The best Inspirational & Religious Poetry: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

https://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-God-Men-Homosexuality-Tradition/dp/0299190943

Here's the description of the book. It's a reflection on the jewish faith and same-sex love. I'm not jewish, but my best friend is, and she thought the passage was sweet so she sent me that image. Idk wether she has read the entire thing or if she found this bit online, though, so I can't really give you context for now

I'd recommend The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks. I don't speak Persian and haven't read other translations, but I think this collection is great. I particularly like “The Reed Flute's Song” and “I Have Five Things to Say.”

Also, last time I checked this was weirdly not on the reading list:

The vast majority of Norse myths come from two books that are surprisingly accessible to modern audiences if you have a good translation. And as it so happens, they are also pretty cheap!

My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1).

> Also, I’m told the stories of the pantheon involve…

I think it might help you to give these stories a read for yourself, specifically from the source texts. My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1). Give those a read and I’d be interested to hear whether you are inspired to update your theory.

Loki is a particularly intriguing character who may be a hypostasis of Odin according to one theory, may be one of Odin’s brothers who assisted in the creation of mankind according to another, and may be related to common-class folklore about a tricky hero who upsets the order imposed by nobility according to yet another. It’s unclear why he is portrayed as a helpful character and friend to the other gods in certain myths, and as a downright murderous villain in others. I’m personally pretty skeptical about the idea that he could be adapted from Jesus, but far be it from me to discourage out-of-the-box thinking :)

My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1). Both come in hardcover.

The vast majority of Norse myths come from two books that are surprisingly accessible to modern audiences if you have a good translation. And as it so happens, they are also pretty cheap!

My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1).

This Poetic Edda and this Prose Edda

The Poetic Edda translated by Carolyne Larrington, 2014 and the Prose Edda translated by Anthony Faulkes, 1995 ;)

The vast majority of Norse mythology (including all of the myths you will ever encounter in popular media) is contained in two books: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda.

The Poetic Edda is a collection of poetry about gods and heroes that was largely composed during the pagan era. The Prose Edda is a medieval scholarly work that recounts ancient myths in an effort to educate people on the references found in pagan poetry. You can read modern retellings, but these invariably alter the source material in ways the original composers of the ancient poetry did not intend. I highly recommend reading the actual sources rather than any modern retellings. Specifically:

This version of the Poetic Edda and this version of the Prose Edda.

You’re graduating, friend. Time to read the two books all these stories actually came from:

The Poetic Edda and The Prose Edda

Well you're asking in r/norsemythology so I'm going to recommend you get him the two main sources of Norse Mythology: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda.

"Look at you all

Young men and women sitting there listening

Hoping I say the right words to grab your attention."
- From Reflection, Lockett's book of poetry

https://www.amazon.com/Reflection-Tyler-Lockett/dp/1524854069

It is not courage but more of giving up the will to live. All the attachments to this world fade away. And then you have one single purpose, to die.

Here is a link of a book about poems from these people before they died.

Try this translation. Much easier to understand.

https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Stories-Hackett-Classics/dp/1624663567/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3AKEPI0AV2MIN&keywords=poetic+edda&qid=1656865069&sprefix=poetic+eddas%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1

> You already know which sense I'm using "sodomy",

I do know what sense you mean, which is why I pointed out how you were using it incorrectly.

​

>My translation is pretty clear about what Leviticus 18 is about.

It's really not, which is what I've been saying. The thing about the phrases used in that verse is that they're not used anywhere else, except for one case of rape. Nw, most people agree it's referring to male-male anal sex, but most likely, it's referring to male-male anal sex as rape or as a means to humiliate. If you'd like to learn more about this, I recommend this book that has a full chapter on the nuances of translating these two verses, since they're so often poorly done.

But for the record, I never said "all" English translations are wrong. I just said that I went back to the original, since it's better to go straight to the source.

The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition Paperback – May 28, 2004 by Jalal al-Din Rumi (Author), Coleman Barks (Translator), John Moyne (Translator)

Google Books result

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061142662

Stephen Mitchell

One of my most loved translations. I've probably listened to it 50 times.

Sorry that others didn't respond well to your question. It's actually a common topic in zen and here's a book of a collection of zen death poems for you: https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Death-Poems-Written-Monks/dp/0804831793

The translation by Professor Crawford is very readable. I also recommend professor Crawford’s you tube channel.

https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Stories-Hackett-Classics/dp/1624663567/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8SBVIPPEI21Z&keywords=poetic+edda+jackson+crawford&qid=1640987866&sprefix=Poetic+Edda+%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-1

May The Gods Be With You.

Al

The Masnavi in English.

For Urdu you will have to visit bookstores that sell Urdu books, old part of cities usually have such stores. We used to have one which was titled IIRC Pairahan e Yusufi.

Jackson Crawford is always good.

For further reading Asatru for Beginners by Dr Mathias Nordvig is great. He's got a PHD in Norse Mythology and he's native Danish. He was actually raised Heathen. Very good book.

You should purchase The Masnavi, translated by Jawid Mojaddedi. Authentic and rhymes. In english. Beautiful. Here is a link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0199552312/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_-7-WFbBNWHZ73?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Jackson Crawford's translations are pretty well regarded and generally considered one of the go-tos

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1624663567/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_suksFb1FY2CC5

Also go and check out r/heathenry for some good resources as well!

Reading ancient Chinese philosophy – specifically the Tao Te Ching – at the beginning of Covid & repeatedly throughout has really helped frame the world nicely.

*If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal.

The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know.

Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.*

Hmm I'm gonna recommend the Tao Te Ching, it's a really great philosophical / spiritual text from China that I turn to all the time whenever I need to relax and breathe (I recommend the Stephen Mitchell translation)

Zen Buddhism and Taoist principles in general are suuuper helpful. If you're facing social anxiety specifically, another great book is The Charisma Myth, which I find has good exercises not just for getting comfortable around people but also lessening anxiety overall.

Also, daily meditation and walks :-)

There is quite a big market for it actually.

Have you seen this?

It's sold over 1,000,000 copies....

When you do turn to Taoism I suggest starting with purchasing Stephen Mitchell's version of the Tae Te Ching. The words are well thought out for a modern audience, even if the translation isn't literally accurate. However, for a philosophy which has a major guiding tenant that "The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao" an exact translation isn't required nor all that helpful if it clouds understanding. Don't focus on the finger, look at the moon!

I've had a copy of Meditations on my bed side table for almost an entire quarter now and haven't delved too deeply into it. Do you find Stoicism applicable to your daily life as an Entrepreneur or otherwise? I ask because my copy of the Tao Te Ching is worn from use because I find it applies so often and I'm curious if you feel the same about Stoicism.

I'm happy to talk anytime. Best of Luck!

You can preview the first few chapters here: https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061142662/ref=reader_auth_dp

~~And if you decide to read it, I'd definitely go with Mitchell's translation. It's not the most accurate, but it's a really beautiful and poetic translation (and good for beginners).~~

Just note that I disagree with u/midnighttoker3 about this being relevant to what you're looking for. I really don't think there's a fleshed-out notion of soul or reincarnation in Taoism, or at least in the Tao Te Ching. I'm sure you can find some proof-texts to challenge this claim, but there can be no denial that Hinduism and some forms of Buddhism are more soul- and reincarnation-heavy than Taoism.

This is the one i'm talking about

There's also this one but the author tries to keep the poetic structure intact so it's a lot harder to understand, to me anyways.

My Old Norse professor's translation of the Poetic Edda is fantastic. Check it out here.