Author: Nitya Chaitanya Yati
Publisher: D K Printworld
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 213
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8124600589
Description
Developed from Guru Nitya’s talks given at the Stanford and Portland State Universities, the book represents a study in the universal force of love in two major examples of sacred and prophetic literature: Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam and the poetry of St John of the Cross.
The foundation of Guru Nitya’s approach lies in an exciting, at once original unification of Eastern meditation practices and Western humanistic psychological theory. The outcome is his Love and Devotion, highlighting how the erotic mysticism of Jayadeva and St John of the Cross exemplify as the two different expressions of the perception of God.
Unlike most works of literary criticism, Nitya’s book presents a breadth of understanding that illuminates the text, and then extends the meaning of the text in terms of both personal and universal experience. It is essentially a poetic and spiritual treatment of poetic and spiritual themes, for Love and Devotion is itself a treatise on spirituality.
Contents
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
PART - 1
Gita Govindam
Introduction
The Historical Background of Krishna
Scheme of Correlation Implied in Aum
Invocation
Ashtapadi
The Sting of Love and the Pinch of Rejection
The ‘I’ And the ‘Other’ in the Context of Love
The First Phase of Love
Fantasy and Sharing with a Friend
Hope, Agony and Seeking Help
Reciprocal Agony
Krishna’s Reciprocal Agony and Attempt for Rapprochement
The Climax of Love is in the Mutual Resonance of Agony
Descending to the Zero Point of Negativity
Hope Versus Frustration
Disadoption, Negative Projection and Cathrsis
Crossing the Ego Boundary
The Aftermath of Catharsis and the Rekindling of Fresh Hope
Wonder in Oneness
The Divine Lover at the Feet of of his Earthly Beloved
Sex as the Functional Dynamic of the Word of God and the Word that is God
The Joyous Wonder of the Lovers’ Reunion
The Musical and Poetic Quality of Gita Govindam
Conclusion - Jayadeva’s Three Main Arguments
PART - 2
St. John of the Cross
An Approach to St. John of the Cross
The Dark Night
Ascent of Mt. Carmel
St. Johan of the Cross’ Sketch of Mt. Carmel
Meditation on the Dark Night
Spiritual Canticle
The Outline of the Song of Songs
The Canticle of Canticles, the Spiritual Canticle and the Indian Song of Songs
Meditation on the Spiritual Canticle
O Living Flame of Love
INDEX
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY