Meditation has flourished in different parts of the world ever since the foundations of the great civilizations were laid. It played a vital role in the formation of Asian cultures that trace much of their heritage to ancient India and China. This volume brings together for the first time studies of the major traditions of Asian meditation as well as material on scientific approaches to meditation. It delves deeply into the individual traditions while viewing each of them from a global perspective; examining both historical and generic connections between meditative practices from numerous historical periods and different parts of the Eurasian continent. It seeks to identify the cultural and historical peculiarities of Asian schools of meditation while recognizing basic features of meditative practice across cultures; thereby taking the first step toward a framework for the comparative study of meditation.The book; accessibly written by scholars from several fields; opens with chapters that discuss the definition and classification of meditation. These are followed by contributions on Yoga and Tantra; which are often subsumed under the broad label of Hinduism; Jainism and Sikhism; Indian traditions not usually associated with meditation; Buddhist approaches found in Southeast Asia; Tibet; and China; and the indigenous Chinese traditions; Daoism and Neo-Confucianism. The final chapter explores recent scientific interest in meditation; which; despite its Western orientation; remains almost exclusively concerned with practices of Asian origin.Until a few years ago a major obstacle to the study of specific meditation practices within the traditions explored here was a widespread scholarly orientation that prioritized doctrinal issues and sociocultural contexts over actual practice. The contributors seek to counter this bias and supplement concerns over doctrine and context with the historical study of meditative practice.Asian Traditions of Meditation will appeal broadly to readers interested in meditation; mindfulness; and spirituality and those in the emerging field of contemplative education; as well as students and scholars of Asian and religious studies.
#859243 in Books University of Hawaii Press 2007-05-31 2007-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.19 x 1.07 x 6.32l; 1.32 #File Name: 082483206X416 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Informative and variedBy Weston WolfThe quality of writing varies depending upon the author and the topic; but for the most part it is a scholarly and interesting perspective on the history and current state of Christianity in Korea. The book is composed of a collection of essays on the topic; and while it is not necessarily a linear history of Korean Christianity; it is at the very least a useful supplement to anyone interested in expanding their knolwedge on the topic. The articles range from discussions of Christianity's early interaction with Neo-Confucianism to critiques of the Presbyterian movement in present-day Korea; the variety of sources is; in my opinion; one of the best parts of the book; though it does create a somewhat choppy reading experience. The editor definitely tried to create a smooth collection; but didn't necessarily always succeed. Nonetheless the material is top-notch and everyone interested in any topic connecting to Korean Christianity will find something to keep them reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An eye-openerBy AdamsI read many of the essays in this collection for a "Christianity in Korea" class at my college/university. The essays within are truly thought-provoking; providing fascinating glimpses at the current state of Christianity as well as its history in Korea.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy chpExcellent book and very valuable.
