The Sacred Art of Bowing

Bowing as an act of spiritual reflection has often been associated only with Asian spiritual practices. Yet while Buddhists perform the act of bowing in the traditional sense, Christians kneel for morning prayers, Muslims turn east to Mecca for the first salat (prayer) of the day, and Jews shuckle while praying. No matter what form the practice takes, the intent is the same: to physically express spiritual aspirations, humility, gratitude, and respect through bending the body. In THE SACRED ART OF BOWING: Preparing to Practice, Andi Young--who, in the Korean Buddhist tradition begins each morning with 108 bows--takes an in-depth look at the act of bowing as a method of spiritual practice. More than a how-to guide, the book clearly explains how various forms of bowing help practitioners from a myriad of traditions to open their hearts, strengthen their spiritual cores, and cultivate their faith. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.