Monkey. A Journey to the West. Chinese Mythology

Monkey. A Journey to the West. Chinese Mythology

 I'm enjoying "Monkey: A Journey to the West."

A classic of Chinese literature, this beloved folktale is part adventure story, part spiritual allegory—now reimagined by a National Book Award nominee

Part spiritual pilgrimage, part historical epic, the folk novel Journey to the West, which came to be known as Monkey, is the most popular classic of Asian literature. Originally written in the sixteenth century, it is the story of the adventures of the rogue-trickster Monkey and his encounters with a bizarre cast of characters as he travels to India with the Buddhist pilgrim Tripitaka in search of sacred scriptures.

Much more than a picaresque adventure novel, Monkey is a profound allegory of the struggle that must occur before spiritual transformation is possible. David Kherdian's masterful telling brings this classic of Chinese literature to life in a way that is true to the scope and depth of the original.

 

https://amzn.to/3P9JfS6 

 

Hanuman Chalisa. Hindu Mythology. Rama. Vishnu. Shiva

Hanuman Chalisa. Hindu Mythology. Rama. Vishnu. Shiva

 

I'm enjoying the Hanuman Chalisa.

Experience the divine grace of Lord Hanuman with the Hanuman Chalisa. This sacred scripture, beautifully presented in a luxurious silk hardbound format, is a collection of forty verses dedicated to Lord Hanuman's glory and devotion. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of the Chalisa and embrace the blessings of strength, courage, and protection.
A powerful tool for spiritual and emotional healing, helping individuals connect with their inner selves and the divine.
Each verse is crafted with profound meaning, capturing the essence of Hanuman's divine qualities, courage, and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.
Explores themes of devotion, strength, and perseverance.
Perfect for devotees, spiritual seekers, and collectors of sacred texts.
Comes in deluxe silk hardbound edition with a visually stunning design. 

https://amzn.to/4eDlTyo 

 

Hanuman Chalisa. Hindu Mythology. Mahabharata. Ramayana

Hanuman Chalisa. Hindu Mythology. Mahabharata. Ramayana

 I'm enjoying the Hanuman Chalisa...

Experience the divine grace of Lord Hanuman with the Hanuman Chalisa. This sacred scripture, beautifully presented in a luxurious silk hardbound format, is a collection of forty verses dedicated to Lord Hanuman's glory and devotion. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of the Chalisa and embrace the blessings of strength, courage, and protection.
A powerful tool for spiritual and emotional healing, helping individuals connect with their inner selves and the divine.
Each verse is crafted with profound meaning, capturing the essence of Hanuman's divine qualities, courage, and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.
Explores themes of devotion, strength, and perseverance.
Perfect for devotees, spiritual seekers, and collectors of sacred texts.
Comes in deluxe silk hardbound edition with a visually stunning design.

https://amzn.to/3XCvWNB 

 

Mahabharata. Hinduism. Vedic Mythology. William Buck

Mahabharata. Hinduism. Vedic Mythology. William Buck

 I'm enjoying William Buck's modern prose version of the Mahabharata.

Few works in world literature have inspired so vast an audience in nations with radically different languages and cultures as the Mahabharata. Written some 2,000 years ago and probably the longest Indian epic ever composed, it is a story of dynastic struggle that culminates in a fatal clash between two branches of a single ruling family. It is a moral and philosophical tale as well as a historical one. In his introduction, Sanskritist B. A. van Nooten notes that apart from William Buck’s rendition no other English version has been able to capture the blend of religion and martial spirit that pervades the original epic.

https://amzn.to/4gurbyp 

 

Rudyard Kipling. Author and Freemason. The Man Who Would be King. by Travis Simpkins

Rudyard Kipling. Author and Freemason. The Man Who Would be King. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Rudyard Kipling

(1865 - 1936)

Journalist, Writer and Poet

Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature

Author of

"The Man Who Would Be King"

Freemason

Member of

Hope and Perseverance Lodge No. 782

Lahore, India (now Pakistan)

by Travis Simpkins

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

For more info, please visit:

imdb.com/TheManWhoWouldBeKing

 

Rudyard Kipling. Author and Freemason. The Man Who Would be King. by Travis Simpkins

The Holy Vedas. Hinduism. Vedic Mythology

The Holy Vedas. Hinduism. Vedic Mythology

I'm feeling inspired by The Holy Vedas...


The four Vedas contain the divine, infallible knowledge revealed to those primal men whose soul was specially illuminated to by the grace of god to receive and impart humanity the words of almighty god. The Vedas are the sacred heritage not only of India but of all mankind. In this book an attempt has been made to bring together representative hymns which encompass all the aspects enshrined in the Vedas. The author has tried to retain the spirit of the original Sanskrit mantras in English renderings and to impart some of the holy ambience of these sacred texts which are the fountainhead of Hindu philosophy and culture

https://amzn.to/45zBNXB

Stories of Ganesha. Hindu Mythology

Stories of Ganesha. Hindu Mythology

I'm enjoying "Stories of Ganesha," an interesting collection of Vedic myths about the beloved Hindu deity.


Vakratunda Maha-Kaaya Surya-Koti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa || This book is a beautiful collection of handpicked stories from various scriptures to enlighten you about Lord Ganesha and reveal the many facets of his divine personality. A book to pay one’ s respects to the most loved and revered deities written about in the Vedic texts. You will find the answers to all the intriguing questions and secrets about Lord Ganesha’ s life in this book. It also includes special prayers that can be offered to Lord Ganesha to attain his blessings.

https://amzn.to/3UEROI5

Hindu Myths. A Sourcebook Translated from the Sanskrit

Hindu Myths. A Sourcebook Translated from the Sanskrit

I'm enjoying this collection of Hindu Myths...


Recorded in sacred Sanskrit texts, including the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, Hindu Myths are thought to date back as far as the tenth century BCE. Here in these seventy-five seminal myths are the many incarnations of Vishnu, who saves mankind from destruction, and the mischievous child Krishna, alongside stories of the minor gods, demons, rivers and animals including boars, buffalo, serpents and monkeys. Immensely varied and bursting with colour and life, they demonstrate the Hindu belief in the limitless possibilities of the world - from the teeming miracles of creation to the origins of the incarnation of Death who eventually touches them all.

https://amzn.to/3TIgFcd

The Zoroastrian Faith. Tradition and Modern Research. S.A. Nigosian. Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism

The Zoroastrian Faith. Tradition and Modern Research. S.A. Nigosian. Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism 

I'm enjoying "The Zoroastrian Faith" by S.A. Nigosian. This concise, scholarly work was published by McGill-Queen's University Press a while back.


The Zoroastrian Faith is organized around five themes: an account of Zoroaster's life and work; discussion of the development and spread of Zoroastrianism from its beginnings to the present; description of the sacred writings and religious documents of the faith; an analysis of the basic Zoroastrian beliefs and their influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and a description of the prescribed observances. In this historical and analytical study, S.A. Nigosian cuts through these problems to present a concise, systematic survey of Zoroastrianism. This book will intrigue scholars and general readers alike. A glossary and bibliography are provided as aids for further study.

The Essential Yoga Sutra. Patanjali. Geshe Michael Roach. Christie McNally. Karma. Buddhism

The Essential Yoga Sutra. Patanjali. Geshe Michael Roach. Christie McNally. Karma. Buddhism

The Yoga Sutras, by Master Patanjali, was written nearly 2,000 years ago. I'm enjoying this version, "The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga" translated by Geshe Michael Roach and Christie McNally. The text features insightful commentary by the translators, both knowledgeable authors on the subject.



The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 B.C.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.
Patanjali organized the sutra into four parts: Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike.

The Wisdom of the Vedas. J.C. Chatterji. Theosophical Society. Brahmanism. Hinduism. Buddhism

The Wisdom of the Vedas. J.C. Chatterji. Theosophical Society. Brahmanism. Hinduism. Buddhism

This book by J.C. Chatterji has been in print for the past 90 years under a couple different titles. About 50 years ago, it was republished as "The Wisdom of the Vedas" by the Theosophical Society. It is one of the most accessible books on the Vedic system of thought, India's oldest philosophical/religious tradition.


How did the universe come into being? What is the nature of God? Of the human spirit? All who seek understanding will find this book an illuminating presentation of India's oldest and most profound religious and philosophical tradition. The Wisdom of the Vedas was first published in 1931 by Kailas Press under the title India's Outlook on Life. The Theosophical Publishing House published a second edition in 1973, and again in 1980 under the Quest imprint. The present 1992 edition was edited to reflect the modern use of inclusive language, and includes an introduction by Vedic scholar David Frawley. Mr. Frawley explains to the Western reader, "The Vedas are the original scripture or source teaching of the Hindu tradition, from which its many branches of Vedanta, Yoga, and Tantra have emerged through time, and to which they all look back with reverence." The Vedas are also "..the background relative to which the Buddhist religion evolved, and Buddhism also preserves many Vedic terms and practices." The study then, of the Vedas is important to understanding many different Eastern teachings. The author is from India, and has an unusual ability to frame the subtleties of Eastern thought for the Western world.

Bhagavad-Gita. Translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood

Bhagavad-Gita. Translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood

Some peaceful reading for a quiet winter evening...
Few things put my mind more at ease than reading ancient texts. I have a scholarly interest in most all religions, and one of the books that I find to be the most calming is the Bhagavad-Gita. I think I've read it a half dozen times since the start of COVID-19.




"The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not simply a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.
Part of the Mahabharata, the Gita is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. Its verses contain some of the key ideas of Hindu philosophy―Dharma, Moksha, and various yogic practices. Originally written well over a thousand years ago, the Gita has proven to be a timeless source of wisdom, inspiring philosophers and revolutionaries alike in the millennia since it was written.
In addition to the retelling of the text, this edition includes a character list, a glossary of important terms, and chapters exploring the back-story from the Mahabharata and the impact and meaning of the Bhagavad Gita itself. The Bhagavad Gita is an approachable way for today’s readers to engage with one of history's richest spiritual epics."

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984): The Sankara Stones, Archaeology and Ritual Sacrifice

     Directed by Steven Spielberg, based on a story by George Lucas, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) was written as a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark because they did not want to cast the Nazis as the villains again. Set in 1935, the story finds Indiana Jones, famed archaeologist, venturing through India in search of one of the stolen Sakara stones (fabled to give fortune and glory) and encountering horrific rituals of human sacrifice. Harrison Ford is great as Indiana Jones, reprising his role. Kate Capshaw is annoying, but intentionally so, as his love interest. Jonathan Ke Quan appears as Indy's young sidekick, Short Round.

Kate Capshaw: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford and Short Round: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Short Round, Kate Capshaw and Snake Dinner: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Ritual: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Ritual: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Ritual: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford and the Sankara Stones: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford and the Sankara Stones: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford and the Sankara Stones: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Kate Capshaw and Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"- movie trailer