How the Universe

was Created

and Our Purpose In It

The Eastern Answers to the Mysteries of Life

by Stephen Knapp



This book provides answers and details about how the universe is created that are not available in any other traditions, religions, or areas of science. It also provides insights into the spiritual purpose of this creation and what we are really meant to do here.

Every culture in the world and most religions have their own description of the creation of the universe, from where we came, and what we should do. Unfortunately, these are often short and generalized versions that lack details. Thus, they are often given the same regard as myths. However, there are descriptions that give more elaborate explanations of how the cosmic creation fully manifested, which are found in the ancient Vedic texts and Puranas of India, some of the oldest spiritual writings on the planet. These descriptions provide details and answers that other versions leave out. Furthermore, these Vedic descriptions often agree, and sometimes disagree, with the modern scientific theories of creation, and offer some factors that science has yet to consider.

Now, with this book, one of the first to ever elaborate on the Vedic version of the universal creation, we can get a clearer understanding of how this universe appears, what is its real purpose, from where we really came, how we fit into the plan for the universe, and if there is a way out of here. Some of the topics included are: Conditions in the spiritual world before the material manifestation.

How the Supreme Being exists before and after the material creation.

The ultimate foundation and cause of the universe is based on compassion of the Supreme.

How the agitation of the modes of nature cause the appearance of time.

Detailed descriptions of the dawn of creation and how the material energy developed and caused the formation of the cosmos.

The Vedic description of the evolutionary development of the various forms of life.

Manifestation and purpose of the Vedic literature, the blueprints of the cosmos and life within.

Deep insights into the primal questions of, "Who am I? Why am I here? Where have I come from? What is the purpose of this universe and my life? Why the creation exists?"

What is the primary source of the material as well as spiritual elements.

The many incarnations and expansions of the Supreme Being in the material creation.

How everything is but an expansion of the Absolute, and much more.



This book will provide some of the most profound insights into these questions and topics. It will also give any theist more information and understanding about how the universe is indeed a creation of God.

To add some adventure, there is also a special travel section to the holy places of northern India, and to some of the locations that are directly connected to the Indian legends of the universal creation and ancient history. With this tour is included rare descriptions and over 70 photographs of temples, Deities, ancient holy sites, the Himalayas, along with sages and people of the region. The book is 310 pages, trim size 6" x 9", with Index, References, and Glossary.

"How the Universe was Created and Our Purpose In It is profoundly rewarding reading for students of metaphysics and the Eastern philosophies." The Midwest Book Review



How the Universe was Created Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE: THE SOURCE OF THE MATERIAL CREATION

CHAPTER ONE: WHY UNDERSTAND THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE

CHAPTER TWO: COMPARISONS BETWEEN SOME OF THE CREATION LEGENDS * Summary of the Vedic Process of Creation from the Manu-samhita * Descriptions of the Beginning of Creation from other early Vedic texts

CHAPTER THREE: EVERYTHING COMES FROM THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH

CHAPTER FOUR: THE SUPREME BEING EXISTS BEFORE AND AFTER THE MATERIAL CREATION

CHAPTER FIVE: THE SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE

PART TWO: THE PROCESS OF CREATION

CHAPTER SIX: THE BEGINNINGS OF THE CREATION * Compassion is the Basis of the Material World

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE EXPANSIONS OF THE SUPREME

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIAL NATURE * When the Pradhana Becomes the Mahat-tattva * The Potentials Created from the Mixing of the False Ego and Modes of Nature

CHAPTER NINE: THE ENERGY OF MAYA AND IDENTITY OF SHIVA * The Appearance of Lord Shiva in the Process of Creation

CHAPTER TEN: THE PROCESS OF UNIVERSAL CREATION * The Modes of Nature * The False Ego * The Manifestation of the Elements

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE UNIVERSAL FORM * The Creation of the Universal form

CHAPTER TWELVE: THE CREATION FROM LORD BRAHMA * Summary of the Creative Process * Lord Vishnu Expands and Enters the Universe and Manifestation of Lord Brahma * The Dawn of Creation * Brahma Begins the Process of Creation * Everything is but a Combination of Atoms * Creation of the Living Beings * Creation of the Kumaras * Creation of Rudra * Creation of Brahma's Mind-born sons * Manifestation of the Vedas * Creation of the Four Social Orders * Creation of Svayambhuva * The Order of the Creative Process

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CONTINUED TRANSFORMATIONS * The Maintenance of the Universe

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE INCARNATIONS OF GOD * The Lord Incarnates in Each Universe * The Main Incarnations of the Supreme Being * The Manu Incarnations * The Yugavataras * The Shaktyavesha-Avataras

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: CLEARING CONFUSION ABOUT THE CREATION

PART THREE: OUR PURPOSE IN THE UNIVERSE AND HOW TO GET OUT

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: HOW AND WHERE THE SPIRIT SOULS ARE MANIFESTED * The Origins of the Jivas * The Nature and Independence of the Spirit Souls * A Fall From the Spiritual World * Karma and Material Existence * Why the Lord Creates the Jiva souls * Conclusion

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE NATURE OF MATERIAL LIFE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

CHAPTER NINETEEN: THE VEDIC TEXTS AND THEIR SOURCE

CHAPTER TWENTY: THE PURPOSE OF THE VEDIC LITERATURE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: GETTING BACK TO OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

SEEING SPIRITUAL INDIA (PART FOUR): SEEING THE MAJOR HOLY PLACES OF NORTHERN INDIA

PHOTOGRAPHS

APPENDIX ONE: SUMMARY OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS

APPENDIX TWO: FURTHER LEVELS OF THE PROCESS OF CREATION

APPENDIX THREE: SEEING BEYOND THE ILLUSION: THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

APPENDIX FOUR: THE MATERIAL CREATION IS PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

APPENDIX FIVE: MORE ABOUT THE RETREATING GLACIERS OF THE HIMALAYAS

FOOTNOTES / REFERENCES / GLOSSARY / INDEX

ORDERING INFORMATION

Order your copy today by sending $14.95 plus $2.50 for shipping and handling ($3.50 in Canada, and $7.50 for overseas surface mail) to: The World Relief Network, P. O. Box 15082, Detroit, Michigan 48215--0082 U.S.A. Or available through you local bookstore, ISBN: 0-9617410-8-2, LCCD # 90-71652. For your convenience, you can download our Order Form.

It is also available at Amazon.com through this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0961741082/qid=1150425591/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-7784767-0343200?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

[From: http://www.stephen-knapp.com]



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