Collection: Spirituality & Religion

This groundbreaking book reveals the hidden laws for harnessing the power of concentrated thought - not only for physical healing, but to overcome obstacles and create all-around success in our lives. Long before the use of affirmations was embraced in mainstream settings as diverse as hospitals, recovery programs, sports arenas, and corporate suites, Paramahansa Yogananda, celebrated author of Autobiography of a Yogi, understood and taught the deep spiritual principles that make this ancient scientific tool so powerfully effective. Includes comprehensive instructions and a wide variety of affirmations for healing the body, developing confidence, awakening wisdom, curing bad habits, and much more.

A beautifully curated and translated collection of the Qur'anic surahs and verses that are most cherished and memorized by Muslims the world over

Muslim devotional practices vary greatly over time and across regions, communities, and denominations, but they share core Qur'anic surahs (chapters) and verses rooted in the practice of earlier figures--the Prophet Muhammad, his closest Companions, the Shiite Imams, saintly figures, learned scholars, Sufi masters, local imams and religious teachers, forebears, and parents.

This volume is the first to present a curated English translation of these core passages, offering a powerful distillation of the recitational tradition that is at the heart of Muslim faith and practice. In these translations of thirty-two surahs and some forty verses, Shawkat M. Toorawa gives attention to rhythm, assonance, and end rhyme, as well as to the musicality and emotional force of the original Arabic. He organizes the selections according to devotional use and explains the place and role of the surah, verse, or passage in Muslim devotional practice.

This book is for anyone interested in the Qur'an, its aesthetic qualities, and its place in Muslim devotion, including any Muslims seeking a sensitive English translation of these essential surahs and verses.

Witchcraft has always been a fluid and intriguing belief system that has enchanted and sometimes terrified humanity. Now in its third edition, A History of Witchcraft has established itself as the authoritative history of witchery and the occult. Beginning with magic in the ancient world, Jeffrey B. Russell explores the definition of witchcraft in its many diverse forms, from the worship of the Greek goddess of magic, Hecate, and the witch crazes of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to the development of modern witchcraft by Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner in the early twentieth century.

Brooks Alexander analyzes the development of witchcraft and neo-paganism in the present day, charting the dissemination of modern witchcraft through media and the tensions that arise when a secretive cult becomes an open and recognized religion. This updated edition features a new chapter exploring the challenges that witchcraft has faced in the past decade, including the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, the COVID-19 pandemic, and new neo-pagan groups.

A passionate argument for LGBTQ equality within religious communities--"a book for our times and a book for the ages" (EDGE)

The myth that the Bible forbids homosexuality--the myth of "God versus Gay"--is behind some of the most divisive and painful conflicts of our day. In this provocative and game-changing book, scholar and activist Jay Michaelson shows that the Bible does not prohibit same-sex intimacy but does quite the opposite. In fact, the vast majority of the Bible's teachings support the full equality and dignity of LGBTQ people, from the first flaw it finds in creation ("It is not good for a person to be alone") to the way religious communities grow through reflection and conscience. Michaelson argues passionately for equality--not despite religion, but because of it.

With close readings of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, the latest data on the science of sexual orientation, and a sympathetic, accessible, and ecumenical approach to religious faith, Michaelson makes the case that sexual diversity is part of the beauty of nature. The recognition of same-sex families will strengthen, not threaten, the values religious people hold dear. Whatever your views on religion and sexual diversity, God vs. Gay is a plea for a more compassionate, informed conversation--and a first step toward creating one.

Embark on an artistic journey of self-expression and discovery with Inky Meditations, a step-by-step guide to the transformative art of ink painting.

Learn the unique ink-on-water technique that allows you to make beautiful paintings with just sumi ink, a paintbrush, watercolor paper, and water. From plants and flowers to birds and beasts, you'll be successfully painting frame-worthy art in no time.

In 26 paintings, you'll explore the art of brushstrokes as you watch the ink gracefully dance across the water's surface. With every movement, intricate patterns emerge, each stroke capturing a moment of artistic expression. Inky Meditations encourages you to go beyond technique and delve into a state of mindfulness with grounding exercises and breathwork that allow you to focus on your surroundings, be in the moment, and reduce stress.

Witness the ink spread, blossom, and transform and embrace the notion that there's no right or wrong in this art; there's only the journey of playful practice and mindful exploration. The captivating forms that emerge are a testament to the beauty of embracing artistic intuition and going with the flow.

This technique is perfect for all levels, from beginner to advanced and requires no previous painting experience.

In this book you'll find:

• 26 step-by-step paintings, from leaves, flowers, and insects to birds, sea creatures, and more, including drawing templates.
• A grounding exercise and note on breathwork while painting to start each project.
• Detailed insights into brushstrokes, tips, and techniques, guiding you through the art of ink painting.
• QR codes to videos explaining the painting techniques and walking you through a number of paintings.
• Encouragement to embrace the practice of mindful intention and creative flow, creating organic and captivating compositions.
• Ideas for how to package and gift your finished paintings.

Unleash your creativity with this elegant and surprisingly easy technique. Reduce stress and create enchanting, mindful paintings with Inky Meditations.

"This is a remarkable work that will truly transform the way you see Messiah Jesus and His teachings. The book takes us on a captivating journey through the cultural context of Jesus' life and ministry, shedding new light on His teachings and the profound impact He had on His Middle Eastern audience." - SID ROTH, FOUNDER OF IT'S SUPERNATURAL NETWORK (ISN)

PREPARE YOURSELF TO HAVE YOUR PERSPECTIVE expanded, YOUR HEART captivated, AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS deepened AS YOU EMBARK ON THIS enlightening JOURNEY.

Discover the transformative power of The Supernatural Love of Yeshua: Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Dr. Mina and Yvon Attia. This groundbreaking book goes beyond surface-level understanding, delving into the hidden gems of Jesus' teachings and miracles. Gain a profound understanding of Jesus' message and the supernatural love He embodied. Let this book bring Jesus to life in your mind and spirit, providing clarity and enlightenment. Don't miss out on this life-changing resource; grab a copy today for yourself and a friend. Let's journey together in the richness of the Word and allow Jesus' love to shape our lives.

" [...] understand some of the most important teachings of Jesus, [...] the stories and parables He shared and the supernatural miracles He worked for all to see. This beautiful work will cause Jesus to come alive in your mind and in your spirit, and the supernatural love of Yeshua will become wonderfully clear."

- STEVE SHULTZ, PRESIDENT, ELIJAH STREAM

There's nothing scarier than feeling lost in a dark, strange world with no hope of the morning's dawn, far away from the familiar place you called home. If we were honest, we probably have all been there. Coffee with Kelly is full of short insights into how moments like that become His story, all the way leading, guiding, comforting, until it becomes celebrating-tragedy to triumph, glory to glory! He is there, whispering our names, holding our hands, picking us back up. He shows us the darkness is not a deep, dark hole but rather a tunnel that if we will just keep walking through, at the end there is a Light! That Light is the person of Jesus Christ! He shines the brightest in the darkest room. Kelly Nelon Clark is a multi-Dove award winner and Grammy nominated performer and actor. She has garnered more than six Dove awards and six Singing News Fan Awards. The concept video in which she starred and performed in won the bronze award for the New York Film festival. She is a fan favorite wherever she performs.

"A holistic vision breathtaking in scope."--Frances Moore Lappé

Distilling a lifetime's insights on the triangle of healing emotional pain, social justice work, and spiritual growth, veteran activist and educator John Bell shares personal stories and reflective practices to help us on our path of personal and collective transformation

Unbroken Wholeness brings an integrated lens of social justice, trauma healing, and spiritual practice to the work we do in the world and the pressing concerns of our times.

Collectively, these writings help us access a view of the world as unbroken, even in the face of obvious suffering and disharmony. With searching questions and easy-to-follow practices, Unbroken Wholeness offers a way for activists to apply mindfulness and insight to bring about healing for seemingly intractable social divisions. "Skillfully handling our emotional pain about the world while cultivating a joyful and kind heart helps us navigate the troubled waters of our life," says John Bell. Continuing the peace work of his teacher, the Vietnamese social activist and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, John Bell brings forward the importance of cultivating a practical yet visionary, ennobling view of humankind when engaging in the "mud" of daily difficulties that gives rise to the lotus of an enlightened, compassionate heart.

This book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original content, we have worked towards: 1. Type-setting & Reformatting: The complete work has been re-designed via professional layout, formatting and type-setting tools to re-create the same edition with rich typography, graphics, high quality images, and table elements, giving our readers the feel of holding a 'fresh and newly' reprinted and/or revised edition, as opposed to other scanned & printed (Optical Character Recognition - OCR) reproductions. 2. Correction of imperfections: As the work was re-created from the scratch, therefore, it was vetted to rectify certain conventional norms with regard to typographical mistakes, hyphenations, punctuations, blurred images, missing content/pages, and/or other related subject matters, upon our consideration. Every attempt was made to rectify the imperfections related to omitted constructs in the original edition via other references. However, a few of such imperfections which could not be rectified due to intentional\unintentional omission of content in the original edition, were inherited and preserved from the original work to maintain the authenticity and construct, relevant to the work. We believe that this work holds historical, cultural and/or intellectual importance in the literary works community, therefore despite the oddities, we accounted the work for print as a part of our continuing effort towards preservation of literary work and our contribution towards the development of the society as a whole, driven by our beliefs. We are grateful to our readers for putting their faith in us and accepting our imperfections with regard to preservation of the historical content. HAPPY READING!

We are all going to die. But what happens after that is the big question. Many don't believe in life after death, or they wonder if "there just might be something on the other side." This book is for them. It leads the reader gently and logically along a path of enquiry into this vital question, arguing from reason and experience. We can all have our opinions, but what awaits us after death does not depend on what we think is going to happen. There is reality out there. And, as this book shows, the reality is eminently positive and it fills us with hope.

"John Flader's book is a must-read for those in any doubt about life after death. There are some sobering lines such as 'What happens after we die does not depend on what we personally think it is going to be'. The studies by my colleague, Dr Jeffrey Long, M.D., another radiation oncologist, on almost five thousand near death experiences, add a wealth of data. I will be recommending this book to my patients."

Prof Gerald B. Fogarty BSc, MBBS, PhD, FRANZCR (FRO)

Oncologist, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney; Professor, Monash University; Professor, UTS Sydney.

"Those of us working in palliative care know how managing psychological and spiritual pain can often be far more challenging than managing physical pain. This is especially the case when our patients do not know what awaits them, if anything, after they die. I am convinced that Dying to Live - Reflections on Life After Death will be a big help to many, giving them comfort and filling them with hope and purpose in this difficult phase of their life."

Dr Jacob Kwak, MBBS, FRACP, FRACP, FAChPM

Palliative Medicine Physician, Blacktown and Adventist Hospitals, Sydney

John Flader has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Harvard and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the University of Navarre, Spain. Since 1968 he has been in Australia, working with students at the University of New South Wales, the University of Tasmania, RMIT University, and various schools in Sydney.

HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE LIFE OF BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS: "By their life and mission, they imitate Christ in his prayer on the mountain, bear a witness to God's lordship over history and anticipate the glory which is to come. In solitude and silence, by listening to the word of God, participating in divine worship, personalasceticism, prayer, mortification and the communion of fraternal love, they direct the whole of their lives and all their activities to the contemplation of God." (Vita Consecrata.8)The spirit of the Lord abides with all of us. This spirit filled saints are Miraculous Phenomenon of the world! They through their life of holiness, write a glorious history of ideal and beautiful spirituality. The descent of the Holy Spirit made our saints to be the owner of a life of graces, gifts, charisms and fruits.This book speaks the meteoric life of a child who was a contemporary of our time. In spite of his short lifetime, Carlo Acutis has given, throughout his living, flesh and soul to the figure of the Apostle of God as a perfect pattern to be imitated in order to evidence how fellow creatures must be loved. Saints are Christ's best gift to the Church and Church's best gift to the world. God calls everyone tobe a saint. Sanctity is the real wealth of the Catholic Church. Today holiness is possible and the Church 18 Highway to Heaven needs holy people and our foremost objective is to be saints.Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991and was baptized on May 18 in Our Lady of Dolours church. He is considered to be a genius among those who lived in the 21st century. He was capable enough to use computer and internet as a tool for infusing devotion to the modern generation. He utilized each moment to spread devotion to Jesus and also he tried to live as much holy as he could. He died on 12 October2006 due to leukaemia. His life challenges us to live a virtuous Life in this media holic period. I try to bring before you the spiritual journey which he made during his life on earth. Hope his life may help you to live a saintly life. I pray that all of us may be reunited in paradise with Carlo to praise our eternal Master. Specially thanking Acutis family for accepting me as a brother to Carlo Acutis. I feel it is God's special grace for me to be added among the holy family of Acutis. I pray and hope that this spiritual journey through the life of Carlo may inspire all of you to follow the footsteps of our Lord to be perfect as the heavenly Father. A brief study of his spiritual journey will move and inspire you to a deeper understanding of what it means to live and die for the love of God. Ephrem Kunnappally

The story of our health is more in our control than we might think, according to clinical psychologist, Jungian analyst, and shamanic practitioner Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD. We can not only reframe our experiences but actually experience less stress, greater well-being, and even better physical health than it might appear if we are willing to identify our health story and begin rewriting it.

Through journaling exercises and expanded-awareness practices, many of which involve working with and in nature, and which are influenced by Jungian and shamanic traditions, anyone can tap into hidden resources for healing and work with them effectively. Whether gaining insights and balancing energies outdoors, dialoguing and interacting with the earth or a river or lake, or working with dreams, an inner healer, or a symbol encountered on a shamanic journey, readers will find they are able to learn why they have struggled to change their habits and will be empowered to experience greater wellness within a satisfying health story. Change the Story of Your Health focuses on four key chapters of a person's health story:

- Eating and drinking, and weight
- Movement/exercise, flexibility, balance, stamina, and strength
- Sexuality, body image and acceptance, and changes due to midlife hormonal shifts (commonly known as menopause and andropause)
- Management of an acute ailment or symptoms of a chronic condition

It also helps readers revise their health stories as their health changes as a result of aging or unexpected challenges. Gaining insights into their health, letting go of what is standing in the way of optimal health and well-being, and bringing in what is needed to make a preferred new health story a reality--all are possible when readers take on the challenge of Change the Story of Your Health and begin using the practices regularly.

Part surrealism, part humor, and part affectionate guidance, Blame the Stars is a wild adventure into a world of uniquely alternative zodiac signs.

Welcome to the world of Horror Scoops: a weird and wonderful twist on classic zodiac signs. Meet passionate and wild Lemo (a.k.a. Leo), kind Lehbrah (Libra), steadfast Clopricrumb (Capricorn), Germini the Twrnnns (take two guesses), and others--signs which, although slightly silly, reveal more about us than we realize.

Part One dives deep into each sign, offering insightful tidbits and advice on love, life, and work (for example, if you're an Arbys, consider a career as a Pie-Eating Competition Judge, a Horse Observer, or a Horse Observer Observer). Part Two details a year's worth of sign-specific guidance, Scoop-holidays (like January 15, the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Houseplants), and journal prompts to spark deep introspection. Full of colorful illustrations from Scoops creator and accidental astrologer Heather Buchanan, lots of entertaining nonsense, and occasional sense-sense, Blame the Stars offers the ideal way to contemplate the mysteries of the universe (or have a giggle).

FOR ASTROLOGY FANS: Horoscope and astrology are deeply engrained in society. This modern divination book stands out as a playful and interactive option that will appeal to people who dig astrology but don't take it all too seriously (because life is serious enough).

FROM THE CREATOR OF WILDLY POPULAR HORROR SCOOPS: Author Heather Buchanan has been creating and sharing her absurdist horoscopes for years to her hundreds of thousands of fans. This is the book those fans have been waiting for, capturing for the first time all the wild, insightful, colorful signs and observations they love in one volume.

RELATABLE AND QUIRKY HUMOR: There is a genuine feeling of joy behind the absurd, offbeat humor of this horoscope book. While some astrological-themed metaphysical books may be more serious, this one feels approachable, engaging, and just plain fun.

Perfect for:

• Fans of Horror Scoops and Heather Buchanan's work
• Astrology devotees (and the astrology-curious) who don't take themselves too seriously
• People interested in lighthearted self-help
• Followers of social media horoscope accounts and brands like Bitch Rising, Co-Star, That Libra Chic, and more
• Gift-giving to any astrology lover for birthday, anniversary, or just for fun

Liberating meditation practices drawn from Black cultural traditions and Buddhism to bring forth courage, transform grief, defeat injustice, and manifest joy

Many of us have come to think about justice as a "struggle," a cause to fight for in the world. But what if the work of justice begins within? What if there were a way to find joy in the journey toward justice?

With Joyfully Just, Dr. Kamilah Majied offers an inspiring and unique approach to overcoming injustice with joy, courage, and playful curiosity. She shares many of the insights and experiences that gave rise to her leadership as a joyful champion of contemplative approaches to mental health and social justice.

Drawing on timeless wisdom from Buddhism and Black traditions, Majied invites us to play with different ways of being just toward ourselves and all life around us. Here, we discover how to:

- Play with creative and artistic practices to develop critical consciousness and become more mindful, inclusive, and anti-racist
- Explore language as a pathway to liberation and justice
- Unlearn and heal from white supremacy, internalized racism, and other forms of oppression and bias

By engaging with these practices, we are able to access the freedom that comes with tearing off the restrictive habits of privilege and internalized oppression as we allow our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls to be liberated, unafraid, and agentive in the world.

Having spent ten summers on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation near Glacier National Park, part of her doctoral fieldwork for a PhD in Native American Art History, forty-two-year-old Lynne Spriggs thinks of Montana as her healing place. When she moves to "Big Sky Country" from the East Coast in a quest to reset her life, she has high hopes for what awaits her.

Great Falls, a farming and military town in central Montana, is not what Lynne imagined when she decided to leave city life behind. But her dream of being more connected to nature in the American West comes alive when she meets Harrison, a handsome rancher thirteen years her senior. Wary but curious, with her dog Willow by her side, she leans into the seasonal rhythms of Harrison's hidden valley and opens her heart to a wild language that moves beyond words. In a modern world where listening is rare, Elk Love explores an intimate place where loneliness gives way to wonder, where the natural world speaks of what matters most.

"No other researcher has been able to transmit to the rest of us the true meaning and impact of near-death phenomena for the planet."--Bruce Greyson, MD, bestselling author of After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond

"A major contribution that offers a wealth of fresh case materials together with balanced and insightful commentary." --Raymond A. Moody, PhD, author of Life After Life

While providing many remarkable accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) from men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds, Lessons from the Light is much more than just an inspiring collection of NDEs. In Lessons from the Light, near-death expert Kenneth Ring extracts the pure gold of the NDE and with a beautiful balance of sound research and human insight reveals the practical wisdom held within these experiences.

Unlike many other books on the subject of NDEs, which are about or by persons who have had these life-changing encounters, Lessons from the Light is intended mainly for those who have never had an NDE themselves but who wish to learn from those who have.

In clear language, the practical lessons for living and dying are to be found from the study of NDEs. Written by one of the foremost authorities on NDEs, Dr. Kenneth Ring, Lessons from the Light is a book for those who looking to gain knowledge and wisdom to enhance their own lives by incorporating the insights stemming from what many people have come to believe is the ultimate spiritual experience of our time. Readers will discover for themselves what others have had nearly to die to learn, and how their own lives can blossom in ways that are typical for persons who have undergone NDEs directly.

Although Lessons from the Light recounts many moving stories of NDEs, it is not just another book filled with inspiring testimonies but has helpful guidance and practical exercises concerning how readers can make use of this knowledge to live with greater self-insight, self-compassion and concern for others, as well as to be better prepared for death, dying, and bereavement. Readers can easily apply what they have learned to their own lives and absorb and internalize these lessons from the Light in such a way as to lead to deep personal and spiritual transformation.

This edition replaces the previous edition (ISBN 978-1930491113) and contains a new postscript by the author.