Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound (Studies in Comparative Religion)

Hello my Friends! An excellent book. It was my understanding that Sonic Theology was about the role of music in religion. But Mr. Beck goes way beyond that and explores the path that sound can heal regardless of religion, or no religion. He does spend a lot of time on Hinduism, because in Hinduism sound IS THE ULTIMATE REALITY. Luckily, I bought this book a week before I went to The Internastional Symposium on Sound, Music, and Healing. If you are at all interested in drumming or gongs and bells used for healing, this book is for you! Thanks for letting me share.

If you're looking for a source of useful information to incorporate into a spiritual practice, this book will disappoint. Too many academics dissect their topics the same way they'd dissect a butterfly to investigate its innards. They completely miss the beauty and just kill it instead.

A+

One of my favorite academic books on Hinduism. It pioneered the academic study of the role of sound in Hinduism, and did within the genuine structure of Hinduism in different theological and philosophical schools. The topic adds context and depth to one's understanding of Hinduism and its practices and doctrines.

As a writer and researcher in the area of Hinduism and Yoga, I read and review a number of books everyday. This work successfully opens the field for study in sacred sound in the Hindu Tradition.Although a number of works deal with mantra in relation to the various soteriological traditions of India, none have truly brought all of the knowledge together as efficiently and decisively as he has. His comparitive approach and weaving together of helpful, contextual historical information make it a valuable study. His treatment of the grammarian traditions and their theories on language, meaning and mantra are insightful.I heartily recommend this work for those interested in learning more about the role of sound in soteriology. As India's legacy is its oral tradition, this book provides a unique perspective into the Indic spiritual traditions. Beck's approach has reset the perspective and opened a doorway to the heart of Hinduism. As one of my mentor's stated, "Only a fine musician could have written such a book."Tip** If you want a starter book on the topic, look up Harold Coward and David Goa, Mantra: Hearing the Divine in India.

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