Collection: Spirituality & Religion

In a time of social distancing and isolation, a meditation on the beauty of solitude from renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor

A Los Angeles Review of Books "Best of the Year" selection

"Whatever a soul is, the author goes a long way toward soothing it. A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life."--Kirkus Reviews

"Elegant and formally ingenious."--Geoff Wisner, Wall Street Journal

When world renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor turned sixty, he took a sabbatical from his teaching and turned his attention to solitude, a practice integral to the meditative traditions he has long studied and taught. He aimed to venture more deeply into solitude, discovering its full extent and depth.

This beautiful literary collage documents his multifaceted explorations. Spending time in remote places, appreciating and making art, practicing meditation and participating in retreats, drinking peyote and ayahuasca, and training himself to keep an open, questioning mind have all contributed to Batchelor's ability to be simultaneously alone and at ease. Mixed in with his personal narrative are inspiring stories from solitude's devoted practitioners, from the Buddha to Montaigne, from Vermeer to Agnes Martin.

In a hyperconnected world that is at the same time plagued by social isolation, this book shows how to enjoy the inescapable solitude that is at the heart of human life.

"A charming book, ringing with the joy of existence." --Richard Dawkins

The perfect gift for a loved one or for yourself, For Small Creatures Such as We is part memoir, part guidebook, and part social history, a luminous celebration of Earth's marvels that require no faith in order to be believed.

Sasha Sagan was raised by secular parents, the astronomer Carl Sagan and the writer and producer Ann Druyan. They taught her that the natural world and vast cosmos are full of profound beauty, and that science reveals truths more wondrous than any myth or fable.

When Sagan herself became a mother, she began her own hunt for the natural phenomena behind our most treasured occasions--from births to deaths, holidays to weddings, anniversaries, and more--growing these roots into a new set of rituals for her young daughter that honor the joy and significance of each experience without relying on a religious framework.

As Sagan shares these rituals, For Small Creatures Such as We becomes a moving tribute to a father, a newborn daughter, a marriage, and the natural world--a celebration of life itself, and the power of our families and beliefs to bring us together.

Is our universe intelligently designed? What are the possibilities of healing, transformation, and service? What is the Law of One? After 19 years of research into the channeling phenomenon that involved communications with members of the Confederation of Planets in the Service of the One Infinite Creator, a group consciousness called Ra, who had evolved on the planet Venus, established contact with three dedicated seekers of truth to explore these and other questions. Ra said that all people and all of creation are One Being: the One Infinite Creator. They suggested that the process of learning to love (awakening to the "Original Thought") is studied via humanity's movement through all of time. The Ra Material sessions conducted by these three individuals examine the meaning of our cosmic existence and contain 106 transcripts of every conversation, including events leading up to first contact, and, in Book V, commentary about the contact. This 40th-anniversary boxed set includes all five books in hard cover.

Tantric philosopher and Oxford scholar Christopher Wallis calls out the seemingly helpful spiritual teachings dominating our current culture and demonstrates how these near truths stand in the way of a more radically free and meaningful life--and ultimately, a deeper spiritual awakening.

Have you ever been told, "You create your own reality"? Have you been encouraged to "be your best self" or "follow your bliss"? Nowadays these slogans are everywhere, but what if they're doing more harm than good? After over thirty years as a scholar-practitioner of meditation and Tantric philosophy, acclaimed author Christopher Wallis (also known as Hareesh) explores the most widespread distortions of spiritual teachings present in our world today. Rooted in the Asian wisdom traditions, Wallis's book uncovers why these oft-heard platitudes are "near enemies" to the truth, often detour us off the spiritual path, and can even cause unnecessary suffering.

In asking us to question what we've accepted as "truth," Wallis reveals how teachings like "become the best version of yourself" may have helped us at one stage in our journey but can ultimately lead us away from self-acceptance and compassion and cause us to prioritize an imagined ideal over true intimacy with reality. Understanding the near enemies is vital for any spiritual seeker who is ready to create a deeper, more fulfilling practice and will help you:

• Distinguish between truth and belief
• Communicate more authentically with loved ones
• Set healthier boundaries
• Be in greater harmony with reality
• Practice radical self-acceptance

Near Enemies of the Truth offers itself as a guide to the pitfalls of the spiritual life. However, it doesn't focus on the negative. In each chapter, after pointing out how a spiritual teaching can be construed in a non-beneficial way, Wallis focuses on the deeper truth and ancient wisdom underlying that teaching, which is often obscured by its popular bumper-sticker version. Each chapter contains a supportive insight for your spiritual process and/or for your everyday life, including guided meditations and reflections.

Written in a gentle and encouraging tone, this book offers a wealth of insight and guidance for anyone who finds themselves struggling, reaching a spiritual plateau, or simply seeking a more meaningful way forward. This timely companion will help you think differently and see through the smokescreens to what is true.

Religion in Five Minutes provides an accessible and lively introduction to the questions about religion and religious behaviour that interest most of us, whether or not we personally identify with - or practice - a religion. Suitable for beginning students and the general reader, the book offers more than 60 brief essays on a wide range of fascinating questions about religion and its study, such as: How did religion start? What religion is the oldest? Who are the Nones? Why do women seem to play lesser roles in many religions? What's the difference between a religion and a cult? Is Europe less religious than North America? Is Buddhism a philosophy? How do we study religions of groups who no longer exist? Each essay is written by a leading authority and offers succinct, insightful answers along with suggestions for further reading, making the book an ideal starting point for classroom use or personal browsing.

Revelation is known as one of the most complex books in the entire Bible. Wouldn't it be nice to have a road map to keep you from getting lost? In Mystery Explained, David Campbell will guide you through Revelation, pointing out important landmarks and happenings along the way. With his help, the journey through the final book of the Bible will be simple and easy to follow.

FINDING HAPPINESS AFTER HEARTBREAK BEGINS HERE!You may think your pain might never go away, but in this book you'll discover how to feel at peace starting today.You heal by releasing, not suppressing. Experience the life-changing effects of true release.-Are You Constantly Rehearsing Past Hurts and Disappointments?-Have You Lost Hope in Love Because of Failed Relationships?-Do You Feel Tension & Frustration When Expressing Your Feelings?-Does Bitterness, Anger, or Negativity Cloud Your Vision?Don't stay in bondage to emotional turmoil from past lovers, failed relationships, broken family cycles, or old ways of thinking. Instead, learn how to pinpoint and let go of any unresolved pain, hurt, and resentment lingering from heartbreak that you may be holding onto, which doesn't serve you.Finding Love After Heartbreak, Volume I is a must-read guide to help you self-heal, find inner peace and true happiness. In the first volume of a two-part series, Stephan Speaks gives you the tools you need to begin your self-healing journey. Your life will never be the same.

Life Is My Guru will teach you how to pull the wisdom out of your own life experiences (past and present) and show you that life is our greatest teacher. Using the mind of a scientist and the heart of a healer, Dr. Bobby Price provides a practical guide that shows you how to shift your perspective from "life isn't happening to you, it's happening for you," and how every experience you go through is to help you become the highest version of yourself. Life speaks to us in a language that most of us don't understand, which is why so many feel lost, disconnected, and stuck. The language is primarily made up of the experiences you have on a daily basis. And your experiences are like a divine curriculum developed to evolve you. With this perspective, we become students of life, and the lessons we learn help us overcome the agony of traumas and the shame of what we perceive as failures. In this book, Dr. Price gives you a rare, in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at what a real-life poverty-to-prosperity transformation looks like using his own life experiences. This book will give you the tools to change how you view life and challenge you to look at your own experiences from an entirely different lens that is centered around healing and personal evolution. You'll learn how to get unstuck, get shift going, the difference between falling and failing, and so much more!

In the darkest corners of our lives, where sorrow, trauma, grief and pain reside, there exists a profound capacity for resilience and hope. Telling Stories in the Dark by Jeffrey Munroe is a uniquely inspiring non-fiction book that illuminates the transformative power of sharing our most profound experiences of suffering.

Within the pages of this remarkable compilation, you will encounter the stories of ordinary individuals who, when confronted with profound adversity, chose to do something extraordinary: they transformed their pain. Munroe, a skilled storyteller and compassionate guide, takes us on a poignant journey through the lives of these remarkable individuals who have harnessed the redemptive potential of their suffering, what Munroe's mentor Frederick Buechner calls "the stewardship of pain."

When we tell our stories, and when we listen well to each other's stories, we discover much about what it means to be human. We discover there are others like us. We discover our feelings aren't unusual. We discover we aren't alone. And sometimes we discover God in the midst of our stories.

In the Foreword, Sarah Arthur, the author of a dozen of her own inspiring books, describes Telling Stories in the Dark as helping readers to rediscover "a faith that finds itself in the dark. Here in these pages, that's what you'll find. Story after story of those who walk a similar road. Conversations with those who suffer about how they do -- or don't -- experience the God who promises never to leave us nor forsake us. Before intellectually exploring any of his chosen topics, Jeff embeds those topics in the lived reality of ordinary people on their worst possible days. Because this is where God meets us."

Karen Mulder, founder of the Wisdom of the Wounded ministry, writes: "Jeff Munroe is a masterful storyteller, brilliantly weaving together the compelling real-life stories of individuals who've been wounded by tragedy with experts' commentary on how to find insight, hope and healing from each narrative. We all experience deep loss at some point in our lives, and Telling Stories in the Dark is a rich contemplation on navigating trauma and grief."

Among the many authors, scholars and counselors you will meet in the chapters of this book are the late Frederick Buechner, the bestselling author who is one of Munroe's mentors, plus Roger Nelson, pastor of Hope Christian Reformed Church in Oak Forest, Illinois; clinical psychologist Daniel Rooks; scholar and author Marilyn McEntyre; Mitch Kinsinger, pastor of Arlington Hills Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota; therapist Mary Anderson; Suzanne McDonald and Chuck DeGroat, professors at Western Theological Seminary; poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer; pastor Sophie Mathonnet-VanderWell; Yale University professor emeritus Nicholas Wolterstorff; and artist Makoto Fujimura.

This book is a poignant reminder that no matter how deep our wounds may be, we possess the innate ability to transform our pain into a source of strength and growth.

Through the power of sharing our stories, Munroe invites us to connect with these brave individuals, each of whom has found a unique path to healing, and in doing so, he illuminates the collective potential for resilience that exists within us all.

Telling Stories in the Dark is ideal for individual reflection and group discussion. It's a great gift for friends who are grieving, because Telling Stories is guaranteed to leave readers inspired, uplifted, and deeply moved.

Uncover the Hidden Wisdom of Sacred Geometry: Your Gateway to Divine Alignment and Transformation

In a world where challenges often appear insurmountable, where climate change serves as an urgent reminder of a deeper crisis, there exists a beacon of hope-a profound wisdom concealed within the timeless realm of Sacred Geometry.

Sacred Geometry: The Universal Language of Divine Alignment beckons both newcomers and seasoned seekers on a vivid voyage into the heart of reality's concealed enigmas. This book is your key to unlocking the secrets vital for our survival and spiritual evolution.

Embark on a journey where you will:

1. Unveil Universal Wisdom: Shift your energy and awareness by immersing yourself in the profound truths concealed within the very fabric of time and space, governed by the geometric dance of the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

2. Explore Your Inner Architecture: Acquire fresh insights into the intricate structure of your existence and discover how divine alignment holds the power to transform life's challenges into opportunities for growth.

3. Ascend to Higher Dimensions: Sacred geometry serves as the ancient key that unlocks gateways to elevated realms of understanding and consciousness.

4. Tools for Inner Peace: Learn the art of constructing and utilizing sacred geometry tools to attain emotional equilibrium, conquer stress, and craft a life of abundance and well-being.

5. Blueprint for Survival: Delve deep within the recesses of your heart center to open a portal to the wisdom of your soul. Transcend the illusion of separation and unlock your true potential to not merely survive but thrive.

With over four decades of dedicated expertise, Gail and Gregory Hoag have pioneered groundbreaking technologies that have transformed the lives of tens of thousands across the globe with their teaching and tools. They have harnessed the power of divine archetypes to amplify higher dimensional energies and elevate the human experience, catalyzing personal and spiritual growth towards the path of higher consciousness, well-being, and profound connection.

From the mountains of Northern Italy to the remote forests of Nigeria, diverse fairies from around the world come together in this little encyclopedia . . .

Naughty and nice, unpredictable and typically tiny, fairies remain one of the most enduring folk creatures, featuring in mythologies across cultures and throughout history. This little encyclopedia rounds up more than 90 fairies from around the world, including:

• The Alux, a fairy of Mayan legend whom farmers called on for rain
• The Banshee, a fairy of Irish lore whose cries were associated with death
• The Hulijing, a fairy from Chinese mythology, who could shape-shift into a fox
• The Yumbo, a silver-haired Senegalese fairy, who dances in moonlight

And so many more! With detailed illustrations throughout, this book offers a fun and information-packed guide to these small yet powerful beings.

Boethius was an eminent public figure under the Gothic emperor Theodoric, and an exceptional Greek scholar. When he became involved in a conspiracy and was imprisoned in Pavia, it was to the Greek philosophers that he turned. The Consolation was written in the period leading up to his brutal execution. It is a dialogue of alternating prose and verse between the ailing prisoner and his 'nurse' Philosophy. Her instruction on the nature of fortune and happiness, good and evil, fate and free will, restore his health and bring him to enlightenment. The Consolation was extremely popular throughout medieval Europe and his ideas were influential on the thought of Chaucer and Dante.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

At the age of 56, Rob A. Gentile had a massive heart attack followed by a profound near-death experience. On his journey to heart transplant, he was close to death again and entered the Ethereal a second time. He found himself inside a shapeless, formless vacuum of unending and infinite vastness. He was everywhere at once, scattered across a timeless expanse and connected to the wisdom of the universe-all of it without words.

He saw and simultaneously became part of a gigantic interactive web of twinkling lights covering the Earth and stretching into infinity. Curiously, some parts of the web were brighter, some dim, and some completely dark. He later came to believe that this web represents a network that binds us all and is built upon quarks-the smallest elements of matter, and which are made of light.

While in the Ethereal, he understood that each quark of light symbolized a life. He realized that if he hurt himself, he hurt everything connected to him, but if he loved, the light would spread. Rob also saw his daughter with special needs, perfect, whole, and radiant.

The most important message he received was of unity, oneness, and our real identity.

In Quarks of Light, Rob shares his journey and provides a roadmap for overcoming adversity, staying in spirit, and connecting to the Universal language of love and light.

As seen on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday

A beacon of hope in the face of our current world crises, this uplifting book demonstrates how embracing our interconnectedness is key to world transformation

In a time of social and ecological crisis, what can we as individuals do to make the world a better place? This inspirational and thought-provoking book serves as an empowering antidote to the cynicism, frustration, paralysis, and overwhelm so many of us are feeling, replacing it with a grounding reminder of what's true: we are all connected, and our small, personal choices bear unsuspected transformational power. By fully embracing and practicing this principle of interconnectedness--called interbeing--we become more effective agents of change and have a stronger positive influence on the world.

Throughout the book, Eisenstein relates real-life stories showing how small, individual acts of courage, kindness, and self-trust can change our culture's guiding narrative of separation, which, he shows, has generated the present planetary crisis. He brings to conscious awareness a deep wisdom we all innately know: until we get ourselves in order, any action we take--no matter how good our intentions--will ultimately be wrong-headed and wrong-hearted. Above all, Eisenstein invites us to embrace a radically different understanding of cause and effect, sounding a clarion call to surrender our old worldview of separation, so that we can finally create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

With chapters covering separation, interbeing, despair, hope, pain, pleasure, consciousness, and many more, the book invites us to let the old Story of Separation fall away so that we can stand firmly in a Story of Interbeing.

The very things we do to control anxiety can make anxiety worse. This unique guide offers a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based approach to help you recognize the constant chatter of your anxious "monkey mind," stop feeding anxious thoughts, and find the personal peace you crave.

Ancient sages compared the human mind to a monkey: constantly chattering, hopping from branch to branch--endlessly moving from fear to safety. If you are one of the millions of people whose life is affected by anxiety, you are familiar with this process. Unfortunately, you can't switch off the "monkey mind," but you can stop feeding the monkey--or stop rewarding it by avoiding the things you fear.

Written by psychotherapist Jennifer Shannon, this book shows you how to stop anxious thoughts from taking over using proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques, as well as fun illustrations. By following the exercises in this book, you'll learn to identify your own anxious thoughts, question those thoughts, and uncover the core fears at play.

Once you stop feeding the monkey, there are no limits to how expansive your life can feel. This book will show you how anxiety can only continue as long as you try to avoid it. And, paradoxically, only by seeking out and confronting the things that make you anxious can you reverse the cycle that keeps your fears alive.