Spirituality and religious experience Books

Book SynopsisPractical, compassionate advice on cultivating our inner life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIlluminates the question of the cosmic reality of Christ and his nature in relation to the earth and creation.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'It is in great simplicity that great beauty is revealed, and only then may we discover where God truly hides.'In this moving exploration of the path to understanding God's presence, Liam Lawton considers how we bring spiritual awakening and consolation into our lives, in every circumstance. Taking inspiration from the gentle, age-old wisdom of the Book of Ecclesiastes - 'There is a time for everything, and a season for everything under the sun' - he begins his journey of reflection and contemplation. Over its course, Liam shares remarkable stories of God's revelation in ordinary human life and of the people and events that have touched him during his years of ministry, along with fascinating perspectives on his own spiritual awakening. 'These pages reveal a God who does not intrude upon human living but rather is available to enter into the very depth of it and become present to those who wish for 'eyes to see and ears to hear'. Here are stories of pain and beauty, challenge and

Read more less

Book SynopsisWorld-renowned medium finally reveals the secrets of his childhood - the extreme violence and sexual abuse that led to his discovery of his unique, scientifically-authenticated gift.Trade ReviewPraise for Gordon Smith * : *There is nothing ambiguous about the message that Gordon conveys. * Daily Mail *Gordon Smith provides exact names, addresses, events and descriptions sharply relevant to a person's life and the lives of those they have known. * Professor Archie E. Roy, Emeritus Professor of Astronomy, Glasgow University *There's no doubt for me that he's the real deal. His accuracy had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. * Woman's Own *It's impossible not to warm to Gordon Smith. He is one of the country's most successful mediums. * Daily Express *Amazing. * Time Out *Medium to the stars * Daily Mirror *Gordon Smith is down to earth about his heavenly talents. * The Sunday Telegraph Magazine *This is a truly honest book...it is so 'real' full of hard knocks, vibrant, warm, funny yet full of gritty determined people...It is a great read if you are a developing medium, a spiritual person, a sensitive or even if you are a lover of social history. There is something within this book for everyone. With trust, faith and love you can achieve anything. * Silent Voices Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisGordon Smith is the medium''s medium who outstanding gifts are recognised by prominent sceptics and which have been tested in laboratory conditions at Glasgow University, with astonishing results.But usually when we try to assess the claims of psychics and mediums or evidence of supernatural phenomena we are examining events taking place outside the controlled conditions of the scientific laboratory. In this new book Gordon Smith argues that most suitable standards we can apply when trying to decide whether or not it is reasonable to believe such claims are the same standards we usually use to assess disputes in human affairs - the standards of the law court.As a leading medium Gordon Smith is part of an ''apostolic succession'' of mediums that goes back through famous mediums like Albert Best, Helen Duncan and DD Hume to the start of Spiritualism modern times in American in the mid nineteenth century. In this book he examines the historical evidence, admittiTrade ReviewPraise for Gordon Smith * : *There is nothing ambiguous about the message that Gordon conveys. * Daily Mail *There's no doubt for me that he's the real deal. His accuracy had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. * Woman's Own *It's impossible not to warm to Gordon Smith. He is one of the country's most successful mediums. * Daily Express *Amazing. * Time Out *Gordon Smith is down to earth about his heavenly talents. * The Sunday Telegraph Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA definitive book on prayer from New York Times bestselling author Dr. Charles Stanley—springing from Dr. Stanley’s life-long study and personal application on the topic.Have you ever considered what it means to talk to God? Is it really possible to communicate with the Creator of all that exists and be able to understand His plans and purposes for your life? Perhaps there are questions you desperately need answered. Maybe you are facing a trial that is too large or difficult to face on your own and you yearn for divine direction. Or it could be you are simply curious about what He would say to you. In Prayer, The Ultimate Conversation, which is based on a lifetime of walking with the Father and fifty-five years of ministry founded on prayer, Dr. Charles Stanley not only teaches the disciplines of intercession but also explains how to fight life’s battles through intimate communion with the Lord. Dr. Stanley discus

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the wake of her husband''s sudden and unexpected death, Jene Barranco writes a stunning book of brutal honesty about overwhelming grief, grappling with being a single mother to three grieving teenagers, and how she overcame the deafening silence she felt at the center of her relationship with God. GOOD NIGHT, I LOVE YOU explores with raw and honest prose the author''s journey as a widow and what she has learned about grief, marriage, parenting, faith, living life with purpose, and utter dependence on God. Here is a book that will speak to anyone who has ever loved a husband or wife or child.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA meditation on God's humility for the Lenten period by theologian and author Dr Jane Williams. St Augustine's insight was that it is only the merciful humility of God that could penetrate our armoured pride. As we follow this book through Lent and through the Biblical narrative what begins to emerge is that God's merciful humility is the source of life. The chapters of Jane Williams's book include: Humble Beginnings'; How to win friends and influence nobody'; Reigning from a tree' and Risen and ascended into humility'. Her reflective Lent book will be a trusted guide for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of God's humility during this religious period.Trade ReviewWilliams writes with a subtle simplicity, great insight, and an enviable ability to help us see the familiar in a new light. Each chapter is usefully followed by suggestions for personal or group response and for further reading ... for many people [this] will be their obvious choice for the season. * Church Times *This is an engaging book that many will find informative * Premier Christianity *A fresh, lively, and orthodox answer to the ancient question Cur deus homo?: why did God become man? … there is nourishing food for thought in these engaging essays, including a brave explanation of the mystery of the Trinity, and a serious case for the essential unity, for reflection and thanksgiving, of Christ's life, death and resurrection. * Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 River and wilderness 2 Humble beginnings 3 How to win friends and influence nobody 4 Reigning from the tree 5 Risen and ascended into humility Conclusion: the merciful humility

Read more less

Book SynopsisPaul Dominiak's Lent book examines doubt as an essential component of faith and true belief. For generations, Christian communities have meditated upon the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. Gathered from across the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, these sayings still speak to us today. In an age of uncertainty and suspicion, Paul Dominiak explores how each of the seven last words attends to doubt as the refining fire of faith, rather than as its enemy. The Falling of Dusk puts into critical conversation some of the great doubters of religion with the breadth of the Christian tradition and contemporary theological voices. Each chapter considers one last word spoken on the cross, unpacking why Christians should embrace suspicious doubt, and how a suspicious Christianity might challenge doubters. Aimed at those who embrace, reject, or are uncertain about faith, Paul Dominiak invites us to reflect in unconventional ways on our assumptions, anxieties, suspicions and beliefs tTrade ReviewThis slim, thought-provoking volume is a Lenten gem. * The Tablet *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The falling of dusk 1 'Forgive' 2 'Be' 3 'Behold' 4 'Why?' 5 'Thirst' 6 'Finished' 7 'Commend' Epilogue: 'Truly' Notes

Read more less

Book SynopsisOverscheduled. Exhausted.Overwhelmed. Sound familiar? Too familiar? You are living at a velocity you know deep down is unsustainable. Your life is off course - too crammed with busyness, too out of focus. You keep waiting for things to get better, but they never do. In Simplify, bestselling author Bill Hybels identifies core issues that drive this kind of living and offers action steps to help you live a better way. By eradicating clutter from your inner world, you can experience immediate rewards: greater energy, clearer purpose, richer relationships and more.Your life won''t simplify itself. You must act. Isn''t it time?Trade ReviewIf you feel too busy and too out of focus, this is the book to help you eradicate clutter and concentrate on essentials. * The Church Newspaper *He puts forward is a recognition of the importance of making room for a true spiritual dimension in one's life. * The Irish Catholic *The encouragement to pay attention to what we're prioritising in life is an essential one to hear. * Idea Magazine *This helpful book... offers readers of all ages practical ways in which to streamline their busy lives. * Church Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDaily readings for Lent, from one of today's most influential spiritual writers.Trade ReviewRonald Rolheiser, the most pastoral of spiritual writers, is full of profound insights... a completely convincing understanding of the Resurrection...This deserves to be a classic. * The Tablet *All his virtues as a writer of popular theology are displayed in this excellent, insightful and moving book. * The Irish Catholic *An exploration into loss, suffering and redemption. * The Church Newspaper *Produced with Lent in mind and consists of 40 popular reflections, which draw on Scripture, story, theology and contemporary culture. Endorsed by Brueggemann, it could be a useful resource for preachers. * Ministry Today *Ronald Rolheiser invite[s] the reader to a "new understanding of redemption", while offering profound insights into the meaning of our own loss and suffering. * Methodist Recorder *The well-known spiritual writer Ronald Rolheiser OMI, based in Texas, draws on more than 40 years of study and reflection. * The Church Times *After fifty-odd years of reading about and talking about the Cross , I thought there wouldn't be much in this book that would be new. How wrong you can be... a good investment in preparing for next Easter. * Reflections Magazine *Powerful and provocative book, comprising forty short and very pithy meditations, would make perfect Lenten material... Rolheiser's distilled wisdom in these pages is both comforting and coruscating. * Together Magazine *Daily readings for Lent by the popular Catholic spiritual writer, Ronald Rolheiser. If you haven't sampled Rolheiser before, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know a profound writer with an accessible style. * The Church Newspaper *In many respects it is a classic example of Catholic spiritual writing, orthodox but not afraid to sometimes shock, theological but not academic. * The Church Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''An essential book about the transformative power of a grounded spiritual life'' Jack Canfield, internationally bestselling author of Chicken Soup for the Soul''This wonderful blend of science and spirituality provides a clear path to finding deeper meaning and joy in life. A beautiful read'' Marci Shimoff, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No ReasonIn The Seven-Day Soul, psychologist and mindfulness meditation teacher Susannah Healy explores the importance of the everyday practice of spirituality. She examines its place in modern-day culture and makes a case for elevating its value, citing cutting-edge research that reveals significant benefits to health and personal growth.This ground-breaking book guides us through spiritual and scientific teachings to show that spirituality is something that can offer meaning to everyone, and can be applied to all aspects of our lives, including relationships, parentin

Read more less

Book SynopsisCape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world - often described as a kind of heaven on earth. Yet for the majority of its inhabitants it is hell. Apartheid-spawned ghettoes are everywhere, and for those living in Manenberg - a coloured township on the Cape Flats, purpose-built by the apartheid government as part of its forced removal plan - life is just as marginal today as it was during apartheid. The main differences now are the rampant drug use and widespread gang presence.No Neutral Ground is a gripping account of Pete Portal''s move from London to Manenberg, of addicts and gangsters meeting Jesus and being transformed, and how he went from living with a heroin addict to establishing a church community - and all the heartbreak and failure along the way. This is a story of mighty works of God, as well as relapse, hopelessness and despair; the miraculous and the mundane, heaven and hell, all balanced on a knife edge. Offering searing insight andTrade ReviewHere we have the miraculous and the mundane, heaven and hell, all balance on a knife edge. The author believes this is what the Church could become if we were willing to risk it all to reach the forgotten and the lost. Our contexts may be different, but our UK churches could learn much from this book. * The Methodist Recorder *Wow. Honest, inspiring, heartbreakingly convicting, spirit-infused, humble and holy. This book reeks of Jesus and the invitation he still gives to lose our lives for something so much better. Pete writes and lives with both skill and passion and reading this book inspires me to actively participate in God's Kingdom coming to our world! * Danielle Strickland *Pete Portal is a revivalist and an activist, an unusual and powerful combination. This book is the story of how he holds together the great hope of cultural transformation and spiritual revival. He does so whilst facing the painful realities of day-to-day life in one of the most troubled communities in South Africa. * Ken Costa *Portal compels us to lay down our pursuit of comfort, security and quality of life and follow Jesus not just to places like Manenberg, but to the edges of ourselves. No Neutral Ground is a glimpse into a story of our mutual liberation and it is not without cost * Idelette McVicker *Pete's book is a combination of inspiring stories, wild faith and insightful challenge. It will stretch your views of prayer - both answered and unanswered - and of the deeply transformative power of love. * Pete Greig *a human account that shows resilience and humility. I would gladly recommend this as a refreshing read. * Families First *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBishop Michael Curry preached at the Royal Wedding 2018; he calls for radical disciples of Jesus to change the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJesus did not establish an institution... he began a movement, fuelled byhis Spirit, to change the face of the earth from the nightmare it often is into the dream that God intends.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis full-color photo gift book that turns chart-topping contemporary gospel music into Bible-based devotions is a three-way blessing for readers: a perfect companion to favorite gospel recordings, an encouraging daily devotional and a unique photo collection.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFind comfort in dark times and grow your trust and faith in God with this inspiring and insightful guide from Lakewood Church pastor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen. All of us will go through dark times that we don''t understand: a difficulty with a friend, an unfair situation at work, a financial setback, an unexpected illness, a divorce, or the loss of a loved one. Those types of experiences are part of the human journey. But when we find ourselves in such a place, it''s important that we keep a positive perspective. Joel Osteen writes that if we stay in faith and keep a good attitude when we go through challenges, we will not only grow, but we will see how all things work together for our good. Through practical applications and scriptural insight, Blessed in the Darkness focuses on how to draw closer to God and trust Him when life doesn''t make sense.If we will go through the dark place in the valley trusting, believing, and

Read more less

Book SynopsisMichael Savage will unabashedly discuss how America is a country founded by faith and how a loss of it has horrible consequences.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWE ARE ALL ON A JOURNEY - from the moment we are born to the final minutes before our death. But as we live our busy lives, we oftentimes ignore the inner hurts and pain we may be carrying. In Lessons from a Bedside, Breda Casserly, a healthcare chaplain at the Galway Hospice Foundation, shares the wisdom she's learned from her patients as she's journeyed with them through serious, often terminal, illness. Here are stories of self-acceptance, grief, forgiveness and memory inspired by the people Breda has met over the course of her work, along with her own story of coming to terms with personal loss. Told with simplicity and compassion, Lessons from a Bedside is a book of love, spirituality and humanity which shows us paths to healing.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'This book will make you radically rethink what discipleship looks like' - Rachel and Tim Hughes'It is refreshing to read a Christian book that is powerful in its vulnerability, rawness, and ultimately, its hope. - Chine McDonald'Theologian Krish Kandiah had been a missionary, a youth worker and a pastor - but for all his Christian qualifications, he found himself lost in his relationship with God.That was until he rediscovered his Christian faith through a simple secret: he was adopted by God.Interweaving his personal story with theological insight, Krish shows us how the doctrine of adoption helps us to understand everything; it gives us purpose and power, perspective and peace.This book is for anyone seeking new depth and intimacy with the God by discovering the greatest secret woven throughout the pages of the whole Bible.Trade ReviewI would say 80 per cent of my pastoral counsel involves reminding Christians they are adopted as God's children. Why? Read this book and find out. Krish Kandiah brilliantly weaves together his own experience of adopting with biblical insight to show how our adoption as God's children changes everything. * Tim Chester *This is Krish as we've come to expect him; inspiring, wise and challenging. But it's also Krish with his guard down, heart out, pain shared, with a backstage pass to the wounds and the wonder surrounding adoption. Krish helps us see what he's been discovering - that God wants us, loves us, adopts us and draws us into his heart and home, for good. Grasping this secret will change everything. Reading this book will too! * Rachel Gardner, President of Girls' Bridage *Not just 'an interesting biblical theme' but a life-changing truth that takes us into the heart of the gospel; beautifully explained and explored from Krish's own experience. * Paul Harcourt, National Leader of New Wine *a moving book * Life & Work *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHelen T. Boursier, PhD, is a public theologian, educator, author, artist, and ordained minister who has taught spirituality through a justice-informed lens to nursing and social work students for a decade, including at the College of St. Scholastica. Her recent books include Art as Witness: A Practical Theology of Arts-Based Research (2021); Willful Ignorance: Overcoming the Limitations of (Christian) Love for Refugees Seeking Asylum (2022); and Precious Precarity: A Spirituality of Borders (2024). All of Me is her twentieth book.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHave you ever looked at your life and wondered, "Is this it?" After a childhood of being promised the future is bright, it's difficult to see meaning and purpose as you trudge through your everyday adulthood obligations. Expectations are unmet, hope fades, and disappointment in relationships and careers leaves you longing for better while living broken.But there is hope: the Kingdom and presence of God are happening here and now. And experiencing them changes everything. God's divine kingdom can be found in your workplace, classroom, and around the dinner table with friends. He is present in empty apartments and when the phone rings with devastating news. His nearness can be felt even when you are heartbroken, anxious, or unsure.As you experience the inevitable pain of finding your way, this book will help you realize you aren't alone and encourage you through the narrative of Scripture. You can replace your restlessness with the reality that God's presence is constant--HERE AND NOW.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn his book Don't Drop the Mic, Bishop T.D. Jakes speaks to readers about communication and how the ways we speak and interact with others can lift ourselves and others up. Now, in this companions study guide, Bishop Jakes will lead readers through the mechanics of understanding your audience, crafting their message, and choosing the right words at the right times Through inspirational Scripture, practical applications, and thoughtful exercises, the Don't Drop the Mic Study Guide will help readers dig deeper and make meaningful change in how others understand their message and meaning.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on over forty years of study and experience, bestselling author and internationally known minister Perry Stone explores the significance of angels and how they are activated during major prophetic seasons. Incorporating deep truths from Scripture, and even personal supernatural experiences from his own life, THIS SEASON OF ANGELS peels away the veil of mystery from the subject of angels to reveal their divine missions. Perry also devotes a chapter to answering twenty controversial questions about angels others may be afraid to tackle. THIS SEASON OF ANGELS will leave you feeling refreshed, more informed, and even more protected by God.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book will interest clinicians who have wondered what professional practice would be like in the corporate setting and want to learn more about the psychological and organizational dynamics that 'drive' executive behavior. Based on the premise that leadership effectiveness is a function of both leader productivity and health, this book reviews the latest information and research data and offers case studies to illustrate specific strategies for maximizing executive health. Len Sperry has been consulting to executives and organizations for 30 years and has written numerous articles and several books on executives and workplace dynamics.Trade Review"Dr. Sperry is a leader in the use of character assessment in the executive selection process. Overall, I think that Effective Leadership is a winner! An especially attractive aspect of Effective Leadership is the focus on female executives and executive character." -- PaulLloyd, Ph.D., President, Lloyd & Associates, and Past President of the APA Society of Consulting Psychology"It is an interesting and intriguing book to read... This author knows his subject and loves it! This is more than just another book on executive coaching; it acknowledges and integrated other practices of promoting and enhancing executive health and performance." -- Maureen E. White, Assistant Director, University of San Francisco, Sacramento Regional CampusTable of ContentsForewordAcknowledgments IntroductionPart I:The Effective Executive Leader1. Profiles of Leadership EffectivenessThree Basic Premises About Leadership EffectivenessThe Nature of Executive LeadershipThe Value-Added Benefits of Executive LeadershipPatterns of Leadership EffectivenessConcluding Note2. Leadership Models and ResearchContributions From Leadership Models and TheoriesContributions From Qualitative ResearchContributions From Quantitative ResearchCompetentcies of Effective Executive LeadershipThe Need for an Integrative Model of Executive LeadershipAn Integrative Model of Leadership EffectivenessConcluding Note3. Leadership Skills and CompetenciesSkills, Knowledge, Talents, and CompetenciesLeadership SkillsLeadership TalentsLeadership CompetenciesLeadership Competencies in the Leader ProfilesConcluding Note 4. Personality and Leadership StylesCharacter and LeadershipPersonality Styles of ExecutivesExecutive Personality Styles by Level of FunctionLeadership Styles of ExecutivesConcluding Note 5. The Context of LeadershpContextual Components Impacting the ExecutiveOrganizational Dynamics: Organizational SubsystemsOrganizational Dynamics: Developmental StagesHighly Effective OrganizationsConcluding NotePart II:Strategies for Maximizing Productivity and Health6. Assessment StrategiesExecutive ProfilingAssessing Leadership Skills and CompetenciesLeader Styles AssessmentAssessing Situation: Organizational and Family DynamicsAssessing Synchronism or "Fit"Pre-Intervention StrategyExecutive Profiling: A Case ReportConcluding Note 7. Intervention StrategiesOrganizational ConsultationLeadership DevelopmentExecutive Policy AdvisementExecutive ConsultationExecutive CoachingExecutive CounselingExecutive Health PromotionConcluding Note8. Executive Coaching StrategiesViewpoints and Definitions of Executive CoachingExecutive Coaching, Consultation, and CounselingEconomic Benefits of Executive CoachingThe Practice of CoachingThree Basic Types of Executive CoachingConcluding Note9. Executive Counseling StrategiesExecutive Counseling, as Distinct from Consultation and CoachingExecutive Counseling with Dual-Career CouplesWork-Focused PsychotherapyConcluding Note10. Executive Consultation StrategiesExecutive Consultation as Distinct from Coaching and CounselingTypes of Executive ConsultationEvaluation in Executive ConsultationPersonal Advisement in Executive ConsultationConcluding Note11. Executive Health StrategiesThe Impact of Executive Health on CorporationsHealth Issues of Executive WomenA Model of Executive HealthPositive Psychology and Executive HealthConsulting on Executive Health NoncernsConcluding NoteAppendix A: Leadership Skills and CompetenciesAppendix B: Personality Styles in Executives by Level of FunctioningIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe law of universal truth, namely the law of attraction, is explained in Rhonda Byrne's recently published and popular book, The Secret. The idea rests on the principles of visualization. Positive thoughts and beliefs attract positive situations in life. Bill Little adapts these principles and translates them into a language better understood in the realm of Christianity. Christians skeptical about the term 'visualization' are often confused about how it relates to their spiritual lives. Little uses biblical teachings and passages to interpret Byrne's techniques. With the right focus Christians can greatly benefit from these practices and become stronger in their own faith.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJust what is a soul, exactly? Where did the idea come from? How do we experience our souls? Two ancient Gnostic texts - The Exegesis on the Soul and The Hymn of the Pearl, both presented here in all-new translations - hold important clues to the development of the soul as a concept and reveal inspiring ways your own soul can remember and return to its unique, divine purpose. The Exegesis on the Soul depicts the soul as a feminine figure who has fallen into the corrupted world and must find her way back to the Divine. It is the story of the soul's struggle and redemption that will embolden your own spiritual pilgrimage. The Hymn of the Pearl is an allegorical story about a prince sent to retrieve a precious pearl but who soon forgets his purpose and falls asleep. It is a moving tale of the importance of remembering your soul's identity and calling - and knowing that only you can fulfil your destiny. Accessible facing-page commentary explains the Gnostic writings for you even if you have no previous knowledge of Gnosticism or early Christianity. Additional material draws on ancient religions, Platonism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam and modern philosophical and psychological notions of the soul to place the Gnostic teachings in a clear historical context. By following the development of this concept through time, you will more clearly perceive-and respond to-the divine spark found in your own soul.Trade Review"A fascinating guide to new and different ways of thinking. Smith's presentation of authentic Gnostic texts [conveys] a good understanding of Gnostic conceptions of the soul." —Stevan Davies, author of The Gospel of Thomas: Annotated & Explained “One of the clearest and most accessible entry-points to the wisdom of the ancient Gnostics that I have ever seen.” —Richard Smoley, author of Forbidden Faith: The Gnostic Legacy from the Gospels to The Da Vinci Code “Takes us beyond the limiting literalism of much of contemporary theology. Smith opens a door for us....” —Ron Miller, chair, religion department, Lake Forest College, and author of The Gospel of Thomas: A Guidebook for Spiritual Practice “Artful and erudite ... brings these allegories into three-dimensional relief, making them more memorable, accessible, and significant.” —Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz, author of Does the Soul Survive? A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife, Past Lives & Living with Purpose “Smith’s fine introduction and notes [reveal how] Gnosticism helped transform Western ideas about the soul.... Reveals part of our common spiritual heritage.” —Tamar Frankiel, PhD, author of Kabbalah: A Brief Introduction for ChristiansTable of ContentsForeword ix Introduction xiii A Note on the Translation xli The Exegesis on the Soul 1 The Hymn of the Pearl 45 Notes 89 Suggestions for Further Reading 91

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis isn't about how to write spiritual books. It isn't about the romance of writing. It doesn't cover the ins and outs of publishing and building a brand. Instead, this fresh and unapologetic guide to writing as a spiritual practice approaches writing as a way to turn the spiral of body, heart, mind, soul and spirit that leads to spiritual awakening. Lead by renowned spirituality teacher, Rami Shapiro and award-winning writer and writing coach, Aaron Shapiro - and featuring over fifty unique, practical exercises - it takes you beyond assigning inspirational words to the page. It shows you how to use your writing to unlock the joy of life and the infinite perspectives and possibilities that living provides.Trade Review"Beautiful…. The perfect combination of timeless wisdom, beautifully crafted language and practical, grounded exercises. A must-read for writers, spiritual seekers ... and all breathing human beings." —Rev. Susan Sparks, author, Laugh Your Way to Grace: Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor; senior pastor, Madison Avenue Baptist Church “There is much more in this book than directives about writing. There's a spirituality, philosophy, psychology, cosmology and an amazingly creative array of writing prompts both playful and profound. Remarkable.” —Thomas Ryan, CSP, author, Soul Fire: Accessing Your Creativity and The Sacred Art of Fasting: Preparing to Practice “Invites you to plunge deeply into the excesses of life. [It] seduces you to write into 'the vivid, concrete details’ of the stuff you experience, to see what Jane Kenyon called ‘the luminous particular’—until it morphs into sacred art.” —Kent Ira Groff, retreat leader and founding mentor of Oasis Ministries; author, Writing Tides: Finding Grace and Growth through Writing “Ingenious…. Just when it’s starting to look like writing is going to be supplanted by tweeting, and the word spiritual is so overused that it almost has to be spelled with quotation marks, along comes [this book]. I’m surprised and delighted to say that with [its] guidance, it truly can be a spiritual practice.” —D. Genpo Merzel, author, Big Mind, Big Heart: Finding Your Way “Comfortable with the stories that define your life? Want to stay that way? Then do not read this book! Prefer to meet up with the Holy only in the safety of familiar rites? Do not follow these writing prompts! With the Shapiros as your chaperones, you might just find yourself in passionate embrace with the wild and contradictory nature of human existence. This is writing as an act of liberation from the cages of our own making.” —Margaret D. McGee, author, Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment and Haiku—The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in Three LinesTable of ContentsRami's Preface ix Aaron's Preface xiii A Note on Collaboration xvii A Note on Structure: The Five Worlds and Writing as a Spiritual Practice xix Introduction 1 1. Writing to Open the Body 9 Projective Verse 12 Soundings 14 Dinggedicht 17 Haiku 18 Zang Tumb Tuuum 19 Where Are You? 21 Sing the Body Electric 22 Who's Your Deity? 23 Our Stories, Ourselves 26 Sauntering 27 Walking Around a Writer's Block 28 2. Writing to Open the Heart 31 Jekyll and Hyde, or Despicable Me 33 I'm Going to Kill You! 37 Automatic Writing 39 Dining with the Devil 44 Dear Hated One 45 Heart Lines 1 54 Heart Lines 2: Rumi-nations 58 3. Writing to Open the Mind 61 Who's In? Who's Out? 68 The Power of Influence 70 Bye-Bye Bias, Part 1 73 Bye-Bye Bias, Part 2 75 Definitions 78 Writing Against Language: The Vorpal Blade 83 I, Superhero 88 Alter Ego 88 Calling Dr. Freud, Calling Dr. Freud 89 Sticks and Stones 90 Who Am I? 95 My Destiny 97 The Name Game 98 Narrowing the Narrow Mind 101 The Three Garments of Self 103 4. Writing to Open the Soul 105 Lung 107 Amazing Gazing 109 Shoeless Moe, Part 1: Identifying Your Sandals 111 Shoeless Moe, Part 2: Lech Lecha 112 Against the Pathetic Fallacy 114 Blackout Poems 115 The Exquisite Corpse 116 The Giving Tree Revisited 118 Glimpsing the Bush 120 A Day in the Wilderness 121 5. Writing to Open the Spirit 123 Resting in Soul 124 Playing the Paradox, Part 1: Colorless Green Ideas 131 Playing the Paradox, Part 2: Cut-up 134 My Story, My Sage 136 6. Turning the Spiral from Body to Spirit: Returning—by Way of Conclusion 141 Homophonic "Translation" 143 Turn and Return 145 Acknowledgments 149 Notes 151 Suggestions for Further Reading 153

Read more less

Book SynopsisBarely a century has passed since anime (Japanese animation) was first screened to a Western audience. Over time the number of anime genres and generic hybrids have significantly grown. These have been influenced and inspired by various historical and cultural phenomena, one of which -Japanese native religion and spirituality - this book argues is an important and dominant. There have always been anime lovers in the West, but today that number is growing exponentially. This is intriguing as many Japanese anime directors and studios initially created works that were not aimed at a Western audience at all. The mutual imbrication of the profane and sacred worlds in anime, along with the profound reciprocal relationship between 'Eastern' (Japanese) and 'Western' (chiefly American) culture in the development of the anime artistic form, form the twin narrative arcs of the book. One of the most significant contributions of this book is the analysis of the employment of spiritual and religious motifs by directors. The reception of this content by fans is also examined.The appeal of anime to aficionados is, broadly speaking, the appeal of the spiritual in a post-religious world, in which personal identity and meaning in life may be crafted from popular cultural texts which offer an immersive and enchanting experience that, for many in the modern world, is more thrilling and authentic than 'real life'. In the past, religions posited that after human existence on earth had ceased, the individual soul would be reincarnated again, or perhaps reside in heaven. In the early twenty-first century, spiritual seekers still desire a life beyond that of everyday reality, and just as passionately believe in the existence of other worlds and the afterlife. However, the other worlds are the fantasy landscapes and outer space settings of anime (and other popular cultural forms), and the afterlife the digital circuitry and electronic impulses of the Internet. These important new understandings of religion and the spiritual underpin anime's status as a major site of new religious and spiritual inspiration in the West, and indeed, the world.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1 Japanese Modernity and the Manga and Anime Art Forms Chapter 2 The New Life of Old Beliefs: Religious and Spiritual Concepts in Anime Chapter 3 From Realistic to Supernatural: Genres in Anime Chapter 4 Power Within: The Fan's Embrace of Profane and Sacred Worlds in Anime Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisPlant life has figured prominently in Indian culture. Archaeobotanical findings and Vedic texts confirm that plants have been central not only as a commodity (sources of food; materia medica; sacrificial matter; etc.) but also as powerful and enduring symbols. Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion. Plant Life in South Asian Traditions explores how herbs, trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables have been studied, classified, represented and discussed in a variety of Indian traditions such as Vedism, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, indigenous cultures and Islam. Moving from an analysis of the sentience of plants in early Indian philosophies and scientific literature, the various chapters, divided in four thematic sections, explore Indian flora within devotional and mystic literature (bhakti and Sufism), mythological, ritual and sacrificial culture, folklore, medicine, perfumery, botany, floriculture and agriculture. Arboreal and floral motifs are also discussed as an expression of Indian aesthetics since early coinage to figurative arts and literary figures.Finally, the volume reflects current discourses on environmentalism and ecology as well as on the place of indigenous flora as part of an ancient yet still very much alive sacred geography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe sky forms fifty percent of our visual world and has a voice across cultures. This complex sky-voice contains great diversity and is informed by human images, dreams, and aspirations. The inherent nature of this sky-voice is transmitted from one generation to another through text, image, oral tradition, physical mapping, and painted description. This volume is written by some of the most noted scholars in their fields of British history, history of art, social anthropology, Greek horoscopes and narratology, globe cartography, comets and Irish mythology, western astronomy, Australian aboriginal sky astronomy and mythology, and cultural astronomy and astrology. These scholars acknowledge the presence of such a voice, in the sky's movement mirrored in the archoeastronomy of British prehistory, the apocalyptic myths of comets and meteors, the sky cartography reflected in European globes and frescoes, the Australian aboriginal sky myths, the issue of disappearing dark skies, and in contemporary reflections on the sky. It recognises that sky imagery has persisted in similar forms since its potential roots in the Palaeolithic period.These eleven essays offer critical engagement in understanding the sky in human imagination and culture and contribute to the new fields of cultural astronomy and skyscapes, the role and importance of the sky in the interpretation of cultures, emerging within the academy.Table of Contents1. Introduction Darrelyn Gunzburg (University of Bristol, UK and University of Wales Trinity Saint David) 2. 'The Strange History of British Archaeoastronomy' Ronald Hutton (University of Bristol, UK) 3. 'Comets And Meteors: The Ignored Explanations For Myths And Apocalypse'Patrick McCafferty (Universitat Leipzig / Philologische Fakultat, Leipzig)4. 'Imagery and Narrative in an Ancient Horoscope: P.Lond. 130 (Greek Horoscopes No. 81)' Roger Beck (Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada) 5. 'Reflections on the Farnese Atlas: exploring the scientific, literary and pictorial antecedents of the constellations on a Graeco-Roman globe' Kristen Lippincott (The Exhibitions Team, UK) 6. 'Giotto's sky: the fresco paintings of the first floor Salone of the Palazzo della Ragione, Padua, Italy'Darrelyn Gunzburg (University of Bristol, UK and University of Wales Trinity Saint David) 7. 'Astrology as Sociology: The 'Children of Planets', 1400-1600'Geoffrey Shamos (Redline, Denver, CO, USA)8. 'Mapping the Heavens: The Ceiling of the Sala Bologna in the Vatican Palace' Emily Urban (Independent scholar)9. 'Cosmos, culture and landscape: Documenting, learning and sharing Australian Aboriginal astronomical knowledge in contemporary society' John Goldsmith (Curtin University and The University of Western Australia/ The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research)10. 'At Night's End'Tyler Nordgren (University of Redlands, USA)11. 'Reach For The Stars! - Light, Vision And The Atmosphere' Tim Ingold (University of Aberdeen, UK)12. 'Images in the Heavens: a cultural landscape' Bernadette Brady (University of Wales Trinity Saint David)

Read more less