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.

A modern-day Confessions of Saint Augustine, The Seven StoreyMountain is one of the most influential religious works of thetwentieth century. This edition contains an introduction byMerton's editor, Robert Giroux, and a note to the reader bybiographer William H. Shannon. It tells of the growing restlessnessof a brilliant and passionate young man whose search for peace andfaith leads him, at the age of twenty-six, to take vows in one ofthe most demanding Catholic orders--the Trappist monks. At theAbbey of Gethsemani, "the four walls of my new freedom," ThomasMerton struggles to withdraw from the world, but only after he hasfully immersed himself in it. The Seven Storey Mountain has been afavorite of readers ranging from Graham Greene to Claire BoothLuce, Eldridge Cleaver, and Frank McCourt. And, in the half-centurysince its original publication, this timeless spiritual tome hasbeen published in over twenty languages and has touched millions oflives.

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

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.

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)

In this revelatory exploration of one of our most revered icons,a critically acclaimed author and professor takes us back to earlyChristianity to ask how a box of handwritten scrolls became theBible, and forward to see how the multibillion-dollar business thathas brought us Biblezines and Manga Bibles is selling down theBible's sacred capital. Showing us how a single official text wascreated from the proliferation of different *s, Beal tracesits path as it became embraced as the word of God and Book ofbooks. Among his surprising insights: * Christianity thrived for centuries without any Bible--there wasno official canon of *ures, much less a book big enough tohold them all. Congregations used various collections of scrollsand codices. * There is no "original" Bible, no single source text behind thethousands of different Bibles on the market today. The farther wego back in the Bible's history, the more versions we find. * The idea of the Bible as the literal Word of God is relativelynew--only about a century

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

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

For 2,000 years, Catholicism—the largest religion in the worldand in the United States—has shaped global history on a scaleunequal ed by any other institution. But until now, Catholicsinterested in their faith have been hard-pressed to find anaccessible, affirmative, and exciting history of the Church. Triumph is that history. Inside, you'll discover thespectacular story of the Church from Biblical times and the earlydays of St. Peter—the first pope—to the twilight years of John PaulII. It is a sweeping drama of Roman legions, great crusades, epicbattles, toppled empires, heroic saints, and enduring faith. And,there are stormy controversies: Dark Age skullduggery, theInquistition, the Renaissance popes, the Reformation, the Church'srefusal to accept sexual liberation and contemporary allegationslike those made in Hitler's Pope and Papal Sin. A brawling, colorful history full of inspiring pageantry andspirited polemic, Triumph will exhilarate, amuse, andinfuriate as it exto

The revealing New York Times bestseller examines the reign of Pope Benedict, the papal conclave process, and the history of one of the world s oldest and most mysterious institutions For more than twenty-five years John Thavis held one of the most fascinating journalistic jobs in the world: reporting on the inner workings of the Vatican. His daily exposure to the power, politics, and personalities in the seat of Roman Catholicism gave him a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on an institution that is far less monolithic and unified than it first appears. Thavis reveals Vatican City as a place where Curia cardinals fight private wars, scandals threaten to undermine papal authority, and reverence for the past is continually upended by the practical considerations of modern life. Thavis takes readers from a bell tower high above St. Peter s to the depths of the basilica and the saint s burial place, from the politicking surrounding the election of a new pope and the ever-growing sexual abuse scandals ar

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.

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.

A modern translation of an ancient book of magic by thecontemporary Italian spiritual leader Oberto Airaudi, The Book ofSynchronicity taps into the “Synchronic Lines”–rivers of spiritualenergy that flow through the universe. These lines link the variouscelestial bodies and the intelligences that can access them. Thelines’ path on Earth, according to the book, takes the form ofeighteen Major Lines through which pour ideas, dreams, thoughts,and information. Whenever a reader consults The Book ofSynchronicity, he or she is in effect accessing this flow ofknowledge. Easy to understand and use, the book can be consulted immediatelyfor quick answers as well as longer divination processes, with nofurther study or outside knowledge of other divination traditionsnecessary. The technique is simple: readers ask a question and thenthrow a die, while concentrating on the question. Each answer isgained by throwing the die four times, with more than 2 millionpossible synchronistic combinations for each

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.

Author Robert Sitler’s immersion in Mayan culture began with atransformative spiritual experience more than three decades ago inthe ruins of Palenque, Mexico. Led by a local to a nearby Mayanvillage, Sitler discovered firsthand what traditional Mayan lifewas like—a community of people living in peace with each other andtheir physical surroundings. In The Living Maya, he shares thisexperience and many that followed. In the process, he immersesreaders in a rich indigenous culture and offers a fresh view of the2012 phenomenon, focusing on the valuable lessons Mayan culture canteach us in this time of transition. Personal anecdotes areinterwoven with factual information about the roots of traditionalMayan customs and traditions, presenting a rare multifaceted viewof their simple yet profound way of life. The book showcases Mayaninfant care, community building, ties to nature, attitudes towardthe elderly, and orientation to spirituality. In The Living Maya,Sitler shows how following “the Mayan way” can he

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

Presenting sexual profiles on each of the twelve sun signs, aguide details specific dos and don'ts that enable readers topredict which behaviors best enable them to captivate the person oftheir choice.

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.

Breathing Space is the story of Heidi Neumark and theHispanic and African-American Lutheran church-Transfiguration-thattook a chance calling on a pastor from a starkly differentbackground. Despite living and working in a milieu of overwhelmingpoverty and violence, Neumark and the congregation encounter evenmore powerful forces of hope and renewal. This story of a community creating space for new life and breathis also the story of a young woman-working, raising her children,and struggling for spiritual breathing space. Through poignant,intimate stories, Neumark charts her journey alongside herparishioners as pastor, church, and community grow in wisdom andtogether experience transformation.

In February 1968 the Beatles went to India for an extendedstay with their new guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It may have beenthe most momentous spiritual retreat since Jesus spent those fortydays in the wilderness. With these words, Philip Goldberg begins his monumental work,American Veda, a fascinating look at India’s remarkable impact onWestern culture. This eye-opening popular history shows how theancient philosophy of Vedanta and the mind-body methods of Yogahave profoundly affected the worldview of millions of Americans andradically altered the religious landscape. What exploded in the 1960s actually began more than two hundredyears earlier, when the United States started importing knowledgeas well as tangy spices and colorful fabrics from Asia. The firsttranslations of Hindu texts found their way into the libraries ofJohn Adams and Ralph Waldo Emerson. From there the ideas spread toHenry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and succeeding generations ofreceptive Americans, who abs