Chinese Alchemy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Pregadio
Keyword(s):  
Human Being ◽  
Natural Substances ◽  
The World ◽  
Dao 道 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Yin And Yang ◽  
Last Stage ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Internal Alchemy ◽  
Qi 氣

Chinese alchemy has a history of more than two thousand years. It is divided into two main branches, known as Waidan 外丹, or External Alchemy, and Neidan 內丹, or Internal Alchemy. Waidan (literally, “external elixir”) arose by the 2nd century bce; it is based on compounding elixirs through the manipulation of natural substances—primarily minerals and metals—which release their essences when they are submitted to the action of fire. Neidan (literally, “internal elixir”), documented from the 8th century ce, aims instead to produce the elixir within the person itself, according to two main models of doctrine and practice: by causing the primary components of the cosmos and the human being—essence (jing精), breath (qi氣), and spirit (shen神)—to revert to their original states; or by purifying the mind from defilements and passions, in order to “see one’s Nature” (jianxing見性). Neither alchemy as a whole, nor Waidan or Neidan individually, constitute “schools” of Daoism, with a definite canonical corpus and a single line of transmission. On the contrary, the respective sources display wide differences in both doctrines and practices. However, if one may attempt to formulate a broad statement that encompasses at least a large part of its different forms, Chinese alchemy is characterized by a foundation in doctrinal principles concerning the relation between the Dao 道 (Way) and the world. The cosmos as we know it is deemed to be the last stage in a sequence of “transformations” leading from Non-Being (wu無) to Unity (yi一), duality (Yin and Yang 陰陽), and finally multiplicity (wanwu萬物, “ten thousand things”). Alchemists intend to trace this sequence backwards and return to its inception. In both Waidan and Neidan, the practice is variously said to grant transcendence (a state described by such expressions as “joining with the Dao,” hedao合道), “immortality” (mainly meant as a spiritual condition), longevity, healing (either in a broad sense or with regard to specific illnesses), and—especially in Waidan—communication with the deities of the celestial pantheon and protection from spirits, demons, and other malevolent entities.

The problem of periodization of the history of religion

1997 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Borys Lobovyk
Keyword(s):  
Religious Studies ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Religious Development ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Role Of Religion

An important problem of religious studies, the history of religion as a branch of knowledge is the periodization process of the development of religious phenomenon. It is precisely here, as in focus, that the question of the essence and meaning of the religious development of the human being of the world, the origin of beliefs and cult, the reasons for the changes in them, the place and role of religion in the social and spiritual process, etc., are converging.

Myriad Aspects of Secular Thinking on Malayali Cuisine

GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-206
Author(s):  
SAJITHA M
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
The Body ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Civilized Society

Food is one of the main requirements of human being. It is flattering for the preservation of wellbeing and nourishment of the body.  The food of a society exposes its custom, prosperity, status, habits as well as it help to develop a culture. Food is one of the most important social indicators of a society. History of food carries a dynamic character in the socio- economic, political, and cultural realm of a society. The food is one of the obligatory components in our daily life. It occupied an obvious atmosphere for the augmentation of healthy life and anticipation against the diseases.  The food also shows a significant character in establishing cultural distinctiveness, and it reflects who we are. Food also reflected as the symbol of individuality, generosity, social status and religious believes etc in a civilized society. Food is not a discriminating aspect. It is the part of a culture, habits, addiction, and identity of a civilization.Food plays a symbolic role in the social activities the world over. It’s a universal sign of hospitality.[1]

scholarly journals Sejarah Penafsiran Ajaran Paulus Mengenai Pembenaran Oleh Iman

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-175
Author(s):  
Warseto Freddy Sihombing
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Son Of God ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The World ◽  
Justification By Faith ◽  
History Of ◽  
To Come ◽  
Wrath Of God ◽  
The Church

AbstractNo one can be justified before God for doing good deeds. No matter how good a man is, if he does not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, he will not be saved from the wrath of God to come. There is no human being who is right before God, and no sinful man can save himself in any way. The only way out is in the way that God has given to the problem of all sinners, by sending Jesus Christ to the world to die for sinners. "And for this he came, so that every man believed in him, who was sent by God" (John 6:29). The Bible teaches that salvation is only obtained because of faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the object of that faith. This salvation is known as the statement "Justified by faith. Paul explained this teaching in each of his writings. This teaching of justification by faith has been repeatedly denied by some people who disagree with Paul's opinion. The history of the church from the early centuries to the present has proven the variety of understandings that have emerged from this teaching, but one important thing is that sinful humans are justified by their faith in Jesus Christ before God.Keywords: Paul;history; justified by faith.AbstrakTidak ada seorang pun yang dapat dibenarkan di hadapan Allah karena telah melakukan perbuatan baik. Sebaik apa pun manusia, jika dia tidak percaya kepada Yesus Kristus, Anak Allah maka ia tidak akan selamat dari murka Allah yang akan datang. Tidak ada seorang pun manusia yang benar di hadapan Allah, dan tidak ada seorang manusia berdosa yang dapat menyelematkan dirinya sendiri dengan cara apa pun. Satu-satunya jalan keluar adalah dengan cara yang Allah telah berikan untuk masalah semua orang berdosa, yaitu dengan mengutus Yesus Kristus ke dunia untuk mati bagi orang berdosa. “Dan untuk itulah Dia datang, yaitu supaya setiap orang percaya kepada Dia, yang telah diutus oleh Allah” (Yohanes 6:29). Alkitab mengajarkan bahwa keselamatan hanya diperoleh karena iman kepada Yesus Kristus. Yesus Kristus adalah obyek iman tersebut. Keselamatan ini dikenal dengan pernyataan “Dibenarkan karena iman. Paulus menjelaskan ajaran ini dalam setiap tulisannya. Ajaran pembenaran oleh iman ini telah berulang kali disangkal oleh beberap orang yang tidak setuju dengan pendapat Paulus. Sejarah gereja mulai dari abad permulaan sampai pada masa sekarang ini telah membuktikan beragamnya pemahaman yang muncul terhadap ajaran ini, namun satu hal yang terpenting adalah bahwa manusia berdosa dibenarkan oleh iman mereka kepada Yesus Kristus di hadapan Allah.Kata Kunci: Paulus; sejarah; iman; dibenarkan oleh iman.

scholarly journals Una perspectiva de género: a la intersubjetividad, la conciencia encarnada y la corporalidad / A Gender Perspective: a Intersubjectivity, Embodied Consciousness and Corporeality

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Flores
Keyword(s):  
Philosophical Anthropology ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Gender Perspective ◽  
Phenomenology Of Perception ◽  
The World ◽  
Complex Thought ◽  
Embodied Consciousness ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Mind

ABSTRACTThis essay is part of a reflection whose purpose is to discuss and clarify some points and tensions around gender issues from the perspective of embodied consciousness, corporeality and temporality. The texts to be discussed for this purpose are the authors Edgar Morin: Introduction to Complex Thought (1994) and The Mind Sorted Bien (2001); Jacques Luc Nancy, Community DOA (2000) and Merleau-Ponty (1975) Phenomenology of Perception, authors who have allowed a glimpse of new theoretical contributions to gender. The challenge arises from the Philosophical Anthropology is trying to understand the “human phenomenon”, from a metaphysical perspective, according to this conception, the human being is the result of what he does to himself in his relationship with nature. To start this reflection, it is necessary to recognize that it arises from the Phenomenology, which is also considered a philosophy for which the world is always “already there” before reflection as an inalienable presence and allows to account for the space, time and "lived" world. Hurssel the theorist who founded this movement says: I'm not the result or crosslinking of the many coincidences that determine my body or my “psyche” but rather, all I know the world, I know from a prospect or mine experience the world without which the symbols of science would not want to say anything. (Husserl, 1913, p. 369-370)RESUMENEl presente ensayo es parte de una reflexión cuyo propósito es discutir y dilucidar algunos puntos de encuentro y tensiones en torno a la temática de género desde la perspectiva de la conciencia encarnada, la corporalidad y la temporalidad. Los textos que serán abordados para este objetivo son de los autores Edgar Morin: Introducción al Pensamiento Complejo (1994) y La Mente Bien Ordenada (2001); Jacques Luc Nancy, Comunidad Inoperante (2000) y Merlau-Ponty (1975) Fenomenología de la Percepción, autores que han permitido vislumbrar nuevos aportes teóricos al tema de género. El desafío que surge desde la Antropología Filosófica es tratar de entender el “fenómeno humano”, desde una perspectiva metafísica, según esta concepción el ser humano es el resultado de lo que hace consigo mismo en su relación con la naturaleza. Para iniciar esta reflexión, se hace necesario reconocer que ésta surge desde la Fenomenología, la que también es considerada una filosofía, para la cual el mundo está siempre “ya ahí”, antes de la reflexión como una presencia inalienable y que permite dar cuenta del espacio, del tiempo y del mundo “vividos”. Hurssel el teórico que funda este movimiento afirma que: no soy el resultado o entrecruzamiento de las múltiples casualidades que determinan mi cuerpo o mi “psiquismo” sino más bien, todo lo que sé del mundo, lo sé a partir de una perspectiva mía o de una experiencia del mundo sin la cual los símbolos de la ciencia no querrían decir nada. (Husserl, 1913. p. 369-370).

scholarly journals Internalization: A metaphor we can live without

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kubovy ◽  
William Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Apparent Motion ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Motion Path ◽  
The World ◽  
Kinematic Geometry ◽  
Innate Knowledge ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Internal Knowledge

Shepard has supposed that the mind is stocked with innate knowledge of the world and that this knowledge figures prominently in the way we see the world. According to him, this internal knowledge is the legacy of a process of internalization; a process of natural selection over the evolutionary history of the species. Shepard has developed his proposal most fully in his analysis of the relation between kinematic geometry and the shape of the motion path in apparent motion displays. We argue that Shepard has made a case for applying the principles of kinematic geometry to the perception of motion, but that he has not made the case for injecting these principles into the mind of the percipient. We offer a more modest interpretation of his important findings: that kinematic geometry may be a model of apparent motion. Inasmuch as our recommended interpretation does not lodge geometry in the mind of the percipient, the motivation of positing internalization, a process that moves kinematic geometry into the mind, is obviated. In our conclusion, we suggest that cognitive psychologists, in their embrace of internal mental universals and internalization may have been seduced by the siren call of metaphor.

"Dreams and Deeds" and other Dualities: Nielsen and the Two-Movement Sympony

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Fanning ◽  
Michelle Assay
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
History Of Ideas ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
Yin And Yang ◽  
The Mind

It is well known that Nielsen’s two-movement Fifth Symphony is strongly dualistic in character. The composer himself commented that ‘A title such as “Dreams and Deeds” [Drøm og Daad] could maybe sum up the inner picture I had in front of my eyes when composing’. But it is by no means clear at what level that duality and others he mentioned are actually embodied in the work, or where it stands in relation to other two-movement symphonies composed before and after. Building on an essay by David Fanning in Carl Nielsen Studies 4, the present article fi rst considers these questions in the light of the model for symphonism proposed by the Russian scholar Mark Aranovsky. The Fifth Symphony and those two-movement symphonies found to contain the most fundamental and polarised dualities are then variously related to religious and philosophical traditions that stress dualism – from Zoroastrianism, through Yin and Yang, to Sufism, touching in passing on the philosophy of the mind and on Jung. The aim is to gain a richer and clearer picture of the uniqueness of Nielsen’s Fifth in relation both to symphonic tradition and to the history of ideas.

scholarly journals David the Invincible: Philosophy as a Lifestyle

wisdom ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Silva PETROSYAN
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Greece ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Spiritual Practices ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Formation ◽  
Outstanding Representative

The most outstanding representative of the history of Armenian philosophy, Neoplatonic thinker of the V-VI centuries, David the Invincible continues the tradition reached the peak of its development in the Ancient Greece by Socrates and Plato, according to which philosophy is first of all a way of life, a means of transformation and perfection of the human being. Following the principles of the Greek Paideia David considers philosophy as a care of the soul, in which theory and practice are intertwined, and cognition of the world depends on the efforts of self-improvement by a subject. Author shows that in David’s definitions of philosophy is clearly seen the significance of self-formation, “zardarum” in the process of reality formation, comprehension or rethinking. It is also mentioned that we can use Michel Foucault’s notion of the “care of the soul” and Pierre Hadot’s notion of “spiritual practices’’ to characterize David’s optimistic philosophy, which was developed further in the theories of Armenian thinkers Grigor Narekatsi, Grigor Magistros, Hovhannes Imastaser, Arakel Sjunetsi, etc.

scholarly journals Moral norms and physical necessity: Zhu Xi on the concept of Li

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Yuksel
Keyword(s):  
Confucian Ethics ◽  
Moral Norms ◽  
Zhu Xi ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
The World ◽  
Confucian Thought ◽  
Dao 道 ◽  
The One ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Confucian Moral

University of BucharestThe aim of this paper is to analyze one of the key concepts in Zhu Xi’s thought，Li 理，from the perspective of Confucian ethics and to stress its importance in the strategic synthesis of Confucian thought realized by Zhu Xi in the 12th century. Focusing on the fundamental concepts of Neo-Confucian thought—Li (principle), Qi 氣 (vital force), Dao 道 (the way/nature), Ren 仁 (humanity) and Xin 心 (mind-heart)—the paper turns its attention to the inseparability of metaphysical and ontological perspectives on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the ethical perspective in the new Confucian paradigm. Taking into consideration the various definitions given to the concept Li, this paper attempts an interpretation of the concept based on the ineluctability of the Confucian moral norms stated by Zhu Xi, according to which in the order of the world everything happens under the unavoidable sign of the necessity of its issuance. These findings suggest that Li is a concept composed of a sum of various aspects (li) resulting from the different instances of its issuance in the world with which the mind-heart governed by it is confronted, therefore proving that Li is the sum of moral norms that encompass humanity, righteousness, rites and wisdom, the pillars of the Confucian moral order.

Pythagoras' Legacy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Danesi
Keyword(s):  
History Of Mathematics ◽  
Technical Knowledge ◽  
General Audience ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Music And Mathematics ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
A Chain ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Math Problems

The history of mathematics starts in earnest with one of Pythagoras’ most important proofs, the Pythagorean theorem. This proof was the first link in a chain of ground-breaking ideas, all interconnected with each other, that turned mathematics into an “art of the mind.” The chain continues to be extended today. There would be no computers, science, engineering, or philosophy without Pythagoras’ legacy. This book sketches an outline of that legacy by presenting and discussing ten of the greatest ideas in the mathematical chain. Its aim is to illustrate why mathematics can be designated an intellectual art, a creative enterprise that mirrors any art, from music to painting. Pythagoras actually connected music and mathematics into a theory of the world called the Harmony of the Spheres. The book is intended for a general audience, and especially those who may think that mathematics is uninteresting or boring. Each of its ten chapter ends with five exploratory puzzles that will allow readers to become engaged in some of the ideas treated in the chapter without any technical knowledge. This will allow readers to use this book as well as a collection of fairly easy math problems.

From Russian Icaria to Russian Cosmism

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 361-368
Author(s):  
Fedor I. Girenok
Keyword(s):  
Space Flight ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Universe

In the article the author analyzes the phenomenon of Russian cosmism and shows its difference from other possible varieties of cosmism. The author understands Russian cosmism as the idea of extending the definition of the universe by the human beings. A human being doesn’t simply have his place in history, on the Earth and in space, but also broadens it by means of his material and spiritual actions. The idea of the world broadening was popular among Russian naturalists in the 19th and the 20th centuries. The most prominent figures among the Russian cosmism followers were N.F. Fedorov and K. E. Tsiolkovsky. The author distinguishes three directions in the history of Russian cosmism – religious, natural-scientific and artistic-poetical. According to the author, only after Gagarin’s space flight the idea of Russian Icaria transferred itself into Russian cosmism. The article studies the sources of Russian cosmism and explains the meaning of anthropocosmism. The author arrives at the conclusion that Russian cosmism offers its own approach to solving modern global problems that differs from the ideas in the reports to the Roman club.

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