chilife force; vitality, energy, force; air, vapor; breath; spirit, vigor; attitude. One of the “Three Treasures” of Taoist thought and Traditional Chinese Medicine. [Chinese: ] Also: Qi
chilea small pepper with a very hot flavor; pod of a variety of capsicum, used chopped or dried in sauces, relishes, and spice powders. [Spanish; Nahuatl] Also: chili.
ching sexual energy. [Chinese: ] See: jing.
chofaarchitectural ornament found on the top end of temple or palace roofs in Southeast Asia. Shaped like a horn, it depicts a long, thin bird, symbolic of a garuda, a mythical bird-man from Hindu mythology. [Thai: ; literally “sky tassel”] Also: chofah
cocaplant native to South America which is chewed or made into tea, or used as a sacrament in traditional Andean ceremonies or divination, or as a medicine to overcome fatigue, thirst, and hunger. Substances extracted from coca have been used in Coca-Cola and cocaine. [Quecha; Aymara] See also: paqo
comadre/compadrefriend, comrade, colleague [Spanish]
concrete operationala cognitive stage of development, in which a person can think logically about concrete events or operations, but has difficulty with abstract or hypothetical concepts. Having developed beyond egocentric, the person is sociocentric, with an awareness that others have their own, differing perspectives on the world. According to developmental psychology, children pass through this stage approximately between the ages of 7-11. Culturally, it is associated with the mythic-rational levels of development. See also:/Contrast with: formal operational
conquistadores “conquerors.” Soldiers/explorers/adventurers from Spain or Portugal that invaded other lands (for example, Central and South America), subjugating or exterminating the native population, and expanding the territory for the colonial empires, in the 15th-17th centuries. [Spanish]
coquítiny Caribbean tree frog known for its loud call, “co-QUI!” Endemic to Puerto Rico, it has become a symbol of the island.
cosmologythe study of the physical universe considered as a totality of phenomena in time and space; theory about the origin and development of the Universe. See also: kosmology.
cosmosthe Universe especially when it is understood as a well-ordered system; our particular spacetime continuum within the (postulated) multiverse; the observable Universe. Cosmos generally refers to physical existence. Most cosmologies have a materialistic bias, presuming physical manifestation to be more “real” than other dimensions. [from the Greek: , kosmos, “well-ordered,” “ornament”] See also: Kosmos.
cuestaridge that has a steep cliff or escarpment on one side and a gentle back slope on the other. [Spanish]
Culhua-Méxicathe people we now call the Aztecs, who, during the 15th-16th centuries, ruled a large empire in the area of present-day México. [Nahuatl]
dakiniarchetype of kosmic feminine wisdom; semi-divine being accomplished in the erotic arts. These “Sky Walkers” or “Queens of Space” appear in Hindu and Buddhist Tantra, and may bestow blessings or be wrathful. In Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhism, dakinis may transmit esoteric teachings to the initiate. [Sanskrit; Tibetan: ]
Dalit“ground,” “suppressed,” “crushed;” untouchable caste; a person from the lowest social class. In South Asia (particularly India) Dalits, often dark-skinned, have suffered discrimination and prejudice by the upper castes. [Sanskrit: from , dalita, “split, broken”]
darshan“sight,” “seeing,” “perceiving;” perception of the ultimate Truth in the presence of a guru, holy person, sacred site, image, or statue. Darshan may be experienced, for example, by “glimpsing” the essence of a goddess while chanting to her picture, and thus experiencing expanded consciousness. [Sanskrit: )] Also: darsan, darśaṇa, darshana.
despacho“dispatch,” an offering made to the spirits in Andean indigenous spiritual traditions, usually made to Pachamama or the Apus. [Spanish]
devadasi “servant of the Divine;” a girl “dedicated” to worship and service of a deity for the rest of her life; a female dancer in a Hindu temple; caretaker of the temple. During the Golden Age of India, the devadasi were “married” as girls to a god, and enjoyed high status because of their practice of the temple arts (music, dancing, sexual practices). In recent centuries, the devadasi have become synonymous with prostitutes, and their forced sex labor is now illegal in India. [Sanskrit ]
dharmathat which upholds the cosmic order, usually through acting with virtue, duty, and righteousness; social or caste duty; conformity to one’s nature; the Law that “upholds, supports or maintains the regulatory order of the Universe.” Dharma figures as a central concept to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. [Sanskrit: धर्म]
dhyani Buddhawisdom of the Buddha. In Buddhism, the Five Dhyani Buddhas represent the five qualities of the Buddha (spaciousness, clarity, richness/satisfaction, passion, and effective activity) and are associated with cardinal directions, elements, colors, seasons, seed syllable mantras, challenges, and the means to overcome the challenges. [Sanskrit; Chinese: , Five Wisdom Tathāgatas]
dificiledifficult [Italian]
dikshainitiation into Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain tradition by a guru. The guru gives a mantra, a touch, or other contact, as preparation to set the initiate on the spiritual path to attain spiritual knowledge or enlightenment. [Sanskrit: ] Also: diksa, deeksha, or deeksa.
DionysusGreek god of wine, vegetation, the grape harvest, pleasure, ecstasy, festivity, and the theater. His rituals probed his influence as spiritual liberator and catalyst for epiphanies, as well as the mystical transformation of a Dying and Resurrecting God. Dionysus championed Nature (as opposed to Culture/civilization). His androgynous sensuality blurred gender distinctions. The Romans worshipped him as Bacchus. [Greek: ] See also: maenads.
Dom ethnic or social group of the Untouchable caste; traditional keeper of the cremation grounds in India. [Sanskrit] Also: ḍomba, Domra, Domaka, Dombar, Domi, ḍoma. See also: Dalit
Dominator Culturea hierarchical system ultimately backed up by fear or force. Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade and Sacred Pleasure, coined the term to explain the gender gap between men, who in a patriarchal dominator system, conquer and rule others (women, slaves, etc.), and women who submit to it. Eisler contrasts the authoritarian, “power over” dominator culture with a more equitable “power with” partnership culture. Also: Dominator System
dorje“diamond sceptre;” Tantric symbol for lingam (male sexual organ), used as an implement in ritual; lightning or thunderbolt of Hindu god Indra. As a masculine symbol, it represents the impenetrable, indivisible, and indestructible state of enlightenment or Buddhahood. The dorje is often used in ritual with the drilbu (bell). [Tibetan] Also: vajra See also: drilbu
doulaa nonmedical assistant to birth; labor coach; a woman who accompanies a birthing mother and offers physical and emotional support during childbirth.
Dravidianethnic group native to South India; dark-skinned aboriginal races of India pushed south by Indo-Aryan migration (1500 BCE); native culture of India with its own languages, architecture, and religious traditions (including concepts of Lord Shiva, Mother Goddess, and the non-dualism of Tantra).
drilbuceremonial bell used in Vajrayana (Tibetan/Tantric) Buddhism. The bell is rung during ritual, and represents feminine transcendent insight and the Void (empty interior of the bell). [Tibetan] See also: dorje, vajra
dupatta long headscarf popular in traditional clothing of many Asian cultures; silk shawl; scarf worn over the shoulders or as a veil on the head. [Hindi]
E alloraAnd so, Well then [Italian]
eccelenteexcellent [Italian]
enchilada“seasoned with chile peppers;” a corn tortilla rolled around a filling (of beans/meat/cheese/vegetables) and covered with a spicy chile sauce. Enchiladas are a traditional dish of Mexican cuisine. [Spanish]
entheogen“that which generates God/the divine in a person;
” psychoactive plant or substance used in shamanic ritual or medicine ceremonies. Entheogens from indigenous cultures include psilocybin mushrooms, uncured tobacco, cannabis, ayahuasca, and peyote cactus. Entheogenic substances are often contrasted with psychedelics or hallucinogens, which are associated with recreational use. See also: soma
equinoxthe time or date when the sun crosses the celestial equator, when the plane of Earth’s equator passes the center of the sun; the tilt of the Earth’s axis when it is inclined neither away from nor towards the sun. The equinox happens twice a year, around 21 March and 21 September (spring equinox / fall equinox). On this day, the light of day and the dark of night are of equal length. In traditional cultures, it is considered one of the arms of the cross of the wheel of the year.
eroticaartwork (literature, painting, sculpture, photography, drama, film, or music) that portrays sensuality, romantic love, desire, or sexual attraction. Whether philosophical, humorous, contemplative, or purely aesthetic, it can be sexually arousing. Contrasted with pornography, which can be degrading or exploitative of women and men, erotica portrays sex contextually and aspires toward artistic merit.
ETextraterrestrial; a being from someplace other than Earth.
et al“et alia” (“and others”). Abbreviation indicating that which follows is acting in the same manner; and other parties, and other things, and others, and the rest. [Latin]
euroofficial currency of the European Union, a politico-economic alliance of most of the countries of Europe. Symbol: €
famigliafamily; household [Italian]
farangsomeone of European ancestry, foreigner in Thailand. [Thai: ]
farroemmer; a species of whole grain wheat, popular in the Garfagnana region of Tuscany. [Italian]
Fibonacci Sequencea set of numbers in which each number (called a Fibonacci number) is equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers. Fibonacci numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, etc....
Bromeliad leaf, showing Fibonacci sequence. Plants grow new cells in spirals for top efficiency (in this case, so that the maximum amount of rain or dew gets directed down to the roots).
Image: Grupo Firenze.
The ratio of each successive pair of numbers in the sequence approximates phi (1.618…), as 5 ÷ 3 = 1.666…, and 8 ÷ 5 = 1.60, and so on. The higher along the sequence, the closer to phi. For example, by the 40th Fibonacci number, the phi ratio is accurate to 15 decimal places (1.618033988749895).
The Fibonacci sequence is found in Nature, for example: the branching patterns in leaves and trees, the way a fern uncurls, the arrangement of a pine cone, raspberry seeds, and many others.
The phi ratio and Golden Mean are considered attractive, whether found in design, art, architecture, or physical beauty. The number sequence was named after Leonardo Bonacci, a medieval Italian mathematician. See also: Golden Mean; phi.
flamboyánRoyal Poinciana tree, known for its bright red-orange blossoms and as a symbol of Puerto Rico. [Spanish]
formal operationala cognitive stage of development, in which a person can think about abstract or hypothetical concepts. A person with this ability is capable of logical thought, deductive reasoning, and systematic problem solving and planning. According to developmental psychology, this stage occurs from adolescence and into adulthood. Culturally, formal operational thought is part of the rational, worldcentric meme. See also:/Contrast with: concrete operational
fractala geometric pattern that is repeated at ever smaller (or larger) scales to produce irregular shapes and surfaces. Self-same patterns may occur in geometric shapes, mathematics, processes in time, and sounds.
frangipanitropical flowering tree with clusters of white, pink, or yellow flowers, known for its sweet floral fragrance. It is the most common flower used in the Hawaiian lei, and used in religious ceremonies in India. Also: plumeria
GaiaGreek Goddess of the Earth, who bore Ouranos, and then with him bore Oceanus, Kronos, and the Titans; Earth as a living being.
Gaia hypothesisa theory proposed by James Lovelock, that says that the Earth is an ancient, living, and self-regulating system within systems. [Greek: Γαῖα, a poetical form of Γῆ, Gē, “land” or “earth”] Also: Gaea.
GaneshaHindu elephant-headed god known as Remover of Obstacles; son of Goddess Parvati. [Sanskrit: ] Also: Ganapati
garudain Hindu and Buddhist mythology, a supernatural eagle-like being upon which the god Vishnu rides. The mythical bird was known for its intelligence and strength. [Sanskrit: .]
gay a sexual and affectional orientation toward people of the same gender; often used among men.
gelatoItalian-style ice cream. Gelato is denser and sweeter than most other ice cream. [Italian]
ghatflight of steps leading down to a river; mountain range; escarpment or mountain pass. [Sanskrit]
gheeclarified butter. After cooking out the milk solids and water from butter, the pure butterfat left over is called ghee. It is used in South Asian cuisine and ritual. [Sanskrit: ]
gnocchismall dumplings made from potato and wheat flour, usually served with a sauce. [Italian]
Golden Meana proportion, in which the ratio between two portions of a line, or the two dimensions of a plane figure, in which the lesser of the two is to the greater as the greater is to the sum of both: a ratio of approximately 0.618 to 1.000. The golden mean, or golden section, demonstrates aesthetically pleasing proportioning within architecture or art.
Mathematically, the golden ratio (1.618) between consecutive numbers in a Fibonacci sequence approximates the golden section with increasing precision as the series progresses.
Philosophically, the golden mean is the ideal middle between two extremes (between excess and deficiency); the happy medium. See also: Fibonacci; Golden Section; phi.
Golden SectionSee: Golden Mean. In Latin: sectio aurea. Also: medial section, divine proportion, divine section (Latin: sectio divina), golden proportion, golden cut.
gopimilkmaid, feminine cow-herder; symbol of spiritual/erotic longing, especially for the affections of the Hindu god Krishna. [Sanskrit: (]
G-spoterotically sensitive area in a woman’s genitals; female prostate; network of erectile tissue which engorges with blood and swells due to sexual stimulation. When aroused, the prostate glands fill with ejaculate, which during orgasm, may be released. Stimulation of the G-spot leads to uterine orgasms which may be emotional and intense. Also: sacred spot.
guruteacher, spiritual master, guide, “dispeller of ignorance.” [Sanskrit: ]
haz-matabbreviation for “hazardous materials.” A haz-mat suit would be worn to protect the wearer from flammable, explosive, radioactive, or poisonous substances.
hibiscustropical shrub known for its brightly colored flowers. Red is most common. It is the state flower of Hawai’i.
hieros gamos“sacred marriage;” ceremonial sexual union between divine beings; sexual ritual of fertility deities (or their earthly representatives, i.e., priest/priestess) carried out in myth and traditional agricultural cultures. The energy generated by the springtime “marriage” was to ensure fertility of the crops, abundant harvests, prosperous and harmonious communities, and the ordered continuation of the cosmos.
In ancient Sumer, the marriage of Goddess Inanna with her lover Dumuzi was re-created annually in her temple. In Tantric Buddhism, the yab-yum is a symbol of the mystical union of the Masculine and the Feminine, and of wisdom and compassion. In Wicca (paganism), the Great Rite is this marriage, symbolically with a chalice and a blade, or acted out by the High Priestess and High Priest. In alchemy, as well as in Jungian psychology, the hieros gamos is the alchemical union of opposites. [Greek , “holy marriage”] Also: hierogamy. See also: maithuna; yab-yum.
hijo míomy son, my child. [Spanish]
Hisatsinomancestral Pueblo people, Native Americans who established t
heir culture in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. The Hopi tribe consider the Hisatsinom their ancestors, and the name means “people of long ago.” [Hopi] See: Anasazi.
holona process or phenomenon which is simultaneously a whole and a part. According to Arthur Koestler, who coined the term, holons are autonomous, self-reliant units that possess a degree of independence and handle contingencies without needing instructions from higher authorities. These holons are also simultaneously subject to control from one or more of these higher authorities. A holon is maintained by the throughput of matter–energy and information–entropy connected to other holons.
According to Integral theory, holons display four fundamental capacities: (1) self-preservation; (2) self-adaptation; (3) self-transcendence; (4) self-dissolution. Each emergent holon transcends but includes its predecessor(s). Examples: trees – forests; molecules – atoms – quarks; humans – families – cities – countries; letter – word – sentence – paragraph. [from Greek: , holos, “whole” + -on, “particle,” “part”]
holarchyhierarchically organized structure of units called holons; a set of nested holons; contexts within contexts, frameworks within frameworks. According to Integral theory, the Great Holarchy of Being has each part of existence being an intrinsic whole that is simultaneously a part of a larger whole, and the entire series is nested in Spirit. See also: holon
holograma 3D (three-dimensional) image made from an interference pattern produced when a coherent beam of laser light is split and then crossed/rejoined.
Holographic
Universe TheoryReminiscent of traditional and indigenous peoples who held the belief that this life is maya or illusion, modern physicists are finding scientific evidence that we may live within a hologram.
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