Philosophical Contemplation


Book Description

Philosophical contemplation means reflecting on fundamental life-issues from our inner depth. It takes us beyond our ordinary thought-patterns to new realms of understanding. When we contemplate on the writings of great philosophers of the past, we participate in the grand human choir and its encounter with the fundamental coordinates of human reality. This booklet is a practical and theoretical guide to philosophical contemplation, designed for beginning and experienced contemplators, philosophers and non-philosophers. It explains general principles, basic concepts, and a variety of practical techniques.




Meditations


Book Description

"Meditations" is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from second century, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the Meditations as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. The Meditations is divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Marcus' life. A central theme to Meditations is the importance of analyzing one's judgment of self and others and the development of a cosmic perspective. The style of writing that permeates the text is one that is simplified, straightforward, and perhaps reflecting Marcus' Stoic perspective on the text.










Daily Contemplations


Book Description

Rudolf Steiner’s inspiring words provide rich and nourishing thoughts and ideas for self-development and spiritual enlightenment. Daily Contemplations offers a separate passage from Steiner’s lectures – a special gift upon which to reflect – to accompany each day of the year. Carefully selected by Jean-Claude Lin, the quotations are sourced from lectures and addresses that Steiner gave on the specific day in question. Thus, the ordering is not arbitrary but arises from the historical fact of the lectures themselves. This unique volume gives us a new way of working with Steiner’s research on a daily basis. The short passages encourage us to ponder and delve further in order to make our own creative discoveries. ‘Wisdom is the premise, the foundation of love; love is the fruit of wisdom reborn in the I.’ These words from Rudolf Steiner are the founding motifs of his immense lecturing activity – to which this book gives manifold entry points. As Lin notes in his introduction, ‘wisdom and love are the alpha and omega of the human being who strives for truth and freedom’.







Omnidoxy


Book Description

The Omnidoxy is the founding treatise of the Astronist religion and was solely authored by the philosopher and religious founder, Cometan. Partitioned into twelve disquisitions, each of which are further divided into hundreds of discourses, which are themselves titled by those which are known as rubrals, The Omnidoxy has been codified according to a unique writing structure known as insentence. The Omnidoxy not only forms the foundations of Astronism, but it remains the primary modern contributor and the book that ignited the establishment of the Astronic tradition of religion which encompasses the philosophy of Astronism. Introducing brand new philosophical concepts such as cosmocentricity, reascensionism, transcensionism, and sentientism amongst many others, The Omnidoxy remains the principal signifier of a new era in philosophy. The Omnidoxy births hundreds of new belief orientations, schools of thought, neologisms, disciplines of study, theories, and concepts which, when combined and considered collectively, have formed the basis of Astronism. The authorship of The Omnidoxy rests with the single individual philosopher, Cometan who began writing The Omnidoxy at the age of seventeen driven by what he terms as personal inspiration. The historical origination of The Omnidoxy rests in its authorship by Brandon Taylorian during early 21st century England, specifically in the northern county of Lancashire. Like in all textual criticism, the timing and location of the codification of The Omnidoxy is integral to understanding why and how it was written, especially by considering the influential factors impacting Taylorian during his construction of the text, particularly the cultural, political, religious, and social contexts of Taylorian's personal life and of wider society at the time. This forms an important branch of study within omnidoxicology known as omnidoxical criticism, or omnidoxical exegesis in which scholars study and investigate The Omnidoxy in order to discern conclusive judgements inspired by how, where, why, by whom, for whom, and in what circumstances The Omnidoxy was written.




Contemplation in a World of Action


Book Description

The spiritual and psychological insights of these essays were nurtured in a monastic milieu, but their issues are universally human. Thomas Merton lays a foundation for personal growth and transformation through fidelity to "our own truth and inner being." His main focus is our desire and need to attain "a fully human and personal identity." This classic is a newly restored and corrected edition and the inaugural volume of Gethsemani Studies in Psychological and Religious Anthropology, a series of books that explores, through the twin perspectives of psychology and religion, the dynamics and depths of being fully human. "When I speak of the contemplative life I do not mean the institutional, cloistered life, . . . I am talking about a special dimension of inner discipline and experience, a certain integrity and fullness of personal development . . . . Discovering the contemplative life is a new self-discovery. One might say it is the flowering of a deeper identity on an entirely different plane . . ." --Thomas Merton, from the book







The Contemplator


Book Description

A book of beautiful contemplations to refresh your mind, body, and spirit by making philosophy accessible and useful. Written by a physician who has lived and suffered well. Heart-touching and thought-provoking! Contemplation is a lost art, and chances are, you've completely forgotten how to be alone with your thoughts. Philosopher-physician Vijay Mattewada, MD, provides an accessible and relevant gateway to inner peace and clarity with his new book of aphorisms, The Contemplator: Practical Philosophy to Keep Your Mind Clear, Body Light, and Spirit Free. He provides a soothing tool for slowing down and carving a few moments of quiet and calm out of your day. He helps you understand the importance and life-changing benefits of a moment's pause in reflection-whether it's of nature, your soul, God, a personal burden, or a decision big or small. Before you know it, the inclination to step out of the daily grind, and away from the information highway, to stop and think, will become second nature. Ultimately, the goal of deliberation is a better understanding of yourself, your life, and your purpose for living. Dr. Mattewada's yogi-like approach to life will leave you convicted, encouraged, enlightened, and most importantly-contemplative. Author bio: A lifelong contemplator, Vijay Mattewada, MD, realized as a child that his thinking was different from those around him. His priorities did not fall in line with the world's desires for material possessions and power. Life is more than making a name and making money, which lead to much of the world's suffering and injustices. His observations, and coming to terms with his own life's mistakes, made him write down and compile his words of wisdom to share with others. For the past two years, overwhelming chronic fatigue syndrome has kept him homebound but allowed him to finish his book, The Contemplator, which has been ten years in the making. His desire is for his reflections on the mind, body, heart, and soul to bring out the contemplator hibernating within each person, so they can reach a place of spiritual fulfillment.