Religion

A quick guide to the history of the world's most popular meditation practice.From the time of the Buddha to the age of meditation apps, this straightforward introduction gives an entire overview of the use of the term "mindfulness" in Buddhist meditative traditions. Drawing upon years of experience through practicing, researching, and teaching the history of mindfulness, Dr. Sarah Shaw offers the first-ever accessible guide to the roots of this ancient meditation technique that continues to benefit millions throughout the world. Although the term is heard everywhere from boardrooms and classrooms to gyms and yoga studios, surprisingly little is known about the origins of mindfulness. This easy-to-read short history will give readers, whether they are seasoned or novice practitioners, a better sense of the most practiced meditation in the world.

This compact collection of Taoism's greatest masterpieces introduces its most fundamental teachings and reveals the essential spirit of Tao.From the time of its earliest sages in prehistoric China, Taoists have looked to the underlying Way of all things (the Tao) as the essential guide to life. For them, the patterns of nature revealed the answers to their deepest spiritual questions and provided the inspiration for their unique teachings. Over the centuries, Taoism has blossomed into a profound tradition with a variety of forms-all united by a single, core philosophy of radical simplicity and natural living. Today, Taoism is most widely known through the Tao-te Ching, yet its corpus of literature is vast-ranging from philosophical dialogues and essays to astonishing fables, legends, proverbs, and more. This compact collection of Taoism's greatest masterpieces introduces its most fundamental teachings and reveals the essential spirit of Tao.This book was previously published under the title The Taoism Reader.This volume includes: Tao-te Ching: The foundational source of Taoist thought by the legendary Lao TzuChuang-tzu: Philosophical dialogues from one of Taoism's most famous sagesHuai-nan-tzu: Teachings from the time of the Han dynasty on affairs of state, natural science, and Taoist psychologyWen-tzu: Records of further sayings by Lao Tzu on the art of livingTales of Inner Meaning: Fables, stories, and jokes from the Lieh-tzu and others on the subtleties of Taoist philosophySayings of Ancestor Lu: Teachings from Lu Yen, a seminal figure in the founding of the Complete Reality school of Taoism and master synthesizer of China's classic spiritual traditionsThis book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.

A first-hand story of mentorship and commitment to traditions of the past and the ability to use them in the present, this translation of a Daoist memoir offers a means of persevering in the deep cultivation of body and mind. Written in an authentic tone, the author weaves tales of his youth with practical exercises for health and healing.

In this book, world-renowned spiritual medium James Van Praagh shares the benefits and rewards of having a conscious relationship with your guides, and explains in great detail how to make contact with our inner guides and what they can help us with.

The perfect companion to the Roman myths and the landscapes and ideas that shaped them.

Celebrate Celtic symbolism, mythology, and magic throughout the Wheel of the Year with this powerful book of tree rituals Includes monthly rituals and ceremonies based on the Celtic tree calendar and Ogham alphabet

On 8 March 1941, a 27-year-old Jewish Dutch student living in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam made the first entry in a diary that was to become one of the most remarkable documents to emerge from the Nazi Holocaust. Over the course of the next two and a half years, an insecure, chaotic and troubled young woman was transformed into someone who inspired those with whom she shared the suffering of the transit camp at Westerbork and with whom she eventually perished at Auschwitz. Through her diary and letters, she continues to inspire those whose lives she has touched since. She was an extraordinarily alive and vivid young woman who shaped and lived a spirituality of hope in the darkest period of the twentieth century. This book explores Etty Hillesum's life and writings, seeking to understand what it was about her that was so remarkable, how her journey developed, how her spirituality was shaped, and what her profound reflections on the roots of violence and the nature of evil can teach us today.

The first scholarly study of the only religion which England has ever given the world; modern pagan witchcraft. It tells the story of its development and nature, and uses that story as a microhistory for a general consideration of attitudes to paganism, witchcraft, and magic in British society since 1800.

This study has been specially commissioned to cover An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke and Themes in the Synoptic Gospels, Units AS 1 and A2 1, of the revised CCEA Religious Studies specification. It has been through a meticulous quality assurance process.The author provides a detailed introduction to the Gospel of Luke, including its key narratives and themes. She then explores the person of Jesus, as well as the passion and resurrection narratives, in the context of the synoptic gospels.Included are tasks, practice essay titles of exam standard and activities highlighting other aspects of human experience.Contents: Understanding the Gospel of Luke Key Narratives in Luke's Gospel The Kingdom of God in the Parables and Miracles in Luke's Gospel Key Themes in Luke's Gospel Understanding the Gospel Tradition The Person of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels The Passion and Resurrection Narratives in the Synoptic Gospels Synoptic Assessment: Religious Texts, Authority and InterpretationA detailed Glossary, Bibliography and Index are also provided.

Timothy Radcliffe considers the strength of the Christian imagination in its ability inspire others. How can Christianity touch the imagination of our contemporaries when ever fewer people in the West identify as religious? Timothy Radcliffe argues we must show how everything we believe is an invitation to live fully. God says: "I put before you life and death: choose life."Anyone who understands the beauty and messiness of human life--novelists, poets, filmmakers and so on--can be our allies, whether they believe or not. The challenge is not today''s secularism but its banality.We accompany the disciples as they struggle to understand this strange man who heals, casts out demons and offers endless forgiveness. In the face of death, he teaches them what it means to be alive in God. Then he embraces all that afflicts and crushes humanity. Finally, Radcliffe explores what it means for us to be alive spiritually, physically, sacramentally, justly and prayerfully. The result is a compelling new understanding of the words of Jesus: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

A supplement introducing the Vanir to Ragnarok, the game of vicious Viking combat with a heavy metal edge.The Aesir are dead, and the Vanir, now uncontested in their divinity, come to claim what is left of the Nine Realms. The war clans must oppose, or align with, these new foes.Ragnarok: The Vanir features new Godsparks that war clans may harness to combat the marauding Vanir, as well as new scenarios, monsters, and options to further develop players'' campaigns.

A reading a day for Lent exploring themes in 40 of George Herbert's poems by Mark Oakley.

Based on the author's dissertation (doctoral)-- Harvard University, 2012.

Mental and emotional disorders have reached epidemic levels in Western societies. Self-doubt, panic-attacks, anxiety disorders and personal fears of all kinds present major challenges to contemporary medical science.

Andrew Steinmann's thorough exegetical commentary includes a reconstructed timeline of events from Abraham's life through to the death of Joseph.

Building on mindfulness and self-compassion practices, this step-by-step guide to secular insight meditation shows the way to freedom from deeply rooted thought patterns.Discover joy within yourself and heartfelt connection with others by releasing the habitual thought patterns that cause suffering and alienation. Drawing on Buddhist wisdom as well as the latest research in psychology and neuroscience, this book provides you with the tools needed to recognize the habits of thinking that fuel anger, desire, jealousy, and pride. Building on mindfulness and self-compassion practice, it offers a step-by-step series of guided meditations that create the conditions for liberating insight and wisdom to naturally arise. Thousands of people in the last decade have benefited from practicing the exercises in this book, which were developed and taught as part of the curriculum at the Mindfulness Association, an organization founded to deliver training in mindfulness, compassion, and insight.

This is a book which understands and faces the impact of modernity on the Jewish community today.Being Jewish Today gives an account of both the journey of a particular British Jew and the journey of millions of women and men through today's perplexing and difficult world. With honesty and integrity Rabbi Tony Bayfield breaks new ground in exploring the meaning of Jewish identity and its relationship to Jewish tradition and belief. He does so from the perspective of a person fully integrated into the modern Western world. The rigorous questions he asks of his Jewishness, Judaism and the Jewish God are therefore substantially the same as those asked by individuals of all faiths and none. Beginning with an account of the journey of Jewish people and thought from ancient times to the present day, Bayfield goes on to consider Jewish identity, Israel as land and the scourge of anti-Semitism. He then turns to the twin concerns of Torah: Halakhah - practice, and Aggadah - ethics, along with the matter of belief in a world faced with global extinction. Finally, in addressing the manifest injustice of life, Rabbi Bayfield confronts the widely evaded questions of universal suffering and divine inaction. Drawing on key religious and secular thinkers who contribute to the force of his argument, Bayfield's masterful, challenging and urgent book will appeal to all Jews, whether religious or cultural, and to anyone curious about the nature of Judaism and religion today.

A roleplaying game of adventure and fantasy in the age of King Arthur and the Britain of folklore.Romance of the Perilous Land is a roleplaying game of magic and adventure set in the world of British folklore, from the stories of King Arthur to the wonderful regional tales told throughout this green and pleasant land. It is a world of romantic chivalry, but also of great danger, with ambitious kings, evil knights, and thieving brigands terrorizing the land, while greedy giants, malevolent sorcerers, and water-dwelling knuckers lurk in the shadows. As valiant knights, mighty barbarians, subtle cunning folk, and more, the players are heroes, roaming the land to fight evil, right wrongs, and create their own legends.

For any mother who has ever wondered if her personality clashes with her role, Introverted Mom by author Jamie C. Martin offers vulnerable stories, faith-filled encouragement, and insightful practices to help you fully appreciate your introverted nature and celebrate the gifts and strengths you bring to your family.

Now you can study the Bible with the faculty of Moody Bible Institute!Imagine having a team of 30 Moody Bible Institute professors helping you study the Bible. Now you can--with this in-depth, user-friendly one-volume commentary.With more than 2,000 pages and over 1.5 million words, TheMoody Bible Commentary is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive Bible resource. Special features include: Helpful introductions to each book of the Bible, giving information about the authors, their audience, and historical background.Outlines that show organization and structure at a glance.Clear discussions that shed light on difficult and debated passages, show how the Bible speaks to current issues in our culture, and highlight how the Old Testament predicts the Messiah.Careful scholarship based in the original languages and offering a consistent method of interpretation.Plus: Charts that clearly explain biblical concepts, maps that provide an overview of Bible lands and cities, Scripture and subject indexes that make it easy to locate themes and topics.Use TheMoody Bible Commentary to help you know God's Word and apply it in your daily life.

How a church disappears . . .For the many Christians sold on proving we can be both holy and cool, cultural pressures are too much. We either compartmentalize our faith, or drift from it altogether--into a world that's so alluring.Why does the Western church look so much like the world?Why are many of my friends leaving the faith?How can we get back to our roots?Disappearing Church will help you with questions like these and guide you in a thoughtful, faithful, and hopeful response. Weaving together art, history, and theology, pastor and cultural observer Mark Sayers reminds us that real growth happens when the church embraces its countercultural witness, not when it blends in.It's like Jesus said long ago, "If the salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything . . ."

Written by two experienced counselors, this resource sets forth a holistic view of emotions rooted in the Bible, offering a practical approach to engaging with both positive and negative emotions in a God-honoring way.

“The material in this volume is invaluable for those who sincerely wish to understand the Buddhist path and begin to follow it.” —Venerable Sangye Khadro, author of How to MeditateIn this new book from the Dalai Lama, the reader will discover the mind’s infinitely vast potential, its buddha nature. Knowledge of buddha nature reveals and reconciles the paradox of how the mind can be the basis for both the duhkha of samsara (the unpurified mind) and the bliss and fulfillment of nirvana (the purified mind). To illustrate this, Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature first takes readers through Buddhist thought on the self, the four truths, and their sixteen attributes. It then explains afflictions—including how they arise and their antidotes—followed by an examination of karma and cyclic existence, and, finally, a deep and thorough elucidation of buddha nature. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature shows us how to purify our minds and cultivate awakened qualities. This is the third volume in the Dalai Lama’s definitive and comprehensive series on the stages of the Buddhist path, The Library of Wisdom and Compassion. Volume 1, Approaching the Buddhist Path, contains introductory material that sets the context for Buddhist practice. Volume 2, The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, describes the important teachings that help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature can be read as the logical next step in this series or enjoyed on its own.

In this inspiring and highly practical book, Johannes Hartl explores 12 simple ways he has learnt to pray - indeed, 12 steps that have transformed his life - an adventure into truly knowing the God of the universe. Simply Pray is an invitation into the biggest challenge and the loveliest secret - the adventure that will change your life also.

ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal: Romans pairs the entirety of the book of Romans with a lightly dotted blank page opposite each page of Bible text and hand-lettered illustrations interspersed throughout--providing space to creatively engage with and reflect on the Word of God.

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • A popular minimalist blogger and author of The More of Less shows you how to methodically turn your home into a place of peace, contentment, and purposeful living.One of today's most influential minimalist advocates takes us on a decluttering tour of our own houses and apartments, showing us how to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. He both offers practical guidelines for simplifying our lifestyle at home and addresses underlying issues that contribute to over-accumulation in the first place. The purpose is not just to create a more inviting living space. It's also to turn our life's HQ-our home-into a launching pad for a more fulfilling and productive life in the world.

When we strip away what is superficial, cultural or traditional, what is the essence of genuine Christianity? John's letters focus on the three most important aspects of the Christian life and help us focus our attention on what really matters.

An English translation, with accompanying introduction, commentary, and notes, of the medieval treatise on astrological magic known as Picatrix, a guide for constructing magical talismans, mixing magical compounds, summoning planetary spirits, and determining astrological conditions.