Sacred Fire of the Zoroastrian Faith

Fire has been revered and worshipped in ancient cultures worldwide. In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus, out of his great love for mankind, disobeys Zeus and steals fire from heaven and brings it down to earth for human use. As punishment, Zeus chains Prometheus to the Caucasus mountain since mankind was not yet considered to be ready for this great gift of the gods.

Read more here: » Zoroastrian Religion: Sacred Fire of the Zoroastrian Faith

  It is wise to bear in mind that in daily life, most of our knowledge is not arrived at through analysis. It is thought by many that the intuitive faculties of the human mind can draw on much more information than we can access analytically, and certainly there are a lot of remarkable anecdotes about the power of dreams and intuition in problem-solving. Thus, it seems worthwhile to take a look at the intuitive appeal of karma.

Read more here: » Science and Karma: Intuitive Rightness - Science and Karma

There are varieties of hells that a Jiva has to experience in accordance with the Karmas which he does through sin and passion. Twenty-nine kinds of regions of sufferings are described in the Bhagavata, when Jivas are said to be born due to their Karmas

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Lokas Or Planes: Karmas And Hells

Suffering seems to be one of those fundamental human experiences that we all have in common, and is perhaps the one we would all gladly give up. We often feel oppressed and frustrated by suffering because we do not understand it. It can pierce the heart of our being and our identity, and shake every assumption we hold about ourselves and the world. It often seems to destroy our will-power and overthrow our commitments, to our dismay.

Read more here: » Personal Growth: Understanding Suffering

Hells are not imaginary fiction as ordinarily conceived of by the modern rationalistic mind. The empiricist believes only in experience of sense-contact and feels himself unable to rise above the dictates of the intellect. But it does not mean that man has reason to overlook facts beyond his comprehension

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Lokas Or Planes: Hell Or Naraka

The Nyaya or Hindu logic was founded by Gautama Rishi, who is also known by the names Akshapada and Dirghatapas. The Nyaya and the Vaiseshika are analytic types of philosophy. The word Nyaya signifies going into a subject, i.e., investigating it analytically. In this sense of analysis, the word Nyaya is exactly opposed to Sankhya, synthesis. The Nyaya is sometimes called Tarka-Vidya or the Science of Debate, Vada-Vidya or the Science of Discussion. Tarka is the special feature of the Nyaya.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Nyaya: Hindu Philosophy - The Nyaya

This is a blog written by Mona El-Farra, a physician, womens right activist and resident of Gaza. She writes when the power is on and can give you a first hand glimps of what the life in Gaza is like right now.

Dear all

my freind hoda, lives next to the ministry of interior building, in Gaza, that was hit last night with 2 rockets, the attack occured 2am yesterday, please forgive me about the accuracy, l am starting to lose track of days and nights, and how many times we were attacked, hoda told me that the whole building was shaking, she went out, with her pyjamas, all the residents were out in their night wear, children faces were too pale, some of them were crying hystiricaly, the fume filled the…

Read more here: » From Gaza with Love: Collective Punishment and State Terrorism

Parenting an Indigo or Crystal child is a special privilege in this time of turbulence and change. As a parent, you are contributing to etsablishing new patterns for parenting on the planet. You are partnering with your child in raising the resonance of the child/parent relationship to its highest possible level at this time.

The Indigo or Crystal child has come to the planet with its own "mission". As an Indigo it is here to challenge exisiting forms and beliefs, and as a Crystal it is here to teach empowerment and love. You, as the parents, are the partners in this mission of teaching and healing. You can help your child to fulfill its mission by understanding what is required of you. As a parent to an Indigo, you can expect to be challenged at every turn, but having the skills to handle these challenges will create and easier relationship between you and your Indigo. As the parent of a Crystal, you will have to deal with a very strong will and frequent power struggles. Again, having the parenting skills to cope with these issues will facilitate the growth and unfolding of your child.

(See also: Indigo Children, What is Indigo Children, Parenting Indigo Children, Adult Indigo, Indigo Children Channeling)

Read more here: » Indigo Children: Parenting Indigo and Crystal Children: Parenting from the Heart  

Pranayama is defined as breath control, but actually, Prana is energy, the type of energy that is received from Kether or from the spiritual world. It is sometimes defined as a white light that emanates from on high or that is surrounding us at all times. Call it what you like, it is possible to energize our electrochemical bodies by controlled breathing, and the Pranayama methods are highly effective in attaining specific energy states.

Read more here: » Pranayama: Pranayama Techniques

The papal inquisition developed a number of procedures to discover and prosecute heretics. Medieval Inquisition - Investigation. When a papal inquisition arrived at a town it had a set of procedures and rules to identify likely heretics. First, the townspeople would be gathered in a public place. Although attendance was voluntary, those who failed to show would automatically be suspect, so most would come. The inquisitors would provide an opportunity for anyone to step forward and denounce themselves in ex ...

See also:

Medieval Inquisition, Medieval Inquisition - Origins, Medieval Inquisition - History, Medieval Inquisition - Inquisition procedure, Medieval Inquisition - Investigation, Medieval Inquisition - Trial, Medieval Inquisition - Torture, Medieval Inquisition - Punishment, Medieval Inquisition - Legacy

Read more here: » Medieval Inquisition: Encyclopedia II - Medieval Inquisition - Inquisition procedure

Prepare a statement of daily Spiritual Diary for every month as shown on the opposite page and verify whether you are progressing or not. If you want quick spiritual attainments, you should never neglect to record everything in your diary.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Journaling: The Spiritual Diary

Leadership is a powerful construct. A leader is envied for the position and authority he enjoys. He receives adulation and is celebrated as a champion and deliverer. Little wonder, then, a leader is often emulated; even envied. High and powerful positions are fervently sought out for all the promise they hold. And what can be more alluring than the highest post in the land?

Even if Sonia Gandhi'sreasons for abjuring the high post are debatable, the very act of saying 'no"- to the most important and powerful job in the country - is something few would have the courage (of conviction) to carry out, and that too with the composure and determination that Sonia displayed.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Peace on Earth: Price of Leadership: Emulation and Envy

Crime and Punishment - Salvation through suffering. Crime and Punishment illustrates the theme of attaining salvation through suffering, a common feature in Dostoevsky's work. This is the (mainly Christian) notion that the act of suffering has a purifying effect on the human spirit allowing for salvation in God. A character who embodies this theme is Sonya, who maintains enough faith to guide and support Raskolnikov despite her own immense suffering. While it may seem grim, it is a relatively optimistic no ...

See also:

Crime and Punishment, Crime and Punishment - Plot, Crime and Punishment - Analysis, Crime and Punishment - Themes, Crime and Punishment - Salvation through suffering, Crime and Punishment - Christian existentialism, Crime and Punishment - Characters, Crime and Punishment - Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, Crime and Punishment - Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova, Crime and Punishment - Other characters, Crime and Punishment - Structure, Crime and Punishment - Movie versions

Read more here: » Crime and Punishment: Encyclopedia II - Crime and Punishment - Themes

Under Section 216 of the Singapore Criminal Code: "When any person is sentenced to death, the sentence shall direct that he shall be hanged by the neck till he is dead but shall not state the place where nor the time when the sentence is to be carried out." Hangings always take place at dawn on Friday and are by the long drop method developed in the United Kingdom by William Marwood. The executioner refers to the Official Table of Drops. The government have said that they: "…had previously studied the different methods of execution and found no reason to ch ...

See also:

Capital punishment in Singapore, Capital punishment in Singapore - Public debate, Capital punishment in Singapore - Usage, Capital punishment in Singapore - Foreign nationals, Capital punishment in Singapore - Legislation, Capital punishment in Singapore - Capital offences, Capital punishment in Singapore - Penal Code, Capital punishment in Singapore - Misuse of Drugs Act, Capital punishment in Singapore - Internal Security Act, Capital punishment in Singapore - Arms Offences Act, Capital punishment in Singapore - Kidnapping Act, Capital punishment in Singapore - Notes

Read more here: » Capital punishment in Singapore: Encyclopedia II - Capital punishment in Singapore - Legislation

In the criminal code, the ruling principle was the lex talionis. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, limb for limb was the penalty for assault upon an amelu. A sort of symbolic retaliation was the punishment of the offending member, seen in the cutting off the hand that struck a father or stole a trust; in cutting off the breast of a wet-nurse who substituted a changeling for the child entrusted to her; in the loss of the tongue that denied father or mother (in the Elamite contracts, the same penalty was inflicted for perjury); in th ...

See also:

Babylonian law, Babylonian law - Tribal influences, Babylonian law - Three classes, Babylonian law - Citizens tenants of gods, Babylonian law - Temple, Babylonian law - Property law, Babylonian law - Leasing, Babylonian law - Hired labour, Babylonian law - Debt, Babylonian law - Trade, Babylonian law - Family law, Babylonian law - Marriage, Babylonian law - Divorce, Babylonian law - Widowhood, Babylonian law - Childbearing, Babylonian law - Adoption, Babylonian law - Heirs, Babylonian law - Adultery, Babylonian law - Punishment, Babylonian law - Bibliography

Read more here: » Babylonian law: Encyclopedia II - Babylonian law - Punishment

Rape - Punishment of assailants. Most societies consider rape to be a grave offense, and punish it accordingly. Punishment for rape in most countries today is imprisonment, but until the late twentieth century, some states of the US, for instance, could apply the death penalty in cases of aggravated rape, indicating the severity with which the crime was viewed (the death penalty is still in use in countries with a significant social divide between the freedoms and status afforded to men and women). Castration is ...

See also:

Rape, Rape - History, Rape - Non-sexual usage of term, Rape - Law, Rape - Common law, Rape - English law, Rape - United States Uniform Crime Reports, Rape - Types of rape, Rape - Violent rape, Rape - Statutory rape, Rape - Acquaintance date rape, Rape - Male rape, Rape - Gang rape, Rape - Some aspects of rape, Rape - Drugging, Rape - Custodial and prison rape, Rape - Rape and sexual torture, Rape - Sex trafficking, Rape - Consent, Rape - Victim blaming, Rape - Sexual fantasy, Rape - Effects of rape, Rape - Medical emergency information, Rape - RAINN, Rape - Secondary Victimization, Rape - Rape and punishment, Rape - Punishment of assailants, Rape - Punishment of victims, Rape - Rape as punishment, Rape - Rape and human rights, Rape - Rapists, Rape - Rapist profiles, Rape - Warning signs, Rape - Reporting, Rape - Underreporting, Rape - Overreporting and false reporting, Rape - Sociobiological analysis of rape, Rape - The role of control and loss of privacy in rape, Rape - Quotes, Rape - Books and publications, Rape - Academic and reference books, Rape - Others

Read more here: » Rape: Encyclopedia II - Rape - Rape and punishment

1984 - January. January 1 - Brunei becomes a fully independent state. January 1 - AT&T is broken up into 24 independent units. January 5 - Richard Stallman starts developing GNU. January 7 - Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). January 9 - Clara Peller is featured in the "Where's the Beef?" commercial campaign for Wendy's for the first time. January 10 - The United States and the Va ...

See also:

1984, 1984 - Events, 1984 - January, 1984 - February, 1984 - March, 1984 - April, 1984 - May, 1984 - June, 1984 - July, 1984 - August, 1984 - September, 1984 - October, 1984 - November, 1984 - December, 1984 - Unknown dates, 1984 - Births, 1984 - January-April, 1984 - May-August, 1984 - September-December, 1984 - Deaths, 1984 - January-April, 1984 - May-August, 1984 - September-December, 1984 - Nobel Prizes, 1984 - Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, 1984 - Fictional references

Read more here: » 1984: Encyclopedia II - 1984 - Events

Castration - History. The method of castration has roots before recorded human history. Castration was frequently used in certain cultures, such as in Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa or China, for religious or social reasons. After battles, winners castrated their captives or bodies of the defeated to symbolise their victory and 'seize' their power. Castrated men - eunuchs - were often admitted to special social classes. Eunuchs were also often used to guard harems. Castration also figured in a number of religious cults: see castration cults. Other religions, for exam ...

See also:

Castration, Castration - Castration in humans, Castration - History, Castration - Reasons, Castration - Medical consequences, Castration - Castration In Veterinary Practice, Castration - In animal fancy, Castration - In animal husbandry, Castration - Miscellaneous

Read more here: » Castration: Encyclopedia II - Castration - Castration in humans

Karma is the most widely used term in popular spirituality (with an exception of Semitic religions; Christianity, Judaism and Islam). Karma is believed to decide ones progress or failure both in the material as well as spiritual spheres, in terms of health, wealth and even attainment of enlightenment. Karma is one of the cosmic or natural laws governing the universe. Though cosmic laws cannot be defined and can only be understood through application and observation, we will try to define it as much as possible.

Read more here: » Karma: Creating Sat Karma

Most Abrahamic religions agree that a human being comprises the body, which dies, and the soul, which need not do so. The soul, capable of remaining alive beyond human death, carries the essence of that person with it, and God will judge that persons life accordingly after they die. The importance of this, the focus on it, and the precise criteria and end result differs between religions. Reincarnation and transmigration tend not to feature proeminently in Abrahamic religions. Although as a rule they all look to some form of afterlife ...

See also:

Abrahamic religion, Abrahamic religion - Overview, Abrahamic religion - Origins, Abrahamic religion - Patriarchs, Abrahamic religion - The Supreme Deity, Abrahamic religion - Judaism, Abrahamic religion - Christianity, Abrahamic religion - Islam, Abrahamic religion - Inclusivity, Abrahamic religion - Religious scriptures, Abrahamic religion - Judaism, Abrahamic religion - Christianity, Abrahamic religion - Islam, Abrahamic religion - Rastafari movement, Abrahamic religion - The coming, Abrahamic religion - Afterlife, Abrahamic religion - Judaism, Abrahamic religion - Christianity, Abrahamic religion - Islam, Abrahamic religion - Worship, Abrahamic religion - Circumcision, Abrahamic religion - Food restrictions, Abrahamic religion - Evangelism

Read more here: » Abrahamic religion: Encyclopedia II - Abrahamic religion - Afterlife

Spanking — like corporal punishment in general — is a hotly debated social issue in many countries. Questions exist as to whether children should be spanked (see the sections below), whether it is an effective method of discipline (and if so how it is best done, see above), and whether or at what point it constitutes child abuse. Most of the points mentioned apply more generally to most or all forms of physical punishment. S ...

See also:

Spanking, Spanking - Linguistics, Spanking - What and how, Spanking - Definitions, Spanking - Scope of punitive use, Spanking - Position, Spanking - Procedure, Spanking - Controversy, Spanking - Arguments for spanking, Spanking - Arguments against spanking, Spanking - Alternatives to spanking, Spanking - Minimal use of spanking, Spanking - Other criticisms and questions about spanking, Spanking - The legal situation, Spanking - Non-punitive & Voluntary spankings, Spanking - Folkloristic spanking traditions, Spanking - Recreational context, Spanking - Spanking therapy, Spanking - Adult Spanking, Spanking - Footnotes

Read more here: » Spanking: Encyclopedia II - Spanking - Controversy