O God of earth and altar, Bow down and hear our cry, Our earthly rulers falter, Our people drift and die; The walls of gold entomb us, The swords of scorn divide, Take not thy thunder from us, But […]
Author Archive | D. B. Smith
Inside Monastic Culture Part I. Solitaries
Inside Monastic Culture Part I. Solitaries The Science Abbey website is so named as it is inspired by science, the method of understanding reality, and monastic culture, a life of devotion and contemplation. The subject of monasticism relates to monks, nuns and their sanctuary, the monastery. This article is a brief introduction and […]
The First Scientists: The Greek Philosophers of Ionia
History of Science Series Ionia, located in Anatolia, once a territory of Greece, now a part of Turkey, was the womb of Western philosophy and science. The Ionians became one of four Greek tribes, becoming known as the Ionian League, a religious community that came together annually to worship the sun god Apollo. […]
Science Meets Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine The medical traditions of the world all began relatively alike in conception, but those of the East maintained focus on the holistic perspective while those of the West followed the path of scientific method. A brief comparison of early foundational Western and Chinese philosophies shows how the divergent views […]
The Science of Ayurveda: Ancient Indian Medicine
Ancient Roots Ayurveda is the world’s oldest continuing system of medicine. It is the ancient form of Indian medical practice, which originated in pre-historic times, but is formally taught in the Tantras and the Samhitas. Ayurvedic philosophy, remedies and techniques have been passed down generation after generation for three thousand years. Proponents call […]
Traditions: An Introduction to the “My Zen” Series
Traditions: An Introduction to the “My Zen” Series Face-to-face I see the top of Mount Tiantai; Solitary in its height it stands above the common crowd. Swaying in the wind, the pines and bamboo breathe in harmony; When the moon shines the ocean tides roll continuously. I look down below to the end […]
The Best Science Online: Stay Informed
Let’s Go Meta-Meta Science Abbey is an interface between scientists and the public by tracking only the most important and interesting stories from all branches of science. For this ongoing endeavor I have collected lists and specific sites for the best science on the web. I will update this post occasionally so you […]
My Zen Part I. The First Meditators: Indian Yoga
The First Meditators: Indian Yoga Part I of the My Zen Series Read “My Zen” Series Introduction: Traditions IN THE BEGINNING… It is interesting to me that at some point when the world was young, before industry, before electricity, and previous to the global domination of the major religions, somebody sat down […]