In this cross-cultural, interdisciplinary study, John Hick draws upon major world religions, as well as biology, psychology, parapsychology, anthropology, and philosophy, to explore the mystery of death. He argues that scientific and philosophical objections to the idea of survival after death can be challenged, and he claims that human inadequacy in facing suffering supports the basic religious argument for immortality.

Between 1927 and 1950, Sri Aurobindo--one of the foremost Indian philosophersof the 20th century--perfected a new kind of spiritual practice he called the"Integral Yoga." This volume brings together a comprehensive selection of SriAurobindo's letters pertaining to the practice of this discipline.

Shri Krsna and Bhāgavat Dharma by Shri Jagadish Chandra Ghose written in Bengali discusses the teachings of Shri Krsna with quotes from various books of Shāstras. Shri Krsna and Bhāgavat Dharma discusses mainly four subjects: First the book considers Shri Krsna as Brahman, Ishvara or Bhagavān as is meant by "Ishvarah paramah Krsnah sacchidānandavigrahah" meaning "Krsna is Ishvara; He is Sat-Cit-Ānanda"; this has been supported by quotations from the Vedānta, Purānas and Vaishnava Shāstras. Second, the discussion is on Shri Krsna's divine love plays (Lilā). Through these divine love plays the Bliss or Ānanda aspect of Shri Krsna, the Sat-Cit-Ānanda is expressed. These expressions are explained with quotes from the Purānas. Third, there is discussion about the main objectives of human life. Finally, the book explains what Shri Krsna taught His disciples Arjuna and Uddhava about His doctrines and Dharma using quotes extensively from Bhagavad Gitā and the Bhāgavat. This English translation Bhagavān Shri Krsna and Bhāgavat Dharma follows the format as closely as possible to the original Bengali book.

Philosophical issues such as reality and appearance, God and world, self and not-self, rebirth and immortality, free will and determination, mysticism, etc., have been examined by eastern and western philosophers as far back as the sages of Upanishads (700 BCE) in the East, and Plato (400 BCE) in the West. However, there was no significant communication among the philosophers of the East and West perhaps until the eighteenth century. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was one of the first among the great western philosophers to recognize the value of Indian philosophies. Despite the lack of communication there are striking similarities of concepts and issues addressed by Indian and western philosophies. Also interesting is how similar are the mystical versions of different religions of the East and West. The author, Dr. Arun Chatterjee, has attempted to bring out the similarities and differences in various chapters of this book dealing with different topics. Among Indian philosophies the focus is on Vedanta philosophy and the views of Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950). The views of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) also are presented. Other Indian philosophies such as Sankhya and Buddhism are discussed briefly. Among western religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are discussed.

The polemics between the Advaitins and the Visistadvaitins appears unending. Each school`s exegesis claims to be the faithful explication of the true meaning of the Sruti. This volume provides an exposition of the key concept of avidya maya as set forth by advaitins and as criticized by Visistadvaitins. the philosophical conflicts do not seem to affect therir value as unique and valuable systems of thought.

Is religion compatible with science? "The Tao of Physics" by Fritjof Capra famously attempted to draw parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism. What Capra conspicuously avoided was any comparison between the Abrahamic religions and physics. These religions of faith have no scientific component. The West has, in the last few hundred years, been the engine of scientific progress, yet the dominant religions of the West are anti-scientific. This has led to a damaging dichotomy in the Western mind. Doesn't the West have any enlightenment religions that might allow science and religion to find common ground? This book compares and contrasts the Gnostic religion of Illumination - the religion of the ancient secret society known as the Illuminati - with the main Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism, and suggests that all four religions can be brought together under one banner – Enlightenment – that may stand in united opposition to Abrahamism: knowledge against faith.