Religion Books

Book SynopsisSaints' cults flourished in the medieval world, and the phenomenon is examined here in a series of studies. The way in which saints' cults operated across and beyond political, ethnic and linguistic boundaries in the medieval British Isles and Ireland, from the sixth to the sixteenth centuries, is the subject of this book. In a series of case studies, the contributions highlight the factors that allowed particular cults to prosper in, or that made them relevant to, a variety of cultural contexts. The collection has a particular emphasis on northern Britain, andthe role of devotional interests in connecting or shaping a number of polities and cultural identities (Pictish, Scottish, Northumbrian, Irish, Welsh and English) in a world of fluid political and territorial boundaries. Althoughthe bulk of the studies are concerned with the significance of cults in the insular context, many of the articles also touch on the development of pan-European devotions (such as the cults of St Brendan, The Three Kings or St George). Contributors: James E. Fraser, Thomas Owen Clancy, Fiona Edmonds, John Reuben Davies, Karen Jankulak, Sally Crumplin, Joanna Huntington, Steve Boardman, Eila Williamson, Jonathan WoodingTrade ReviewIn attempting to bridge large gaps of knowledge across the Celtic world and among those who study it, this edited volume succeeds admirably. . . . This volume would greatly benefit scholars in both religious studies and medieval studies. * JOURNAL OF FOLKLORE RESEARCH *A diverse and challenging set of essays. Collectively, they illuminate little-known cults across the geographical area known as the Celtic world, contribute to existing debates about more renowned saints, show how hagiography can be combined with other types of evidence to reveal successive stages of devotion, and place the Celtic world firmly in the context of wider European movements. * ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW *Offers something for everyone, from the specialist in Irish naming practices to the student interested in connections between the continent and the Celtic world. [It] offers many interesting insights into the Celtic world in the central middle ages. * THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW *Table of ContentsEditors' Preface Rochester, Hexham and Cennrígmonaid: the movements of St Andrew in Britain, 604-707 - James E. Fraser The cults of Saints Patrick and Palladius in early medieval Scotland - Thomas O Clancy Names and the cult of Patrick in eleventh-century Strathclyde and Northumbria - Fiona Edmonds Bishop Kentigern among the Britons - John Reuben Davies Adjacent saints' dedications and early Celtic History - Karen Jankulak Cuthbert the cross-border saint in the twelfth century - Sally Crumplin David of Scotland: Virum tam necessarium mundo - Joanna Huntington The cult of St George in Scotland - Steven Boardman The cult of the Three Kings of Cologne in Scotland - Eila Williamson The medieval and early modern cult of St Brendan - Jonathan M Wooding

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Book Synopsis Belief in magic and particularly the power of witchcraft was once a deep and enduring presence in popular culture. “Diving into Brian Hoggard’s Magical House Protection is a remarkable experience… [It] provides an immersive and fascinating read.”—Fortean Times People created and concealed many objects to protect themselves from harmful magic. Detailed are the principal forms of magical house protection in Britain and beyond from the fourteenth century to the present day. Witch-bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, written charms, protection marks and concealed shoes were all used widely as methods of repelling, diverting or trapping negative energies. Many of these practices and symbols can be found around the globe, demonstrating the universal nature of efforts by people to protect themselves from witchcraft. From the introduction: The most popular locations to conceal objects within buildings are usually at portals such as the hearth, the threshold and also voids or dead spaces. This suggests that people believed it was possible for dark forces to travel through the landscape and attack them in their homes. Whether these forces were emanations from a witch in the form of a spell, a witch’s familiar pestering their property, an actual witch flying in spirit or a combination of all of those is difficult to tell. Additional sources of danger could be ghosts, fairies and demons. People went to great lengths to ensure their homes and property were protected, highlighting the fact that these beliefs and fears were visceral and, as far as they were concerned, literally terrifying.Trade Review “…a fascinating read for anyone interested in how fear of witchcraft and other dark forces have influenced the behaviour of people and therefore the archaeological record. Since it is not heavy on theoretical consideration, readers looking for accessible information on these aspects of past life can appreciate it. Those with a more academic interest will especially find the extensive material and finds catalogue useful. The book works well as a reference work for the subject, particularly for the UK and an excellent starting point when considering the rest of the world.” •Fennoscandia Archaeologica “Hoggard’s work will hopefully act as a springboard for exciting future readings of concealed objects situated within the history of belief and magic.” • Darkartsjournal “A solidly researched synthesis of the archaeological information to date…This book is the result of a huge amount of careful research and the compilation of an awe-inspiring volume of information and deserves to find a place as one of the standard readers for students of apotropaic folk practices in the UK and beyond.” • Raking Light “Diving into Brian Hoggard’s Magical House Protection is a remarkable experience… [It] provides an immersive and fascinating read.” • Fortean Times “Magical House Protection is thus an excellent resource as well as an addition to debate, and so can be used as a launch-pad for work to extend knowledge of the subject.” • Folklore “The cumulation of twenty years’ worth of research, Magical House Protection will bring increased attention a subject that—despite its great importance for understanding vernacular belief and practice in early modern and modern Britain—has often been overlooked. Its catalogue will be of great use for researchers exploring this topic in future, and for this contribution in particular it should be recommended.” • Reading ReligionTable of Contents List of illustrations Acknowledgements Preface Chapter 1. Folklore, Witchcraft, Religion Chapter 2. Witch-bottles Chapter 3. Concealed Shoes Chapter 4. Dried Cats Chapter 5. Horse Skulls Chapter 6. Written Charms Chapter 7. Protection Marks Chapter 8. Other Concealed Objects Chapter 9. Evidence of Darkness Chapter 10. Conclusions Chapter 11. Case Studies Gazeteer Bibliography

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Book SynopsisFor many of us, the whole concept of Christology is as mystifying as a foreign language, yet Christians down the ages have fought to defend the person and work of Christ – seeing him and what he did quite rightly as a vital element of how we are saved. If we are to understand this subject we need to know the person of Christ; not just what he did (his work) but who he is (his person). Through this book we get to know the Son of God who indeed is God and not just a superman! He is the one who came from above and became fully human having a human body and soul. Being God enabled him to pay the debt owed for sin and being man enabled him to stand on man’s behalf for their sin. In straightforward and simple layman terms this book will explain the interconnectivity of the work and person of Jesus Christ and dispel any misconceptions you may have. Trade ReviewA Christian's Pocket Guide to Jesus Christ - Mark Jones, CFP 2012 - This book is gold. I can't remember the last time I read such a small book that has had such an effect on me. At 76 pages I think it's worth almost memorising! There are lots of really helpful emphases, particularly Jones's treatment of the Incarnation, Christ and the Holy Spirit, and the Threefold Office of Christ. It is Christology from above and is a very helpful introduction indeed. It could be used in a variety of contexts in church life and will leave people wanting, even craving, more. Buy and read. -- Reformation 21- The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals"Who is Jesus Christ? Our answer to that question will determine our eternity. What we believe about Jesus is essential to our belief in Jesus. In this book, Dr. Mark Jones helps to answer hard questions about the person and work of Jesus Christ in a simple and clear manner. This book is an excellent tool for evangelism and discipleship, and it is a much-needed resource for new believers, laypeople, and pastors alike." -- Burk Parsons (Senior Pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel, Sanford, Florida and Editor of Tabletalk magazine)"Mark Jones has served us well by writing this short introduction to the doctrine of Christ. His book is biblical, clear, and rooted in historic Reformed theology." -- Joel R. Beeke (Chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan)

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Book Synopsis'Whether souls have returned in physical incarnations as Platonists, as Aristotelians, as pupils of Chartres, as members of the Dominican Order, as Templars, as Cathars, or whether these souls accompany us as spiritual beings, a stream of spiritual continuity that begins in the Middle Ages flows through human history.'- Manfred Schmidt-Brabant. Why do people today look back to the Middle Ages with such interest? Do those times have anything to do with the present? In this enlightening series of lectures, Manfred Schmidt-Brabant and Virginia Sease suggest that our sense of selfhood depends on whether we can create a true relationship to the present age. But to do this we need to understand the spiritual roots of our time. These roots, they indicate, are present in the Middle Ages.The impulses that originate from that time continue to stream into modern times, helping to determine our thinking, feeling and actions. Even the biography of Europe is largely determined by what people of the Middle Ages thought, endured, believed and fought over. All of this emerges today in the consciousness of the individual and in the fabric of our communities. To aid our comprehension of this critical period, the authors embark on a broad historical survey of the culture and history - both exoteric and esoteric - of the Middle Ages. Their journey takes in King Arthur and the Celtic Mysteries; Francis of Assisi, the Franciscans and the School of Chartres; Thomas Aquinas, Averroes and the Dominicans; Cabbala and Jewish Mysticism; heretics and the Cathars; Templar secrets; spiritual Alchemy and Gothic architecture; Columbus and the Mysteries of America; and, the Consciousness Soul and the historical Figure of Faust.

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Book SynopsisWritten at a time of notoriously lax standards in the Church of England, George Herbert's essay on the calling and work of a parish priest remains fresh and full of wisdom for all who are pursuing this vocation today.

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Book Synopsis"Simple Guides Islam" provides a concise and accessible introduction to Islam. Written without bias, this guide presents engaging descriptions of the key concepts, beliefs and practices. Pocket sized and presented in an accessible format with clearly organised topics, enabling you to quickly grasp the essence of Islam. This guide is a reliable point of reference for further exploration and discovery.

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Book SynopsisThe Prophet represents the acme of Kahlil Gibran's achievement. Writing in English, Gibran adopted the tone and cadence of King James I's Bible, fusing his personalised Christian philosophy with a spirit and oriental wisdom that derives from the richly mixed influences of his native Lebanon. His language has a breath-taking beauty. Before returning to his birthplace, Almustafa, the 'prophet', is asked for guidance by the people of Orphalese. His words, redolent with love and understanding, call for universal unity, and affirm Gibran's certainty of the correlated nature of all existence, and of reincarnation. The Prophet has never lost its immediate appeal and has become a ubiquitous touchstone of spiritual literature.

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Book SynopsisIn Everything is Spiritual, the author Rob Bell explores how ideas about creation, love and connection shaped him and how they shape every one of us. Bell observes that more than anything, people want to understand their purpose here on earth. And when you embrace who and where you come from, including your wounds, your pains and your regrets, you will discover that lurking there in the mess of life is an invitation to expand - just as the universe has been expanding for 13 billion years. Written in a lyrical, almost stream of consciousness style this wide-ranging book shares stories from Bell's life to illuminate lessons about the world around you to help you find purpose, meaning and connection. 'Rob Bell might have left the church, but he will always be my minister - in the purest and most uncorrupted sense of that word. Nobody else can take ancient teachings and modern science, and blend them together into wisdom that makes sense to me, and heals me. Rob's unorthodox and bold thinking stirs my intellect, comforts my heart and makes me believe that - within all the frightening chaos of the unknowable universe - I still have a sacred place. His work is a sacred gift to a troubled world.' - Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Big MagicTrade ReviewRob Bell might have left the church, but he will always be my minister - in the purest and most uncorrupted sense of that word. Nobody else can take ancient teachings and modern science, and blend them together into wisdom that makes sense to me, and heals me. Rob's unorthodox and bold thinking stirs my intellect, comforts my heart and makes me believe that - within all the frightening chaos of the unknowable universe - I still have a sacred place. His work is a sacred gift to a troubled world. * Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic *

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Book SynopsisThe question of what happens to us before we are born is one which is little explored, yet the route between life and death is a journey that everyone takes. Drawing on the prayers and meditations of Rudolf Steiner, Arie Boogert offers a detailed description of the journey we take from the moment of death, and beyond. Considering how experiences and actions in our lives impact on our future, this profound book offers a guide to the path which awaits after death.A supportive and insightful companion for readers keen to explore the journey from death to birth and beyond.

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Book SynopsisThis new edition of The Heart (out of print for nearly 30 years) is the flagship volume in a series of Dietrich von Hildebrand’s works to be published by St. Augustine’s Press in collaboration with the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project. Founded in 2004, the Legacy Project exists in the first place to translate the many German writings of von Hildebrand into English.While many revere von Hildebrand as a religious author, few realize that he was a philosopher of great stature and importance. Those who knew von Hildebrand as philosopher held him in the highest esteem. Louis Bouyer, for example, once said that “von Hildebrand was the most important Catholic philosopher in Europe between the two world wars.” Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger expressed even greater esteem when he said: “I am personally convinced that, when, at some time in the future, the intellectual history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is written, the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand will be most prominent among the figures of our time.”The Heart is an accessible yet important philosophical contribution to the understanding of the human person. In this work von Hildebrand is concerned with rehabilitating the affective life of the human person. He thinks that for too long philosophers have held it in suspicion and thought of it as embedded in the body and hence as being much inferior to intellect and will. In reality, he argues, the heart, the center of affectivity, has many different levels, including an eminently personal level; at this level affectivity is just as important a form of personal life as intellect and will. Von Hildebrand develops the idea that properly personal affectivity, far than tending away from an objective relation to being, is in fact one major way in which we transcend ourselves and give being its due. Von Hildebrand also developed the important idea that the heart “in many respects is more the real self of the person than his intellect or will.”At the same time, the author shows full realism about the possible deformities of affective life; he offers rich analyses of what he calls affective atrophy and affective hypertrophy. The second half of The Heart offers a remarkable analysis of the affectivity of the God-Man.

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Book Synopsis"It is my sincere desire that this simple and elegant practice of the Five Warrior Syllables, which is based on the highest teachings of the Tibetan Bön Buddhist tradition of which I am a lineage holder, will benefit many beings in the West. Please receive it with my blessing, and bring it into your life. Let it support you to become kind and strong and clear and awake."-Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche One of the world's oldest unbroken spiritual traditions is the Bön Buddhist tradition of Tibet. This wisdom path has survived, thanks to the efforts of a handful of dedicated lamas such as Bön lineage holder Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Now, with Tibetan Sound Healing, you can connect to the ancient sacred sounds of the Bön practice-and through them, activate the healing potential of your natural mind. The Bön healing tradition invokes the Five Warrior Syllables-"seed" sounds that bring us to the essential nature of mind and release the boundless creativity and positive qualities that are fundamental to it. Through the medicine of sound, you can clear obstacles in your body, your energy and emotions, and the subtle sacred dimensions of your being. With Tibetan Sound Healing, you are invited to learn from a master of this ancient lineage-and discover the power of sacred sound to purify your body, connect with your inherent perfection and completeness, and awaken spiritual virtue.

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Book SynopsisLooking at Jesus as a complete human being and philosopher, explores the most radical revolution in the history of philosophy--the differences Jesus made to metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology, and philosophical ethics and politics.

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Book SynopsisThis companion to volume 9 begins with a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar's conversion to Buddhism, together with a rejoicing in his merits. Then we follow the dramatic history of the Buddhist revival in India, beginning with a commentary on Dr Ambedkar's article 'Buddha and the Future of His Religion', which prompted Sangharakshita's initial contact with him. Articles on the mass conversion in 1956 and Sangharakshita's crucial visit to Nagpur at the time of Dr Ambedkar's death are followed by the story of Sangharakshita's teachings among the new Buddhists in 1959 to 61, together with notes from some of the hundreds of talks he gave. Sangharakshita did not forget India after returning to England in 1964, giving talks to raise awareness of Dr Ambedkar, and in 1979 returning to perform the first ordinations of the Indian wing of the Order, later the Triratna Buddhist Order. In a sequence of talks (from 1979 to 1992) he tells his Indian audiences about the Buddhist movement he has founded in the West and his western audiences about the Indian sangha, thus weaving together the two communities of new Buddhists. The volume culminates in a commentary on the Pali canon's Udana, edited from two much-loved seminars from the early days of the FWBO and including new translations of the verses (udanas) by Dhivan Thomas Jones. Inspiring us to imagine the time when Buddhism was so new it didn't have a name, the text includes famous teachings - the taste of salt, in the seen only the seen - and declares the first question the Buddha was asked after his Enlightenment: who is the true brahmin? The Buddha's answer, rejecting the caste system and asserting the spiritual values to which he has awakened, takes us to the heart of Dr Ambedkar's revival of Buddhism in India.

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Book SynopsisThis modern-day commentary on Dogen’s Instructions for a Zen Cook reveals how everyday activities—like cooking—can be incorporated into our spiritual practice In the thirteenth century, Zen master Dogen—perhaps the most significant of all Japanese philosophers, and the founder of the Japanese Soto Zen sect—wrote a practical manual of Instructions for the Zen Cook. In drawing parallels between preparing meals for the Zen monastery and spiritual training, he reveals far more than simply the rules and manners of the Zen kitchen; he teaches us how to "cook," or refine our lives. In this volume Kosho Uchiyama Roshi undertakes the task of elucidating Dogen''s text for the benefit of modern-day readers of Zen. Taken together, his translation and commentary truly constitute a "cookbook for life," one that shows us how to live with an unbiased mind in the midst of our workaday world.

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Book SynopsisChögyam Trungpa explores the the vajrayana teachings of the tantric path in this final volume of his masterpiece on Tibetan Buddhism This three-volume collection presents in lively, relevant language the comprehensive teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist path of the hinayana, mahayana, and vajrayana. Considered Chögyam Trungpa’s magnum opus, The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma will resonate with new and senior students of Buddhism. In this third and final volume, Chögyam Trungpa’s examines the vajrayana teachings of the tantric path. The vajrayana, or "diamond vehicle," also referred to as tantra, draws upon and extends the teachings of the hinayana and mahayana. As with the hinayana and the mahayana, the formal acceptance into the vajrayana is marked by a vow, in this case the samaya vow. There is an emphasis at this stage on the student-teacher relationship and on the quality of devotion. Generally, students must complete preliminary practices, called ngöndro, to prepare themselves for initiation into the vajrayana path before going further. Having done so, they then receive the appropriate empowerments to begin tantric practices. There are empowerment ceremonies of many kinds, called abhishekas. The vajrayana includes both form practices, such as visualizations and sadhanas (ritual liturgies), and formless practices based on allowing the mind to rest naturally in its inherent clarity and emptiness. Although on the surface, there is much greater complexity in tantric practices, the principles of mindfulness and awareness and the cultivation of compassion and skillful action continue to be of central importance. The tantric path requires complete engagement and fierce dedication. It is said to be a more rapid path, but it is also more dangerous. There is a quality of directness, abruptness, and wholeheartedness. Tantrikas, or vajrayana practitioners, recognize that the most challenging aspects of life, the energies and play of confused emotions and frightening obstacles, can be worked with as gateways to freedom and realization. Other topics covered in detail in this volume include the four reminders, the mandala principle, mahamudra, atiyoga, and more.

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be a man?Moreover, how do you as a Christian father instill that reality in your son? By Raising a Modern-Day Knight.The medieval custom of knighthood offers a unique approach to shaping and parenting a boy into a strong, godly man. Centuries ago, select boys and young men went through a rigorous, years-long process of clearly defined objectives, goals, and ceremonies?with the hope of achieving knighthood. Along the way, they acquired: A boldly masculine vision An uncompromising code of conduct A noble cause in which to invest their lives. They were the heroes of their age and role models we can learn from.In much the same way, pastor and dad of four Robert Lewis will show how you, too, can confidently guide your son to the kind of authentic, biblical manhood that can change our world. Complete with ceremony ideas to celebrate accomplishments and ingrain them in the mind of a knight-in-training, this resource is as insightful as it is practical in raising a boy to be a chivalrous, honorable man.

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Book SynopsisThe resurgence of religion and its militant mixing with politics is now a ubiquitous feature of our times. Since 9/11, discussions on religion, particularly Islam, have been characterised by debates surrounding the rise of political Islam, war on terror and the ascent of religious politics globally. Islam, particularly, appears as the bearer of a frightening tradition, and stereotypes render it an anathema in the modern world. The notion of a unitary, timeless and unchanging religion has been reinforced not only by sections of academia and the media, but also through the Muslim communities interpretations and representations of their own religion. Religion and Secularities challenges these quotidian facts about Islam. It brings together a collection of essays focusing on the reconfiguration of Islam in the world''s largest democracy, India. Investigating the relationship between religion, civil society and the state, this volume explores the nation''s long history with Islam as well as the categorisation of Muslims as a minority community. Based on ethnographic studies conducted in different regions of the country from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to Karnataka and Kerala this volume addresses the diverse issues of religious piety that include community activism and civic participation; disputes and debates around visitation to historic-religious sites; the changing contours of matrilineal practices in a Muslim community; and how Muslim women negotiate personal/Islamic law in a plural judicial landscape. The essays highlight the impossibility of understanding contemporary Islam outside the logic of modern, secular-liberal governance a standpoint that helps take the secularism debate forward. This volume will be valuable for students and scholars of sociology, social anthropology and religious studies.

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Book SynopsisCombining biblical foundations with real-world application, Kauflin guides worship leaders and pastors to root their corporate worship in unchanging scriptural principles rather than divisive trends.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA beautiful collection of inspirational wisdom and reflections—guaranteed to fill open hearts with the wonder of Christ's presenc and warmth during these special seasons of grace. -- Edwina Gateley, poet and authorThis is a jewel of a book, shimmering in its modesty. It will bring deep delight not only as we behold the wondrous mystery of the Incarnation at Christmas time, but even and especially as we seek to remain open to the gift of God's constant coming throughout the year. -- Michael Downey, author and professor of theology and spiritualityThis is tradition at its richest and deepest. We are allowed to attend and dwell awhile in the conversations between Caryll Houselander and God. Her vision is of the Word made flesh—radiant, simple, child-like, wise, silent and singing in poetry. This book is full of gems. Worthy of a slow, luscious read on dark nights, or before the soft dawn. A gift for yourself, for your friends, your preachers, and your children. -- Megan McKenna, theologian, poet and author

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Book SynopsisThis modern spiritual classic highlights a trick we play on ourselves and offers a brighter reality: liberation by letting go of the self rather than working to improve it   The Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa calls attention to the commonest pitfall to which every aspirant on the spiritual path falls prey: what he calls spiritual materialism. "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use," he says, "even spirituality." The universal tendency is to see spirituality as a process of self-improvement—the impulse to develop and refine the ego when the ego is, by nature, essentially empty.Trungpa''s incisive, compassionate teachings serve to wake us up from these false comforts. Featuring a new foreward by his son and lineage holder, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism has resonated with students for nearly thirty years—and remains as fresh as ever today.

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Book SynopsisKhenpo Namdrol presents a lucid and detailed explanation of the history and practice of Vajrakilaya.

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Book SynopsisHellenic Paganism has been growing in interest for a number of years and steadily becoming a strong presence in neo-Paganism. As with most paths there are many differing practices in the Hellenic world, all underpinned by the values and ethics of what is understood to be the Hellenic way of life. This includes practitioners who simply believe and work with the Theoi and those that attempt the daunting task of reconstructing this beautifully rich and consuming religion. Hellenic Paganism explores the revitalisation and modernisation of ancient Greek life.

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Book SynopsisLugh is a God of Ireland who is also found in other Celtic language speaking cultures, popular historically and just as well loved today. A deity of kingship and battle, he led his people out of oppression. A God skilled in magic, he used his power to bless and curse. Multifaceted and known as the 'many-skilled', Lugh is an intriguing member of the Tuatha De Danann and we can learn a great deal about him through his mythology, by looking at his cognates in other related cultures, and his modern appearances. In this book we will seek a deeper understanding of this well known yet mysterious figure.

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Book SynopsisNautilus Book Award WinnerThe first full biography of Mahaprajapati Gautami, the woman who raised the Buddha--examining her life through stories and canonical records.Mahaprajapati was the only mother the Buddha ever knew. His birth mother, Maya, died shortly after childbirth, and her sister Mahaprajapati took the infant to her breast, nurturing and raising him into adulthood. While there is a lot of ambiguity overall in the Buddha''s biography, this detail remains consistent across all Buddhist traditions and literature.In this first full biography of Mahaprajapati, The Woman Who Raised the Buddha presents her life story, with attention to her early years as sister, queen, matriarch, and mother, as well as her later years as a nun. Drawing from story fragments and canonical records, Wendy Garling reveals just how exceptional Mahaprajapati''s role was as leader of the first generation of Buddhist women, helping the Buddha establish an equal community of lay and monastic women and men. Mother to the Buddha, mother to early Buddhist women, mother to the Buddhist faith, Mahaprajapati''s journey is finally presented as one interwoven with the founding of Buddhism.

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Book SynopsisThis book takes a distinctive approach to the same-sex-union debate by framing the issue as a matter of marriage. Darrin Snyder Belousek demonstrates that the interpretation of Scripture affects whether the church should revise its doctrine of marriage for the sake of sanctioning same-sex union. Engaging charitably yet critically with opposing viewpoints, he delves deeply into what marriage is, what it is for, and what it means as presented in the biblical narrative and the theological tradition, articulating a biblical-traditional theology of marriage for the contemporary church. Afterword by Wesley Hill.Table of ContentsContentsLiving in the Midst: A Personal IntroductionPart 1: Surveying the Situation: Where We Are1. Stand at the Crossroads: Taking a Bearing2. Where I Start: Approach and AssumptionsPart 2: Framing the Question: A Matter of Marriage3. A Great Mystery: Marriage in Scripture and Tradition4. From the Beginning: Jesus, Marriage, and Genesis5. Admiring Virginity, Honoring Marriage: Early Church Debate6. Coupled Together Otherwise: Alterations and ImplicationsPart 3: Evaluating the Case: Assessing Arguments for Marriage Innovation7. Hasn't the Church Changed Before? Considering Historical Precedents8. Might Scripture Provide Support? Considering Biblical WarrantsPart 4: Seeking a Direction: Which Way to Walk9. Testing the Spirits: Considering Paths to Innovation10. It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit: Guidance for DiscernmentAfterword by Wesley HillIndexes

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Book SynopsisOutreach 2022 Resource of the Year (Spiritual Growth) Is there a way to walk faithfully through doubt and come out the other side with a deeper love for Jesus, the church, and its tradition? Can we question our faith without losing it? Award-winning author, pastor, and professor A. J. Swoboda has witnessed many young people wrestle with their core Christian beliefs. Too often, what begins as a set of critical and important questions turns to resentment and faith abandonment. Unfortunately, the church has largely ignored its task of serving people along their journey of questioning. The local church must walk alongside those who are deconstructing their faith and show them how to reconstruct it. Drawing on his own experience of deconstruction, Swoboda offers tools to help emerging adults navigate their faith in a hostile landscape. Doubt is a part of our natural spiritual journey, says Swoboda, and deconstruction is a legitimate space to encounter the living God. After Doubt offers a hopeful, practical vision of spiritual formation for those in the process of faith deconstruction and those who serve them. Foreword by pastor and author John Mark Comer.Table of ContentsContentsForewordPart 1: Deconstruction and Doubt1. Deconstruction and Doubt2. The Theological Journey3. The Problem of "Freedom"Part 2: Following Jesus through Deconstruction and Doubt4. Knowing the Whole Self5. Going to Church6. Feeling Everything7. Learning to Tend8. Practicing Being Wrong9. Discerning the Truth10. Embracing the Whole Kingdom11. Trusting the Right WayPostscript

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Book SynopsisOur natural awakening?or buddha-nature?is inherent within all of us and waiting to be realized. Buddha-nature has the qualities of both silence and illumination, and by working with silent illumination meditation you can find your own awakening. Distinguished Chan Buddhist teacher Guo Gu introduces you to the significance and methods of this practice through in-depth explanations and guided instructions. To help establish a foundation for realizing silent illumination, he has translated twenty-five teachings from the influential master Hongzhi Zhengjue into English, accompanied by his personal commentary. This book will be an indispensable resource for meditators interested in beginning or deepening their silent illumination practice.

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Book SynopsisCan a woman who has been deeply hurt by life''s circumstances be healed, heart and soul? If she has been wounded by a man she loved and trusted, can she love and trust again? As a woman who endured years of abuse, abandonment, and betrayal by those closest to her, Joyce Meyer can answer with a resounding yes!Meyer''s positivity comes from living her own journey, and from seeing so many women who don''t believe they can fully overcome their pain-or even know where to begin-find the guidance they need in the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.Meyer''s bestseller Beauty for Ashes told of her personal story of healing. Now, with the passage of more time, HEALING THE SOUL OF A WOMAN delves deeper into Joyce''s story and the journey of healing for all women. Each chapter guides you through whatever obstacles may be holding you back to find your true destiny as God''s beloved. God can heal all pain, and He wants to do this in you. Let HEALING THE SOUL OF A WOMAN be th

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Book SynopsisAn imaginative approach to spiritual practice in difficult times, through the Buddhist teaching of the six paramitas or "perfections"—qualities that lead to kindness, wisdom, and an awakened life.In frightening times, we wish the world could be otherwise. With a touch of imagination, it can be. Imagination helps us see what’s hidden, and it shape-shifts reality’s roiling twisting waves. In this inspiring reframe of a classic Buddhist teaching, Zen teacher Norman Fischer writes that the paramitas, or “six perfections”—generosity, ethical conduct, patience, joyful effort, meditation, and understanding—can help us reconfigure the world we live in. Ranging from our everyday concerns about relationships, ethics, and consumption to our artistic inspirations and broadest human yearnings, Fischer depicts imaginative spiritual practice as a necessary resource for our troubled times.

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