Bringing together scholars from different disciplines and geographies, the Brill Handbook of Spiritualism and Channeling presents modern spirit possession in a variety of contexts. Weaving together the interrelated movements of Spiritualism along with its specific Franco and Latin American currents, articles explore the nineteenth-century beginnings of séances and trance mediumship. Channelling, an heir to Spiritualism begun in the 1970s and still flourishing today, is brought into direct conversation with its predecessors with a view to showing both continuity and disjuncture as the products of new cultural and religious needs. The Brill Handbook marks the first extensive collection on these two interrelated movements and examines themes such as gender, race, performance, and technology in each instance.

“Like a shadow that does not depart” is the exciting biography of Ananda, Buddha’s attendant during the last 25 years of his life. In an age before writing, Ananda heard and memorized all of Buddha’s estimated 84,000 sermons and 15,000 stanzas without omitting a syllable. He also strongly advocated a Buddhist order of nuns, which Buddha approved. Although Ananda did not become enlightened until Buddha’s parinirvanization, he was de facto Chief-of-Staff for Buddha. Ananda scheduled Buddha’s appointments, so he exerted enormous power over who could see Buddha, even the senior enlightened arhats, who technically out-ranked Ananda. Ananda implemented important organizational changes in the sangha as it grew; thereby giving Buddha a planned, structured system for his travels and sermons. He was Buddha’s constant shadow. He ministered to Buddha’s needs. He set up Buddha’s camp when the sangha was traveling. He guarded Buddha with his ever-present staff. Ananda was one of Buddha’s pivotal disciples. Without his incredible photographic memory and methodical approach, it is questionable whether Buddhism would have grown into a major religion.

In this study of channeling, earlier called spirit communication or mediumship, Klimo, who teaches at Rosebridge Graduate School in the San Francisco Bay Area, writes with clarity about "the communication of information to or through a physically embodied human being from a source…on some other level or dimension of reality other than the physical as we know it." He profiles recent channels and their sources, goes back to preliterate societies and the advent of monotheism and identifies as channels such figures as Moses, Solomon, Muhammad, Merlin, Nostradamus, Swedenborg and Edgar Cayce. He discusses the sorts of people who are channels, kinds of information channeled, sources of information channeled and varieties of channeling like clairvoyance and automatic writing. According to Klimo, few people tap into their abilities to perform channelingand for those who think they can, he serves as guide.

Here in one volume is a readable and well-grounded overview of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. It also aims to be a guide for those who are considering the Asian religions as possible sources of spiritual enrichment. Knowing the basic features of those religious traditions is crucial for understanding both the ancient cultures and today's dynamic civilization of Asia - from India through Southeast Asia, from China to Japan. Based on sound scholarship but written for the general reader, Considering the Asian Religions focuses on the major historical developments in these traditions, with a concluding chapter on significant changes in modern times. It avoids encylopedic coverage, opting for clear explanations over exhaustive detail. Not limiting itself to a neutral recitation of facts, this book offers end-of-chapter evaluations from the standpoint of a Westerner committed to the core values of modernity - reason, cultural pluralism, and a more just and humane world for all. Those conclusions present both a challenge to some of the Asian religious beliefs and practices and a profound appreciation for ways they can be used to deepen and transform our own religious sensibilities.

Despite the widespread popularity of Buddhist practices (like meditation), there is little understanding of the complex philosophy behind Buddhism. The historical Buddha, Gautama, was a real person—a radical—who challenged the religious leaders of his day. Buddha For Beginners introduces the reader to the historical Buddha, to the ideas that made him change his life, and to the fascinating philosophical debates that engaged him and formed the core of Buddhism. Buddha For Beginners compares Buddha’s philosophy with those of his contemporaries, the later Buddhist schools, and Western Philosophy. The book includes a survey, distinguishing the philosophical differences among later schools of Buddhism, such as Theravada, Madhyamaika, Tantric, Zen, and others. Buddha For Beginners is not a book you read, it is a book you experience. It makes you stop and close your eyes. Through some magical combination of words, drawings, and intuitive wisdom, Buddha For Beginners conveys not only the facts of Buddhism, but the peace, the silence...the feel of it. It is historically accurate, spiritually challenging, and the white spaces mean as much as the words.

Images of the Buddha are everywhere—not just in temples but also in museums and homes and online—but what these images mean largely depends on the background and circumstance of those viewing them. In Behold the Buddha, James Dobbins invites readers to imagine how premodern Japanese Buddhists understood and experienced icons in temple settings long before the advent of museums and the internet. Although widely portrayed in the last century as visual emblems of great religious truths or as exquisite works of Asian art, Buddhist images were traditionally treated as the very embodiment of the Buddha, his palpable presence among people. Hence, Buddhists approached them as living entities in their own right—that is, as awakened icons with whom they could interact religiously. Dobbins begins by reflecting on art museums, where many non-Buddhists first encounter images of the Buddha, before outlining the complex Western response to them in previous centuries. He next elucidates images as visual representations of the story of the Buddha’s life followed by an overview of the physical attributes and symbolic gestures found in Buddhist iconography. A variety of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other divinities commonly depicted in Japanese Buddhism is introduced, and their “living” quality discussed in the context of traditional temples and Buddhist rituals. Finally, other religious objects in Japanese Buddhism—relics, scriptures, inscriptions, portraits of masters, and sacred sites—are explained using the Buddhist icon as a model. Dobbins concludes by contemplating art museums further as potential sites for discerning the religious character of Buddhist images. Those interested in Buddhism generally who would like to learn more about its rich iconography—whether encountered in temples or museums—will find much in this concise, well-illustrated volume to help them “behold the Buddha.”

Discusses the Buddhist meaning of true love and how to attain it in the modern world. • Interweaves Tantric Buddhist teachings with modern concerns such as monogamy and contraception. • Gives a holistic view of a healthy relationship, from physical pleasure to emotional connections and spiritual transformation. • Discusses love in the broader Buddhist concepts of karma and reincarnation. Beginning his book with the ringing question "what are you waiting for?" Robert Sachs goes on to interweave traditional Buddhist thought with the concerns of the modern couple. Using clear, playful language, Sachs describes the different aspects of healthy relationships within a Buddhist context. However, rather than just setting an ideal, he clarifies how Buddhist practices not only can be integrated into a modern lifestyle but also can be powerful tools for the many changes that occur in any loving relationship. Sachs also considers the role of each individual in a relationship, showing that a couple may develop or possess qualities of being an indivisible unit, but that where the real work lies is when two people are committed to grow and change with one another. He offers techniques for finding oneself both in and out of a relationship and ideas on how to deal with anger and other emotions that arise in the course of life, emotions that occur most intensely over the course of an intimate relationship. The Passionate Buddha acts as a guide for all of those "fumbling toward ecstasy" in today's confusing world of relationships.

This easy-to-understand introduction to Buddhism is “written for people wanting to understand basic Buddhist principles and how to integrate them into their lives” (H.H. the Dalai Lama) This user’s guide to Buddhist basics takes the most commonly asked questions—beginning with “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?”—and provides simple answers in plain English. Thubten Chodron’s responses to the questions that always seem to arise among people approaching Buddhism make this an exceptionally complete and accessible introduction—as well as a manual for living a more peaceful, mindful, and satisfying Life. Buddhism for Beginners is an ideal first book on the subject for anyone, but it’s also a wonderful resource for seasoned students, since the question-and-answer format makes it easy to find just the topic you’re looking for, such as: • What is the goal of the Buddhist path? • What is karma? • If all phenomena are empty, does that mean nothing exists? • How can we deal with fear? • How do I establish a regular meditation practice? • What are the qualities I should look for in a teacher? • What is Buddha-nature? • Why can't we remember our past lives?

A practical and accessible manual for integrating Zen practice into everyday life without disrupting your routine. Throw open the gate to the original frontier of your creative mind discovered by Buddha, handed down to successive generations through India, China, and Japan, and now to America, in this age of increasing uncertainty. This always contemporary practice holds the key to surviving, and thriving, in trying times. Zen priest Michael Elliston’s refreshing approach lays out the irreducibly simple method of Zen meditation in easily accessible terms and digestible bites. He covers everything from how Zen differs from popular meditations to designing a contemporary Zen life, and effective workarounds for all your excuses. Based on sound principles of direct sensory immersion, simply sitting still enough for long enough, this user’s manual for Zen is presented step by step, encompassing personal dimensions of practice, as well as social implications for yourself and others. Zen enables you to embrace ambiguity in daily life, and to enjoy benefits to your health and happiness.