Religion

A reader-friendly guide to Zen Buddhist ethics for modern times In the West, Zen Buddhism has a reputation for paradoxes that defy logic. In particular, the Buddhist concept of nonduality — the realization that everything in the universe forms a single, integrated whole — is especially difficult to grasp. In The Other Side of Nothing, Zen teacher Brad Warner untangles the mystery and explains nonduality in plain English. To Warner, this is not just a philosophical problem: nonduality forms the bedrock of Zen ethics, and once we comprehend it, many of the perplexing aspects of Zen suddenly make sense. Drawing on decades of Zen practice, he traces the interlocking relationship between Zen metaphysics and ethics, showing how a true understanding of reality — and the ultimate unity of all things — instills in us a sense of responsibility for the welfare of all beings. When we realize that our feeling of separateness from others is illusory, we have no desire to harm any creature. Warner ultimately presents an expansive overview of the Zen ethos that will give beginners and experts alike a deeper understanding of one of the world’s enduring spiritual traditions.

*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE**A TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND BBC HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR*'A bona fide historical classic' Sunday Times'Simply one of the best history books I have ever read' BBC HistoryIn the frontier town of Springfield in 1651, peculiar things begin to happen. Precious food spoils, livestock ails and property vanishes. People suffer fits and are plagued by strange visions and dreams. Children sicken and die. As tensions rise, rumours spread of witches and heretics, and the community becomes tangled in a web of spite, distrust and denunciation. The finger of suspicion falls on a young couple struggling to make a home and feed their children: Hugh Parsons the irascible brickmaker and his troubled wife, Mary. It will be their downfall.The Ruin of All Witches tells the dark, real-life folktale of witch-hunting in a remote Massachusetts plantation. These were the turbulent beginnings of colonial America, when English settlers' dreams of love and liberty, of founding a 'city on a hill', gave way to paranoia and terror, enmity and rage. Drawing on uniquely rich, previously neglected source material, Malcolm Gaskill brings to life a New World existence steeped in the divine and the diabolic, in curses and enchantments, and precariously balanced between life and death.Through the gripping micro-history of a family tragedy, we glimpse an entire society caught in agonized transition between supernatural obsessions and the age of enlightenment. We see, in short, the birth of the modern world.'Gaskill tells this deeply tragic story with immense empathy and compassion, as well as historical depth' The Guardian 'As compelling as a campfire story ... Gaskill brings this sinister past vividly to life' Erica Wagner, Financial Times

Little Prayer, Little Power. No Prayer, No Power. Much Prayer, Much Power. It's time to pull out your little prayer book! God invites us to come to him in prayer, but sometimes it's hard to know how to talk to him or what to pray for. My little prayer book is a collection of 100 prayers that help you find the compassion, confidence, courage, inspiration, and purpose you need to get through each day. A clever play on the little black book, this book of prayers encourages readers to connect with God through daily prayer to find peace for anxious moments, joy in life's blessings, confidence to face every moment, and hope in the promises of God.

In The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Scougal cuts through false ideas about religion and demonstrates how to pursue true unity with God.

In Overcoming Apathy, theology professor Uche Anizor takes a fresh look at the widespread problem of apathy and its effect on spiritual maturity, offering practical, biblical advice to break the cycle.

The Genius of Japanese Carpentry tells the story of the 1200-year-old Yakushiji monastery in Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the dedicated modern-day craftsmen who are working to restore what has been lost to the depredations of time, fire and warfare. Although the monastery's reconstruction will not be fully completed until 2030, one of the primary temples, the Picture Hall, has been wholly restored employing the same materials, tools and techniques originally used in its creation over a millennium ago. Featuring intricate, puzzle-like joinery and the integration of timber pieces to orient them in the same direction as when it was a growing tree, this book skillfully documents the stunning craftsmanship of the ancient Japanese, which is still alive today. First published more than thirty years ago, this book has become a classic. Author Azby Brown, one of the world's leading experts on Japanese architecture, chronicles the painstaking restoration of the Yakushiji monastery through: Extensive interviews with carpenters and woodworkersOriginal drawings based on the plans of master carpenter Tsunekazu NishiokaDetailed photographs and diagrams showing the woodworking techniques, tools and materials used>An inspiring testament to the dedication of these craftsmen and their philosophy of carpentry work as a form of personal fulfillment, The Genius of Japanese Carpentry offers detailed documentation of the restoration of this historic building and a moving reminder of the unique cultural continuity found in Japan.

In the Strange New World Study Guide, Trueman walks through each of the book's 9 chapters, summarizing key points, posing thought-provoking questions, and providing Bible verses for further reading.

John Butt came to Swat in 1970 as a young man in search of an education he couldn't get from his birthplace in England. He travels around the region, first only with friends from his home country, but as he befriends the locals and starts to learn about their culture and life, he soon finds his heart turning irrevocably Pashtoon. Containing anecdotes from his life both before and since he shifted to Afghanistan, and with a keen and optimistic attitude towards becoming the best version of himself, John Butt tells a wonderful and heartfelt tale of a man who finds a home in the most unexpected place.

Get to know God better and dig deeper into His Word with The Bible Recap Study Guide. Following a chronological Bible reading plan, this easy-to-use resource includes reflection and research questions specific to each day's reading, as well as space to write your responses. From just a handful of questions each day, you will get a concise yet comprehensive view of the Bible's larger narrative and how God's character is revealed throughout Scripture. You will soon discover that He's where the joy is!Praise for The Bible Recap"I have grown closer to God in ways I couldn't expect.""It has helped me understand the Bible like never before.""More than a Bible study, it is a God study."

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a detailed examination of the five-centuries-old tea ceremonyor Cha-no-Yu in Japanese, literally "e;hot water for tea"e;a cornerstone of Japanese culture and a core practice of Zen Buddhism. Framed by intricately choreographed steps, the tea ceremony is as much about the search for enlightenment as it is about serving tea. Within the serenity of the tea room, the ceremony, with its highly formal structure, becomes an object of focus for meditation. As the water is heated and the tea is served, the ultimate goal is losing the sense of self while gaining inner peace. The path to mindfulness runs through the center of the tea ceremony. Abundantly illustrated with over 160 drawings and 40 color photos showing every aspect of the ceremony, this book takes readers on a complete tour of furniture and utensils, teahouses and gardens, and numerous other features of Cha-no-Yu. It also delves into the many disciplines included within the broader framework of the tea ceremonyJapanese art, calligraphy, flower arrangements, architecture, gardening, and exquisite handicrafts. Learn more about the experiences of masters of the tea ceremony over the centuries and histories of the various schools and traditions of the art of tea. Full-color photos of tea bowls, teahouses, and gardens reveal the exquisite artistry of the cult of tea and this important Japanese tradition. With a new foreword by award-winning author Laura C. Martin, The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a fascinating exploration of the ritual and Zen philosophy of one of Japan's greatest customs, truly "e;an epitome of Japanese civilization."e;

Bestselling author S.A. Chakraborty's acclaimed Daevabad Trilogy is expanded with this compilation of stories from before, during, and after the events of The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper, and The Empire of Gold.

Bestselling crime author Helen Fields is back with yet another breathtaking, page-turning crime thriller that will keep you up all night...

The Beatitudes invite us to a new way of life-one of abundance, dignity, truth, and mercy. We've learned to live by striving, competition, and comparison, but what if we all have equal dignity and worth? Mark Scandrette shows how the Beatitudes invite us into nine new postures for life. Whatever your story, whatever your struggle, the ninefold path found in the Beatitudes is available to you.

Experience mystical teacher Neville Goddard's first full-length book written in 1939 in this top quality editon of At Your Command. In this immensely practical short work, you'll receive a complete understanding of Neville's method for using the true nature of your imaginative powers of creativity as he succinctly lays out his ideas with ease, and total practicality. Neville discloses his extraordinary and testable claim that your awakened imagination is God Itself. In the past decade the visionary work of Neville Goddard (1905-1972) has attained spectacular popularity. A new generation of readers is discovering and testing Neville's core principle: imagining creates reality.

Drawing on premodern theology and postmodern theory, this book shows that religious and political commitments can endure uncertainty through the practice of hope. Since hope is shared by people who are religious and by people who are not, it shows that faith has a future in a secular age.