This is a close examination of the ways in which plant life and human life are symbolically intertwined in two rural villages of Hassan District, Karnataka State, India. After presenting a general overview of South Asian cultural traditions related to symbolic uses of plants, the author shares results of an in-depth study of the ways that plants have been used in rites of passage by multiple castes. The author, her partner, and a local team conducted detailed interviews and observations on...

This is an ethnographic study of Hindu food beliefs, language, and practices in a rural community of Karnataka State (formerly Mysore), India. The author is an anthropological linguist who resided in the locality for almost two years in 1966-67. He provides the reader with an unusually detailed view of the intersections of language, food, and social relationships. Food is viewed as an important structuring aspect of the Hindu world view, a way that people symbolically represent and reprodu...

Thich Nhat Hanh invites you to a joyful, sustainable relationship with eating in this pocket-sized guide full of Zen inspiration and practical mindfulness tools.In short meditations, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh covers everything from eating with others and enjoying our food to connecting with the Earth. He inspires a joyful and sustainable relationship with all aspects of eating, including gardening, food shopping, preparing, serving, and even cleaning up after a me...

Water flows over these hands May I use them skillfully to preserve our precious planet. These and other verses, or gathas, are designed to make everyday activities - such as washing the dishes, driving the car, or turning on the television - opportunities to return to a state of mindfulness. As exercises in both meditation and poetry, gathas are very much in keeping with the Zen tradition. They help readers become attuned to each action, imbuing even the most mundane activity with heightened ...

The late, great Zen master reflects on the benefits of walking meditation in one of the few guidebooks focused solely on mindful walkingWritten in Thich Nhat Hanh’s clear and accessible style, Long Road Turns to Joy reminds us that we “walk not in order to arrive, but walk just for walking.” Touching the earth with our feet is an opportunity to live in the here and now. Thich Nhat Hanh encourages us to enjoy each step and each breath in order to regain pea...

MEDITATION—FOR KIDS! The “father of mindfulness” presents a hands-on, creative method of meditation perfect for children experiencing stress and difficult emotions (TIME).Features cute illustrations, plus useful tips on how to start a ‘pebble meditation’ practice at home or in the classroom.Developed by Thich Nhat Hanh as part of the Plum Village community’s practice with children, pebble meditation is a playful, fun activity that ...

Make time to slow down, breathe, be awake, be aware, and appreciate.Natural Meditation offers easy-to-follow meditation cues for meditating in natural settings or meditating on natural images or objects. Sidebars throughout the book provide suggestions on how to incorporate nature into your mindfulness practice. The short entries allow readers to open to a page during lunch break, at home in the evening, or on the weekend for a short "retreat," setting off...

The delightful and often funny poetry of Zen’s quintessential free spirit, Master Ryokan—in a fresh translation by a beloved American Zen figureRyokan Taigu (1758-1831) was a monk in the Soto lineage of Japanese Zen who spent a good part of his life as a hermit, writing poetry, playing with children, and creating simple and exquisitely beautiful calligraphies—sometimes using twigs as his instrument when he couldn't afford a brush. He was never head of a monastery o...

How to Eat is part of a charming series of books from Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh, exploring the essential foundations of mindful meditation and practise.How to Eat explains what it means to eat as a meditative practice and that the results of mindful eating are both global and personal. Eating a meal can help develop compassion and understanding, reminding practitioners that there are things they can do to help nourish people who are hungry and lonely. It can how...

This collection of brief meditative essays illustrates the ancient philosophy that holds the key to success in all aspects of lifeThe Tao is the ancient Chinese "Way" that has inspired numerous books, from The Tao of Physics to The Tao of Sex. This book, written by an 18th-century Taoist adept, might be called ”The Tao of Tao.” In 142 brief meditative essays, author Liu I-ming uses simple language and natural imagery to express the essence of the ...

In How to Be Happy, Lama Zopa Rinpoche helps us find our good heart, the heart that rejoices in the happiness of others.In How to Be Happy, Lama Zopa Rinpoche helps us find our good heart, the heart that rejoices in the happiness of others.How to transform problems into happiness, how to find compassion for our "enemies", how to treat ourselves with kindness; it is on these persistent and universal challenges that Lama Zopa offers his wise...

Rudraksha is an ancient bead known for its divinity, positive results on human mind and for good health. The subject is diverse and complex due to variety of opinions and different descriptions available in ancient epics as well as in some recent books. The Rudraksha is greatly respected and revered as Lord Shivas tears the wearing of which will end sorrows and heal ailments.The Rudraksha is a herb which is good for several diseases as confirmed by the non-clinical trials conducted by Depart...