Hinduism

[close] This global discussion group has been designed to encourage debates about important and underreported issues of our era. All you need is an enquiring mind and a desire to gain or share “underground knowledge”. This is also a place to discuss the controversial topics explored in The Underground Knowledge Series (non-fiction books) by James Morcan & Lance Morcan as well as the Underground Knowledge podcast show.

[close] For readers of the Traditional School including such authors as Rene Guenon, Ananda Coomaraswamy, Frithjof Schuon, Titus Burckhardt, Martin Lings, Marco Pallis, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, William Chittick, James Cutsinger, and Reza Shah-Kazemi. Topics for discussion include science, art, religion, tradition, philosophy, metaphysics, esoterism, mysticism, and modernism.

[close] Black Maven is discussion group dedicated to the discovery and exposition of occultist literature that would appeal to the late Aleister Crowley. Everyone is welcome, especially transhumanists, alchemists, astrologists, dowsers, egyptologists, freemasons, kabbalists, gnostics, magicians, metaphysicists, ninjas, numerologists and the like. So, you may first ask, what is a maven? A maven (also mavin) is a trusted expert, often self-proclaimed, in a particular field, who seeks to pass knowledge on to others. The word maven comes from the Hebrew, via Yiddish, and means one who understands, based on an accumulation of knowledge.1 Moreover, maven knowledge is typically gained outside a culture's traditional educational apparatus. For example, college or university degrees in Alchemy just aren't to be pursued anywhere in the Occident. A Black Maven is a particular kind of expert of "occult" knowledge. More often than not, a cultural taboo is associated with occult knowledge, and sometimes quite perniciously. Well, you don't have to look far for examples of that kind of cultural phenomenon--simply reference the Spanish Inquisition as a prime example. Ironically, if we take stock of the hugely popular Harry Potter phenomenon, we surely must reach the prima facie conclusion that occultism has captivated the minds of young and old alike (the old are at least paying for all the Harry Potter media and spinoff merchandise their children are clamoring to purchase). Perhaps the polemic that naturally evolves from that realisation is something that can be pursued through this group. In summary, the purpose of this group is to entertain. If it does something other than that, such as enlighten, so be it. 1 Dictionary.com

[close] A space for thoughtful discussion on theology and beyond: meaning, morality, and the depths to understanding human life. This group welcomes diverse traditions, philosophical inquiry, and reflective dialogue about sacred texts, inner life, ethical questions, and the role of religion in the modern world. The goal is not preaching or debate for victory, but understanding, exploration, and respectful exchange of ideas. Remember that respect comes first. Disagree with ideas, not with people. No insults, ridicule, or hostility toward beliefs or non-belief. Feel free to share perspectives, interpretations, and experiences, but this is a discussion space, not a place to persuade others to adopt a faith, so basically no preaching or conversion attempts. Stay thoughtful and on topic, posts should relate to theology, meaning, morality, sacred texts, literature, psychology of belief, or religion in society. Interpretations are welcome, claims of absolute authority are not. All comments and conversations must be in English. Don’t hesitate to open a topic under any theme that has already been featured. If you’re unsure where your topic belongs, you’re welcome to ask in the Open Discussion under the thread titled Topic Creation. And don't forget that we also have a Cafetaria for casual conversation or introductions in the Open Discussion section.