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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > General
An investigation into the underpinnings and superstructures of the
Pagan world view Pagan religions have tended to be more concerned
with practice that with theory and in a system that has no dogma -
no legislated doctrine - that is as it should be. Yet as the
movement grows and matures, it is inevitable that we will begin to
think in a more abstract way about our models and systems. John
Michael Greer has provided a primer on the kinds of ideas and
themes that must be included in any discussion of the theology and
philosophy of Neo-pagan religions. Much of the book takes
shape in a dialogue with existing ideas in theology, philosophy,
and comparative religion. It looks to find a middle ground between
too much and too little reference to the work of other scholars to
find a comprehensible yet intellectually rigorous middle ground. It
aims to be part of a conversation, that stretches out over the
centuries. Voices of polytheist spirituality have had little
place in that conversation for many years, but much of value has
been said in their absence. The rebirth of polytheism as a
living religious tradition in the Western world will inevitably
force a reassessment of much of that heritage, and pose challenges
to some of its most cherished assumptions. Yet reassessment
is not necessarily rejection, and the traditions of modern
polytheism are deeply enough indebted to legacies from the past
that an attentive ear to earlier phases of the conversation is not
out of place.
How to Know God Exists Answers many evolution books on the
best-seller list. Ray Comfort is a well know TV and Radio
personality. The style of writing is easy for everyone to follow.
Rudolf Steiner is perhaps best known for his influence and wisdom in the fields of education, agriculture, medicine, science, and art. It is often forgotten that it was as a spiritual teacher that he made these contributions. Unfortunately, while his immediate students had the advantage of Steiner as a personal guide to their inner lives, later readers have had only his written works to guide them. Steiner, however, did give a few lectures on inner development -- especially on beginning a path of practice. This book now collects these lectures -- some of which have never been in English -- for the first time. It also contains a number of the basic meditations and exercises shared by Steiner with his students. Here readers will find descriptions of various practical exercises, including exercises for the moral qualities that students must develop, and for the various qualities of consciousness that inner development requires. This book is not only for beginners. Wherever you are on the path, this book will be your companion.
Existence is a constant reminder, according to Osho; one just needs
to be sensitive and alert to pick up the messages. The selected
quotes in one of Osho's most accessible books create an urgency
very much in tune with a growing worldwide awareness that
everything is not right with humanity and our beautiful planet
Earth. These powerful meditations cover a wide range of subjects
including love, death, friendship, and hate; together they remind
us that we have only one moment in our hands, and that we must live
it or leave it unlived.
'The contents of this volume have arisen from my own spiritual
experience, and do not represent any kind of hypothesis or
speculation, except where I expressly say that I am unable to make
any definitive statement about a particular event or set of
circumstances...'After she received the stigmata in 2004, Judith
von Halle began vividly to experience the events that occurred at
the time of Christ. These continuing experiences are not visionary
or clairvoyant in nature, but constitute an actual participation,
involving all human senses, in the events themselves. To complement
this method of witnessing Christ's life, von Halle applies a
spiritual-scientific mode of observation - a form of research based
on a fully conscious crossing of the spiritual threshold by the
human 'I' (or self). Combining the results, she describes here, in
her most powerful book to date, the secrets connected to particular
events of Christ's Passion. Von Halle discusses the Mystery of
Golgotha in its relationship to the formation of the Resurrection
Body; the Mystery of the Spear-Wound in Christ's side and the Grail
Blood; and how Christ's Seven Words on the Cross relate to the
Stations of the Cross.
In the beginning was the word, and...you know the rest. Not like
this you don't. In a new twist on a classic tale, Tom Carver
re-imagines the Old Testament without the leading character. The
Newer, More English Version takes an erudite look at the supporting
players of the Pentateuch, with no Jehovah to steal the show.
What's left is a varied cast of egomaniacs, revolutionaries, war
criminals, genii and perverts: Joseph, smug careerist and part-time
psychoanalyst; Moses, a revolutionary firebrand who just wants to
belong; Abraham, the world's first and greatest global branding
strategist; and one very strange tree...
An overview essay and approximately 50 alphabetically arranged
reference entries explore the background and significance of
atheism and agnosticism in modern society. This is the age of
atheism and agnosticism. The number of people living without
religious belief and practice is quickly and dramatically rising.
Some experts call nonreligion, after Christianity and Islam, the
third largest "religion" in the world today. Understanding the
origins, history, variations, and impact of atheism and agnosticism
is crucial to getting a grasp of the meaning of the present and
gaining a glimpse of the future. Exploring some of the most
extraordinary people, events, and ideas of all time, this book
provides a fair, comprehensive, and engaging survey of all aspects
of contemporary atheism and agnosticism. An overview essay
discusses the background and social and political contexts of
unbelief, while a timeline highlights key events. Some 50
alphabetically arranged reference entries follow, with each
providing fundamental, objective information about particular
topics along with cross-references and suggestions for further
reading. The volume closes with an annotated bibliography of the
most important resources on atheism and agnosticism. An overview
essay surveys the background and significance of atheism and
agnosticism in today's world A timeline highlights key events in
the history of atheism and agnosticism Some 50 alphabetically
arranged reference entries provide essential information about
important topics related to atheism and agnosticism An annotated
bibliography cites and assesses the most important broad resources
on atheism and agnosticism
'What was important for Steiner was less the body of his ideas
themselves than the transformation they can bring about in the
reader by opening the mind to the real nature of the spiritual
world. Philosophy, properly regarded, is not the intellectual
solution of abstract questions not being asked, but an activity
that helps to resolve the questions which arise in the course of
life itself. It must therefore itself become organically alive.'
(From the Preface.) The object of this study is to outline, as
straightforwardly as possible, the whole range of the philosophical
work of Dr Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). These works, far ahead of
their time, were not widely recognized, and are virtually unknown
to modern philosophers. However, Steiner's later works of spiritual
science (anthroposophy) and their practical manifestation in many
aspects of life, such as education, agriculture and medicine, are
gaining increasing interest. In this context, his philosophy, which
lays the basis for everything that followed, needs to be widely
understood. Since this philosophy is a description of Steiner's
living experiences, the author sets it in the context of a brief
biography, selected to show how Steiner's thinking developed.
Valentin Tomberg was for many years a strong proponent of the
science of spirit, anthroposophy, founded by Rudolf Steiner. He
became prominent as a lecturer and writer, but in 1945 turned away
from anthroposophy and converted to Roman Catholicism, authoring
two influential Catholic texts. Nevertheless, a number of Tomberg's
modern-day followers have maintained that he remained faithful to
esoteric Christianity and Rudolf Steiner. In this revealing booklet
Prokofieff presents startling new research, which at the very least
shows the above hypothesis to be misguided. His key evidence is the
text of a letter, reproduced in its entirety, handwritten by
Tomberg in 1970, which demonstrates the full extent of his
condemnation and dismissal of his former spiritual path and
teacher.
How did we come to have minds? For centuries, poets, philosophers,
psychologists, and physicists have wondered how the human mind
developed its unrivaled abilities. Disciples of Darwin have
explained how natural selection produced plants, but what about the
human mind? In From Bacteria to Bach and Back, Daniel C. Dennett
builds on recent discoveries from biology and computer science to
show, step by step, how a comprehending mind could in fact have
arisen from a mindless process of natural selection. A crucial
shift occurred when humans developed the ability to share memes, or
ways of doing things not based in genetic instinct. Competition
among memes produced thinking tools powerful enough that our minds
don't just perceive and react, they create and comprehend. An
agenda-setting book for a new generation of philosophers and
scientists, From Bacteria to Bach and Back will delight and
entertain all those curious about how the mind works.
The idea of maintaining, continuing, and enhancing our
relationships with those who have died was a fundamental part of
Rudolf Steiner's work. This volume collects a rich harvest of
Steiner's thoughts on this subject gathered over many years.
Steiner speaks from his own experiences, providing some of the
meditation practices and verses that worked for him. We learn of
the value of reading to the dead; of using verbs (rather than
nouns) when talking with them; of the importance of the sacred
moments while falling asleep and awaking for asking questions and
receiving answers; of the way our memories of the dead are like
"art" to them; and of key moods we must develop -- community with
the world, gratitude, confidence in the current of life.
The remarkable discussions in this volume took place between Rudolf
Steiner and workers at the Goetheanum, Switzerland. The varied
subject-matter was chosen by his audience at Rudolf Steiner's
instigation. Steiner took their questions and usually gave
immediate answers. The astonishing nature of these responses -
their insight, knowledge and spiritual depth - is testimony to his
outstanding ability as a spiritual initiate and profound thinker.
Accessible, entertaining and stimulating, the records of these
sessions will be a delight to anybody with an open mind. In this
particular collection, Rudolf Steiner deals with topics ranging
from limestone to Lucifer! He discusses, among other things,
technology; the living earth; natural healing powers; colour and
sickness; rainbows; whooping cough and pleurisy; seances; sleep and
sleeplessness; dreams; reincarnation; life after death; the
physical, ether and astral bodies and the 'I'; the two Jesus
children; Ahriman and Lucifer; the death, resurrection and
ascension of Christ; Dante and Copernicus.
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