 | |
Seen a great site lately? Share it here |
 | | Find a favorite house of worship in your area or register your own! | 
| 
|
|
|
 |
Do you have an opinion? Make it count! Register your vote on today's most pressing issues of faith.
Go to Poll
|
| |
|
Whatever the occasion, receiving a loving message can be the nicest gift of all. Send a special card to someone you care about!
Send a Card
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Faith.com's Featured Books area. Books can be helpful and intimate companions as you travel the way of the spirit. Here's a place where you can glimpse some of the best new works available. We've also added a sprinkling of first-rate selections from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, ancient and modern texts that have proved the test of time.
Best American Spiritual Writing 2004
by Philip Zaleski
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
Readers of Zaleski's anthologies will be glad to know that, after a yearlong hiatus, his spirituality series has found a new home with Houghton Mifflin's Best American books. This sixth volume follows the expected format: some 25 essays and 10 poems that, according to the introduction, "address the eternal oppositions of good and evil, virtue and vice, creation and destruction; the sorrows and exaltations of heart, mind, and soul; the ceaseless quest for God." With approaches ranging from Seyyed Hossein Nasr's philosophical argument for the primacy of consciousness to Mark Doty's ecstatic vision of "fire [calling] its double down," the collection includes household names like Natalie Goldberg and Oliver Sacks alongside newer authors. Bus driver Robin Cody, for example, pays touching tribute to "birth-damaged or world-beaten children," and memoirist Lindsey Crittenden describes depression, death, her mother and the kind of prayer that is "pure throw of yourself into the unknown." Welcoming varied perspectives, Zaleski includes David Gelernter's summary of Judaism as well as a sprinkling of overt Buddhists and Christians, though most selections transcend religious categories. A large number, like David James Duncan's "Earth Music" and Allen Hoey's "Essay on Snow," focus on the natural world, while some, like B.K. Loren's "Word Hoard," resist classification. With few misses and many hits, the collection is a thought-provoking and often poignant read. (Publisher's Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
The World’s Religions
by Huston Smith
HarperSanFrancisco, 1991
This work is a classic in its field; over a million copies have been sold since it was first published in 1958. What distinguishes Smith’s approach is its clarity and its warmth. He has an innate ability to convey the essential genius of the world’s great religions and to clearly describe what makes each of them unique. A kindly sense of humor is also evident: Smith points out, for example, that Lao Tsu, the name of the founder of the Taoist tradition, means something like "the Old Boy" in Chinese.
Buy This Book
Under God
by Toby Mac & Michael Tait
Bethany House Publishers, 2004
This attractive book should win awards for its innovative design and layout even while raising eyebrows with its revisionist text. Mac and Tait, the Grammy and Dove Award-winning members of Christian band DC Talk, move from the tremendous success of their Jesus Freaks series to take a quickie tour of American history. It’s certainly more nuanced than some other Christian interpretations of the nation’s founding, as the Founders are allowed to have a few flaws. (Benjamin Franklin, for all his teachings on thrift and industry, was a slave-owning dandy, for example.) The authors don’t stop with the Founders and Framers, but carry forward the American story in a greatest-hits manner while touching on freedom fighters (Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr.) and political leaders through the 20th century. But the historical merits of this book are shallow in the area of religion. In their determination to show the Christian foundations of the American nation, the authors strongly overstate the evangelical bona fides of their heroes. Thomas Jefferson appears all through the book, for example, but the authors never discuss his controversial reworking of the Bible with all of the miracles and supernatural elements excised. And Sojourner Truth is cast as a classic evangelical Christian with no mention of her forays into the Kingdom of Matthias cult or spiritualist seances. Still, the lasting appeal of this book is its stunning design, not its one-sided view of history. With jagged-cut pages, Old World backgrounds, "distressed" illustrations and bold sidebars, the book’s appearance is both arresting and ingenious. (Publisher's Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
The Path of Prayer
by Sophy Burnham
Penguin Group, 2003
In this fervent but unfocused primer, prayer is more therapeutic protocol than divine commandment. Drawing on the writings of sages, unconventional (and some might say dubious) scientific studies and many true-life parables of supplications miraculously answered, Burnham (A Book of Angels) reassures us that all prayers great (cure this cancer) and small (untie this necklace) go straight to God's ears. Nominally a Christian, Burnham has a broadly ecumenical but unspecific idea of God-a.k.a. "Creative Element," "force of the universe" and "tachyon energy"-and her concept of prayer is similarly unstructured and abstract. Prayer can be the familiar hands-clasped entreaty (for which she provides tips on posture and warm-up breathing exercises), but it can be virtually any other act-listening to music, drinking coffee, washing the dishes-done with a pure heart. Prayer taps into the mystical healing power of a cosmos that is raptly attentive to our needs, but demands little from us except emotional sincerity. Devotees of Burnham's free-form New Age spirituality will like this approach, but religious traditionalists who think that specific beliefs and rituals are important to God may not. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Transforming the Faiths of Our Fathers
by Ann Braude
Palgrave Macmillan, 2004
Far from being a dry anthology of essays about the movers and shakers of religious feminism in the late 20th century, this book dares to let these iconoclastic women speak for themselves, in all their pain, wisdom and glorious humor. Some of the writers' names may sound familiar, particularly to those who have read feminist and womanist theology: the roster includes Rosemary Radford Ruether, Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza, Judith Plaskow, Carol Christ and Delores Williams. Other contributors, such as Lois Miriam Wilson, the first female moderator of the United Church of Canada, are not household names, but readers will be fascinated by their experiences. The contributors come from mainline Protestant, evangelical Protestant, Catholic, Islamic, Jewish, Mormon, Buddhist and goddess backgrounds. As the women share their spiritual journeys, they talk about how religion has both limited and empowered them. The book can be revisionist; several essays challenge the idea that womanist theology was created by black and Latina women because "white feminist" theology had ignored their needs. Readers will be encouraged by these women's bravery, as well as by the book's implicit reminder of how far women have come in a relatively short time. (Publishers Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
Practical Virtues
by Floyd H. Flake M. Elaine McCollins Flake
HarperCollins Publishers, 2003
In a treasure trove of African-American spirituality, Revs. Floyd Flake and Elaine McCollins Flake offer Practical Virtues: Everyday Values and Devotions for African American Families. While the title might suggest another simplistic niche devotional with bite-sized expressions of spiritual wisdom, the book actually offers an incomparably rich selection of historical writings by, for and about African-Americans. Here we find snippets from the memoir of Rosa Parks, the speeches of Sojourner Truth, the poetry of Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks and the socio-political writings of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. (Polar opposites in their approaches a century ago, Washington and DuBois actually seem at home appearing cheek-by-jowl in this collection.) The writings are organized around spiritual virtues such as courage, diligence, faith, honesty, love, loyalty and service. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
Life After Death
by Alan Segal
Doubleday, 2004
This monumental study combines history, geography, mythology, archaeology and anthropology with biblical text analysis. Segal, a professor of Jewish studies at Barnard College, spent 10 years on this project, but the erudition he displays is undoubtedly the result of a lifetime of scholarship. In every culture, people ask the same fundamental questions about their existence, including "what happens after we die?" Although Segal maintains that answers to that question lie "beyond confirmation or disconfirmation in the scientific sense," he offers a comprehensive overview of how the afterlife is understood in the three main Western religions. He thoroughly examines early influences from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Canaan, Iran and Greece, then analyzes Jewish views as expressed in the first and second temple periods, the book of Daniel, the Dead Sea scrolls and writings from and about New Testament times, the early rabbis, mysticism and fundamentalism. For Christianity, systematic attention is given to Paul, the Gospels, the pseudepigraphic literature and the Church Fathers. Segal also scans Muslim beliefs as they appear in the Qur'an and the writings of Shi'a mystics and modern fundamentalists. The introductory and concluding chapters provide the essence of the presentation, enlivened by quotations from Shakespeare. Impatient readers may begin with these two chapters as a guide to determining which other sections of the book warrant further scrutiny. Careful readers, however, will take the trouble and the time to pore over this impressive contribution to our understanding of human belief and behavior. (Publisher's Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
The Way Things Are
by Huston Smith, Phil Cousineau (Editor)
University of California Press, 2003
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that he would gladly walk 100 miles through a snowstorm for one good conversation. Fortunately, readers don't have to trudge through a blizzard or even leave their armchairs to listen in on these 22 fascinating conversations with renowned religious scholar Huston Smith. Kudos to editor and accomplished author Cousineau (The Art of Pilgrimage) for gathering these interviews that span more than 30 years. Readers will find themselves ravenously eavesdropping on captivating discussions, such as Smith's humorous story of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the first time or his soothing anecdote of how he became spiritually reconciled to the death of his eldest daughter to cancer. When Smith speaks about religious violence, his insight could be relevant to any era of humanity: "First of all, my persuasion is what really breeds violence is political differences. But because religion serves as the soul of community, it gets drawn into the fracas and turns up the heat." Indeed, a lifelong career of studying the world's religions has made him especially gifted in illuminating the dialogues that are timeless. As a result, his conversations touch upon many Big Questions: what is the meaning of God? Where do science and religion meet? How can we teach children about the sacred in everyday life? Why do we move toward the light? Incidentally, Cousineau's stunning preface is worth the price of admission alone. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
>> Go to Excerpt
The World’s Wisdom
by Philip Novak (editor)
HarperSanFrancisco, 1995
There are many fine anthologies of sacred texts available on the market. This is one of the best. It contains essential writings from all the major religions of the world, carefully culled and presented to convey the spirit of each faith. An excellent accompaniment to Huston Smith’s World Religions.
Buy This Book
Spiritual Perspectives
by Surya Das (Contributor) Tony Campolo (Contributor)
SkyLight Paths, 2003
This timely anthology contains the viewpoints of 16 noted spiritual leaders from a variety of religious traditions and the whole political spectrum. The SkyLight Paths editors offer a collection that mostly lives up to their hope that "together we can try to change the world." These short essays, many of them with provocative stances, will compel audiences toward deeper reflection on globalization, spirituality and power. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
The Monotheists
by Frank E. Peters
Princeton University Press, 2003
Historian Peters has long been an astute and objective chronicler of the history and beliefs of the three great monotheistic
religions--Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In this sprawling, majestic and elegant narrative, he offers the best study we presently
have of the ways, words and wisdom of these religions. With straightforward prose and evenhanded examination, Peters devotes
Volume 1 to an historical overview of the Abrahamic faiths, tracing each religion from its earliest expressions to the 17th century. In
his second volume, Peters focuses on the various beliefs and practices of each religion, examining the canonization and interpretation of
scripture, scripture and tradition, God's law and its observance, worship, ethics and eschatology. Throughout the book, he includes
boxed notes for historical asides or to explain terminology. Peters's magnificent book is the new place to turn for a first-rate historical
introduction to these three religions. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Standing in the Need of Prayer
by Coretta Scott King
The Free Press, 2003
This well-designed gift book pairs photographs and prayers to help readers understand the richness and diversity of African-American
spirituality, including Muslim, Rastafarian, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Voudou and Yoruba traditions. As Coretta Scott King points
out in the foreword, the book's dedication to a wide range of faiths seems encapsulated by a 1964 photograph of her husband leading a
prayer at their dinner table under an irenic portrait of his Hindu mentor, Gandhi. A helpful appendix provides information about the
setting of many of the photographs: a Promise Keepers rally, a prison service, a Buddhist meditation gathering, a prayerful university
protest from 1960. Most of the photos are memorable, and often cleverly parallel the quote chosen for the facing page. These short
quotes are taken from prayers, novels, speeches, hymns, spirituals and sacred texts like the Bible and the Qur'an. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
Sacred Song in America
by Stephen A. Marini
University of Illinois Press, 2003
In Sacred Song in America, Stephen A. Marini explores the full range of American sacred music and demonstrates how an understanding of the meanings and functions of this musical expression can contribute to a greater understanding of religious culture.
Marini examines the role of sacred song across the United States, from the musical traditions of Native Americans and the Hispanic peoples of the Southwest, to the Sacred Harp singers of the rural South and the Jewish music revival to the music of the Mormon, Catholic, and Black churches. Including chapters on New Age and Neo-Pagan music, gospel music, and hymnals as well as interviews with iconic composers of religious music, Sacred Song in America pursues a historical, musicological, and theoretical inquiry into the complex roles of ritual music in the public religious culture of contemporary America. (University of Illinois Press)
Buy This Book
Come and See
by Linda Schaefer
DC Press, 2003
When Schaefer first showed up unannounced at Mother Teresa's headquarters in Calcutta in 1995 and begged to be allowed to do a
photo book of the nun's life and work, the answer was a humble but firm "no." Instead, Mother Teresa put Schaefer to work as a volunteer,
changing diapers and playing with the children in one of the Missionaries of Charity's 40-odd orphanages. Over time, as Schaefer's motivations shifted from a drive to merely document to a desire to participate in the ministry, the nun permitted her to bring out the camera. The result is this unique, behind-the-scenes collection of photos from various outreach centers throughout India, including a leper colony and a hospice for the dying. Schaefer draws on her own experiences and on interviews with other volunteers, who come from many different nationalities and religious backgrounds. In all, this is a very appropriate tribute to Mother Teresa on the eve of her canonization, since it celebrates not just the woman's life, but the people who were her life's work. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Subverting Greed
by Paul F. Knitter (Editor) Chandra Muzaffar, Daisaku Ikeda (Editor)
Orbis Books, 2002
Insightful essays by distinguished religious scholars--who are also practitioners of the religious traditions they represent--consider the impact of globalization as they seek to shed light on their own tradition's concerns, define common problems, and propose common solutions. (Amazon.com)
Buy This Book
God's Rule
by Jacob Neusner (Editor) Neusner (Editor)
Georgetown University Press, 2003
Offers the perspectives of multiple faiths and disciplines in surveying the prominence of religions in contemporary international politics. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
The Sacred and the Sovereign
by John Carlson (Editor) Erik Owens (Editor)
Georgetown University Press, 2003
Assembles contributions by different scholars as well as military and diplomatic viewpoints in essays on religion in global affairs. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
Fingerpainting on the Moon
by Peter Levitt
Crown Publishing Group, 2003
In creativity lies the true path to freedom is this book's central and oft-repeated thesis, and Levitt uses a mishmash of mystical Judaism, Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Hinduism and other spiritual and philosophical traditions to inspire readers to tap into their own creative genius. Poet Levitt talks mostly about writing here, but asserts his message applies to "anyone who longs to return to his creative source and to express both the journey and what he finds once he is there." Levitt is a warm and often wise teacher, but his lessons can come off as a bit too precious, a bit too New Age. On the importance of asking questions, Levitt muses that questions "can be the moon calling to us to join them there, which we know how to do. To embrace a question born in our imagination is to feel embraced." Levitt's portrait of a creative life, with its intense focus on dreamy self-examination, may strike some as overly earnest, even solipsistic. Those inclined to express creativity through social commentary, for instance, or satire, will likely not be moved by advice such as "It is in the spirit of awe, inspiration, yearning and the need we all have to discover the light of the creative sparks in our lives that I urge you to close the gap and give yourself entirely to all parts of your world." The strongest parts of the book come when Levitt connects ancient mystical teachings with the present search for creativity. The story of a Zen master who shot an arrow into the sea and declared it a bull's-eye, for example, is a tale meant to help readers overcome fear of failure by avoiding narrow, pre-determined definitions of success. As far as creative success goes, Levitt encourages readers, "the target is large and the center can be found everywhere." (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Simple Acts of Moving Forward
by Vinita Hampton Wright
WaterBrook Press, 2003
Sometimes, even the most creative people feel "stuck"--they battle writer's block, wrestle with a family problem, or struggle with feelings of burnout. Wright offers 60 shrewd tips on moving forward during these times, from the simple (read a different newspaper, change your routine) to the spiritual (pray, look to God for inspiration) and the joyful (sing, feast, and get naked, though not necessarily all at once). Wright's suggestions are helpfully grounded in her own experience as a novelist who leads retreats on creativity and spirituality. The book is designed so that it can be picked up at random, and readers can choose whether to implement quick tips that take just a few moments, or work on larger issues such as nurturing colleagues, confessing their own faults, and forgiving themselves. Wright's voice is gentle yet honest as she urges readers forward toward greater fulfillment. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
Working on the Inside
by Retta Blaney
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2003
Stage and screen actors form unique relationships with their audiences. Through their work, they challenge, teach, and inspire us by shedding light on all corners of life and connecting with us through our senses and emotions. Working on the Inside goes backstage into the inner lives of respected actors like Liam Neeson, Vanessa Williams, Phylicia Rashad, Edward Herrmann, Kristin Chenoweth, and many others to reveal the deep spirituality each one relies on in their lives and work. The result is a book like no other that draws ten key elements of the universal spiritual life from the perspective of actors whose work it is to tap into the essence of life, tell stories, and reveal life's truths.
Buy This Book
Wine at the End of the Feast
by Kristen Johnson Ingram
Loyola Press, 2003
This passionate collection of essays by Ingram, author of 18 books, argues that "aging gracefully" is really about growing in God's grace. The book is more descriptive than prescriptive; this is not a how-to manual but a keen observation of how the aging process opens people to spiritual growth. Various chapters explore topics such as friendship and community, creativity, loss, sleeplessness, death and resurrection. Ingram writes honestly about some of the drawbacks of growing old (such as being called an "old fart" in the grocery store), while also pointing to the increased spiritual awareness that comes with understanding the inevitability of death. She writes from a Roman Catholic perspective, but also casts her net wide, drawing upon Buddhism, Christian history and the arts--even extolling the wisdom of Ravel and David Bowie in the same sentence. Opinionated and personal, discerning and candid, this book adds a luster of insight to the golden years. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Uncivil Rites
by Robert Detweiler
University of Illinois Press, 1996
In Uncivil Rites, Robert Detweiler adds a new dimension to scholarly debate as he explores major works of fiction, drama, and film and shows how each reveals religious values and shapes discourse. Detweiler identifies politics, sexuality, and aggression--which he terms the bodies politic, erotic, and apocalyptic--as public discourse that fictional works often inform. (University of Illinois Press)
Buy This Book
How to Pray
by Helene Ciaravino
Square One Publishers, 2001
Winner of the 2002 Benjamin Franklin Award for the religion category. How to Pray explores prayer and meditation practices of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, in each case providing a clear explanation of that religion or philosophy's approach.
Buy This Book
Field Notes on the Compassionate Life
by Marc Ian Barasch
Rodale Press, Incorporated, 2005
Marc Ian Barasch, dubbed "one of today's coolest grown-ups" by Interview magazine, sets out on a journey to the heart of compassion. He discovers its power to change who we are and the society we have become. Compassion, he concludes, is "a prescription for authentic joy."
Can tapping into one simple human trait, hardwired into our nervous system and just waiting to be awakened, transform our lives and the world at large? Could it help us enjoy new levels of happiness and contentment? Exploring his subject through the multiple lenses of psychology and biology, pop culture and theology, history and philosophy, Barasch weaves a stirring, unforgettable account of his search to find within himself and others: the ability to live compassionately.
He examines such fascinating questions as: What can we learn from exceptionally empathetic people? Can we increase our kindness quotient with practice? How do we open our hearts to those who do us harm? What if the great driving force of our evolution were actually "survival of the kindest?"
Drawing from influences as disparate as Buddhist monks and skeptical neuroscientists, Barasch creates a riveting, persuasive argument that a simple shift in consciousness can have a tremendous, lasting impact on our psyches, our relationships, our health--and the very fate of the Earth.
The Best Spiritual Writing of 2002
HarperSanFrancisco, 2002
Zaleski's fifth annual collection of the best spiritual writing achieves something memorable and fresh in a year marked by an upsurge in the sheer quantity of spiritual writing. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy this Book
>> Go to Excerpt
The Stories of Paul Bowles
by Paul Bowles
HarperCollins Publishers, 2001
As elusive as his enigmatic fiction, which is epitomized by the 1949 autobiographical bestselling novel, The Sheltering Sky, Bowles (1910-2001) arguably has been venerated as much for being the mythical forerunner of the Beat Generation as for his considerable genius, both musical and literary. A darling of iconoclastic literati both here and abroad, he first became known as a composer, writing music for stage and screen. Only after his marriage to Jane Auer (herself soon to become a cultishly popular writer under the name Jane Bowles) in 1938 did he turn seriously to fiction. The exotic settings of the 62 stories collected in this landmark volume reflect the wanderings of nomadic Paul and Jane as, during the '30s and '40s, they flitted from Europe to Mexico, the Caribbean and the U.S. before finally settling in Tangiers in 1949. Over the years, Bowles's fascination with Western man's intrinsic decadence, laid bare in clashes with exotic cultures, became the signature motif of his existential fiction ("The Hours After Noon" and "Too Far from Home"). His oblique language and abrupt endings ("At Paso Rojo") are curiously confounding, and his tales are invariably charged with subterranean currents. Frankly incestuous and homosexual, "Pages from Cold Point" is almost certain to stir anew speculation about Bowles's sexual orientation. Earthy, violent and comfortable with corruption, these deeply affecting stories are distinguished by their lyrical rhythms and meticulous regard for language. The assemblage of this impressive collection marks a literary event of the highest order: This definitive volume will be a must-have for all major libraries, and should attract much reviewattention and feature coverage. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
A Calendar of Festivals
by Cherry Gilchrist
Barefoot Books, 1998
This compelling collection takes readers back through story and legend to the origins of many festivals celebrated throughout the world and traces some of the stories that are connected to them. The cross-cultural collection includes stories from Russia, India, China, and Jewish tales--and, of course, stories of Christmas. (Ingram)
Buy This Book
>> Go to Excerpt
The Dying Time
by Joan Furman and David McNabb
Bell Tower, 1997
One of the best books available on caring for the dying, The Dying Time combines deep insight and down-to-earth practicality. All caregivers need to know what's between these covers. This book demystifies the process of death, yet honors the sacredness of life's final transition. (Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Prayer Is Good Medicine)
Buy This Book
>> Go to Excerpt
God in All Worlds: An Anthology of Contemporary Spiritual Writing
by Lucinda Vardey (editor)
Pantheon, 1995
Vardey has gathered a diverse and highly philosophical collection of modern (since 1945) writings representative of all spiritual traditions. Her goal is to "contribute to the understanding of the revelation of the spirit in our time.” (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
Sacred Origins of Profound Things
by Charles Panati
Penguin Arkana, 1996
Sprightly, wry and irreverent, Sacred Origins of Profound Things attempts to explain the arcana of religious practice and dogma like prayer, celestial personae, moral codes, festivals, saints, evil, heaven, hell and miracles. Panati digs up fascinating curios while clearly explaining fundamental tenets of the world's religions. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
>> Go to Excerpt
Searching for Your Soul
by Katherine Kurs (editor)
Schocken, 1999
In this remarkable collection, Kurs, who teaches religious studies at the New School of Social Research, has gathered a rich variety of autobiographical writings on spiritual matters. Writers both contemporary and historical, ranging from Augustine, Thomas Merton and Mohandas Gandhi to Dan Wakefield, Dennis Covington and Kathleen Norris reflect upon such questions as: "Who or what is God, or the holy, for me?"; "Who are my spiritual ancestors?"; "When did I begin to lose my sense of connection to the holy and to the world around me and how do I regain it?" (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
>> Go to Excerpt
Faith
by Sharon Salzberg
Riverhead Books, 2002
In this beautifully written work, one of America's most beloved meditation teachers offers discerning wisdom on understanding faith as a healing quality. Through the teachings of Buddha and insight gained from her lifelong spiritual quest, Salzberg provides us with a road map for cultivating a feeling of peace that can be practiced by anyone of any tradition. (Riverhead Books)
Buy This Book
The New Millennium Spiritual Journey
Edited by the editors at Skylight Paths.
Skylight Paths, 1999
Let some of the most respected spiritual teachers in America--teachers from all faiths and spiritual traditions--share their personal spiritual priorities with you. You will be both surprised and enlightened. The approaching new millennium is an opportunity for each of us to re-evaluate and re-prioritize our lives.
This outstanding resource is designed to use insights, prayers and meditations from today's most prominent spiritual leaders to set your own course of self-examination, reflection and spiritual transformation using: Self-tests to focus your intention. Spiritual practice suggestions for strengthening mind and spirit. Intriguing facts about religious traditions and sacred texts. Journaling space for your thoughts and for charting your personal growth. Time capsule pages for recording reflections, ideas and dreams, to be revisited in future years. (Amazon.com)
Buy This Book
>> Go to Excerpt
Adventures with the Buddha
by Jeffery Paine
W. W. Norton & Company, 2004
Starred Review. "Many Buddhist books will edify you," Paine writes, "but will any entertain you?" Paine (Re-enchantment: Tibetan Buddhism Comes to the West) here offers up an enthralling anthology of nine Western "writer-adventurers" who journeyed to India, Tibet, Nepal, China and Japan to study the various incarnations of Buddhism. The first five writers, including a disaffected Frenchwoman and a Dutch mystery novelist, tell of their experiences in Asia during the first half of the 20th century, when there were still tantalizing unexplored "white spaces" on the map. They reverently describe a wild and woolly land filled with magic: lamas discoursing via mental telepathy; almost-naked gurus meditating in icy caves for years at a time; Shangri-La landscapes filled with clanging processions of gaily-dressed pilgrims. The book's second half features four contemporary American Buddhist writers such as Sharon Salzberg and Michael Roach. To one degree or another, they also share their experiences in Asia, but these writers' main focus is the interior realm: how Buddhism has affected their own day-to-day emotional and spiritual lives—a familiar theme in current Buddhist writing, but one which these writers make fresh. Paine's own contributions are limited to brief introductions, but these are lively and illuminating. Paine's real genius, however, is constructing a cohesive, potent anthology that informs, delights and fires the imagination, a work that both recalls a lost world and illustrates its continued relevance today. (Publisher's Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
Taming the Tiger Within
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Riverhead Books, 2004
Vietnamese Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh has authored three national bestsellers that deal with negative emotions: Anger, Going Home and No Death, No Fear. Here he distills some of the best quotations from those three books, offering advice on how to conquer rage, jealousy, fear and the desire for revenge. Often the thoughts are just a sentence long, and rarely more than three; the book is designed to be savored over time through deep reflection. Some of Hanh’s suggestions are practical (such as walking to diffuse anger or writing a love letter to a cherished individual), while others will require more rumination. One key to reducing anger, for example, is to practice "deep looking" and recognize that all beings are interconnected; the angry person is inextricably intertwined with the one she imagines is her enemy. Though spare, even Spartan, this book holds seeds of profound wisdom. However, more serious readers will want to delve into the three classics that this book draws upon, since they are already accessible, brief and easy to understand.
(Publisher's Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
The Lost Art of Compassion
by Lorne Ladner
HarperCollins Publishers, 2004
As the president of the Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center in Virginia, Ladner is a strong proponent of the Buddhist practice of compassion, which develops positive emotions through mental exercises. "Cultivating compassion is the single most effective way to make oneself psychologically healthy, happy and joyful," Ladner writes. "It is a direct antidote to prejudice and aggression." The author, who also works as a clinical psychologist, bemoans the lack of attention compassion receives in the West, and argues that most psychotherapists do little to help their patients increase their feelings of happiness. Nonetheless, Ladner does draw upon both Eastern and Western examples in this book, referring to sources as diverse as Jesus, T.S. Eliot, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Dalai Lama, as well as including numerous anecdotes from his clinical practice. Though the exercises that Ladner recommends are sometime quite elaborate-one them involves identifying your "narcissistic patterns," personifying them as enemies and battling against them-he carefully walks readers through them one chapter at a time and then organizes them into a helpful "Summary of Compassion Practices" at the end of the book. To inspire readers, Landner cites the many recent studies showing that aspects of practicing compassion can significantly improve people's stress levels and their communication and relationships with others. Readers eager to test those findings for themselves should appreciate this book's realistic, manageable approach to dispelling bitterness and anger and replacing it with empathy and patience. (Publishers Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
Re-Enchantment
by Jeffrey Paine
W.W. Norton & Company, 2003
Memorable anecdotes, great storytelling and keen observations mark this cogent exploration of the explosive growth of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. Paine offers chapters on many famous Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama (who, refreshingly, doesn't appear until nearly the end of the book), the pioneering Lama Yeshe, who first taught Westerners, and the controversial rogue playboy Ch gyam Trungpa, Yeshe's character foil. Other chapters profile Westerners who discovered Tibetan Buddhism, like Tenzin Palmo (formerly a Cockney London girl named Diane Perry), who meditated alone for 12 years in an Indian cave and American lama Jetsunma (Catherine Burroughs), a much-married "tough bird from Brooklyn" who was the first Western woman to be recognized as a tulku (reincarnated Buddhist figure). Of course, there's a chapter on Hollywood, but Paine eschews a superficial chronicle of Tibetan Buddhism's sudden popularity among the glitterati in favor of a compelling analysis of why a Buddhist concept of reality might make sense to people whose lives revolve around the creation of impermanent "realities" like films. Throughout, Paine explores how Tibetan Buddhism has changed the American religious landscape, but also how it has been changed by America: in Tibet, for example, meditation was traditionally a very advanced practice, but in practical-minded America, practitioners "dive straight into meditation immediately." A final chapter introduces the only Tibetan Buddhist on death row; in a fascinating observation, Paine notes that famed Tibetan saint Milarepa was in fact a reformed criminal. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
The Buddha Book
by Lillian Too
Thorsons, 2003
In the Buddhist tradition, there are countless Buddhist deities - embodiments of enlightened wisdom - who also represent different aspects of the enlightened mind. These Buddhas can act as a sacred map for the reader, leading us towards experiencing the healing, compassion and hope they can bring into our daily lives. The nine chapters in this text include the Historical Buddha, Shakyamuni; the Five Dhyani Buddhas; the Purification Buddha; the Healing Buddhas; the Compassionate Buddhas; the Longevity Buddhas; the Mother Goddess; the Wealth Buddhas; and the Buddha of the Future. Each Buddha is illustrated and throughout are hundreds of prayers, commentaries by both Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lillian Too and meditations for each, along with holy mantras - simple yet powerful practices that require only good intent, the voice, mind and body. Also included are instructions on making tsa tsas, or miniature buddhas, mandala offerings, prayer flags and altars. (Amazon)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
The Zen of Creativity
by John Daido Loori
Ballantine Books, 2004
"Naturalness, spontaneity, and playfulness are all aspects of the ordinary mind that catches a glimpse of the world of things just as they are," writes Loori, the founder and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, in the Catskill Mountains. Loori, who was once a research scientist, had his first taste of what he describes during a weekend workshop decades ago with the great photographer Minor White. Thanks to the guidance of White, Loori's love of photography became a lens that allowed him to glimpse what it might mean to really awaken. Zen training followed, first with the Japanese Zen master and artist Soen Nakagawa and finally with Maezumi Roshi. In 1980, Loori established the Zen Arts Center in Mount Tremper, N.Y., which soon became a monastery offering formal Zen training. Through exercises, anecdotes and illustrations of his own work and the work of others, he illuminates how in Zen the seemingly different pursuits of awakening and creative expression are actually kindred, even twins. The real aim of artistic expression is to point the way to the truth, Loori shows. True originality can arise only from having a real contact with our origins, with the ground of our being—and this is the aim of Zen practice. "Give yourself permission to be yourself, and don't be frightened by the unknown," writes Loori, and here he is writing of creativity, of Zen and of life itself. Loori offers a superb overview of the spirit and meaning of the Zen arts. More than that, he has created a fresh and persuasive (for he obviously practices what he preaches) guide to the art of waking up to the beauty and mystery of our own lives. (Publisher's Weekly) Buy This Book
|
|
|
Hardcore Zen
by Brad Warner
Wisdom Publications, 2003
Hardcore Zen is a truly revolutionary book. Brand Warner, although strongly grounded in essential Zen teachings, gives a totally novel take on what it means to live a Buddhist life. Tracing his own life through years of rebellion, punk music, and the graphical presentation of animated monsters, Warner connects with the reader on an intimate level. All readers, but especially the young will enjoy Warner's stories of life in the U.S. and Japan and how the most unlikely events can lead one to awareness. Hardcore Zen is written in an open, accessible style with biting humor that spares no one. (Wisdom Publications)
Buy This Book
The Tibetan Way of Life
by John Peacock
Element Books, Ltd., 2003
What's the difference between a lama and a tulku? Who is Tara? What are the four classes of tantra? In this lavishly illustrated book on
Tibetan spiritual wisdom, Peacock, a British professor of Indian religions, answers these questions as he analyzes Tibetan approaches
to life, death and rebirth. One unusual feature is the book's extended discussion of how Tibetan Buddhism has been informed by Bon, the
pre-Buddhist folk religion that is still practiced by many in Tibet. From Bon, Tibetan Buddhism has appropriated "preoccupation with
shamanic healing, demonic forces, and the fight between good and evil," contributing to Tibet's complex and esoteric form of Buddhism.
Peacock also describes how tied Tibetan religion is to the landscape of Tibet, "the land of snows"--a particularly important issue in the
past fifty years, when Tibetan Buddhism has flourished in exile. Every page is garnished with full-color illustrations, and there are
numerous informational sidebars. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Anger
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Berkley Publishing Group, 2002
In an age of road rage, Americans would do well to cool down with prolific Buddhist monk Hanh (Living Buddha, Living Christ). There is plenty in this small volume worth skipping, such as Hanh's tedious call for "Healing the Wounded Child Within." And some of his advice is banal (e.g., if a husband is angry at his wife, he should tell her). But some of Hanh's suggestions cut refreshingly against the grain. He dissents, for example, from the popular therapeutic wisdom to "express our anger": when we beat a pillow to get rid of our feelings, he insists we are merely "rehearsing" our anger, not "reducing" it. Hanh reminds us that anger begins and ends with ourselves we may feel that we are mad at our wife or son, but really we are the direct objects of our rage. Hanh doesn't limit his task to discussing anger between families and friends; he also deals with anger among countries and between citizens and governments. That expansive vision is not surprising (Hanh, after all, is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee) but it is refreshing, lifting this book out of the self-absorbed self-help pile. Like Hanh's other books, this is not weighed down with Buddhist terminology. The appendices, which contain meditations designed to help release anger, give it the specifically Buddhist spice that some readers will appreciate. The meat of the book, however, will be accessible to a broad, ecumenical audience. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
No Beginning, No End
by Jakusho Kwong
Harmony Books, 2003
The "Big Mind" that Zen Buddhist master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi so poetically described in his classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind shines throughout this collection of talks by Kwong, a disciple and authorized successor of Suzuki's. Appropriately for someone erasing the usual dualistic lines that separate self and other, Kwong's voice is strikingly reminiscent of his teacher's, from the traditional stories and poems he cites to the same central figures of speech and simple diction he uses. The book is also organized like Zen Mind into three parts with quotes pulled out to head each chapter. It even includes 10 of Kwong's calligraphic illustrations, while Zen Mind opens with calligraphy facing its title page. Unlike his teacher, however, the California-born Kwong speaks the language of Zen with an American accent. He is intimately familiar with the American lexicon of words and values, which gives him direct experience-important in Zen-to bring to the cultural meeting of modern American and Japanese Zen minds. He uses "living words"-concrete nouns and simple examples from everyday observation or experience-rather than abstract concepts to make plain and understandable the teasing and logic-confounding contradictions found in Zen. Culled from a lifetime of teaching and studying, the book is persuasive. It is the fruit of a ripened mind, hardened by practice but also softened by the compassionate wisdom drawn from those same long years of experience. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Letting Go
by Lama Surya Das
Broadway Books, 2003
Das, an American-born lama in the Dzogchen lineage of Tibet and author of the bestseller Awakening the Buddha Within, here explores the losses and changes that inevitably mark our lives. He argues that what is important is not that difficult things happen (Buddhism's first truth, after all, is that life is suffering), but how we deal with them. Pure detachment from loss and sorrow is not sufficient, he says; the goal is non-attachment to circumstances that are by nature impermanent. Despite losses and pain, we still need to be fully engaged with the world: "Spiritual detachment or equanimity should never be equated with indifference or complacent resignation." One of the strongest sections of the book is Das's simple chronicle of various losses he has suffered, both enormous (the death of his father) and mundane (a stolen bike). Thus acknowledged, his echoing pain prevents the book from being self-help pabulum about how bad things make good people stronger. The writing style, composed mostly of short, choppy sentences, seems well suited for effective public speaking, but unpolished for a book. Many of Das's recommendations-meditating, journal writing, "naming" your feelings, visualizing attachments, chanting a healing mantra-are fairly standard self-help ideas, as are the classic and familiar Buddhist anecdotes sprinkled throughout the book. But there are also great and original nuggets of wisdom here, as when Das advocates the ancient Tibetan practice of chod, a hero's quest-like ritual to confront personal fears. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart
by Mark Epstein
Random House, Inc., 1999
Over 200 years ago, philosopher John Locke proposed that the human mind was a blank slate waiting to be filled up with ideas. Locke's ideas developed into the Western psychological notion of self-fulfillment. In order truly to be self-fulfilled, ones mind literally must be filled to its brim with ideas and desires. Buddhist psychotherapist Epstein (Thoughts Without a Thinker) offers a radically different way of understanding the self in his latest book. Beginning with the Buddhist doctrine that no self is the key to self, Epstein divides his book into four parts "based on the nicknames that Tibetan Buddhists sometimes give to their spiritual practices." These nicknames derive from the activity of falling in love, for in such activity one "simultaneously forgets and discovers oneself." Thus, in "Looking," Epstein advises that we learn how to live with the emptiness of self and to surrender to the void rather than rushing to fill the void with the trivial thoughts of everyday life. In "Smiling," he offers guidance on developing a meditation practice that will help center the self and connect with the universe's harmony. Finally, in "Embracing," Epstein urges moving from the solitude of meditation to the fabric of relationship, and in "Orgasm," he shows how all the threads of the self are woven into a passionate practice. Using stories drawn from his own Buddhist practice and that of his patients, as well as insights from great Buddhist teachers like Chogyam Trungpa and Ram Dass, Epstein shows through sparkling prose and effervescent wit how spiritual practice can transform our everyday lives. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
What Is Love?
by Taro Gold
Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2003
Don't be fooled by the gifty, attractive look and feel of this little square hardback. It may appear similar to any number of frothy books
on spirituality and relationships, but it rises above the genre to offer some reflective and even profound wisdom about Buddhism and
romance. Although the Buddha himself left his family for an itinerant life, and Buddhism stresses non-attachment, Gold says that Buddhism is primarily about "living a joyful life," which includes satisfying romantic relationships. He draws on a variety of Buddhist teachings (particularly from the Nichiren tradition, and its lay movement, Soka Gakkai), sprinkling dharma quotes throughout his own text. The short chapters help readers distinguish between love and illusion, take responsibility for creating their own happiness, overcome fears of pain and loss, and focus on inward change. This is a beautifully illustrated, accessible and perceptive guide. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
The Art of Happiness at Work
by Dalai Lama
The Putnam Publishing Group, 2003
It should come as no surprise that the Dalai Lama, who is believed by his followers to be the human incarnation of the Buddha of Compassion, would take a compassionate interest in helping Westerners find happiness in the daily grind. Still, this slim follow-up to the 1998 bestseller The Art of Happiness will be a revelation to those who aren't yet familiar with the thought of the brilliant Buddhist monk. Attitude and a sense of meaning are the keys to happiness at work, the exiled Tibetan leader tells psychiatrist Cutler in the course of conversations that took place over several years. What will surprise many is the prime importance the Dalai Lama places on reason and analysis, and on the need to acquire "a sense of self that is grounded in reality, an undistorted recognition of one's abilities and characteristics." Cutler presents the findings of various Western researchers, including the concept of "flow," that state of blissful absorption in an activity that allows people to lose track of time and self-identity. The Dalai Lama compares flow to meditative experience, yet downplays it. In order to achieve the kind of happiness that can be sustained even in the hardest times, he says, we must engage in the slow, steady work of training our hearts and minds, rooting out negative habits and cultivating basic human values like kindness and compassion. The Dalai Lama avoids generalization, emphasizing the complexity of individual situations. He won't condemn the manufacture of weapons, for example, because, he says, although they are destructive, "nations do need weapons for security purposes." At a time when Western spiritual seekers are flocking to books telling them that all they really need to be happy and good is to enter into a blissful meditative communion with the now, it is provocative and moving to be urged to think and to know oneself by the man who is arguably the greatest living symbol of the developed spirit in action. And what may be most moving is this: if the Dalai Lama is right, and if people do as he suggests-if they learn to see themselves impartially and to analyze their work in light of how many people it touches-they will begin to see, whether they are picking oranges or writing a novel, that the highest purpose of work and, indeed, of life is the helping of others. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
365 Nirvana: Here and Now
by Josh Baran
Element, 2003
Enlightenment is often imagined as something for only the elite, requiring many years of spiritual practice. This book suggests that the awakened state is actually immediately present and available to everyone. Josh Baran, a former Zen priest, spent ten years gathering 365 of the most powerful and inspiring examples of this insight--illuminating the abundance and grace that is here right before our eyes and in every breath. (Element)
Buy This Book
Buddhist Symbols
by Mirabai Blau
Mirabai Blau Tatjana Blau
Sterling Publications, 2003
Images of enlightenment and beauty that offer a universal system of values: these Tibetan Buddhist symbols, and the instructions for incorporating them into everyday life, will please the eye, mind, and soul. (Amazon.com)
Buy This Book
Monk Dancers of Tibet
by Matthieu Ricard
Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2003
Tibetan Buddhism, the most symbolic and esoteric of all Buddhist traditions, has a rich history of sacred dance in which every mask,
costume, sound and gesture has spiritual significance. Most Tibetan dances, says Ricard, a French Buddhist monk, are based in the exploits of masters and great teachers, and seek to preserve their legacy. Since the Chinese occupation of Tibet, however, the dances have been restricted, and are now found mostly in exile communities in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The color photographs and illustrations are the real highlight of this book, which discusses the role of sacred dance in Tibetan Buddhism and, most interestingly, profiles what life is like for the monk dancers. The book makes it clear that dance is a meditative practice, and even the crafts associated with it - such as
the making of masks and elaborate costumes - are sacred acts. A final section explores the ritual cycle of Tibetan Buddhism, and outlines
which dances are performed for holidays and festivals. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
|
|
|
Tibetan Prayer Flags
by Diane Barker, Dru-Gu Choegyal Rinpoche
Connections Book Publishing Ltd, 2003
This attractive package consists of an illustrated hardcover and a long, colorful Tibetan prayer flag, packaged together in a lovely gift box. This set offers a superior book as part of the package. In it, Barker presents an accessible history of the role of prayer flags, explaining the symbolism of the five colors and the customary invocations that accompany the flags. Barker's approach is practical, advising readers about the most auspicious places and times to hang their flags, and helping them to understand the symbolism of the most popular designs. The book's best attribute is its beautiful full-color photography, showing images of the flags' use in the lives of ordinary Tibetans, as well as famous lamas. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
Buddhist Wisdom: Daily Reflections
by David Crosweller
Charles E Tuttle Co, 2003
This day-by-day collection of Buddhist wisdom invites readers to explore brief, pithy statements, many of which are drawn from the Dhammapada. Crosweller advises readers to "give themselves time to absorb" the short meditations contained here, since at first glance they seem deceptively simple: an aphorism here, a platitude there. The tiny, square paperback format may also lull the unsuspecting into imagining that this is a trite, undemanding introduction to Buddhism. But readers who are willing to dig a little deeper will find that this carefully selected collection has much to offer. In addition to the daily meditations, the book has an unusual appendix of sacred observances and holidays in the Buddhist year, and tools for further exploration in the form of books and organizations. (Publishers Weekly)
Buy This Book
When Things Fall Apart
by Pema Chödrön
Shambhala, 1996
In recent years Pema Chödrön has become one of the most beloved Buddhist teachers in America. In this collection of talks, she talks about that most difficult of topics: suffering and how to face it. Her view, inspired by Buddhist teachings, is that if we can somehow go directly into the suffering, feeling it as fully as possible and even relaxing into it, we can find a strange sense of liberation, energy, and even joy.
Buy This Book
Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State
by Namkhai Norbu
Snow Lion, 1996
Dzogchen, the "Great Perfection," is considered to be the pinnacle of Tibetan Buddhist practice. In this concise, highly readable work, Dzogchen master Namkhai Norbu sets out the essence of this teaching. It’s all about relaxing in a state of primordial awareness; an accomplished Dzogchen practitioner is capable of doing this in the midst of daily life as well as in meditation. It’s said that you have to be directly introduced to this state of consciousness by a qualified teacher, but Namkhai Norbu’s work gives you as clear an idea of it as a book can convey.
Buy This Book
The Miracle of Mindfulness
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Beacon Press, 1992
Few spiritual teachings offer as much advice on being aware in daily life as does Buddhism. This book by the noted Vietnamese monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh is a clear and gentle introduction to Buddhist teachings on mindfulness. Sometimes it’s a matter of meditative practice: for example, sitting quietly with your awareness focused on the breath (a practice that is said to go back to the Buddha himself). But it also can — and should — be attempted in every moment of waking life. This book offers some wonderful suggestions about how to increase mindfulness from moment to moment.
Buy This Book
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
by Sogyal Rinpoche
HarperSanFrancisco.
In medieval Europe it was called the ars moriendi — the "art of dying." Although we tend to avoid death as a morbid topic, most religions say that we should constantly remember the fact of our own mortality. This is not only to put daily life in perspective but to help ready ourselves for facin | |
