Enlightening Encounters

One of the world's top anthropologists recounts his formative experiences doing fieldwork in this accessible memoir ideal for anyone interested in anthropology. Drawing on his research in five Latin American countries, Steve Gudeman describes his anthropological fieldwork, bringing to life the excitement of gaining an understanding of the practices and ideas of others as well as the frustrations. He weaves into the text some of his findings as well as reflections on his own background that led to better fieldwork but also led him astray. This readable account, shorn of technical words, complicated concepts, and abstract ideas shows the reader what it is to be an anthropologist enquiring and responding to the unexpected. From the Preface: Growing up I learned about making do when my family was putting together a dinner from leftovers or I was constructing something with my father. In fieldwork I saw people making do as they worked in the fields, repaired a tool, assembled a meal or made something for sale. Much later, I realized that making do captures some of my fieldwork practices and their presentation in this book.

Enlightening Encounters traces the impact of photography on Italian literature from the medium’s invention in 1839 to the present day. Investigating the ways in which Italian literature has responded to photographic practice and aesthetics, the contributors use a wide range of theoretical perspectives to examine a variety of canonical and non-canonical authors and a broad selection of literary genres, including fiction, autobiography, photo-texts, and migration literature. The first collection in English to focus on photography’s reciprocal relationship to Italian literature, Enlightening Encounters represents an important resource for a number of fields, including Italian studies, literary studies, visual studies, and cultural studies.

Peace. Calm. Mindfulness. Enlightenment. These are appealing concepts, but they never seem like they're within grasp of the everyday person. With all our responsibilities in life, most of us are doing our best just to keep up, let alone have time to find that elusive 'inner calm'. Luke McLeod knows all about this. He's an everyday person. He's a son, a husband and a friend, trying to find some balance in his everyday life just like everyone else. There is one thing, though, he knows for sure has improved his quality of life every single day. Meditation. Luke used to believe meditation wasn't for him but has now become one of Australia's leading meditation experts helping thousands of 'everyday' people, just like himself, enjoy meditation in an easy, down-to-earth way. Everyday Enlightenment contains encouragement, support, guidance, advice and short meditations to help you start, enjoy and embrace your meditation journey. Let Luke help you find some of that inner peace and calmness without having to move to the mountains and become a monk. Let him show you how the secret to living an enlightened life is hidden within the ordinary and the everyday - it will be one of the best things you ever do.

Tales of Wisdom and Transformation." Within the pages of this book, you will find a collection of timeless stories that transcend cultural boundaries and speak to the deepest aspects of the human experience. These stories have been carefully selected for their ability to inspire, enlighten, and provoke reflection on the nature of existence and the journey of the soul. Throughout history, storytelling has been a powerful medium for conveying profound truths and insights. From ancient mythologies to modern fables, stories have served as vessels for transmitting wisdom from one generation to the next. In this book, we continue this tradition by presenting a diverse array of narratives drawn from various spiritual traditions and philosophical perspectives. Each story in this collection offers a unique perspective on life's mysteries, inviting readers to contemplate the nature of reality, the purpose of existence, and the path to spiritual awakening. From parables of wise sages to tales of ordinary individuals grappling with profound questions, these stories illuminate the human condition in all its complexity and beauty. In "Echoes of Enlightenment," you will encounter characters who embark on journeys of self-discovery, confront life's challenges with courage and resilience, and ultimately find wisdom in the most unexpected places. From the teachings of ancient mystics to the insights of modern spiritual seekers, these stories offer a rich tapestry of wisdom drawn from diverse traditions and cultures.

Examines the influence of Shintoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism on Japanese ethics, with implications for our understanding of various social, economic, and environmental problems.

Examines the influence of Shintoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism on Japanese ethics, with implications for our understanding of various social, economic, and environmental problems.

Encounters with an Enlightened Man reveals Linda Quiring's experience in a mental institution where she was told she would need to be on medication and receive periodic shock treatments for the rest of her life. Soon, her personal spiritual journey led her and her husband Bill to move to Saltspring Island in early 1974. Her search for that 'guru who appears the moment a student is ready' led to the door of Sydney Banks, who had also just moved to the Island after having an enlightenment experience. At their first fortuitous meeting, Syd articulated a desire to write about his very recent experience, and suggested that Linda, an avid reader and writer, work with him. After listening to Syd she became 'cured' without any further medication or treatments. The next year saw more students appear, and within five years, hundreds of students had moved to the Island to follow this quiet man and his startling revelations into the nature of life. With Island of Knowledge selling thousands of books, and another on the way, Syd's path led to the wider world, where he would write books, work with psychologists and other professionals and disseminate his teachings. Linda's journey however, led to settling into a normal life on a small farm, where she and Bill raised their son Gary, made artisan soaps for a living, and kept chickens and bees. A heartfelt desire to write, and surprised by the outflow of love and interest in those times, Linda was encouraged to write about "The Early Days." Still friends after four decades with other very early students, she included their stories as well, making for an enthralling look into the beginnings of a now worldwide movement in higher consciousness as experienced and taught by Sydney Banks. About the Author Linda Quiring and her husband Bill live on a small farm on Saltspring Island, British Columbia where they grow heritage apples and keep bees. Recently retired after 35 years making Artisan soaps and body care products, Linda is the author of Island of Knowledge, Beyond Beliefs: The Lost Teachings of Sydney Banks, Encounters with an Enlightened Man: The Early Years with Sydney Banks, and continues to write.

ONE OF THE FOREMOST WORKS OF TWENTIETH-CENTURY CHINESE LITERATURE This beautifully portrayed epic family history spans one hundred years, from the 1890s during the later stages of the Qing Dynasty to the 1990s, traversing the experiences of five generations of women. Yu is the central character, whose life story is woven through the lives of her grandmother, mother, sisters, and niece. She loves her parents but at a tender age realizes they do not love her. After committing two unforgivable sins, she is sent away to live in the city but is soon abandoned. Yu's life becomes a quest for love; she is fragile but resilient, lonely but determined. Now, in the 1980s, Yu becomes caught up in the political storm and comes close to love but falls short. Her last chance at getting what she desires will ultimately come at a tragic cost. A political satirist in the guise of a mystical writer, Xu Xiaobin masterfully creates an atmosphere where distinctions are blurred; memories of the past and present are intertwined; realities and illusions are fused without a clear trace; and events occur in unspecified places but tinted with fairylike imaginations. Xu Xiaobin is a rare talent with a vast knowledge of history, religion, and culture, and occupies a unique place in modern Chinese literature. When Feathered Serpent won China's inaugural Creative Writing Award for women's literary fiction, it was described as "a breakthrough, a record-setting novel in China's women's literature" and "the best fiction at the end of the century in China."