A translation of the definitive discourse on the nature of the mind and its spiritual restoration by Xuanzang in accordance with the teachings of the Buddhist School on Engaged Meditation (Yogacara). Translated into clear English and organized in an outline form to make it approachable by anyone, this unique work also provides key terms in Sanskrit and Chinese. These terms have been translated into English in ways that offer a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on their originally intended meaning rather than merely repeating past conventions. The introduction, footnoting and index provide a comprehensive background on Buddhist concepts, Buddhist schools of thought and Buddhist history relevant to the translation. This groundbreaking work provides a unique opportunity for those interested in Buddhism to cut through its seemingly complex array of terms and concepts and make sense of its profound explanation of the human condition.

?On Realizing There is Only the Virtual Nature of Consciousness? is a translation of Xuanzang's definitive discourse on the nature of the mind and its spiritual restoration according to the Buddhist School on Engaged Meditation (Yogacara). Translated into clear English and organized in an outline form to make it approachable by anyone, this unique work also provides key terms in Sanskrit and Chinese. Many of these terms have been translated into English in new and innovative ways to offer a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on their originally intended meaning rather than merely repeating past conventions. The introduction, footnoting and index provide a comprehensive background on Buddhist concepts, Buddhist schools of thought and Buddhist history relevant to the translation. This groundbreaking work provides a unique opportunity for those interested in Buddhism to cut through its seemingly complex array of terms and concepts and make sense of its profound explanation of the human condition.

A translation of the definitive discourse on the nature of the mind and its spiritual restoration by Xuanzang in accordance with the teachings of the Buddhist School on Engaged Meditation (Yogacara). Translated into clear English and organized in an outline form to make it approachable by anyone, this unique work also provides key terms in Sanskrit and Chinese. These terms have been translated into English in ways that offer a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on their originally intended meaning rather than merely repeating past conventions. The introduction, footnoting and index provide a comprehensive background on Buddhist concepts, Buddhist schools of thought and Buddhist history relevant to the translation. This groundbreaking work provides a unique opportunity for those interested in Buddhism to cut through its seemingly complex array of terms and concepts and make sense of its profound explanation of the human condition.

“I’ve gained deeper understanding listening to Rupert Spira than I have from any other exponent of modern spirituality. Reality is sending us a message we desperately need to hear, and at this moment no messenger surpasses Spira and the transformative words in his essays.” —Deepak Chopra, author of You Are the Universe, Spiritual Solutions, and Super Brain Our world culture is founded on the assumption that the Big Bang gave rise to matter, which in time evolved into the world, into which the body was born, inside which a brain appeared, out of which consciousness at some late stage developed. As a result of this “matter model,” most of us believe that consciousness is a property of the body. We feel that it is “I,” this body, that knows or is aware of the world. We believe and feel that the knowing with which we are aware of our experience is located in and shares the limits and destiny of the body. This is the fundamental presumption of mind and matter that underpins almost all our thoughts and feelings and is expressed in our activities and relationships. The Nature of Consciousness suggests that the matter model has outlived its function and is now destroying the very values it once sought to promote. For many people, the debate as to the ultimate reality of the universe is an academic one, far removed from the concerns and demands of everyday life. After all, life happens independently of our models of it. However, The Nature of Consciousness will clearly show that the materialist paradigm is a philosophy of despair and, as such, the root cause of unhappiness in individuals. It is a philosophy of conflict and, as such, the root cause of hostilities between families, communities, and nations. Far from being abstract and philosophical, its implications touch each one of us directly and intimately. An exploration of the nature of consciousness has the power to reveal the peace and happiness that truly lie at the heart of experience. Our experience never ceases to change, but the knowing element in all experience—consciousness, or what we call “I”—itself never changes. The knowing with which all experience is known is always the same knowing. Being the common, unchanging element in all experience, consciousness does not share the qualities of any particular experience: it is not qualified, conditioned, or limited by experience. The knowing with which a feeling of loneliness or sorrow is known is the same knowing with which the thought of a friend, the sight of a sunset, or the taste of ice cream is known. Just as a screen is never disturbed by the action in a movie, so consciousness is never disturbed by experience; thus it is inherently peaceful. The peace that is inherent in us—indeed that is us—is not dependent on the situations or conditions we find ourselves in. In a series of essays that draw you, through your own direct experience, into an exploration of the nature of this knowing element that each of us calls “I,” The Nature of Consciousness posits that consciousness is the fundamental reality of the apparent duality of mind and matter. It shows that the overlooking or ignoring of this reality is the root cause of the existential unhappiness that pervades and motivates most people’s lives, as well as the wider conflicts that exist between communities and nations. Conversely, the book suggests that the recognition of the fundamental reality of consciousness is the first step in the quest for lasting happiness and the foundation for world peace.

The T&T Clark Handbook of Suffering and the Problem of Evil provides an extensive exploration of the theology of theodicy, asking questions such as should all instances of suffering necessarily be understood as evil? Why would an omnipotent and benevolent God allow or perpetrate evil? Is God unable or unwilling to reduce human and non-human suffering on Earth? Does humanity have the capacity to exercise a moral evaluation of God's motives and intentions? Conventional disciplinary boundaries have tended to separate theological approaches to these questions from philosophical ones. This volume aims to overcome these boundaries by including biblical (Part I), historical (Part II), doctrinal (Part III), philosophical (Part IV), and pastoral, interreligious perspectives and alternative intersections (Part V) on theodicy. Authors include thinkers from analytic and continental traditions, multiple Christian denominations and other religions, and both established and younger scholars, providing a full variety of approaches. What unites the essays is an attempt to answer these questions from the perspective of biblical testimony, historical scholarship, modern theological and philosophical thinking about the concept of God, non-Christian religions, science and the arts. The result is a combination of in-depth analysis and breadth of scope, making this a benchmark work for further studies in the theology of suffering and evil.

A leading philosopher takes a mind-bending journey through virtual worlds, illuminating the nature of reality and our place within it. Virtual reality is genuine reality; that’s the central thesis of Reality+. In a highly original work of “technophilosophy,” David J. Chalmers gives a compelling analysis of our technological future. He argues that virtual worlds are not second-class worlds, and that we can live a meaningful life in virtual reality. We may even be in a virtual world already. Along the way, Chalmers conducts a grand tour of big ideas in philosophy and science. He uses virtual reality technology to offer a new perspective on long-established philosophical questions. How do we know that there’s an external world? Is there a god? What is the nature of reality? What’s the relation between mind and body? How can we lead a good life? All of these questions are illuminated or transformed by Chalmers’ mind-bending analysis. Studded with illustrations that bring philosophical issues to life, Reality+ is a major statement that will shape discussion of philosophy, science, and technology for years to come.