Worship, rites, ceremonies and rituals Books

Book SynopsisHinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of India''s population, and by some seventy million people outside India. In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of this major religion, and analyses the challenges facing it in the twenty-first century. She discusses key preoccupations of Hinduism such as the centrality of the Veda as religious texts, the role of Brahmins, gurus, and storytellers in the transmission of divine truths, and the cultural and moral importance of epics such as the Ramayana. In this second edition Knott considers the impact of changes in technology and the flourishing of social media on Hinduism, and looks at the presence of Hinduism in popular culture, considering pieces such as Sita Sings the Blues. She also analyses recent developments in India, and the impact issues such as Hindu nationalism and the politicization of Hinduism have on Hindus worldwide.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis short introduction to one of the world's greatest religions takes in its history, its place in society and its future in the digital age. * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo *Table of Contents1. The Scholar and the practitioner ; 2. Revelation and the transmission of knowledge ; 3. Understanding the self ; 4. Divine heroes: the epic tradition ; 5. The divine presence ; 6. Hinduism, colonialism, and modernity ; 7. Challenges to Hinduism: women and Dalits ; 8. Crossing the black waters: Hinduism beyond India ; 9. Hindu Dharma, Hinduism, and Hinduisms ; Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisExplore the Surprising and Sometimes Dark Origins of Beloved Holiday Bakes Spice up your season by rolling, molding, and kneading your way through some of the world's most iconic Christmas recipes. Interspersed with tales of sailors, saints, tomb raiders, and artisans, The Secret History of Christmas Baking proves that even the humblest holiday treat has a global backstory. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians had their own version of gingerbread or that marzipan was once considered a pharmaceutical? Linda Raedisch dispels some long-standing culinary myths and delves into the darker chapters of the West's centuries-long romance with sugar and spices. In addition to more than forty recipes for modern bakers, you'll find illustrated instructions for dressing up your cakes and cookie plates with paper stars, angels, and witches. From Linzer tartlets to Christstollen, you can turn your kitchen into an Old World Christmas market stall.

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Book SynopsisSharp, angry, punchily philosophical and often funny. It basically invents a new type of lifestyle aspiration: deathstyle.'The TimesCallender's joyous, thought-provoking book is an account of how his own early encounters with bereavement led to him becoming a new kind of undertaker.'Daily MailThis book is a great work of craft and beauty.'Salena GoddenI lovedWhat Remains?Funny, demystifying, but mostly, deeply moving.'Kathy Burke, Actor and DirectorThis compelling personal story of a pioneering punk undertaker is a moving revelation.'Love ReadingInspiring and unforgettable.'John Higgs, author ofWilliam Blake vs the WorldDeath has shown me . . . the unbreakable core of love and courage that lies at the heart of what it means to be human.Ru Callender wanted to become

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Book SynopsisContinuing the tradition of centuries, The Divine Office is the Catholic liturgy for morning prayer, prayer during the day, and evening prayer, for every day of the year.Volume One of the Divine Office covers the period from Advent up to the start of Lent, and includes all the prayers, as well as readings. This edition contains an updated table of moveable dates.This edition comes in an attractive binding with ribbon marker.The Divine Office is the official text for the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, as well as various countries across Africa and Asia.

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Book SynopsisArabic edition or our unique, colour changing, baby bath book all toddlers will enjoy. Watch the body parts change colour as they are put in water. This baby bath book is a great, interactive way for children to learn the order of washing the basic body parts when learning to do wudu.Trade ReviewThe best book by far!!!! A brilliant way of introducing wudhu to children, a fun and exciting method! The more I see this book, I realize how it is actually also teaching older kids that every bit of skin must be washed as per sunnah, because only the areas touched by water change color, so they will try to wash every spot to make it change color. Amazing Masha Allah

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Book SynopsisChristmas has been all things to all people: a religious festival, a family celebration, a time of eating and drinking. Yet the origins of the customs which characterize the festive season are wreathed in myth.When did turkeys become the plat du jour? Is the commercialization of Christmas a recent phenomenon, or has the emphasis always been on spending? Just who is, or was, Santa Claus? And for how long have we been exchanging presents of underwear and socks?Food, drink and nostalgia for Christmases past seem to be almost as old as the holiday itself, far more central to the story of Christmas than religious worship. Thirty years after the first recorded Christmas, in the fourth century, the Archbishop of Constantinople was already warning that too many people were spending the day not in worship, but dancing and eating to excess. By 1616, the playwright Ben Jonson was nostalgically recalling the Christmases of yesteryear, confident that they had been better then. In Christmas: A History, acclaimed social historian and bestselling author Judith Flanders casts a sharp and revealing eye on the myths, legends and history of the season, from the origins of the holiday in the Roman empire to the emergence of Christmas trees in central Europe, to what might just possibly be the first appearance of Santa Claus – in Switzerland! – to draw a picture of the season as it has never been seen before.Trade ReviewFlanders covers every aspect of Christmas . . . [Christmas] is . . . a catalogue of colourful information, and as surprising an assortment of items as any you might find heaped up under a tree. -- Lucy Hughes-Hallett * Observer *A well-researched account. There are more footnotes here than there are presents under a Rockefeller Christmas tree. Indeed, the book is stuffed with facts – enough to satiate even the most ravenous postprandial taste for quizzing. * Sunday Times *[An] entertaining biography . . . Following the fine tradition of light entertainment Christmas books, Judith Flanders provides lots of trivia . . . However, there is much more to it than that. Flanders is a respected social historian, best known for studies on Victorian life, and the strength of this warm book lies in its quiet erudition. * The Times *If you do want to think about the actual meaning of Christmas, why it still matters to us so much, the book you need is Christmas by the cultural historian Judith Flanders . . . which traces its “strange hybrid growth” all the way back to its origins. -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *A definitive, myth-busting new book . . . [Christmas] tells the full history of the festival that owes it beginning to Roman celebrations of the winter solstice with some fascinating revelations along the way. * The Lady *Who could say bah-humbug to this sprawling-yet-accessible history, which examines traditions with all the trimmings. * Sunday Independent *A superabundance of information about holiday practices, drawn not just from Britain, North American, the Commonwealth and Continental Europe (especially Germany), but from wherever Christmas is celebrated – even, at its most secular and idiosyncratic, in Japan. * TLS *Little escapes Flanders’s notice, as she reflects on the film It’s a Wonderful Life, the nation-binding importance of Britain’s annual carol concert from King’s College, Cambridge, or the financial dependence of local ballet companies on performances of The Nutcracker. Throughout, too, her writing remains brisk and witty: She alludes to the seasonal tradition of reading ghost stories, “while the children break their new toys around you.” * Washington Post *Judith Flanders . . . likes Christmas (I think), but she loves reality and its awkward, amusing facts. (A previous book of hers, Inside the Victorian Home, is deep, bright and encompassing.) * New York Times *This informative and entertaining history is an absolute delight. * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisThe invitation to worship God is the highest privilege of human beings - a privilege squandered by sinful rebellion, but also gloriously restored to us through the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Biblical worship is a response to God's revelation of himself, empowered by the Holy Spirit, which finds expression in every aspect of human life and experience. At the same time, there is a great deal of music and song in the Bible. Music is a wonderful gift of God in creation, and there is every reason to embrace its riches and harness its power responsibly for the glory of God and the blessing of his people. However, Christians have often been divided over the theology and practice of worship, with differing views about spiritual gifts, the place of liturgy, priorities attached to various functions of the church, the weight given to congregational and 'whole-life' worship, and the role and style of music. While many of these areas are touched on in John Risbridger's excellent exposition, his intention is not to court controversy, but simply to allow Scripture to speak, in the hope of establishing as much common ground as possible. He follows a loosely trinitarian structure, in which the main sections explore the connection between worship and the purpose of the Father, the supremacy of the Son and life of the Holy Spirit. Each section concludes with two chapters on the Psalms, in which we hear a variety of 'voices', and learn to join their distinctive song.

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Book SynopsisAn instant classic of contemporary spirituality, bringing together an engaging introduction to the Christian contemplative tradition for people inside or on the margins of the churches who feel drawn to the world of silent prayer.Martin Laird shows how silence and meditation can offer a remedy to many contemporary dilemmas and emotional struggles. Writing with great clarity, depth and authority, Laird examines the meditative methods and traditions found within contemplative prayer. He also explores the role of breath and awareness in the spiritual life, which, while usually associated with Buddhism, is also an ancient concern of Christian thinkers.Into the Silent Land brings together scholarship, pastoral practice and the author's own personal experience. It offers new insights for the student but is especially intended for the non-specialist reader who feels drawn to the world of silent prayer and is looking to the Christian contemplative tradition for inspiration and guidance.

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Book SynopsisYou’ll find everything you need to know about being Jewish in this indispensable, revised and updated guide to the religious traditions, everyday practices, philosophical beliefs, and historical foundations of Judaism.What happens at a synagogue service? What are the rules for keeping kosher? How do I light the Hanukah candles? What is in the Hebrew Bible? What do the Jewish holidays signify? What should I be teaching my children about being Jewish? With the first edition of Essential Judaism, George Robinson offered the world the accessible compendium that he sought when he rediscovered his Jewish identity as an adult. In his “ambitious and all-inclusive” (New York Times Book Review) guide, Robinson illuminates the Jewish life cycle at every stage and lays out many fascinating aspects of the religion—the Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, the evolution of Hasidism, and much more—while keeping a firm focus on the different Trade Review“Ambitious and all-inclusive.” * The New York Times Book Review *"An invaluable one-volume compendium." * The Philadelphia Inquirer *"Extraordinary....Robinson deserves our gratitude for his major contribution." * The Jerusalem Post *

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Book SynopsisLandmarks help us to find ourselves when we think we are lost. When we don''t know where to begin, they give us a starting point. When we think we know where we are, they give us the confidence to keep going. And if we think we have arrived, they remind us that there is always something more, somewhere beyond ...This is a book of Landmarks for the heart''s journey. Written out of the author''s own prayer and lived experience, and inspired by her practical explorations of the insights of St Ignatius Loyola, it opens up questions which concern us all:- How can we recognise God''s ceaseless action in our lives and begin to discern his will?- What does ''fallenness'' mean for us today?- How can we live true to ourselves and make decisions in freedom?- How do we penetrate our deepest desires and become free of the lesser attachments that obstruct them?Big questions - but as Margaret Silf shows, there are clues to be discovered in every moment and situation: at home, at work, in the garden, Trade Review'I know of no publishing house which has ever offered to reimburse a buyer who remains dissatisfied after reading one of its books. I think Darton, Longman and Todd could safely make the first such offer with Landmarks. I delighted in following Margaret Silf's journey of exploration today ... lucidly written, down to earth, free of jargon, full of hope and encouragement.' -- Gerard W. Hughes'Margaret Silf is one of the most talented spiritual writers, and her Landmarks will become a classic.' -- Margaret Hebblethwaite

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Book SynopsisAre you looking to focus your heart amid the bustle and preparation leading up to Christmas? Are you seeking the peace, hope, love, and joy at the heart of the holiday? Anne Neilson''s Christmas Angels invites you to quiet your spirit as you focus on the wonder of the Savior''s birth and the messengers who heralded the good news to the shepherds that first Christmas.Fine artist and bestselling author Anne Neilson beautifully captures the angels'' essence in this devotional designed especially for Advent. Gorgeous original art throughout showcases Anne''s iconic angels alongside daily devotions that will usher you into the sacredness and beauty of the Christmas season.This stunning and inspirational book: Weaves all-new art from Anne with Bible verses, poetry, prayers, and personal reflections Offers devotions for each day of Advent, organized weekly in the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace Makes a perfect hostess

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Book SynopsisThe authors have worked for some yers as Camino Companions, a ministry for welcoming pilgrims in Santiago.They noticed that as well as providing a space for pilgrims to tell their unique Camino stories while in Santiago, pilgrims wanted help to reflect on the importance and relevance for their lives back home (the real Camino!). This book is a suggestion as to what pilgrims might do on returning home in terms of keeping that Camino spirit alive. Inevitably it is written from the Christian perspective of its authors, but it can be used by pilgrims of all faiths and none.We are all pilgrims in the world and our challenge is to live life as a journey, not buying into the consumer mentality but keeping our hearts open. Back at home we easily forget this and can drift along on autopilot. But we have a choice about how we live and love. God (or Mystery, or Spirit) is always with us, and can be seen especially when looking back on our experience. Hence the importance of reflection and taking time out to get perspective. The Camino feeling', or the spiritual dimension is always there, but we have to walk our road of trust as best we can wherever we find ourselves. The Camino will provide' even back at home.

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Book SynopsisThe book of the brilliant BBC Radio 4 series, Three Vicars Talking, in which the Reverends Richard Coles, Kate Bottley and Giles Fraser discuss birth, marriage, funerals, Christmas - and Easter in a time of coronavirus.Trade ReviewI am not at all religious (I thought) but Three Vicars Talking on @BBCRadio4 was beautiful. -- Bryony Gordon on TwitterThere are no preens here. Each seems genuinely engaged with the others’ experiences. All are funny, wise, thoughtful, occasionally confessional. They listen to each other. There is even the odd pearl of wisdom . . . This is good stuff . . . The clever producer is Christine Morgan. -- Gillian Reynolds, The Sunday TimesThree Vicars Talking is a meditation on priesthood, wrapped up as a stocking filler . . . Bottley radiates warmth and relatability . . . Coles plays the familiar entertainment part of host struggling to control his effervescent guests . . . Fraser goes in to bat for muscular Christianity. * Church Times *It was heartening to hear a Church of England priest - Canon Fraser in this instance - state unashamed, "We're good at funerals", and he can also lay claim to the most affecting story of the half-hour, when he admitted to a temporary loss of faith after officiating at the funeral of a child. * Church Times *Entertaining * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThis is a no-compromise call to biblical revival and spiritual excellence that expounds on the disparity between today's church and the church of Acts.

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Book SynopsisThis service book is derived from the Great Book of Needs, and includes the full text, for both clergy and choir for the funeral service of a layperson. A space for special notes is included in the back of the book.

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Book SynopsisLife has its ups and downs, and it can feel like we're always in the middle of a transition. Whether it's a painful end or a joyful beginning--or even an uncertain middle--theologian and minister Amy Davis Abdallah has found something that helps: rituals. In Meaning in the Moment, she shows why we need rituals to help survive and even thrive through various seasons of life. Starting with the foundation that rituals are a core, and underexplored, part of Christian practice, Davis Abdallah draws from theology, psychology, and personal experiences in creating rituals for herself and others. She offers practical guidance for readers to create their own meaningful rituals, including three types requiring varying levels of planning and participation: right now, with friends, and at church. Readers will emerge with fresh ways to bring their faith to life for themselves, their families, and their church communities--and ready to experience the transformative power of rituals. The book includes a foreword by W. David O. Taylor.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Ritual MattersPart 1: Why Do We Ritualize?1. Ritual Transforms and Embodies2. You Already Ritualize (You Just Don't Call It That)3. How Rituals Help and Unite UsPart 2: How Do We Ritualize?4. Avoiding Powerless Rituals: Ritual "Don'ts"5. Pursuing Powerful RitualsPart 3: What Do We Ritualize?6. Ends7. Middles8. BeginningsConclusion: Making Ritual MatterAppendix: Exploring Our Sources

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Book SynopsisSacred Earth Celebrations is the revised and updated version of Glennie Kindred's bestselling, Sacred Celebrations. It is an uplifting and inspiring source book for anyone seeking to celebrate and honour the changing rhythms and seasons of the Earth and her cycles. It explores the eight Celtic festivals, how they were celebrated and understood in the past, the underlying changing energy of the Earth, and the ways we may use this energy to create meaningful celebrations for today to deepen our connection to the Earth and our fellow human beings. Sacred Earth Celebrations deepens our understanding of the five elements, the rhythms of the Moon, Earth energies and sacred landscape, inner journeying and meditation. She explores ways to create sacred space both inside and outside, celebrations for children, crafts, the use of song and dance, garden and land projects, building a sweat lodge and labyrinths.Trade ReviewWith her whole-hearted commitment to celebrating the Earth and its cycles, Glennie delves into the living tradition of our Celtic ancestors and arrives at a magnificent collection of sacred ceremonies based on the eight Celtic festivals: the Summer and Winter Solstices, the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, the four cross-quarter points of Imbolc, Beltain, Lammas and Samhain. However, the celebrations in the collection are not in any way fixed or immutable; for her ...they help us to discover more about ourselves and our intrinsic connection to Earth. Don Hills, Green Spirit

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

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Book SynopsisThe official new Weekday Missal in a classically beautiful red imitation leather binding.Collins Missal is currently the authorised Missal for the Irish Catholic Church and the Australian Catholic Church. It is no longer the authorised Missal for the Catholic Church in England and Wales.The Collins Weekday Missal is fully updated with the new, approved Order of Mass, perfect for anyone wishing to prepare for Weekday Mass and take an active part in its celebration.With a closer and more direct translation of the original liturgy, more detailed and explanatory commentary and additional readings to help prepare and collect after Mass, The Weekday Missal will aid a closer, more transcendent experience during Weekday worship. It includes the official new Order of Mass, The Proper of Seasons, Ordinary Time, The Proper of Saints, Occasional Masses, as well as Masses for the Dead.New illustrations in the Romanesque tradition, four firmly stitched in ribbons, clear design, and quality printing, make Collins' Weekday Missal a durable, beautiful book from which to worship.

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Book SynopsisA 'practically perfect' Lent course for small group study - or for reading on one's own - based on Mary Poppins Returns. Poet and minister Lucy Berry skilfully draws out some of the themes of the Oscar-nominated movie and shows how we can consider them more deeply alongside passages from the Bible.

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Book SynopsisAn enlightening, accessible, and highly entertaining guide to the guru-disciple relationship, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism The humility and compassionate activity of the Dalai Lama is something many people can connect with, but how can one understand the stories about some other Buddhist teachers’ unorthodox behavior? The centrality of and reliance on a guru is one of most misunderstood elements of Tibetan Buddhism—and one that is most often veiled in mystery. Because the guru can and will use whatever means it takes to wake us up, this relationship may require us to drop our most deeply held beliefs and expectations.  Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse addresses some of the most misunderstood aspects of this powerful relationship and gives practical advice on making the most of this precious opportunity for transformation. Through stories and classical examples, he shows how to walk the path with eyes wide open, with critical-thinking skills sharpened and equipped to analyze the guru, before taking the leap.

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Book SynopsisA guide to pilgrimage on the isle of Iona for people with reduced mobility.

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Book SynopsisIn this beautifully written book, Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh explains how to acquire the skills of mindfulness. Once we have these skills, we can slow our lives down and discover how to live in the moment - even simple acts like washing the dishes or drinking a cup of tea may be transformed into acts of meditation.Thich Nhat Hanh's gentle anecdotes and practical exercises help us to arrive at greater self-understanding and peacefulness, whether we are beginners or advanced students. Irrespective of our particular religious beliefs, we can begin to reap the immense benefits that meditation has been scientifically proven to offer. We can all learn how to be mindful and experience the miracle of mindfulness for ourselves.Trade ReviewThich Nhat Hanh's ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.The father of mindfulness * Irish Times *One of the best available introductions to the wisdom and beauty of meditation practice. * New Age Journal *He has immense presence and both personal and Buddhist authority. If there is a candidate for 'Living Buddha' on earth today, it is Thich Nhat Hanh. -- Roshi Richard Baker, author of Original Mind: The Practice of Zen in the West[Thich Nhat Hanh] shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth * His Holiness the Dalai Lama *

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Book SynopsisTo celebrate its 30th anniversary of publication, a brand new edition of the ultimate combination of traditional hymns and modern worship songs.Mission Praise' is a much-loved hymn book, and has remained so since its outset in 1984. Initially used for Billy Graham's Mission England rallies where thousands of people converted to Christianity it has become a staple of worship throughout the UK and across the world.It was the first hymn book of its kind, introducing more modern styles of music into worship yet retaining the best of traditional hymnody loved by churchgoers of every age. This new, expanded edition of the complete Mission Praise' includes the whole of the existing collection of over 1000 songs and hymns, and adds the best new songs in various styles from the past few years.This brand new edition has been put together by Mission Praise''s original editorial team of Peter Horrobin and Greg Leavers, and contains in this 30th anniversary year over 100 new songs and has, by pTrade Review‘There is no more complete collection of every item that a church musician might be called upon to play or sing.’– The Royal School of Church Music ‘I welcome this new edition of Mission Praise and I hope and pray that many thousands more voices will join the crowds that I remember thirty years ago, who came together to sing God’s praises!’ – Cliff Barrows

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Book SynopsisPilgrimage is found in most religious cultures, from Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and India, to France, Spain, and Japan. In this Very Short Introduction Ian Reader explores the key themes of pilgrimage throughout the ages, considering its various forms and its identity as a 'spiritual tourism' industry, to explain why it has remained so popular.Trade Reviewa stimulating introduction to an important feature of all religions. * Church of England Newspaper *The author has successfully written a little book on a much needed topic, especially for urban dwellers nowadays. This is a high recommended 'very short' introduction to the subject. * Josaphat C. Tam, The Expository Times *Table of Contents1. Introduction: the multiple forms of pilgrimage ; 2. Examining pilgrimage: forms, types, and interpretations ; 3. Pilgrimages worldwide: a global and historical outline ; 4. Motives and means: Asceticism and the package tour ; 5. Tourism, entertainment, relics, and souvenirs ; 6. Modern developments, secular sites, and the reshaping of pilgrimage ; 7. Conclusion: an ever-changing phenomenon ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisReconstructing the moments; day by day, hour by hour, Nick Page examines the historical evidence to discover what really happened during Jesus' final daysTrade Review'This is a book written by a highly experienced, technically brilliant and detailed writer.' * Church of England Newspaper *

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Book SynopsisJourney into the world of Ayahuasca and healing. A mysterious and powerful plant medicine with curative powers that is drunk as a tea during a sacred ceremony, Ayahuasca has been known to change people''s lives dramatically. But what was once a healing experience practiced only by Indigenous South Americans - and sought out by the adventurous few - has, in the past fifty years, become increasingly popular around the world.Hachumak, a Peruvian medicine man, has been practicing traditional healing arts in his country for more than twenty years. His unique approach is based on ritualistic simplicity and highlights the essence of the Art, which includes the borrowed forces from Nature. In this remarkable book, he shares his knowledge and experiences to broaden our understanding of this powerful medicine and protect it from misuse and exploitation.Whether you are among the uninitiated and curious, or a seasoned journeyer, you will gain a deeper understandin

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Book SynopsisLooks at how Christian festivals fit into the structure and rhythms of the earth and the cosmos. Originally given as lectures to Steiner School parents.

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Book SynopsisA practical guidebook for meditators interested in achieving the states of bliss and deep focus associated with the Buddhist jhānas One of the elements of the Eightfold Path is Right Concentration: the one-pointedness of mind that, together with ethics, livelihood, meditation, and more, leads to the ultimate freedom from suffering. So how does one achieve Right Concentration? According to the Buddha himself, the jhānas—a series of eight progressive altered states of consciousness—are an essential method. But because the jhānas can usually be achieved only through prolonged meditation retreat, they have been shrouded in mystery for years. Not anymore. In Right Concentration, Leigh Brasington takes away the mystique and gives instructions on how to achieve them in plain, accessible language. He notes the various pitfalls to avoid along the way and provides a wealth of material on the theory of jhāna practice—all geared toward the practitioner rather than the scholar. As Brasington proves, these states of bliss and concentration are attainable by anyone who devotes the time and sincerity of practice necessary to realize them.

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Book SynopsisThe feast is a meeting place between family and friends, between humans and gods. This decadent collection of enchanting dishes is an indispensable companion to kitchen witchcraft, revealing the storied history and seductive art of magical cooking. With witch, herbalist and chef Melissa Jayne Madara as your guide, explore five facets of the occult through food: traditional recipes, the wheel of the zodiac, devotional meals to the planets, seasonal feasts to celebrate solstices and equinoxes, and practical spellwork. Recreate a pagan feast of lamb roasted with milk and honey, with cheesecake baked in fig leaves for dessert. Celebrate a Gemini birthday with herbed fondue, followed by lemongrass pavlova. Align with the poetic pleasures of Venus with edible flower dumplings, or commune with Saturn over blackberry pulled pork sandwiches. Enjoy the vibrancy of the spring equinox with herb and allium quiche with a potato crust, radish salad with cherry blossom vinaigrette and jasmine tea shortbread. Share an evening of storytelling over mugwort and catnip divination tea, or embody an otherworldly spirit with ritual bread masks. Packed with ancient knowledge, practical advice and witchcraft expertise, this book will help you develop your craft through culinary creativity. Gather, share, and rediscover the most fundamental of human rituals: the divine indulgence of the senses and the soul.Trade Review"I truly adore this book - it's so gorgeous!" - Lisa Marie Basile "A stunning book full of enticing recipes, and thoughts on kitchen witchcraft and the history of feasts . . . a feast for the eyes, heart and mind as well as stomach awaits in this beautiful grimoire." - LoveReading review

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Book SynopsisMeeting the Buddhas is a modern classic, giving a vivid and accessible introduction to all the main figures meditated on in the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition. First published in 1993, this new edition incorporates a section on Vajrakila, as well as new images, and hundreds of small changes that nuance and deepen earlier editions. It is a mine of information for those who want to learn about buddhas, bodhisattvas and tantric deities, and of inspiration for those who are already doing the practices. Vessantara powerfully evokes the figures, giving the reader a real feeling for what it's like to meditate on them, and how they can transform us on a deep level. It gives detailed descriptions of the figures, including their mudras and symbolic emblems, so it can be used as a handy reference to identify and learn about particular images.Trade Review'The depth of Vessantara's own practice and comfort in visionary realms means this book is an invitation to experience our lives infused with imagination, light, love, power, and mystery.' - Vidyamala Burch, OBE; 'This wonderful book was an absolute treasure trove for me.... A gift of wisdom and inspiration.' - Professor Paul Gilbert, OBE, author of 'The Compassionate Mind'; '...a wonderfully rich, comprehensive, and thorough exploration of the world of Buddhist Vajrayana....' - Rob Preece, author of 'The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra'Table of ContentsIllustrations About the Author Preface to the New Edition Acknowledgements Preface to the Original Edition Publisher's Acknowledgements Introduction Part One Meeting the Buddha Chapter One The Fountainhead of Buddhism Chapter Two The Development of Buddhist Sadhanas Chapter Three The Benefits of Sadhana Practice Chapter Four Taking Up Sadhana Practice Part Two The Mandala of the Five Buddhas Chapter Five Entering the Mandala Chapter Six Touching the Earth in the Eastern Realm Chapter Seven The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel in the South Chapter Eight The Red Buddha and the Mudra of Meditation Chapter Nine Crossed Thunderbolts and the Buddha of Action Chapter Ten At the Centre of the Mandala Part Three The Great Bodhisattvas Chapter Eleven For the Sake of All That Lives Chapter Twelve The Thousand Arms of Compassion Chapter Thirteen The Soft-Voiced Prince and the Flaming Sword Chapter Fourteen Vajrapani - the Path of Heroic Transformation Chapter Fifteen Green Tara - the Quick Way to Wisdom Chapter Sixteen White Tara - Cheating Death Chapter Seventeen The Eight Great Bodhisattvas Part Four Tantra and the Tantric Deities Chapter Eighteen The Tantric Approach Chapter Nineteen Prajnaparamita - the Book That Became a Goddess Chapter Twenty Vajrasattva - Prince of Purity Chapter Twenty-One The Tantric Gurus Chapter Twenty-Two The Oath-Bound Deities Chapter Twenty-Three Dancing in the Sky Chapter Twenty-Four The Dark Armies of the Dharma Chapter Twenty-Five The Refuge Tree and Its Future Growth Notes Illustration Credits Glossary Selected Reading Index

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Book SynopsisThe world's most famous Passion Play has become a unique cultural event with a global reach. Almost 500,000 people will visit this small German village to watch the dramatization. Immersed in the Passion provides a history of the Play and contains interviews with the Director and Script- Writer as well as actors and local residents.

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Book SynopsisEven the briefest glance at an art museum's holdings or an introductory history textbook demonstrates the profound influence of Christian images and art. From Idols to Icons tells the fascinating history of the dramatic shift in Christian attitudes toward sacred images from the third through the early seventh century. From attacks on the cult images of polytheism to the emergence of Christian narrative iconography to the appearance of portrait-type representations of holy figures, this book examines the primary theological critiques and defenses of holy images in light of the surviving material evidence for early Christian visual art. Against the previous assumption that fourth- and fifth-century Christians simply forgot or ignored their predecessors' censure and reverted to more alluring pagan practices, Robin M. Jensen contends that each stage of this profound change was uniquely Christian. Through a careful consideration of the cults of saints' remains, devotional portraits, and pilgrimages to sacred sites, Jensen shows how the Christian devotion to holy images came to be rooted in their evolving conviction that the divine was accessible in and through visible objects.Trade Review"Elegantly designed and replete with full-color illustrations (many photographs by the author), From Idols to Icons…will ignite scholarly dialogue beyond traditional disciplinary categories and methodologies into the foreseeable future." * CHOICE *"This richly illustrated and subtly argued account…commends itself, and the author’s commitment to, and, indeed, affection for, her subject illuminates the text as it does the images." * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Preface 1. Early Christian Condemnation of Idols 2. Aniconism: In Defense of the Invisible God 3. Epiphanies: Encountering the Visible God 4. Early Christian Pictorial Art: From Sacred Narratives to Holy Portraits 5. Holy Portraits: Controversies and Commendation 6. The True Likeness 7. Miraculous and Mediating Portraits 8. Materiality, Visuality, and Spiritual Insight Epilogue: The Idols’ Last Stand List of Abbreviations Notes Bibliography General Index Index of Sources

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Book SynopsisThe Order of Morning and Evening Prayer throughout the year taken from the Divine Office.For anyone who wants to make a daily act of devotion, Morning and Evening Prayer offers the perfect combination of a consistent structure of prayer alongside daily options and choices to take you through the church's year.Taken from the Catholic Divine Office, these daily prayers and readings offer inspiration for priests and lay people alike to give strength for each day.Now with a new look in the familiar hardwearing and practical format, and an updated table of moveable dates.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the holidays with the Wizarding World’s delightful and fantastic creatures with a magical advent calendar and book filled with more than 25 surprises in Harry Potter: Holiday Magic: The Official Advent Calendar 2023 Edition.Harry Potter: Holiday Magic: The Official Advent Calendar 2023 Edition celebrates the magic of Christmas with 25 days of exclusive surprises, keepsakes, and collectibles featuring the enchanting Wizarding World creatures you know and love. DISCOVER MORE THAN 25 HARRY POTTER SURPRISES: Discover a new creature-themed holiday surprise every day! All 25 collectible items and holiday surprises waiting behind each door will make memorable gifts and bring the fantastical beasts of Harry Potter to life for the holidays COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: With 25 days of removable collectibles themed to the Harry Potter films, count down to Christmas by opening the door to a surprise each day from December 1st through 25th THE PERFECT HARRY POTTER STOCKING STUFFER: This 25-day advent calendar will add a dash of Wizarding World magic to the holiday season for every Harry Potter fan COMPLETE YOUR HARRY POTTER CHRISTMAS COLLECTION: Pair with Harry Potter: Christmas at Hogwarts, Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Christmas Pop-Up, Harry Potter: Pop-Up Holiday Wreath, and Harry Potter: Christmas Sweater Blank Boxed Note Cards

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Book SynopsisMy Baptism Book aims to help children understand one of the most important days of a child's life. It is a beautiful personal reminder of this special day and one that a child can return to again and again. It can be used by adults and children together, or in more formal baptism preparation. An ideal gift for children aged 3+.

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Book SynopsisIt’s never been more important to understand how much God loves us and how much he wants us to love each other. Loving My Neighbour takes us on a journey through the challenging terrain of how we can truly love one another, individually and in our communities. Daily Bible readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day explore how we can love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, and love ourselves as God loves us. Holy Week brings us back to reflect on Christ on the cross, who loved us to the very end.

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Book SynopsisA shorter version of the Morning and Evening Prayer, in a handy format, suitable for anyone wanting to pray regularly on their own or in a group setting.Shorter Morning and Evening Prayer is part of the Divine Office range, and is an edited version of Morning and Evening Prayer.It is designed specifically for people who want to pray alone and are seeking a regular, structured cycle of prayer. Being just the bare bones of the Divine Office, it will not be as daunting for the novice reader to get to grips with. As the user's prayer life matures, they then have the foundation to allow them to move on to the fuller Divine Office.It includes the same four-week cycle of the fuller Office with Psalms, Scripture Readings and Intercessions.

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Book SynopsisThe Mosque in Mecca, arranged around the central Ka’ba, is the holiest site in Islam. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed. The Ka’ba was constructed on a site of a temple from a pre-Islamic period. The city of Mecca has grown over the centuries like its counterpart, Madinah, where the Prophet died in the seventh century. Mecca now accommodates as many as tens of thousands of pilgrims in a single day. The site is the point of pilgrimage to which pilgrims travel from across the world in the annual Hajj, a key point in Islamic spiritual life. The Ka’ba is a symbol of unity, a structure of the greatest geometrical simplicity containing a single door. It is, however, considered to be feminine in gender and is draped in a covering of black cloth known as Al Astar to protect its modesty. This cloth, woven with gold, is replaced every year with a special ceremony. On this one day, the Ka’ba is left exposed and unveiled. Adel Alquraishi, a Saudi photographer from Riyadh, had established his reputation with the authorities of the Great Mosque in Mecca with his work on the Guardians of the Mosque in Madinah, published in 2020 as The Guardians. In parallel with that great book, the authorities of the Great Mosque in Mecca have enabled Adel Alquraishi to photograph the Ka’ba, the epicentre of Islam, in its undraped state.

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Book SynopsisIn Worship, Its Theology and Practice, Jean-Jacques von Allmen establishes the broader framework of a doctrine of worship, to then see how it can be applied in practice. The book''s two parts, ''Problems of Principle'' and ''Problems of Celebration'', allow for a holistic approach to worship in all its forms. Covering a wide range of liturgical study, von Allmen places regular Sunday worship in its historical and theological context, affirming its nature as the ''recapitulation of the history of salvation'' and a sacred sign of Christ''s presence, while fully acknowledging its practical role in building the Church. In this new edition, von Allmen''s work is brought up to date with a Foreword by Ronald Andrew Rienstra. There is also a new index, enabling scholars to locate key concepts and themes with ease. At its core, Worship, Its Theology and Practice remains acutely relevant, with its vision of an experience of worship comprised of deeper participation and simple obedience to Jesus Trade Review"Con­temporary theologians and pastors would benefit by dwelling upon von Allmen's convictions about the recovery of the Lord's Supper in weekly Christian worship -­ convictions informed by his reading of Calvin, Ostervald, and other Reformers, as well as by his ecumenical engagement with theologians of other denominational identities." - Ronald Andrew Rienstra, from the ForewordTable of ContentsForeword Introduction A Note on Terminology First Part: Problems of Principle Chapter 1. Christian worship considered as the recapitulation of the history of salvation 1. The Christological basis of church worship 2. The presence of Christ in Christian worship and the epiklesis 3. The cult as recapitulation of the history of salvation Chapter 2. The cult as the epiphany of the Church 1. The Church as a liturgical assembly 2. The implications of the cult considered as the epiphany of the Church 3. The cult as the heart of the local Christian community Chapter 3. The cult, the end and future of the world 1. Two preliminary remarks 2. The cult considered as a threat to the world 3. The cult as a promise for the world 4. Cult and evangelization Chapter 4. The approach to forms 1. Necessity and limitations of liturgical forms 2. The domains of liturgical expression 3. Discipline and liberty in liturgical expression 4. The reward of liturgical expression Chapter 5. The necessity of the cult 1. Justification of the necessity of Christian worship 2. The usefulness of the cult 3. Obedience to the call to worship, and in its celebration Second Part: Problems of Celebration Chapter 6. The components of the cult 1. List of the elements of the cult 2. How to articulate the elements of worship in relation to one another Chapter 7. The participants in the cult 1. God 2. The faithful 3. The angels, partners in worship 4. The world and its sighs Chapter 8. The time of the cult 1. Sunday 2. The liturgical year 3. The sanctification of time Chapter 9. The place of worship 1. The signs of Christ's presence 2. The place of worship as a witness to the presence of Christ 3. The sanctification of space Chapter 10. The order of worship 1. Teachings which result from the history of worship 2. The order of worship Conclusion Bibliography Index

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

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Book SynopsisBryan Spinks is one of the world's leading scholars in the field of liturgy and to have a comprehensive work by him on the Eucharist is a major catch for SCM. Like the author's previous work on Baptism, this will become a standard work about the Eucharist and Eucharistic theology worldwide. The book, a study of the history and theology of the Eucharist, is the fifth volume in the SCM Studies in Worship and Liturgy series and will help to establish the series as a place for landmark books of liturgical scholarship.This book will be aimed at undergraduate and graduate theology students, clergy and theologically literate laity. It will assume some technical knowledge (i. e. it is not an introduction to liturgy or introduction to sacraments), but will attempt to outline what the evidence is, and what current scholars think. On occasions it will advance or argue for why one interpretation is preferable to another.Trade Review“Bryan Spinks’s book is an outstanding new manual on the historical development of the Eucharist. It is excellent not only because it connects liturgical texts and rituals with Eucharistic theologies, but also because of its wide range, varying from the New Testament data to current practice in East and West; from the early Anaphoras to present-day Dutch Table Prayers and internet liturgies; and from the ancient Ethio-Eritrean tradition to contemporaneous Pentecostalism. Bryan Spinks displays great scholarship, investigating the primary sources in many regions, languages, and eras. This will be a ‘classic’, a standard work on Eucharistic liturgies and theologies for many years to come.” -- Prof. Dr. Basilius J. Groen

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