Over the course of the last millennium in Tibet, some tantric yogins have taken on norm-overturning modes of behavior, including provoking others to violence, publicly consuming filth, having sex, and dressing in human remains. While these individuals were called "mad," their apparent mental unwellness was not seen as resulting from any unfortunate circumstance, but symptomatic of having achieved a higher state of existence through religious practice. This book is the first comprehensive study of these "holy madmen," who have captured the imaginations of Tibetans and Westerners alike. Focusing on the lives and works of three "holy madmen" from the fifteenth century - the Madman of Tsang (Tsangnyon Heruka, or Sangye Gyeltsen, 1452-1507, and author of The Life of Milarepa), the Madman of U (Unyon Kungpa Sangpo, 1458-1532), and the Madman of the Drukpa Kagyu (Drukpa Kunle, 1455-1529). DiValerio shows how literary representations of these madmen came to play a role in the formation of sectarian identities and the historical mythologies of various sects. DiValerio also conveys a well-rounded understanding of the human beings behind these colorful personas by looking at the trajectories of their lives, their religious practices and their literary works, all in their due historical context. In the process he ranges from lesser-known tantric practices to central Tibetan politics to the nature of sainthood, and the "holy madmen" emerge as self-aware and purposeful individuals who were anything but crazy.

A guide to the different sorts of retreats on offer (Ignatian, Myers Briggs, Enneagram etc.). It covers the purpose of retreats, who can benefit from them, the difference between group and individual retreats and between directed and undirected retreats. There is a section on each major type of retreat explaining what happens, the basic premise behind it, who it is suitable for and how to find a retreat. The book also contains case studies.

Join Alison Hall as she shares the story of her battle with major depression. Read about four strategies the adversary uses to disarm and defeat the physically depressed Christian. Pulling from personal experiences, Alison explains why the lies of the enemy are so effective. Hall challenges the Church to reevaluate their opinions and to reconsider how many are seemingly positioned against those who struggle with this debilitating illness. Find truth and strength from God's Word as Alison helps the reader navigate through the minefield of depression. Her desire is to help suffering Christians and their families find hope in the darkness and to enlighten the Church to this very real and devastating illness--a hidden battleground where the enemy is defeating our brothers and sisters. Get ready to discover what most suffering Christians are desperately trying to hide: the secret world of physical depression in the Church.

Silence is like a burglar alarm that won't turn off. Grief must like silence; the mere whisper of a cry or hint of a tear and Grief makes its presence known. Silence is a megaphone for Grief. A constant that is a deafening reminder of what I am missing. Yet, I find at times it also promotes a quietness with my Lord. Somehow I need to find a way to cherish the solitude in a positive way.

"Proving once again that God's light is brightest when our hour is darkest, Walking through the Valley of Tears is one man's surprising discovery of unending grace at his time of greatest grief. This is a must read for anyone experiencing loss or needing affirmation of God's limitless love."
-Rosemary Clair, author of Heir of Earth

"When your body is exhausted and your soul is parched, you can find unexpected comfort, nurture, rest, and renewal in the darkness of the valley. Buddy McElhannon reminds us that resources are abundant in the valley as the living water pours forth through tears and grief gives way to the riches only heartache can cultivate. Heartwarming, honest, and hopeful, Buddy gently invites us all to journey together with Christ through the depths of the valley and introduces us to good soil, calm water, and the protected canopy that God provides so we can once again shout with joy from the mountaintop. I promise that Buddy will be a helpful guide as you find strength in weakness, hope in despair, and joy in journey while Walking through the Valley of Tears."
-Reverend Catherine Boothe, United Methodist minister and former hospital chaplain

God uses people daily to communicate His fragrance and message to us. Too often we don't check to see what aroma or impression we are leaving for others to see, hear, or smell.

After visiting someone's home or before checking out of a motel, or when moving, we double check to make sure we haven't left anything behind. Even criminals check to make sure they haven't left any clues at the crime scene to identify them.

A story reminded me of this. A robber thought he had committed the perfect crime. He assumed he left no clues behind. But he didn't count on someone remembering how he smelled. The smell he left behind was what helped convict him.

Yes, we leave something everywhere we go. Stuart Holden reminded a young man moving from a boarding house of this fact when the young man said, he was just double checking to make sure he wasn't leaving anything behind. "There's one thing you will leave behind, young man, your influence."