Religion: general Books

Book SynopsisHow To Double and Triple Your Sales in Any Market.Understanding the psychology of selling is more important than the techniques and methods of selling. Mastering it is a promise of prosperity that sales trainer and professional speaker Brian Tracy has seen fulfilled again and again.In The Psychology of Selling, Tracy shows how salespeople can learn to control their thoughts, feelings, and actions to make themselves more effective. You''ll learn: The inner game of sales and selling. How to eliminate the fear of rejection. How to build unshakeable confidence. The psychology of why people buy and how to leverage it.  The Psychology of Selling quickly gives you a series of ideas, methods, strategies, and techniques that you can use right away to make more sales, faster and easier than ever before.More salespeople have become millionaires by listening to and applying these i

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Book SynopsisWealth and abundance are our divine right, learn to embrace prosperity with #1 New York Times bestselling author Marianne Williamson - preorder her latest, The Mystic Jesus, picking up where A Return to Love left offIn The Law of Divine Compensation, the revered spiritual guide teaches how, with faith in God’s promise of love and abundance for all, we need never fear the future.There are two realms that we have the ability to inhabit: the physical realm and the spiritual realm. In the physical realm, we find ourselves stressed by debt, unemployment, health bills, and more. While these fears are real, we don’t have to find ourselves stuck there. Instead, we can enter the spiritual realm, where God has promised to make abundance and prosperity available to us all. We do not need to be worried; we do not need to be preoccupied with our current financial situation; we do not need to fear the future. We just need to have the right mindset, the right faith that the power of God can and will work with the universe to produce miracles in our lives. If we live our lives to the best of our abilities, God will work with the universe to help give us everything we need.Trade Review"Author, activist, and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson is often considered one of the defining voices for a new generation of spiritual seekers." -- Spirituality and Health magazine "Williamson may be the most renowned spiritual activist and author teaching spiritual principles based on A Course in Miracles. This latest book... addresses the ways we attract miracles or deflect them... with a focus on the particular attitudes that will pave the way to material abundance." -- Publishers Weekly "Williamson focuses on what defines meaningful work and how our jobs can be an extension of our spirituality. As she teaches ... the sense of endless possibility to reshape our lives unfolds." -- Huffington Post "The Law of Divine Compensation assures us that everything will be all right since the universe is set up to work for us. ... We are challenged to believe that miracles do happen and what is lacking can become abundant." -- Spirituality and Practice "Williamson's easy, caring writing style makes almost anything seem possible, and here it is used to best advantage." -- Booklist "If you have trouble allowing money to flow abundantly into your life, by all means, pick up a copy of Marianne Williamson's new book The Law of Divine Compensation. ... This wonderful book... will help you shift your perceptions around money, work, and wealth. -- Law of Attraction magazine In The Law of Divine Compensation, the New York Times bestselling author Marianne Williamson provides a unique perspective on our financial condition,... revealing a path to abundance by way of a powerful spiritual principle called the Law of Divine Compensation. -- Edge Magazine "Marianne conveys her principals in such a way that makes my brain simultaneously jolt to life with excitement and my soul sigh with deep, profound relief." -- Gaiam TV Blog

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Book SynopsisHow did human societies scale up from tight-knit groups of hunter-gatherers to the large, anonymous, cooperative societies of today--even though anonymity is the enemy of cooperation? How did organized religions with "Big Gods"--the great monotheistic and polytheistic faiths--spread to colonize most minds in the world? In Big Gods, Ara Norenzayan mTrade Review"Ranging across quantitative studies, historical cross-cultural examples, theological texts, and the practices of believers, Norenzayan convincingly argues that religions with Big Gods are successful because they generate a sense of being watched and regulated, require extravagant displays of commitment that weed out religious impostors, and encourage solidarity and trust."--Publishers Weekly "I found this book insightful, well-written, and to the point."--Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution "The book is a breakthrough, and will undoubtedly influence scientific perspectives on religion and secularism... Without a doubt, Big Gods is a seminal and outstanding book, rocketing the psychological and evolutionary understanding of faith and secularization to new heights and new questions. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in human evolution, psychology, and the scientific study of religion."--Michael Blume, Evolution: This View of Life "Once in a while, a whole field of research is pushed forward by a seminal work. Ara Norenzayan's Big Gods: How Religion Transformed Cooperation and Conflict is one of those rare books bound to becoming a classic for a generation of colleagues and students."--Michael Blume, SciLogs "This is an impressive work; it demonstrates how and why the Big Gods are still with us, and watching."--Reference & Research Book News "I recommend it to readers interested in the relationships between religions, the non-religious, and nation states. It should be required reading for psychologists and sociologists."--John Harney, Magonia "[T]his book is great value for the money: it provides energy, intriguing ideas and a joyous display of a fine mind, one that swoops and soars and frequently stops to preen, like some brightly coloured bird in an Edenic rainforest."--Donald Harman Akenson, Literary Review of Canada "Norenzayan weaves in one convincing scientific study after another, leaving me (as a study junkie) highlighting about every page... His thesis is fascinating and well worth a read (or two). Norenzayan is not prescribing a way to end religion or to suggest that one form of thinking over another is better, but to get at the underlying factors that bring a society from big gods to secularity. I'm sure any deeply held convictions about the nature of religion and disbelief will be challenged tremendously by Big Gods, and as any analytical thinker would probably say, why shouldn't they?"--Brandon G. Withrow, Discarded Image "Ara Norenzayan's study Big Gods is an interesting study worthy to read."--Kristof K.P. Vanhoutte, Metapsychology "Norenzayan analyzes religion primarily as a mechanism for enforcing social cooperation, a problem for which the evolution of increasingly more powerful gods provides a solution in increasingly large and complex societies... With consistently clear organization and thorough documentation, this book combines explanations for cognitive belief in supernatural entities with social explanations of religion's function, advancing readers' understanding of how the former serves the latter."--Choice "Norenzayan's book provides the best collection and dissemination of research regarding religion as a cultural adaptation for prosociality and cooperation among groups. It sets forth an important agenda for research among psychologists, religious scholars and historians."--James A. Van Slyke, Philosophy, Theology, and the Sciences

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Book SynopsisWhat if the tales from the Old Testament and other ancient writings, such as those from Sumer, Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, were not myths or allegory but accounts of actual historical events? Known for his ability to read and interpret ancient Sumerian and Akkadian clay tablets, Zecharia Sitchin (1920-2010) took the words of our most ancient ancestors as fact and, through decades of meticulous research, showed that they revealed a coherent narrative about the true origins of humanity and civilization. Drawing both widespread interest and criticism, his Earth Chronicles series of books, beginning with The 12th Planet, detailed how humanity arose after the arrival of the Anunnaki ("those who from Heaven to Earth came"), alien "gods" who created modern man in their own image and imparted gifts of civilizing knowledge. Each piece includes an introduction by Sitchin's niece, offering context and insight into Sitchin's passionate work. These introductions reveal the man behind the theories, a world traveller known for his scholarship, dry humour, and precisely chosen words. If his theories are true, as Sitchin wholeheartedly believed, then this collection presents some of the most important knowledge we have of our origins and future.Trade Review“Janet Sitchin’s collection The Anunnaki Chronicles is a worthy successor to her uncle Zecharia Sitchin’s life’s work. It expands and enhances our understanding of who the Anunnaki were, why they came here, and why they may someday return.” * Mike Bara, author of Ancient Aliens and Secret Societies *“It is almost impossible to quantify the effect that Zecharia Sitchin had on our understanding of the origins of our species and the mysterious activity of the Anunnaki on planet Earth. His work inspired millions; his research shattered our rigid belief system and caused our history to be rewritten by many that followed him. Zecharia remains one of my key inspirations and a valuable source of critical information in the area of ancient human history and the enslavement of the human race.” * Michael Tellinger, author of Slave Species of the Gods: The Secret History of the Anunnaki and Their *“A breathtaking chronicle of Sitchin’s works, and the newly published material validates his theories concerning Planet X.” * Xaviant Haze, author of Aliens in Ancient Egypt *“Well researched and persuasive . . . Sitchin brings to [The 12th Planet] the logic and scholarship so often lacking. . . . He demonstrates the flaws in established theories and exposes a few ancient hoaxes.” * Library Journal *“In Mr. Sitchin’s [work], evolution and creationism collide.” * New York Times *“A dazzling performance. . . . Sitchin is a zealous investigator into man’s origins . . .” * Kirkus Reviews *"An excellent selection of texts highlighting the key breakthroughs of Zecharia Sitchin about the Sumerians’ feats in bioengineering, microchips, and astronomy, and how these are corroborated by new scientific discoveries. A must read for any one interested in the high-tech civilization that preceded our own by a few millennia at least." * Chris H. Hardy, PhD., systems scientist, author of DNA of the God and The Sacred Network *"Providing an insider’s look into the decades of research behind Sitchin’s complete works as well as an in-depth overview of his theories, this collection includes carefully selected chapters from the Earth Chronicles series as well as never-before-published letters, articles, and lectures." * Watkins’ Mind Body Spirit, Issue 44, December 2015 *Table of ContentsIntroduction by Janet Sitchin 1 Introducing The 12th Planet Excerpt of the 1978 Prologue and an Unpublished Article, Written in 1982, “The 12th Planet: The Book as a Story” 2 The Sudden Civilization Selection from The 12th Planet (Chapter 2) 3 UFOs, Pyramids, and the Twelfth Planet Lecture at the UFO Conference at the Great Pyramid, January 1992 4 The Stairway to Heaven and the Epic of Creation Selections from The Stairway to Heaven (Chapter 5) and The 12th Planet (Chapter 7) 5 Is it Nibiru? Unpublished Article, Written in 1997 6 God the Extraterrestrial Selection from Divine Encounters (Endpaper) 7 The Cosmic Connection--DNA Selection from The Cosmic Code (Chapter 6) 8 The Pyramid Wars Selection from The Wars of Gods and Men (Chapter 8) 9 The Elusive Mount Unpublished Article, Written Circa 1978 10 When Gods, Not Men, Roamed the New World Unpublished Article, Written in 1992 11 Cities Lost and Found Selection from The Lost Realms (Chapter 9) 12 The Emergence of There Were Giants Upon the Earth Unpublished Articles, Written in 1991 13 Calendar Tales Selection from When Time Began (Chapter 8) 14 The Twelfth Planet--The Key to the UFO Enigma Lecture at the Dialogue with the Universe International Conference,Frankfurt, West Germany, October 26-29, 1989 Postscript by Janet Sitchin Appendix I Jericho Letter to the New York Times, Published March 17, 1990 Appendix II Old Egyptian Road Preserves Bible Link Letter to the New York Times, Published May 19, 1994 Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the famed author of international bestseller Drinking with the Saints, every Christmas tradition explained and celebrated, as well as a glimpse into all the sometimes macabre and always fascinating nooks and crannies of the holiday. Deepen your knowledge of and love for Christmas!The definitive guide to every question you’ve had about the Christmas holiday—and many more you’ve never thought to ask! In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side. Witty, imaginative, and wholly unique, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe is the stocking stuffer that will be revisited every year.

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Book SynopsisThis handsome new edition of the authoritative English translation of the Aramaic (Syriac) Old and New Testaments--the language of Jesus--clarifies difficult passages and offers fresh insight on the Bible's message.

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Book SynopsisAnimism' is now an important term for describing ways in which some people understand and engage respectfully with the larger-than-human world. Its central theme is our relationship with our other-than-human neighbours, such as animals, plants, rocks, and kettles, rooted in the understanding that the term 'person' includes more than humans. Graham Harvey explores the animist cultures of Native Americans, Maori, Aboriginal Australians and eco-Pagans, introducing their diversity and considering the linguistic, performative, ecological and activist implications of these different animisms.Trade ReviewThe strengths of this book are its fluid and engaging [...] writing, its openly committed stand on the central question, i.e., whether or not animals, plants, rivers, etc. are persons; and its use of major ethnographic sources as evidence, together with conversations with indigenous peoples. -- Professor Stewart Guthrie, Fordham UniversityHarvey's insightful and balanced study challenges both earlier studies of animism and more recent critics who argue that scholars should throw out the term altogether. This is a fascinating and passionate study of lifeworlds in which things are 'very much alive' and in which relation to non-human others is considered central. -- Sarah M. Pike, California State University, Chico, author of Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves: Contemporary Pagans and the Search for Community

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Book SynopsisFollowing the painful loss of his father, former Chief Rabbi Sacks began to learn how to celebrate life in a new way.''I have tried to say what happiness is, how we make it, how we lose it, and how we sometimes walk past it without recognising it. Happiness isn''t somewhere else, it''s where we are. It isn''t something we don''t have, we do. It isn''t fantasy, it''s reality experienced in a certain way. Happiness is a close relative of faith.''Sacks discovered where happiness lives, often in unexpected places, through family, community, friendship and responsibilities. He also found it through a renewed relationship with God who spoke to his deepest needs.Based, in part, on his columns in the UK''s Times newspaper, Celebrating Life is for people of all faiths and none. It shows us how to be human and, in becoming so, how we can touch the divine.Table of ContentsPart One: Making a Blessing over Life Part Two: Affirmations in Unexpected Places Part Three: Where Happiness Lives Part Four: Finding God Part Five: Faith in the Family Part Six: The Moral Voice Part Seven: Communities of Faith Part Eight: Faith and Friendship Part Nine: From Optimism to Hope

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Book SynopsisIn this uplifting and practical book, written in collaboration with his biographer, Austen Ivereigh, the preeminent spiritual leader explains why we must—and how we can—make the world safer, fairer, and healthier for all people now.   In the COVID crisis, the beloved shepherd of over one billion Catholics saw the cruelty and inequity of our society exposed more vividly than ever before. He also saw, in the resilience, generosity, and creativity of so many people, the means to rescue our society, our economy, and our planet. In direct, powerful prose, Pope Francis urges us not to let the pain be in vain.    He begins Let Us Dream by exploring what this crisis can teach us about how to handle upheaval of any kind in our own lives and the world at large. With unprecedented candor, he reveals how three crises in his own life changed him dramatically for the better.

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Book SynopsisAre you ready to be blessed beyond what you can ask or imagine? Lysa Terkeurst will equip you to hear and recognize God’s voice and discover the incredible opportunities He’s already placed in front of you as you learn to say yes to His call.

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Book SynopsisLearn about the primal beliefs to the world''s great faiths in The Religions Book.Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Religions in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Religions Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Religions, with:- Each of the world''s five major faiths - Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism in its own, dedicated section- Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts- A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout- Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of undTrade ReviewFascinating material, well presented -- Jon Sutton * The Psychologist (Review of The Psychology Book) *

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Why do people study religion? How have they studied it in the past? How do we study religion today? Is the academic study of religion the same as religious education? These and many other questions are addressed in this engaging introduction to the discipline of religious studies. Topics include:Definitions of religionPerspectives in the study and teaching of religionHow religion began to be studied: Traditional perspectivesphilosophical and theologicalHow people experience religion: Perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perceptionphenomenological and psychologicalStudying religion within communities: Social and cultural perspectivesanthropological, sociological, political, and economicJudging religion: Critical perspectivesfeminist approaches, the inter

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Book Synopsis?Neil Douglas-Klotz has distilled his decades of rigorous scholarship, deep practice, and revolutionary insight into a potent elixir for our times.? ?Mirabai Starr, translator of Julian of Norwich: The Showings and author of Wild Mercy This book is an approach to Jesus?s recorded words and teachings through his native language, Aramaic, answering many questions clearly and consistently, even if unexpectedly, no matter which Gospel you have in your hands. From the Introduction: ?Jesus?s teachings have been used historically to fuel what became modern Western culture, with all its pluses and minuses. At the same time, viewed through his native language, the same teachings provide a solution to our culture?s greatest challenges, pointing the way toward a proper use of our human individuality and will.? Through expansions of Aramaic?s multiple meanings as well as guided contemplations,Revelations of the Aramaic Jesusprovides a guide to transformation through the way of the prophet of Nazareth. It shows how Jesus?s deepest teachings address contemporary challenges, such as our relationships with nature and each other, as well as the purpose of life itself.Revelations of the Aramaic Jesusis a guide to living an authentic interior life without dogma and a spiritual path that makes you more comfortable in your own, providing a sense of meaning and purpose.

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Book SynopsisThe town of Bethlehem carries so many layers of meaning--some ancient, some mythical, some religious--that it feels like an unreal city, even to the people who call it home. Today, the city is hemmed in by a wall and surrounded by forty-one Israeli settlements and hostile settlers and soldiers. The population is undergoing such enormous strains it is close to falling apart. Any town with an eleven-thousand-year history has to be robust, but Bethlehem may soon go the way of Salonica or Constantinople: the physical site might survive, but the long thread winding back to the ancient past will have snapped, and the city risks losing everything that makes it unique.Still, for many, Bethlehem remains the little town of the Christmas song. Nicholas Blincoe will tell the history of the famous little town, through the visceral experience of living there, taking readers through its stone streets and desert wadis, its monasteries, aqueducts and orchards, showing the city from every angTrade ReviewA lovely personal adventure through the history of Bethlehem from its origins up to the present day. Blincoe captures the continuities and contradictions, the myths and the history of one of the world's most famous towns with real flair * PETER FRANKOPAN, author of Silk Roads *[Bethlehem] brings within reach 11,000 years of history, centering on the beloved town's unique place in the world. Blincoe's love of Bethlehem is compelling, even as he does not shy away from the complexities of its chronicle * PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER *[Bethlehem] illuminates both the past and the present of the Middle East with countless instances of fantastic achievement and equally terrible human folly * YOTAM OTTOLENGHI, co-author of Jerusalem *A book by a talented chronicler who lovingly paints the city's many contradictions and bewildering complexity. Highly readable and informative, it leaves the reader not only with a profound admiration for this city of extremes and its resilient inhabitants who have endured such hardships, but also with a deep lament at the current suffering of the people of Bethlehem * RAJA SHEHADEH , author of Where the Line Is Drawn *An exuberant and erudite journey into the real Bethlehem. Each page leads the reader down new and fascinating tangents of history, cuisine, and personal anecdote, each time somehow finding its way back to Bethlehem and its habit of standing at the centre of world affairs * JACOB NORRIS, author of Land of Progress: Palestine in the Age of Colonial *Majestic . . . [a] book of many marvellous things -- John Lewis-Stempel * S magazine *A thorough and entertaining account -- Tibor Fischer * Standpoint *Masterful -- Emma Williams * Spectator *Blincoe's thoroughness is nothing short of impressive . . . Blincoe offers a biography so vividly imagined that I jumped when my phone buzzed, interrupting my reverie of Nabatean temples . . . The reward is in the lush prose and personal accounts. Blincoe is a joyful writer, well suited to the task of evoking place with passages . . . transporting the reader with mouthwatering specificity. Blincoe handles his own narratives of Bethlehem delicately, like a horticulturist pruning beloved orchids, following its many iterations through the rise and fall of civilizations . . . More than anything, his love for the place leaps off the page; for all its chronicling of incursions and defeat, this is ultimately a book about hope -- Hala Alyan * The New York Times Book Review *Part history, part travelogue and memoir, it reads like an extended love letter to a place on the brink . . . a highly discursive, frequently amusing, often tragic but always accessible history * Guardian *Blincoe proves an erudite and evocative guide to a city whose place in biblical history has proved to be more of a curse than a blessing -- John Preston * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThis life story of Milarepa--the important Tibetan religious leader who lived over 800 years ago--is part of a remarkable four-volume series on Tibetan Buddhism produced by the late W.Y. Evans-Wentz, all four of which are being published by Oxford in new editions. While there are many parochial differences among the several sects of Tibetan Buddhism, each holds the Great Yogi Milarepa in the highest reverence and esteem. For exemplified in Milarepa''s life, as we discover in these pages, are all of the teachings of the great yogis of India--including those of Gautama the Buddha, the greatest yogi known to history. Amid his detailed introductory and explanatory notes for this text, Evans-Wentz also reveals compelling similarities between the life and thought of Milarepa and those of Jesus, Gandhi, and saints...in ancient China, or India, or Babylonia, or Egypt, or Rome, or in our own epoch. In composing this translation from the original Tibetan, the late Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup, who wasTable of ContentsPART I: THE PATH OF DARKNESS; PART II: THE PATH OF LIGHT

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Book SynopsisIn this new and substantially expanded Third Edition, Philip Jenkins continues to illuminate the remarkable expansion of Christianity in the global South--in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Drawing upon the extensive new scholarship that has appeared on this topic in recent years, he asks how the new Christianity is likely to affect the poor, among whom it finds its most devoted adherents. How should we interpret the enormous success of prosperity churches across the Global South? Politically, what will be the impact of new Christian movements? Will Christianity contribute to liberating the poor, to give voices to the previously silent, or does it threaten only to bring new kinds of division and conflict? Does Christianity liberate women, or introduce new scriptural bases for subjection?Acclaim for previous editions of The Next Christendom:Named one of the Top Religion Books of 2002 by USA TodayNamed One of the Top Ten Religion Books of the Year by BooklistWinner of the Christianity TTrade ReviewGracefully written and skillfully argued, The Next Christendom shows the many changes Christianity has undergone and its capacity to survive. * CHOICE *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ; List of Tables ; Preface ; Maps ; Chapter One: The Christian Revolution ; Chapter Two: Disciples of All Nations ; Chapter Three: Missionaries and Prophets ; Chapter Four: Standing Alone ; Chapter Five: The Rise of the New Christianity ; Chapter Six: Coming to Terms ; Chapter Seven: God and the World ; Chapter Eight: The Next Crusade ; Chapter Nine: Coming Home ; Chapter Ten: Seeing Christianity Again for the First Time ; Index

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Book SynopsisA new Pew Bible using the ESV translation, in British English, with a large typeface and lightweight design, with black coverThe ESV Anglicised Pew Bible is a new edition of the world's fastest-growing translation. Its durable hardcover format, high-quality Bible paper and clear typeface, combined with a lightweight format make it perfect for use in church.Includes:- British English text- Double-column, paragraph formatThis edition also includes 65 responsive readings reflecting major Biblical themes.Perfect for use by a congregation.Size:Trade Review‘This is a fine, fresh and faithful translation, combining both elegance and accuracy to bring us a version of the Bible that is anything but standard.’MARTYN PERCY, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford ‘Meticulous care and passionate research make the ESV a crisp, accurate and valuable translation’MAX LUCADO ‘The ESV satisfies the preaching memorizing, studying and reading needs of our church.’JOHN PIPER

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Book SynopsisMushroom Wisdom explores the universal aspects of the psilocybin mushroom experience as it relates to spirituality. Author Martin Ball explains how mushroom use can lead the spiritual seeker to profound states of self-awareness and radical understanding of the nature of the self, reality, and the sacred. Topics include looking into the spiritual mirror to uncover an authentic sense of self, developing “witness” consciousness to overcome self-limiting concepts and judgments, and removing obstacles of ego and self-induced suffering to trigger the rich experience of “spirit flow.” The book also addresses the creation and use of ritual, sacred objects, and the importance of sound and silence. Ball distinguishes between using mushrooms in spiritual work as opposed to simply having a pleasant psychedelic experience. Not a guide to how to have “fun” with psilocybin mushrooms, Mushroom Wisdom is a serious investigation into deep spiritual nature, drawing on both a wide array of scientific disciplines and ancient shamanic practices.

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Ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328) of Damascus was one of the most prominent and controversial religious scholars of medieval Islam. He called for jihad against the Mongol invaders of Syria, appealed to the foundational sources of Islam for reform, and battled against religious innovation. Today, he inspires such diverse movements as Global Salafism, Islamic revivalism and modernism, and violent jihadism. This volume synthesizes the latest research, discusses many little-known aspects of Ibn Taymiyya’s thought, and highlights the religious utilitarianism that pervades his activism, ethics, and theology.

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Book SynopsisThis book uses evolutionary psychology as a lens to explain religious violence and oppression. The author, a clinical psychologist, examines religious scriptures, rituals, and canon law, highlighting the many ways in which our evolutionary legacy has shaped the development of religion and continues to profoundly influence its expression. The book focuses on the image of God as the dominant male in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This traditional God concept is seen as a reflection of the "dominant ape" paradigm so evident in the hierarchical social structures of primates, with whom we have a strong genetic connection. The author describes the main features of male-dominated primate social hierarchies- specifically, the role of the alpha male as the protector of the group; his sexual dominance and use of violence and oppression to attain food, females, and territory; in-group altruism vs. out-group hostility (us vs. them); and displays of dominance and submission to establish roles within the social hierarchy. The parallels between these features of primate society and human religious rituals and concepts make it clear that religion, especially its oppressive and violent tendencies, is rooted in the deep evolutionary past. This incisive analysis goes a long way toward explaining the historic and ongoing violence committed in the name of religion.

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Book SynopsisThe essays collected in Situating Spirituality: Context, Practice, and Power examine not only individual engagements with spirituality, but they show how seemingly personal facets of spirituality, as well as definitions of spirituality itself, are deeply shaped by religious, cultural, and political contexts.Trade ReviewSituating Spirituality successfully, and imaginatively, captures the full breadth of scholarship on spirituality, in all its manifest diversity, making it a critical contribution to this burgeoning, if messy, field. * Galen Watts, Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Journal of the American Academy of Religion *The volume will be important for scholars interested in the idea that everything can be spiritual. * R. T. Cragun, The University of Tampa, CHOICE *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Contributors Introduction Eminently Social Spirituality: Context, Practice, and Power Brian Steensland, Jaime Kucinskas, Anna Sun Part One: Context 1. Social Practices and Cultural Contexts: Framework for the Study of Spirituality Nancy Ammerman 2. The Gods of Modern Spirituality Linda Woodhead 3. Fearful Asymmetry: Rethinking the Boundaries between Religion and Spirituality Anna Sun 4. Trumping the Devil! Engendering the Spirituality of the Marketplace within Africa and the African Diaspora Afe Adogame 5. Methodological Innovations for the Study of Spirituality Bradley Wright 6. Shifts in Spiritual and Religious Self-Perceptions in the First Year of College Alyssa N. Rochenbach 7. Spirituality among African Americans: Inter-Racial and Intra-Racial Differences across Followers of Various Religious Traditions Jason Shelton Part Two: Practice 8. The Micro-interactive Order of Spirituality Michael Pagis 9. Ecstasies: Or, the Limitations of Vanilla Spirituality Studies Melissa Wilcox 10. Textures of Spirituality in Rural Malawi Ann Swidler 11. Gifts, Weapons, and Values: The Language of Spirituality in 21st Century Central America Robert Brenneman Part Three: Power 12. Everything is Connected: Relocating Spiritual Power from Nature to Society Stef Aupers 13. Yoga Spirituality in the Context of U.S. Institutions Candy Gunther Brown 14. Training Spiritual Caregivers: Spirituality in Chaplaincy Programs in Theological Education Wendy Cage, Beth Stroud, Patrick K. Palmer, George Fitchett, Trace Haythorne, Casey Clevenger 15. Spirituality and Islam: Sufism in Indonesia Rachel Rinaldo 16. The Transmission of Spirituality in Broader Landscapes of Power Jaime Kucinskas Conclusion 17. Three Questions About Spirituality: Its Meaning, Influence, and Future Brian Steensland Index

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Book SynopsisIn The Spirit of Psychotherapy, Holmes considers whether the principles which underpin religion can be applied to the largely secular world of psychotherapy. Having a belief system is generally associated with good physical and mental health. The prime focus of psychotherapy theory and practice is intrapersonal and interpersonal, but these are nested in an often-unexamined supra-personal context, sociological, ecological and spiritual. Structured around a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with people from a wide range of faith backgrounds, Holmes presents the role belief and spirituality play in everyday lives. From these interviews, the author identifies core themes such as attachment and hope, frameworks of meaning, and rhythm and ritual. Individual chapters are devoted to detailed descriptions of these themes, while drawing parallels and implications for psychotherapy.

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Islamic Psychology: The Basics is a jargon-free and accessible introduction that explores psychology from an Islamic perspective, and provides a foundation level overview of the fundamental principles and practices of Islamic psychology. The book introduces concepts, models, approaches, themes, and theories you need to know to study the mind, soul, and behaviour based on Islamic scripture.Offering an overview of Islamic psychology and what Islamic psychologists do, chapters address key topics including the history of the evolution of the science of the soul, and the psychology of human behaviour and experiences. Rassool examines the concepts of the Fitrah, the Nafs (Self), the Aql (Intellect), the Ru? (Soul) the Qalb (Heart), and the concept of Islamic healing and spiritual interventions. Other themes include the Qur'an and psychology, models and approaches in Islamic psychology, interpreting Islamic psychology for modern times, and the contemporary scope of the prac

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Book SynopsisDemonstrating how the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible represents the first, and one of the most elaborate, projects of 'peoplehood,' Wright tells the dramatic story of the Bible's origins in relation to 1) a longstanding political division between North and South (Israel and Judah) and 2) the traumatic experience of defeat.Trade Review'The Bible began, Jacob Wright argues, for reasons that have everything to do with why the termsnation and religion remain so fearfully combustible to this day. A large and important topic engaged in a fresh and welcome way.' Jack Miles, author of the Pulitzer-Prize winning God: A Biography'Profoundly insightful. Wright demonstrates how ancient Israel and Judah developed the resources to construct a resilient nationhood not in spite of but, paradoxically, because of the experience of military defeat, economic devastation, and diaspora. No other kingdom of the ancient Near East was able to do so. Today, as so many communities, peoples and nations face similar critical threats to their existence, Wright's book provides a fascinating and incisively argued case study of how one people drew upon its cultural resources not simply to survive but to generate a vibrantly creative intellectual and spiritual tradition.' Carol A. Newsom, Candler Professor Emerita of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, Emory University'This book takes questions about the Bible's origins to another level of historical inquiry…. Superbly written and a fascinating approach that expands the normal range of biblical studies in a remarkable way!' Konrad Schmid, co-author of The Making of the Bible: From the First Fragments to Sacred Scripture'By one of the brightest minds in the field, this is a book on the Bible that all will want to read: an exquisitely written and innovative tribute to the nameless scribes who responded to destruction and defeat by building a powerful new form of community that no army could conquer. Venturing beyond the Bible's religious teachings to its political and social dimensions, Wright's tour de force demonstrates why this body of literature still matters for us today.' Rabbi Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, Professor and President of the Society of Biblical Literature, 2024'What a compelling read, and I found myself enthralled! This beautifully written work offers fresh insights on the origins of the People of the Book. It not only draws on the most recent historical research, but also incorporates contemporary approaches such as trauma hermeneutics, gender, and postcolonial criticism in a way that makes it feel that these approaches are central to the project and not merely an afterthought. The presence of female characters especially struck me as we move from the nation's earliest origins, with a Family Story becoming a People's History and the National Narrative supplementing a Palace History. Indeed, this book speaks of writing to survive as the voices of the people of protest are preserved for us amidst the pages of the biblical witness.' L. Juliana Claassens, author of Writing and Reading to Survive'A revelation, even to those who have read the Bible for a lifetime! We witness how in the aftermath of catastrophic defeat and devastation, the biblical authors fashioned a new form of political community--one in which a shared body of texts provided common ground for deeply divided communities and the marginalized in their communities. At the heart of the Hebrew Bible is, as Wright shows, not a creed but a question: What does it mean to be a people? In our time of deepening divisions, both this question and the ways in which these ancient writers addressed it deserve renewed, and serious, attention.' Robert M. Franklin, President Emeritus, Morehouse College'Wright's analysis is often brilliant and persuasive, leading us to see ideological fractures in texts that we thought we knew. And though much of the textual history will be familiar to scholars who have gone deep into the weeds, or the bulrushes, Wright does a terrific job of bringing it forward for his readers.' Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker'[a] landmark study … Thought-provoking and scrupulously researched, this is a tour de force.' Unsigned, Publisher's WeeklyTable of ContentsI. The Rise and Fall: 1. Abraham and Sarah: From One to the Many; 2. Miriam: Empire and Exodus; 3. Deborah: A New Dawn; 4. David: Between North and South; 5. Ahab and Jezebel: Putting Israel on the Map; 6. Jehu and Elisha: Israel's Downfall and Judah's Jubilation; 7. Hezekiah and Isaiah: Putting Judah on the Map; 8. Josiah and Huldah: Judah's Downfall and Deportation; II. Admitting Defeat: 9. Daughter Zion: Finding One's Voice; 10. The Creator: Comforting the Afflicted; 11. Haggai the Prophet: Laying the Foundation; 12. Nehemiah the Builder: Restoring Judean Pride; 13. Ezra the Educator: Becoming a People of the Book; 14. Hoshayahu the Soldier: Peoplehood as a Pedagogical Project; III. A New Narrative: 15. Jeremiah and Baruch: A Monument to Defeat; 16. Isaac and Rebekah: The Family Story; 17. Moses and Joshua: The People's History; 18. Hannah and Samuel: The Palace History; 19. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba: The National Narrative; 20. Jonah: The Prophets as Survival Literature; 21. Yhwh's People: Codes, Covenant, and Kinship; IV. A People of Protest: 22. Matriarch: Women and the Biblical Agenda; 23. The Hero: Redefining Gender Roles; 24. The Other: Tales of War, Outsiders, and Allegiance; 25. The Soldier: Sacrificial Death and Eternal Life; 26. Prophet and Priest: Open Access and Separation of Powers; 27. The Sage: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes; 28. The Poet: The Song of Songs and Psalms; 29. The Queen: Peoplehood without Piety.

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Book SynopsisNow available in English for the first time, Ysabel de Andia''s double exploration of Christian and Hindu mysticism provides a valuable addition to the field. Composed from lectures given in Benares in 2015 to priests of the Missions Étrangères de Paris, Mystery of God, Mystery of Christ combines the two main research interests that have defined de Andia''s career: first, an understanding of Christian mysticism as growing out of the Christian mystery of Christ and the sacrament, and secondly, the relationship between this and Hindu contemplative prayer as articulated by Jules Monchanin.Beginning with the Cappadocian fathers, de Andai traces the developing interpretation of Mystery through Christian thinkers from Origen and Gregory of Nyssa to Basil and Dionysios the Areopagite. From here, she begins to dovetail this study with an exploration of Hindu contemplation, relating the Carmelite mystic St John of the Cross to the Advaitist tradition, especially as expounded by Shankara. Throu

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Book SynopsisThis cutting-edge theory of spirituality for today’s global society honors the truths of modern science and postmodern culture while incorporating the wisdom of the great world religionsApplying his highly acclaimed integral approach, Ken Wilber formulates a theory of spirituality that honors the truths of modernity and postmodernity—including the revolutions in science and culture—while incorporating the essential insights of the great religions. He shows how spirituality today combines the enlightenment of the East, which excels at cultivating higher states of consciousness, with the enlightenment of the West, which offers developmental and psychodynamic psychology. Each contributes key components to a more integral spirituality.On the basis of this integral framework, a radically new role for the world’s religions is proposed. Because these religions have such a tremendous influence on the worldview of the majority of the earth’s population, they are in a privileged position to address some of the biggest conflicts we face. By adopting a more integral view, the great religions can act as facilitators of human development: from magic to mythic to rational to pluralistic to integral—and to a global society that honors and includes all the stations of life along the way.

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Book SynopsisOver the past twenty-five years A. H. Almaas—widely recognized as a leader in integrating spirituality and psychology—has been developing and teaching the Diamond Approach, a spiritual path that integrates the insights of Sufism, Buddhism, Gurdjieff, and other wisdom traditions with modern psychology. In this new work, Almaas uses the metaphor of a 'spacecruiser' to describe a method of exploring the immediacy of personal experience—a way of investigating our moment-by-moment feelings, thoughts, reactions, and behaviors through a process of open-ended questioning. The method is called the practice of inquiry, and Spacecruiser Inquiry reveals what it means to engage with this practice as a spiritual path: its principles, challenges, and rewards. The author explores basic elements of inquiry, including the open-ended attitude, the focus on direct knowledge, the experience of not-knowing, and the process of questioning. He describes the experience of 'Diamond Guidance'—the inner wisdom that emerges from our true nature—and how it can be realized and applied. In this process Almaas looks at many of the essential forms of Diamond Guidance, including knowing, clarity, truth, love, intelligence, compassion, curiosity, courage, and determination. Also included are exercises and questions and answers from the original talks by Almaas on which the book is based.

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Book SynopsisContains the English translations of Apollodorus' "Library" and Hyginus' "Fabulae" - the two important surviving 'handbooks' of classical mythography. This work discusses the issues of authorship, aim, and influence. It also includes an index of people and geographic locations, and an index of authors and works cited by the mythographers.Trade ReviewTo refer to this volume as just a translation is misleading, because Smith and Trzaskoma have provided much more, most notably the best short introduction to ancient mythography--and these particular authors--available in English. . . . The translations themselves are clear and accurate. [An] admirable volume. Smith and Trzaskoma are to be commended. --Kris Fletcher, Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewEvery student and scholar of Greek mythology and the mythographic tradition will want to own this book, and every library should have it on the shelf. Smith and Trzaskoma have produced an indispensable volume that is easy to use and understand. They have invested a tremendous amount of time and scholarship to make this a valuable resource for traditionalists and non-traditionalists alike. Even the general reader can benefit from their judicious essays, thoughtful translations, and concise textual notes. Teachers of mythology will welcome this handbook for its readability and applicability to general mythology books currently in use. Everything about this work will make it the standard handbook for years to come. --Paul Properzio, The Classical JournalThese two translations are excellent, finding a good balance of accuracy and readability. . . . the Apollodorus, which has a few relatively recent competitors, adopts a style that will be much more welcome to readers than other renderings currently available. The translation of the Fabulae will be especially welcome for teaching, since it is difficult to find this in a readable English version. The General Introduction strikes a balance--both informed and informal--that will appeal to instructors and students. There is certainly nowhere else one can go to find such a succinct yet thorough discussion of these major Greek mythographers. . . the discussion remains readable, focused, and pleasantly informal. The maps and genealogical charts are excellent and useful. . . these charts create something truly useful for student readers. --Daniel W. Berman, Pennsylvania State University

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