The Lost Ways of Knowing
The Lost Ways of Knowing
A Philosophy & Wisdom blog from the mind of Matthew Krepps
Churning the Ocean of Milk: Samudra Manthan
All Indian myths, especially central myths, can be interpreted on multiple levels. This is one of the central myths in the pantheon, and according to the Aghori Vimalananda, it can be significantly interpreted on at least seven levels. Dr. Svoboda’s retelling here is based on Vimalananda’s teaching, and interprets the events in the story on the macrocosmic level (Adhi-Devic level) and the microcosmic level (the inner level of the human being, including both the organism’s metabolism and its lived experience).
Poisoning the King: the Medicinal Effects of Sadhana
Sadhana derives from the verb “sadh”, and means “to accomplish”. Inside the word sadhana we initially find a process that produces new powers, and is oriented in a way that admits of perfection, or the obtaining of mastery, traditionally understood as liberation from ignorance.
As Above So Below: Structures of Sacred Cosmologies
At the Shala, we study and practice systems like Ayurveda, and various forms of Yoga. In order to understand these things, we are required to grapple with the sacred cosmologies that produced them, despite the general modern ignorance and/or distrust of the metaphysics they instantiate. These cosmologies generate specific theories concerning essential things like the nature and causes of suffering, the self, and the potential pathologies that accompany its misunderstanding to name a few.