Abba 'abba' (Chaldean) (cf Hebrew 'ab, Syrian abba or abbo)

Father, origin, source, transliterated in the Greek text (Mark 14:36) as 'Abba. The phrase "Abba Father" has become a title of invocation to the first person of the Trinity; in Coptic and Syriac churches, Abba (father or master) is a title of the patriarch of bishops. In the Qabbalah, 'Abba is the original principle symbolized by Kether (the Crown).

(See also: Abba , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bardo (Tibetan) (from bar between + do two)

Between two; generally a gap, interval, or intermediate state, especially the state between two births. The term has become known in the West through the Bar do thos sgrol (bar-do tho-dol), "Liberation through Hearing in the Bardo," translated by W. Y. Evans-Wentz as The Tibetan Book of the Dead. According to the Bardo Thodol, there are six such "intervals": the bardo of birth, the bardo of dreams, the bardo of samadhi (meditation), the bardo of the moment before death, the bardo of dharmata, and the bardo of becoming.

The Bardo Thodol describes the last three of these, and is recited in the presence of the deceased believed to be experiencing these states, usually for a total period of 49 days. It is believed that the teaching contained in the text can enable the deceased to attain liberation while in the bardo states, or at least to attain the best possible rebirth.

Bardo is used in Tibet to refer to the many events and experiences undergone by the excarnate human being after death, generally considered to last from physical death until the next rebirth or reincarnation, though it is somewhat shorter than this. Since this period "may last from a few years to a kalpa" (ML 105), the bardo has more than the meaning commonly understood by the Tibetan populace which includes the time passed by the excarnate entity in kama-loka, in the intermediate or gestation period in which the entity is preparing for its birth into devachan, and the period of ineffable bliss and peace (illusory as it may be from the standpoint of reality) passed by the entity in the devachanic state itself. It also includes the later intermediate period -- usually carefully veiled from common knowledge -- existent between the ending of devachan and the rebirth of the reincarnating ego.

(See also: Bardo , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Diamond Sutra: A Mahayana Buddhist scriptural text that expounds the doctrine of the Perfection of Wisdom. The Diamond Sutra was written in India in Sanskrit and then carried into East Asia, where it was translated into Chinese (ca. 400) and became one of the most revered summaries of the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism.

(See also: Diamond Sutra , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Seven aids to enlightenment

(Jpn.: shichi-kakushi or shichi-bodaibun)

Seven practices conducive to enlightenment. They are memory, discrimination, exertion, joy, lightness and ease, meditation, and impartiality (also referred to as indifference).

Memory here means to recollect one's own past deeds and states, and keep them in mind. Discrimination means to discern the true from the false. Exertion means to be ever diligent in the practice of true teachings, and joy to delight in the practice of true teachings.

Lightness and ease means that one's body and mind are at peace and free from burden. Meditation means to keep the mind concentrated and unperturbed, and impartiality to abandon feelings of attachment and keep the mind detached and calm.

The "seven aids to enlightenment" constitutes the sixth of the seven categories within the thirty-seven aids to the way, or the thirty-seven practices leading to enlightenment. The Sanskrit for "aid to enlightenment" is bodhyanga.

(See also: Seven aids to enlightenment , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Aleister Crowley: Born Edward Alexander Crowley, he was a remarkable poet, writer, mountain climber, and occultist. His strong positions on magick (his spelling) including the use of sexuality in magick have made him highly controversial. He “received” (what today might be called “channelled”) a short text, The Book of the Law, in 1904, and modified the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn’s magical system to fit this revelation. It also became a religious system. Followers of this system all called Thelemites.

Also See: Crowley, Edward Alexander Crowley

(See also: Aleister Crowley , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime

(Jpn.: issho-jobutsu)

See: attainment of Buddhahood

(See also: Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Sex & Ayurveda

Sex has always been an issue of dichotomy. An integral part of our lives and essential for the continuation of the species, it is far more than just a technical necessity. While social structures in India are quite strict on this, the study of

 sex - from both its physical and psychological perspectives - has been practiced here from ancient times. Unlike in the west, where this is a fairly recent phenomenon and they are yet to find the proper line of distinction between sex

 in general and pornography in particular.

On the other hand Maharishi Vatsayan's Kamasutra is yet unparalleled as the  most comprehensive documentation ever on the practice of sex. Unfortunately,  its classic treatment of the act and the art has often been misrepresented. The ancient Ayurvedic text of Charaka Samhita provided complete sexual solutions over 3000 years ago And the time-frozen, stone-carved, erotic sculptures in the temples at Khajuraho and Konarak leave millions of visitors utterly awe-struck by their sheer beauty, elegance and variety. An undying testimony to how intrinsic sex was to the daily lives of people in ancient India.

The importance of sex in our lives has remained quite unchanged. The crucial points to be kept in mind in relation to the same being:

·      Sex is an integral part of our daily habits (Dinacharya).

·      Night and after two hours of dinner is the ideal time for intimacy, as it is kapha time.

·      An absolutely satisfying sexual union, when developed over time, bestows you and your partner with health and vitality.

·      For best results, each of the partners should be physically, emotionally and spiritually involved with the other.

·      Touch, smell, food, music and ambience play a vital role in developing, increasing and prolonging intimacy.

·      Perverted or unsatisfying sex has adverse effects on your mental and physical health, as it aggravates your vital energies (doshas) and reduces immunity. An aggravated vata will make you more emotionally vulnerable and fear-prone, increased pitta will move you to anger and even frustration and enhanced kapha will make you more possessive.

·      The frequency of sex depends on your constitution and seasons - kapha types indulge in sex more frequently than your vata & pitta types thanks to the extra stamina they possess.

·      Vata types might find satisfaction in changing partners. While the difficult-to-quench-their-desires pitta types are usually in quest for more intensity.

For more and better sex therefore, one can practice Vajikaran therapy (virlification) - that part of Ayurveda which enhances male fertility and potency. However, any misuse of the same may open up a deluge of emotional and psychological complications. Use of similar medication (aphrodisiac supplements) instantly induces sexual pleasure and excitement, increases sexual stamina and promotes fertile seminal secretions.

(See also: Sex , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Patanjali: (Sanskrit) "Possessed of reverence."

A Saivite Natha siddha (ca 200 bce) who codified the ancient yoga philosophy which outlines the path to enlightenment through purification, control and transcendence of the mind. One of the six classical philosophical systems (darshanas) of Hinduism, known as Yoga Darshana. His great work, the Yoga Sutras, comprises 200 aphorisms delineating ashtanga (eight-limbed), raja (kingly) or siddha (perfection) yoga. Still today it is the foremost text on meditative yoga.

See: Kailasa Parampara, raja yoga, shad darshana, yoga, Patanjali yoga sutras, patanjali.

(See also: Patanjali , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Talmud

The collection of Jewish law and tradition containing fundamental principles; a text and commentary in book form

(See also: Talmud , Body Mind and Soul)

Brahma Sutra(s): (Sanskrit) "Threads (aphorisms) of the Absolute."

Also known as the Vedanta Sutras, composed by Badarayana (ca 400 bce) as the first known systematic exposition of Upanishadic thought. Its 550 aphorisms are so brief as to be virtually unintelligible without commentary. It was through interpretations of this text, as well as the Upanishads themselves and the Bhagavad Gita, that later schools of Vedanta expressed and formulated their own views of the Upanishadic tenets. A third name for this important work is Shariraka Sutras, "aphorisms on the embodied soul."

See: Upanishad,Vedanta.

(See also: Brahma Sutra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Lotus Sutra

Or Saddharma-pundarika, Dharma Flower, or "The Lotus of the True Law." The sutra is the basis for the Lotus sect (T'ien-t'ai in Chinese). Among the sutras of the Mahayana canon. One of the earliest and most richly descriptive of the Mahayana sutras of Indian origin.

It became important for the shaping of the Buddhist tradition in East Asia, in particular because of its teaching of the One Vehicle under which are subsumed the usual Hinayana (Theravada) and Mahayana divisions. It is the main text of the Tendai (T'ien T'ai) school. (Joji Okazaki.)

This School has a historically close relationship with the Pure Land School. Thus, Master T'ai Hsu taught that the Lotus Sutra and the Amitabha Sutras were closely connected, differing only in length.

 (See also: Lotus Sutra , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhagavata Purana

It is the fifth purana in length but is the most popular and influencial among the puranas. It is primarily a vaishnava text and is later to and influenced by the Visnupurana. As the name indicates, it describes some of the incarnations of Visnu and particularly that of Krsna. It is a marvellous bhakti work and includes the story of bhagavathas or devotees of the Lord.

"The metaphysical and spiritual legacy of the Vedas and the upanishads is ably synthesized with the agamic tradition of the pancaratras and embraced even non-aryan tribes in its fold."

-- G V Tagare, Ancient Indian Traditions and Mythology, Vol. 7

(See also: Bhagavata Purana , Hinduism, Vedic Scriptures, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Narada Sutra (Sutras): (Sanskrit) A Vaishnava text of 84 aphorisms in which Sage Narada explains bhakti yoga (ca 1200).

(See also: Narada Sutra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Atreya:

Atreya (Aathreya). Relating to the great sage Athri, or Atreya. Classical Indian medical knowledge is called ayur-veda (science of health and long life), the two chief traditions being those of Atreya and Dhanvantari. Later presented by Charaka in the Charaka Samhitha (text stressing diagnosis and prognosis).

(See also: Atreya , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Brahmana:

Brahmana: a brahmin, a member of the highest social class of traditional Indian society; also an early type of ritual text explicating the rituals and mythology of the four Vedas; cf. Aranyaka, Upanishad, Veda

(See also: Brahmana ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Bible Code

Based on a best-selling 1997 book of the same name by Michael Drosnin, a belief that prophecies are hidden in a complex network of letters and words within the Old Testament.

Drosnin claims that he attempted to warn Israeli leader Yitzak Rabin of his impending assassination based on a prediction in the biblical code. The Bible Code is actually a system of divination in which the Hebrew text is moved around in many ways until a message is found.

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

Brahman (neuter gender): the impersonal God, devoid of all qualities; the Omnipresent, All-pervading, Transcendent Reality. This supreme Reality is called Brahman when regarded as transcendent, and Atman when regarded as the Life Principle in the individual person. [Brahman is written in plain letters in the text.]

(See also: Brahman , Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Enlightened One

(Jpn.: kakusha)

Also, Awakened One. A Buddha. One who is enlightened to the ultimate truth or principle of life and the universe.

(See also: Enlightened One , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

‚handas Vedanga: (Sanskrit) Auxiliary Vedic texts on the metrical rules of poetic writing. ‚handa, meter, is among four linguistic skills taught for mastery of the Vedas and the rites of yajna. ‚handas means "desire; will; metrical science." The most important text on ‚handas is the ‚handa Shastra, ascribed to Pingala (ca 200 bce). See: Vedanga.

(See also: ‚handas Vedanga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Brahma Sutra:

Brahma Sutra (Suuthra). Spiritual text of Vedantic teachings in short maxims, attributed to Badharayana or Vyasa.

(See also: Brahma Sutra , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Çhandas Vedanga: (Sanskrit) Auxiliary Vedic texts on the metrical rules of poetic writing. Çhanda, meter, is among four linguistic skills taught for mastery of the Vedas and the rites of yajna. Çhandas means "desire; will; metrical science." The most important text on Çhandas is the Çhanda Shastra, ascribed to Pingala (ca 200 bce). See: Vedanga.

(See also: Çhandas Vedanga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Linga Purana: (Sanskrit) One of the six principal Siva Puranas. This text explains the purusharthas (the four goals of life) and the significance of Sivalinga worship.

See: Purana.

(See also: Linga Purana , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)