Vincent Cassel stars in this Australian thriller directed and co-written by Ariel Kleiman. Told from the perspective of 11-year-old Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel), the story follows the lives of a group of young children who have been raised in a closed community led by self-elected patriarch Gregori (Cassel). As he trains the children to become assassins, Gregori finds himself increasingly power-hungry sending the children out to kill people on his list. As Alexander's training progresses, he begins to doubt Gregori's rule and decides to challenge his authority the only way he knows how...

Sarah Shaw's lively introduction to Buddhist meditation offers students and practitioners alike a deeper understanding of what meditation is, and its purpose and place in the context of different Buddhist schools. She describes the historical background to the geographical spread of Buddhism, and examines the way in which some meditative practices developed as this process occurred. Other chapters cover basic meditative practice, types of meditation, meditation in different regions, meditation and doctrine, and the role of chanting within meditation. Although not a practical guide, An Introduction to Buddhist Meditation outlines the procedures associated with Buddhist practices and suggests appropriate activities, useful both for students and interested Buddhists. Vivid quotations from Buddhist texts and carefully selected photographs and diagrams help the reader engage fully with this fascinating subject.

Edwardian Culture: Beyond the Garden Party is the first truly interdisciplinary collection of essays dealing with culture in Britain c.1895-1914. Bringing together essays on literature, art, politics, religion, architecture, marketing, and imperial history, the study highlights the extent to which the culture and politics of Edwardian period were closely intertwined. The book builds upon recent scholarship that seeks to reclaim the term 'Edwardian' from prevalent, restrictive usages by venturing beyond the garden party - and the political rally - to uncover some of the terrain that lies between. The essays in the volume - which deal with both famous writers such as J. M. Barrie and Arnold Bennett, as well as many lesser-known figures - draw attention to the nuanced multiplicity of experience and cultural forms that existed during the period, and highlight the ways in which a closer examination of Edwardian culture complicates our definitions of 'Victorian' and 'Modern'. The book argues that the Edwardian era, rather than constituting a coda to the Victorian period or a languid pause before modernism shook things up, possessed a compelling and creative tenor of its own.

Meditative practice lies at the heart of the Buddhist tradition. This introductory anthology gives a representative sample of the various kinds of meditations described in the earliest body of Buddhist scripture, the Pali canon.

It provides a broad introduction to their traditional context and practice and supplies explanation, context and doctrinal background to the subject of meditation. The main themes of the book are the diversity and flexibility of the way that the Buddha teaches meditation from the evidence of the canon. Covering fundamental features of Buddhist practice such as posture, lay meditation, and meditative technique it provides comments both from the principal early commentators on Buddhist practice, Upatissa and Buddhaghosa, and from reputable modern meditation teachers in a number of Theravadin traditions.

This is the first book on Pali Buddhism which introduces the reader to the wide range of the canon. It demonstrates that the Buddha's meditative tradition still offers a path of practice as mysterious, awe-inspiring yet as freshly accessible as it was centuries ago, and will be of interest to students and scholars of Buddhism as well as Buddhist practitioners.

Meditative practice lies at the heart of the Buddhist tradition. This introductory anthology gives a representative sample of the various kinds of meditations described in the earliest body of Buddhist scripture, the Pali canon. It provides a broad introduction to their traditional context and practice and supplies explanation, context and doctrinal background to the subject of meditation. The main themes of the book are the diversity and flexibility of the way that the Buddha teaches meditation from the evidence of the canon. Covering fundamental features of Buddhist practice such as posture, lay meditation, and meditative technique it provides comments both from the principal early commentators on Buddhist practice, Upatissa and Buddhaghosa, and from reputable modern meditation teachers in a number of Theravadin traditions. This is the first book on Pali Buddhism which introduces the reader to the wide range of the canon. It demonstrates that the Buddha's meditative tradition still offers a path of practice as mysterious, awe-inspiring yet as freshly accessible as it was centuries ago, and will be of interest to students and scholars of Buddhism as well as Buddhist practitioners.

Edwardian Culture: Beyond the Garden Party is the first truly interdisciplinary collection of essays dealing with culture in Britain c.1895-1914. Bringing together essays on literature, art, politics, religion, architecture, marketing, and imperial history, the study highlights the extent to which the culture and politics of Edwardian period were closely intertwined. The book builds upon recent scholarship that seeks to reclaim the term 'Edwardian' from prevalent, restrictive usages by venturing beyond the garden party - and the political rally - to uncover some of the terrain that lies between. The essays in the volume - which deal with both famous writers such as J. M. Barrie and Arnold Bennett, as well as many lesser-known figures - draw attention to the nuanced multiplicity of experience and cultural forms that existed during the period, and highlight the ways in which a closer examination of Edwardian culture complicates our definitions of 'Victorian' and 'Modern'. The book argues that the Edwardian era, rather than constituting a coda to the Victorian period or a languid pause before modernism shook things up, possessed a compelling and creative tenor of its own.

Sarah Shawa (TM)s lively introduction to Buddhist meditation offers students and practitioners alike a deeper understanding of what meditation is, and its purpose and place in the context of different Buddhist schools. She describes the historical background to the geographical spread of Buddhism, and examines the way in which some meditative practices developed as this process occurred. Other chapters cover basic meditative practice, types of meditation, meditation in different regions, meditation and doctrine, and the role of chanting within meditation.

Although not a practical guide, An Introduction to Buddhist Meditation outlines the procedures associated with Buddhist practices and suggests appropriate activities, useful both for students and interested Buddhists. Vivid quotations from Buddhist texts and carefully selected photographs and diagrams help the reader engage fully with this fascinating subject.

Walker and Shaw link the teaching of ten commonly taught reading strategies such as sequencing, compare and contrast, and prediction to newly published picture books. Each chapter of the book explains a strategy, furnishes a graphic organizer with which to teach it, and an in-depth modelled discussion of how to use the strategy with two or three books. Additionally, each chapter furnishes an annotated bibliography of other books that would lend themselves easily to the teaching of this strategy. being asked to support reading instruction as part of the instructional programme in their library (as opposed to the usual programme of literary appreciation, reading motivation etc), but are not given long periods of time to work with students. These lessons are quick and self-contained. Each lesson comes with reproducible templates to make laminated graphic organizers that can be used again and again with various books to teach each of the ten strategies. Primary school teachers would also find this book useful. Links commonly-taught reading strategies to books Contains clip-art and other reproducible resources

A guide to key writings from Buddhism's meditative tradition and what they reveal about the history and practice of meditation Is it possible to capture the spirit of Buddhist meditation, which depends so much upon silence and unspoken wisdom? Can this spirit be found after two millennia? This wise and reassuring book reminds us that the Buddhist meditative tradition, geared to such concerns from its inception, has always been transmitted through texts. A great variety of early writings-poems, stories, extended practical guides, commentaries, and chants-were purposely designed to pass teachings on from one generation to the next. Sarah Shaw, a longtime practitioner and teacher of Buddhism, investigates a wide and varied range of ancient and later Buddhist writings on meditation. Many of these texts are barely known in the West but, as the author shows, they can be helpful, moving, and often very funny. She begins with early texts of the Pali canon-those that describe and involve the Buddha and his followers teaching meditations-and moves on to "commentaries," with their copious range of practical tips, anecdotes, and accounts of early meditators. The author then considers other early texts that were inspirational as Buddhist traditions spread through India and on to China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet. Centuries after being written, early Buddhist texts have lost none of their relevance, this authoritative book shows. In a tradition characterized by flexibility and mobility, these writings offer wisdom unchanged by time.

Secret Diary of a 1970s Secretary is the diary of Sarah Shaw for the year of 1971, which she recently uncovered whilst clearing out her loft. Working as a secretary for the BBC at the time, Sarah's diary describes the life of a suburban girl who certainly wasn't 'swinging' but who was, ironically, not only working on a cutting edge BBC survey on sex education but also in the throes of an unlikely affair with middle-aged, working-class, Irish lift attendant, Frank. Sarah talks humorously and frankly about what it was like to be a young, working woman at the time as well as life at the BBC during the 1970s and the difficulties of navigating her first romance. She is funny and self-effacing with a self-knowledge that only few attain. Her innocence and naivety are hugely charming and the diary forms a valuable snapshot of a time not so far away that is now lost to us.

This is the first complete English translation in over a century of the ten great jataka tales covering the Bodhisatta's final adventures in the human realm before his ultimate life and enlightenment as the Buddha. Introductory comments to each story provide background and analysis. A general introduction explores themes and the stories' role in Buddhist art and practice. Color images show the stories' centrality in the Buddhist visual landscape of Southeast Asia.These definitive new translations reestablish the stories as ancient literary treasures of South Asia. Readers will be delighted by their magic and intrigue, philosophical insight, and deep roots in the religious and cultural world of the Buddha.

Subtitle: From an abusive childhood and the depths of suicidal despair to a life of hope and freedom Sarah Shaw looked in control of her life. She had a successful career as a manager in retail business. But she came to a point when she could no longer keep up appearances, by controlling her tormented inner world. So explosive was her inner pain, and so damaged was she by the consequences of childhood abuse, that she was eventually put on a lifetime's incapacity benefit. Her consultant psychiatrist was at a loss how to help. This story is not, however, about the horrors of abuse, but is an extraordinary testimony to the triumph of God's healing love. The author writes: "So many abused, hurting people don't understand their brokenness. They are stuck, as I was, in the tormenting symptoms of guilt, self-hatred, multiple fears, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, eating disorders, self-harming and suicidal tendencies. The book gives insights into the Christian healing ministry I received and offers hope to victims of abuse, without negating the reality of the desperate inner conflicts and struggles." "This remarkable book is about true recovery of health by a deeply wronged woman, whom I met more than ten years ago. Rarely is this subject written about, and even more uncommonly in Sarah's calm and thoughtful way." Dr Geoff Searle MBBS. BSc. FRCPsych (Sarah's Pychiatrist) "A profound and moving story - it struck me that despite such harrowing experiences the human spirit can be so resilient and triumphant." Dr Adrian Hutchings MBBS. (Sarah's GP) "So many people around the world have been abused, and often their pain is muffled by secrecy. Thankfully the woman who wrote this book has decided to expose her pain to the light of Jesus Christ. By doing so she has found total healing - and I believe her decision to share her painful secret with the world will help many other abused people find complete emotional recovery." J. Lee Grady - Editor, Charisma Magazine

A radically different take on STAR TREK is revealed in this collection of novels that focus on the struggle of a freedom-hungry rebellion against an oppressive alien regime. VOYAGER: In a reversal of events from VOYAGER's first episode, two lost travelers from the other side of the galaxy are flung into the middle of the Alliance, the alien empire that oppresses humans, Vulcans, and countless other races. One of these travelers has the potential to completely alter the balance of power, and as both sides struggle to get to the stranger first, treachery throws everything into a tailspin. NEW FRONTIER: Almost a century after the fall of the Terran Empire, its long-time rivals, the Romulans, have absorbed many of the fringe civilizations spread across that part of the galaxy. One of its slaves, M'k'nzy of Calhoun - who in this universe will never become Captain MacKenzie Calhoun of the Starship EXCALIBUR - learns courage and the value of freedom from an unlikely teacher, a Romulan named Soleta. DEEP SPACE NINE: One fallen dictator's struggle to regain her power and her position leads to the discovery of a bold rebel plan for a decisive military strike that will bring down the Alliance, once and for all. But while Kira Nerys navigates the tangle of politics, sex, and military intrigue that she believes will allow her reclaim her station, cracks form in the rebel leadership, leading to a showdown that will change the course of the Mirror Universe.

Meditation has flourished in different parts of the world ever since the foundations of the great civilizations were laid. It played a vital role in the formation of Asian cultures that trace much of their heritage to ancient India and China. This volume brings together for the first time studies of the major traditions of Asian meditation as well as material on scientific approaches to meditation. It delves deeply into the individual traditions while viewing each of them from a global perspective, examining both historical and generic connections between meditative practices from numerous historical periods and different parts of the Eurasian continent. It seeks to identify the cultural and historical peculiarities of Asian schools of meditation while recognizing basic features of meditative practice across cultures, thereby taking the first step toward a framework for the comparative study of meditation. The book, accessibly written by scholars from several fields, opens with chapters that discuss the definition and classification of meditation. These are followed by contributions on Yoga and Tantra, which are often subsumed under the broad label of Hinduism; Jainism and Sikhism, Indian traditions not usually associated with meditation; Buddhist approaches found in Southeast Asia, Tibet, and China; and the indigenous Chinese traditions, Daoism and Neo-Confucianism. The final chapter explores recent scientific interest in meditation, which, despite its Western orientation, remains almost exclusively concerned with practices of Asian origin. Until a few years ago a major obstacle to the study of specific meditation practices within the traditions explored here was a widespread scholarly orientation that prioritized doctrinal issues and sociocultural contexts over actual practice. The contributors seek to counter this bias and supplement concerns over doctrine and context with the historical study of meditative practice. Asian Traditions of Meditation will appeal broadly to readers interested in meditation, mindfulness, and spirituality and those in the emerging field of contemplative education, as well as students and scholars of Asian and religious studies.