Asian Spirituality

A collection of books, dealing with Eastern Spirituality, and religious practices.

Tao, the ancient philosophy/religion, earlier to buddhism. I contain the book that started it as a movement, Tao Te Ching. The I Ching, a book on symbolism. Zhuangzi, a book of almost equal importance to Tao Te Ching. The complete, two volumes, of the Encyclopedia of Taoism. And finally, for the most daring, a book on Taoist sorcery, complete with rites and formulae for supposedly coming in contact with the spiritual realm, and "petitioning" your wishes into bargaining, or contract-like pacts.

Also, the esoteric systems of Kuji In, the nine syllables, and Kuji Kiri, the nine cuts. Taoists were the first to use meditation, hand positioning (mudras), envisioning of desired end (mantala) and with or without voice chanting (mantras), in order to protect themselves against dangers of any type. Later, Hinduists and Buddhists took the base of these philosophies and practices, and reformed them into a complete, priestly, or martial-artisty, set of rituals, centered around meditation, in order to focus their body, improve their reflexes, even supposedly become invisible (old ninja legends), mesmerize others, tame or pacify wild beasts, overpower miraculously stronger opponents, etc. Not to this extent, but i, myself, honestly noticed some minor, (truth be said, not to the mythical extent they are described), alterations (especially disposition of animals not keen already with my presence, or transmuting my mood into a much better one, even if everything goes to hell concerning me and mine). If you combine these sets of "exercises" with a martial art, or a heavy workout or something, all the better for you!

Finally, before coming to contact with these paths, i decided to train myself in taijutsu (bujinkan worldwide). Even the high ranking teachers, when i asked them about those things, after i learned about their existence, say nothing about kuji in, kuji kiri, yogen, or weaponsmithing and metallurgy. Most of them, either are completely ignorant to the esoteric techniques/philosophies/traditions, or even worse, feign ignorance and mislead eager to learn pupils. Their most funny line, is: "Kuji In? This is only a fingers' stretching exercise!" Well, you do not know if you don't try it yourselves. Even as a mere meditation system, or a "fingers stretching" thing, it is great. I have seen changes to myself and things around me. You can too. Especially if you believe in yourself, first and foremost, and your inner power/potential, shortly after.