Synthesis Treasure Chest

Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, no. 52, Octobre , 2019

Re-opening the discussion on the origins of the Buddhist and Bon gter ma traditions, with reference to both indigenous and imported elements.

Treasure of Knowledge Part 1, 1977

Excerpt: This world, which is the lower world (ʿālam-i suflī) is like a narrow and dark well in comparison to the higher world (ʿālam-i ulwī). People should hold fast to the rope of Divine guidance (the Imām of the time) so that they can be spiritually and luminously lifted up (by his esoteric knowledge) and taken to the bright atmosphere of the angelic world (ʿālam-i malakūt) similar to the worldly example of a rope being used when a person falls into a deep well. This excerpt has been taken from page 6

Treasure of Knowledge Part 3, 1977

Excerpt: One should know that ta’wīl is in three places. The first is the Qur’ān where ta’wīl is in the form of the kernel of meaning and wisdom. The second place is the Imām(c) of the time and his ḥudūd where ta’wīl is in the form of spiritual observations and experiences. The third place is the external world where ta’wīl takes place in the form of great revolutions and events.

In this brief essay, I describe Assagioli’s (2000) four critical stages of spiritual development as described in his seminal article “Self Realization and Psychological Disturbances.” While exploring each of the four phases of spiritual growth, I also reflect on their relevance in today’s world. Interwoven with this exploration is the examination of Firman and Vargiu’s (1977) concepts about the two dimensions of growth. I then examine how this context of spiritual development might relate to our world, in general, and to us, in particular. Finally, I draw my conclusions.

Right from the ancient age man has been struggling for existence and further as an extension, quality of life. Scores of philosophical and psychological interpretations of life and its vagaries are available based on either religious sentiments or non-religious outlook. However not all stand to our expectations nor are competent enough to solve common man"s problems. Social security and comfort are the main aims of life but then the challenges of life begin from those quarters only. Intellects have been striving hard to provide a workable or usable philosophy so that humanity as a whole shall have to combat at minimal level only. Much of the unhappiness is caused due to our failure in grasping the shades of the existing reality. Textual matter filled with rhetorical hyperbole for establishing one"s own religious faith is one of the major hindrances for any progress. Commonly it is the gullible mind which is easily carried away or trapped because of the absence of education with understanding. It is sad that many philosophies are rarely referred to because their canvas is covered with more of the academic discipline. Much owing to this their practical utility is questionable. It is an undisputable fact that many philosophies are hardly profitable for living or meeting the challenges thrown at us differently everytime. The fundamental reason for this situation is nothing other than the lack of rational thinking. Unfortunately it has been much in vogue that the knowledge based on rational thinking or empiricism is always against the religions. Most of the times ignorant people rejoice by equipping self with faulty and fancy ideas or trusting the words in print, which easily hack the minds giving lasting hopes. There is so much faith in the superstitions and ritualism that Truth when presented with scientific backing is openly disdained. This paper attempts to present the genuine philosophical outlooks which are enduring to the best of their capacity to guide the humanity or rather save it from illusions and deception.

While being rooted in the academic discourse, The Things That Really Matter comprehensively explores the most fundamental aspects of human life in an accessible, non-technical language, adding fresh perspectives and new arguments and considerations that are designed to stimulate further debate and, in some cases, a deliberate redirection of research interests in the respective areas. It features a series of conversations about the things in our life that we all, in one way or another, wrestle with if we are at all concerned about what kind of world we live in and what our role in it is: things like birth, age, and death, good and evil, the meaning of life, the nature of the self and the role the body plays for our identity, our gendered existence, love and faith, free will, beauty, and our experience of the sacred. Situating abstract ideas in concrete experience, The Things That Really Matter encourages the reader to participate in an open-ended dialogue involving a variety of think...

This is a pre-proofs version of a paper forthcoming in Acta Analytica. I argue that a necessary condition for being wise is understanding how to live well. The condition, by requiring understanding rather than a wide variety of justified beliefs or knowledge, as Ryan and Whitcomb respectively require, yields the desirable result that being wise is compatible with having some false beliefs but not just any false beliefs about how to live well – regardless of whether those beliefs are justified or not. In arguing for understanding how to live well as a necessary condition for wisdom, I reject the view, proposed by both Ryan and Whitcomb, that subjects such as chemistry lie within the domain of wisdom. I show that the argued for condition yields the desirable result that being wise is not a common achievement, but that it is not something that can only plausibly be achieved in the modern era.

Living in Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, 2016

Truth, beauty, and goodness are more than traditional ideas-they are living realities bearing dynamic potentials for a future we can help create. As we grow, these supreme values increasingly guide our thinking, feeling, and doing. No matter what your philosophical, religious, or spiritual orientation may be, having a philosophy of living centered on these ideals will enhance your understanding and integration.