp in front of the Yantra. Chant eleven rounds of "Aum Sudarshan Chakraay Mam Sarv Kaarya Vijayam Dehi Dehi Aum Hum Phat," using a rosary. Repeat Sudarshan Prayog for eleven days, during which you must observe celibacy. At the end of the Puja, you will experience a dynamic change of personality and appearance. You will outwit your enemies. Things You'll Need * White mat * White clothing * White cloth * White flowers * Small wooden bench or seat * Uncooked white rice * Sudarshan Tarang Gutika * Vermilion, incense and a ghee lamp * Vijay Darshini Rosary Resources * Read this...
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...Kālī (Sanskrit: काळी, IPA: [kɑːliː]), also known as Kālikā (Sanskrit: काळिका), is the Hindu goddess associated with empowerment, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Since Shiva is called Kāla—the eternal time—Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" (as in time has come). Hence, Kāli is the Goddess of Time and Change. Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilator of evil forces still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shākta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatārini (literally "redeemer of the universe"). Comparatively recent devotional movements largely conceive Kāli as a benevolent mother goddess.[1] Kālī is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. Shiva lies in the path of Kali, whose foot on Shiva subdues her anger. She is the fierce aspect of the goddess Durga (Parvati).[2] 2One South Indian tradition tells of a dance contest between Shiva and Kali. After defeating the two demons Sumbha and Nisumbha, Kali takes up residence in the forest of Thiruvalankadu or Thiruvalangadu. She terrorizes the surrounding area with her fierce disruptive nature. One of Shiva's devotees becomes distracted while performing austerities, and asks Shiva to rid the forest of the destructive goddess. When Shiva arrives, Kali threatens him, claiming...
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...Garuda: God of the Birds By: Susan Popiel Garuda was the son of Kashyapa and Vinata who had hatched out of his egg after five hundred years. He hatched out of his egg fully grown; taking the skies frightening may others. His mother had an argument with her sister-in-law Kardu about the colour of horses which had upset Kardu. As revenge, Kardu put Vinata into her serpent pit prison. Garuda wanted to free his mother from the pit so set off to steal the sacred amrita as to pay off the ransom. This made it possible to free his mother but during that, he dropped some of the amrita fell to the grass causing some of the serpents to lick it. The serpent’s tongues were cut causing the tips to be split. The Gods fought to get the amrita back even managing to break Indra's thunderbolt. Vishnu was the only one who managed to take Garuda down. After that, Vishnu made Garuda carry him around and travel with him in order to be immortal. Garuda is often seen carrying Vishnu on his back flying through the air. He is hated by snakes and other serpents since he is their greatest enemy. This is the reason as to why birds and serpents don’t get along. Garuda is half eagle and half man. He has the torso, arms and hands of a human but the head, legs, thighs and wings of an eagle. His wings are very large eagle ones that take up the entire sky. The beat rumbles through the air. He has a large curved eagle beak used for hunting...
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...Importance of relationships Rather than allow a relationship to develop while a transaction proceeds, the Chinese will establish the relationship first and foremost and, if a trusting personal relationship is cultivated, business transactions may follow. This is in part because of the concept of gwanxi – perhaps best thought of as a network of relationships whereby you favor your friends and they favor you. This can work both ways and the Chinese will be careful not to become obligated to business partners until they have carefully researched the personalities involved. You will be well advised to spend time building your own network of contacts, but you should be aware of all the favors you have received and be prepared to respond in kind. One consequence of the need to establish a personal relationship is that Chinese will ask personal questions that would seem impertinent and/or irrelevant to most westerners. It is best to politely respond with the answers (your age, income or whatever) rather than take offence or try to inject humor into the situation. Another consequence is the Chinese attitude to contracts. It can be seen to demonstrate a lack of personal trust if a written contract is produced too early in a transaction. A negotiated contract may mean little more to a Chinese negotiator than a checklist of points or a sign of a developing relationship and it is common for clauses that appeared to be agreed to be re-opened. “Face” The concept of “face” is...
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...HINDUISM HUM130 07/29/2012 HINDUISM In Hinduism there are three major philosophical systems “Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, and Yoga. Each of these systems represents a path towards enlightenment. Although the underlying theory and beliefs of these systems are similar, there are also striking dissimilarities between each philosophy. SAMKHYA The Samkhya is thought to be the oldest system of Hindu belief. Founded by the mythical sage Kapila, Samkhya teaches that there are two states of reality. The first state; known as the Purusha, or self, which is eternally wise, pure, and free, beyond chance, beyond cause. (citation needed) The other is Prakriti, the cause of the material universe. All suffering is said to come from out confusion of Prakriti with Purusha. Being able to separate and understand the two is a key part of finding true transcendent reality. Advaita Vedanta Unlike the Samkhya philosophy Advaita Vedanta teaches that there is only one single reality. The current view of Advaita Vedanta comes from the teachings of Shankara. The old views of Vedanta taught that the human self (Atman) is an emanation of Brahman. Shankara’s teachings state that Atman and Brahman are actually one and the same, and that the material life is not another reality as is believed in Samkhya but an illusion. The absolute spirit (Brahman) is considered to be the essence of everything with no beginning and no end. An analogy that...
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...Sri Dharmasaastha Bhajana Samithy ( Regd.) P-46, Unique Park, Behala, Kolkata – 700 034. Phone: 2446 1268 Date : 11.11.2013 The Divisional Officer, ‘C’ Division, West Bengal Fire & Energy Services, L.M. Dey Gardens, Silpara, Kolkata – 700 008. Dear Sirs, Sub : Permission from Fire Service for our 17th Mandala Puja to be held on 7th and 8th December, 2013 at the premises of Shiv Kali Mandir, Fakirpara Road(Near Shaw Public School) Kolkata – 700034. We have decided to celebrate our 17th Mandala Puja (Ayyappa Puja) on 7th and 8th December 2013 at the aforementioned premises. Please do the needful at your end and grant us permission at the earliest possible time. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, For Sri Dharmasaastha Bhajan Samithy (Regd.) (SECRETARY) Sri Dharmasaastha Bhajana Samithy ( Regd.) P-46, Unique Park, Behala, Kolkata – 700 034. Phone: 2446 1268 Date : 18.11.2013 The District Engineer,, CESC Limited, Taratala Office, Kolkata . Dear Sirs, Sub : Temporary connection requiring for our 17th Mandala Puja to be held on 7th and 8th December, 2013 at the premises of Shiv Kali Mandir, Fakirpara Road(Near Shaw Public School) Kolkata...
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...From Bhaagvat Puraan http://www.oocities.org/reldictionary/tidbits/doyouknow/2-quotes.htm Home | Names | Dictionary | Locations | Tidbits Tidbits-Do You Know 2 - Quotes From Puraan Back In Sat Yug, Tretaa Yug and Dwaapar Yug, country, village and family are also the partners of sins and Punya done by an individual; but in Kali Yug, only the doer has to enjoy and suffer for his Punya and sins. [2Padm Puraan, p 770] The secret of Bhaagvat Dharm is known only to 12 people - Brahmaa Jee, Devarshi Naarad, Bhagavaan Shankar, Sanat Kumaar, Kapil Dev, Swaayambhuv Manu, Prahlaad, Janak Jee, Bheeshm Pitaamaha, Raajaa Bali, Shukdev Jee, and I (Dharm Raaj). [5Bhaagvat, 6/1] Whosoever does not win Kaam (lust and desires), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (intense love), Mad (pride) and Matsar (intense pride) - these six enemies, he has to do many Karm in spite of his unwillingness to do any Karm." [5Bhaagvat 6/1] Adharm is of five types - Vi-Dharm, Par-Dharm, Aabhaas, Upmaa, and Chhal. Whatever action is done with Dharm and wisdom, but still hinders his own Dharm is called Vi-Dharm. When somebody else tells the Dharm to somebody else is called Par-Dharm. Paakhand is called Updharm or Upmaa. Misinterpretation of Shaastra is called Chhal (deception). When a human being accepts an action of another Aashram with his own will that is called "Aabhaag". Thus everybody should do his actions according to his own Varn and Aashram and nature. [5Bhaagvat 7/8] Upanishad say - "This body is like a...
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...Project Helps to Spread Yoga to African Communities In an inspiring illustration of the power that one selfless act has to change the world, one woman’s African vacation started a chain of events that is changing the lives of schoolchildren, incarcerated women, orphans, women entrepreneurs, and others living in poverty in Kenya. In 2006, former NYC yoga teacher, Paige Elenson, was on safari with her family when she saw a group of kids doing handstands from her vehicle. She hopped out of the car and joined in with her yoga practice. This simple act of being playful and present in the moment eventually led to the creation of the Africa Yoga Project, whose mission is “to use the transformative benefits of yoga to empower vulnerable communities in Kenya.” Read More Add Comment (0) Thursday, March 08, 2012 by Tosca Braun Yoga's Relationship to (Sexual) Desire: Broadsided New York Times journalist William Broad’s contentious claim that the origins of tantric hatha yoga reside in “medieval sex cults” was crucial to set the frame for his subsequent and inaccurate equation of yoga with sex. This was explicitly rendered in his assertion that yoga practice is responsible for the recent sexual misconduct of Anusara founder John Friend and other philandering yoga gurus. In a further misstep intended to provide credibility to his questionable thesis, Broad provides little more than old and obscure research that allegedly shows yoga to increase sexual desire. Read More Add Comment...
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...International Buddhist College Course: BL6204/ME6204 Pali Literature September 3, 2009 Submitted by Hoang Van Minh Topic: Discuss the Theravada Concept of Paramita (Perfection) as Revealed in the Pali Commentaries 1. Introduction Pali Atthakatha is the huge part of the study of Pali literature in Buddhism. The atthakatha means the “explanation of the meaning” or “commentary” and can be mentioned as exegetical treatises on the texts of the Pali canon. Their main object is, therefore, to explain difficult words and abstruse points of doctrine that occur in the Texts and also to give additional explanatory information wherever it was deemed necessary.[1] For that reason Atthakatha is usually considered as the huge encyclopedia of Buddhist study. One can find in this precious treasure any interpretations of the Buddhist terminology, idea and philosophical explanation on Tipitakas; for almost the Pali Tipitaka has its own commentary. The concept of Paramitas is well-known not only in Mahayana tradition with the aim of complete enlightenment but also it is interpreted in almost by the same way in Theravada especially it is revealed in commentaries literature. Historically along the process of development, there are many arguments and misunderstandings between these two traditions especially while Mahayana developed many new concepts like the concept and practice of bodhisattva with numerous skillful means (upāyaksalya) which seem to go too far...
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...What are the differences between the four paths of yoga? And relate the four paths to other philosophical or religious traditions? The four paths of yoga are jnana yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and raja yoga. Even though the four parts of yoga come from Hindu philosophies each has its own way that can make people live spiritually and comfortably by choosing a certain path that an individual is comfortable with. Everyday people will use techniques that were born with yoga and not even know they are using a basic form of yoga. Each type of yoga is different from one another in a lot of different ways. Jnana yoga is learning from others. Karma yoga believes doing work unselfishly will lead to good deeds happening for one. Bhakti yoga is expressing yourself. Raja yoga is the art of meditation. Jnana yoga or knowledge yoga is based on learning from teachers who have a lot of knowledge with jnana yoga. As such priests and intellectuals will prefer this type of yoga so they can learn and then teach it themselves. Reading the bible is also considered jnana yoga since you will gain knowledge by doing this. This type of yoga was refined by a school of philosophy that is still being done today the school of Vedanta. The Vedanta school uses the ideas of the Upanishads as its primary inspiration. Upanishads is defined as which come at the end of the Vedas. All other forms of yoga do not incorporate learning or teaching in they way they express themselves. Jnana yoga can relate to numerous...
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