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An accessible introduction to the concepts of Jewish mysticism, their religious
and spiritual significance, and how they relate to our lives.

The Way Into Jewish Mystical Tradition allows us to experience and understand mysticism's inexpressible reverence before the awe and mystery of creation, and celebrate this rich tradition's quest to transform our ordinary reality into holiness.

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The Jesus Prayer JourneyAnnotated & Explained

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The classic of Russian spiritualitynow with facing-page
commentary that illuminates and explains the text.

The Way of a Pilgrim is the timeless account of an anonymous wanderer who set out on a journey across nineteenth-century Russia with nothing but a backpack, some bread, and a Bible, with a burning desire to learn the true meaning of the words of St. Paul: "Pray without ceasing." In this completely accessible new abridgment, all the terms and references are explained for you--with intriguing insights into aspects of the text that are often not available to the general reader.

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An accessible introduction to the reasons for and the ways of Jewish prayer.

The Way Into Jewish Prayer helps us to explore the reasons for and the ways of Jewish prayer. It opens the door to 3,000 years of Jewish prayer, making available all you need to feel at home in the Jewish way of communicating with God.

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Take a new journey through the Bible you thought you knew.

They may not be quite as you remember them, but each story in this ingenious collectionsome whimsical, some seriousfinds its roots in a close reading of the Bible and interpretations of it that originated centuries ago.

Take a look through God's telescope and see how it all really happened: What was it like to be in Josephs sandals as his brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery? How did Esther use her pretty face as a tool to save the Hebrew people? And what in the name of ... well, you know who ... happened to the unicorns included on the arks original passenger manifest?

Your guide will be a sassy angel named Gabriella. The territory you cover will be familiar. But the questions and insights that these clever, profound stories will prompt you to grapple withmay surprise you.

Biblical characters explored include:

Adam Eve Cain Abel Noah Sarah Abraham Isaac Jacob Esau Joseph Moses Jonah Mordechai Haman Esther Ahasuerus Naomi Ruth Samson Delilah David

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The Way Into Encountering God In Judaism

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An accessible introduction to the Jewish understanding of God
throughout historyand today.

The Way Into Encountering God in Judaism is an accessible introduction to the Jewish understanding of God throughout historyand today.

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Discover how the crown jewel of Hindu teachings can enrich your life and spirituality.

Guarded for centuries by saints and ascetics in the forests and mountains of India, the universal principles of Vedanta were deemed too precious to be understood by the masses until Swami Vivekananda first introduced them in the West at the end of the nineteenth century.

Today Vedantas principles of self-awareness, self-knowledge and self-control are available for anyone who wants to enrich their life by following this ancient tradition. Fusing science, philosophy, meditation and contemplation, these timeless teachings encourage spiritual growth by inviting critical inquiry, encouraging honest doubt and providing realistic explanations of the mysteries of spiritual quest.

This comprehensive guide examines in detail the tenets of Vedanta, its relationship to other spiritual paths and its applications for your own spiritual journey, such as:
Re-establishing Contact with the Ultimate Reality Acting in the Living Present Awakening Spiritual Consciousness Mastering the Restless Mind Grasping the Essentials Liberating the Soul And much more ...

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The Goal, the Journey and the Milestones

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Guidance for Your Spiritual Journeyfrom the Wisdom of Yoga and Vedanta

The ultimate goal of life is to discover the divinity within ourselves and in all beings and things. This will lead us to adore our true Self, adore our fellow beings, and adore the world that is but a reflection of Reality. This reunion with the Absolutethe core of our individual being as well as of the universeis the true meaning of yoga.
from chapter 13

The yoga way maintains that spiritual quest is not a matter of choice but a vital necessity for total well-being. This comprehensive guide for spiritual seekers of all faiths and backgrounds presents a roadmap to Self-knowledge, the goal of spiritual quest, and shows that reconnecting with the center of your being, your true Self, is real, tangible and attainable.

Exploring the route to spiritual fulfillment through the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta, Swami Adiswarananda outlines the meaning of spiritual quest, the nature of and the preparations necessary for the journey and the milestones you will use to chart your progress. He also draws from the sacred texts of these time-tested traditions to address the vital questions that often trouble spiritual seekers, such as:
Which spiritual path should I follow? How can I attain liberation? What are the dangers and obstacles on the spiritual path? How do I control the restless mind? Why are there many religions and what is the way to interfaith unity?

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How can my congregation become more vital?
How can we both honor the past and embrace the future?

[The Self-Renewing Congregation] calls for renewal...from within, not withouta renewal that begins with institutional self-reflection, proceeds through a process of self-engagement, and ends with self-generated innovations that can deepen the synagogue congregation as a sacred community. The core of this book offers any congregation seeking this path a compelling and realistic roadmap, a vision, and a process that is rooted in applied research and practical experience.
from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson, codeveloper, Synagogue 2000;
author of Shabbat: The Family Guide to Preparing for and Celebrating the Sabbath

Revitalizing and re-imagining the organization of our synagogues takes work! Combining expert advice and experience garnered from congregations throughout North America, The Self-Renewing Congregation shows us how transformative change is possible. A complete resource full of ideas, information, and support, this is a guide for those of us involved in, or interested in, energizing our spiritual communities.

Isa Aron, founding director of Hebrew Union Colleges Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE), offers concrete, practical information on how to bring about change through collaborative leadership, and helps us grow dynamic, successful congregations.

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Unlock the powerful truths that shattered ancient beliefs and paved the way for the new and revolutionary religion that became Judaism.

This is a unique look at the Torahthe foundation of Jewish existenceand the revolutionary teachings of Moses embedded within it that gave birth to Judaism and influenced the world.

Dr. Reuven Hammer presents fourteen radical ideas found in Torah, explains their original intentions, and shows how understanding these "truths" can help you better understand the narrative and laws of Judaism. He shows how when taken together, these value concepts present a picture of human life that is surprisingly modern and relevant to our goals for repairing the world today:

Humanity is one as God is one

Human beings are responsible for their actions and have the choice to do good or evil

Poverty, deprivation, slavery and hatred are evils that must be eradicated

The earth is not ours to destroy

The love of others is a divine command

And much more ...

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How to Transform Your Congregation into a Sacred Community

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A practical guide for envisioningand transformingyour synagogue into a powerful new congregation of welcoming, learning and healing. "The new synagogue we envision is a spiritual center for all those who set foot inside it. It is a kehillah kedoshah, a sacred community, where relationships are paramount, where worship is engaging, where everyone is learning, where repair of the world is a moral imperative, where healing is offered, where personal and institutional transformation are embraced. The times are ripe for this spiritual call." from the Introduction So often we want our congregations to be moremore compelling, more member-focused, more spiritual and yet more useful for our daily lives. Through reflection, examples, tips and exercisesand incorporating the fruits of Synagogue 2000 (now Synagogue 3000), a groundbreaking decade-long program investigating the challenges facing modern synagoguesthis inspiring handbook both establishes a sound foundation for why a deep hospitality is crucial for the survival of today's spiritual communities, and dives into the practical hands-on how of turning your congregation into a place of invitation and openness that includes: Prayer that is engaging, uplifting and spiritually moving Institutional deepening that is possible because of an openness to change Study that engages adults and families, as well as children Good deedsthe work of social justiceas a commitment of each and every member An ambience of welcome that creates a culture of warmth and outreach Healing that offers comfort and support at times of illness and loss ... and much more.

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What Happens When Your Spiritual Path Leads You Far from Home?

Many who embark on a spiritual quest discover that the people they meet along the way ultimately point them back home, into the very soul of the religious tradition they had left behind. So it was with David Zeller, whose spiritual odyssey took him across the globe, through traditions including Zen Buddhism and Hinduism, and into relationship with some of the world's most compelling spiritual teachers.

Thoughtful and endearing, provocative and witty, Zeller's delightful stories recall his meetings with the likes of Carl Jung, Shlomo Carlebach, Alan Watts, Sri Pad Baba, the "Mother" (Sri Aurobindo Ashram), Carlos Castaneda and many others, well known and unknownand the experiences and teachings that ultimately allowed him to rediscover his own spiritual heritage.

From the stimulating days of California's Bay Area in the 1960s, to a kibbutz in Israel, to the time he spent as a sadhu in India living outdoors and bathing in rivers, these stories of Zellers spiritual adventures remind us all that even the most meandering path can, in the end, bring us to our true spiritual home.

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The Seven Questions You're Asked in Heaven

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How do you get to the heart of a life well lived?
Its all about the questions.

If you can hear the questions and apply them to the way you live your life on earth today, then when the time comes, your soul will be ready to take that stairway to heaven, prepared to answer the Seven Questions with a resounding Yes!, and take your rightful place among the angels.
from the Prologue

In this charming, inspiring and wise guide to a well-lived life, beloved teacher Ron Wolfson provides an advance copy of the Seven Questions youll be asked in heavenwhether youre a believer or a non-believer. The answers to these questions will help you shape a life of purpose and meaning on earth today.

Supported by wisdom from the Jewish tradition, lifes experiences, and personal anecdotes, Wolfson tells you about these transformative questions and explores the values that are at the heart of a life that matters. He offers funny, insightful and poignant stories of how peopleancient and contemporaryhave answered the Seven Questions through their everyday actions. He encourages you to reflect on your own life goals and provides ideas both big and small for achieving them.

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Creating and Sustaining a Loving, Sacred Relationship

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"Your partner can and should meet all of your emotional needs." "All disagreements can and should be resolved." Great relationships require little maintenance.

Old models of marriage such as these are crumbling. Divorce rates remain high. Many people are skeptical and mistrustful about having real love in their lives. It's clear people need new models to help them connect with each other in meaningful, lasting ways. It's time to break free from old patterns of commitment and to forge new pathways for healthy, thriving, deeply loving relationships.

This hope-filled resource for developing soulful, mature love is aimed at committed couples who are looking to build, maintain and glorify the sacred in their relationship. It creates a context for couples to honor the gradual movement from physical flight-fight-freeze body-based survival to more heart-filled, communication-oriented love, to spiritual awakening and soul-purpose fulfillment. It encourages couplesas individuals and as partnersto let go of dysfunctional, hurtful, restrictive behavior in favor of liberating self-concepts and belief systems. It provides solutions for communicating and problem-solving more effectively, allowing each partner in the relationship to experience more emotional intimacy, joy and sexual pleasure. The book provides relationship information, practical tools and inspirational, real-life stories. It also offers a banquet of spiritual practices for couples of all faithsor noneto bring these new models into focused action.

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In a divided world, where the one who shouts the loudest often gets the most attention, a story about compromise and listening. "Standing UP!" "Lying DOWN!" What were the people to do? They decided to ask the rabbi of the town. What are we to do? they asked. Shall we put the mezuzah standing up or lying down? The townspeople have mezuzahs but cannot agree on how to put them up on their doorways. Should they place them horizontally or vertically, standing up or lying down? To end their arguing, they consult the wise rabbi of the town, who advises them to carefully read the Shema in the mezuzah to find the answer. With this lively tale, based on a twelfth-century rabbinic debate, best-selling, award-winning children's author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso helps young people discover that there is often more than one solution to a problem, and that living together and creating home requires cooperation and listening to one another.

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Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Joani Keller Rothenberg

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& Other Kabbalistic Tales of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

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Rejoice in the stories of Rebbe Nachman of Breslovfor their insight into the human condition and the realm of the mysterious. When Rabbi Nachman first started telling his stories, he declared: "Now I am going to tell you stories." The reason he did so was because in generations so far from God the only remedy was to present the secrets of the Torahincluding even the greatest of themin the form of stories. from the Preface For centuries, spiritual teachers have told stories to convey lessons about God and perceptions of the world around us. Hasidic master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (17721810) perfected this teaching method through his engrossing and entertaining stories that are fast-moving, brilliantly structured, and filled with penetrating insights. This collection presents the wisdom of Rebbe Nachman, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and accompanied by illuminating commentary drawn from the works of Rebbe Nachman's pupils. This important work brings you authentic interpretations of Rebbe Nachmans stories, allowing you to experience the rich heritage of Torah and Kabbalah that underlies each word of his inspirational teachings.

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The Gnostic GospelsAnnotated & Explained

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This ancient Gnostic text can be a companion for your own spiritual quest

The Secret Book of John is the most significant and influential text of the ancient Gnostic religion. Part of the library of books found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945, this central myth of Gnosticism tells the story of how God fell from perfect Oneness to imprisonment in the material world, and how by knowing our divine nature and our divine originsthat we are one with Godwe reverse Gods descent and find our salvation.

The Secret Book of John: The Gnostic GospelAnnotated & Explained decodes the principal themes, historical foundation, and spiritual contexts of this challenging yet fundamental Gnostic teaching. Drawing connections to Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, kabbalistic Judaism, and Sufism, Davies focuses on the mythology and psychology of the Gnostic religious quest. He illuminates the Gnostics ardent call for self-awareness and introspection, and the empowering message that divine wholeness will be restored not by worshiping false gods in an illusory material world but by our recognition of the inherent divinity within ourselves.

Now you can experience and understand this foundational teaching even if you have no previous knowledge of Gnosticism. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the most important and valued book in Gnostic religion with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary. It provides deeper insight into the understanding that in Gnosticism the distinction between savior and saved ceases to existyou must save yourself and in doing so save God.

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Fresh insight into Christianitys earliest teachings can be a
guide for your own spiritual journey.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament, was a fearless and revolutionary religious innovator. In a society where slaveholding was commonplace and women were little more than servants, he preached a groundbreaking equality founded on a new spiritual identity. In an imperial political system that demanded unquestioning allegiance, Paul told his readers they were citizens of heaven. Yet Paul diverged from many of Jesuss own teachings about the world and Gods kingdom, and his writings have been used to justify slavery, defend violence toward women, and vilify followers of other religious paths.

With fresh translations from the original Greek and insightful yet unobtrusive commentary, Ron Miller guides you through the complexities of Pauls writings. He explores Pauls limitations and sometimes harmful legacy, but also highlights Pauls deep connection with Gods Spirit. This connection led to Pauls penetrating insights on how to live a life filled with spiritual vigor, experience profound joy even in the face of trouble, and understand the fundamental power of love to overcome any obstacle.

Whether you are familiar with Pauls writings or have no previous knowledge of them, this SkyLight Illuminations volume will open a door to let you experience the power of Pauls words for yourself.

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Open your heart and mind and discoverthrough the sacred art of lovingkindnessthe image and likeness of God in yourself and others.

"The question at the heart of this book is this: Will you engage this moment with kindness or with cruelty, with love or with fear, with generosity or scarcity, with a joyous heart or an embittered one? This is your choice and no one can make it for you.... Heaven and hell are both inside of you. It is your choice that determines just where you reside.
from the Introduction
We are all born in the image of God, but living out the likeness of God is a choice. This inspiring, practical guidebook provides you with the tools you need to realize the divinity within yourself, recognize the divinity within others, and act on the obligation to manifest Gods infinite compassion in your own life.

Guided by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, you will explore Judaisms Thirteen Attributes of Lovingkindness as the framework for cultivating a life of goodness. Shapiro translates these attributes into practicesdrawn from the teachings of a variety of faith traditionsthat allow you to actualize Gods glory through personal deeds of lovingkindness. You will enrich your own capacity for lovingkindness as you:
Harvest kindness through compassionate honesty Make room in your heart for reality Recognize the manifestations of God Embrace the paradoxical truth of not-knowing Be present in the moment Do right by others
With candor, wit, and honesty, Shapiro shows you that by choosing to act out of love rather than fear, with kindness rather than anger, you can transform how you perceive the world and ultimately lead a more complete spiritual life.

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Take up your scrapbooking in a whole new state of mindand spirit.

When I scrapbook, I feel empowered and connected and hopeful. I feel grateful and content and stimulated. In the process of scrapbooking, I feel the closest to my essential self, and to God.
from the Introduction

In this imaginative, creative resource, award-winning scrapbook designer Cory Richardson-Lauve leads you on a celebration of the divine connection you can experience through scrapbooking. Weaving her own insights, techniques and artwork with the reflections and layouts of other professional scrapbookers and the wisdom of spiritual thinkers, Richardson-Lauve reveals how this innovative and dynamic craft can become a practice used to deepen and shape your life.

Each chapter includes an original scrapbooking project with dozens of variationsfor both cut-and-paste and digital artists, beginning scrapbookers and published designers alikethat helps you explore a theme essential to both your designs and your spirituality.

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Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice

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Hearing and listening are two different things.
Learning to listenreally listenrequires sacred practice.

The Sacred Art of Listening guides you through forty practices of deep listeningto our Source, to ourselves, and to each other.

Inspiring text and contemplative artwork combine to communicate the three essential qualities of deep listeningsilence, reflection, and presence. They demonstrate that the key to healthy relationships and spiritual transformation can be as basic as practicing the art of listening.

You will learn how to:
Speak clearly from the heartCommunicate with courage and compassionHeighten your awareness and sensitivity to opportunities for deep listeningEnhance your ability to listen to people with different belief systems