“The first time an Ashaninca man told me that he had learned the medicinal properties of plants by drinking a hallucinogenic brew, I thought he was joking. …But he was not smiling.” The Cosmic Serpent is a fascinating exploration of the links between DNA and molecular biology by anthropologist Jeremy Narby. While doing fieldwork in… Continue reading The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge
“Oh boy! Oh boy!” cried the monk-on-probation who had just cracked the Zen Master’s favourite (and valuable) drinking cup.
The frightened youngster went to the Zen Master and asked, “Why must there be death?”
The Master answered, “Death is natural. It comes to all persons and things. We should not greet it with fear or meet death with anger. Why do you ask?”
“Because, Master, death has come upon your cup.”
– Zen Fables For Today
I dream of being a flexible yogini. To balance with poise and grace, and wrap my feet around my neck. Such strength, such self-mastery. I can’t even touch my toes! There are many kinds of yoga, but my kind involves a lot of swearing – not exactly the spirit of the thing. Years of bad… Continue reading Yoga Pants: A Day of Yoga (and swearing!)
Yoga is an ancient spiritual discipline from India which aims to transform the body and mind. Many think yoga is just another form of exercise, but the word comes from the Sanskrit yuj which means to join or unite. In Hindu philosophy the mind and body are seen as a single, unified entity. Imbalances in the… Continue reading Spiritual Glossary: Yoga
The stone age temples dug into a hill near Sanliurfa in Turkey are causing a storm. It’s not often we find something that overturns everything we know, but Gobekli Tepe is a genuine mystery. Archaeology and history are being rewritten. Not that you’d know about it. The discoveries haven’t been suppressed, they’re just not being reported… Continue reading Gobekli Tepe: the temple rewriting history
There was once a stonecutter who was dissatisfied with himself and his position in life. One day, he passed a wealthy merchant’s house and through the open gateway saw many fine possessions and important visitors. “How powerful that merchant must be!” thought the stonecutter. He became envious and wished he could be like the merchant… Continue reading Recognise Your Value: the Parable of the Stonecutter
A selection of recommended books about Science for anyone on the path to awakening and self-knowledge. These are some of the books I’ve found particularly interesting or inspiring over the years. Longer reviews to come… Fritjof Capra – The Tao of Physics A classic exploration of the connections between Eastern mysticism and modern subatomic physics.… Continue reading Science Bookshelf
A selection of recommended Philosophy books for anyone on the path to awakening and self-knowledge. These are some of the books I’ve found particularly interesting or inspiring over the years. There are longer reviews attached via links, and more to come… David Edwards – Free to be Human Subtitled Intellectual Self-Defence in an Age of… Continue reading Philosophy Bookshelf
A selection of recommended books on Spirituality (or Mind Body Spirit) for anyone on the path to awakening and self-knowledge. These are some of the books I’ve found particularly helpful or inspiring over the years. There are longer reviews attached via links, and more to come… Martha Beck – Finding Your Way in a Wild… Continue reading Spirituality Bookshelf
Three ants met on the nose of a man who was asleep in the sun. And after they had saluted one another, each according to the custom of his tribe, they stood there conversing. The first ant said, “These hills and plains are the most barren I have known. I have searched all day for… Continue reading The Three Ants
A selection of recommended books about Consciousness for anyone on the path to awakening and self-knowledge. These are some of the books I’ve found particularly helpful or interesting over the years. There are longer reviews attached via links, and more to come… Dr Eben Alexander – Proof of Heaven This is an astonishing account of… Continue reading Consciousness Bookshelf
A selection of recommended books on Religion for anyone on the path to awakening and self-knowledge. These are some of the books I’ve found particularly interesting or inspiring over the years, plus links to online texts… Karen Armstrong – The Great Transformation This book is a fascinating exploration of the Axial Age which occurred between… Continue reading Religion Bookshelf
Jessica Davidson 