Religion Books

Book SynopsisAn accessible introduction to the study of logic (parts 1 & 2), as well as an in-depth treatment of the discipline (parts 3 & 4), built on a robust Christian worldview. Includes helpful charts, diagrams, and review questions.

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Book SynopsisThis substantially revised and updated edition of a widely used textbook covers the major approaches to counseling and psychotherapy from a Christian perspective, with hypothetical transcripts of interventions for each major approach and the latest empirical or research findings on their effectiveness. The second edition covers therapies and techniques that are increasing in use and includes a discussion of lay counseling. The book presents a Christian approach to counseling and psychotherapy that is Christ-centered, biblically based, and Spirit-filled.Table of ContentsContentsPart 1: Basic Issues in the Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy1. Overview of Counseling and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice2. The Person of the Counselor3. Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling and PsychotherapyPart 2: Major Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories and Techniques4. Psychoanalytic Therapy5. Adlerian Therapy6. Jungian Therapy7. Existential Therapy8. Person-Centered Therapy9. Gestalt Therapy10. Reality Therapy11. Behavior Therapy12. Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy13. Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies: DBT, MBSR, MBCT, and ACT14. Constructivist Therapies: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Narrative Therapy15. Integrative Therapies and Positive Psychotherapy16. Marital and Family TherapyPart 3: A Christian Approach to Counseling and Psychotherapy17. Christian Theology in Christian Counseling: A Biblical Perspective on Human Nature and Effective Counseling and Psychotherapy18. Christian Faith in Clinical Practice: Implicit and Explicit Integration19. The Holy Spirit and Christian Spirituality in Counseling and Psychotherapy20. Legal and Ethical Issues in Christian Counseling and PsychotherapyAppendix: Is Psychotherapy Effective?ReferencesIndexes

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the relationship between faith in God and the concept of ecological care within a crisis of biodiversity.For millennia plant and animal species have received little sustained attention as subjects of Christian theology and ethics in their own right. In Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love, Elizabeth A. Johnson concludes that love of the natural world is an intrinsic element of faith in God and that far from being an add-on, ecological care is at the center of moral life.Focused on the human dilemma of sin and redemptive grace, theology has considered the doctrine of creation to be mainly an overture to the main drama of human being''s relationship to God. What value does the natural world have within the framework of religious belief? The crisis of biodiversity in our day, when species are going extinct at more than 1,000 times the natural rate, renders this question acutely important.Standard perspectives need to be realigned; tTrade ReviewIn Ask the Beasts Elisabeth Johnson combines erudition and theological reflection, a pastoral passion and ethical commitment to show that Darwinian theory of evolution need not stand against a religious belief in God. Instead, she provides a theology of creation that not only integrates an understanding of evolution with a belief in the presence of God's love and grace in the world, but also encourages us to take up our common responsibility for the earth, its environment, and all its living creatures. The clarity of her exposition and her ability to bring classical theological affirmations to bear on contemporary issues makes this book an accessible and required reading on the burning issues of faith, science, and ecological well-being. -- Francis Schüssler FiorenzaElizabeth Johnson’s beautifully written book shows us, more convincingly than any other book that I have ever read, how science and religion can engage in a dialogue which is mutually illuminating. She shows how the narratives of evolution and salvation are not just parallel stories but shed light on each other. The unpredictable creativity of matter is disclosed as the sphere of the working of the ever-fresh Holy Spirit. She brings us to a new understanding of the role of pain and death, and radically deepens our understanding of a cosmic redemption. I will read the Bible with a renewed understanding and pleasure. I have rarely enjoyed a book of theology more. -- Timothy Radcliffe, O.P.This book is a call to broaden our focus, beyond the hierarchy we have perceived in Genesis, beyond the individualistic angst of human sin and redemption. It shows us that biblical revelation is bigger than this – God is bigger than this. -- Melissa Jones, Brandman University, CA * National Catholic Reporter *Johnson’s work is vivifying, encouraging not only Christian thoughtfulness but also reverence toward the ecosystem on its behalf. An overdue reconciliation of religious belief to scientific cognizance, Ask the Beasts should become the benchmark for conversations between the disciplines. -- Michelle Anne Schingler * ForeWord Reviews *With Ask the Beasts Elizabeth Johnson gives us a gift of the insights, scope of vision and impact of Darwin’s theory on the way we humans view the history of life on our planet and our responsibility to care for our home. -- Blair Tabor * Association for Mormon Letters *In constructing her “dialogue between Charles Darwin’s account of the origin of species and the Christian story of the ineffable God of mercy and love recounted in the Nicene Creed” (xv), Johnson writes so skillfully in her judicious use of a broad swathe of traditional and contemporary literature, and also so beautifully, that this book may well stand out as one of the most important to come from the early twenty-first century. -- Robert J. Daly, Boston College * Worship, V. 89 N. 2. *Like Darwin marveling at the web of life observed in the tangle of vegetation, insects, birds, and animals along a riverbank and at discovering the ‘grandeur’ of a view of life that is dynamic rather than static, Johnson’s stance is most often one of profound wonder at the complexity, beauty and mystery of creation and of its Creator. -- Scott MacDougall, Fordham UniversityLike Darwin marveling at the web of life observed in the tangle of vegetation, insects, birds, and animals along a riverbank and at discovering the “grandeur” of a view of life that is dynamic rather than static, Johnson’s stance is most often one of profound wonder at the complexity, beauty and mystery of creation and of its Creator. * Anglican Theological Review *Elizabeth Johnson’s most recent publication demonstrates not only her facility and keen insight on matters of theology, but also her knowledge of evolutionary theory as introduced by Darwin and updated by other scholars. Johnson is a clear and persuasive writer who substantiates her work with footnotes and an eleven-page select bibliography. … Ask the Beasts forwards the conversation between science and theology and is well-suited for any library, but particularly for a theological library. -- Laurie Brink, OP * Catholic Library World *Johnson makes the world sing through the pages of her book ... Ask the Beasts provides a blueprint for a new theology of Creation, in fact, a new ecological theology. Others have been working towards this for some time, but none more persuasively or more beautifully than Elizabeth Johnson. * The Tablet *This Spirit-imbued vision of creation yields the kind of strong ecological ethic demanded in our day. … Ask the Beasts presents a deeply sacramental, incarnational view of the natural world and our place in it. -- Stephen J. Pope, Boston College, USA * The Journal of Religion *What might have been a book review of Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love ... has become that and something more because of the quality of the book and the contemporary relevance of the issues with which it deals. Indeed, those issues are not only central to Christian faith and life, but also concern the threat that we humans now pose for all life on the planet ... It is the fruit of careful and detailed study, dialogue, tested judgements and conclusions across fields not commonly traversed by a theologian. It bears the mark of the deep and careful reflection of an accomplished theologian. -- Revd Professor John Painter * St Mark's Review *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface 1 Beasts and Entangled Bank: A Dialogue 2 "When We Look..." 3 "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" 4 Evolution of the Theroy 5 The Dwelling Place of God 6 Free, Empowered Creation 7 All Creation Groaning 8 Bearer of Great Promise 9 Enter the Humans 10 The Community of Creation Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFinally, you can understand her! This updated edition of the groundbreaking classic explains how to achieve better communication with your girlfriend, fiancée, or wife?from the authors of For Women Only. More than 2 million copies sold in the series! ?Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn have unearthed a treasure chest of insights that are not only eye-opening, but life-changing.??Andy Stanley, senior pastor, North Point Community Church If you?re like most men, you?ve burned up lots of energy trying to figure out what a woman wants, what makes her tick, how to make her happy.The good news: success is simpler than you ever thought. In For Men Only, Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn reveal the eye-opening truths and simple acts that will radically improve your relationship with the woman you love. For example:? Why she can?t ?just not think about? something that?s bothering her?How to get her real answers without games?How your provider instinct can actually cause her heartache?and what to do about it?Why listening to her feelings is so hard for a guy, and a fix-it plan that works?Why her ?I do? at the altar will always mean, ?do you?? and the answer that rocks her worldNow updated with the latest scientific research to explain the fabulous female brain plus an all-new chapter that shows how to decode her most baffling behavior, For Men Only is your roadmap to making her happy.

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Book SynopsisThe amazing story behind Eritrea's Evangelical church.

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Book SynopsisThe Bible is filled with passages that are so baffling we tend to ignore them. Yet the passages that seem weird might be the most important. This collection of essays from Bible Study Magazine will shock you, intrigue you, and completely change the way you view the Bible. Dr. Michael S. Heiser visits some of the Bible's most obscure passages, unveiling their ancient context to help you interpret them today. Read this book, and you'll never be bored by the Bible again.Part One: Old TestamentThe Ancient's Guide to the GalaxyWalk Like an IsraeliteEven the Bible Needed UpgradingSpellchecking the BibleWhy Circumcision?The Abandoned Child and the Basket CaseA Tale of Courage We Never TeachCounting the Ten CommandmentsIs There Really a Sin Offering?There's a Devil in the DetailsLove Potion: Numbers 5Is My Bible Right?The Most Horrific Bible StoryRighting a WrongWhen Giants Walked the EarthThe Divine ArrowPromise Undelivered?Sanctified Dirt1003 BC Census: Who Authorized It-God or Satan?Cookin' the BooksSlaying the Sea MonsterDoes God Need a Co-Signer?The Witness in the CloudsWho Wrote the Book of Proverbs?Immanuel's Mother: Virgin or Not?Standing in the CouncilJeremiah: Double Vision?Why the Ark of the Covenant Will Never Be FoundHe, Him, Me, Myself, and IBizarre Visions for the Worst of TimesDo the Dead Sea Scrolls Answer the Canon Question?Part Two: New TestamentBurying HellMy Guardian AngelThe New Testament Misquotes the Old Testament?"I Saw Satan Fall like Lightning": When?The Healing SerpentWho Took Verse 4 out of My Bible?What Walking on Water Really MeansBorn Again ... and Again and Again?Dumbledore Meets Philip & PeterPaul's Lost LettersDestiny & DestinationA Female ApostleSigned, Sealed, and Delivered-to Satan?Treason & TranslationCharlton Heston Had CompanyWhen Abraham Met JesusHow Many Times Is Jesus Coming Back?What's Jesus Waiting For?God's Right-Hand Woman? Wisdom in HebrewsBaptism as Spiritual WarfareJesus Is God: Jude and Peter Tell Me SoWhen Angels Do TimeTough LoveJesus, God, a.k.a., The Name666: What Theories Add Up?Perspective Changes EverythingConstantine, Conspiracy, and the Canon

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Book SynopsisAn eminent theologian’s original and compelling study of how images of Jesus through history reveal each era’s temper and valuesTrade Review"An enlightening and often dramatic story. . . . As a succinct account of the image of Christ before faith began to falter, in the indubitably Christian centuries, it is as stimulating as it is informative."—John Gross, New York Times"Mr Pelikan, who is the Sterling Professor of History at Yale University, writes for a broad readership. What he offers us in Jesus Through the Centuries is a rich and expansive description of Jesus' impact on 'the general history of culture. . . . Jesus Through the Centuries seems to me unique among current publications in bridging scholarly and popular discourse on the prophet from Nazareth over the past 2,000 years. Believers and skeptics alike will find it a sweeping visual and conceptual panorama. Mr. Pelikan is particularly adept at discerning the political implications in various Jesus images."—John Koenig, front page, New York Times Book Review"Pelikan here draws on his commanding grasp of Christian history not to try his own hand at one more 'life' of Jesus, but to lay before us the principal images that have appeared, sometimes recurrently, from the 1st century to the 20th. Starting with 'The Rabbi' and moving with precision and balance through 18 well-crafted chapters, he uses stained glass and statuary, hymns and doggerel, creeds and exposes, to carry the reader finally to 'The Man Who Belongs to the World.' The final chapter demonstrates conclusively that if imaging Jesus ever was the monopoly of the 'Christian West,' it surely is no longer."—Harvey Cox, front page, Washington Post Book World"Celebratory study of Jesus' impact on Western art, thought and culture over the last 2,000 years."—New York Times Book Review"Writing for the general reader, eminent church historian Pelikan proposes that, while the figure of Jesus provides the chief continuity in the history of Christianity, each age has depicted him in accordance with its own character."—Library Journal"[Pelikan] offers an elegantly written and handsomely illustrated account of the changing ways in which, over the last 19 centuries, men and women have seen Jesus, and worshipped him as 'the Christ.'"—Peter Fuller, New Society"Jaroslav Pelikan is encyclopedic in learning and universal in sympathy. . . . To read this study of Jesus is to receive a humane education, and few will fail to make some new discoveries about the richly varied story of reactions to him."—J.L. Houlden, Theology"This book, from one of the foremost historians of Christian culture, is a delight to read."—ChurchmanWinner of the 1986 Logos Bookstores Award given by the Association of Logos Bookstores"Jaroslav Pelikan has one of the most seminal minds in this generation. Nowhere is this more evident than in his most recent volume, Jesus Through the Centuries. It is not a doctrinal study nor a volume on the life of Christ but, rather, an analysis of some eighteen images of Jesus as he has been perceived through the centuries, images running from the Rabbi to the man who belongs to the world. Pelikan shows the enormous influence of Jesus on human culture, illustrating this through history, literature, philosophy, and art. It is a book that could only have been written by a mature scholar, but it can be read with profit and joy by anyone interested in the place of Jesus in the formation and development of culture from the first century until today. It is highly recommended."—James I McCord, Chancellor, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton"Like a master jeweler working with hard but valuable material, Jaroslav Pelikan has given distinctive shape to a great subject. He has chiseled eighteen surfaces, each with a different image of Jesus Christ affecting human culture. The result is an often glittering intellectual history that illuminates important chapters of human sensibility with flashes of light and color from Eastern as well as Western Christianity. Jesus Through the Centuries invites us to go beyond narrow scholarship in our study of that historical record and to reexamine what we are in the light of what Jesus was."—James H. Billington, author of Icon and the Axe and Fire in the Minds of Men"With learned insight and readable style, Pelikan traces the cultural incarnations of Jesus through nineteen centuries. . . .He concludes that Jesus now belongs to the whole of humanity, far beyond the reach of the organized Church and ecclesial theology. And I agree."—Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame"Jesus Through the Centuries reflects the deep faith and spirituality of the noted historian and theologian Jaroslav Pelikan expressed with Apostolic simplicity and clarity. It expresses sound scriptural doctrine and profound cultural history of the last 2,000 years which can also serve as a blueprint for examining the images of Jesus through the study of politics, society, and economic events in history. Through its contents, the book evinces a profound understanding between tradition and innovation through each particular age marked by intellectual vigor, theological substance, humanity and warmth. Even more, Professor Pelikan emits an historical faith that is unabashedly Christocentric, straightforward and poetic, which will make the book appeal to a wide audience because of its rich humanism, and its informed use of references to writers and philosophers from St. Gregory of Nyssa to Albert Schweitzer. His book should be read by not only historians and theologians, but by all Christians who wish to seek ways of coming closer to one another through an understanding of Christ down through the ages."—His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America

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Book Synopsis''A masterpiece ... In its field it is the best book ever'' GuardianWinner of the Wolfson Prize for history, Reformation: Europe''s House Divided 1490-1700 charts a seismic shift in European culture that marked the beginning of the modern world. At a time when men and women were prepared to kill - and be killed - for their faith, the Reformation tore the western world apart. Acclaimed as the definitive account of these epochal events, Diarmaid MacCulloch''s history brilliantly re-creates the religious battles of priests, monarchs, scholars and politicians, from the zealous Martin Luther nailing his Theses to the door of a Wittenburg church to the radical Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order; from Thomas Cranmer, martyred for his reforms, to the ambitious Philip II, unwavering in his campaign against Europe''s ''heretics''. Weaving together the many strands of Reformation and Counter-Reformation, ranging widely across Europe and even to the new world, MacCulloch also reveals as never before how these upheavals affected everyday lives - overturning ideas of love, sex, death and the supernatural, and shaping the modern age. ''Magisterial and eloquent''  David Starkey ''A triumph of human sympathy''  Blair Worden, Sunday Telegraph ''From politics to witchcraft, from the liturgy to sex; the sweep of European history covered here is breathtakingly panoramic. This is a model work of history''  Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph Books of the Year ''Monumental ... Reformation is set to become a landmark''  Lisa Jardine, Observer Diarmaid MacCulloch is Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University. His Thomas Cranmer won the Whitbread Biography Prize, the James Tait Black Prize and the Duff Cooper Prize. He is also the author of A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years.

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Book SynopsisAt a time when Christianity is flourishing in the Southern hemisphere but declining in much of the West, this Very Short Introduction offers an important overview of the world''s largest religion.Exploring the cultural and institutional dimensions of Christianity, and tracing its course over two millennia, Linda Woodhead provides a fresh, lively, and candid portrait of Christianity''s past and present. Addressing topics including the competition for power between different forms of Christianity, the churches'' use of power, and its struggles with modernity, this new edition includes up to date information on the growth and geographical spread of Eastern Christianity, reflecting the global nature of Christianity in our ever-shifting contemporary culture. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewLinda Woodhead has chosen to revise her 2004 book in the Oxford 'Very Short Introduction' series and this is well worth a read. * Adrian Alker, Modern Believing *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Jesus: the God-man ; 2. Christian signs and symbols ; 3. The spread of Christianity ; 4. Church and biblical Christianity ; 5. Mystical Christianity ; 6. Modern Christianity ; Conclusion ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisIn Dear Pope Francis, Pope Francis gives them that chance and celebrates their spiritual depth by directly answering questions from children around the world. A beautiful hardback book full of life and joy and colour - the perfect gift for Christenings and Confirmations and for children or adults of all ages!

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Book SynopsisThe Dalai Lama is one of the most renowned and loved spiritual leaders in the world. This book is one of a series of bite-sized introductions that make his writing accessible to everybody. In The Dalai Lama''a Book of Love and Compassion, His Holiness describes how to bring love and compassion into our daily lives. He explores the fundamentals of the Buddha''s teaching, from basic advice on how to love more fully to the importance of compassion.Whoever you are, whatever you believe, this book has something for you. Simply and clearly, The Dalai Lama explains:The need to balance spiritual and material values.Compassion as the basis for human happinessTrade Review'Genuine compassion is based on a clear acceptance or recognition that others, like oneself, want happiness and have the right to overcome suffering. On that basis one develops concern about the welfare of others, irrespective of one's attitude to oneself. That is compassion.'The Dalai Lama

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Book SynopsisBuddhism or Buddhisms? By the time they move on to Buddhism in Japan, many students who have studied its origins in India ask whether this is in fact the same religion, so different can they appear. In Buddhisms: An Introduction, Professor John S. Strong provides an overview of the Buddhist tradition in all its different forms around the world. Beginning at the modern day temples of Lumbini, where the Buddha was born, Strong takes us through the life of the Buddha and a study of Buddhist Doctrine, revealing how Buddhism has changed just as it has stayed the same. Finally, Strong examines the nature of Buddhist community life and its development today in the very different environments of Thailand, Japan, and Tibet. Enriched by the author’s own insights gathered over forty years, Buddhisms never loses sight of the personal experience amidst the wide-scope of its subject. Clear in its explanations, replete with tables and suggestions for further reading, this is an essential new work that makes original contributions to the study of this 2,500 year-old religion. Trade Review‘An original contribution and approach to this 2,500 year-old religion, with its precise explanations fortified by tables and information on further reading’. * East and West Series *‘This substantial study is a near-comprehensive digest of the history of Buddhism in its multiple forms... Exemplary for its organization and writing, this work is likely to become the standard single-volume text on Buddhism for the student, whether within the walls of the academy or without.’ * Library Journal *‘Deftly selecting material from a vast tradition, Strong guides the reader through complex topics with precision, clarity, and insight... readers eager to dive into a rigorous, well-organized investigation of Buddhism's intricate 2500-year-old history will find much to reward them.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Buddhisms: An Introduction is a Brueghalian masterpiece, which conveys the age-old religious themes in a setting of lived reality touched with hints of humour, offering intriguing perspectives on all of Buddhism’s bewildering diversity. The effect is somewhat breathtaking – so much covered so apparently effortlessly.’ -- Kate Crosby, Professor of Buddhist Studies, King’s College London‘Written with great clarity and sensitivity... this work is a welcome addition to the genre of books that survey the development of Buddhism across Asia.’ -- Stephen C. Berkwitz, Missouri State UniversityTable of ContentsPreface Schemes and Themes Technicalities Note on abbreviations Chapter 1 Introduction: Lumbinī, a Buddhist World Exposition 1.1 Theravāda and Mahāyāna 1.2 Lumbinī’s Eastern Monastic Zone: South and Southeast Asian Traditions 1.2.1 The Mahā Bodhi Society 1.2.2 The Sri Lanka Monastery 1.2.3 The Gautamī Center for Nuns 1.2.4 Myanmar (Burma) 1.2.5 Meditation Centers 1.3 Lumbinī’s Western Monastic Zone: East Asian Traditions 1.3.1 China 1.3.2 Korea 1.3.3 Japan 1.3.4 Vietnam 1.4 Lumbinī’s Western Monastic Zone: Tibetan Vajrayāna Traditions 1.4.1 The Great Lotus Stūpa 1.4.2 The Lumbinī Udyana Mahachaitya Part I: Foundations of the Triple Gem: Buddha/s, Dharma/s, and Saṃgha/s Chapter 2 Śākyamuni, Lives and Legends 2.1 The Historical Buddha 2.2 The Buddha’s World 2.3 The Buddha of Story 2.4 Past Buddhas and the Biographical Blueprint 2.5 The Start of Śākyamuni’s Career 2.6 Previous Lives (Jātakas) 2.6.1 The Donkey in the Lion’s Skin 2.6.2 Vessantara Jātaka 2.6.3 The Tigress Jātaka 2.7 A Lifestory of Śākyamuni 2.7.1 Birth and Childhood 2.7.2 Life in the Palace 2.7.3 The Beginnings of Discontent 2.7.4 The Great Departure 2.7.5 Paths Not Taken 2.7.6 Awakening 2.7.7 After Enlightenment 2.7.8 The First Sermon 2.7.9 Various Conversions and Miracles 2.7.10 Death and Parinirvāṇa Chapter 3 Overcoming the Buddha’s Absence 3.1 Seeing the Buddha in the Dharma 3.1.1 Excursus on the Buddhist Canon/s 3.2 Places of Pilgrimage 3.3 Relics 3.4 Buddha Images 3.5 The Masters of the Dharma 3.6 The Arhat Dharma-Protectors 3.7 Meeting Maitreya Chapter 4 Some Permutations of the Middle Way 4.1 The Middle Way 4.2 Karma and Saṃsāra 4.2.1 Why Do Good Deeds? 4.2.2 Contexts of Karma I: Neither Free Will nor Determinism 4.2.3 Contexts of Karma II: Both Jain and Upaniṣadic Views 4.3 The Doctrine of Non-Self (Anātman) 4.3.1 Breaking Down the False Sense of Self: the Five Aggregates and Impermanence 4.3.2 The Elements (Dharmas) 4.3.3 Countering the Breakdown of Self: Personal Continuity 4.3.4 Explications of Continuity: Pseudo-Selves and Ersatz Ātmans 4.4 Summary Chapter 5 The Four Truths 5.1 The First Truth: Stress 5.2 The Second Truth: the Continual Arising of Stress and Interdependent Origination 5.2.1 The Double Bind of Saṃsāra 5.3 The Third Truth: the Cessation of Stress – Nirvāṇa 5.4 The Fourth Truth: the Path to the Cessation of Stress 5.4.1 Moral Discipline 5.4.2 Meditation 5.4.3 Wisdom 5.5 Other Systematizations of the Path 5.5.1 The Seven Factors Conducive to Enlightenment 5.5.2 The Graduated Training 5.5.3 The Four Divine Abidings 5.5.4 The Four Fruits of the Path 5.6 Summary Chapter 6 The Establishment and Character of the Early Buddhist Community 6.1 Monastic–Lay Interactions 6.1.1 Dāna (Giving) and Other Forms of Making Merit 6.1.2 Lay Ethics 6.1.3 Magical Protection 6.1.4 Laypersons and the Monastic Rules 6.1.5 Royal Supporters 6.1.6 King Aśoka 6.2 The Monastics: Wandering and Settling 6.2.1 Monastic Lifestyles 6.2.2 Monasteries 6.3 Mahāprajāpatī and the Establishment of the Order of Nuns 6.4 Common Moral Commitments 6.5 Initiation Rituals: Wandering Forth and Ordination 6.6 Monastic Rules 6.6.1 The Elaboration of the Disciplinary Code 6.6.2 Enforcement of the Rules: Prātimokṣa Recitation and Pravāraṇa 6.7 Some Exemplary Disciples of the Buddha 6.7.1 Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana 6.7.2 Paṭācārā 6.7.3 The Laypersons Nakulapitṛ and Nakulamātṛ 6.7.4 Viśākhā, Preeminent Laywoman 6.8 Summary Chapter 7 Visions and Divisions of the Saṃgha 7.1 Council Stories 7.1.1 The Council at Rājagṛha 7.1.2 Vinaya Disputes: the Council of Vaiśālī 7.1.3 The Councils of Pāṭaliputra 7.1.4 Other Council Traditions 7.2 The Flowering of Mainstream Factionalism 7.3 Other Divisional Issues 7.3.1 Practice vs. Study 7.3.2 Meditators and Merit Makers 7.3.3 Forest Monks and Town Monks 7.3.4 The Question of Asceticism 7.3.5 The Question of Bon-Vivant Monks 7.3.6 Sect vs. Sect 7.4 The Origins of the Mahāyāna 7.5 Proliferation of Mahāyāna Schools 7.5.1 Mahāyāna Schools in India 7.5.2 Mahāyāna Schools in China 7.5.3 Mahāyāna Schools in Japan 7.5.4 Mahāyāna Schools in Tibet 7.6 Summary Part II: Further Elaborations of the Triple Gem Chapter 8 Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Ways of Meeting the Buddha/s 8.1 Changes in the View of the Buddha: the Lotus Sūtra and Śākyamuni’s Lifespan 8.2 Three Bodies of the Buddha/s 8.3 Meeting the Buddha/s in Their Pure Lands 8.3.1 Akṣobhya 8.3.2 Bhaiṣajyaguru 8.4 Amitābha 8.4.1 Meeting Amitābha through Visualization 8.4.2 Rebirth in the Pure Land 8.5 Meeting the Buddha in the Great Bodhisattvas 8.5.1 Avalokiteśvara 8.5.2 Other Great Bodhisattvas 8.6 Meeting the Buddha/s in the Vajrayāna 8.6.1 Maṇḍalas and the Five Tathāgatas 8.6.2 Ritual Consecration (Abhiṣeka) 8.6.3 Merging with the Buddha 8.6.4 Visions: Meeting the Buddha/s in Bardo 8.6.5 Buddha Embodiments in This World: Gurus and Tülkus 8.7 Summary Chapter 9 Māhāyana Doctrinal Developments 9.1 Emptiness: the Selflessness of Dharmas 9.2 Nāgārjuna and the Madhyamaka 9.3 The Expansion of Provisional Truth: Expedient Means (Upāya) 9.4 Tiantai Doctrines 9.5 The Ongoing Dialectic: the Yogācāra School 9.5.1 Asanga and Vasubandhu and the Development of the School 9.5.2 Yogācāra Doctrines 9.6 Avataṃsaka Doctrines 9.6.1 Applications of Interpenetration 9.7 The Buddha Womb/Embryo (Tathāgatagarbha) Teachings 9.7.1 Resurgence of the True Self 9.8 Buddha-Nature Controversies 9.8.1 Limitations to the Buddha-Nature: the Icchantika Debate 9.8.2 The End of the Dharma 9.8.3 Expansions of the Buddha-Nature Doctrine 9.9 Summary Chapter 10 The Bodhisattva Path, Tantra, and Zen 10.1 The Bodhisattva Path 10.2 Sudden and Gradual 10.2.1 Disagreements over the Nature of the Path: the Debate at Samyé 10.2.2 Disagreements over the Nature of Enlightenment 10.3 Graduated Paths 10.3.1 Compassion and Bodhicitta 10.3.2 The Stages of the Path, the Perfections, the Five Paths 10.3.3 Routinization and Ritualization 10.4 Path Shortcuts 10.5 Tantra 10.5.1 Uniting the Poles 10.5.2 Tantric Physiology 10.5.3 Mahāmūdra and Dzokchen (Rdzogs chen) 10.6 Direct Experiences: Chan/Zen 10.6.1 Kōans 10.6.2 Critical Phrases (Huatou) 10.7 Summary Chapter 11 Saṃgha Situations: Places, Persons, and Practices in Thai Buddhism/s 11.1 Buddhism in Thailand 11.2 Thai Monastic Life: Temporary Ordination 11.2.1 Life as a Novice 11.2.2 Experiences as a Monk 11.3 The Lives of Two Charismatic Thai Monks 11.3.1 Acharn Mun 11.3.2 Khruba Siwichai 11.4 The End of the Rains-Retreat in a Northern Thai Village 11.5 A Thai Temple in Wimbledon, England Chapter 12 Saṃgha Situations: Places, Persons, and Practices in Japanese Buddhism/s 12.1 The Hexagonal Hall (Rokkakudō) 12.1.1 Prince Shōtoku 12.1.2 Shinran 12.1.3 Kannon, Jizō, and Fudō 12.2 The Ritual Year at Shinnyodō 12.2.1 New Year’s 12.2.2 Ḍākinī and the Recitation of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra 12.2.3 Main Hall Rituals 12.2.4 Goma 12.2.5 The Killing Stone 12.3 The Ryōanji Rock Garden 12.4 The Buddha’s Birthday at the Morgan Bay Zendō 12.5 The Japan Temple in Lumbinī 12.6 Conclusion Chapter 13 Saṃgha Situations: Places, Persons, and Practices in Tibetan Buddhism/s 13.1 Lhasa Jokhang 13.1.1 Pinning Down the Demoness 13.1.2 Flood Control 13.1.3 Grand Prostrations 10.1.4 The Great Prayer Festival 13.2 The Potala and the Dalai Lamas 13.2.1 Finding a New Dalai Lama 13.3 Scholars and Mad Saints 13.3.1 Drepung Monastery and Monastic Studies 13.3.2 Mad Monks: the Case of Tangtong Gyalpo 13.4 Samding: Female Incarnations and a Contemporary Buddhist 13.5 A Tibetan Dharma Center in Vermont, U.S.A. 13.6 Conclusion Appendices Appendix A: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in India Appendix B: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Sri Lanka Appendix C: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Myanmar (Burma) Appendix D: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Cambodia Appendix E: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Thailand Appendix F: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in China Appendix G: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Japan Appendix H: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Vietnam Appendix I: A Short Chronology of Buddhism in Tibet Bibliography of Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisYou can only find out the rights and wrongs by Reasoning never by being rude about your opponent's psychology.' For C. S. Lewis, reason and logic are the sensible way to approach faith and ethics. Much of the 20th century's ills are caused by ill-founded beliefs and opinions.Lewis's original approach remains as vital today as ever. He is able to take the most convoluted subject, turn it side on and shed bright illumination on it. To be able to see along things rather than at them just like a beam of sunlight that invades the darkness of a toolshed is, to Lewis, the way to understanding.Written variously between 1940 and 1962, this collection of essays represents the best of Lewis's considerable wisdom on the great ethical and theological concerns of the day.Trade Review‘Most of us would gladly have given reams of our own work to write a couple of paragraphs as Lewis wrote.’Church of England Newspaper

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Book SynopsisDid Jesus marry and have children with Mary Magdalene? If so, what happened to his family? Are descendants of Jesus still alive today?This extraordinary account of the potential family line that the author believes was born from Jesus Christ encompasses some of the most romantic, colourful and sacred territory of the past 2,000 years.From royal and suppressed archives, Gardner presents proof of the heritage of Jesus in the West and new findings on the long awaited discovery of the Holy Grail.Featuring all the charm and adventure of Arthurian romance, coupled with enthralling Rosicrucian and Templar disclosures, this work has a cutting edge of intrigue and exposure of conspiracy in the vein of Michael Baigent's international bestseller The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (Arrow). Bringing together revelatory insights into the descendant heirs of Jesus and his brother James, Gardner:Proves that there is an authentic line of succession from the sons of Jesus and James Documents a hidden legTrade Review“A controversial and uniquely comprehensive book of Messianic descent, compiled from the most intriguing histories ever written.”Publishing News “This book, provocative as it may be, is not a work of fiction, but the product of years of painstaking research. Committed Christians will find it casts fascinating light on the origins of their beliefs.”Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisThis book decodes some of the Bible''s most enigmatic, yet oft-cited epochs. The author''s lively and easygoing style makes for a smooth entrance into the depths of perception, where one changes one''s world simply by contemplation and desire. While reading, you will gently rise beyond the level of physical events as they are described in the Bible, and you will find Pharaoh, Moses, Adam and Eve that lie within you.

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Book SynopsisThis book attempts to understand Calvin in his sixteenth-century context, with attention to continuities and discontinuities between his thought and that of his predecessors, contemporaries, and successors. Richard Muller is particularly interested in the interplay between theological and philosophical themes common to Calvin and the medieval doctors, and in developments in rhetoric and method associated with humanism. He shows that Calvin''s theology evidences the impact of humanist philology and rhetoric, of patristics, and also - both positively and negatively - of the categories of medieval scholastic thought. Calvin''s conclusions, together with those of a group of contemporary Reformed and Lutheran thinkers, famously became the basis of much later Protestant theology. But understood in its sixteenth-century context, Muller argues, Calvin''s theology proves both intriguing and intractable to twentieth-century concerns. This intractable and unaccomodated Calvin, he says, is importaTrade ReviewMuller's scholarship is so strong and his arguments so convincing that future Calvin scholars will only be able to ignore this book at their peril ... essential reading for anyone wishing to study Calvin's theology and exegesis, both as a model of critical historical methodology and for it's illumination of Calvin's program and the development of his thought. * Sixteenth Century Review *Muller begins this extraordinary book by doing something modern scholars too seldom do: he puts John Calvin and his thought back into their sixteenth-century historical context ... Muller shows how Calvin's view of faith was not radically different from that of medieval scholastics such as Thomas Aquinas. This buttresses Muller's assertion that many of Calvin's attacks were aimed not so much as scholastics as at theologians of Paris in his day ... stimulating and impressive analysis. * American History Review *

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Book SynopsisEight hundred years ago, the Cathars, a group of heretical Christians from all walks of society, high and low, flourished in what is now the Languedoc in Southern France. Their subversive beliefs brought down on them the wrath of Popes and monarchs and provoked a brutal 'Crusade' against them. The final defeat of the Cathars was horrific with mass burnings of men, women and children in the village of Montaillou in the Pyrenees.

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Book SynopsisThe Authentic Youth Bible is a popular choice for teens, youth groups and schools. The fully anglicised text uses the accurate and accessible ERV (Easy to Read) translation. The contemporary language makes the Authentic Youth Bible easy to get into, so that teens can get a lot out of it! Many extra features are included to help young people understand the Bible for themselves, including introductions to each Bible book, 164 studies that dig deeper into key passages, and 275 insight boxes that help explain the meaning of certain verses. 32 full colour pages tackle issues such as peer pressure, relationships, image and self-esteem as well as looking at themes such as following Jesus, the Trinity and trusting God. The Authentic Youth Bible is a full text Bible that is the perfect choice to help teens get into the Bible for themselves and develop strong foundations in the faith. Content Benefits: The Authentic Youth Bible is a contemporary and accessible translation that is bursting with extra features that will help teens and young adults understand and live out God's Word today. A popular choice for secondary schools and for youth groups as well as for personal use Allows youth leaders to teach the Bible in an accessible yet accurate way Enables teens to engage with the Bible for themselves Ideal for 13-18 year olds and young adults Contemporary translation which is relevant and accurate Simple to understand Anglicised text, with UK spelling and grammar Introductory notes size up the setting and discover the Who, When and What of each Bible book Introductions to both the Old and New Testaments to help set the scene 164 Bible Bit pages help you dig deeper and explore key passages 275 Insight boxes enable you to probe passages and explore the meaning of verses 32 full colour pages explore important and topical issues teens face Easy to read type in two columns A dictionary, conveniently placed at the back of the Bible for easy reference, helps explains difficult or key words Overview of the Bible How to read the Bible section helps readers get started Maps of key periods Table of weights and measures A list of Bible verses to help in various situations Presentation page Binding - Hardback Pages - 1399 Publisher - Authentic Media

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Book SynopsisMeister Eckhart (1260-1328) was a priest, a mystic and nearly a heretic (he died before the Church court''s verdict). In recent centuries the Roman Catholic establishment has rehabilitated him and the late John Paul II spoke of his work with fondness. However, what makes him of particular interest is the fact that he has influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Arthur Schopenhauer, Dag Hammarskjöld, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T. Suzuki, Rudolf Steiner and Matthew Fox have all credited Eckhart as being an important influence on their thought. In addition, his work has influenced the development of 20th century American Buddhism and the Theosophical tradition.Eckhart wrote at a time - much like our own - when society appeared to be coming apart at the seams. Monastic orders were in turmoil, the papacy had fled to Avignon, apocalyptic fears and prophecies abounded and the Inquisition was in full swing. In the midst of all that chaos and uncertainty, he captured the many forms and stages of the love of God, the mystic path and the journey of transformation - in language so startling that he, too, was often accused of heresy.Now, seven centuries later, this fresh, stunning rendering of his work translates the essence of one of Christianity''s greatest poetic and spiritual voices. Here is a book that conveys the heart of Eckhart''s teaching on what it means to love God and embark on an authentic spiritual journey - a journey that is characterised by mystery, paradox and an embrace of the unknown. It is a message that will resonate with spiritual seekers of many traditions.

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Book Synopsis“By far the most profound thinker of the 19th century” — Ludwig WittgensteinOne of Soren Kierkegaard''s most important writings, Works of Love is a profound examination of the human heart, in which the great philosopher conducts the reader into the inmost secrets of Love. Deep within every man, Kierkegaard writes, there lies the dread of being alone in the world, forgotten by God, overlooked among the household of millions upon millions. Love, for Kierkegaard, is one of the central aspects of existence; it saves us from isolation and unites us with one another and with God. This new edition of Works of Love features an original foreword by Kierkegaard scholar George Pattison.Trade Review“The one book in which all these aspects of Kierkegaard’s authorship flow together into a single work. . . . Works of Love is the central work in Kierkegaard’s entire authorship . . . Be warned! Works of Love is the kind of book that can change your life.” — George Pattison, Oxford University, from the "Introduction" “By far the most profound thinker of the 19th century” — Ludwig Wittgenstein “Kierkegaard’s great contribution to Western philosophy was to assert, or to reassert with Romantic urgency, that, subjectively speaking, each existence is the center of the universe. He offered himself as a corrective to idealism, from Plato to Hegel.” — John Updike, The New Yorker “The father of existentialism, Kierkegaard asserted the primacy of the individual in all his or her raging contradiction” — New York Times

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Book SynopsisJoin Sister Wendy on a journey through Lent, and discover the timeless wisdom to be found in some of the world’s greatest paintingsTable of ContentsWeek 1 Silence Week 2 Contemplation Week 3 Peace Week 4 Confidence Week 5 Joy Week 6 Love

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Book SynopsisNow a New York Times bestseller!There is a reason we look at others as rivals and limit ourselves to comparison and competition. We have an enemy assaulting our mind, will, and emotions in the hope that we''ll turn on ourselves and each other. It''s a cycle that isolates us from intimate connections, creates confusion about our identity, and limits our purpose.In Without Rival, bestselling author Lisa Bevere shares how a revelation of God''s love breaks these limits. You''ll learn how to stop seeing others as rivals and make the deep connections with your Creator you long for--connections that hold the promise of true identity and intimacy. With biblically sound teaching filled with prophetic insight for our day, Lisa uses humor and passion to challenge you to· Flip rivalry so it brings out the best in you· Stop hiding from conversations you need to be a part of· Answer the argument that say

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Book SynopsisThe Million copy bestseller: control the way you think to banish the damaging emotions of worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and condemnation.Trade ReviewI have even recommended this book to friends who don't go to church- and they love it. * Families First *

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Book SynopsisExploring the practice of living resurrection in ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, Greek, Persian, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Celtic, and Native American traditions, Freddy Silva explains how resurrection was never meant for the dead, but for the living--a fact supported by the suppressed Gnostic Gospel of Philip: “Those who say they will die first and then rise are in error. If they do not first receive the resurrection while they live, when they die they will receive nothing.” He reveals how these practices were not only common in the ancient world but also shared similar facets in each tradition: initiates were led through a series of challenging ordeals, retreated for a three-day period into a cave or restricted room, often called a “bridal chamber,” and while out-of-body, became fully conscious of travels in the Otherworld. Upon returning to the body, they were led by priests or priestesses to witness the rising of Sirius or the Equinox sunrise. Silva describes some of the secret chambers around the world where the ritual was performed, including the so-called tomb of Thutmosis III in Egypt, which featured an empty sarcophagus and detailed instructions for the living on how to enter the Otherworld and return alive. He reveals why esoteric and Gnostic sects claimed that the literal resurrection of Jesus promoted by the Church was a fraud and how the Church branded all living resurrection practices as a heresy, relentlessly persecuting the Gnostics to suppress knowledge of this self-empowering experience. He shows how the Knights Templar revived these concepts and how they survive to this day within Freemasonry.Trade Review“Freddy Silva’s latest book is his most brilliant, scintillating, and inviting of all, a superb book on global initiation over thousands of years. In it he explores how ancient sacred cultures guided people to experience psychic death while alive--a ritual near-death experience. The Lost Art of Resurrection is a truly remarkable contribution to the quest of reviving lost wisdom and a must-read for anyone interested in spirituality and sacred sites.” * Barbara Hand Clow, author of Awakening the Planetary Mind *“This is a breakthrough work that topples not only church dogma but a century of pyramidiots stumped by Egypt’s elusively empty sarcophagi. No mummy there! No, it’s all about the round-trip journey to the spirit world and what our ancestors were really doing in their secluded temples. Fabulously illustrated, this important book is as much about the cosmogony of the ancient wisdomkeepers as it is about the hidden chambers of the human mind.” * Susan Martinez, Ph.D., author of The Mysterious Origins of Hybrid Man *Table of ContentsA Scottish Faery Tale 1 A Noble Tradition Recently Suppressed 2 The Myth of Resurrection 3 What Is Initiation? 4 Early Followers of The Way 5 The Otherworld of the Celts 6 Secrets of the Beehive 7 Fifty Shades of Gnosticism 8 The Secret Bridal Chamber 9 What Happens in the Middle East Stays in Central America 10 Geezers of Nazareth 11 Inside the Great Pyramid and into the Otherworld 12 Egyptian Initiation 13 How to Travel to the Otherworld and Back. Or, the Pyramid Texts 14 Pharaoh Has Left the Building 15 Green Men, White Knights 16 The Science of the Otherworld 17 The Metamorphosis of the Soul Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisThis book explains the Eightfold Path to end suffering by cultivating wisdom through mental training. It emphasizes a balanced middle path and covers aspects like right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration with practical examples. The final chapter discusses enlightenment in the Buddhist path.

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Book SynopsisOutline of the seven books in the Abhidhamma Pitaka by Nyanatiloka Mahathera, aiming to clarify the complex structure of the Abhidhamma works. Essential for students seeking an introduction and overview of the collection.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most powerful Christian testimonies of the twentieth century.

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Book SynopsisSacred Knowledge is the first well-documented, sophisticated account of the effect of psychedelics on biological processes, human consciousness, and revelatory religious experiences. Richards argues that, if used responsibly and legally, psychedelics have incredible potential to assuage human suffering and contribute to the quality of life.Trade ReviewSacred Knowledge is not only timely and relevant to a whole host of current social/legal issues but also addresses, with seemingly effortless ease, many of the deeper/subtler metaphysical implications of psychedelics—their therapeutic and spiritual potential. Richards's clear prose makes articulating such difficult topics look easy. -- G. William Barnard, Southern Methodist UniversityRichards' Sacred Knowledge is not a tome but rather a concise work rich with personal stories, observations, and insights into a compelling topic long ignored and now garnering the attention it has long deserved. -- Charles S. Grob, University of California, Los Angeles, School of MedicineA seminal work that will become required reading for anyone seriously interested in either religious experience or psychedelic research. There has not been a book in this area as valuable since William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience, more than a century ago. -- James Fadiman, author of The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred JourneysIn this wonderfully sensitive, critical, and confessional history one of the foremost clinicians and scholars of presents his own experience with psychedelics and with guiding others in studies to occasion mystical experiences using entheogens. Neither addictive nor toxic, these drugs whatever called surely can under the right set and setting reveal the God within us all. This book is the best accessible overview by someone who knows by experience, and can guide others whether they choose to be involved with entheogens personally or seek to simply to understand others who do. Regardless of choice, this loving man should be your guide. -- Ralph W. Hood Jr. , University of TennesseeAn inspiring testament to half a century of scientific research and personal exploration into the responsible, beneficial use of psychedelic substances. William A. Richards's work is visionary, personal, and transpersonal, instilled with kindness, deep humanity, and quiet wisdom. -- Don Lattin, author of The Harvard Psychedelic ClubThis is a great book which I highly recommend. It is an immersive experience, which provides an opportunity for those unfamiliar with nonordinary states of consciousness to catch a glimpse of their beauty and power. William A. Richards seamlessly weaves together his extensive understanding of spirituality on the one hand and academic and clinical science on the other – a rare combination. His humour, insights, and empathy shine through on every page. The topic is timely and a manifestation of the fact that the intellectual battle regarding the potential of nonordinary states of consciousness (as, in this case, facilitated by psychedelics) has been won. -- Amanda Feilding, director, Beckley FoundationSacred Knowledge provides the most comprehensive overview of the actual use of psychedelics in psychotherapy and of the transformative power of mystical experiences. -- Torsten Passie, Hannover Medical SchoolThis is a wonderful book and couldn't have been launched at a more auspicious time. As William A. Richards has portrayed so beautifully, psychedelics provide an experience of total sanity and give a glimpse of a deeper, more heart-centred, and universal spiritual reality. In my opinion everyone should read this book, not just researchers, theologians, and philosophers but also the ordinary person in society. As society becomes more and more degraded, the planet more and more polluted, and the natural world destroyed, the truth of what the great mystic Krishnamurthy said, 'It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society,' will become ever more apparent. Increasingly I find more and more people are asking at a deeper level 'why am I here? 'What is this life about? What is it all for'? The sane answer to many of these questions is to be found in this book. -- Ivor Browne, University College DublinA practitioner and professor, Richards writes as a guide into the depths of psychedelic spirituality in an attempt to bring entheogens—substances that 'generate the divine within'—back into the mainstream. * Publishers Weekly *Richards is a generous and gregarious writer, who avoids platitudes for a mix of hard evidence, anecdotal stories, and memoir-like ruminations... Timely. * Baltimore City Paper *A valuable work and a real treat to read.... Few people could have written Sacred Knowledge and even fewer people could have done it so eloquently. * OPEN Foundation *In Sacred Knowledge, Richards . . . distills his years of thinking about psychedelics’ psychotherapeutic and spiritual uses into a book that is readable for educated general readers, intellectually firm enough for scholars, and flavored by his personal experiences. -- Tom Roberts, ErowidPart memoir, part manifesto, Sacred Knowledge charts the birth, death, and resurrection of psychedelic research. . . . The conclusion to be drawn from this book is that it’s time—in a safe setting and with careful guidance—that we started taking our miracles in tablet form. -- Charles Gilmour * Independent *Table of ContentsForeword, by G. William BarnardPreface: One Discovery of TranscendenceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionNote to the ReaderPart I. Setting the Stage1. The Death and Rebirth of Psychedelic Research2. Orientation, Definitions, and the Limits of Language3. Revelation and DoubtPart II. Mystical and Visionary Forms of Consciousness4. Intuitive Knowledge5. Approaches to Unitive Consciousness6. New Perspectives on Time and Space7. Visions and ArchetypesPart III. Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics8. The Interpersonal and the Mystical9. Experiences of Meaninglessness, Despair, and Somatic Discomfort10. Religious Conversion and Psychodynamic Experiences11. Discipline and Integration12. Reflections on DeathPart IV. Present and Future Applications of Entheogens13. Psychedelic Frontiers in Medicine14. Psychedelic Frontiers in Education15. Psychedelic Frontiers in Religion16. Maximizing the Probability of Safety and BenefitPart V. Onward17. Fears of Awakening18. Entering Into a New Paradigm19. Movement Into the FutureEpilogue: A Concise Report of Insights from the Frontier Where Science and Spirituality Are MeetingSelected BibliographyA Hopkins Playlist for Psilocybin Studies (2008 Version)Name IndexSubject Index

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Book SynopsisCan a woman who has been deeply hurt by life's circumstances, or even a man she loved and trusted, be healed? Can her heart and soul be healed? Can she love and trust again? As a woman who endured years of abuse, abandonment, and betrayal by those closest to me, my answer is "yes!"You deserve this life simply because you are God's beloved. In this companion study guide, I will offer encouraging Biblical wisdom, inspirational scripture, and thought-provoking exercises. I'll share what I've learned on my journey, and the life-changing teachings of the Bible, in hopes that you will once again believe that a more joyful, peaceful, hopeful life is possible for you. God can heal all pain, and He wants to do this in you. You are valued. You are loved unconditionally. And you are priceless in God's eyes.

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Book SynopsisFear and Trembling and The Sickness Unto Death established Kierkegaard as the father of existentialism and has come to define his contribution to philosophy.Table of ContentsIntroduction by Gordon Marino vii Fear and Trembling 1 The Sickness Unto Death 235 Index 479

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Book SynopsisSatan is both a revealing study of the compelling figure of the Devil and an imaginative and persuasive inquiry into the forces that shape a concept and ensure its survival.Trade ReviewDrawing extensively on earlier scholarly literature, as well as his own original research in complex source materials, Russell has offered a coherent account of the development of a tradition in Christian thought that should be of great interest to specialists and nonspecialists alike. Although Russell would be the very last to claim that he can draw out leviathan with a hook, he has competently and diligently drawn out an image of leviathan that takes a respectable place in the literature of early church history. * American Historical Review *Russell has complete mastery of his material, and the book's sweep is grand: a tour of the first five centuries of Christian intellectual history with the spotlight on the villain instead of the hero.... Satan is a valuable introduction to the theological portion of the Western Devil tradition. * Speculum *Table of ContentsPreface1. The Devil2. The Apostolic Fathers3. The Apologetic Fathers and the Gnostics4. Human Sin and Redemption: Irenaeus and Tertullian5. Mercy and Damnation: The Alexandrians6. Dualism and the Desert7. Satan and Saint Augustine8. Conclusion: Satan TodayEssay on the SourcesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisAll couples deal with anger. How they respond to it makes all the difference in their relationships and their lives. In From Anger to Intimacy, couples learn how to:· resolve conflict, hurt, and pain in a healthy way· overcome feelings of anger, frustration, and rage· learn how to forgive and nurture a forgiving spirit· craft the perfect apology· break sexual addiction and heal after an affair· and much moreThis life-changing book is now available in trade paper.

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Book SynopsisThe Dalai Lama tells the life story of his remarkable teacher, Ling Rinpoché, who remained a powerful anchor for him from childhood and into his emergence as a global spiritual leader. The Sixth Ling Rinpoché (1903–83) was a towering figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Combining great learning with great humility, he was ordained by the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and went on to serve as the head of the Geluk tradition and as the senior tutor to the present Dalai Lama. In temperament and wisdom, he had a profound influence on the Dalai Lama’s spiritual development, and he became a steadying presence for His Holiness during the chaotic changes that defined the Tibetan experience of the twentieth century, with the invasion of their county by Communist forces and the subsequent rebuilding of their culture in India. Ling Rinpoché’s extensive travels among exiled communities abroad and across India buoyed the spirits of the Tibetan diaspora, and the training and activities of this consummate Buddhist master, here told by the Dalai Lama in the traditional Tibetan style, will inspire and amaze. Over one hundred archival photos bring the text to life.

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Book SynopsisThis unique and entertaining travel guide to Greek waters recreates parts of voyages undertaken in myth, anchoring off landmarks or ports associated with ancient legends. It follows the trails of Odysseus, Hercules, and Jason and the Argonauts, as well as visiting the sites where Poseidon lost his trident (off Paxos) and built his temple (on the Saronic Gulf), the cliff where Theseus's father threw himself to his death after fearing his son had been killed by the minotaur, and Troy, the remains of which survive as a reminder of the city that withstood a 10-year siege.With almost 6,000 islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece is a maritime nation like no other and according to its mythology this has been the case since the days when seafarers believed their fortunes, good or ill, lay in the hands of Poseidon. Sailing through these crystal clear waters today is a voyage into history, whether true or legendary.Retelling all the myths, from the very well-known to the less familiar, <Trade ReviewA highly entertaining book… the legends are vividly and hilariously retold and lead so appealingly from one destination to another that one wants to begin plotting the co-ordinates immediately. * Yachting Monthly *Story driven as well as informative…wonderfully readable even if one isn’t heading to the Med any time soon. * Yachting Monthly *Entertaining cruising companion to Greek waters…including stunning colour photography…and packed with useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage planning. * Powerboat & RIB Magazine *Mythical tales and beautiful pictures of romantic ruins are complemented by practical advice on matters such as navigation and mooring. This beautifully presented book provides some much-needed escapism and a reminder of how important seafaring has been through the ages. * Nautilus Telegraph *The book is filled with photography and useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage-planning, including prevailing winds and anchorages, so you too can voyage through the world of monsters and hereos. * Classic Boat magazine *Beautifully and profusely illustrated... Impressively informative and exceptional in both organization and presentation * Midwest Book Review *

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Book SynopsisGreen Mass is a meditation on—and with—twelfth-century Christian mystic and polymath Saint Hildegard of Bingen. Attending to Hildegard's vegetal vision, which greens theological tradition and imbues plant life with spirit, philosopher Michael Marder uncovers a verdant mode of thinking. The book stages a fresh encounter between present-day and premodern concerns, ecology and theology, philosophy and mysticism, the material and the spiritual, in word and sound. Hildegard's lush notion of viriditas, the vegetal power of creation, is emblematic of her deeply entwined understanding of physical reality and spiritual elevation. From blossoming flora to burning desert, Marder plays with the symphonic multiplicity of meanings in her thought, listening to the resonances between the ardency of holy fire and the aridity of a world aflame. Across Hildegard's cosmos, we hear the anarchic proliferation of her ecological theology, in which both God and greening are circular, without beginning or end. Introduced with a foreword by philosopher Marcia Sá Cavalcante Schuback and accompanied by cellist Peter Schuback's musical movements, which echo both Hildegard's own compositions and key themes in each chapter of the book, this multifaceted work creates a resonance chamber, in which to discover the living world anew. The original compositions accompanying each chapter are available free for streaming and for download at www.sup.org/greenmassTrade Review"Michael Marder brings Hildegard's creativity to light and to life, highlighting what is unique about her and, especially, what makes her such a needed voice that should be heard today."—Willemien Otten, University of Chicago Divinity School"A brilliant meditation on viriditas, where materiality and spirituality meet, and truly a 'resonance chamber' of themes that explore the full range of Hildegard's thinking, from roots to flowers."—Charles M. Stang, Harvard Divinity School"The wordviriditas is important to understand here. The author explains that it literally means 'the greening green,' and figuratively it means 'a self-refreshing vegetal power of creation ingrained in all finite things.' That's a mouthful, but it's also rich and beautiful. Take a moment to ponder such a world. This is St. Hildegard of Bingen's vision of what we inhabit, whether we realize it yet or not... Michael Marder points to the transformational quality of such teachings, for Christians and everyone who seeks to integrate the physical and the spiritual in their lives."—Jon M. Sweeney, Spirituality & Practice"I consider this to be one of the—if not the—most significant books of ecotheology to have appeared in recent years... Rather than attempt to explain Hildegard's many-layered analogies between divine spirit and vegetal mattering, Marder seeks to narrate the conditions under which those analogies could be true. The result is a book that is at once faithful to Hildegard's words (Green Mass is a close reading that cites source texts in detail, and dispenses with footnotes) and promiscuous in hermeneutic."—Simone Kotva, Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology"This is an extraordinary work of ecotheology. Not only is it a book, it is also a meditation at the meeting point of materiality and spirituality, a resonance chamber of Peter Schuback's musical compositions, and an invitation to encounter the present world through medieval mindsets."—Luke Penkett, The WayTable of ContentsPrelude Verges Analogies Resonances Missives Ardencies Anarchies Kisses Postlude

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Book SynopsisBeing delivered and set free from sin and bondage doesn't mean that the enemy now considers you off limits. Focusing on key Bible strategies, John Ramirez teaches you how to shore up your defenses after winning a battle and how to put your life back in order so that when the next attack comes, you are stronger, wiser and more knowledgeable than ever.

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