Wisdom of the East: 8 pieces that are worth reading Westerner

Eastern literature is very different from the west. It cultivated other values ​​that describe a very different language. These eight ancient eastern book will be of interest to Western man as a cognitive and spiritual point of view.

1. The Upanishads

Upanishads - is the focus of all Indian spirituality, its fullest expression. Philosophical considerations here are interspersed with mythological subjects. Together, they are not only able to expand knowledge of Indian wisdom, but also give a deeper understanding of its mystical meaning.

Why do I need to read

If you want to know why your "I" - the basis of the universe, why there is no death, and what does the statement "Atman is Brahman." The Upanishads are composed of a large number of treatises varying degrees of content, so again it is necessary to get acquainted with an encyclopedic article about them to come to reading prepared.

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2. Bhagavad-gita

"Mahabharata" - one of the greatest literary works in the history of mankind. Epic in scope and it does not yield the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" of Homer. Fans of the epic recommend overcome it completely. The rest is enough to get acquainted with a small piece of the fifth book - "The Bhagavad-gita."

Why do I need to read

"Bhagavad Gita" - a reference book of any follower of Hinduism. It collected and set out the main lines of ancient Indian thought, which became the foundation of the future religion. Should not be afraid of the book, thinking that it would be only a religious dogma. In ancient India, philosophy and religion were related, so the spiritual works are not calling for readers to blind faith.

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3. Kamasutra

"Kama Sutra" - the most famous ancient Indian treatise on love between a man and a woman, a family life and seduction. This book will tell you how to win a girl's heart, properly allocate responsibilities at home and diversify sex life.

Why do I need to read

To understand what "Kama Sutra" - is not only the encyclopedia of sex. In fact, it is the central work of the philosophical school of ancient India, it is considered the highest value of sensual pleasures. In addition to aspects of gender relations, many theoretical and philosophical questions are revealed in the book.

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4. Tao Te Ching (The Book of ways and grace)

We often use the concept of "dao", "yin and yang", "chi", often having no idea what they really stand for. We own and not necessarily true interpret their meaning.

Why do I need to read

To better understand the terminology and the worldview of ancient China. "Tao Te Ching" - a real treasure of wisdom, in which you can find many aphorisms.

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5. I Ching (Book of Changes)

Chinese worldview is radically different from the west, so it is so attractive to many. "Book of Changes" perfectly conveys the essence of the philosophical views of ancient China. They are based on the belief in a natural and logical development of everything. Some stage and state are replaced by others for quite definite laws. Whatever you do, you will not be able to violate this order.

Why do I need to read

To understand the fundamentals of the universe and use this knowledge for their own purposes. Hexagram "Book of Changes" are considered the most famous and theoretically sound methodology of divination. However, their study requires a long and laborious approach, so no additional literature can not do here.

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6. The Tibetan Book of the Dead

After the death of the human soul is a long journey to their new body - it is an axiom, "The Tibetan Book of the Dead." It describes the stages of post-mortem wandering soul and gives practical instructions on how to behave after death to find peace.

Why do I need to read

The author describes the events as if he encountered them himself. This fact alone should arouse interest and curiosity: where the author can know about the afterlife? However, after reading the book it is that it's not that simple. Posthumous description may well be a metaphorical expression of the living conditions of consciousness.

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7. Epic of Gilgamesh

Modern Western man knows little about the Sumerian religion. And it is not less rich meaning and content than ancient Greek or Scandinavian. In addition, it is much older than them, "Epic of Gilgamesh" was created over 1500 years, since the 18th century BC.

Why do I need to read

To get acquainted with interesting stories that appear in the Greek and Christian literature. For example, the main character Enkidu was created from clay. The product also meets the motif of the flood as a cleansing. The roots of Christianity are in Judaism and Jewish roots - in Sumerian religion.

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8. Recording the deeds of ancient times

About Shinto (Japanese traditional religion) Western man knows very little. You will be able to recall at least three gods of the rising sun?

Why do I need to read

A huge number of myths and legends will enrich your understanding Japanese culture. This work will also help to better understand the attitude of the Japanese to power: there are a lot of historical information about ancient rulers of the country. It is from this monument of literature should develop the culture of Japan.