Top persian art book

[LAOLONG]

https://books.google.co.il/books?id=rZM3AQAAQBAJ&hl=iw&source=gbs_book_other_versions

[Nungali]

Ah ... the Shahmenah , the longest poem ever written . 

 

[Nungali]

It took Ferdowsi   30 years to write . 

 

" Now mark Ferdowsi's strain, his Book of Kings

Will ever soar upon triumphant wings.
All who have listened to its various lore
Rejoice, the wise grow wiser than before;
Heroes of other times, of ancient days,
Forever flourish in my sounding lays;
Have I not sung of Kaus, Tus, and Gíw;
Of matchless Rustam, faithful, still, and true.
Of the great Demon-binder, who could throw
His kamund to the Heavens, and seize his foe!

[LAOLONG]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Rostam_Ramsar.jpg

Rustam in ramsar ,iran.

Edited October 28, 2016 by SHINTO

[LAOLONG]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Statue_of_Rostam.jpg

Statue of Rostam at Ferdowsi's mausoleum in Tus, Iran

Edited October 28, 2016 by SHINTO

[Gerard]

Hi friends,

 

Not really art but please let me post this:

 

"The  Sufi path, like the Christian mystical path, is primarily concerned with inner transformation rather  than  with  the  attainment  of  transcendent  states.  For  the  paradigmatic mystics  of  both  traditions  the  principal  issue  was  the  extirpation  of  egoism and  the  surrender  of  the  will  to  Almighty  God,  and  Saint  Teresa  of  Avila, for example, warns against attaching importance to transcendent states, which she  regards  merely  as  “consolations.” (Rumi's Mystical Design: Reading the Mathnawi).

 

Saint Teresa of Avila, a fellow Spaniard and contemplative mystic, is someone I have admired my entire life since I was a kid, brought up in the Catholic faith.

 

You can find two books online (free pdf here and here) which summarise all her spiritual method in her books The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle.

 

Pretty much like the Dragon Gate Daoist path.

 

This is a problem amongst many Westerners that embrace the Theravada Buddhist path, they become what is called 'jhana junkies.' Ultimately jhana is a mental construct, an illusion, like physical reality. Breaking through Samsara entails a total removal of the fetters via inner transformation. The methods to attain this are many. Some are quicker (forceful, dramatic) than others though. Find one that works best for you and do it like you brush your teeth.

 

Thank you!

 

Edited October 28, 2016 by Gerard

[Nungali]

Not sure what that had to do with Iranian mythology  ?      Anyways ....   

 

The Shahmenah , being written from old oral accounts, represents a vast  tradition  and history,  75% of which has been lost to us for ever .  Including some key moments in history  that we know little of ;

 

 

 

One thing they Invaders and Muslims ) were very interested in was suppressing the history and knowledge of the role of women, in their ancient societies.  Something that continues until today .  Women that take part in society, business and even social events can be accused of prostitution . 

 

Traditionally , in  the initiation ceremonies and 'guild craft'   - very similar too and from the  same origin as the Indian 4 social class system - unlike  in India , women are equal  and able to partake of initiation ceremony 

 

and women can be priests;    

 

priest 'graduation' ceremony;

 

 

 

On that subject  (women in Iranian history )  and getting back to the art ; there are some 'Neo-Zoroastrian'  movements around producing some interesting modern art ;

 

 

Do check this out ,  

 

'Admiral' Artemesia and  Xerxes

 

and many more ; 

 

Persian women freedom fighters against Arab invasion  and female warriors in history ;

 

http://apranik.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/persian-female-warriors.html

 

It all could all on the rise again ,  if only the suppression of women by the Muslim authorities could be countered ;

 

" 

Over the past few decades, Iran has seen a revival in the native religion that predates Islam—something that the ayatollahs desperately want to suppress."  ; 

 

http://www.thetower.org/article/the-religion-that-the-iranian-mullahs-fear-most-zoroastrianism/

Edited October 29, 2016 by Nungali

[Nungali]

More modern 'Neo-Zoroastrian'  artwork 

 

 

[MooNiNite]

Hi friends,

 

Not really art but please let me post this:

 

"The  Sufi path, like the Christian mystical path, is primarily concerned with inner transformation rather  than  with  the  attainment  of  transcendent  states.  For  the  paradigmatic mystics  of  both  traditions  the  principal  issue  was  the  extirpation  of  egoism and  the  surrender  of  the  will  to  Almighty  God,  and  Saint  Teresa  of  Avila, for example, warns against attaching importance to transcendent states, which she  regards  merely  as  “consolations.” (Rumi's Mystical Design: Reading the Mathnawi).

 

Pretty much like the Dragon Gate Daoist path.

 

 

 

How does the Dragon Gate path not strive for transcendent states?

[Gerard]

The Dragon Gate does not mention any dimensions of reality populated with beings, their karma and/or degree of suffering. In fact the entire Taoist philosophy and method is not concerned about karma and dimensions of existence, it's all about working with the Yin and natural forces in other to purify the mind and ultimately reach the Tao. Deep down is the same in all systems but Daoists work with Nature.

 

Their path is like the Sufi or the Christian mystic. In our case, it's working with the Yin and Yang, the 5 Elements and the Bagua in the natural environment, purifying the internal organs (elements) and ultimately the Heart. Liping's progressive training was ultimately done to ingest pure cinnabar pills specifically formulated in a sacred mountain and infused with all the 'Shen' of three enlightened Daoist masters. Those pills were aimed at fully opening the Heart in one lifetime. This is insane work since the risks are enormous: one mistake and the practitioner dies straight away. This was all discussed in the book.

 

Cheers!

Edited October 30, 2016 by Gerard