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.

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

Here is the unparalleled account of the most awesome and awfulchapter in the moral history of humanity. Lucid, chilling andcomprehensive, Lucy S. Dawidowicz’s classic tells the completestory of the Nazi Holocaust–from the insidious evolution of GermanAnti-Semitism to the ultimate tragedy of the Final Solution.

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.

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

A radical and powerful reappraisal of the impact ofConstantine’s adoption of Christianity on the later Roman world,and on the subsequent development both of Christianity and ofWestern civilization. When the Emperor Contstantine converted to Christianity in 368AD, he changed the course of European history in ways that continueto have repercussions to the present day. Adopting those aspects ofthe religion that suited his purposes, he turned Rome on a coursefrom the relatively open, tolerant and pluralistic civilization ofthe Hellenistic world, towards a culture that was based on the ruleof fixed authority, whether that of the Bible, or the writings ofPtolemy in astronomy and of Galen and Hippocrates in medicine. Onlya thousand years later, with the advent of the Renaissance and theemergence of modern science, did Europe begin to free itself fromthe effects of Constantine's decision, yet the effects of hisestablishment of Christianity as a state religion remain with us,in many respects, today. Bri

For the first time ever, a famous spiritual astrologer sharesthe secrets, previously known only to professionals, that hold thekey to your future. Astrologer Jan Spiller shows you the key to discovering yourhidden talents, your deepest desires, and the ways you can avoidnegative influences that may distract you from achieving your truelife purpose, as revealed in your chart by the position of theNorth Node of the Moon. With insight and depth impossible to gainfrom the commonly known sun-sign profiles, the enlighteningself-portrait offered by the Nodes of the Moon can explain the lifelessons you came here to learn and how to achieve the fulfillmentand peace you desire. Jan Spiller shows you how to locate theall-important North Node of the Moon in your astrological chart andprovides a detailed interpretation of its influence and exclusiveexercises to help you learn about: The SPECIAL TALENT that is waiting for you, a unique gift thatcould easily be turned into professional success The SELF-DEFEATING TE

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

Every meditation tradition explains that there are two aspectsto any effective meditation practice: insight and concentration. InMindfulness in Plain English, author Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, amonk from Sri Lanka and venerated teacher of Buddhism, offeredbasic instruction on the meaning of insight (or vipassana)meditation through concepts that could be applied to any tradition.In Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English, he presents the levels ofconcentration with the same simplicity and humor that made theprevious book so successful. The focus here is on the Jhanas, thosemeditative states of profound stillness and concentration in whichthe mind becomes fully immersed and absorbed in the chosen objectof attention. Using the Jhanas to guide readers along the path tojoy, happiness, equanimity, and one-pointedness, the authorprovides all of the instruction necessary to utilize meditation asa tool for building a more fulfilling life

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.

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.

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

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

Elizabeth was a beautiful woman who began past-life regressiontherapy for grief and relationship problems. With the help of Dr.Weiss, she delved into former lives, began to understand herpresent, and surprisingly, like Catherine in Many Lives, ManyMasters, made contact with the Masters: highly evolved, ancientsouls who, through her, channeled profound, crystalline messagesfor all people about life after death, spiritual dimensions, andthe purpose of our lives on earth. At the same time, Dr. Weiss wastreating Pedro, a charming man also suffering from grief. He, too,underwent past-life regression therapy to seek solutions andhealing. Dr. Weiss had often worked with couples or families whodiscovered that they had

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

Only once in the history of human consciousness, says Osho,has a thing like Zen come into being. In Zen: Its History andTeachings, the noted mystic explains that Zen has no rituals,no chanting, no mantras, no *ures — only short, evocativeparables and teachings that make it ideal for the modern seeker.Using his characteristic humorous, encouraging style, Osho guidesreaders through the origins and development of this seminalspiritual tradition that is neither religion nor dogma nor creed.He provides a context for those who have not been born into the Zentradition, introducing them to its timeless approach to existence.The book argues that the only preparation for fully experiencingZen's power is meditative awareness, and Osho presents simpletechniques to achieve this awareness. Stunning color photographsthroughout offer further inspiration and illumination.

Constructing their essays around specific cultural artifactsthat were created in the period and locale under study, thecontributors describe the cultural interactions among differentJews–from rabbis and scholars to non-elite groups, includingwomen–as well as between Jews and the surrounding non-Jewish world.What they conclude is that although Jews have always had their ownautonomous traditions, Jewish identity cannot be considered thefixed product of either ancient ethnic or religious origins.Rather, it has shifted and assumed new forms in response to thecultural environment in which the Jews have lived. Mediterranean Origins , the first volume in Cultures ofthe Jews , describes the concept of the “People” or “Nation” ofIsrael that emerges in the Hebrew Bible and the culture of theIsraelites in relation to that of neighboring Canaanite groups. Italso discusses Jewish cultures in Babylonia, in Palestine duringthe Greco-Roman and Byzantine periods, and in Arabia during theformative ye

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.