Chinese Alchemy
Daoist magicians used the elements and processes of the science of chemistry as symbols in their visualizations, which were preparations for meditation leading to the “embracing the One” of Laozi.
Religion
Traditions Reimagined — Exploring the Sacred with Clarity
Investigate the world’s religious traditions through a scientific humanist lens—balancing historical insight, critical thought, and spiritual depth.
Chinese Chan Buddhist Monasticism: The Spring of Zen
This article follows the story of Chan from its earliest roots in India and Daoist China, through its flowering in Tang and Song dynasties, and outward into the temples, poetry, and practices of East Asia.
Zen’s Founding Scripture
Explore the founding scriptures — the Lankavatara Sutra, the Outline of Practice, and Trust in Mind — through which the Chan spirit first found its voice.
Zen Literature: Essential Reading for the Student of Zen
In these pages, we will follow the unfolding of Zen from its Indian and Chinese foundations to its flowering in Japan and its transmission to the West.
Sacred Power, Political Will: The Dance of Religion, Spirituality, and Politics Across History
This article traces the mutual shaping of religion and politics from antiquity to the present, revealing how beliefs influence ballots, and how law influences belief.
Ritual Magic and the Astral Imagination
Magic, in its essence, is the ritualized use of symbolic action to affect change in the world.
The Western Esoteric Tradition
Western esotericism, often referred to as the Western mystery tradition, encompasses a diverse array of spiritual, philosophical, and mystical movements that have developed within Western society.
Chinese Buddhist Monasticism
Chinese Buddhist monasticism is one of the most enduring and transformative religious traditions in East Asia.
Freemasonry and Zen: A Contemplative Brotherhood
The Zen Master, the Master Mason, and the scientific humanist may use different tools—zafu, square and compasses, or microscope—but all seek the same outcome: a well-built world and a well-formed person.
Daoist Monasticism in China
This article explores the historical evolution, doctrines, architecture, and lived practices of Daoist monasticism.
The Confucian Monastic Tradition
This article explores the hidden architecture of Confucian monastic life: its moral ideals, educational institutions, meditative practices, and enduring legacy in Chinese culture.
The First Monks Rise in the East: The Birth of Monasticism
This article traces the delicate thread that links the barefoot sages of ancient India with the Zen monks of Japan, the Christian mystics of the desert, and the Buddhist nuns of today.