Collection: Spirituality & Religion

Simone Weil, the French philosopher, political activist, and religious mystic, was little known when she died young in 1943. Four years later the philosopher-farmer Gustave Thibon compiled La pesanteur et la grâce from the notebooks she left in his keeping. In 1952 this English translation accelerated the fame and influence of Simone Weil. The striking aphorisms in Gravity and Grace reflect the religious philosophy of Weil's last years. Written at the onset of World War II, when her health was deteriorating and her left-wing social activism was giving way to spiritual introspection, this masterwork makes clear why critics have called Simone Weil "a great soul who might have become a saint" and "the Outsider as saint, in an age of alienation." Introducer Thomas R. Nevin is a professor of classical studies at John Carroll University and the author of Simone Weil: Portrait of a Self-Exiled Jew.

This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources. Among the selections are some of the earliest recorded sayings of the Buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later Indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom, verses from Tibetan masters on the enlightened mind, and songs in praise of meditation by Zen teachers. The book also includes traditional instruction on how to practice sitting meditation, cultivate calm awareness, and live with compassion. Jack Kornfield, one of the most respected American Buddhist teachers, has compiled these teachings to impart the essence and inspiration of Buddhism to readers of all spiritual traditions.

The Tao Te Ching came into existence some 2500 years ago, since when it has become the most influential text of Eastern philosophy. Best translated as The Classic of the Way and its Power (or Virtue), its teachings are of simplicity, humility and 'non-action', and its cadenced poetry is at once spare and profound. This beautiful compact hardback edition, with gilded edges and foil on the cover, makes a wonderful gift.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound gift editions of iconic literary works from across history. These pocket-sized, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and custom endpapers.

Journey through the traditions, myths, facts and rituals concerning Placenta... the Forgotten Chakra. This book blends respect for culture and respect for nature, while standing firmly on scientific research that confirms what midwives have long known: the most gentle, time honored, least invasive birth protocols are best. For Birth Keepers and for expectant families, who, for each baby, have a once in a lifetime opportunity to go slowly and prevent birth trauma, it is a must read. Because peace begins with each child, it makes perfect sense to practice birth without violence.

The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics provides a detailed look at the life of the Virgin Mother from the Immaculate Conception until her Assumption. Compiled by reference librarian and Franciscan, Raphael Brown, in 1951, this work brings together the visions and revelations of four devout women separated by centuries but united in their Catholic faith and piety.

Not much is said in the Biblical gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John regarding the life of Mary. After all, their gospels were intended to tell the story of Christ -- his birth, teachings, crucifixion and ascension.

The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics provides greater context to the life of Jesus Christ by bringing the reader closer to his earthly mother. It explains the trials she suffered in order to bring about the salvation of mankind.

This work is unique in that not only is it focused entirely on the Virgin Mary, but its sources were all women as well. The four "mystics" whose writings make up the basis of this work lived in different times and different nations. But they were all devout Catholics who dedicated their lives to their faith.

St. Elizabeth of Schönau lived from 1129 to 1164. Born in the Rhineland, she entered Schönau Abbey, where she became an abbess. Her visions were known across Europe, and she was often consulted for advice by learned and religious men.

St. Bridget of Sweden, born in 1303, was the daughter of a wealthy provincial governor. She did not enter a convent, but rather married and had 8 children. After her husband's death, she entered the Franciscan order and dictated over 1,500 pages of revelations regarding the Passion of Christ and the Nativity.

Ven. Mother Mary of Jesus of Agreda was born in Spain in 1602. She founded the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception with her mother and sisters, where she was elected abbess 11 times. Mary of Jesus was said to have visited the New World through bilocation -- being in two places at the same time. She appeared and spoke to Native Americans in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona without ever leaving Spain. The content of her book, The Mystical City of God, forms part of the basis of The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics.

Sister Anna Catherine Emmerich was born to poor Westphalian peasants in 1774. She spent 10 years in a convent, but when it was closed in 1812 she moved to a private home where she spent the rest of her life. She claimed (not without controversy) to have experienced the wounds of Christ, and to witness his daily teachings over the course of three years. She dictated her visions to Clemens Brentano, who later published them based on his notes.

The visions and revelations of these four remarkable women were compiled and condensed by Mr. Brown into a coherent narrative. Beginning with the history of her parents, St. Ann and St. Joachim, it follows Mary from her Immaculate Conception through her life to the Assumption. It describes her many conversations with God and his angels throughout her life, the revelation that she would be the mother of the Messiah, and the trials that she had to undergo to prove herself worthy of serving God's only son.

Rather than intending this work to be a fifth gospel, Mr. Brown meant it to be a secondary text, a "religious novel" providing insight into the Blessed Virgin's humility, charity, and devotion to God. It draws about two-thirds of the history from the writings of Sister Anna Catherine Emmerich and Ven. Mother Mary of Jesus. St. Bridget's visions add to the major events in Mary's life, and St. Elizabeth's writings provide insight into Mary's youth in the Temple and the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel.

The most complete edition of Sigmund Freud's classic work on the psychology and significance of dreams.

What are the most common dreams and why do we have them? What does a dream about death mean? What do dreams of swimming, failing, or flying symbolize?

First published in 1899, Sigmund Freud's groundbreaking book The Interpretation of Dreams explores why we dream and why dreams matter in our psychological lives. Delving into theories of manifest and latent dream content; the special language of dreams; dreams as wish fulfillments; the significance of childhood experiences; and much more, Freud offers an incisive and enduringly relevant examination of dream psychology. Encompassing dozens of case histories and detailed analyses of actual dreams, this landmark work grants us unique insight into our sleeping experiences.

Renowned for translating Freud's German writings into English, James Strachey―with the assistance of Freud's daughter Anna―first published this edition in 1953. Incorporating all textual alterations made by Freud over a period of thirty years, it remains the most complete translation of the work in print.

The best-known work of Nyingma literature, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the "Bardo Thodol", or "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" is the work of Tibetan Buddhist spiritualism first revealed by Karma Lingpa in the 14th century. "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" is part of a larger corpus of texts called the "Profound Dharma of Self-Liberation through the Intention of the Peaceful and Wrathful Ones" which is believed to have been composed by Padmasambhava in the 8th century and written down by his student Yeshe Tsogyal. Intended as a work to help guide the spirit in the afterlife from death to the next rebirth, "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" describes the experiences that the consciousness will have after death. The work also includes descriptions of the signs of death and the rituals that one must undertake to prepare for the journey following one's death. This volume presents the English translation of Walter Evans-Wentz first published in 1927 which helped to popularize the work in the West. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The American Ephemeris 1950-2050 at Midnight, The Trans-Century Edition, is published in response to multiple requests for a one hundred year ephemeris covering these "most useful years." With the years 1950 through 2050, only one ephemeris needs to be at hand, especially when traveling, for an astrologer to do quick lookups of both birth data and transiting data over the expected life span of most people currently living. Since the 1976 publication of the first version of The American Ephemeris, 1931-1980, Neil F. Michelsen's ground-breaking series of ephemerides for astrologers have consistently set standards for accuracy in astrology, becoming indispensible to astrologers worldwide at every level from student to professional. The tradition continues with the addition of this new tropical ephemeris spanning from mid 20th century through mid 21st century. Rique Pottenger has revised and expanded the Michelsen programming with updated Jet Propulsion Laboratory data and improvements in the computer generating program that, for example, enable finding double ingresses in a single day, plus more accurate station times. A new formula increases the accuracy of the Galactic Center calculation. Other new features have been added, the most obvious of which are the dwarf planets Ceres and Eris, in response to the 2006 decisions of the International Astronomical Union. Monthly positions have also been added for the remaining three of the former four major asteroids in wide use among astrologers, Pallas, Juno and Vesta, and also for the centaur, Chiron.

2022 Reprint of the 1926 Edition. Includes numerous illustrations. Exact facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. The Universal One is Walter Russell's first expression of his new Cosmology explaining the Mind-centered electric universe. Though he would revise his theory somewhat over the years, this is the first and basic description of his new Cosmology. Lavishing illustrated, it sets out his views on God, the Universe, matter and Man's place in the world as he searches for a path to god. In this 1926 historic volume, Walter Russell first reveals the possibility of transmutation of the elements. This illustrated treatise is Russell's scientific explanation of God's ways and processes in the construction of the Universe and provides a guide for illuminating Man's proper way of living during the long journey to the Light of God.

Contents: Part I: Creation; The Life Principle; Mind, The One Universal Substance; Thinking Mind; The Process of Thinking; Thinking Registered in Matter; Concerning Appearances; The Sex Principle; Sex Opposites of Light; The Reproductive Principle; Energy Transmission; A Finite Universe; A Dimensionless Universe; Concerning Dimension; The Formula of Locked Potentials; Universal Oneness; Omnipresence; Omnipotence; Omniscience.

Part II: Dynamics of Mind & Light Units of Matter; Electricity and Magnetism; New Concepts of Electricity and Magnetism; Electricity; The Elements of Matter; The Octave Cycle of the Elements of Matter; The Instability and the Illusion of Stability of Matter; The Universal Pulse; Concerning Energy; Electro-Magnetic Pressure; Attraction and Repulsion; Gravitation and Radiation; Expressions of Gravitation and Radiation - Universal Direction; Universal Mathematics & Ratios; Charging & Discharging Poles; The Wave; Time; Temperature; Color; Universal Mechanics; Rotation; Revolution; Crystallization; Plane and Ecliptic; Ionization; Valence; Tone; Conclusion; New Laws and Principles.

The classic novel of a quest for knowledge that has delighted, inspired, and influenced generations of readers, writers, and thinkers.

Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read

Though set in a place and time far removed from the Germany of 1922, the year of the book's debut, the novel is infused with the sensibilities of Hermann Hesse's time, synthesizing disparate philosophies-Eastern religions, Jungian archetypes, Western individualism-into a unique vision of life as expressed through one man's search for meaning.

It is the story of the quest of Siddhartha, a wealthy Indian Brahmin who casts off a life of privilege and comfort to seek spiritual fulfillment and wisdom. On his journey, Siddhartha encounters wandering ascetics, Buddhist monks, and successful merchants, as well as a courtesan named Kamala and a simple ferryman who has attained enlightenment. Traveling among these people and experiencing life's vital passages-love, work, friendship, and fatherhood-Siddhartha discovers that true knowledge is guided from within.

Susan Bernofsky's magnificent translation brings out Hesse's inspired lyricism and his elegant, melodious cadences, illuminating the novel's universal themes and timeless wisdom about the human condition.

This original Modern Library edition includes a lively new Introduction by Tom Robbins and a glossary of Indian terms.

The Pocket Edition Text contains the complete and unabridged Text portion of A Course in Miracles - Original Edition as it was completed by Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford in 1972. Taken from the original manuscript for the Course, the only editing that has been done to this great spiritual classic has been to correct occasional typographic and spelling errors and to render capitalization and punctuation consistent. This Text volume is the companion to the popular ACIM Pocket Edition Workbook/Manual published by Course in Miracles Society. We call it a pocket edition because the book is designed to go anywhere with the student it is only 8 x 5 and just less than 1 in thickness. You can toss it in a backpack, briefcase or even a lady's purse. Like the Pocket Edition of the Workbook, the Pocket Edition Text is designed for rough treatment it is printed on a durable paper and has a laminated cover that resists spots and staining.

The The Emerald Tablet of Hermes & Kybalion compose two pillars of Hermetic thought. Combined here in one volume, these two works share true wisdom with those ready to receive it. "When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with wisdom."

The Kybalion was first published anonymously in 1908 by "The Three Initiates." The true authorship of the work is unknown, although theories suggest it was written entirely or in part by William Walker Atkinson.

Atkinson was a prolific writer and supported the New Thought movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries. New Thought included the belief that our realities can be manifested by mental effort, which is also suggested in Hermetic principles. Scholars point to similarities in style and content between The Kybalion and Atkinson's own The Arcane Teachings as evidence that he was one (or all) of "The Three Initiates."

The Kybalion provides an introduction to the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus--Hermes "the Thrice-Greatest." This "Master of Masters" is said in The Kybalion to have lived 300 years on Earth, and believed by some to be the founder of both astrology and alchemy (precursors to astronomy and chemistry, respectively). Hermes Trismegistus was deified after his death as Toth by the ancient Egyptians, and Hermes by the Greeks. In both pantheons, this man-turned-god was considered a symbol of great wisdom.

The Kybalion's explanation of Hermetic teachings are claimed to have been passed down orally for centuries, eventually reaching "The Three Initiates." The fundamental Hermetic traditions presented in The Kybalion consist of seven "working principles" Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. Within these seven principles is true wisdom, tied to no particular place and no particular religion. It is the "sacred flame" kept lit by a chosen few used to "re-light the lesser lamps of the outside world when the light of truth grew dim..." In short, these are the truths of the universe, regardless of era or creed.

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes is a short, ancient text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus himself. Unlike The Kybalion, which aims to provide some explanation and instruction, the brief Emerald Tablet has been puzzling and fascinating scholars for over 1,000 years.

Consisting of a mere 14 stanzas, the Emerald Tablet is said to contain the secrets of prima materia--the foundational material of the universe. The Emerald Tablet and its teaching influenced freemasonry and philosophy throughout history. The text of the tablet has been translated and commented on by a variety of scholars, including Sir Isaac Newton who was inspired by its teachings throughout his life and work.

The earliest known version of the text comes from an Arabic work written between the 6th and 8th centuries by Balinas. He claimed to have found the tablet hidden in a vault beneath a statue of Hermes. Another story claims the tablet was written by Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. And yet another says the tablet was uncovered and then reburied by Alexander the Great.

The source and material of the physical tablet is unknown. It was reported to be a rectangular green stone, with text in raised bas-relief rather than engraved. Some even claim there never was a physical tablet at all, although several accounts claim it was on display in Egypt in 330 BCE. Whatever its origins and history, the work was first introduced to the West in the 12th century through Latin translations. Since then, this cryptic text has been translated and re-translated, pored-over and analyzed by philosophers, historians, and theologians alike.

Buber's main proposition is that we may address existence in two ways: [1] that of the "I" towards an "It", towards an object that is separate in itself, which we either use or experience; [2] that of the 'I' towards 'Thou', in which we move into existence in a relationship without bounds. One of the major themes of the book is that human life finds its meaningfulness in relationships. All of our relationships, Buber contends, bring us ultimately into relationship with God, who is the Eternal Thou.

Considered a landmark of twentieth-century intellectual history, this is Martin Buber's classic treatment of the religious and social dimensions of the human personality.

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude yields many benefits: physical, mental and spiritual. In this Journal, you have flexibility to write down the dates of entry and not feel guilty if you miss a day. There are also pages in this journal where you can just draw something beautiful. Every page contains an inspirational quote (non religious). Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation for what one has.

Gratitude doesn't just have to be about the big things. It can also be for small, everyday events. You can be thankful for simple things such as enjoying a movie or just talking to an old friend for the first time in a long while. There is always something that you can be grateful for in your life. It is all about appreciating the things around you rather than taking them all for granted.

Write down three to five things that you are grateful for each day. You will not only feel good as you write them down, but you will experience gratitude during the day as well. A person experiencing gratitude feels a sense of joy and abundance in their life. They also feel more connected with other people and have increased energy.

Write down three to five things you are grateful for in this journal and turn your ordinary moments into blessings.

This book is also available from Echo Point Books in hardcover (ISBN 1648371310).

An ancient Taoist text rediscovered by Richard Wilhelm, who recognized it as essentially a practical guide to the integration of personality.

First translated into German by sinologist Richard Wilhelm, a friend of Carl Jung, The Secret of the Golden Flower describes a straightforward and silent meditation method that has been characterized as "Zen with details."

A deluxe gift edition of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, beautifully presented with delicate gold embossing and gilded page edges.

This ancient funerary text contains a collection of spells, prayers and incantations designed to guide the departed through the perils of the underworld. Written to ensure eternal life, these scrolls were often left in the sarcophagus of the deceased and now offer fascinating insight into Egyptian culture.

This beautifully illustrated edition contains images from the exquisite Papyrus of Ani, an ancient Egyptian scroll narrating the journey of Theban scribe Ani through the underworld. Its accompanying hieroglyphic text has been translated by acclaimed Egyptologist E.A Wallis Budge, and includes spells addressed to ferryman, gods and kings to aid Ani on his way to the afterlife.

This compact gilded hardback edition makes a wonderful gift.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound gift editions of iconic literary works from across history. These pocket-sized, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and custom endpapers.