Religion

The basic questions of Who Am I? Where Am I Going? What Is the Purpose of Life? are asked by every generation, and Patanjali's answers (given in the third century BC) form one of the oldest spiritual texts in the world. 'That which unites' is called 'Yoga' - and is thus much broader than the form of exercise so popular today. It is a way to restore our lost wholeness, our integrity as complete human beings, by unifying the personality around a centre that is silent and unbounded. Alistair Shearer's superb introduction and translation bring these ancient, vital teachings to life in the modern world and are for all those who seek the benefits of self-knowledge.

The Dhammapada is a classic of world religious literature. This spiritual masterpiece collects together the key sayings of the Buddha and is an essential guide for all those who wish to follow the Buddha on the path to enlightenment. Yet its appeal extends beyond Buddhism to engage anyone who seeks to understand profound universal truths, and it remains as relevant today as when the text was compiled some 2,500 years ago.In this beautiful translation of one of the best loved Buddhist scriptures, Thomas Byrom reveals the practical and timeless simplicity of the Buddha's teaching.

Profound love is at the heart of this warm, compassionate collection of meditations by spiritual master Anthony de Mello -- a last inspiring gift to the countless readers whose lives he touched.

Some twenty-five centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts? Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularized version of the Buddha's teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age. After Buddhism, the culmination of four decades of study and practice in the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada traditions, is his attempt to set the record straight about who the Buddha was and what he was trying to teach. Combining critical readings of the earliest canonical texts with narrative accounts of five members of the Buddha's inner circle, Batchelor depicts the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than a dogmatic metaphysician. He envisions Buddhism as a constantly evolving culture of awakening whose long survival is due to its capacity to reinvent itself and interact creatively with each society it encounters. This original and provocative book presents a new framework for understanding the remarkable spread of Buddhism in today's globalized world. It also reminds us of what was so startling about the Buddha's vision of human flourishing.

You don't need to have the talents of a rock star or the wisdom of Yoda to effectively and naturally live a life on mission with God. And you do not have to add a big list of new activities to your life! Instead, it is the everyday ordinary things done with greater gospel-intentionality...slowly over time...that make all the difference.Biblical and super practical, Small Is Big, Slow Is Fast helps readers respond to Jesus' call to each of us to be a missionary right where we live-in our own families and neighborhoods. It shows you step by step the essential elements that create environments for organic kingdom growth and multiplication.Whether you're looking to lead your own family or are taking first steps toward starting a church that has discipleship and mission at its core, you will discover the secret to starting out small and going (seemingly) slower-and not feeling guilty about it. And you'll be encouraged to trust that when you lay the right foundations, multi-plication will occur and will always be "e;faster"e; and more successful in the long run.

Based on his bestselling book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, this 40-day devotional by Peter Scazzero is your guide to more intentional, meaningful, life-changing communion with God.We all struggle to find daily time to be with God for the nourishment of our souls. This groundbreaking devotional is your key to resting fully in the awareness of his presence, increasing your self-knowledge, and growing deeper, closer to God.Each day, Peter Scazzero invites you to the ancient and yet powerful spiritual discipline of the Daily Office, the practice of pausing morning and evening to reflect on God's work in your life.In the midst of the hustle, we have to create interludes to re-center our hearts on the presence of God. For eight weeks, each morning and evening devotional will help you create that much-needed space for silence and reflection. You will be encouraged with thoughtful readings and questions to consider. And after each a closing prayer, you'll return to your day with a renewed sense of purpose and peace. This devotional is drawn from the bestselling book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and can be read as a companion book or enjoyed on its own.Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day will anchor your life on the invitation to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength. In this guided journey, you'll discover the spiritual nourishment, joy, and peace that comes from meeting with God every day.Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day is also available in Spanish, Espiritualidad emocionalmente sana Da a da.

This is a book about awareness - it's about being 'awake' and in touch with what is going on here and now. Practical and down-to-earth, it deals exclusively with the present, not with speculation, theory or belief in some far-off time and place. The teachings of the Buddha are plain and straightforward, and because they remain focused on the moment they are just as relevant now as they have ever been. BUDDHISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE is the book for anyone wanting to discover, or rediscover, the essence of Buddhism.

The Book of the Dead is a unique collection of funerary texts from a wide variety of sources, dating from the fifteenth to the fourth century BC. Consisting of spells, prayers and incantations, each section contains the words of power to overcome obstacles in the afterlife. The papyruses were often left in sarcophagi for the dead to use as passports on their journey from burial, and were full of advice about the ferrymen, gods and kings they would meet on the way. Offering valuable insights into ancient Egypt, The Book of the Dead has also inspired fascination with the occult and the afterlife in recent years.

Few forces in the world are as potent as religion: it comforts people in their suffering and inspires them to both magnificent and terrible deeds. In this provocative and timely book, Daniel C. Dennett seeks to uncover the origins of religion and discusses how and why different faiths have shaped so many lives, whether religion is an addiction or a genuine human need, and even whether it is good for our health. Arguing passionately for the need to understand this multifaceted phenomenon, Breaking the Spell offers a truly original and comprehensive explanation for faith.

The exhilarating, life-affirming call to spiritual arms from world-renowned spiritual teacher G. I. Gurdjieff'Gurdjieff's voice is heard as a call.He calls because he suffers from the inner chaos in which we live.He calls to us to open our eyes.He asks us why we are here, what we wish for, what forces we obey. He asks us, above all, if we understand what we are . . .'Part adventure narrative, part travelogue, part spiritual guide, Meetings with Remarkable Men is suffused with Gurdjieff's unique perspective on life. With vivacity and charm, he organizes his account around portraits of the remarkable men and women who accompanied him through remote parts of the Near East and Central Asia, and who aided his search for hidden knowledge. Among them are Gurdjieff's own father (a traditional bard), a Russian prince dedicated to the search for Truth, a Christian missionary who entered a World Brotherhood deep in Asia, and a woman who escaped slavery to become a trusted member of Gurdjieff's group of fellow seekers.Meetings with Remarkable Men conveys a haunting sense of what it means to live fully - with conscience, with purpose and with heart.

'It isn't likely that this collection of journal entries will pass the censors. If it can't be published, I hope my friends will circulate it among themselves. I'll leave Vietnam tomorrow...' Thus Thich Nhat Hanh begins his 11 May 1966 journal entry. Since that time, he has been unable to return to his homeland but, now based in France, he has become one of the world's most respected spiritual leaders. Fragrant Palm Leaves reveals a vulnerable and questioning young man reflecting on the many difficulties he and his fellow monks faced in Vietnam trying to make Buddhism relevant to the people's needs. We follow him, in 1964, as he helps establish the movement known as 'engaged Buddhism': starting self-help villages, a new university, a Buddhist order and many other efforts for peace. Fragrant Palm Leaves is regarded by many Vietnamese as Thich Nhat Hanh's most endearing and stimulating book. It offers readers a glimpse into the mind of a great thinker and activist and shows how to live fully, with awareness, during a time of challenge and upheaval.

In this beautifully-written guide, Chief Druid Philip Carr-Gomm shows how the way of Druids can be followed today. He explains- The ancient history and inspiring beliefs of the ancient Druids- Druidic wild wisdom and their tree-, animal- and herb-lore- The mysteries of the Druids' seasonal celebrations- The Druids' use of magic and how their spirituality relates to paths such as WiccaThis guide will show how the wild wisdom of the Druids can help us to connect with our spirituality, our innate creativity, the natural world and our sense of ancestry. The life-enhancing beliefs and practices of this spiritual path have much to offer our 21st-century world.

This little book collects together Mother Teresa's words of wisdom. Through simple prayers, meditations and insights, it offers us all a guide on the path to peace, whatever our faith, and speaks of the simple truths that transcend all boundaries. Warm, profound and yet very practical, The Book of Peace will provide a tremendous source of inspiration for you or someone you love. It is brimming with timeless messages for us all.

The science delusion is the belief that science already understands the nature of reality. The fundamental questions are answered, leaving only the details to be filled in. In this book, Dr Rupert Sheldrake, one of the world's most innovative scientists, shows that science is being constricted by assumptions that have hardened into dogmas. The sciences would be better off without them: freer, more interesting, and more fun. According to the dogmas of science, all reality is material or physical. The world is a machine, made up of dead matter. Nature is purposeless. Consciousness is nothing but the physical activity of the brain. Free will is an illusion. God exists only as an idea in human minds, imprisoned within our skulls. But should science be a belief-system, or a method of enquiry? Sheldrake shows that the materialist ideology is moribund; under its sway, increasingly expensive research is reaping diminishing returns. In the skeptical spirit of true science, Sheldrake turns the ten fundamental dogmas of materialism into exciting questions, and shows how all of them open up startling new possibilities.The Science Delusion will radically change your view of what is possible. and give you new hope for the world.

Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Orgthe churchs highest ministry, speaks of her disconnection from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.In this tell-all memoir, complete with family photographs from her time in the Church, Jenna Miscavige Hill, a prominent critic of Scientology who now helps others leave the organization, offers an insiders profile of the beliefs, rituals, and secrets of the religion that has captured the fascination of millions, including some of Hollywoods brightest stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

One of the most important scholars of our century, Gershom Scholem (1897-1982) opened up a once esoteric world of Jewish mysticism, the Kabbalah, to concerned students of religion. The Kabbalah is a rich tradition of repeated attempts to achieve and portray direct experiences of God: its twelfth-and thirteenth-century beginnings in southern France and Spain are probed in Origins of the Kabbalah, a work crucial in Scholem's oeuvre. The book is a contribution not only to the history of Jewish medieval mysticism but also to the study of medieval mysticism in general and will be of interest to historians and psychologists, as well as to students of the history of religion.

When Dr Eben Alexander wrote about his own startling near-death experience in Proof of Heaven, he was contacted by countless people from all walks of life. His story had touched them personally and they in turn had their own miraculous experiences of the afterlife to share with Eben. In The Map of Heaven, Eben recounts the astonishing stories he has heard on his travels, from near-death experiences and encounters with angelic beings to inspiring messages from departed loved ones. Each account helps us to understand just how vast the universe really is. Drawing on these accounts and lessons from religious leaders, philosophers and scientific investigations into the role of consciousness, Eben explores our true place in the universe and what exactly exists beyond death.

The Essential Guide for ProphetsMining from years on the frontlines of prophetic ministry, and overseeing the internationally renowned Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, bestselling author Kris Vallotton takes you deep into the heart of one of the most crucial, compelling and controversial topics today: the office of prophet. In this definitive guide, Kris offers often-neglected foundational teaching and provides critical advanced training, including how to· discern your calling and grow in your gift· define your divinely appointed sphere of influence and depth of authority· recognize the six different types of prophets--and how to deal with false ones· navigate potential relational difficulties as you step into your gifting· understand the complex ways God communicates· prepare for the common, but dangerous, spiritual attacks prophets faceVallotton offers a balanced view of not only what modern-day prophets are, but also what they are not. You will come away empowered and equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for this beautiful, vital, supernatural ministry."The New Testament of Jesus Christ is a message of faith, hope and love. It is called the Good News. My friend and colleague Kris Vallotton is one of the best in the prophetic community to help shape, teach and model these 'Good News Prophets.' Thanks for honoring my generation's pioneering work and picking up the baton and carrying it forth!"--Dr. James Goll, founder, Encounters Network, Prayer Storm and GET eSchool"My friend Kris Vallotton has masterfully crafted this treatise, School of the Prophets, on the dynamics and framework of building a prophetic community in the 21st century. His life experience and seasoning in Christ have afforded the Spirit the opportunity to make him an influencer of influencers and a prophetic voice to the nations with a global footprint."--Mark J. Chironna, M.A., Ph.D.; Mark Chironna Ministries; Church on the Living Edge, Orlando, Florida"I love this book! As a person passionate to see the most desired gift in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 14:1) flourish all over the world, I would recommend this book wholesale. It clearly and biblically describes how to function in the New Testament gift of prophecy and articulates various kinds of biblical prophets. If one heeds its principles, it will give greater understanding and produce higher levels of maturity in prophetic ministry."--Stacey Campbell, founder, Canadian Prophetic Council; author, Ecstatic Prophecy"This is a must-read for all ministries. As an apostolic ministry, we recognize the gifts and callings that God has placed on the lives of those we pastor. Reading School of the Prophets has given us greater insight and understanding of how to help develop and prepare others to walk in their divine assignment. Kris Vallotton brings much clarity in what it means to be called in the office of a prophet and eliminates the fear of giving and receiving the prophetic."--Tony and Cynthia Brazelton, founders and pastors, Victory Christian Ministries International"Kris Vallotton's book reminds us that the heart of prophecy should be God's heart to build up, encourage and speak life. Kris goes through strategic and important teaching about prophecy versus the office of prophet, specifically in the context of the Church. I highly recommend this book and pray that it helps you to understand the prophetic and to 'call the gold' out of those around you."--Heidi Baker, Ph.D.; co-founder and director, Iris Global"As I read this book, I could hear the sound of an entire generation of voices emerge that will transform culture. Kris Vallotton is a father to these voices. School of the Prophets presents a practical methodology for prophetic community and a powerful manifesto for prophetic transformation in this generation."--Bob Hazlett, author, The Roar: God's Sound in a Raging World; Future Perspectives, New Haven, Connecticut

Cindy Jacobs, bestselling author and recognized leader in the worldwide prayer movement, brings her passionate message to all Christians who struggle with prayer or desire to be more effective prayer warriors. This powerful guide will answer such questions as, "Why does it take so long to receive answers to my prayers?" "How can I take my prayer life to the next level?" and many more. Whether they wonder why their prayers aren't answered, if God likes the way they pray, or if they are persistent enough in their prayers, Jacobs addresses these concerns and provides solid biblical answers. Written out of the crucible of her own deep prayer life, Jacobs starts with basic teaching and builds up to more in-depth topics, including fasting and spiritual warfare. Readers will come away with a fresh understanding of how to develop a strong, consistent prayer life and to discover the power of persistent prayer.

How to Pray with Boldness, Authority, and Supernatural PowerIn a world full of desperate need, we turn expectantly to prayer, hoping to witness the realities promised in Scripture. Most of us, however, seldom see the results we hope for. Why don't our prayers make more of a difference?Beginning with her own experiences of breakthrough, Jennifer Eivaz offers much-needed direction and the biblical context for prayer that does make a difference--explaining the intervention of angels and demons, prophetic manifestations, and much more. She helps believers take hold of their authority and spiritual giftings and use them in the battle for victory. The Kingdom principles and study questions will help every believer navigate the spiritual realm of prayer by using the tools that make it truly effective.

In The Ancient City, Fustel de Coulanges hands us the skeleton key unlocking classical civilization—the Indo-European domestic cult—showing this archaic religion to be the engine behind the rise and fall of the classical world.In his foreword, Dennis Bouvard views The Ancient City through the lens of generative anthropology, pointing the way to a post-liberal understanding of our own social order, informed by the imperative order described by Fustel.

It breaks down barriers to accessing this ancient tradition for modern seekers by dispelling myths about the Muslim faith concerning gender bias, inclusivity and appreciation for diversity.

Suitable for students and others who need a lightweight, compact version of the popular "JPS Hebrew-English Bible", this title presents a pocket version of the "JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh". It features Hebrew vowels, and cantillation marks.

Discover the majestic flow of the universe and how its symbolic architecture can awaken higher energies.

Known as the female Buddha in Tibet and India, the beloved deity Tara connects us to the archetypal Divine Feminine-an energetic force that exists within us and all around us. While there are many scholarly books on Tara, this practical and psychological guide shows how those of any tradition can directly access her, though clear instruction and authentic Tibetan Buddhist teachings.