Spirituality and religious experience Books

Book Synopsis Eighty million baby boomers are heading toward retirement. Some are retiring now, either out of choice or because they have been laid off. Others will work for a few more years until their retirement plans kick in, until they feel they can retire, or until they're forced to retire. Whatever their age at retirement, they will have better health and live longer than their parents. And each of them will face these questions: •Do I want a reason to get up in the morning and be excited about the day ahead? •Do I still want to make a difference in the world? They need a vision—a goal that takes into account their experience, wisdom, strengths, and limitations, and gives purpose to their lives. Dr. Harold G. Koenig, with expertise in the fields of geriatrics, mental health, and religion, explains that the notion of retirement was in fact a marketing tool developed in the post–World War II period. Continuing today, society's image of retirement is based largely on myths, such as: things will get better when you retire—you'll be able to do everything you wanted to but couldn't when you worked. In fact, these beliefs can be harmful, leading to emotional issues, identity crises, and problems with physical health. Citing current scientific and medical research, Koenig illustrates how having a purpose motivates and energizes people in their retirement years. He presents a step-by-step guide to identifying a goal toward which they can strive. And he shows how striving for that goal in itself brings meaning, satisfaction, and a sense of reward to retirement years. "Finding purpose is more urgent than ever during the retirement years, when the search for purpose becomes one of the deepest of human longings," says Koenig. His Purpose and Power in Retirement is an invaluable resource for everyone heading toward retirement, and for anyone seeking meaning in life.

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Book SynopsisThis original, highly readable book poses a clear distinction between our customary form of love, which almost guarantees failure, and higher, more generous ways of loving that can succeed and enrich both individuals and society as a whole. Love That Works draws on history, psychology, and the theology and science of love to offer a proposal on how to be successful in love and romance. It starts by showing why love fails to meet expectations, often ending sadly or even tragically.Trade Review"I have over thirty books in my library that deal with some aspect of love and without any exaggeration this is one of the finest I have read. This book will become required reading for my students. I know that anybody who wants to experience love at deeper, richer and more meaningful levels will clearly benefit from this wonderful and much needed book." Gary J. Oliver, executive director of The Centre for Marriage and Family Studies."

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Book SynopsisSir John Templeton challenges the reader to apply the same energy that has been devoted to scientific inquiry to the pursuit of spiritual information. The world is at a state of unprecedented technical expertise, but why has our knowledge and faith in our own spirituality stalled and become obsolete in recent times?Possibilities for Over One Hundredfold More Spiritual Information seeks to address this question. It points out that our spiritual knowledge would also have the capacity to increase dramatically if we were to open our minds to the endless possibilities that await us in terms of our spiritual lives. These include altruistic love for all people, new knowledge of the Divine, and a greater sense of our place in the universe. In order for us as human beings to take advantage of all of the spiritual gifts that we have been given, we need to be open and receptive to our individual spiritual natures, and to open ourselves to the limitless spiritual possibilities available to us.The book acknowledges the ancient scriptures and thinkers who have guided us for centuries. Vastly expanded research and the use of scientific method would only enhance our understanding of the wisdom contained within these wise teachings. The benefits of extending our spiritual knowledge might, in fact, exceed the benefits we have realized thus far from scientific and medical advances.Possibilities seeks to reawaken our desire for spiritual knowledge pushed aside so long ago in our quest for scientific knowledge. When these fields work together, the world will reap greater rewards that we can ever imagine.Table of ContentsPreface / viiCHAPTER ONE An Introduction for Humble Researchers / 3CHAPTER TWO Humble About What? / 13CHAPTER THREE What Benefits from Humility? / 28CHAPTER FOUR Creation Through Change / 40CHAPTER FIVE When Is a Blossoming Time of Humanity? / 51CHAPTER SIX The Vast Unseen / 63CHAPTER SEVEN Progressing Concepts of the Mystery of Time / 89CHAPTER EIGHT Possibilities for Spiritual Progress? / 100CHAPTER NINE Love, Humility and Free Competition Accelerate Discoveries / 118CHAPTER TEN Can Earth Serve as a School? / 130CHAPTER ELEVEN Creative Thinking for Increasing Discoveries / 139CHAPTER TWELVE Infinite Intellect: Some Questions for Fruitful Research / 148CHAPTER THIRTEEN What Are Laws of Spiritual Growth? / 153Notes / 169APPENDIXES

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Book Synopsis Eighty million baby boomers are heading toward retirement. Some are retiring now, either out of choice or because they have been laid off. Others will work for a few more years until their retirement plans kick in, until they feel they can retire, or until they're forced to retire. Whatever their age at retirement, they will have better health and live longer than their parents. And each of them will face these questions: •Do I want a reason to get up in the morning and be excited about the day ahead? •Do I still want to make a difference in the world? They need a vision—a goal that takes into account their experience, wisdom, strengths, and limitations, and gives purpose to their lives. Dr. Harold G. Koenig, with expertise in the fields of geriatrics, mental health, and religion, explains that the notion of retirement was in fact a marketing tool developed in the post–World War II period. Continuing today, society's image of retirement is based largely on myths, such as: things will get better when you retire—you'll be able to do everything you wanted to but couldn't when you worked. In fact, these beliefs can be harmful, leading to emotional issues, identity crises, and problems with physical health. Citing current scientific and medical research, Koenig illustrates how having a purpose motivates and energizes people in their retirement years. He presents a step-by-step guide to identifying a goal toward which they can strive. And he shows how striving for that goal in itself brings meaning, satisfaction, and a sense of reward to retirement years. "Finding purpose is more urgent than ever during the retirement years, when the search for purpose becomes one of the deepest of human longings," says Koenig. His Purpose and Power in Retirement is an invaluable resource for everyone heading toward retirement, and for anyone seeking meaning in life.

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Book SynopsisA touching and thought-provoking account of how a woman explored a spectrum of religions—ancient and new—and ended up, unexpectedly, becoming a bona fide witch—plus a celebration of modern Wicca and witchcraft, spell books, broomsticks, holiday recipes and recipes for the changing of the seasons, and much more. Misty Bell Stiers set out on a spiritual path to find a faith that worked for her, and accidentally became a witch. She knew the Bible well, and got to know the Torah and Koran. She studied Eastern philosophies, even the stories of the Egyptians and Greeks. Finally, after overcoming an immediate prejudice ("Um, no," she writes as her initial reaction), she found Wicca. Witch, Please reveals what makes the mysterious religion of Wicca so desirable for more than a million Americans. In her witty, direct, and heartfelt text, Misty explores spirituality, perseverance, and finding oneself. She shares what Wicca means to her and what defines her as a witch; what she uses her spell book, cauldron, and broomstick for; the significance of Wiccan holidays, many about new beginnings; the surprising history of Wicca; and what kinds of witches there are. She also shares how in her busy New York City life, as a mother and a creative director, her faith grounds and sustains her. Her uplifting, you-too-can-find-what-works-for-you voice speaks like a best friend: relatable, honest, and encouraging. This unusual and beautifully written memoir explores what it's like to be a modern-day witch, and how it's changed Misty's outlook on life. It's candid, but it's also threaded with magic and has a warming, lightheartedness to it. Bewitching original drawings by Misty are throughout, and Misty even shares ten original recipes for her Wiccan holiday treats (including the likes of her cinnamon rolls and roasted garlic rosemary bread, sprinkled with magic and seasoned with love, laughter, and healing).Trade Review“Witch, Please is very useful for beginners to know the experience and journey of a modern witch. Stiers’s experiences are universal for many readers, from falling in love and getting married to sharing her Wiccan faith with her family, having children, and experiencing difficult times and loss. Through Stiers’s personal experience you will learn about the gods/goddesses, symbols and tools of Wicca; spells and curses; living day-to-day as a witch; and Wiccan holidays (sabbats) with meaningful and delicious recipes. This book is very grounded, giving readers a hint of what life could be like as a Wiccan.” —DC Public Library “Witch, Please is a fantastic, enlightening read. Misty Bell Stiers’s personal journey working and raising a family in New York City as a modern-day witch is full of wisdom and wisecracks, but it never gets preachy. It reads like any good story should, like it is being told from one best friend to another.” —Nathan Tysen, Broadway lyricist (Tuck Everlasting and Amélie) “Misty Bell Stiers dispels rumors about Wiccans and reveals what their beliefs mean in the modern era. Witch, Please is about a modern mom and her experience using the tenets of Wicca as her version of third-wave feminism. This book casts a major spell on anyone who reads it.” —Seth Herzog, comedian with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon “Misty Bell Stiers’s practical, conversational writing style is relatable and addictive. From the first line she pulls you in, opening our eyes to the simple everyday magic of connecting with others, understanding oneself, and the wonders of the earth and sky. In her understated and approachable way, she shares her journey with us as she finds her individual path of honest, spiritual growth.” —Dawn Aurora Hunt, owner and CEO of Cucina Aurora Kitchen Witchery “Today, in a world that seems so unfamiliar to many of us, Misty Bell Stiers has gifted us with a book that shows that we can still follow the sun over the horizon, that we can inhale the crisp air that floats over glacier-carved lakes, and that we can wrap our arms around the sacred, wherever we may find it and whenever we open our hearts to it. The authenticity of her voice is only matched by her welcoming, lyrical prose—both weaved together to narrate and define. Misty gives us an intimate view of how to find magic in modern times, magic that has always been with us and inside us, and helps us find a familiar world again. It’s honest. It’s lovely. It’s magic.” —Kase Johnstun, award-winning author of Beyond the Grip of CraniosynostosisTable of ContentsEVERYONE DESERVES THE CHANCE TO FLYIntroduction THAT'S ME IN THE CORNERHow I Became a Wiccan A LITTLE FAITH AND A LOT OF HEARTWhat Wicca Is ... and Isn't A RESTLESS SPIRIT ON AN ENDLESS FLIGHTDiscovering My Identity as a Witch THAT'S THE POWER MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUNDMarriage and Wicca I LIGHT A CANDLE THEN I CALL YOUR NAMEThe Gods and Goddesses, Symbols, and Tools of Wicca I PUT A SPELL ON YOUThe Truth about Spells and Curses BIG WHEEL KEEP ON TURNIN'Living the Day-to-Day as a Witch THESE ARE THE DAYS OF MIRACLE AND WONDERRaising My Children Wiccan (Not Wicked) AND WE'LL DANCE BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOONWiccan Holidays CHASING THE SUNLiving My Faith in Times of Crisis OH OH OH IT'S MAGIC Afterword NOTES

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