Featured Books

The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology

James Austin’s insights into the fundamental connections that exist between Zen Buddhism and brain science are continued in this volume, which is a follow-up to his extremely popular book Zen and the Brain. In Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin, a clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, investigates the growing psychological processes and brain alterations connected with the path of long-range contemplative training. Austin is also a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco. Not only does Austin draw from the most recent findings in neuroscience and new neuroimaging investigations, but he also pulls from Zen literature and his own experience with different states of consciousness. This book picks up exactly where the last one left off. Zen-Brain Reflections. It provides answers to issues such as “how exactly do placebos and acupuncture impact the brain?” Can scientists using neuroimaging pinpoint the locations in our brains where our concepts of self first take shape? How can the most cutting-edge brain imaging techniques be used to better effectively monitor meditators? How is it that extensive amounts of time spent meditating, along with fleeting experiences of enlightenment, may bring about fundamental changes in the physiological makeup of the brain? In a number of the chapters, there are theories that may be tested that indicate methods to associate normal brain processes and the practise of meditation with the occurrence of unusual states of consciousness. After making a quick introduction to the subject of Zen and discussing the most current findings from research into meditation, Austin discusses the most recent findings from research on the amygdala, frontotemporal connections, and paralimbic extensions of the limbic system. After that, he investigates the many states of consciousness, from the earliest, most shallow absorptions to the latter, most significant “peak experiences.” This discussion starts with the states known as kensho and satori and includes an updated study of the many ways in which these states convey “oneness.” He refers beyond the even more advanced phases toward that uncommon continuing degree of enlightenment that is characterised by the manifestation of “sage wisdom.” Last but not least, in

Author

W.D. O’Flaherty

Concept of Rudra-Siva Through the Ages

The current book sheds fresh information on the progressive growth of the notion of Rudra-Siva in his animal, phallic, and human forms from the days of the Harappa Civilization. This development can be traced back to when the Harappa Civilization existed. It investigates how Siva, the composite Aryan-non-Aryan Divinity, was not only admitted but was ultimately crowned with an exalted position in the Brahmanical pantheon; how the bull, which was once identified with the deity, was regulated to the position of a vahana; how phallism was related to Saivism; and also how Siva, in his different forms, was represented in early Indian Art and the Art of Further India. Because of the breadth and depth of the author’s research, he has been able to fill an important need in the field, and his approach to the topic as a whole is unmatched. A comprehensive bibliography is included in this rigorous research on Siva that was conducted.

Author

MAHADEV CHAKRAVARTI

Hymns of the Rgveda

The Rgveda, the earliest written record of the Aryan race and the holy text of the Hindus, has relatively few accurate translations in English. Most of the translations are just the imitations of interpretations which the mediaeval Hindus, as represented by Sayana, have supplied. Griffith’s is the only translation which, albeit led by Sayana, attempts to stray from him considerably and repeatedly. It may be considered as an independent translation heretofore done in English.

But this century old translation needs re-editing, requiring a new version containing advances without hurting the original. In this version the Greek letters have been romanized wherever there are references in the footnotes from the Greek language. The method of transcription has been modified even with relation to Avestan terms in the footnotes, following the system of Bartholomae. The whole translation has been published in a single book for the convenience of the reader. Each and every statistic in the index has been thoroughly examined and amended.

Author

R. T. H. Griffith