Visualizing Amṛta

Chapter 9 focuses on the Svacchanda Tantra to translate a section of the text focused on visualized meditation meant to conquer both time and death. Like the Netra Tantra, which assuages the threat of death through ritual, the Svacchanda Tantra also does so through meditation. This meditation focuses on breath control, drawing on the haṃsa mantra and instructing the practitioner to visualize Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra in order to attain longevity. It then offers further visualization of the self washed over with nectar. The chapter compares the imagery of the Svacchanda and Netra Tantras to offer a more complete understanding of immortality within the Śaiva canon.

MÉTODOS DE REALIZACIÓN ESPIRITUAL EN EL SUFISMO

Resumen: A diferencia de otras formas de conocimiento que conforman las disciplinas del saber de la tradición islámica, el sufismo no se limita a la especulación teórica, sino que comprende una serie de métodos rigurosos de realización interior, en tanto que vía iniciática. El más conocido de estos métodos es el ḏikr, la repetición o invocación de los Nombres Divinos, práctica que puede ir acompañada de una diversidad de ejercicios contemplativos, que pueden incluir el control de la respiración, posturas corporales y la meditación por medio de visualizaciones. El objetivo de este artículo es explorar con cierto grado de minuciosidad los aspectos más relevantes de estas prácticas, y muy particularmente la noción de murāqaba o contemplación, considerada por algunas escuelas de sufismo como la forma más directa y eficaz de realizar el conocimiento de lo divino. Abstract: In contrast to the array of intellectual disciplines within traditional Islam, the Sufi path of knowledge is not limited to mere theoretical speculation. Rather, it entails a series of rigorous methods of inner realisation as part of its iniciatic teachings. Among these, the most effective and known methods is ḏikr, the invocation or remembrance of the Divine Names, a method of spiritual realisation that often goes hand in hand with various meditative practices that include breath control, specific body postures and visualizations. This article aims at exploring, with a certain degree of detail, the most relevant aspects pertaining to these practices, and in particular the notion of murāqaba – or contemplation – deemed by some school of Sufism as the most direct and effective way to reach the Divine. Abstract: In contrast to the array of intellectual disciplines within traditional Islam, the Sufi path of knowledge is not limited to mere theoretical speculation. Rather, it entails a series of rigorous methods of inner realisation as part of its iniciatic teachings. Among these, the most effective and known methods is ḏikr, the invocation or remembrance of the Divine Names, a method of spiritual realisation that often goes hand in hand with various meditative practices that include breath control, specific body postures and visualizations. This article aims at exploring, with a certain degree of detail, the most relevant aspects pertaining to these practices, and in particular the notion of murāqaba – or contemplation – deemed by some school of Sufism as the most direct and effective way to reach the Divine.

Learn-to-swim program in a school context for a twelve-week period enhance aquatic skills and motor coordination in Brazilian children (Las clases de natación en el contexto escolar durante un período de doce semanas mejoran las habilidades acuáticas y l

This study aimed to verify the effects of 12 weeks of swimming lessons implemented in age school Brazilian children’s aquatic skills and motor coordination. Fifty children aged 6 to 10 years old (mean ± SD: 8.34 ± 1.10 years), participated in one swimming lesson per week provided by the school curriculum. Each child was evaluated for their aquatic skills (17 skills checklist) and motor coordination (Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder test–KTK) before and after the swimming program. This study showed significant improvements in the sum of scores obtained in swimming skills evaluation (31.40 ± 12.89 vs. 46.90 ± 10.73 points, p < .01, d = 3.38). Large effects were found in water orientation and adjustment at the vertical position, breath control, horizontal buoyancy, body position at ventral, dorsal gliding and at longitudinal rotation, front and back somersaults, leg kicking with breath control, feet-first/head-first entries, autonomy in a deep pool and vertical buoyancy and immersion at deep water. The sum of scores in motor coordination assessment increased from 140.64 ± 41.94 to 175.20 ± 41.39 points (p < .01, d = 1.56). These results showed that 12 weeks of swimming practices, even conditioned by state school context (i.e., once a week), allowed Brazilian children aged 6-10 years old to increase aquatic skills and motor coordination. Resumen. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar los efectos de las clases de natación durante un período de 12 semanas en las habilidades acuáticas y la coordinación motora en niños brasileños. Cincuenta niños entre los 6 y los 10 años de edad (media ± DE: 8.34 ± 1.10 años) participaron una vez por semana en una clase de natación ofrecida por el plan de estudios escolar. Cada niño fue evaluado en cuanto a sus habilidades acuáticas (lista de verificación de 17 habilidades) y coordinación motora (Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder test - KTK) antes y después del programa de natación. Los resultados del estudio mostraron mejoras significativas en la suma de las puntuaciones obtenidas en la evaluación de las habilidades de natación (31.40 ± 12.89 frente a 46.90 ± 10.73 puntos, p < .01, d = 3.38). Se observaran efectos importantes en la orientación y el ajuste del agua en la posición vertical, en el control de la respiración, en la flotabilidad horizontal, en la posición del cuerpo en la posición ventral, en el deslizamiento dorsal y la rotación longitudinal, en los saltos mortales hacia adelante y hacia atrás, en los empujes con las piernas con control de la respiración, pies primero / cabeza primero entradas, en la autonomía en piscina profunda y flotabilidad vertical y inmersión en aguas profundas. La suma de las puntuaciones en la evaluación de la coordinación motora aumentó de 140.64 ± 41.94 a 175.20 ± 41.39 puntos (p < .01, d = 1.56). Estos resultados mostraron que 12 semanas de prácticas de natación, incluso condicionadas por el contexto de la escuela estatal (es decir, una vez por semana), permitieron a los niños brasileños de 6 a 10 años aumentar de forma significativa la preparación acuática y la coordinación motora.

The Buddha’s Pre-awakening Practices and Their Mindful Transformation

In his quest for awakening, according to the traditional account the Buddha tried and discarded various ancient Indian practices as being not in themselves conducive to awakening. Nevertheless, closer inspection shows that key elements of these practices became part of the Buddhist path, a transformation that involves mindfulness in one way or another. In this way, fasting transforms into mindful eating, breath control into mindfulness of breathing, and a reformulation of an aspiration for annihilation of the self, apparently held by ancient Indian cultivators of the meditative sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, comes to be conjoined to the cultivation of mindfulness of the body. These transformations shed light on the importance and adaptability of mindfulness in early Buddhist soteriology.

Fabrication and Validation of Respiratory Control Belt Using Load Cell Sensor

Purpose: In this work, we have focused on fabrication and validation of a respiratory belt that produces respiratory signals from the patient’s abdominal and thorax. Materials and Methods: A load cell transducer was attached to the belt to create an electrical signal from respiratory movement. It converts a force or load into an equivalent electrical signal or digitized load value. The accuracy of the signals from our respiratory control belt was evaluated according to a comparison with the signals from commercial SOMNO medical device. Results: The pattern of the signals from our respiratory belt is in good agreement (4%/3mm) with the pattern of commercial SOMNO medical device. Conclusion: The manufactured respiratory control belt can be used during imaging and radiotherapy procedures for breath control in a patient's abdominal and thorax region.

ANDREW NORMAN (b. 1979)Lullaby (2007)

This chapter focuses on American composer Andrew Norman’s Lullaby (2007). This early example of Norman’s writing for voice and piano is immediately engrossing and never loosens its hold on the listener. Norman manages to achieve a successful blend of the often-opposing twin virtues of highly disciplined structure and free-wheeling expressiveness. The volatile piano part carries a great deal of the action, but the singer, too, has ample opportunity to produce a full array of colours and to scale a broad range. A good number of long-spun phrases will test breath control. Intervals, occasionally angular, at other times close together, necessitate meticulous attention to tuning, especially when voice and piano clash chromatically. Starting peacefully, the song unfolds and builds with dazzling panache to a central climax, then gradually slows and calms, coming to a close with a succinct and memorable coda. Ultimately, this fascinating and highly individual setting of a well-known poem by W. H. Auden extends it considerably, thereby unpeeling new layers of meaning.

MICHAEL FINNISSY (b. 1946)Outside Fort Tregantle (2008)

This chapter assesses composer/pianist Michael Finnissy’s Outside Fort Tregantle (2008). This song is less of a display piece than a contemplative reverie. Unsurprisingly, though, the pianist is given a dauntingly virtuoso, rhythmically and harmonically complex part. Through all this, the singer drifts serene and undeterred, in gently undulating lines, creating an almost impressionistic effect. Good breath control, clarity, and evenness of tone are prime requisites, and time will need to be allowed for familiarization with pitches. The music’s modernist idiom is highly individual and fascinating, and to capture its haunting quality requires deep thought and insight. At the slow opening tempo, phrases will need plenty of support in order to be sung in one span. Ultimately, for the intelligent singer, the piece constitutes a distinctive test of empathy and sensitivity.

DAVID BRUCE (b. 1970)That Time With You (2013)

This chapter addresses US-born British composer David Bruce’s That Time With You (2013). This impressive cycle retains clear stylistic traces of Bruce’s American heritage. His basic idiom is tonal and strongly grounded, and also contains modal elements. It demands a well-schooled singer with a wide expressive range, stamina, and good breath control. The singer must also be calm and unflappable, so as not to be fazed by the relentlessly fast, irregular rhythmic patterns in the first and third songs. The vocal writing in general is warm, earthy, and womanly. The composer sensibly keeps within the voice’s richest and most rewarding middle range, avoiding extremes. This means that words can be heard easily, and a palette of sensual colours explored. Ultimately, the specially commissioned poems evoke an intuitive response. Bruce sees the cycle as belonging to the tradition of ‘sorrowful songs’ and, of course, the blues. In the first and third settings (‘The Sunset Lawn’ and ‘Black Dress’), the singer is the voice of Death, but in the other two (“That Time with You’ and ‘Bring me Again’), the outpouring of regret is more personal, yet somehow strangely distanced.