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Over three sessions Suzanne explores how yoga came to Britain, covering the individuals and movements that influenced the exchange between the yoga from India, and the cast of characters in Britain who eagerly received these exotic ideas that have become part of mainstream, modern life. 2 hours 40 minutes Try a free sample
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In this 5 part lecture series Gwilym Beckerlegge discusses the life and legacy of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), the Hindu teacher who was arguably the first 'global guru'. Vivekananda has been influential in shaping what has come to be known as Modern Yoga, which is now practised beyond India. Gwilym covers the influence of Vivekananda's own guru, the widely revered Sri Ramakrishna, Vivekananda's fascinating journey from India to the United States and Europe at the turn of the 20th century, and the institutions Vivekananda started in Ramakrishna's name. Total length: 2 hours 57 minutes Try a free sample
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In this ten part lecture series Sarah Shaw explores several stories from the Jātakas, stories of the previous lives of the Gautama Buddha both in human and animal form. The stories are entertaining and allegorical. Sarah connects these tales from 4th and 5th century B.C.E. with their relevance for our lives today. Total length: 4 hours 41 minutes Try a free sample
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Moses’ encounter with God on the summit of Mount Sinai, as told in the biblical book of Exodus, contains a number of peculiarities and paradoxes. Early Christian mystics seized on these as clues to the spiritual understanding of Moses’ experiences, and as guides to the practice of contemplation. In this course we will examine five moments in Moses’ ascent of Mount Sinai. We will explore how these intriguing passages inspired four early Christian writers – Gregory of Nyssa, Evagrius of Pontus, Pseudo-Macarius and Dionysius the Areopagite – as they reflected on such topics as the unknowability of God and the state of a mind at prayer. In doing so, we will discover the influence of scripture on the development of the Christian mystical tradition. 4 hours 8 minutes Try a free sample
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In these two lectures about Sandro Botticelli (1444-1510) and the meaning behind two of his best loved paintings, Angela introduces you to the esoteric worldview which flourished in the early centuries CE in cultural centres such as Alexandria in Egypt, and was reborn in Renaissance Europe. In fifteenth century Florence, a group of intellectuals centred around the great Platonic philosopher Marsilio Ficino (1433-99) instigated a revival of what was then called ‘the ancient wisdom’, now often referred to as the Western esoteric tradition, or the Perennial Wisdom. 1 hours 49 minutes Try a free sample
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Get all of our Contemplative Christianity courses for one discounted price. You will receive The Wisdom of the Desert with Nicholas Buxton, Moses, Mount Sinai, and early Christian Mystics with Ann Conway-Jones and The Spanish Mystics: Ecstasy & Communion with Peter Tyler.
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Get all of our Wise Studies courses exploring Buddhist texts and teachings for one discounted price. You will receive Essentials of Buddhist Philosophy with Bee Scherer, An Introduction to Soto Zen with John Danvers The Early Teachings of the Buddha & Lives of the Buddha with Sarah Shaw.