Neal Donald Walsch was experiencing a low periodin his life when he decided to write a letter to God, venting hisfrustrations. What he did not expect was a response. As he finishedhis letter, he was moved to continue writing - and out cameextraordinary answers to his questions. This work presents theanswers that Walsch received, helping him to change himself, hislife and the way he viewed other beings.

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

In the same engaging style that has endeared him to readers ofhis bestselling Mindfulness in Plain English, Bhante Gunaratanadelves deeply into each step of the Buddha's most profound teachingon bringing an end to suffering: the noble eightfold path. Withgenerous and specific advice, Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness — aForeword magazine Book of the Year Awards finalist — offersskillful ways to handle anger, find right livelihood, and cultivateloving-friendliness in relationships with parents, children, andpartners. It also offers tools to overcome all the mentalhindrances that prevent happiness. Whether you are an experiencedmeditator or someone who's only just beginning to practicemindfulness, this gentle and down-to-earth guide will help youbring the heart of the Buddha's teachings into every aspect of yourlife.

In what is both a radical approach to the Bible , and afundamental return to its narrative prose, Robert Alter reads theOld Testament with new eyesthe eyes of a literary critic. Altertakes the old yet simple step of reading the Bible as a literarycreation.