Religion Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe new book from Pete Greig - his first since 2007 - which continues the story of 24-7, the global prayer movement he founded, as begun in Red Moon Rising.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Distaff Gospels (Les Évangiles des Quenouilles), a fascinating fifteenth-century collection of more than 250 popular beliefs, constitutes a kind of encyclopedia of late medieval women’s wisdom. The women’s beliefs and experiences are recounted within the narrative frame of traditional gatherings where women meet with their spindles and distaffs to spin. They share advice on such important matters as how to control errant husbands, how to predict the gender of future offspring, how to cure common diseases, and ways to deal with evil spirits, providing a rare look into the intimate lives of medieval peasant women.This edition includes a facing-page translation (the first in English since 1510) of the two Old French manuscripts of the text. The critical introduction discusses the literary context, textual history, and cultural significance of The Distaff Gospels, while the rich selection of appendices includes translations of the names of the women storytellers and excerpts from works by Giovanni Boccaccio, Jean de Meun, François Villon, and Christine de Pizan.Trade Review“This first English modern translation of The Distaff Gospels gracefully renders the somewhat recondite late medieval French of the original into elegant and faithful yet contemporary prose. The editors’ introduction frames well and cogently the issues germane to the production of this text, including transgendered expression, the culture of the ‘World Upside Down’ in which women may have their say, archeological information about practices of midwifery in the era, and the folkloric aspect and popular content of short narrative. The book is simultaneously inter-disciplinary, an inventive reconstruction, and a scholarly edition, and succeeds admirably at all three.” — Catharine Randall, Fordham UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroductionA Note on the TextIllustrationsThe Distaff Gospels (Paris Manuscript: BnF 2151) The Distaff Gospels (Chantilly Manuscript: Musée Condé)The Distaff Gospels: Translations of the Spinsters’ NamesAppendix A: From Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron (ca. 1351)Appendix B: From Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meung, The Romance of the Rose (late 13th century)Appendix C: From The Fifteen Joys of Marriage (anon., early 15th century)Appendix D: From François Villon, Testament (mid 15th century)Appendix E: From Christine de Pizan, Ballad 26 and The Book of the Three Virtues (early 15th century)Appendix F: From Bartholomaeus Anglicus (Bartholomew the Englishman), On the Properties of Things (mid 13th century)Select BibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Pulitzer Prize nominee and the bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence bridges modern science with the spiritual wisdom of the East This extraordinary series of encounters between the Dalai Lama and prominent Western psychologists, physicians, and meditation teachers sheds new light on the mind-body connectionCan the mind heal the body? The Buddhist tradition says yes—and now many Western scientists are beginning to agree. These discussions between the Dalai Lama and this group of prominent physicians, psychologists, philosophers, and behaviorists could not be more timely. The book is a record of the third Mind and Life Conference, a meeting that took place in Dharamsala, India, gathering Buddhist teachers and Western scholars to discuss questions that provide a framework for an ongoing dialogue between psychology and Buddhism. Edited with a new foreword by Daniel Goleman, this exploration of stress, death, meditation, self-compassion—and much more—underscores the timeliness and significance of working together, across scientific and religious aisles, for the greater benefit of humankind.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the age of 30, Kaoru Nonomura left his family, his girlfriend, and his job as a designer in Tokyo to undertake a year of ascetic training at Eiheiji, one of the most rigorous Zen training temples in Japan. This book is Nonomura's recollection of his experiences. After writing Eat Sleep Sit, Kaoru Nonomura returned to his normal life as a designer, but his book has maintained its popularity in Japan, selling more than 100,000 copies since its first printing in 1996. Beautifully written, and offering fascinating insight into this culture.Trade Review"Here is an unusually fine translation of a most unusual best-seller. . . We sometimes have the odd idea that Zen means simply sitting around until satori happens. . . . It is much more, as novice Nonomura discovered when he joined the beginners at Eijeiji, one of the most rigorous temples in Japan. . . . a boot camp of a place that would make even brave marines quail. . . .Nonumura stood the strain. He stayed a year. . . . This painful route, then, is the true Zen path. . . . Almost as painful must have been the translation of this book with its extraordinary width of styles – from the arcane Zen tracts of Dogen and others, to the diary-like grumbles of the clueless young Nonomura. Here, translator Juliet Carpenter not only stays the course, she defines it….here is a particularly felicitous translation, especially in the handling of the colloquial within the religious context." –DONALD RICHIE, in The Japan Times"It is difficult to adequately praise this book. To begin with, Kaoru Nonomura is a great writer. The description of his experiences Is precise, detailed and unsparingly honest, yet giving sudden glimpses of the heart and soul of a poet and mystic. The translation is superb. The story is riveting. . . . a treasure for anyone on any spiritual path." – Light of ConsciousnessTable of ContentsCONTENTSPART ONE The End and the Beginning Resolve 11 Jizo Cloister 17 Dragon Gate 25 Main Gate 29 Temporary Quarters 34 Lavatory 38 Facing the Wall 46 Buddha Bowl 47 Evening Service 53 Evening Meal 56 Night Sitting 61PART TWO Etiquette is Zen JMorning Service 69 JMorning Meal 74 JCleaning the Corridors 81 JDignified Dress 84 JWashing the Face 89 JVerses 96 JNoon 97 JStick 101PART THREE Alone in the Freezing Dark JEntering the Hall 111 JMonks’ Hall 115 JCommon Quarters 120 JWake-up Bell 129 JBell Tower 133 JSelf-reflection 143 JFood Server 150 JMonks’ Food 153 JShaving the Head 159 JDaikan 164 JHunger 169PART FOUR The Passage of Time JEscape 177 JRegistration Ceremony 180 JFirst Bath 185 JBeginning Intensive Training 189 JManual Labor 195 JPenance 201 JMain Lecture 207 JTransfer 211PART FIVE The Source of the Warmth of Life JNew Job 219 JSales 223 JDistribution of Goods 229 JGuest Pavilion 233 JInspection 238 JWashrags 242 JEnding Intensive Training & 247PART SIX The Colors of the Peak, the Echo in the Valley JAttendant to the Director 253 JConference Room & 256 JIn Attendance 259 JMorning Session 263 JIncense Bearer & 267 JPreparations for Winter 271 JIntensive Sitting 275 JYear-end Cleaning 280 JNew Year’s Day 283 JNew Arrivals 286 JJust Sit 290 JDeparture Survey 294 J Leaving 300Afterword to the Japanese First Edition 311Afterword to the Japanese Paperback Edition 315Notes 323

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of short inspirational readings by "one of the world''s wisest women"--O, the Oprah Magazine.Pema Chödrön, beloved Buddhist nun and best-selling author, offers this treasury of 108 short selections from her more than four decades of study and writings. Here she presents teachings on breaking free of destructive patterns; developing patience, kindness, and joy amid our everyday struggles; becoming fearless; and unlocking our natural warmth, intelligence, and goodness. Designed for on-the-go inspiration, this is a perfect guide to Buddhist principles and the foundations of meditation and mindfulness.This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts.The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman.The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compactformat that is collectible, reader-friendly, andapplicable to everyday life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis “gem of a book” reveals how we can go beyond mindfulness to connect with the ultimate happiness within us and transform our lives (Rick Hanson, Buddha’s Brain)The true nature of our mind is brilliant, clear, and joyful. But we don’t experience this reality amid the swirl of stresses, thoughts, and emotions of day-to-day life. Our Pristine Mind is a practical guide to uncovering our naturally comfortable state of mind and reconnecting with the unconditional happiness that is already within us. Using straightforward, accessible language, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche leads us through the path of Pristine Mind meditation, a practice from the profound teachings known as Dzogchen. This book presents the entire journey of meditation, from the very beginning all the way to the complete happiness of enlightenment. It is a realistic, natural process that can be practiced and experienced by anyone.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis pioneering guide to zazen—Zen-style seated meditation—provides practical instructions on how to begin or elevate your practice and progress along the Zen path Zen Training is a comprehensive handbook for zazen, seated meditation practice, and an authoritative presentation of the Zen path. The book marked a turning point in Zen literature in its critical reevaluation of the enlightenment experience, which the author believes has often been emphasized at the expense of other important aspects of Zen training. In addition, Zen Training goes beyond the first flashes of enlightenment to explore how one lives as well as trains in Zen. The author also draws many significant parallels between Zen and Western philosophy and psychology, comparing traditional Zen concepts with the theories of being and cognition of such thinkers as Heidegger and Husserl.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisGenuine art has the power to awaken and liberate. The renowned meditation master and artist Chögyam Trungpa called this type of art “dharma art”—any creative work that springs from an awakened state of mind, characterized by directness, unselfconsciousness, and nonaggression. Dharma art provides a vehicle to appreciate the nature of things as they are and express it without any struggle or desire to achieve. A work of dharma art brings out the goodness and dignity of the situation it reflects—dignity that comes from the artist’s interest in the details of life and sense of appreciation for experience. Trungpa shows how the principles of dharma art extend to everyday life: any activity can provide an opportunity to relax and open our senses to the phenomenal world. An expanded edition of Trungpa''s Dharma Art (1996), this book includes a new introduction and essay.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChristianity Today Book Award Winner The digital revolution has ushered in a series of sexual revolutions, all contributing to a perfect storm for modern relationships. Online dating, social media, internet pornography, and the phenomenon of the smartphone generation have created an avalanche of change with far-reaching consequences for sexuality today. The church has struggled to address this new moral ecology because it has focused on clarity of belief rather than quality of formation. The real challenge for spiritual formation lies in addressing the underlying moral intuitions we carry subconsciously, which are shaped by the convictions of our age. In this book, a fresh new voice offers a persuasive Christian vision of sex and relationships, calling young adults to faithful discipleship in a hypersexualized world. Drawing from his pastoral experience with young people and from cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines, Jonathan Grant helps Christian leaders understand the cultural forces that make the church's teaching on sex and relationships ineffective in the lives of today's young adults. He also sets forth pastoral strategies for addressing the underlying fault lines in modern sexuality.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by James K. A. Smith1. Adjusting Our Vision: Christian Formation and Relationships in a Sexualized AgePart 1: Mapping the Modern Sexual Imaginary2. Seeking the Truth Within: Love, Sex, and Relationships within the Culture of Authenticity3. Three Paths to Freedom on the Road to Nowhere: The Dead End of Modern Liberty4. We Are What We Acquire: Consumerism as a Corrupting Dynamic5. The Hypersexual Self: Sex and Relationships as Happiness Technologies6. Churches without Steeples: The Loss of Transcendence and the Atomistic WorldviewPart 2: Charting a New Course for Christian Formation7. Searching for Truth That Transforms: Introducing a Christian Social Imaginary8. Seeing the Good Life and Becoming What We See: The Role of Vision within Sexual Formation9. Getting to the Heart of Things: Redeeming Desire and Becoming Our True Selves10. Living the Gospel Story: Narrative Discipleship within the Narrative Community11. Becoming What We Do: The Formative Power of PracticesEpilogue: Melodies of HeavenIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a new English translation of St. Thomas Aquinas’s Treatise on Law, found in Questions 90–108 of the First Part of the Second Part of the Summa Theologiae. In fact, it is the only free-standing English translation of the entire Treatise, which includes both a general account of law (Questions 90–92) and also specific treatments of what St. Thomas identifies as the five kinds of law: the eternal law (Question 93), the natural law (Question 94), human law (Questions 95–97), the Old Law (Questions 98–105), and the New Law (Questions 106–108). All other extant editions of Treatise on Law stop with the human law, and are thus approximately one-third the size of the full Treatise. St. Thomas’s account of law is firmly embedded within a general moral theory that begins with a rich conception of human flourishing, i.e., the good for human beings (Questions 1–5). This good consists, first and foremost, in our ultimate and intimate union with the Persons of the Blessed Trinity – a union that in our present state we can grasp intellectively and pursue affectively only with God’s supernatural assistance. It is within this framework that we order our loves and pursue the more proximate goals they open up to us as human beings in this life. Given the appropriate goals, the next question is how we can get from where we are, in the grips of the consequences of Original Sin, to where we want to be. The answer is: by means of (a) human actions that are good, i.e., rightly ordered toward our ultimate end and (b) the habits that these actions either engender or flow from. In analyzing human actions (Questions 6–21) and their relation to the passions (Questions 22–48), St. Thomas gives a general account of what he calls the ‘intrinsic principles’ of human actions and their associated habits – both virtues (Questions 49–70) and vices (Questions 71–89). It is only then that he turns to what he calls the ‘extrinsic principles’ of good human actions, viz., law (Questions 90–108) and grace (Questions 109–114). According to St. Thomas, law, far from supplanting virtue as a basic principle of action, serves as an independent principle of action that complements virtue and is itself capable of being factored into practical deliberation. The reason is that all of God’s precepts, prohibitions, and punishments are aimed at promoting the good of the whole universe and, more particularly, the good for human beings, both individually and within the various forms of social life. Because of this, law serves as both a restraint on bad actions and a spur to good action, i.e., a restraint on actions that take us away from virtue and genuine human flourishing and a spur to actions that promote virtue and flourishing. There are many benefits of having the whole treatise rather than just the first few questions, as has been the standard practice in previous editions of the Treatise on Law. To mention just a few of these benefits, the question on the moral precepts of the Old Law (question 100) helps to illuminate in many different ways the earlier questions on natural law and human law (questions 94–97). Again, the questions on the ceremonial and judicial precepts of the Old Law (questions 101–105) demon-strate in depth the symbiotic relationship that St. Thomas takes to obtain between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The questions on the New Law provide an introduction to the Christian way of life that will be described in incomparable detail in the Second Part of the Second Part, the bulk of which is structured around the treatment of the three theological virtues and the four cardinal virtues.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn entrée into the world of Tantric Buddhism—a unique collection of texts, concepts, and meditation practices presented by Tibetan masters teaching in the WestThe “Vajra World” (vajradhatu in Sanskrit) is a realm of indestructibility, the level of reality beyond all thought and imagination, all impermanence and change, which a fully realized person knows and inhabits. Used metaphorically, “Vajra World” refers to the traditional culture of Tibet and the unique spirituality that is its secret strength.Secret of the Vajra World is the companion volume to the author’s earlier book, Indestructible Truth: The Living Spirituality of Tibetan Buddhism. While that book focuses on the history, cosmology, philosophy, and practice of the more public, exoteric side of Tibetan Buddhism, this work treats its more hidden and esoteric aspects as they take shape in Vajrayana. Together, the two volumes provide a broad introduction to the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.Topics include:• The tantric view of human nature and the external world• The special role of the guru, or tantric mentor• The preliminary practices that prepare the student for full initiation• The major dimensions of Vajrayana practice, including visualizations, liturgies, and inner yogas• The tradition of the tulku, or incarnate lama• The lore surrounding the death of ordinary people and of saints• The practice of solitary retreat, the epitome of traditional Tibetan Buddhism

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDainin Katagiri (1928–1990) was a central figure in the transmission of Zen in America. His first book, Returning to Silence, emphasized the need to return to our original, enlightened state of being, and became one of the classics of Zen in America. In You Have to Say Something, selections from his talks have been collected to address another key theme of Katagiri''s teaching: that of bringing Zen insight to bear on our everyday experience. "To live life fully," Katagiri says, "means to take care of your life day by day, moment to moment, right here, right now." To do this, he teaches, we must plunge into our life completely, bringing to it the same wholeheartedness that is required in Zen meditation. When we approach life in this way, every activity—everything we do, everything we say—becomes an opportunity for manifesting our own innate wisdom. With extraordinary freshness and immediacy, Katagiri shows the reader how this wisdom not only enlivens our spiritual practice but can help make our life a rich, seamless whole.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisA new edition of a Buddhist classic, an accessible introduction to the stages of the path (lamrim)--including 14 hours of downloadable audio meditations.The Stages of the Path, or lamrim, presentation of Buddhist teachings (a step-by-step method to tame the mind) is a core topic of Buddhist study. The lamrim meditations remind us that the process of transforming the mind, unlike so much of our frantic modern society, is a slow and thoughtful one. Best-selling author and Buddhist teacher Thubten Chodron here provides clear explanations of the stages of the path, as well as an accompanying downloadable audio program containing over fourteen hours of guided meditations on each of the topics covered in the text. Chodron discusses how to establish a daily practice and presents the meditations in detail, followed by advice for newcomers, instructions for working with distractions, antidotes to mental afflictions, and suggestions on how to deepen Dharma practice. Each practitioner will find meaning and insight according to their own skill level.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoin D. A. Carson in a year of studying the Bible, developing your theology, and growing in prayerfulness.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Common Grace Abraham Kuyper presents to the church a vision for cultural engagement rooted in the humanity Christians share with the rest of the world. Kuyper fills a gap in the development of Reformed teaching on divine grace, and he articulates a Reformed understanding of God's gifts that are common to all people after the fall into sin. This first volume contains Kuyper's demonstration of the biblical basis for common grace and how it works. This new translation of Common Grace, created in partnership with the Kuyper Translation Society and the Acton Institute, is part of a major series of new translations of Kuyper's most important writings. The Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology marks a historic moment in Kuyper studies, aimed at deepening and enriching the church's development of public theology.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the pyramids in the north to the temples in the south, ancient artisans left their marks all over Egypt, unique marks that reveal craftsmanship we would be hard pressed to duplicate today. Drawing together the results of more than 30 years of research and nine field study journeys to Egypt, Christopher Dunn presents a stunning stone-by-stone analysis of key Egyptian monuments, including the statue of Ramses II at Luxor and the fallen crowns that lay at its feet. His modern-day engineering expertise provides a unique view into the sophisticated technology used to create these famous monuments in prehistoric times. Using modern digital photography, computer-aided design software and metrology instruments, Dunn exposes the extreme precision of these monuments and the type of advanced manufacturing expertise necessary to produce them. His computer analysis of the statues of Ramses II reveals that the left and right sides of the faces are precise mirror images of each other and his examination of the mysterious underground tunnels of the Serapeum illuminates the finest examples of precision engineering on the planet. Providing never-before-seen evidence in the form of more than 280 photographs, Dunn's research shows that while absent from the archaeological record, highly refined tools, techniques and even mega-machines must have been used in ancient Egypt.Trade Review"I never cease to be astonished by Christopher Dunn's knowledge of ancient Egyptian technology. I believe he knows more of it than any man alive." * Colin Wilson, author of Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals, June 2010 *“This is an extremely important and original book. Christopher Dunn indisputably demonstrates that the ancient Egyptians were much more technologically advanced than the vast majority of modern Egyptologists, archaeologists, and historians ever dared imagine.” * Robert M. Schoch, Ph.D., author of Voyages of the Pyramid Builders and Pyramid Quest *“Christopher Dunn makes a stunningly convincing case that the makers of the ancient Egyptian stone monuments and images possessed sophisticated technologies rivaling our own in terms of their precision and capabilities.” * Michael A. Cremo, author of Forbidden Archeology and Human Devolution *“Christopher Dunn is an expert in his field. He knows a great deal about stone-cutting tools and has spent many years studying the ancient Egyptian monuments, sculptures, and artifacts. His findings are revolutionary. His word carries weight. If he is right, our perception of who the ancient Egyptians were may completely change. Read this book!” * Robert Bauval, author of The Orion Mystery, Message of the Sphinx and The Egypt Code *“Christopher Dunn’s painstaking work, literally, makes the ‘stones’ of the Egyptian gods speak. He provides profound archaeological evidence that shows an engineering consistency, suggesting an advanced intelligence, which understood the supreme science of sacred geometry. A must-read book for those who wish to understand the advancement of Egyptology in the world of today.” * J. J. Hurtak, Ph.D., author of The Book of Knowledge: the Keys of Enoch *“Utilizing almost 50 years of professional experience in engineering, manufacturing, tool-making, and space-age precision, Chris Dunn has provided an in-depth analysis of ancient Egyptian statuary, temples, and manufactured artifacts that has never been presented previously. This outstanding book, supremely well researched, amply illustrated, and complete with detailed photographs, will be cited as a major paradigm shift and reference source in the field for many years to come.” * Stephen S. Mehler, M.A., director of research, Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association *“Admirers of Egyptian art and architecture are most fortunate that Christopher Dunn directs his experienced engineer’s eye toward the Egyptians’ ancient stonework. By noticing the most minute details he reveals sophisticated craftsmanship and immense significance for all areas of Egyptology. Mathematicians will appreciate the amazing three-dimensional geometry made manifest in very hard stone. Dunn points the way for geometers to uncover sharper, more accurate analyses of the proportions of Egyptian design. This book is an important contribution to scientific scholarship by showing how archaeology can firmly rest on a measurable foundation.” * Michael S. Schneider, author of A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe *“In this book, Christopher Dunn has brought to the field of Egyptology a new approach, which has been needed for decades. His ability as an engineer and master craftsman has given him the insight to discover ancient technologies and techniques that have been missed by traditional Egyptologists. This book is a paradigm change for the way of thinking about our ancient history and ancestors. I highly recommend this beautiful illustrated book to both academic and alternative researchers and for anyone interested in new ways of thinking about our ancient past.” * John DeSalvo, Ph.D., author of The Lost Art of Enochian Magic and director of the Great Pyramid of G *“As with Newton and the apple, Chris Dunn got a vision when visiting Egypt. His engineering background allowed him to unleash incredible facts, and thanks to this highly detailed book, we can now share the same marvels.” * Alain Hubrecht, architect, writer, professor, and founder of the Association Transpersonnelle Belge *“If you want to see the precise high technologies ancient Egyptians really had, read this book. It is a serious donation to Egyptian legacy and an opus for the future of this planet.” * Antoine Gigal, author, researcher, and president of Giza for Humanity *“I believe, as Chris Dunn superbly details in this book, that ancient Egyptian sculptors and architects were so precise and their works so monumental that they must have used sophisticated technology, probably hidden in their time and now lost to ours.” * Mike Leckie, stone sculptor *"Whether you can fully grasp the intricacies of what he says, he makes it very easy to look at ancient monuments with new eyes, and a greater appreciation for the effort involved in creating them." * Michael Gleason, Reviewer, August 2010 *“. . . Chris Dunn, with over 20 years of investigation, possessing unique technical skills, and showing a keen, perceptive eye for detail, has unlocked the door to knowledge that will eventually overturn established thinking about the civilization we call ‘Ancient Egypt’.” * Alan Glassman, New Dawn Magazine, January 2011 *Table of Contents Foreword: Shifting Paradigms by Arlan Andrews Sr., ScD Foreword: Recognizing the Brilliance of Ancient Manufacturing by Judd C. Peck, Esq. Photographic Credits Acknowledgments Introduction One The Shadows of Luxor Two The Shadows of Ramses Three The Ramses Challenge Four The Shadows of Karnak Five The Shadows of the Serapeum Six The Shadow of the Sphinx Seven The Shadows of Denderah Eight Sticks and Stones: Tools of the Trade Nine In the Shadow of an Obelisk Ten In the Shadow of Egyptian Megamachines Eleven Walking in the Shadow of William F. Petrie Twelve Suspending Disbelief Notes Selected Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —1 Peter 5:5 A battle rages within every one of us every day. It’s the clash between our sense of stubborn self-sufficiency and God’s call to recognize that we’re really nothing without Him. It’s pride versus humility. And it’s a fight we can’t win without looking repeatedly to Christ and the cross. C. J. Mahaney raises a battle cry to daily, diligently, and deliberately weaken our greatest enemy (pride) and cultivate our greatest friend (humility). His thorough examination clarifies misconceptions, revealing the truth about why God detests pride and turns His active attention to the humble. Because pride is never passive, defeating it demands an intentional attack. The blessing that follows is God’s abundant favor. “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit.” —Isaiah 66:2, ESV God clearly states that He is drawn to the humble. He’s also clear that He opposes the proud. These two, humility and pride, cannot coexist. Where one is fostered, the other is defeated. Which will you pursue? When you acknowledge the deception of pride and intentionally humble yourself, you become free to savor abundant mercies and unlikely graces. You will find a new life is yours—a life God richly favors. A God-glorifying life you don’t want to miss.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCrusade Against the Grailis the daring book that popularized the legend of the Cathars and the Holy Grail. The first edition appeared in Germany in 1933 and drew upon Rahn’s account of his explorations of the Pyrenean caves where the heretical Cathar sect sought refuge during the 13th century. Over the years the book has been translated into many languages and exerted a large influence on such authors as Trevor Ravenscroft and Jean-Michel Angebert, but it has never appeared in English until now. Much as German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann used Homer’s Iliadto locate ancient Troy, Rahn believed that Wolfram von Eschenbach’s medieval epic Parzival held the keys to the mysteries of the Cathars and the secret location of the Holy Grail. Rahn saw Parzivalnot as a work of fiction, but as a historical account of the Cathars and the Knights Templar and their guardianship of the Grail, a “stone from the stars.” The Crusade that the Vatican led against the Cathars became a war pitting Roma (Rome) against Amor (love), in which the Church triumphed with flame and sword over the pure faith of the Cathars.Trade Review"A better study of the Cathar spirituality could not be found. And beyond delving into it uniquely and sympathetically, Rahn uses it like a prism to bring out the religious conflicts of the time." * Henry Berry, The Midwest Book Review, Nov 2006 *"This is a superb introduction to the Cathars and Grail mysticism and we are privileged to have it at last available in English." * Living Traditions Magazine, Feb 2007 *"[This] is the book that popularized the legend of the Holy Grail: its first edition appeared in Germany in 1933 and presented the author's own account of his explorations. Its appearance in a new updated edition is a 'must' for understanding the history and legend of the Gail, searches for its truth, and the involvement of the medieval epic Parzival in the Cathar/Grail saga." * Diane C. Donovan, California Bookwatch, Feb 2007 *"Crusade Against the Grail is indeed a daring and audacious book that opens many doors to the wisdom of the Cathars, and certainly makes a trip to the hidden fortresses of the Cathars even more inviting." * Lesley Crossingham, New Dawn, May-June 2007 *Table of Contents Translator’s Foreword Map of Southern FrancePrologue Part One Parsifal Part Two The Grail The Golden Fleece Gwion’s Cup How the Bard Taliesin Came to the World The Legend of the Bard Cervorix The “Pure Ones” and Their Doctrine The Caves of Trevrizent Close to the Fountain Called La Salvaesche Monmur, the Enchanted Castle of Oberon Muntsalvaesche and Montségur Repanse de Schoye Part Three The Crusade Part Four The Apotheosis of the Grail Appendix: Observations on the Theoretical Part Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfter his overwhelming and life-altering encounters with Shams of Tabriz, Rumi, the great thirteenth-century mystic, poet, and originator of the whirling dervishes, let go of many of the precepts of formal religion, insisting that only a complete personal dissolving into the larger energies of God could provide the satisfaction that the heart so desperately seeks. He began to speak spontaneously in the language of poetry, and his followers compiled his 44,000 verses into 23 volumes, collectively called the Divan. When Nevit Ergin decided to translate the Divan of Rumi into English, he enlisted the help of the Turkish government, which was happy to participate. The first 22 volumes were published without difficulty, but the government withdrew its support and refused to participate in the publication of the final volume due to its openly heretical nature. Now, in The Forbidden Rumi, Will Johnson and Nevit Ergin present for the first time in English Rumi’s poems from this forbidden volume. The collection is grouped into three sections: songs to Shams and God, songs of heresy, and songs of advice and admonition. In them Rumi explains that in order to transform our consciousness, we must let go of ingrained habits and embrace new ones. In short, we must become heretics.Trade Review“For the past fifty years Nevit Ergin has been working to bring into English the entirety of Rumi’s vast Divani Shamsi Tabriz. This last volume is the most incendiary and it clearly dissolves the boundaries of organized religion and national ego that keep us from the table of friendship that Rumi invites us to. . . . We are very grateful to Dr. Ergin for his life’s work.” * Coleman Barks, translator of The Essential Rumi *"It takes a great deal of courage to read The Forbidden Rumi as it may press a lot of buttons, not only about your own pathway to God, but your views and prejudices about love, religion, heresy and Islam. "All of Rumi’s poems have enjoined us to release the rules and open our hearts to our inner treasure of love, but these most controversial poems cut to the bone. "This final book of Rumi’s poems is a must-read for any serious student of spiritual ecstasy. They pose questions that make us wonder and re-evaluate our views about a religion that is portrayed as governed by extremists. They reveal a hidden face of Islam that may surprise even moderate Islamists. "Most importantly, these poems reveal that Islam too has always had a mystical, transcendent element that is its purest gift." * Lesley Crossingham, New Dawn, Mar-Apr 2007 *Table of ContentsIntroductionSongs to Shams, Songs to GodHe Took Me Under His Arm Split Wide OpenI Won’t Repent His LoveHow Can I Fool Him?WaterStay with MeConversations with God The Greatness of AbsenceHow Happy a TimeWhat a Bird!Love Letter to ShamsDeath Is Life for You More Than TheseWhat Can I Do?Give Up YourselfI Keep Smiling Why Are You Deceiving Me?He Embraced Me Like His Own Soul The Placeless PlaceEveryone Else Is a StrangerBeautiful OneThe Promise Is SweetStill Say NothingFlying High On Your WineOffer Your WinePlease Don’t GoIt Wasn’t Like ThatShamseddinThe Road Is Narrow Don’t Go AwayLifting the CurtainHis TraceWherever You AreDon’t Go Anywhere Without MeYour Blessing Is UnconditionalSongs of Advice, Songs of AdmonitionSearch ThereThe Best NourishmentFastingDivine RoadChoose LoveGod’s OceanWatch How God Opens the DoorThe Journey Starts HereAscend the Mountain of Love Don’t You Recall?These Two WorldsOutside the SackA Rascal in the BazaarJust Do It Your Overflowing SecretsThe Drunks of UnionAhead of the ThoughtThe Land of AbsenceLove Is Its Own Proof Advice to the Drunk at Heart Light and Shadow Words into DustTime to JourneyCome as You AreThe Language of the HeartFree WineThe Perfect Host A Helper of HeartsA Life Without Art God’s ArtistryAll That Is GoodOpen the DoorDonkey and OxCheckmateThe Caravan’s BellsSteal PearlsThis Temporary WorldSome AdviceMusic at the Tavern of Eternity The Eggshell of the BodyOpen Your Door Heaven’s DoorRebornSubmerged in AbsenceLife Is Coming to the Rose GardenThe Path in the HeartThe Rose’s PleaWhy Are You So Reasonable?You Are in His HandCries of ConfirmationWords of the SecretsHidden from the EyesYou Snatched My HeartThe Moon’s SlaveCut It ShortSongs of HeresyYou Can’t Get AwayI Came Back to YouEveryone Is Welcome to This SchoolA Stranger to Myself I Am the One!Wake Up from Your SleepHe Is Beyond PraiseTranslator’s Afterword

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA path-breaking scholar's insightful reexamination of the resurrection of the body and the construction of the self When people talk about the resurrection they often assume that the bodies in the afterlife will be perfect. But which version of our bodies gets resurrectedyoung or old, healthy or sick, real-to-life or idealized? What bodily qualities must be recast in heaven for a body to qualify as both ours and heavenly? The resurrection is one of the foundational statements of Christian theology, but when it comes to the New Testament only a handful of passages helps us answer the question What will those bodies be like? More problematically, the selection and interpretation of these texts are grounded in assumptions about the kinds of earthly bodies that are most desirable. Drawing upon previously unexplored evidence in ancient medicine, philosophy, and culture, this illuminating book both revisits central textssuch as the resurrection of Jesusand mines virtually ignored passages Trade Review"[An] excellent new book"—The Catholic Herald“In this informed, witty, and provocative study… Professor Moss presents a timely challenge to modern sense and sensibilities.”—John Saxbee, Church Times“There is a tremendous wealth of learning and reflection in the short 200 pages of this book…Definitely one to read.”—Matthew V. Novenson, Journal for the Study of the New Testament“Why does Christianity see bodily resurrection as salvation? How do ideas about embodied eternity encode time-bound cultural values concerning health, wealth, beauty, sex, and self? Candida Moss’s lithe essay investigates all these questions with lively erudition, with humor and with insight. Divine Bodies is divine reading.”—Paula Fredriksen, author of When Christians Were Jews“With enormous learning and gentle sensitivity Candida Moss explores the intricate pathways of the Christian imagination. In the process she skillfully and insightfully reveals the complex ironies of a hoped for future life and the ways it often mirrors an unexamined present.”—Harold W. Attridge, Yale Divinity School“Are our bodies ourselves? Candida Moss shows how culturally constructed notions of human perfection and beauty have shaped New Testament passages about the resurrected body—and modern biblical scholarship as well. A thought-provoking work of intellectual and cultural history.“—David Brakke, The Ohio State University“This fresh, careful study will change our classical images of bodily resurrection. Shining new light on both well-known texts and more neglected sources, Candida Moss shows how earthly disabilities are an integral part of resurrected, glorified bodies.”—Christoph Markschies, Humboldt-University Berlin“In this thought-provoking book, Candida Moss invites readers to rethink our views about the resurrection and critically question our (often implicit) assumptions of the perfect and impaired bodies.”—Ismo Dunderberg, University of Helsinki

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual program that teaches us how to transform our experience of the world from fear to love. The unique curriculum it offers has resonated with millions of people around the world, being translated into more than 25 languages.Each of the 50 beautifully designed cards in this deck draws from a lesson in the Course, selected by two world-renowned teachers, Robert and Hollie Holden. They have distilled its wisdom into an easy-to-use deck that users can rely on to find support and connection in their everyday lives.Place your cards in a beautiful bowl, and each morning select a card you''re guided to. Breathe in its words, and allow yourself to be inspired and receptive to life''s blessings.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book brings the best of leadership theory and research together with biblical reflection and examples of leadership in action to offer a practical guide to Christian leaders. Combining expertise in leadership studies and biblical studies, Justin Irving and Mark Strauss explore how leadership models have moved from autocratic and paternalistic leader-centered models toward an increased focus on followers. The authors show how contemporary theories such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and servant leadership take an important step toward prioritizing and empowering followers who work with leaders to accomplish organizational goals. Irving and Strauss organize their book around "nine empowering practices," making it accessible to students, church leaders, and business leaders. Integrating solid research in leadership studies with biblical and theological reflection on the leadership ideas that are most compatible with Christian faith, this book is an important resource for all Christian students of leadership.Table of ContentsContents Foreword Introduction: A Fresh Look at Empowering Leadership Part 1: Beginning with Authentic and Purposeful Leaders 1. Modeling What Matters 2. Engaging in Honest Self-Evaluation 3. Fostering Collaboration Part 2: Understanding the Priority of People 4. Valuing and Appreciating 5. Creating a Place for Individuality 6. Understanding Relational Skills Part 3: Navigating toward Effectiveness 7. Communicating with Clarity 8. Providing Accountability 9. Supporting and Resourcing Indexes

Read more less

Book SynopsisLeading Scholar Explores Paul's Teaching on the Mind This major work by a leading New Testament scholar explores an important but neglected area of Pauline theology, Paul's teaching about the mind. In discussing matters such as the corrupted mind, the mind of Christ, and the renewal of the mind, Paul adapts language from popular intellectual thought in his day, but he does so in a way distinctively focused on Christ and Christ's role in the believer's transformation. Keener enables readers to understand this thought world so they can interpret Paul's language for contemporary Christian life. The book helps overcome a false separation between following the Spirit and using human judgment and provides a new foundation for relating biblical studies and Christian counseling.Table of ContentsContents Introduction 1. The Corrupted Mind (Rom. 1:18-32) 2. The Mind of Faith (Rom. 6:11) 3. The Mind of the Flesh (Rom. 7:22-25) 4. The Mind of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5-7) 5. A Renewed Mind (Rom. 12:1-3) 6. The Mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:15-16) 7. A Christlike Mind (Phil. 2:1-5; 3:19-21; 4:6-8) 8. The Heavenly Mind (Col. 3:1-2)Conclusion Postscript: Some Pastoral Implications Appendix A: The Soul in Ancient Mediterranean Thought Appendix B: Some of God's Wise Plan in Paul's Bible Indexes

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Abd al-Rahman b. ‘Amr al-Awza‘i (c.707–774) was Umayyad Syria’s most influential jurist, part of a generation of scholars who began establishing the first formal structures for the preservation and dissemination of religious knowledge. Following the Abbasid revolution, they provided a point of stability in otherwise unstable times. Despite his close ties to the old regime, al-Awza‘i continued to participate in legal and theological matters in the Abbasid era. Although his immediate impact would prove short-lived, his influence on aspects of Islamic law, particularly the laws of war, endures to this day.Trade Review‘Despite the fragmentary evidence at his disposal, Judd has given us a nuanced and well-rounded portrait of the life and teaching of an important but largely neglected jurist and theologian of the formative period of Islamic legal thought.’ -- R. Stephen Humphreys, Professor Emeritus of History and Islamic Studies, University of California, Santa BarbaraTable of ContentsForeword Introduction Al-Awza‘i’s Biography 1 THE SOURCES 2 AL-AWZA‘I’S JURISPRUDENCE Law in the Formative Period of Islam Al-Awza‘i’s Fiqh Evaluating Al-Awza‘i as a Legal Scholar 3 AL-AWZA‘I’S SCHOLARLY MILIEU Pro-Umayyad Friends and Rivals The Hanafis: Al-Awza‘i’s Foes The Malikis 4 AL-AWZA‘I’S THEOLOGY Damascus as a Theological Center Al-Awza‘i’s Theological Views Al-Awza‘i and the Qadarites Conclusions: Al-Awza‘i’s Theology 5 AL-AWZA‘I AND THE POLITICAL ELITE Al-Awza‘i and the Umayyads Surviving the Fall of the Umayyads and the Abbasid Revolution Al-Awza‘i and the Abbasids Al-Awza‘i’s Post-Revolutionary Life Conclusion: Evaluating Al-Awza‘i as a Political Figure 6 AL-AWZA‘I’S LEGACY Al-Awza‘i’s Students Al-Awza‘i’s Regional Persistence Al-Awza‘i’s Legal Legacy Al-Awza‘i in Modern Times Conclusion Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSecret Drugs of Buddhism explores the historical evidence for the use of entheogenic plants within the Buddhist tradition and calls attention to the central role which psychedelics played in Indian religions.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis accessible primer sets out the core elements and methods of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and shows how to use it most effectively to improve clinicians' capacity for spiritual care.The guide explains how to learn best from verbatim sessions, open agenda groups and writing projects. It shows how the primary learning modalities of CPE add competence to a spiritual caregiver's practice, suggesting helpful ways to reflect on spiritual care encounters from varying perspectives. It recommends ways to collaborate with a peer group, enhance frameworks of understanding people, improve self-awareness and broaden one's scope of caring while also deepening it. Written by an experienced supervisor of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, this guide is an essential introduction for anyone seeking to foster positive attitudes and practice of spiritual care in hospitals, hospices and other clinical settings.Trade ReviewHow to Get the Most out of Clinical Pastoral Education is a great read for anyone considering the sacred journey of CPE. I highly recommend it for anyone who has been, is, or ever plans to be enrolled in a CPE program. -- Rev Dr Amy Greene, Director, Center for Spiritual Care, Cleveland Clinic Health System Board Chair 2018-2019, ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and EducationThis book fully describes and demystifies CPE, and it is full of nuggets of wisdom about engaging this unique process of experiential learning. -- Christina Miller, RN, MSN, MDiv Retired Palliative Care Program CoordinatorTable of ContentsForeword - Judith Ragsdale. Preface. 1. Engage the Educational Methods. 2. Embrace the Learning Culture. 3. Become a Process Leader: Pursue the Milestones in CPE Professional Development. 4. Befriend Your Own Spiritual Development - A Phenomenological Theory for CPE. 5. The Limitations of CPE and Applying for an ACPE Program. 6. Meet the Standards - Simplified. References. Index.

Read more less