Encyclopaedia of Indian Mysticism (12 Vols-Set)

"The Encyclopaedia of Indian Mysticism presents a comprehensive collection of material from the vast pool of spiritual and philosophical literature in Hinduism. It is the result of cooperative efforts of many writers who have contributed the results of their study in this unique and exciting area of mystical doctrines, practices and literature. That no such vastly comprehensive and complete encyclopaedia has ever appeared is the justification for this project. This work represents the product of long investigation and study on the part of most of the writers, and is the immediate outcome of several years of special efforts on the part of the editor.

"The splendidly planned volumes, arranged thematically, include discussion on almost all topics of importance and interest and will give such information concerning all major areas of mystical thought and practice as is essential to a book of reference. Completeness of treatment is not designed. Completeness of scope is attempted in this encyclopaedia.

"The encyclopaedia covers all major areas like Hindu mysticism, mysticism in Jainism and Buddhism, Hindu mystics, mysticism in Upanishads and other works including Bhagwad Gita, Vedas and Puranas, mystic cults, Sufi and mystic saints in Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, philosophy of mysticism, mysticism in Tantra and Yoga, traditions of mysticism in Bengal, development of mysticism in Kashmir, Vaishnav mysticism, ritualistic cults, bhakti movement, history of mysticism and Tibetan mysticism.

"The entire work is organised not simply as a book of reference, but also as a comprehensive treatise on this fascinating subject of Indian mysticism." (jacket)

Contents: Vol. I. Indian Mysticism: 1. Indian mysticism. 2. Origin of asceticism. 3. Ascetic order. 4. Yoga. 5. Asceticism among theistic sects. 6. Sankaracharya--the great mystic. 7. Jnana-Karma-Samucchaya-Vada. 8. The Ajivika asceticism. 9. Non-dualism. 10. Samkhya-Yoga perfectionism.

Vol. II. Hindu Mystics and Mysticism: 1. Mysticism and Bhagavan. 2. Devotion: to Bhagavan. 3. Sankara and mysticism. 4. The mysticism of Ramanuja. 5. The mysticism of Madhva. 6. Chaitanya: travels of a monk. 7. Mysticism of Bhagwan Rajneesh beyond mind to the source.

Vol. III. Upanishads and Mysticism: 1. Sannyasa and the Brahmasutras. 2. Mysticism: in Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas. 3. Interpretations of the Bhagavata. 4. Devotion: the reality of the devotee. 5. The philosophy of the Bhagavadgita. 6. Jiva Gosvamin\'s conception of the Bhagavat. 7. The sacrificial cult in the Aitareya and Taittiriya Aranyakas Upanishads. 8. Metaphysics and mysticism in Upanishads. 9. Human and the mystic. 10. Mysticism on astral body and transmigration of souls. 11. Mystic words in Upanishads: their nature, significance and explanation. 12. Mystic ideas in Taittiriya Aranyaka: ideas, inanimate objects and natural forces. 13. Myths and parables found in Aiteraya and Taittiriya Aranyakas.

Vol. IV. Asceticism and Mysticism: 1. Asceticism and eroticism in early Indian mythology. 2. The Vedic antecedents of Siva. 3. Siva and Brahma: opposition and identity. 4. Siva and Kama. 5. Sakti in the Upa-Puranas. 6. The Tantric Sakti-cult. 7. Ritualistic aspect of the Puranic Sakti-cult.

Vol. V. Mysticism and Yoga Tantra: 1. The secret world of Tantra. 2. The path of Yoga and the path of Tantra. 3. Breath--a bridge to the universe. 4. Overcoming the deceptions of the mind. 5. Five techniques of attentiveness. 6. Devices to transcend dreaming. 7. The Yoga and self-realization through psycho-physical practice. 8. Entering the inner centering: the human body and mysticism. 9. Changing the direction of energy. 10. Techniques of put you at ease.

Vol. VI. Tantric Mysticism: 1. Tripura rahasya or the mystery beyond the trinity. 2. Secrets of Tantra Shastra.

Vol. VII. Philosophy of Mysticism: 1. Authority and the inner light. 2. The meaning of mysticism. 3. Mysticism in the new testament. 4. The problem of personality. 5. Time and eternity. 6. Symbolism and myth. 7. Greek mysticism. 8. Plotinus. 9. Some medieval and English mystics. 10. Watchman, what of the night? 11. The philosophy of mysticism. 12. Traditions in mysticism. 13. Basics of theosophy.

Vol. VIII. Development of Mysticism in Kashmir: 1. Kashmir Saivism and Saktism. 2. Kashmir literature and mysticism. 3. Poetry and mysticism. 4. Kashmir Vaisnavism. 5. Visnu. 6. Vaikuntha-Caturmurti. 7. Ayudhapurusas. 8. Incarnations of Visnu. 9. Laksmi-Narayana. 10. Vasudeva-Laksmi. 11. Literary heritage. 12. The wandering minstrel. 13. The mystic saint. 14. The royal lyricist. 15. The forlorn singer. 16. Modern literature. 17. Minor-deities of Kashmir Vaisnavism.

Vol. IX. Traditions of Mysticism in Bengal: 1. Bengal Vaisnavism and mysticism. 2. The Bhagvat (God) as the ground of Jiva-Sakti and Maya-Sakti. 3. Causation in Bengal Vaisnavism. 4. Krsna and his incarnations. 5. Bhakti and mysticism. 6. The supreme realisation. 7. Acintya-Bhedabheda. 8. Rasa (Relish).

Vol. X. Mysticism in Jainism and Buddhism: 1. Lord Buddha and his mystic disciples. 2. Life of nuns in Buddhist monastries. 3. Meditation and mysticism. 4. Schools in Buddhist mysticism. 5. Mahayana. 6. Karma and rebirth in early Buddhism. 7. Jainism and mystic traditions. 8. The spread of Jainism in India. 9. Karma and the problem of rebirth in Jainism. 10. Digambara school and mysticism. 11. Jaina order of ascetics.

Vol. XI. Sufi Saints and Mysticism: 1. Muinuddin Chisti (1142-A.D.--1236 A.D.). 2. Baba Farid, the Great Sufi Saint (1173 A.D.--1265 A.D.). 3. Bakhtiyar Kaki (A.D.--1235 A.D.). 4. Nizamuddin Auliya: the Great Sufi Saint of Delhi (1238 A.D.--1325 A.D.). 5. Amir Khusro (1253 A.D.--1325 A.D.). 6. Syed Ali Hamadani (1314 A.D.--1384 A.D.). 7. The life of Kabir. 8. The teaching of Kabir. 9. The Kabir Panth. 10. Lalleshwari (1335 A.D. - 1387 A.D.). 11. Shaikh Nurud-din--Nandrishi (1377 A.D. - 1439 A.D.). 12. Sufi Sheikh Sharafuddin Maneri and his times. 13. Sufism in Indian history. 14. The early history of Sufism. 15. The Sufi gnostic system. 16. The path.

Vol. XII. Mysticism in Tibet: 1. The system of mysticism. 2. Magic and ritual in Tibet. 3. The path of transference: the Yoga of consciousness transference. 4. The path of the mystic sacrifice: the Yoga of subduing the lower self. 5. Mystic wisdom. 6. Padma: the part of creative vision.