Publisher's Synopsis
For "spiritual explorers" ready to travel beyond western bounds, an inclusive guide to Asian spiritual traditions spanning regions, cultures, and history "Find your zen." "Karma is a b*tch." "There's something off with the feng shui." From yoga studios on every street corner to the hundreds of subscription-based mindfulness apps, Western culture is awash with casual references to Asian religious ideas and spiritual practices. Recent conversations about misinformation and appropriation have ignited interest in exploring the origins of these traditions that have long been co-opted by western society. As informative as it is inviting, A Lamp unto Yourself offers a clear map of eastern spiritual practices for every reader, whether they are taking the first step or are well into their journey. In 8 chapters, C. Pierce Salguero guides the reader through an itinerary of contemporary Asian or Asian-inspired American spiritual traditions. His decades of personal and professional experience allow him to shed light on spiritual terrain without favoring any one path over another. A Lamp unto Yourself showcases the depth and breadth of diverse religious practices through excerpts of sacred texts, practical reflections, and descriptions of observance rituals. Readers will learn about the origins of popularized traditions, how to begin their own practices, and what they might experience along the way, including Buddhism and zen Mindfulness and meditation Yoga and qigong Taoism and Advaita Mantras and chakras Salguero threads these diverse practices together to illuminate their commonalities while honoring their differences. Whether they want to take up a new practice or deepen their understanding of their current faith path, readers will find the historical context and critical questions they need to do so confidently and authentically.
