Religion

'Rinpoche is a powerful and eloquent link between the great yogi practitioners of old Tibet and our bewildering 21st century' - from the Foreword by Richard GereTsoknyi Rinpoche's story is an unusual one: as a rebellious young man, he fled a monastery to marry and raise a family, then returned to Nepal and has since become a preeminent Tibetan Buddhist teacher. As a married man raising two daughters, Tsoknyi Rinpoche has interesting views on how to balance a life dedicated to Buddhist practice with the demands of a husband and father. In addition, he has a keen interest in the ongoing dialogue between Eastern philosophy and Western research, especially in neuroscience. His writing reflects this awareness of the Western psyche while also imparting the earliest tenets of Buddhism. OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND offers Rinpoche's extraordinary history as an example of how to lead a compassionate life, regardless of status, tradition or circumstances. Accessible and relevant to every variety of reader, this is an illuminating guide from a man who truly is a bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern mind.

Compelled to seek something more than what modern society has to offer, Robert Sibley turned to an ancient setting for help in recovering what has been lost. The Henro Michi is one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage routes in Japan. It consists of a circuit of eighty-eight temples around the perimeter of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands. Every henro, or pilgrim, is said to follow in the footsteps of KA bA Daishi, the ninth-century ascetic who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Over the course of two months, the author walked this 1,400-kilometer route (roughly 870 miles), visiting the sacred sites and performing their prescribed rituals.Although himself a gaijin, or foreigner, Sibley saw no other pilgrim on the trail who was not Japanese. Some of the people he met became not only close companions but also ardent teachers of the language and culture. These fellow pilgrims' own stories add to the author's narrative in unexpected and powerful ways. Sibley's descriptions of the natural surroundings, the customs and etiquette, the temples and guesthouses will inspire any reader who has longed to escape the confines of everyday life and to embrace the emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of a pilgrimage.

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.The Father of Existentialism, Kierkegaard transformed philosophy with his conviction that we must all create our own nature; in this great work of religious anxiety, he argues that a true understanding of God can only be attained by making a personal 'leap of faith'.

Building on the powerful story and arguments he shared in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi and co-author Kevin Harney take viewers deeper into apologetics and evangelism among Muslims with this complete study course. In eight lessons coordinated to be used alongside the Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study, Qureshi and Harney explore Muslim culture, the most common Muslim objections to Christianity, and the core doctrines upon which Islam stands or falls. Compassionate and clear, the Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide will be a useful training tool for pastors, outreach leaders, and any believers wanting to winsomely engage Muslims in spiritual conversations.The Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide develops in further detail the objections to Islam and case for Christianity that Qureshi introduced in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. When studied with the accompanying Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study, this complete course is perfect for adult classes, small groups, segments in college or seminary courses, and motivated independent learners alike.

Traditionally attributed to Lao Tzu, an older contemporary of Confucius (551 - 479 BC), it is now thought that the work was compiled in about the fourth century BC. An anthology of wise sayings, it offers a model by which the individual can live rather than explaining the human place in the universe. The moral code it encourages is based on modesty and self-restraint, and the rewards reaped for such a life are harmony and flow of life.

'Give me chastity and continence, but not yet'The son of a pagan father and a Christian mother, Saint Augustine spent his early years torn between conflicting world-views. The Confessions, written when he was in his forties, recounts how, slowly and painfully, he came to turn away from his youthful ideas and licentious lifestyle to become one of Christianity's most influential thinkers. A remarkably honest spiritual autobiography, the Confessions also addresses fundamental issues of Christian doctrine, and many of the prayers and meditations it includes are still an integral part of the practice of the faith today.Translated with an Introduction by R. S. PINE-COFFIN

Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism encourages the belief that, through its faith and practices, spiritual and material blessings and benefits can be available to everyone in this life. Needs can be met, and success achieved, not merely for oneself but for others (and the world) through dedication to the Lotus Sutra, a central teaching of Buddhism. It combines these personal objectives with the commitment to world peace, ecology and the easing of suffering, especially, AIDS. Attracting such well known followers as Jeff Banks, Sandie Shaw, Tina Turner and Roberto Baggio, Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism is rooted in a Buddhist tradition going back to the teachings of Nichiren in the 13th century, and is part of an international movement based in Japan.

Increasingly astronomers recognize that if the cosmos had not unfolded exactly as it did, humanity would not, could not, exist. Yet these researchers--along with countless ordinary folks--resist belief in the biblical Creator. Why? They say a loving God would have made a better home for us, one without trouble and tragedy. In Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, Hugh Ross draws from his depth of study in both science and Scripture to explain how the universe's design fulfills several distinct purposes. He also reveals God's surpassing love and ultimate purposes for each individual. Why the Universe Is the Way It Is will interest anyone who wonders where and how the universe came to be, what or who is responsible for it, why we are here, or how and when the universe ends. Far from leaving the reader at this philosophical jumping-off point, Ross builds toward answering the big question of human destiny and the specific question of each reader's personal destiny.

Destroy the devil's works! As a former high-ranking satanic priest, John Ramirez is well-acquainted with the enemy's strategies. Now, as a liberated follower of Jesus, Ramirez offers exclusive intelligence on discerning and demolishing satan's schemes. Today, so many lives are destroyed by addiction, isolation...

This humble effort is an attempt to facilitate the Tilaawah of The Holy Quran with proper Tajweed.

The 112 Meditations from the Book of Divine Wisdom is a translation of the meditations from the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, a revered 8th century text from the Shaivite Tantric tradition of Kashmir, India. It has been rendered into English with commentary and guided practices by Lee Lyon, a teacher of meditation to more than ten thousand people worldwide, who has studied and taught this text for over forty years.Although written over a thousand years ago, the ideas and practices in this much loved text are timeless in nature, and reflect strikingly modern sensibilities. The meditations are well known for their wholehearted engagement of all aspects of life, even the traditionally 'non-spiritual', including yogic practices, emotions, the delight of the senses, sexuality, natural states of wonder, beauty, bliss and the experience of Oneness.The text, however, is more than just a collection of extraordinary and powerful meditation instructions. It embodies an ecstatic and life affirming world view that evolved into the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism in the centuries that followed its writing. Rather than conceptualizing spirituality, in these meditations it is approached more like music or art. We can feel the tradition's direct contact with life-intimate, kind, amused, amazed, delighted-always trying to get us to relate to our experience, to life, to actually engage it rather than just observe or be mindful of it.Although traditionally considered a text for advanced meditators, many people with no formal experience in meditation have extraordinary shifts in consciousness using these practices. Even people who think themselves incapable of meditating find themselves easily entering new and altered states.Each original Sanskrit verse has been translated as literally as possible to help convey the actual meditation instruction embedded in the rich, multidimensional original. A short commentary and an example of how each meditation might be practiced, have been added after each verse to help explain the instruction.There are many different types of meditation in the text, recognizing always the incredible richness and uniqueness of our individual consciousness. As the text progresses, contemplative practices are woven in, culminating in some of the world's most sublime meditations on Oneness. By repeatedly encouraging us to see the spontaneous unity behind the surface appearance of life, and to step into our true Self, the text holds its place as one of the crown jewels of human thought.

This classic 1843 tale by Charles Dickens has all your favorite characters in their original telling: Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, and the rest. This hard cover edition is a FACSIMILE of "A Christmas Carol" as first published in 1843, which means it includes the original illustrations, in full color, by John Leech. While the cloth cover cannot be reproduced exactly, the cover of this edition is nearly identical in appearance to the original. If you want to read "A Christmas Carol" exactly as it was when it was first written, this edition is for you.Also available in hard cover: 9781936830886And as a soft cover edition: 9781936830916 [These two options have been gently updated layout to conform with modern printing methods, with easier to read text compared to the facsimile and similar very minor adjustments.]Note: THIS EDITION IS A FACSIMILE. That means it is EXACTLY as was originally published. For that reason, it has the magic of the original, but also contains all the blemishes and defects which were common to books printed almost 200 years ago. Reader beware. Further, the original illustrator, John Leech, did not use a computer or graphic editing to create his illustrations. llustrations at the time were created as engravings which had to be colored by hand, or through wood cuts. Readers beware. They were not mofidied or enhanced for this edition. It is a FACSIMILE!

This book is a faith builder. It challenges every believer to walk in supernatural signs and wonders as a natural part of everyday life. ---John ArnottAnyone can walk in the miraculous---even you! If you've ever wanted to live and walk in the supernatural power of God, here's your chance! It is truly possible for human people to walk in the divine, and Christ came to show us the way. It is by rediscovering our true identity in Him that we can begin to move into the promises of God regarding the miraculous.Bill Johnson not only teaches the supernatural, he imparts it by changing the way we think. If you are not walking in the miraculous, you're living far below your birthright! By laying a carefully constructed biblical foundation for walking in the supernatural power of God, When Heaven Invades Earth provides all the equipment you need to experience miracles every day.

How Do You Know When You're Dealing with Demons?Though many of life's problems have natural causes, in the back of our minds there is one question that must be considered: Is it the devil?How do you know if your problem is the result of life choices or a demonic influence?With a ministry spanning several decades, exorcist Bob Larson has brought God's freedom to tens of thousands of demonized people worldwide. Over time, he discovered some of the common traits and key identifying marks of the presence of demons. In Dealing With Demons, Larson shares these insights with you!Learn how to: identify the fingerprints of Satan: recognize common symptoms of the devil's involvement in someone's life. get answers to questions people are afraid to ask: can Christians be demon possessed; can everyday life choices open doors to demons; how do I discern between natural problems and demonic ones? position yourself for freedom: receive strategies to avoid Satan's deadly traps and walk under God's supernatural protection.Learn the secrets to identifying demonic tactics and start cracking Satan's code. You are one step closer to living in victory!

A biblical perspective on what sex is designed to be, to mean and to do for us.

The author challenges the conventional wisdom that light is just another physical entity. He outlines a new role of light in the formation of the three main components of the universe - God, still light; the dual light waves emanated from God and the material world both organic and inorganic which is made of light bent into various spiral forms. Reading this book "is an important step toward understanding both the intellectual and spiritual balances that exist in the universe."

Everything you are-your personality, beliefs, aspirations, talents and fears-is the result of your soul's many incarnations. To help you tap into this wealth of past-life experience and dramatically increase your potential for success in this lifetime, past-life psychic and author Ainslie MacLeod offers THE OLD SOUL'S GUIDEBOOK: Who You Are, Why You're Here, and How to Navigate Life on Earth. Building on his award-winning books THE INSTRUCTION and THE TRANSFORMATION, Ainslie delivers unique insights and exercises to help you:¿ Understand why your destiny is so much more obvious than you think¿ Identify past-life sources of present-life issues like low self-esteem, unexplained ailments, and irrational fears¿ Escape the victimization trap through self-empowerment "Past lives explain everything," shares Ainslie. "Without knowing where you've been, you can never truly know where you're going. Understanding your soul's journey is the key to living a happier and more fulfilling life."

GOD Works Through YOUTHIS BOOK is for those who have never tried to prove God, those who think they havetried, those who have tried and failed, those who still have hope and for those whoare daily proving Him. This book is for YOU.The purpose of this book is fivefold:1. To bring you into a true relationship with the Laws of God.2. To give you a tried and true remedy for human ills, problems and needs.3. To make real the things which you know but have not experienced.4. To give form and substance to your prayers, treatments and desires.5. To lead you to discover the Real You.J. Lowrey Fendrich tells the story of a Chinese philosopher who once came to a missionaryand offered to pay him to translate a portion of the New Testament for him each day. Themissionary agreed, and for the first lesson opened the Bible and read aloud the words,After this manner therefore, pray ye: Our Father -To his surprise the aged Chinese stopped him and said, "That will be enough for today."A year later he returned and said he was ready for the second lesson."I thought," said the missionary, "that you employed me to read to you every day.""I did," replied the old man, "but it took me a year to understand this much."The words in this book are only challenges. The real substance of the lessons is containedbetween the lines. This means that you should mark, learn and inwardly digest them asyou read. As Isaiah said, you will have to wait upon the Lord. You will have to conditionyour mind through meditation and contemplation. The more you study the lessons, themore light and understanding you will receive. "Mary kept all these things and ponderedthem in her heart [Soul]."One of my earliest efforts to put the Truth into print was called This Works. It has longbeen out of print, but requests for copies still reach me. Those who so faithfully rememberthe pamphlet will recognize that the material it contained is embraced by this volume.I have written half the book, but you must write the other half - not on paper but in yourdaily life. It remains for you to embody the thought in your consciousness. May each hourspent in the study of these lessons bring you manifold blessings!- ROBERT A. RUSSELLDr. Robert A. Russell was an exceptional author and had an uncannyability to make the most difficult spiritual subjects easy to understandand apply. While known primarily for two works "GOD Works ThroughYou" and "GOD Works Through Faith" he was in fact a prolific authorwith over 16 titles to his credit. We have spent the last several yearstracking down his legacy of works and will be publishing them all inthe coming years, each a spiritual classic in their own right.Barry J Peterson, CEO Audio Enlightenment

ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal: Psalms pairs the entirety of the book of Psalms 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.

Part of the bestselling Capstone Classics Series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon, this collectible, hard-back edition of The Prophet provides an accessible and insightful introduction to this timeless spiritual workThe Prophet is an inspirational book of 26 poetry fables written in English by Lebanese-American poet and writer Kahlil Gibran. One of the most translated books in history, Gibran's famous work has been translated into over 100 different languages since its first publication in 1923. The book provides timeless spiritual wisdom on universally-shared aspects of life, such as giving, buying and selling, beauty and friendship, eating and drinking, crime and punishment and spirituality and religion.The book follows Almustafa, a man who has waited for twelve years for a ship to take him from the island of Orphalese back to his home. He has come to know the people on the island, who consider him a wise and insightful man. On the day Almustafa's ship finally arrives, he feels a deep sadness. The local elders ask him not to leave. Almustafa speaks of his philosophy of life and the truths he has discovered to the gathered crowd. His words have an almost magical quality to them. As he prepares to board his ship, it becomes clear that Almustafa's words do not refer to his journey home, but rather to the world he came from before he was born. The Prophet is a metaphor for the mystery of life and an exploration of the human condition. Inspirational and extremely readable for modern audiences, this classic text teaches us:* We should be glad of the experience of coming into the world* The separation you feel from other people is not real* True marriage gives both people space to develop their individuality* Enjoying your work is expressing your love for whoever benefits from it* Sorrow makes space for more joy in another season of lifeFeaturing an insightful introduction from the editor, The Prophet: The Spirituality Classic is a must-read book for anyone interested in exploring the undeniable truths of life we all share.

From the best-selling author of The Illustrated Herbiary comes a lushly illustrated guide to the symbolism of the animal kingdom, with beguiling profiles of 36 mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, along with oracle cards, rituals, and reflections to shape readers' meditations.

Secularism, the belief that religion should not be part of the affairs of the state or part of public education, is an increasingly hot topic in global public, political, and religious debates. Andrew Copson tells the story of secularism, discussing secular republics and the challenges they can face from resurgent religious identity politics.

The very first full-text edition of the Revised New Jerusalem Bible (RNJB) - a Bible for study and proclamation. This volume contains the entire biblical text with a comprehensive set of study notes, cross references and book introductions.

A respected teacher presents the core and essential wisdom of Tibet and shows us the possibilities of "enlightenment in this present life" through the meditative practice of Pure Awareness. Perhaps the most precious teaching Tibet has to offer the modern world is the practice of meditation. Reginald Ray presents the essence of this tradition through the somatic practice of Pure Awareness—a unique kind of meditation that is thoroughly grounded in the body and in ordinary experience. This fundamentally transformative practice offers the possibility of enlightenment in this present life and invites us into the immensely powerful journey that Tibetan tantric spirituality has to offer. Includes a link to a free download of audio meditations.