Spirituality and religious experience Books

Book SynopsisAn internationally bestselling fable about a spiritual journey, littered with powerful life lessons that teach us how to abandon consumerism in order to embrace destiny, live life to the full and discover joy.Trade Review“The book is about finding out what is truly important to your real spiritual self rather than being inundated with material possessions.” Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) "A captivating story that teaches as it delights.” Paulo Coelho “[Its] principles have been fascinating and there were shared principles from writers such as Robin Sharma and Deepak Chopra. How does all that impact on a game of rugby? I can’t answer that. All I know is it’s enough to help me to proceed in a way that makes me happy enough to go out there and be proud of who I am and what I hope I can bring to this team.” Jonny Wilkinson

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Book SynopsisAre you ready to be blessed beyond what you can ask or imagine? Lysa Terkeurst will equip you to hear and recognize God’s voice and discover the incredible opportunities He’s already placed in front of you as you learn to say yes to His call.

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Book SynopsisSo often we think of the Christian faith as an obligation or as a set of beliefs that we must hold. With this outlook, we can lose sight of what is most important: the invitation to experience a loving, personal relationship with God. It’s a relationship we can trust, where we can find refuge and solid ground upon which to stand. The Way of Love set forth by the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry is the journey of a lifetime. It’s a way of knowing God, receiving and sharing Jesus’ love, and being a blessing to the world. Mariann Edgar Budde shares her thoughts on how the reader can come to know--to receive--Jesus more deeply in practicing the Way of Love. Through the seven practices that have been put before us: to turn, to learn, to pray and to worship, to bless, to go, and to rest, she will share biblical stories, wisdom from the Christian tradition, and her own personal stories of spiritual growth.Trade Review"If you are a long-time church-goer, eager for your faith to really come alive, a spiritual seeker who has never really felt connected to a faith community, or if you once were part of a church but have dropped out, here is a book that will help you find what matters most in the spiritual life. It's beautiful, personal, simple, practical, and understandable, and on top of that, it's honest, deep, and true. I've been looking for a book like this for years. I will recommend it every chance I get." —Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration"Life is a spiritual adventure. Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love is a beautiful and harmoniously colorful piece of tapestry. Bishop Mariann brings different threads together to help the reader journey in search of, connecting with, or rekindling their own spiritual self. Each spiritual practice is a door that invites the reader to step into to a different space of self-discovery in the love of Jesus. What a wonderful adventure! Join her, yes… you are invited!" —The Rev. Canon Jesús Reyes, Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real "Receiving Jesus is a beautifully written, simple yet deeply profound guide to the spiritual life. I was inspired, moved, challenged, and refreshed by its words. I highly recommend this book." —Adam Hamilton, author of The Walk: Five Essential Practices for the Christian Spiritual LifeTable of ContentsForeword IntroductionChapter 1 To Turn: Pause, Listen, and Choose to Follow JesusChapter 2 To Learn: Reflect on Scripture Each Day, Especially on Jesus’ Life and TeachingsChapter 3 To Pray: To Dwell Intentionally with God Each DayChapter 4 To Worship: Gather in Community Weekly to Thank, Praise, and Dwell with GodChapter 5 To Bless: Share Faith and Unselfishly Give and ServeChapter 6 To Go: Cross Boundaries, Listen Deeply, and Live Like JesusChapter 7 To Bless: Receive the Gift of God’s Grace, Peace, and RestorationEpilogueAppendix The Way of Love Lectionary

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Book SynopsisWouter J. Hanegraaff is Professor of the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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Book SynopsisWriting to Awaken is an inspirational investigation of the self through expressive writing, guiding you along the path of awakening through radical truth-telling and self-inquiry. With targeted and revelatory questions, you'll be prompted to explore your own personal narrative-to write honestly about your deepest wounds, greatest challenges, hidden gifts, yearnings, and opportunities for growth-in order to discover a deeply authentic understanding of yourself and move toward a more liberated, truthful life.We each have our own story, a personal myth constructed from the content life presents us: we connect dots to shape the narrative, devise plotlines from circumstance, change characters, fashion conflicts, and adjust structure, settings, and themes as our lives unfold. But so often, over time, we come to believe that we are our story, identifying so strongly with the tales we've told ourselves and others that we cling to them for our very existence-even when they don't quite fit. The realization that there's a discrepancy between the narrative you've crafted and your authentic self can be disconcerting at first, but the exploration of that gap is a doorway to personal freedom, and this book will lead you through it.The writing exercises in this guide, one for nearly every week of the year, ask you to tell the whole truth about your experience. In doing so, you'll come to realize that once you engage in this radical truth-telling, expressing yourself with complete honesty, your story changes; and when your story changes, your life is transformed. Rather than sticking with your illusive and tricky "Story of Me," you'll be prompted to go even deeper, piercing your personal myth and illuminating aspects of psyche and spirit that give way to profound moments of understanding and personal healing.This is not a how-to book for writers; it's an invitation on a journey of self-discovery-a guide to facing yourself without flinching, accepting yourself as you are, surrendering to what is, and daring to question and transform what isn't true. With Writing to Awaken, you'll learn how to break free from the trance of mistaken identity and discover your essential, authentic self.

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Book SynopsisOne of the first tarot decks to incorporate Caribbean and Latin American symbolism and culture both past and present, featuring vibrant, colorful artwork.Secrets of Paradise Tarot is an inclusive tarot deck like no other, taking a Caribbean and Latin American approach to symbolism. It''s an invitation to discover the hidden secrets of paradise and many beautiful aspects of Latin culture through the sacred art of tarot. This deck showcases religious practices from the Caribbean islands and throughout Latin American countries as well as highlighting local food, animal species, natural and historical landmarks, and music, art, and culture.Latinx tarot readers, enthusiasts, and experimenters who don''t see themselves reflected in the classic card decks will connect deeply with the wisdom of this deck. Rather than trying to connect with symbolism that doesn''t resonate, these readers will gravitate towards the creative symbolism in Secrets of Paradise Tarot:

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Book SynopsisIngredients for a successful life are free: our thoughts. Transforming them leads to happiness and success. Swami Mukundananda teaches how to manage thoughts, be creative, meditate, and evolve spiritually. Focus on revolutionizing thoughts to fulfill life's purpose.

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Book Synopsis"No one has done so much as Mr. Eliade to inform literature students in the West about 'primitive' and Oriental religions...Everyone who cares about the human adventure will find new information and new angles of vision."--Martin E. Marty, "New York Times Book Review"

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Book SynopsisWritten by the Buddhist meditation master and popular international speaker Soygal Rinpoche, this highly acclaimed book clarifies the majestic vision of life and death that underlies the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It includes not only a lucid, inspiring and complete introduction to the practice of meditation but also advice on how to care for the dying with love and compassion, and how to bring them help of a spiritual kind. But there is much more besides in this classic work, which was written to inspire all who read it to begin the journey to enlightenment and so become 'servants of peace.'Trade ReviewA gentle, humane and eloquent guide * Guardian *Brilliant * Mail on Sunday *Valuable and profound * Yoga and Health *If you believe books can change lives, earmark this one * Metro *One of the most helpful books I have ever read -- John Cleese

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Book SynopsisOlga Bogdashina argues persuasively that, contrary to popular belief, spirituality plays a vital role in the lives of many people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Drawing on interdisciplinary research from fields as diverse as psychology, philosophy, anthropology, linguistics, neuroscience and religion, as well as first-hand experiences of people on the spectrum, she shows how people with ASD experience their inner worlds and sense of self, and how this shapes the spiritual dimension of their lives and vice versa. She presents a coherent framework for understanding the routes of spiritual development and 'spiritual giftedness' within this group, offering insights that will inform understanding of how to support and nurture spiritual wellbeing in people with ASDs. This book gives a voice to both verbal and non-verbal individuals on the autism spectrum whose spiritual experiences, though often unconventional, are meaningful and profound. It is essential reading for all those interested in the spiritual wellbeing of this group, including pastoral carers and counsellors, ministers of religion, spiritual leaders, parents and carers and individuals on the autism spectrum.Trade ReviewA powerful guide recommended for any spirituality collection and for any dealing with autism and its larger religious ramifications. -- Midwest Book ReviewThe book is not about the spirituality of individual autistic persons but rather Olga Bogdashina is daring to try to chart a way through big and contested subjects... Indeed what is Autism like and how might what we learn of autistic understanding and experience shed light on spirituality more generally? -- from the foreword by Christine Trevitt, Emeritus Professor, Cardiff UniversityTable of ContentsForeword by Christine Trevett. Foreword by Larry Culliford. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. What's in a Word? 2. Defining Autism. 3. Defining Spirituality. 4. Sensitivities in Autism. 5. Different Realities: Constructed Worlds Created through the Filters. 6. What is Self? Or, What/Who Am 'I'? 7. 'Autistic Personality'. 8. Spiritual Experiences. 9. Sense of Right and Wrong. 10. Spiritual Development. Endword (and Beyond). Afterword by Nancy Getty. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Shelley von Strunkel.Mudras - also playfully called ''finger power points'' are yoga positions for your hands and fingers. they can be practiced sitting, lying down, standing or walking, at any time and place!Schooled in the traditional knowledge of this Eastern art of healing, Gertrud Hirschi, the well-known Swiss yoga teacher and author of Basic Yoga for Everybody, shows you how these easy techniques can recharge your personal energy reserves and improve your quality of living. Use these mysterious healing gestures to calm the stress, aggravations and frustrations of every day life. In Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands, you will learn:- How you can apply these simple exercises to prevent illness and support the healing of a great variety of physical and emotional problems. - How to use mudras to promote your spiritual development. - How you can additionally intensify the effect with breathing exercises, affirmations

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Book SynopsisFind the peace, purpose, and connection you crave by slowing down, asking questions, and deepening your relationship with God or discovering it for the first time.We have lost touch with our hearts. In the pursuit of efficiency, success, and the busyness of our lives we have only been left with emptiness and longing.If you''re feeling lost, disconnected, wounded, broken, or if your heart just aches for something more, you’ve come to the right place. In The Sacred Romance, bestselling authors John Eldredge and Brent Curtis invite you to join them as they explore the greatest love of our lives: a relationship with the God who pursues us.The Sacred Romance will guide you through the journey of getting to know yourself and your creator better, asking you: What is this restlessness and emptiness I feel, sometimes after years into my Christian journey? How will my spiritual life touch

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Book SynopsisTo mark the fiftieth anniversary of C. S. Lewis' death, this attractive book offers daily inspirational readings from this much-loved writer, making this a most thoughtful gift.Few people, whether children or adults, have not been touched by the incredible literary works of C. S. Lewis. Whether their lives have been touched by the Chronicles of Narnia, or the more spiritual Mere Christianity, Lewis continues to be one of the most influential authors and his voice' is as loud today as it ever was.An attractive and collectible gift book, this volume is perfectly designed for those interested in, and intrigued by, daily meditation. It collects material from across the breadth of Lewis's writing talent, taking brief selections from many of his non-fiction works. These extracts are accompanied by brief and engaging snippets of biographical information, offering the reader a more intimate look at Lewis's life in the context of his writings.Trade Review‘I read C.S. Lewis for comfort and pleasure many years ago, and a glance into the books revives my old admiration.’John Updike

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Book SynopsisIn volume 2 of this monumental work, Mircea Eliade continues his magisterial progress through the history of religous ideas. The religions of ancient China, Brahmanism and Hinduism, Buddha and his contemporaries, Roman religion, Celtic and German religion, Judaism, the Hellenistic period, the Iranian syntheses, and the birth of Christianity - all are encompassed in this volume.

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Book SynopsisProvides a practical introduction to the discipline of preaching to oneself alongside fifty brief devotionals that will challenge readers to apply the law and the gospel to their own lives. Part of the Re:Lit series.

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Book SynopsisSpiritual direction has been an intrinsic part of the Christian tradition since the earliest days of the church when desert mothers and fathers were sought out for their wisdom and guidance. Today, the popularity of retreats and renewed interest in monastic spirituality has put spiritual direction in the spotlight. It is shedding its rather exotic, mystical associations and is increasingly regarded as a core component of Christian ministry. This guide aims to equip clergy and laity engaged in this task, or in training for it. It includes, Part One: What is spiritual direction? This is an exploration of biblical, historical and contemporary models of spiritual direction. What makes a good spiritual director? Part Two covers listening and responding to God, prayer, paying attention, discernment, interpreting religious experience, recognising God in the every day, journalling, and holy leisure. Part Three covers listening and responding to others, listening to stories and experience, looking for signs of grace, pain or crises. Part Four covers listening and responding to ourselves, and Part Five covers spiritual direction in the local church.Trade Review'This is quite simply the book on spiritual direction we've been waiting on for years. Perhaps some of the book's freshness might lie in the author being a New Zealander. The sub-title of the book is 'A practical introduction’ and it's almost a course in itself. There are questions for reflection, a multitude of possible exercises and sometimes the reader is invited to think about a topic before reading the relevant section of the book. There are also lots of verbatim transcripts of chunks of direction sessions. While outlining the various models of spiritual direction as well as other varieties of helping relationships, Pickering details her approach which she calls 'contemplative, incarnational spiritual direction'. -- Gordon Jeff

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Book SynopsisThe shadow is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses and base instincts. Everyone carries a shadow, Jung wrote, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is. This title explores the dark side - the emotions and traits we are most afraid of and instinctively hide.Trade Review"Beginning with the premise that people fear their shadow self, this stellar lineup sets out to bring the collective shadow into the light and teach readers how to manage it until it can be dissolved." -- New Age Retailer

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Book SynopsisPeabody Award-winning broadcaster and National Humanities Medalist Krista Tippett has interviewed the most extraordinary voices examining the great questions of meaning for our time. The heart of her work on her national public radio program and podcast, On Being, has been to shine a light on people whose insights kindle in us a sense of wonder and courage. Scientists in a variety of fields; theologians from an array of faiths; poets, activists, and many others have all opened themselves up to Tippett''s compassionate yet searching conversation. In Becoming Wise, Tippett distills the insights she has gleaned from this luminous conversation in its many dimensions into a coherent narrative journey, over time and from mind to mind. The book is a master class in living, curated by Tippett and accompanied by a delightfully ecumenical dream team of teaching faculty. The open questions and challenges of our time are intimate and civilizational all at once, TiTrade ReviewKrista Tippett is one of America's ablest listeners, and in this book she assembles many of the people she has listened to and uses their example, and her own, to show us how many surprising and idiosyncratic paths still remain towards what even the most secular among us can agree should still be called enlightenment. - Adam GopnikKrista Tippet's ecumenical generosity speaks both to high moral standards and to diverse ways of conceptualizing and achieving them. Her trade has been listening, and from that listening has emerged a deep understanding of the mind and the heart and the curious bridges between them. This is a book about kindness and forgiveness and the insight that is contingent on abandoning monolithic paradigms. Becoming Wise is an ambitious title, but in culling the wisdom of others, Tippet achieves a distinct and lovely wisdom of her own. " - Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree and The Noonday DemonWe need Krista Tippett's voice and wisdom now more than ever. She has elevated the art of listening and the practice of being present in a way that is both accessible and soulful. BECOMING WISE is what I've been waiting for from Krista - the opportunity to learn from her and her experiences. This is brilliant thinking, beautiful storytelling, and practical insight. You won't forget what you read here - Brene Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Rising StrongI am a great admirer of Krista Tippett ... With this book, she has gathered all her years of learning and listening to create a masterpiece of philosophical and spiritual reflection. About halfway through the book, I stopped flagging pages and highlighting passages when I realised I was highlighting nearly every word. This entire book is filled with things I never want to forget. The only remedy will be to keep it near me, always. - Elizabeth GilbertFans of Elizabeth Gilbert and Brene Brown will love this ... it's an enlightening take on life - Soul and Spirit magazine

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Book SynopsisUsing clear and sound interpretation of Scripture, author, speaker, and pastor Costi Hinn addresses common misconceptions and answers the most frequently asked questions about who the Holy Spirit is and what he does so you can begin to experience him as a comforter, guide, and source of power.

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Book SynopsisProfound empathy. Clear insight. A gift for healing. These are just some of the talents of the spiritually sensitive personyet these apparent blessings can often become a source of loneliness, self-doubt, and limitation. Belonging Here is a lifesaving book that shows how our spiritual gifts become entryways into both the depths of human connection and our innermost selves.Written by one spiritual sensitive for another, Belonging Here draws from Dr. Blackstone''s personal story as well as her 30-year psychotherapy practice, which has focused on teaching clients how to integrate personal healing and spiritual awakening through an embodied approach she calls the Realization Process. Join this pioneering teacher to explore five of the most common challenges of the spiritually sensitive, along with exercises and meditations for living mindfully and compassionately with each, including: Thin Skinhow to create strong but permeable boundaries between ourselves and the external environment Landing on Earthstaying grounded within the whole of one''s body by mending inner fragmentation Hearing the Cries of the Worldhow to open to our own joy even as we respond to the suffering in the world around us Shape Shiftersremoving the protective masks of the false personality The Strangerhow to make the return from self-exile to self-acceptanceYou can live authentically in a world that once seemed alien. You can find happiness and acceptance where isolation and confusion have reigned. You can come home at last, with Belonging Here.

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Book SynopsisDiscover 46 inspiring goddesses from cultures around the world and feel uplifted by their empowering stories as you colour.Goddess Colouring features 46 stunning goddess illustrations by artist Ana Jarén. Meet goddesses from a diverse range of cultures, from the Inca Moon goddess, Mama Quilla, to the Japanese goddess of flow, Benzaiten. Discover their stories and celebrate the significance of each goddess in the present day. Each intricate illustration is accompanied by meticulously researched and fascinatingly detailed information about the featured goddesses and the cultures behind them. These empowering words of wisdom are sure to inspire readers as they colour.Ana Jarén’s unique flair for bringing the diverse moods and personalities of her subjects to life lends itself perfectly to the world of these bewitching goddesses. All of the text and illustrations have been developed alongside expert consultants. Look closely and you'll find historical details and hidden symbolism to explore in each illustration.Also by Ana Jarén:Astrology Colouring 9781912785537 - over 100,000 copies sold in the English language

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking exploration of the neuroscience of spirituality and a bold new paradigm for health, healing, and resilience''Lisa Miller is the leading psychologist of her generation'' Martin Seligman''We can live chasing goals and rewards, lost in worries and regrets. Or we can awaken to the true fabric of the world, an evolving tapestry that we both behold and help to create, in which every thread matters and no strand stands alone'' Whether it''s meditation or a walk in nature, reading a sacred text or saying a prayer, there are many ways to tap into a heightened awareness of the world around us and our place in it. Lisa Miller draws on decades of clinical experience and award-winning research to show that humans are universally equipped with this capacity for spirituality, and that our brains become more resilient and robust as a result of it. Bringing scientific rigour to the most intangible aspect of our lives, Miller''s counterintuitive findings reveal the measurable positive effects of spirituality: for better decision-making, a healthier brain and an inspired life.Brimming with inspiration and compassion, this landmark book revolutionizes our understanding of spirituality, mental health and how to find meaning and purpose in life.Trade ReviewErudite, compelling . . . Miller's iconoclasm challenges orthodoxies and common practice . . . what makes this a credible and original investigation is Miller's solid and verifiable clinical and epidemiological data -- Yasmin Alibhai-Brown * i Newspaper *Lisa Miller is the leading psychologist of her generation on the benefits of religion and spirituality. She asks, 'What makes life worth living?' and finds evidence-based answers -- Martin Seligman * author of Learned Optimism *A new revolution of health and well being. She shows through scientific research, clinical insight, and personal experience that we can always choose between two modes of conscious awareness, each with profoundly different outcomes for our health and daily experience -- Deepak Chopra * author of Super Brain *A captivating look at what happens to our brains when we're connected to something greater than ourselves - and what it does for our lives -- Adam Grant * author of Think Again *Ushers in a new science of healing. This work is urgent; a vision for human potential that is sorely needed in our time . . . I simply could not put it down -- Liz Murray * author of Breaking Night: My Journey from Homeless to Harvard *Truly transformative . . . Lisa Miller's life's work and story weave a tapestry of science, psychology and spirituality which unfolds a world of mystery and meaning . . . reveals a unity to the universe that can be accessed by both heart and mind for our mental and physical well-being -- The Rt Revd James Jones KBE * author of Why Do People Suffer? *Potent, profound, and accessible . . . a compelling examination of the correlations between spirituality and mental health * Kirkus Reviews *Unequivocally shows that spirituality heals. Her pioneering research has vast implications not only for medical science, but also for the growing field of consciousness research -- Larry Dossey * author of Healing Words *A revisionist account of mind and matter . . . Miller argues that spiritual awareness is to be found across religious differences and should be considered a birthright -- Mark Vernon * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis soul-stirring account of an eight-thousand mile-long pilgrimage is motivated by the author's determination to show the world that our true destination can be peace in every step we take. * Phil Cousineau, filmmaker and author of The Art of Pilgrimage *Satish Kumar ought to sit on a council of elders, guiding us through real wisdom, to the utopia that his path has shown us is possible. * Russell Brand, comedian *Satish Kumar is one of our more remarkable fellow humans. If you don't know his story, now is the moment to learn it! * Bill McKibben, climate activist, author of The End of Nature *With this wonderful book the transcendentally inspiring Satish Kumar takes us on a journey where every step is taken with love and compassion. * Gelong Thubten, Buddhist monk and author of A Monk’s Guide to Happiness *A great narrative like this could only have been born by walking a long journey with purpose. In his pure and elegantly simple voice, Satish describes the glorious variety of people and cultures he meets along the way, and how each is on their own pilgrimage to peace. This story is a global treasure. * Dr Guy Hayward, director and co-founder of the British Pilgrimage Trust *Anybody who has heard the force by which Satish can speak of peace might wonder of its source. This book shows us through the nomad journey of his life and of our times. * Alastair McIntosh, author of Soil and Soul *The Peace Walk of Satish Kumar, a living legend, is an inspiring and fascinating journey. The book is riveting, original and thought-provoking. His wise, comforting, motivational and spiritually uplifting words will inspire many to ‘walk the walk’. Underpinned with practical life experience and lessons, this book is a must-read. * YOGA Magazine *Satish Kumar literally walks the talk. He lives Gandhi's philosophy: 'Be the change you want to see in the world'. An inspirational, humbling book. * Psychologies magazine *A pilgrimage, a travelogue and a paean to peace, every step of Satish’s vivid journey across a supposedly divided world is a masterpiece of literary reconciliation and hope. * Dr Nick Mayhew-Smith, author of Britain’s Pilgrim Places *Satish Kumar is a real Earth Pilgrim, a lifelong and passionate peace campaigner. This story of his remarkable journey is captivating throughout. * GreenSpirit *Quietly passionate, gently insistent and manifestly moved by joy and hope, Satish is a living example of putting wisdom to work in all kinds of ways. This book chronicles an enterprise very typical of him – risky, but motivated by the only sort of realism that matters, the realism that confronts the 'Emperor’s New Clothes' of a stale, frightened and destructive world order and shows how human beings can learn and grow. * Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury *Satish Kumar’s book is an inspiration for all citizens yearning for peace. Satish shares his experiences of love, compassion and generosity as he travelled to Washington without money to stop the bomb. Satish is a tireless pilgrim of peace. His message is more important than ever. * Vandana Shiva, winner of Right Livelihood Award and author of Earth Democracy *We can talk about peace, we can write about it. But until I read his wonderful book, I never knew Satish had walked for it too. His whole life has been one long walk for freedom, justice, harmony and peace. Yes, it is an extraordinary adventure, but it is much more than that. His life would be this walk. Here is a book that inspires us to follow in his footsteps, that gives us all hope. * Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse *Satish Kumar’s memoir of his 8,000 mile peace walk from India to America is a warmly written, gripping and inspirational tale, offering us all hope in dark times. Never have his message of peace, tolerance and unity been more timely or more necessary. * Kindred Spirit magazine *Table of ContentsDestination Peace Pakistan: The Land of Hope and Hospitality Afghanistan: The Mountains of Magic and Mystery Iran: A Place of Poetry and Passion The Soviet Union: A Land of Power and Promises No Problems in Poland East Germany: Hawks and Doves West Germany: Flowers and Philosophy Beautiful Belgium Fabulous France England: Green and Pleasant Land USA: Prejudice and Prosperity Japan: Home of Humility

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Book Synopsis★ Publishers Weekly starred review One of the Top 100 Books and One of the 5 Best Books in Religion for 2019, Publishers Weekly Christianity Today 2020 Book Award Winner (Spiritual Formation) Outreach 2020 Resource of the Year (Spiritual Growth) Foreword INDIES 2019 Honorable Mention for Religion This is not a book about Saint Augustine. In a way, it's a book Augustine has written about each of us. Popular speaker and award-winning author James K. A. Smith has spent time on the road with Augustine, and he invites us to take this journey too, for this ancient African thinker knows far more about us than we might expect. Following Smith's successful You Are What You Love, this book shows how Augustine can be a pilgrim guide to a spirituality that meets the complicated world we live in. Augustine, says Smith, is the patron saint of restless hearts--a guide who has been there, asked our questions, and knows our frustrations and failed pursuits. Augustine spent a lifetime searching for his heart's true home and he can help us find our way. "What makes Augustine a guide worth considering," says Smith, "is that he knows where home is, where rest can be found, what peace feels like, even if it is sometimes ephemeral and elusive along the way." Addressing believers and skeptics alike, this book shows how Augustine's timeless wisdom speaks to the worries and struggles of contemporary life, covering topics such as ambition, sex, friendship, freedom, parenthood, and death. As Smith vividly and colorfully brings Augustine to life for 21st-century readers, he also offers a fresh articulation of Christianity that speaks to our deepest hungers, fears, and hopes.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionOrientationHeart on the Run How to Hit the RoadAugustine Our Contemporary How to Find YourselfA Refugee Spirituality How to Live BetweenDetours on the Way to MyselfFreedom How to EscapeAmbition How to AspireSex How to ConnectMothers How to Be DependentFriendship How to BelongEnlightenment How to BelieveStory How to Be a CharacterJustice How to ProtestFathers How to Be BrokenDeath How to HopeHomecomingIndex

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Book SynopsisA raw, intensely personal memoir of spiritual exploration from one of the world's great commentators on religion.After seven years in a convent, which she left, dismayed by its restrictions, an experience recounted in Through the Narrow Gate', Karen Armstrong struggled to establish herself in a new way of life, and became entrapped in a downward spiral, haunted by despair, anorexia and suicidal feelings.Despite her departure from the convent she remained within the Catholic Church until the God she believed in ''died on me'', and she entered a wild and Godless period of crazy parties and numerous lovers'. Her attempts to reach happiness and carve out a career failed repeatedly, in spectacular fashion. She began writing her bestseller A History of God' in a spirit of scepticism, but through studying other religious traditions she found a very different kind of faith which drew from Christianity, Judaism and Islam and, eventually, spiritual and personal calm.In her own words, her story iTrade Review‘An exceptionally impressive autobiography…Karen Armstrong’s account of her spiralling journey provokes thought and inspires respect.’Daily Telegraph ‘The book deserves many readers…Karen Armstrong must be a woman of iron to have survived, made a career and a life.’ Hilary Mantel ‘Admirably lucid…she gives a more exact and vivid account of the pleasures of writing than any I have seen.’ Sunday Times ‘Unputdownable – absorbing, moving.’ Daily Mail ‘A subtle and funny memoir.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Armstrong manages to put into words something that most of us cannot express.’ New Statesman

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Book SynopsisAndrew Newberg explores the latest findings of neurotheology, the multidisciplinary field linking neuroscience with religious and spiritual phenomena. He investigates some of the most controversial—and potentially transformative—implications of a neurotheological approach.Trade ReviewA tour de force in this emerging field, Neurotheology provides a superb review of the science to date and shows the many directions the field may go in the future. This book raises profound implications for neuroscience, medicine, theology, and philosophy. Fascinating and clearly written and accessible for everyone. Truly mind-blowing. -- Harold Koenig, Duke University Medical CenterThis book offers the promise that ‘neurotheology’ can help move us beyond the conflict between science and religion toward the truth or at least to a more unified and universal perspective on the interface between spirituality and the brain. Neurotheology covers many potential points of contact between science and religion, acknowledges the existence of complexity and the dangers of simple reductionism, and presents clear information on the capabilities and limitations of various forms of neurological assessment. -- John Peteet, Harvard Medical SchoolIn Neurotheology, Andrew Newberg discusses the possibility of a fruitful dialogue between neuroscience and religion and how this sort of investigation may have a profound impact on how we see spirituality, ourselves, and life. A world expert in the neuroimaging study of spiritual experiences, Newberg proposes a nondogmatic approach to the scientific study of spirituality and successfully advocates for fruitful exchanges between science and religion. -- Alexander Moreira-Almeida, Federal University of Juiz de ForaA magnificent work! Newberg is a superb scientist, yet still writes for a curious reader or college student an entirely gripping scholarly account. He addresses some of humanity's all-time epic questions of ultimate meaning with systematic, fine grain research that could only be technically possible in the past decade. A true work of scholarship, with rigor, artful synthesis, and a deep bench of knowledge around spirituality and religion. -- Lisa Miller, Ph.D., Professor and Founder, Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia UniversityThis is an excellent introduction to the emerging field of neurotheology as well as a concise assessment of the contributions of neuroscience to our understanding of a broad range of religious and spiritual issues. * Reading Religion *This volume serves as both a great introduction to the various empirical approaches available to the study of religious phenomena and a strong argument for the crucial role of neurophysiology in aiding the psychology, cognitive science, and anthropology of religion to better understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of religious experience and behavior. * Quarterly Review of Biology *This book very usefully highlights complex material related to brain research and neuroscience as applied to areas of human experience broadly categorized as religious. * Religion *[A] comprehensive look at the field of neurotheology, or the neurology of religion. . . . Given that the larger relationship between science and religion has been contested for centuries, Newberg’s latest evidential support for a scientific understanding of why humans practice religion will be a welcome overview for interested readers. * Publishers Weekly *Newberg's book will be of most value to those who are struggling to reconcile science and spirituality. * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction: If Neurotheology Is the Answer, What Is the Question?1. Neurotheology and the Happy Prison of the Brain2. What is Neurotheology?3. Neuroscience and Neurotheology4. What is Religion from a Neurotheological Perspective?5. What is Spirituality from a Neurotheological Perspective?6. Neurotheology and the Evolution of Religion7. Neurotheology and Psychology8. Brain Pathology and Religion9. Religious Myths and the Brain10. The Ritualizing Brain11. Religious and Spiritual Practices12. The Spiritual But Not Religious Brain13. Free Will and the Brain14. Escaping the Prison of the Brain: Mysticism15. The End of Faith and the Beginning of NeurotheologyNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisA 40 day devotional book based on Celtic Lent spirituality

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Book SynopsisThe Archbishop of Canterbury explores the lessons we can learn from the wisdom and spirituality of the desert fathers.Trade Review'A profound yet readable book.’ * The Tablet *Table of ContentsRowan Williams goes back to the fourth century desert fathers and mothers for inspiration and insight. In exploring their stories and spirituality, the Archbishop discovers that their spirituality resonates strongly with aspects of the modern spiritual search. He uses examination of their stories and sayings as a starting point for his own reflections on topics such as: living in relationship with others; discovering the truth about ourselves; reassessing our priorities; silence and the importance of language; living in a fearless community; living within our limitations; life and death; staying and leaving.

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Book SynopsisA beautiful collection of blessings to support you through both the ordinary and extraordinary events of life, from the author of the bestselling Anam Cara “John O’Donohue is a man of the soul.”—Times (London) To Bless the Space Between Us is a compelling blend of elegant, poetic language and spiritual insight to offer readers comfort and encouragement on their journeys through life. John O’Donohue, Irish teacher and poet, looks at life’s thresholds—getting married, having children, starting a new job—and offers invaluable guidelines for making the transition from a known, familiar world into a new, unmapped territory. Most profoundly, however, O’Donohue explains “blessings” as a way of life, a lens through which the whole world is transformed. He awakens readers to timeless truths and shows the power they have to answer contemporary

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Book SynopsisAn evangelistic booklet based on The Purpose Driven Life.

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Book SynopsisA reissue of this inspiring and heartbreaking memoir about family, empathy and the stories we tell about ourselves and others Gifts come in many guises. One summer, Rebecca Solnit was given three boxes of ripening apricots, fruit from a neglected tree that her mother, gradually succumbing to memory loss, could no longer tend to. In this courageous, heartbreaking memoir, Solnit draws from this unexpected inheritance, weaving her own story into fairy tales and the lives of others. Encompassing the Marquis de Sade and Mary Shelley, explorers and monsters, a library of water in Iceland, and the depths of the Grand Canyon, The Faraway Nearby is a meditation on family, empathy, and the art of storytelling from a writer of limitless talent and imagination.Trade ReviewLike Simon Schama, Solnit is a cultural historian in the desert-mystic mode, trailing ideas like swarms of butterflies * Harper's *Her writerly digressions obey shapely geometry, not random dérive. [The book is] artfully composed to a unifying scheme, which arises from Solnit's commitment to the storytelling craft and its necessary devices... Finely-wrought, intense and eloquent -- Marina Warner * Guardian *[A] passionately imperfect, extremely moving, original and humane book... Beautiful -- Joanna Kavenna * Literary Review *Solnit is an explorer of the most exquisite kind, and a writer of the public road... We follow [her] mind, and what a mind it is, as vast and intriguing as a system of caverns and passageways opening into yet more caverns and passageways... Courageous -- Kurt Caswell * Los Angeles Review of Book *Gripping... Solnit deserves to be widely read -- Sara Wheeler * Observer *This is one of more beautifully written books we've read this year, filled with insight and gut-wrenching phrases. It is simple to read, yet generates complex reactions in the reader. If you enjoy stories and storytelling, this book will expand your understanding of them, and yourself * Huffington Post *An exhilarating form of literary cartography... wonderful -- Jon Day * Financial Times *Solnit is asking us to pause, to consider the stories we tell ourselves about our lives, and to rethink the unstated assumptions of our own interior epics... a book-length primer in the uses of empathy... Rich [and] poignant -- Saul Austerlitz * The National *The book is a lovely one that may bring many readers catharsis or consolation... One loves Solnit for her intelligence and her uprightness... Compelling and unique * Slate *Solnit has a winning prose style... Imaginative sentences are dropped here and there -- Theresa Munoz * Herald *This [book is] about stories - how we use them, the way we tell them. [It] moves between memories from her mother, to more classic fairy tales... you'll want to pen your own by the end -- Lena de Casparis * Company *Complicated, powerful, acutely, even painfully, personal... Solnit is profoundly antagonistic to formulaic production -- Olivia Laing * New Statesman *An astute cultural critic -- Saul Austerlitz * National *Here is Solnit at her most stimulating: pointed (even outraged), grounded in history, observing from the outside -- S. J. Culver * Slate *Solnit fashions an elegant study in empathy through these meandering reflections -- Gabe Habash * Publishers Weekly *The best chapter is on Iceland... her descriptions are wonderful -- Frances Wilson * Telegraph *If you want a very different, lyrical take on how our lives are surrounded and defined by the stories we tell, Solnit's latest book is one of the finest of this or any year -- Andrew Losowsky * Huffington Post *Solnit's words are exquisite; each chapter weaves a fabric of personal experience, literary or historical anecdote and intimate conversation -- Kate Padilla * Spencer Daily Reporter *[It is] at once memoir, literary criticism, and inspirational touchstone, a meandering yet purposeful exploration of how we spin and follow stories, and of how they can lead us on a journey toward self-definition and empathy -- Heller McAlpin * Barnes and Noble Review *Solnit explores love and loss, warmth and coldness, the making of art and the remaking of the self - her distinctive, dense and at times stunning, storytelling hacks a path through the creative landscape -- Alexandra Murphy * We Love This Book *[It is] a work of art with many layers, and readers will be rewarded each time they revisit this wonderful book -- Katie Archer * Yorkshire Post *Solnit is the champion of a style of writing that loops, circles, changes direction... In an era when much of western culture seem unwilling even to acknowledge the political challenges facing us, looming environmental crisis above all, Solnit is a role model -- Susanna Rustin * Guardian *[Solnit] presents us with a fascinating insight into the mind of a writer -- Sarah Tawton * Northern Echo *Pithy, beautifully observed, full of both truth and provocation... Solnit is an extraordinary artist -- Julia Bell * Writers’ Hub *A powerfully insightful and moving memoir... Fittingly for a book about the power of storytelling, Solnit is a terrific practitioner of the art -- Stephanie Cross * The Lady *Tracing the warp and weft of such a work, written with a moving flatness and vagrant wisdom, is a pleasure that frequently carries an almost tactile sensation, so brightly does it sparkle -- David Anderson * Review 31 *Brilliant [and] lavish -- Robin Romm * New York Times *An extraordinary piece of work in which the personal and philosophical meet -- Siobhan Kane * Irish Times *While the structure seems elegant, the writing never loses that real-life feeling that everything might fall apart at any moment -- Denise Frame Harlan * Englewood Review of Books *Solnit manages to do what many memoirists aspire to but few accomplish: she turns the personal into the universal * Totally Dublin *Provocative and extremely thought-provoking... it inspires nothing short of awe * Irish Examiner *This is narrative as jazz improve, each refrain exploring a new melody or theme. Yet familiar strains recur again and again. Metaphors abound, and Solnit seems to believe that all of life could be looked at as an allegory to be deciphered -- Craille Maguire Gillies * Guardian *It's so rich, absorbing and inspirational that I keep putting it down to make notes or research a tangent -- Emma Healey * Metro Scotland *

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Book SynopsisIn this rare window into Zulu mysticism, Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa breaks the bonds of traditional silence to share his personal experiences as a sangoma-a Zulu shaman. Set against the backdrop of post-colonial South Africa, Zulu Shamanrelays the first-person accounts of an African healer and reveals the cosmology of the Zulu. Mutwa begins with the compelling story of his personal journey as an English-trained Christian schoolteacher who receives a calling to follow in his grandfather''s footsteps as a shaman and keeper of folklore. He then tells the stories of his ancestors, including creation myths; how evil came to the world; the adventures of the trickster god Kintu; and Zulu relations with the fiery visitors, whom he likens to extraterrestrials. In an attempt to preserve the knowledge of his ancestors and encourage his vision of a world united in peace and harmony, Mutwa also shares previously guarded secrets of Zulu healing and spiritual practices: including the curing power of the sangomaand the psychic powers of his people.Trade Review“There is medicine for the soul here. One feels Credo Mutwa’s wonderful humanity and the genius of his people in these stories.” * Luisah Teish, author of Jambalaya and Carnival of the Spirit *“V. Credo Mutwa paints a stunning picture of the complex world of Zulu cosmology and traditions. The colorful array of stories and the science of healing he offers with humility take us into the heart of African ancestral wisdom. His courage in revealing to the world what would otherwise remain hidden commands respect and reverence.” * Malidoma Somé, author of The Healing Wisdom of Africa and Of Water and the Spirit *"Zulu Shaman is a special and fascinating glimpse into an all but vanished world." * SirReadaLot.org, February 2004 *"He weaves a rich tableau of mother godesses and tricksters amidst a climate of discrimination, urbanization and violence." * Eric Lerner, Ashe!, February 2004 *"Mutwa's friendly, personal writing is accesible, making the book suitable for general readers." * David Paulsen, New Age Retailer, May/June 2004, Vol.18 No.3 *". . . the rich amount of folklore and spiritual stories found throughout the book creates a very inviting atmosphere for the reader." * The Cauldron Brasil, October 2006 *"This book is a good addition to the knowledge of African spirituality as well as being a personal account that for sure will benefit the spiritual journeyman from all edges of the compass." * The Cauldron Brasil, Oct 2006 *“I cannot recommend this book enough and tell you to get it as soon as you can and delve into its depths to learn the ways of the Zulu shaman. It is unforgettable and I could easily read it over and probably will in the future.” * Jeffery Pritchett, The Church of Mabus *Table of ContentsZulu ShamanDreams, Prophecies, and MysteriesContents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOREWORD BY LUISAH TEISHEDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 1. The Way of the Witch Doctor The Illness Beginning the Cure The Sangoma's ApprenticeThe Lore of the Soul How a Sangoma Cures The Bone Oracle The Sangoma's Creative and Psychic Powers2. The Great Goddess The Tree of Life How Evil Came into the World Amarava and the Second People The Childhood of the Second People3. Of Goddesses and Gods The Four Winds of the Goddess How the Birds Saved the Earth Ngungi, the Crippled Smith of the Gods The Gift of the Magic Flower 4. Tales of the Trickster The Theft of Fire Kintu and the Cattle of the Sun Kintu and the Star Goddess The Trickster's Revenge 5. The Song of the Stars The Song of the StarsFire Visitors Extraterrestrial Beings Communion 6. The Common Origin of All HumanityCommonalities of Myth, Ritual, and CustomRoots and Commonalities of Language On the Family On Banishing Fear7. Dreams, Prophecies, and Mysteries On Sleep and Dreaming Prophecies On the Sacred Rock CarvingsScience and Religion A Path to Wisdom The Boundaries of Human LifeNOTES INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe essential companion to the phenomenal bestseller THE POWER OF NOWTrade ReviewThe POWER OF NOW can transform your thinking. The result? More joy, right now. -- Oprah WinfreyThe POWER OF NOW can transform your thinking. The result? More joy, right now. -- Oprah WinfreyThe must-read bible du jour. * Red magazine *

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Book Synopsis'A very important book' Paulo Coehlo'The Seat of the Soul changed the way I see myself.Trade ReviewA very important book -- Paulo Coelho, author of The AlchemistThe Seat of the Soul changed the way I see myself. It changed the way I view the world -- Oprah WinfreyA remarkable treatment of thought, evolution, and reincarnation * Library Journal *Filled with wisdom, and written in a beautifully simple, almost poetic style, The Seat of the Soul is a book to be savored * Brian Weiss, Chairman of Psychiatry, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Miami, and author of Many Lives, Many Masters *A readable, thought-provoking [work] on how our perceptions must change dramatically if we are to survive * Library Journal *

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

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

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