ÓI knew I was being transformed that morning to hear a new song, to listen to a new melody that could not be heard with ears, but with the heart. Something about the air around me was different than the air of the day before, as if the room itself had been transported to a place in the heavens in a new world free from the limits of our mortal minds. I was in a place where the soul was free to travel at will, where thought was not bound with words or unknown feelings held captive by the rigidity of a spoken language.Ó

An excerpt from "Confessions of a Closed Male: A story of Spiritual Awakening"

Read more here: » Male Spirituality: Finding God

Male Principle or Masculine Principle

One member of the primordial, universal duality which characterizes all manifestation, its correlative being the feminine principle. Other terms for this duality are Purusha and prakriti, spirit and matter, positive and negative, active and passive. Male or female, masculine or feminine, are attributed to cosmic principles merely because these principles, being universal and bipolar, express themselves throughout all the ranges of cosmic life.

Since human beings and animals belong to the ranges of cosmic life, and in their present evolutionary stage are passing through the period of quasi-unipolar development which is called sex, its terms have been somewhat arbitrarily used in attempting to describe the bipolarity of the cosmic principles. Strictly speaking, these cosmic principles are non-male and non-female. The same descriptive habit runs throughout all theology, as when deities were described as gods and goddesses.

In the Qabbalistic Sephirothal Tree some of the Sephiroth are paired, as are the aeons in the system of Simon Magus and Valentinus.

See also DUAD

(See also: Male Principle, Masculine Principle, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Circumcision

Usually amputation of the male prepuce. It is one of the oldest as well as one of the most wide-spread customs. It is or was practiced (although with many variations as to the method of circumcision, age at the time of circumcision, who may perform the rite, etc. ), among the Jews, Moslems, Egyptians, Polynesians, the Indian tribes of the New World and many of the tribes of Africa and Australia. In fact it is estimated that one-eighth of the male population of the world is circumcised.

Many theories are advanced to explain the origin and purpose of this customs such as

• for hygienic reasons,
• as a mark of tribal affiliation,
• as a preparation for sexual life,
• as an initiatory test of courage before acceptance into the tribe,
• as a means of sanctifying the generative faculties,
• as a sacrifice redeeming the male from the god who gave him life.

For the Jews circumcision is one of the most important of the 613 commandments. It was interpreted as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel and, therefore, indispensable as a mark of affiliation with the latter.

In the Talmud*, many prescriptions are laid down regulating the act of circumcision. It may be performed even on the Sabbath, if that is the eighth day after birth. It consists of a) milak, the amputation of the prepuce, b) periah, the baring of the glans, and c) metziteak, staunching the flow of blood. Appropriate benedictions are recited before and after the circumcision and tbe child is given a name at this time. The circumcision ceremony is usually followed by a festive meal, at which a special prayer is recited in which reference is made to this event.

(See also: Circumcision, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

David Deida is a best-selling American author and spiritual teacher. Deida focuses on the different ways that men and women grow spiritually and sexually. Deida has designed and developed a program of transformative practices that addresses spiritual awakening in the mind, body, and heart. He is a founding associate of the Integral Institute and has taught and conducted research at the University of California Medical School in San Diego, University of California, Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, the Lexington Institu ...

Including:

• David Deida - Bibliography

Read more here: » David Deida: Encyclopedia - David Deida

Sraaddha ceremony

According to Hinduism, when a person dies, he either travels to heavenly worlds or to the ancestral worlds depending upon his previous deeds. We are told that the departed souls can be elevated to higher planes of existence and pushed further on the scale of evolution if their direct descendents on earth, especially the male progeny perform some annual rites and make sacrificial offerings to them. With such rites, not just one but the entire family of ancestors would be benefited and spiritually uplifted.

Read more here: » Sraaddha ceremony: Hinduism Rituals - Sraaddha ceremony

The lakhs of Shiva temples all over India include the famous temples at Amarnath in Kashmir, Somnath in Gujarat, Vishwanath in Varanasi and Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain.

The names of these Shiva temples define Shiva's various divine functions, exalting Him as the Supreme Soul. The linga is worshipped as the very image of Shiva. The linga indicates that Shiva has neither male nor female human form like do the other deities; the Lord is an incorporeal point of Light. This is why, the 12 well-known Shiva temples in India are also known as Jyotirlinga Mat h signifying his form of Light.

(See also: Shivaratri, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

SikhA or scalp-lock is a long tuft of hair left on top or on the back of the shaven head of a male Brahmin Vaishnava sadhu. It signifies one-pointed ('ekanta') focus on one's spiritual goal, devotion to Brahman, mainly in the form of Vishnu, or Krishna. Other related archivesBrahman, Brahmin, Krishna, Vaishnava, Vishnu, sadhu

Read more here: » Sikha: Encyclopedia - Sikha

The Basilideans were a Gnostic sect founded by Basilides of Alexandria in the 2nd century. Basilides claimed to have been taught his doctrines by Glaucus, a disciple of St Peter. The sect had three grades – material, intellectual and spiritual – and possessed two allegorical statues, male and female. The sect's doctrines were very similar to those of the Ophites and also had similarities to Jewish Kabbalism. Members wore stones or gems cut in various symbolic forms, such as the heads of fowl and serpents. The Basilideans wo

Read more here: » Basilideans: Encyclopedia - Basilideans

Monasticism (from Greek: monachos—a solitary person) is the religious practice of renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to fully devote one's life to spiritual work. Many religions have monastic elements, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Jainism, though the expressions differ considerably. Those pursuing a monastic life are usually called monks or brothers (male), and nuns or sisters (female). Both m ...

Including:

• Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism
• Monasticism - Christian monasticism
• Monasticism - Hindu monasticism
• Monasticism - Islamic monasticism
• Monasticism - Jain monasticism
• Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions
• Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia - Monasticism

Nondualism is the belief that dualism or dichotomy are illusory phenomenae. Examples of dualisms include self/other, mind/body, male/female, good/evil, active/passive, and many others. A nondual philosophical or religious perspective or theory maintains that there is no fundamental distinction between mind and matter, or that the entire phenomenological world is an illusion (with the reality being described variously as ...

Including:

• Nondualism - Terminology
• Nondualism - Nondualistic world views
• Nondualism - Nondual religious and spiritual traditions
• Nondualism - Zen
• Nondualism - Buddhism
• Nondualism - Dzogchen
• Nondualism - Advaita
• Nondualism - Taoism
• Nondualism - Individuals subscribing to a non-dual view of reality
• Nondualism - Ancient Western philosophers
• Nondualism - Medieval Western philosphers
• Nondualism - Modern Western philosophers
• Nondualism - Asian philosophers and spiritual leaders
• Nondualism - Authors
• Nondualism - Musicians
• Nondualism - Source

Read more here: » Nondualism: Encyclopedia - Nondualism

The Cherokee are a Native American culture who mainly live in the southeastern United States and in Oklahoma. The Cherokee venerated the horned serpent Sint Holo, who appeared to extremely intelligent and resourceful male youths (although in general Cherokees viewed that snakes could block spiritual blessings to a persons home, therefore, it was traditional for Cherokees to never keep any object made from or resembling a snake, or part of a snake in their home), as well as Tsul 'Kalu, a god of the hunt and Oonawieh Unggi ("the oldest wind"), ...

Including:

• Cherokee mythology - Kana'ti and Selu

Read more here: » Cherokee mythology: Encyclopedia - Cherokee mythology

Body piercing usually refers to the piercing of a part of the human body for the purpose of wearing jewelry in the opening created. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word "piercing" can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to a specific pierced opening in the body. Some people practice piercing for religious or other cultural reasons, while many individuals, particularly in the modern West, choose to be pierced for spiritual, ornamental, or sexual reasons. Body piercing - ...

Including:

• Body piercing - In ancient times
• Body piercing - Body piercing today
• Body piercing - Modern history and societal attitudes
• Body piercing - Personal attitudes
• Body piercing - Contemporary piercing procedure
• Body piercing - Standard Needle Method
• Body piercing - Indwelling Cannula Method
• Body piercing - Pierce and Taper
• Body piercing - Scalpelling
• Body piercing - Dermal Punching
• Body piercing - Piercing Guns
• Body piercing - The healing process and body piercing aftercare
• Body piercing - Behaviors which tend to support successful healing
• Body piercing - Behaviors which tend to contribute to unsuccessful healing
• Body piercing - Cleaning
• Body piercing - Changing of initial jewelry to allow for swelling
• Body piercing - Risks associated with body piercing
• Body piercing - List of piercing types
• Body piercing - Facial and oral piercings
• Body piercing - Body piercings
• Body piercing - Male genital piercings
• Body piercing - Female genital piercings
• Body piercing - Related Media

Read more here: » Body piercing: Encyclopedia - Body piercing

MALE MYSTERIES: Pagan study which attempts to reclaim the power and mystery of the old Gods for today's Pagan males.

(See also: MALE MYSTERIES, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Lingam

(Sanskrit) Gender, the male sex organ. power

(See also: Lingam, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Lingam

(Sanskrit) Gender, the male sex organ. power

(See also: Lingam, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

PARTNERSHIP SPIRITUALITY - cooperative male or female spirituality that preceded and surpassed historic religion and philosophy. (Riano Eisler) (NAD)

(See also: PARTNERSHIP SPIRITUALITY, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Sex

The biological differences between male and female. The social and psychological systems related to or derived from this difference.

(See also: Sex, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

tantra

Meditative sexual union, female active, male passive, in Hindu tantra; male active, female passive, in Buddhist tantra. Tantra is a spiritual science divided into four divisionsKriya, ritual; Carya, conduct; Yoga, meditation; Anuttara, wisdom

(See also: Tantra, Body Mind and Soul)

Iao (Ancient Greek). See Iaho. The highest god of the Phœnicians the light conceivable only by intellect", the physical and spiritual Principle of all things, "the male Essence of Wisdom ". It is the ideal Sun light.

(See also: Iao, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Wizard

A name for male ceremonial magicians, rarely used for Wiccans unless they are eclectic and use ceremonial magick as well.

(See also: Wizard, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)