Religious life and practice Books

Book SynopsisA charming and wise collection of lessons from Proverbs . . . taught by teachers with paws.Many of us believe a house isn't a home unless there is fur on the floor. Pawverbs, a collection of 100 short stories featuring real-life animals, presents the godly wisdom of Proverbs in a whimsical wayinviting us to explore deep spiritual truths alongside tales of our lovable pets. In this book you will meet Guinea pig sisters with celebrity status. A street-smart cat who finds his way home. A black Lab with a rap sheet. A dog and dolphin who are best friends. A bearded dragon who enjoys a good soak. A lifesaving Great Dane, and many more. Like little fuzzy, hairy, scaly, or feathery ambassadors, animals are a gift from God to point us to Himselfto the One who promises to never leave us, is always available to listen, and who loves us more than we can fathom. If you are looking for encouragement and inspiration, or even

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Book SynopsisEver wonder how to handle the tough ethical issues we face? Such as: Should I attend a same-sex wedding? If two people love each other, why shouldn't they express that love through sex? How can the church support single people seeking to live a godly life? Should divorcees remarry in church? These four accessible, practical guides on sex and marriage will equip both new and mature Christians to think through the issues in the light of the Bible and theology. They offer help to Christians facing these issues themselves and for ministers as they provide guidance. Each guide (also available separately in print or as an e-book) has a 'Go Deeper' section listing resources for further reference. Look out for the other guides on topics such as abortion, euthanasia, wealth and poverty. In a world of increasing ethical complexity this is an invaluable down-to-earth practical resource for Christians. Sean Doherty has produced a much-needed accessible introduction to a series of controversial subjects in which he confronts tough questions based on candour, common sense and personal experience. It will be widely welcomed. - Dr Don Horrocks, Head of Public Policy, Evangelical Alliance

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Book SynopsisWe are all, in some way, afraid of the future--we do not know what tomorrow brings. We are afraid of risk, of pain, of failure. Those things that always happen to someone else, one day happen in our lives, bringing tomorrow crashing in on us. Life is full of surprises, many that are fabulous, some that are hurtful, but we are not powerless pawns in a meaningless existence. We are magic, we are power, we are promise. In a time when the world is in so much turmoil and confusion, self-help books are on the increase. This book, however, does not focus on the self. Instead it looks at how love and compassion, when given out to others, can act as a better antidote to the often painful human condition.

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the uniqueness and universality of Jesus Christ and what this might mean in today's plural world. These days there are tremendous pressures on Christians to conform to a libertarian vision of a multifaith society where no one makes truth-claims about their faith. In such a situation, Christians need to think afresh about the uniqueness and universality of Jesus Christ and what this might mean in today's plural world. In this book, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali shows how Jesus' understanding of himself and his work bears on contemporary cultures and their values: what does the gospel affirm, what does it fulfil and what does it challenge? How does our understanding of the crucified and risen Lord affect our view of the human condition? How can we evaluate the different religious traditions of the world in the light of Christ? How can we be welcoming and hospitable but also committed to that conversion and transformation of individuals and of human societies which has been revealed as God's purpose in Christ? Christian claims of uniqueness have a direct bearing on what informs the social order. This book tackles the challenge of relativism in the contemporary social and political arena head-on.

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Book SynopsisGod's Big Instruction Book is a lovely collection of spiritual wisdom which draws from sacred texts across the religious spectrum--Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism and more. In the preface, Juliet Mabey, editorial director of Oneworld, explains "Spirituality should not be confused with religiosity or isolation from the hustle and bustle of everyday concerns, but rather is a way of living the everyday within the consciousness of the eternal. Indeed, it provides the very source of quality, meaning, and purpose that makes our everyday life worthwhile. These inspirational words serve to remind us that a more fulfilling, complete life lies ahead for all who venture along the spiritual path." Divided into broad chapters, each containing subsections, there are nuggets of wisdom on such subjects as Our relationship with God; The Human Soul; Love; Humility; Materialism; Parents; Unity; and Overcoming Anxiety and Fear.The selected lines and verses make for a calm and enlightening read, and also a very modern one. The texts might be ancient but the words of wisdom selected from them are ageless and universal, making this collection supremely approachable. God's Big Instruction Book is also beautifully packaged and would make an ideal gift, to treasure.

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Book SynopsisFor Buddhists everywhere, the Three Jewels - the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha - are at the heart of daily life and practice. But how can we engage with these precious ideals in a way that makes a difference to how we live? In this, the companion volume to The Three Jewels I, in which the nature of Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels is explored, are gathered three much-loved books: Who is the Buddha?, What is the Dharma?, and What is the Sangha? In this volume, Sangharakshita tackles a great range of subjects, offering original and imaginative perspectives on all the topics one might expect an introduction to Buddhism to cover - karma and rebirth, Nirvana and the spiral path, and the nature of Buddhahood itself, as well as clear and pragmatic guidance on matters of personal concern, such as individuality, fidelity, gratitude, parenthood and seeking a spiritual teacher. The teachings are underpinned by many references to the Pali canon and other sources, to provide an authentic guide to the Dharma life in all its aspects, and much encouragement and inspiration to live that life to the full.Table of ContentsWho is the Buddha?1 The Evolution of a Buddha2 The Way to Enlightenment3 The Hidden Teachings of the Buddha's Early Life4 The Heroic Ideal in Buddhism5 From Hero-Worship to the Worshipping Buddha6 The Word of the Buddha7 Karma and Rebirth8 The 'Death' of the Buddha9 Who is the Buddha?What is the Dharma?Part 1 The Truth1 The Essential Truth2 The Dynamics of Being3 The Texture of Reality4 Nirvana5 The Mystery of the VoidPart 2 The Path6 The Gravitational Pull and the Point of No Return7 The Spiral Path8 The Journey to Enlightenment9 The Pattern of Buddhist Life and Work10 The Threefold Way - Ethics11 The Threefold Way - Meditation12 The Threefold Way - Wisdom13 The Cosmic Significance of the Bodhisattva IdealWhat is the Sangha?Part 1 The Group and the Spiritual CommunityIntroduction1 The Sangha Jewel2 The Traditional Sangha3 Individuality: The Essence of Sangha4 The History of the Spiritual Community5 The Group and the Spiritual Community6 Authority7 The Positive Group and the New Society8 The Path of DissatisfactionPart 2 The True IndividualIntroduction9 The Evolution of the Individual10 The Integrated Individual11 Overcoming the Self12 The Artist as the True IndividualPart 3 The Network of Personal RelationshipsIntroduction13 Being a Buddhist Parent14 Is a Guru Necessary15 Fidelity16 The Meaning of Friendship17 Buddhism and Business Relationships18 Non-exploitation19 GratitudeConclusions: Can the Spiritual Community Save the World?20 A Buddhist View of Current World Problems21 Buddhism and Western Society

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Book SynopsisWhat is a soul? Are miracles real? When the soul is healed, how does the body respond? Throughout history, there have been countless cases of "miracle" healings, unexplainable by modern science. Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha has personally healed thousands of patients, usually in front of dozens of witnesses. Hundreds of videos of these healings can be seen on YouTube. But how can these healings be explained? Soul Mind Body Science System is the first book to explore the scientific explanations for why soul healing miracles are genuine. Written with Dr. Rulin Xiu, an expert on string theory and quantum physics who trained at The University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Sha shares, for the first time, the scientific theories that explain why all actions on Earth are guided by the reality of the soul. In Soul Mind Body Science System, the complex and fascinating relationships present between matter, density, information, soul, and consciousness are thoroughly examined. Written for armchair and professional scientists alike, this book makes a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the true nature of reality. As the lines between "science" and "spirit" blur, this investigation becomes ever more important. The groundbreaking Soul Mind Body Science System is for all readers who have contemplated the fundamental scientific laws of the universe and sought answers beyond those offered by popular science and mainstream faith.Trade Review"This is a major contribution to the task of meeting a challenge that is crucial for peace, health, and understanding in the world, bridging the gap between the two great streams of human culture: spirituality and science." --Ervin Laszlo, two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and author of The Self-Actualizing Cosmos and The Immortal Mind

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Book SynopsisA popular and critical success when it first appeared in France, Yoga and the Hindu Tradition has freed Yoga from the common misconceptions of the recent Yoga vogue. Jean Varenne, the distinguished French Orientalist, presents the theory of classical Yoga, in all its richness, as a methoda concrete way to reach the Absolute through spiritual exerciseswhich makes possible the transition from existence to essence. This excellent translation, including line drawings and charts, a glossary of technical terms, and a complete translation of the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, begins with a brief description of the metaphysical and religious history on which Yoga is based. Varenne discusses the theoretical conception of Yoga as the search for liberating knowledge, concluding with a brief indication of the physical practices and extra Yogic themes such as Kundalini and Tantrism. It is the author's hope that those who read [this book] will come to realize that it is in fact dishonest to reduce Yoga to some sort of physical training, or to just an occult doctrine; it is a 'world view' a Weltanschauung that comprehends reality in its totality. The straightforward, well-organized presentation makes the book itself a microcosm of what Varenne singles out as a dominant feature of classical Hindu thoughta bringing of the complex and multitudinous into a unity.Judith Guttman, Yoga Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Goodwillie illuminates the life of Richard McNemar, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the complicated religious landscape of the trans-Appalachian west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of American religious history that continues to deeply inform our national culture. McNemar's story seems deeply relevant now, as America has devolved into deep division over religious and political conviction, more than most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes."—Carol Medlicott, Northern Kentucky University"This chronological and detailed treatment of his life highlights McNemar's contributions to Shaker theology, missionary efforts, leadership, poetry, hymns, and printing. Richard McNemar: Frontier Heretic and Shaker Apostle goes beyond and debunks whatever may remain of Shaker folklore connected McNemar. Instead, the reader appreciates him as a man of great integrity and deep religious faith who, in spite of a range of human imperfections, remained true to Mother Ann's Gospel."—Stephen J. Paterwic, author of Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, and The A-Z of the Shakers.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsMapsIntroductionPart I: Presbyterian and Schismatic1. Youth2. Westward Migration and Education3. Ordination4. Revival5. RebellionPart II: Shaker6. Rebirth7. The New and Living Way8. Community Foundations9. Shakers and the Shawnee Prophet10. Shaker Publications and the Expansion of Missionary Efforts11. Gospel Order in the West, James Smith, and the Ohio Mob12. War Comes to the Wabash13. Perfidy, Pilgrims, Prosecution, Progress, and Pestilence14. The End of the Beginning15. "There's Something Dead upon This Ground," or, "The Buzzards and the Flesh"16. The Struggle with Abijah Alley and Aquila Bolton17. Eleazar Goes East18. Eleazar and the Covenant19. Custos Sacrorum20. The Great Snake and the Patriarchal Skeleton21. Unrest in the West22. Freegift to the West23. "The Name or Memory of Mr. McNamar"24. The New Era25. War in Heaven26. A Wandering Star27. Look Homeward, Angel28. Aftermath and LegacyAppendix 1: Richard McNemar, "A general outline of the past Journal of my life"Appendix 2: Richard McNemar, "Testimony of E[leazar] Wright"Appendix 3: Richard McNemar, "My years on earth have been but few"Appendix 4: [Archibald McCorkle?], "A few mourning thoughts on McNemar's fall," and Richard McNemar, "An Answer to the Mourning Thoughts on McNemar's Fall"Appendix 5: The Expulsion of Richard McNemarAppendix 6: [The Redemption of Richard McNemar]NotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Goodwillie illuminates the life of Richard McNemar, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the complicated religious landscape of the trans-Appalachian west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of American religious history that continues to deeply inform our national culture. McNemar's story seems deeply relevant now, as America has devolved into deep division over religious and political conviction, more than most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes."—Carol Medlicott, Northern Kentucky University"This chronological and detailed treatment of his life highlights McNemar's contributions to Shaker theology, missionary efforts, leadership, poetry, hymns, and printing. Richard McNemar: Frontier Heretic and Shaker Apostle goes beyond and debunks whatever may remain of Shaker folklore connected McNemar. Instead, the reader appreciates him as a man of great integrity and deep religious faith who, in spite of a range of human imperfections, remained true to Mother Ann's Gospel."—Stephen J. Paterwic, author of Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, and The A-Z of the Shakers.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsMapsIntroductionPart I: Presbyterian and Schismatic1. Youth2. Westward Migration and Education3. Ordination4. Revival5. RebellionPart II: Shaker6. Rebirth7. The New and Living Way8. Community Foundations9. Shakers and the Shawnee Prophet10. Shaker Publications and the Expansion of Missionary Efforts11. Gospel Order in the West, James Smith, and the Ohio Mob12. War Comes to the Wabash13. Perfidy, Pilgrims, Prosecution, Progress, and Pestilence14. The End of the Beginning15. "There's Something Dead upon This Ground," or, "The Buzzards and the Flesh"16. The Struggle with Abijah Alley and Aquila Bolton17. Eleazar Goes East18. Eleazar and the Covenant19. Custos Sacrorum20. The Great Snake and the Patriarchal Skeleton21. Unrest in the West22. Freegift to the West23. "The Name or Memory of Mr. McNamar"24. The New Era25. War in Heaven26. A Wandering Star27. Look Homeward, Angel28. Aftermath and LegacyAppendix 1: Richard McNemar, "A general outline of the past Journal of my life"Appendix 2: Richard McNemar, "Testimony of E[leazar] Wright"Appendix 3: Richard McNemar, "My years on earth have been but few"Appendix 4: [Archibald McCorkle?], "A few mourning thoughts on McNemar's fall," and Richard McNemar, "An Answer to the Mourning Thoughts on McNemar's Fall"Appendix 5: The Expulsion of Richard McNemarAppendix 6: [The Redemption of Richard McNemar]NotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisWhile al-Bukhari's original text runs to many hundred of pages, forming several volumes, Abdul Ali Hamid selected those teachings that have relevance and appeal to today's readership, not only to Muslims, but to all who seek to know more of the essence of Islamic life and teachings.

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Book SynopsisFocuses on a number of religious practices across the Buddhist world, from Sri Lanka to New York, Japan to Tibet. This work provides a historical overview and briefly characterizes the three major variants of Buddhist tradition. It also takes note of a distinctive form of Buddhism that is emerging among non-Asian practitioners in the West.Table of ContentsNOTE TO THE READER GENERAL INTRODUCTION PART 1: TEMPLES, SACRED OBJECTS, AND ASSOCIATED RITUALS Chapter 1 Temples and Monastic Complexes (Japan) “A View of Temple Life and Practice,” James Bissett Pratt Chapter 2 Image Consecrations (Thailand) “Creating and Disseminating the Sacred,” Donald K. Swearer Chapter 3 State Rituals and Ceremonies (Myanma) “A Tooth Relic and the Legitimation of Power,” Juliane Schober Chapter 4 Village Rituals and Ceremonies (Thailand) “Bun Phraawes,” S. J. Tambiah PART II: MONASTIC PRACTICES Chapter 5 The Ordination of Monks and Novices (Korea) “Ordination in the Chogye Order,” Robert E. Buswell Chapter 6 Female Renunciants (Myanma[r]/Burma) “Theravadin Religious Women,” Hiroko Kawanami Chapter 7 Meditation (Japan) “A Morning Star Meditation,” Taiko Yamasaki Chapter 8 The Monastic Quest: A Biographical Example (Tibet) “The Biography of a Nun,” Hanna Havnevik Chapter 9 Monastic Funerals (Thailand) “The Cremation of a Senior Monk,” Charles F. Keyes PART III: LAY PRACTICE Chapter 10 Lay Identity and Participation (China) “Lay Praxis in a Mahayana Context,” Holmes Welch Chapter 11 Cosmology and Law (Tibet) “Buddhist Secular Law: Doctrines in Context,” Rebecca Redwood French Chapter 12 Cosmology and Healing (Sri Lanka) “Yaktovil: The Role of the Buddha and Dhamma,” Jason A. Carbine Chapter 13 Devotional Rituals: Recent Innovations (Sri Lanka) “A New Theravadin Liturgy,” Richard Gombrich Chapter 14 Death and Beyond (Japan) “Memorializing One’s Mizuko,” William R. LaFleur PART IV: BUDDHISM IN THE WEST Chapter 15 An American Example “Transmitting the Dharma,” Philip Kapleau BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS INDEX

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Book SynopsisDebunking myths behind what is known collectively as the new cosmology-a grand, overlapping set of narratives that claim to bring science and spirituality together-Lisa H. Sideris offers a searing critique of the movement's anthropocentric vision of the world. In Consecrating Science, Sideris argues that instead of cultivating an ethic of respect for nature, the new cosmology encourages human arrogance, uncritical reverence for science, and indifference to nonhuman life. Exploring moral sensibilities rooted in experience of the natural world, Sideris shows how a sense of wonder can foster environmental attitudes that will protect our planet from ecological collapse for years to come.Trade Review"Lisa Sideris’s Consecrating Science: Wonder, Knowledge, and the Natural World is a rich and deeply insightful analysis of a family of ambitious historical narratives, each of which is vying to become the new myth everyone lives by. Through careful textual study, Sideris convincingly argues that despite their stated goal of promoting a deep respect and care for the natural world, these narratives may inadvertently undermine development of the environmental ethic they seek to foster." * Reading Religion *"The argument of Consecrating Science is clearly articulated, carefully organized, and impeccably substantiated. Sideris’s analysis is consistently generous, nuanced, level-headed, and good-humored. Perhaps most impressively, the book integrates religious studies, science studies, ethics, and critical naturalism into a methodology that somehow remains coherent even in its multivalence." * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *"Consecrating Science is valuable reading for a number of academic audiences. . . . It is an obvious fit for scholars of religion and science, religion and environment, and environmental ethics (particularly environmental virtue ethics, given the book’s focus on the cultivation of attitudes and dispositions). It could also prove useful for higher education administrators thinking through general education curriculum design." * Worldviews *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: The Return of Mythopoeic Science 1. Seeking What Is Good in Wonder 2. The Book of Nature and the Book of Science: Richard Dawkins on Wonder 3. E. O. Wilson’s Ionian Enchantment: A Tale of Two Realities 4. Evolutionary Enchantment and Denatured Religious Naturalism 5. Anthropic and Anthropocene Narratives of the New Cosmology 6. Genesis 2.0: The Epic of Evolution as Religion of Reality 7. Making Sense of Wonder Notes Glossary of Terms References Index

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Book SynopsisThe author focuses on ordinary religious professionals, most of whom remained obscure temple employees, showing that these Taoists were neither the socially despised illiterates dismissed in so many studies, nor otherworldly ascetics, but active participants in the religious economy of the city.

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