Religion

For thousands of years the great spiritual adepts from all corners of the globe have guarded the secret teachings enclosed in this book. Now, we are able to receive these teachings so that we too may be able to cultivate the high spiritual levels that have been lost for ages. The Divine Science is the systematic and exact process of the discovery of the mystical capabilities of the human soul. In all ancient religions and cultures the wise men and women used sacred words, the intonations of mantras, and the use of the magical art of Theurgy (mysticism or white magic). This book is filled with direct instruction and practices that anyone can use in order to discover the depth of authentic mysticism.

Examines the background to the development of the surahs (chapters) and the ayahs (verses) and the construction of the Qur'an itself. Author shows that popular conceptions of Islamic attitudes to women, marriage and divorce, war and society, differ radically from the true teachings of the Qur'an.

The book details the ten permanent principles that never change, the ten commandments of making money if you will, and explores the economic and philosophic vision of business that has been part of Jewish culture for centuries. This new edition will provide new examples, especially of Internet related business opportunities.

An indispensable guidebook through the journey of life and death, Mind Beyond Death weaves a synthesis of wisdom remarkable in its scope. With warm informality and profound understanding of the Western mind, the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche makes the mysterious Tibetan teachings on the bardos-the intervals of life, death, and beyond-completely available to the modern reader. Drawing on a breathtaking range of material, Mind Beyond Death shows us how the bardos can be used to conquer death. Working with the bardos means taking hold of life and learning how to live with fearless abandon. Exploring all six bardos-not just the three bardos of death-Mind Beyond Death demonstrates that the secret to a good journey through and beyond death lies in how we live. Walking skillfully through the bardos of dream meditation and daily life, the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche takes us deep into the mysterious death intervals, introducing us to their dazzling mindscape. This tour de force gives us the knowledge to transform death, the greatest obstacle, into the most powerful opportunity for enlightenment. With both nuts-and-bolts meditation techniques and brilliant illumination, Mind Beyond Death offers a clear map and a sturdy vehicle that will safely transport the reader through the challenging transitions of this life and the perilous bardos beyond death.

A collection of Gnostic texts spanning centuries, geographical locations, and cultural traditions-"a wonderful achievement" (Elaine Pagels, author of The Gnostic Gospels) Gnosticism was a wide-ranging religious movement of the first millennium CE-with earlier antecedents and later flourishings-whose adherents sought salvation through knowledge and personal religious experience. Gnostic writings offer striking perspectives on both early Christian and non-Christian thought. For example, some gnostic texts suggest that god should be celebrated as both mother and father, and that self-knowledge is the supreme path to the divine. Only in the past fifty years has it become clear how far the gnostic influence spread in ancient and medieval religions-and what a marvelous body of scriptures it produced.The selections gathered here in poetic, readable translation represent Jewish, Christian, Hermetic, Mandaean, Manichaean, Islamic, and Cathar expressions of gnostic spirituality. Their regions of origin include Egypt, the Greco-Roman world, the Middle East, Syria, Iraq, China, and France. Also included are introductions, notes, an extensive glossary, and a wealth of suggestions for further reading.

The Revised Standard Version dramatically shaped the course of English Bible translation work in the latter half of the Twentieth Century. It is still the translation used in official Church pronouncements, and serves as the basis for the scriptural text used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Presents an examination of the human heart. 'Deep within every man', the author writes, 'there lies the dread of being alone in the world, forgotten by God, overlooked among the household of millions upon millions'. Love, for him, is one of the central aspects of existence; it saves us from isolation and unites us to each other and God.

In this devotional volume Alec Motyer delves into the songbook of the Jewish people on their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Exploring the background and themes in these psalms he draws out their application for travellers on the Christian journey today.

This "fresh, blunt, and highly persuasive account of how the West was won?for Jesus" (Newsweek) is now available in paperback. Stark's provocative report challenges conventional wisdom and finds that Christianity's astounding dominance of the Western world arose from its offer of a better, more secure way of life."Compelling reading" (Library Journal) that is sure to "generate spirited argument" (Publishers Weekly), this account of Christianity's remarkable growth within the Roman Empire is the subject of much fanfare. "Anyone who has puzzled over Christianity's rise to dominance...must read it." says Yale University's Wayne A. Meeks, for The Rise of Christianity makes a compelling case for startling conclusions. Combining his expertise in social science with historical evidence, and his insight into contemporary religion's appeal, Stark finds that early Christianity attracted the privileged rather than the poor, that most early converts were women or marginalized Jews?and ultimately "that Christianity was a success because it proved those who joined it with a more appealing, more assuring, happier, and perhaps longer life" (Andrew M. Greeley, University of Chicago).

Retells the story of Genesis. In this title, readers of every persuasion can gain fresh insights from these stories. It reintroduces us to the bountiful tree-lined garden of Adam and Eve, the massive ark of Noah with beasts of every kind, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by brimstone and fire, and the Egypt of the Pharaoh.

Robin Routledge provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in this book which is gauged to meet the needs of readers who want to dine on the meat of Old Testament theology but do not have time to linger over hors d'oeuvres and dessert.

In LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT, author Ronald J. Frederick, does a brilliant job of describing why people are so afraid of their emotions and how this fear creates a variety of problems in their lives. While the problems are different, the underlying issue is often the same. At the core of their distress is what Dr.

Explores essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths. This book emphasizes the inner - rather than the institutional - dimensions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It conveys the appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.

A modern-day classic defense of the Christian faith, Letters from a Skeptic shares an intimate correspondence between a son and his agnostic father that captivated seekers and believers alike.

'

Presents a hard-hitting rebuttal of religious fundamentalism and blind belief. With deceptively simple arguments, the author demolishes the myths on which Christianity was built, challenges believers to open their eyes to the contradictions of their faith and warns us of the dangers of America's ever increasing unification of Church and State.

A contemporary version of important early Christian texts that are not included in the New Testament. The translation, Greek texts, introduction, notes, and bibliographies are freshly revised.

Enjoy the surprising clarity of The Message . . . with a font size to match.This large-print edition of The Message is designed for anyone who prefers larger type for clearer, more enjoyable reading.The Message is a reading Bible translated from the original Greek and Hebrew Scriptures by scholar, pastor, author, and poet Eugene Peterson. Thoroughly reviewed and approved by twenty biblical scholars, The Message combines the authority of GodΓÇÖs Word with the cadence and energy of conversational English.What makes The Message the best reading Bible? Discover for yourself. Enjoy the familiar one-column design, like books youΓÇÖre used to. Find passages with The MessageΓÇÖs unique verse-numbered paragraphs. Relax with the large-print type size. See the big picture with ΓÇ£The Story of the Bible in Five Acts,ΓÇ¥ alongside handcrafted maps, charts, and timelines. Keep your place with a satin ribbon marker.Come and delight in the unexpected passion and personality that fill GodΓÇÖs Word.

This comprehensive volume offers readers clear and concise answers to every major Bible difficulty from Genesis to Revelation, staunchly defending the authority and inspiration of Scripture.

Every 13,000 years on Earth a sacred and secret event takes place that changes everything. Mother Earth's Kundalini energy emerges from its resting place in the planet's core and moves like a snake across the surface of our world. Once at home in ancient Lemuria, it moved to Atlantis, then to the Himalayan mountains of India and Tibet, and with every relocation changed our idea of what spiritual means. And gender. And heart.This time, with much difficulty, the "Serpent of Light" has moved to the Andes Mountains of Chile and Peru. Multidimensional, multidisciplined and multilived, for the first time in this book, Drunvalo begins to tell his stories of 35 years spent in service to Mother Earth. Follow him around the world as he follows the guidance of Ascended Masters, his two spheres of light, and his own inner growing knowledge. His story is a living string of ceremonies to help heal hearts, align energies, right ancient imbalances, and balance the living Earth's Unity Consciousness Gridin short to increase our awareness of the indivisibility of life in the universe. We are allrocks and people and interdimensional beingsone!" Life may seem to be business as usual, but it is not. We are changing fast ...Remember this for life is going to present stranger things to you in your lifetime, and they all have meaning and purpose ...Only Mother Earth and ancient Maya know what's going to happen." from Serpent of Light. *black and white photographs included

Stein provides a comprehensive summary of Jung's vision of psychological and spiritual life. The work covers: the collective unconscious; human consciousness and the structure of the ego; synchronicity; the complexes; shadow; psychic energy; self; persona; individuation; and anima/animus.

This volume provides an introduction to the work of Meister Eckhart and a guide to the spiritual life.

If you're suffering from pain and worry you know how hard it is to write of peace and serenity within. The message of comfort and hope that breathes through the pages of this book was forged out of adversity, and as a result has touched the hearts of millions.

Winner of the Thornton Wilder Prize for TranslationThe most influential Buddhist sutra in the Mahayana tradition, from one of the world’s preeminent translators of religious texts   The Heart Sutra is Buddhism in a nutshell. It has had the most profound and wide–reaching influence of any text in Buddhism. This short text covers more of the Buddha’s teachings than any other scripture, and it does so without being superficial or hurried. Although the original author is unknown, he was clearly someone with a deep realization of the Dharma. For this new English translation, Red Pine, award–winning translator of Chinese poetry and religious texts, has utilized various Sanskrit and Chinese versions, refining the teachings of dozens of ancient teachers together with his own commentary to offer a profound word–for–word explication. Divided into four parts and broken into thirty–five lines to make it easier to study or chant, and containing a glossary of names, terms, and texts, The Heart Sutra is a wise book of deep teaching destined to become the standard edition of this timeless statement of Mahayana truth.