Philosophy and Religion

From "one of the most soulful and perceptive writers of our time" (Brain Pickings): a journey through competing ideas of paradise to see how we can live more peacefully in an ever more divided and distracted world.

 

In this, his most influential work, the great political and social thinker John Stuart Mill examines the relationship of the individual and the state, the ethics of utilitarianism and the essential liberties of individuals, beginning with the right to free thought and speech.

The Celtic goddesses and druids were legendary beings. Now these heavenly spirits have personal relationships with us in everything we do. All females are divinely attuned to goddesses from birth for guidance and protection through life until death. Working by divine plan, goddesses imbue us with their ancient wisdom, which becomes our own, helping us to avoid pitfalls and reach our full potential

In his definitive introduction to Zen Buddhism, Alan Watts explains the principles and practices of this ancient religion to Western readers. With a rare combination of freshness and lucidity, he delves into the origins and history of Zen to explain what it means for the world today with incredible clarity.

The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, often looked upon as the third Rosicrucian manifesto, has an entirely different tone from the other Rosicrucian documents. Unlike the Rosicrucian manifestoes, which address the transformation of society, The Chemical Wedding is concerned with the inner transformation of the soul. It is a deeply interior work, one which asks the reader to step into its

An English translation of a classic metaphysical work dating from around the 4th century, this text is about the mystical, hermetical and cosmological symbolism of the first ten numbers

At long last, an accessible little book that focuses on the teachings of Rumi's teacher and inspiration, Shams of Tabriz. Included in this slim, charming volume is a biographical sketch of the great Sufi teacher and mystic and a new translation of 500 of his core teachings that bring into fresh focus the meaning and mysteries of life and love.There are many books on Rumi and many translations of h

Why does philosophy give some people a headache, others a real buzz, and yet others a feeling that it is subversive and dangerous? Why do a lot of people think philosophy is totally irrelevant? What is philosophy anyway? The ABCs of philosophy --easy to understand but never simplistic. Beginning with basic questions posed by the ancient Greeks - What is knowledge? What is good and evil?"Philosophy

Rowdy, ecstatic and sometimes stern, these teaching stories and fables reveal new and very human properties in Rumi's vision. Included here are the notorious “Latin parts” that Reynold Nicholson felt were too unseemly to appear in English in his 1920s translation. For Rumi, anything that human beings do - however compulsive - affords a glimpse into the inner life.Here are more than 40 fables or te

Now anyone with an earnest desire can learn to cast spells with this intriguing introduction to the craft. Written by a practising witch, this all-encompassing first course in Wiccan magic simplifies everything from performing spells to conducting candle rituals and using a talisman.Also included here are:· A general introduction to witchcraft, sabbats, Halloween and the key tools and concepts of

In this book, a companion to An Offering of Leaves, much-loved Jivamukti Yoga teacher ,Ruth Lauer-Manenti, ('Lady Ruth') offers over forty more of the 'dharma talks' that she gives at the beginning of each yoga class. Her reflections - complete with the Sanskrit verses that are the source of her studies, as well as the English transliteration and translation - are at once poignant and practical an

The Egyptian Book of the Dead is one of the oldest and greatest classics of Western spirituality. Until now, the available translations have treated these writings as historical curiosities that have little relevance to our contemporary situations. This new version, made from the hieroglyphs, approaches the Book of the Dead as a profound spiritual text capable of speaking to us today. These writin

TEMPLARS IN AMERICA reveals the story of two leading European Templar families who combined forces to create a new commonwealth in America nearly a century before the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Henry St. Clair of the Orkney Islands, then part of Normandy, and Carlo Zeno, a Venetian trader, made peaceful and mutually beneficial contact with the Mi'kmaq people of what is now Canada. Proof of t

In THE OM, the reader will gain an understanding of what these rare entities are, their interaction with The Origin and The Source, and why they are considered to be Uncreated.In direct dialogue with The Om, the Author describes:· How The OM became uncreated, their structure and their variants, including New Om!· What random sentience is.· The gaps in The Origin's structure and what The Origin is

Teaches readers how to unlock the secrets ofindividual colours, and how to match the right hueto the intent of a spell. Gives instructions forproper colour use and information on when touse this magick - when to keep it secret, how tocast a circle, and how to prepare and maintainspell-casting, tools, candles, oils and herbs.

Cut through the busyness and anxieties of daily life to discover the simple happiness of living in the present moment, as taught by a world-renowned Zen monk In this book, Thich Nhat Hanh—Zen monk, author, and meditation master—distills the essence of Buddhist thought and practice, emphasizing the power of mindfulness to transform our lives. But true mindfulness, Hanh explains, i

A modern guide to the transformative practice of silent illumination from Chan Buddhist teacher Rebecca Li. Silent illumination, a way of penetrating the mind through curious inquiry, is an especially potent, accessible, and portable meditation practice perfectly suited for a time when there is so much fear, upheaval, and sorrow in our world. It is a method of reconnecting with our true nature, w

The Dhammapada is the most widely read Buddhist scripture in existence, enjoyed by both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. This classic text of teaching verses from the earliest period of Buddhism in India conveys the philosophical and practical foundations of the Buddhist tradition. The text presents two distinct goals for leading a spiritual life: the first is attaining happiness in this life (or in f

To Be Human presents Krishnamurti's radical vision of life in a new way. At the heart of this extraordinary collection are passages from the great teacher's talks that amplify and clarify the nature of truth and those obstacles that often prevent us from seeing it. Most of these core teachings have not been available in print until now. Besides presenting the core of Krishnamurti's message, the bo

In a world racked by violence and conflict, James Redfield and Michael Murphy—leading cocreators of today's spiritual boom—present a message of hope and a vision for the future. It is no accident, they argue, that the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries have witnessed a revolution in new human capacities. Daily we hear and read about supernormal athletic feats; clairvoyant per