Philosophy and Religion

The concept of yin yang can be found in some of the oldest writing in the world. It is fundamental to Chinese thought and the route to understanding most Chinese practices, from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Daoism and feng shui. It also offers us ways of enhancing our own lives, establishing greater balance not only in our own environment but also in the wider world if we can work with other pe

The precepts of Hermetic philosophy remained shrouded in secrecy for more than 2,000 years, clouded by obscure language and dense allegories. This concise guide offers a modern interpretation of the doctrine, distilling its teachings with seven compelling principles that can be applied to self-development in daily life.

This apocryphal work from the second century B.C. introduced such concepts as fallen angels, resurrection, and last judgment. It exercised a powerful influence on early Christians, particularly the Gnostics. A must for those interested in apocalyptic literature and the origins of Christianity, this edition offers the definitive translation.

Classic reference explores ancient mythology, philosophy, and religion. Hundreds of entries range from Islamic and Christian history to arcane rituals of Druids, Freemasons, alchemists, other secret societies. 16 pages of color plates, 100 black-and-white illustrations.

One of the most creative and innovative young Tibetan Buddhist lamas teaching today challenges readers to make sure they know what they're talking about before they claim to be Buddhist.

Treasured by Buddhists of all traditions, The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara) is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment and to generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience. This text has been studied, practiced, and expounded upon in an unbroken tradition for centuries. Presented in the form of a personal meditation in verse, it outlines the path of t

Zen teacher Halifax emphasizes that the process of dying is a rite of passage, and can be viewed as natural and not something to be denied. Here she offers stories as well as guided exercises and contemplations to help readers meditate on death without fear.

Listen to an audio sample online in MP3 format--click here

Fear and guilt are two of the greatest challenges we face on the spiritual path--but there is a way to transform these painful feelings ...

There’s a secret to spiritual practice, and it’s surprisingly simple: learn to be present with attention. Do that, and the whole world becomes your teacher, you wake up to the sacredness of every aspect of existence, and compassion for others arises without even thinking about it. In Zen Heart, Bayda provides a wealth of practical advice for making difficult experiences a valued part o

A prominent Insight Meditation teacher presents the Buddhist concept of “no-self” in an easy-to-understand way that will radically change your perspective on life Anatta is the Buddhist teaching on the nonexistence of a permanent, independent self. It´s a notoriously puzzling and elusive concept, usually leading to such questions as, “If I don´t have a self, who´s reading this sentence?” It´s not

This anthology of Buddhist teachings offers an antidote to the unprecedented level of anxiety and uncertainly that grips the modern world. "In the Face of Fear" shows readers how to remain open, joyful, and caring even when life is stressful.

The timeless wisdom of "The Art of War" is as effective in the modern boardroom as it was on the ancient battlefield. Now this dual-language edition offers even greater insight by allowing readers to directly compare the Chinese characters of Sun Tzu with the English translation.

In this compelling collection of talks and seminars, Chogyam Trungpa presents the basic teachings of Buddhism as they relate to everyday life. The book is divided into three parts--"Personal Journey", "Stages on the Path", and "Working with Others".

A clear and concise introduction to the teachings and philosophies of the three main vehicles of Buddhism—Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana—through a Tibetan lens This comprehensive guide to the Buddhist path from the Tibetan point of view is as accessible as it is complete. Traleg Kyabgon breaks the teachings down conveniently into the three traditional “vehicles

Buddhist teachings like the eightfold path, the four noble truths, and karma pervade Buddhist literature—but how often do we read what the Buddha himself had to say about these topics? Here is an accessible look at the Buddha´s First Discourse, which contains the foundation for all further Buddhist teaching. Ajahn Sucitto offers a new translation of this revolutionary teaching, known as Th

We live in difficult times. Life sometimes seems like a roiling and turbulent river threatening to drown us and destroy the world. Why, then, shouldn´t we cling to the certainty of the shore—to our familiar patterns and habits? Because, Pema Chödrön teaches, that kind of fear-based clinging keeps us from the infinitely more satisfying experience of being fully alive. The teachings

The delightful and often funny poetry of Zen´s quintessential free spirit, Master Ryokan—in a fresh translation by a beloved American Zen figure Ryokan Taigu (1758-1831) was a monk in the Soto lineage of Japanese Zen who spent a good part of his life as a hermit, writing poetry, playing with children, and creating simple and exquisitely beautiful calligraphies—sometimes using twigs as

The joy of intimacy—with yourself, with others, and with the whole universe. The long-awaited first book from a prominent modern American Zen teacher. For Roshi Pat Enkyo O´Hara, intimacy is what Zen practice is all about: the realization of the essential lack of distinction between self and other that inevitably leads to wisdom and compassionate action. She approaches the practice of intim

This collection of parables written by an eighteenth-century samurai is a classic of martial arts literature. The tales are concerned with themes such as perception of conflict, self-transformation, the cultivation of chi (life energy), and understanding yin and yang. Some of the parables seem light and fanciful, but they offer the reader valuable lessons on the fundamental principles of the marti