While Chinese acupuncture and herbalism enjoy widespreadpopularity in the West, traditional Chinese exercisetechniques—with the exception of qi gong—have rarely been taughtoutside China. This book is designed to change that. Written by JunWang, a doctor of Chinese medicine, Cultivating Qi draws on classicChinese texts to introduce these body-mind healing exercises toWestern readers. In simple, accessible language, Wang presents three specific qiexercises: the Yijin Jing, a popular form of calisthenicsassociated with both Chinese Buddhist and Daoist traditions; TaijiNeigong, a series of 34 movements adapted from the Wu-Hao style ofTaiji Quan; and the “Six Healing Breaths,” which combines spokensounds with movements associated with the six major vital organs ofChinese medicine. Written for beginning students of Chinese medicine as well aslaypersons, healthcare practitioners, and martial artists,Cultivating Qi includes clear explanations of Chinese medicalterminology—and provides the

Sparks of Divinity is a collection of the teachings of yoga master B. K. S. Iyengar first published in a French-English bilingual edition in 1976. The material for this book was gathered and compiled by No lle Perez-Christiaens from class notes and correspondence during the formative years of Iyengar s international career. The entries cover the period from the late 1950s, when Iyengar was invited by Yehudi Menuin to teach in Gstaad, Switzerland, to the year following the death of Iyengar s wife and the opening of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. When No lle first studied with Iyengar in Pune in 1959, Iyengar was still teaching his pupils one-on-one at his home. During her stay in India, No lle was regarded virtually as one of the household, and this intimacy continued in their subsequent letters, where Iyengar wrote to her more as a colleague and friend than as a teacher. We are fortunate to include No lle s Indian Journal for 1959 and her Early Life of B. K. S. Iyengar

This intimate, affectionate portrait of Pope John Paul II byhis longtime secretary and confidant reveals fascinating newdetails about the opinions, hopes, fears, and dramatic life of thispublic man. “I had accompanied him for almost forty years: twelve in Krakówand then twenty-seven in Rome. I was always with him, always at hisside. Now, in the moment of death, he’d gone on alone. . . .Andnow? Who is accompanying him on the other side?” —From A Life with Karol Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz worked side by side with Pope JohnPaul II for almost forty years, enjoying unique access to both thepublic and private man. In A life with Karol, he provides aclose-up glimpse into the Pope’s life and the critical events ofhis papacy. Dziwisz was sitting next to the Pope during the assassinationattempt in 1981. He recounts the Pope's reaction to 9/11,describing his thoughts and feelings on that day. And theCardinal’s moving de*ion of the Pope’s haunting memories ofWorld War II unco

World-renowned Buddhist teacher Roshi Kapleau brings a newintroduction to his twenty-five-year-old classic. Useful to bothinitiates and long-term disciples alike, the comprehensive guide isan overview of the profundities of Buddha. (Philosophy)

An intriguing examination of the extraordinary and little known meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Islamic leader Sultan Malik Al-Kamil that has strong resonance in today's divided world.

In this provocative must-read, the preeminent scientist—andworld’s most prominent atheist—Richard Dawkins asserts theirrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion hasinflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11. The God Delusionmakes a compelling case that belief in God is not just wrong, butpotentially deadly. It also offers exhilarating insight on theadvantages of atheism to the individual and society, not the leastof which is a clearer, truer appreciation of the universe’s wondersthan any faith could ever muster. With rigor and wit, Dawkinseviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates thesupreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religionfuels war, foments bigotry, and abuses children, buttressing hispoints with historical and contemporary evidence. This is a bookthat challenges all of us to test our beliefs, no matter whatbeliefs we hold.

While in the service of India’s Nizam of Hyderabad, MarmadukePickthall converted to Islam and, with the help of Muslimtheologians and linguists, produced this clear and lovingly preciseEnglish interpretation of the Holy Koran. His work is honored bybeliever and non-believer alike for its unique combination ofpiety, scholarly rigor in its translation and explanatory notes,and deep feeling for the poetic beauty and moral grandeur of itsArabic original.

Reading the Gospels without knowing the personality of Jesusis like watching television with the sound turned off. The resultis a dry, two dimensional person doing strange, undecipherablethings. In BEAUTIFUL OUTLAW, John Eldredge removes the religious varnishto help readers discover stunning new insights into the humanity ofJesus. He was accused of breaking the law, keeping bad company,heavy drinking. Of being the devil himself. He was so compellingand dangerous they had to kill him. But others loved himpassionately. He had a sense of humor. His generosity wasscandalous. His anger made enemies tremble. He'd say the mostoutrageous things. He was definitely not the Jesus of the stainedglass. In the author's winsome, narrative approach, he breaks Jesus outof the typical stereotypes, just as he set masculinity free in hisbook, Wild at Heart. By uncovering the real Jesus, readers arewelcomed into the rich emotional life of Christ. All of theremarkable qualities of Jesus burst like fireworks with

Here, Roshi Kapleau addresses how Westerners can adapt andpractice Zen.

For anyone who has ever wondered about the mysteries that liebeyond everyday experience, or doubted the reality of theafterlife, Angels in My Hair is a moving and deeply inspirationaljourney into the unseen world. For as long as she can remember, Lorna Byrne has seen angels. Asa young child, she assumed everyone could see the otherworldlybeings who always accompanied her. Yet in the eyes of adults, herabnormal behavior was a symptom of mental deficiency. Today, sickand troubled people from around the world are drawn to her forcomfort and healing, and even theologians of different faiths seekher guidance. Lorna is trusted for her ability to communicate withspirits and angels—and by sharing her intimate knowledge of thespiritual world she offers a message of hope and love to usall. Angels in My Hair is an engrossing chronicle of Lorna’sincredible life story. Invoking a wonderful sense of place, shedescribes growing up poor in Ireland, finding work in Dublin, andmarrying the

The second book in the Sirian Revelations Trilogy explores the wisdom ancient Atlantis can offer contemporaryseekers. The lost continent of Atlantis has existed in the collectiveconsciousness of humankind for eons—contemplated as early as 355 BCby Plato and echoing in the modern mind. In this controversialbook, author Patricia Cori provides compelling, often startlinginsights into this lost culture and the lessons it holds for us asboth a high civilization and a metaphor for our current worldsituation, earth changes, growing extraterrestrial phenomena, andgovernment conspiracy theories. Only by embracing and recognizingwhat Atlantis can teach us, says Cori, can we expect to heal anduplift our own increasingly threatened civilization.

A noted historian of religion traces manifestations of thesacred from primitive to modern times, in terms of space, time,nature and the cosmos, and life itself. Index. Translated byWillard Trask.

With nearly two million copies in print, Gary Goldschneider's Secret Language of Birthdays and Secret Language ofRelationships are mainstays of any bookstore astrologysection. Now the best-selling author has returned with his biggestand most ambitious work yet: Gary Goldschneider's EverydayAstrology . Here is detailed and comprehensive advice for handling everyonein your life—and we mean everyone: parents, children, siblings,coworkers, employees, lovers, spouses, exes, and more. Whetheryou're wooing a Gemini first date, asking a Virgo boss for a raise,or persuading your Pisces roommate to do the dishes, GaryGoldschneider's Everyday Astrology offers advice for anysituation imaginable. Once you start paging through this book,you'll find it impossible to stop!

Indonesia,Southest Asia——the next front in the war on terrorism may be the most difficult…and explosive. Long before SZeptember11,2001,terrorism s global elite was already zeroing in on Indonesia——the worlds most populous lslamic nation,and its largest archipelago,where dense jungles and intricate,unpatrolled coastlines conceal almost endless hiding places.Acclaimed journalist and filmmaker Tracy Dahlby takes us into this dangerous terrain,both before and after9/11,interweaving the divergent perspectives of Koran thumping preachers,hardened holy warriors,military commandos,and embattled Muslim moderates,in a first-rate reporting adventure that sheds new light on the epidemic chaos now threatening our international community. By turns harrowing,thought-provoking,and humorous,Allah s torch charts a fascinating course through a sprawling land unknown to most Americans where the home-bred Jemaah Islamiyah,Asias answer to Al Qaeda,pursues its deadly ambition of pressing all of Southeast Asia unde

In this meticulously researched, unflinching, and reasonedstudy, National Book Award finalist David I. Kertzer presentsshocking revelations about the role played by the Vatican in thedevelopment of modern anti-Semitism. Working in long-sealed Vaticanarchives, Kertzer unearths startling evidence to undermine theChurch’s argument that it played no direct role in the spread ofmodern anti-Semitism. In doing so, he challenges the Vatican’srecent official statement on the subject, We Remember. Kertzer tells an unsettling story that has stirred up controversyaround the world and sheds a much-needed light on the past.

A journey through the ecclesiastical year with Christianitysmost eloquent and inspiring spokesman. A potent anthology (LosAngeles Times). Edited and with a Preface by Walter Hooper.

After ten years spent riddling over the intricacies ofchurch/state law from the ivory tower, law professor Jay Wexlerdecided it was high time to hit the road to learn what reallyhappened in some of the most controversial Supreme Court casesinvolving this hot-button issue. In Holy Hullabaloos, he takes usalong for the ride, crossing the country to meet the people andvisit the places responsible for landmark decisions in recentjudicial history, from a high school football field where fans oncerecited prayers before kickoff to a Santeria church notorious foranimal sacrifice, from a publicly funded Muslim school to acreationist museum. Wexler's no-holds-barred approach toinvestigating famous church/state brouhahas is as funny as it isinformative.

Salonica, located in northern Greece, was long a fascinatingcrossroads metropolis of different religions and ethnicities, whereEgyptian merchants, Spanish Jews, Orthodox Greeks, Sufi dervishes,and Albanian brigands all rubbed shoulders. Tensions sometimesflared, but tolerance largely prevailed until the twentieth centurywhen the Greek army marched in, Muslims were forced out, and theNazis deported and killed the Jews. As the acclaimed historian MarkMazower follows the city’s inhabitants through plague, invasion,famine, and the disastrous twentieth century, he resurrects afascinating and vanished world.