scholarly journals ASPECTOS CIENTÍFICOS Y BENEFICIOSOS DEL CULTO TANTRICO

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-49
Author(s):  
Ratan Lal Basu

Este artículo se propone identificar y aislar lo científico y beneficioso de la falsedad, superstición y misticismo que envuelve al tantrismo.De todas las prácticas religiosas y semireligiosas antiguas de la India, el culto tántrico es el que ha conseguido el mayor reconocimiento y la mayor popularidad en todo el mundo. La razón de esta popularidad no ha sido el interés académico, espiritual o filosófico. Por el contrario, se lo ha asociado con promesas de obtener poderes mágicos y sobrenaturales, como también promesas de mejorar la potencia sexual y la intensidad del disfrute sexual y restablecer la potencia sexual perdida en las personas mayores. En la India, la gente común le confirió una mala reputación al culto tántrico. El misterio, la psicosis de culpa y temor también se asocian a este culto esotérico.El tantra en sí no es una religión pero ha penetrado en la mayoría de las comunidades religiosas y subreligiosas no solo de la India sino también de Tíbet, China, Japón y muchos otros países (especialmente asiáticos). En la India, son innumerables las asociaciones de tantra y los tántricos individuales en calidad de gurús (maestros) con sus círculos de discípulos.Sin embargo, son muchos los aspectos del tantra que son científicamente demostrables y sus efectos son beneficiosos tanto para los individuos como la sociedad en su conjunto. En esta línea, al final del artículo se destacan algunos estudios que demuestran la reducción de los niveles de estrés como resultado de las prácticas tántricas. Este trabajo también apunta a inspirar a más investigadores competentes y eruditos a continuar con la tarea aquí iniciada.AbstractThis article endeavors to identify and isolate the scientific and beneficial from falsehood, superstition and mysticism surrounding tantrism.Among the various ancient Indian religious and semi-religious practices, tantra cult has got the most widespread recognition and popularity all over the world. The reason for this popularity of tantra has hardly been from academic, spiritual or philosophical interests. On the contrary, it has been associated with promises of achievements of magical and supernatural powers as well as promises of enhancement of sexual power and intensity of sexual enjoyment, and restoration of lost sexual potency of old people. In India, tantra cult has assumed a bad reputation among ordinary people. Mystery, guilt psychosis and fear have also been associated with this esoteric cult.Tantra itself is not a religion but it has penetrated most of the major religious and sub-religious communities not only in India but also in Tibet, China, Japan and many other countries (especially Asian). In India there are innumerable tantra-based societies and individual tantriks as gurus (teachers) with their circles of disciples. Nevertheless, there are many aspects of tantra which are scientifically verifiable and the effects of which are beneficial for individuals and the human society. Accordingly, at the end of the article, some studies proving decreased stress levels as a result of tantra practices are highlighted.This work also aims at inspiring more competent and erudite researchers to carry forward the task herein initiated.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 316
Author(s):  
Ângela Leite ◽  
Ana Ramires ◽  
Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis ◽  
Hélder Fernando Pedrosa e Sousa

As part of the study on the psychological impact of terrorist acts on ordinary people, the objective of this study is to understand if religious identity protects individuals from feeling concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks. The study was based on a sample from the World Values Survey, wave 6 (2010–2014), of 30,446 citizens of countries whose dominant religion is Christianity. According to the concern felt regarding the possibility of becoming the target of a terrorist attack, a religious profile was identified. Most of the sample reported high levels of worry about terrorist attacks. The most religious respondents, more faithful and more devoted to religious practices, are more worried about the occurrence of terrorist attacks. Opposite to what is mostly found in the literature, religion does not act as a protective barrier to the primary objective of terrorism, which consists in the use of violence to create fear. People worried about the probability of becoming a target in terrorist attacks are also victims of terrorism.


Author(s):  
Dr. Mayuri Barman

The most dangerous tendency of the present human generation is to enjoy every aspect of life selfishly which leads to serious threat to an environment. From the very beginning man was never a solitary creature in the planet where the relationship between humans and nature is one of the most fundamental issues we face and must deal with today. A universal holistic approach is needed, which may develop ecological consciousness among us. Many religions, scriptures can help to build a model of ecological consciousness. The importance of ancient Indian religious practices shows that human beings are an integral part of nature, and should, therefore, naturally understand the framework of life. At present human society is misled by the false attraction of the materialistic life, so to realize his true ‘self ,‘ one has to get out of this false notion that human society is the only proprietor of the world. The ‘Bhagavad-Gita’ nicely describes detachment from materials activities to the transcendental activities with realizing our true ‘self.’ Warwick Fox and Arne Naess’s ‘Self Realization’ shows how a person who Is self-realized and well-identified with the non-human world, will behave in harmony with nature, acting from inclination rather than duty.


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-104
Author(s):  
Halima Krausen

In our plural society, interfaith marriages and multicultural families have become a new normal and are either considered problematic for the religious communities or welcomed as a contribution to a secular and more peaceful world. In the course of my work with European Muslims, I could accompany such families through a few generations. In this article, I am going to outline some typical challenges and crises in such relationships and their effects on young people growing up in mixed families, adding my observations of how they can be dealt with. Ultimately, there is a chance that, through dialogue, it provides a meaningful learning environment that prepares young people for the diverse reality of the world today.


Mediaevistik ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 284-284
Author(s):  
Albrecht Classen

This wonderfully illustrated book accompanied an exhibition that took place at the Morgan Library & Museum, New York, from June 8 to September 23, 2018, authored by two well established and respected art historian*s, who provide us with a sweeping view of the world of monsters and many other related creatures in medieval fantasy. While previous research mostly focused on monsters in the narrow sense of the word, i.e., grotesque and oversized human-like creatures normally threatening ordinary people in their existence, Lindquist and Mittman pursue a much broader perspective and incorporate also many other features in human imagination, including wonders, aliens, Jews, Muslims, strangers in general, the femme fatale, sirens, undines, mermaids (but there is no reference to the Melusine figure, though she would fit much better into the general framework), devils, and evil spirits. However, I do not understand why ‘gargoyles’ have been left out here. This vast approach allows them also to address the beasts from the Physiologus tradition, then natural wonders, giants, and then, quite surprisingly, religious scenes in psalters (148), depictions of nobles playing chess (150; where are the wild men alleged surrounding the players?), the whore of Babylon (153), figures from the Apocalypse, and anything else that smacks of wonder.


Author(s):  
Matthew A. Shadle

The conclusion looks at the teaching of Pope Francis, considering the possibility that it represents the emergence of a new framework for Catholic social teaching. Pope Francis has emphasized that the encounter with Jesus Christ brings about an experience of newness and openness. He has also proposed a cosmic theological vision. His concept of “integral ecology,” introduced in his encyclical Laudato Si’, illustrates how human society is interconnected with the natural ecology of the planet earth and the entire cosmos. He proposes that the economy, society, culture, and daily life are all interconnected “ecologies.” In a speech to the World Meeting of Popular Movements in 2015, Pope Francis also explains how social movements devoted to local issues can nevertheless have a profound effect on the structures of the global economy. In his teachings, Pope Francis presents an organicist and communitarian vision of economic life.


Religions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 422
Author(s):  
Marek Wódka ◽  
Stanisław Fel ◽  
Jarosław Kozak

This paper is based on sociological quantitative studies carried out in 2019 on a sample of 620 Polish Catholics living in London, Swindon, or Oxford. Those studies and their findings are limited only to those Catholics who make up the communities around major Polish institutions in the UK, such as Polish parishes, Saturday schools, and community houses. The goal of this paper is to describe selected aspects of Polish migrants’ religiosity in the new social and cultural milieu. What we focus on here is how Poles themselves describe their faith, how they understand and evaluate their membership of parishes or other religious communities, and how they approach religious practices, especially Sunday Mass attendance. We address the following questions: how do the Poles living abroad describe their attitudes towards faith? How many of them are active members of Polish parishes? What do their religious practices and membership of other community organisations look like? How do specific factors affect the results across these areas?


Numen ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 147-166
Author(s):  
Tuomo Lankila

This article is inspired by Peter Van Nuffelen’s comparison between post-Hellenistic philosophy and Neoplatonism. The article defends the thesis of a fundamental break between ancient religions and new universal religions which became prevalent at the end of late antiquity. This break concerns not only fundamental doctrines but also the principles of how religious communities were constituted. There was a shift from the world of practice-oriented and reciprocally recognizing cults to the world of exclusive theocracies whose mindset emphasizes doctrinal confession. Some seeds of such a “doxastic turn” are to be seen in the post-Hellenistic philosophy and especially in the dogmatic tendencies of Middle Platonism. Thus, there is an observable route from the post-Hellenistic thought towards late ancient universal religions.Neoplatonism’s role in this historical drama is not that of precursor but, rather, it represents a deviation from the main line.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-443
Author(s):  
Syarul Azman Shaharuddin ◽  
Mariam Abd Majid ◽  
Muhammad Yusof Marlon Abdullah ◽  
Abur Hamdi Usman ◽  
Siti Nor Atiqah Amran

The world of entrepreneurs in Malaysia has been led by Muslims. This has contributed to the growth of the Muslim economy. There are issues of failure in business management based on Islamic spiritual values. Spirituality is the process of the internal development of the soul. In Islam, it is based on faith in life, believing and trust in Allah Almighty, while application of the tauhid paradigm in both in this world and hereafter are related affairs. The purpose of the study is to analyze the potential of spiritual elements in the success of Muslim entrepreneurs. In this article, the researchers applied the Systematic Literature Review methodology, which focuses on research objectives. This article uses three (3) steps to analyze selected articles, i.e., by identification, screening, and eligibility. The outcome of this study had established five (5) journal articles that discussed spiritual elements that played an important role in the success of Muslim entrepreneurs, based on religious practices and values that were applied in entrepreneurship. The analysis found that the belief in Allah and the practice of religious values helped to enhance confidence and build the strong personality and traits of successful entrepreneurs. This is contributed by the elements of gratitude (Shukr), approval (riḍā), and reliance (tawakkal) after the best effort. Therefore, this study is expected to contribute to the research on entrepreneurship in Malaysia, especially for the Muslim community.


Author(s):  
Amélie Barras

AbstractIn 2019, the province of Quebec and the canton of Geneva passed bills establishing their states as “secular.” While each law is, to a certain extent, context specific, both present noteworthy similarities. First, neutrality (the cornerstone of laïcité) is articulated around two elements: (1) restrictions that affect the religious practices of public servants belonging to minority religions and (2) protections for Christian symbols constructed as “cultural.” The article questions the implications for inclusive citizenship of formalizing regulatory regimes that differentiate between “religion” and “culture.” Second, a comparative lens enables an analysis of how, through whom, and why similar regimes of regulation travel from one area of the world to another. The article argues for the importance of considering transnational influences when analyzing the regulation of religion to better (1) understand why particular models of secularism gain traction and (2) capture power dynamics structuring these processes of traction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1A) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Giermaziak ◽  
Iwona Fryzowska-Chrobot

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) – supports rehabilitation as well as therapy and care of patients by their contact with an animal. Fondling and hugging animals lead to endocrine system’s stimulation and producing endogenous substances, that relieve pain and influence patient’s well-being; it reduces stress levels because the cortisol and noradrenaline release – the hormones produced by the body in stress – is being reduced and the patient’s immune system is being stimulated. It has been proven that the company of animals hasten the recovery after a disease, calms stressed, hyperactive people and at the same time stimulates the activity of a person suffering from depression or apathy. In Poland the most popular is dog-assisted therapy, hippotherapy (horse-assisted therapy) and felinotherapy (cat-assisted therapy). In the world onotherapy (donkey or mule-assisted therapy) and dolphin therapy are known. In the article animal assisted therapies were discussed, showing the role that they play in treatment and rehabilitation of sick and disabled.


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