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Spirituality and Religion January 2018
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| The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life by Erwin Raphael McManusWhat it is: Author Erwin McManus, the founder of Mosaic, a Los Angeles Christian community, exhorts the faithful to give their best efforts to serving God and the needs of others. This spiritual autobiography builds on the story of Elijah and Elisha from the Hebrew scriptures, as McManus provides examples of where a leap of faith can take you.
Is it for you? For Christians, the book's real-life illustrations and scriptural basis are thought-provoking and inspirational. |
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The Occult Book : A Chronological Journey from Alchemy to Wicca
by John Michael Greer
What it is: a journey through occult history, exploring 100 dramatic incidents, arcane knowledge, and key historical figures from around the world. The author covers two millennia of tradition, from the earliest alchemists to pagan rituals; the Philosopher’s Stone, Cabala, the first tarot, and the Knights Templar; and from the first horoscopes to fortune-telling trials and the birth of modern witchcraft, or Wicca.
About the author: John Michael Greer is author of more than 40 books, including The New Encyclopedia of the Occult. He served for twelve years as Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA).
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| The Dharma of The Princess Bride: What the Coolest Fairy Tale of Our Time Can Teach Us by Ethan NichternWhat it is: Buddhist teachings about life (dharma) get a popular culture boost from the cult classic film The Princess Bride. Focusing on friendships, romantic relationships, and family, Buddhist teacher Ethan Nichtern makes the dharma fun and accessible.
Is it for you? You don't need to be a film geek or a Buddhist. Even if you haven't seen the movie dozens of times (like Nichtern), you'll find insights you can apply to your own relationships. Those who haven't seen it might want to view it before reading this book. |
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Reimagining Exodus : A Story of Freedom
by David Zaslow
What it is about: In Jewish tradition, the Exodus is applied to the individual life journey, with captivities, freedoms and wildernesses. This book will explore how the struggles in Genesis can be applied to our issues today—personal and cultural.
About the author: Rabbi David Zaslow lives with his wife, author Deborah Gordon Zaslow in Oregon, and is a self-professed Brooklyn Dodger fanatic. He was awarded an American Book Award in 1988 for educational materials for Shakin' Loose with Mother Goose, a collection of traditional rhymes rapped to rock, jazz and blues music.
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| The Dude and the Zen Master by Jeff Bridges and Bernie GlassmanWhat it is: a dialogue about many aspects of Zen between film star Jeff Bridges and his Buddhist teacher, Bernie Glassman. Using accessible examples from American popular culture, they lightheartedly consider how to deal with change, promote peace, end hunger, and other serious issues.
Follow up: Watch The Big Lebowski (or see it again). For a more traditional introduction to practical Zen Buddhism, try Jack Kornfeld's The Art of Forgiveness. |
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| A Force for Good by Daniel GolemanWhat it's about: Psychologist Daniel Goleman applies his research on emotional intelligence to the Dalai Lama's philosophy of compassion and action. Starring: the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, who is the leader of Tibetan Buddhists and exiled head of the Tibetan people. He discusses how his monastic training guides his views of the world and the choices he makes. What you might like: The Dalai Lama's sense of humor shines, along with his wisdom, in this practical interpretation of Buddhist precepts. |
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| Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise by Thich Nhat HanhWhat it is: an inspirational discussion of the importance of silence as an antidote to psychological and environmental noise.
Key insight: Buddhist meditation promotes mindfulness and deep listening, helping you follow the Bodhisattva path to enlightenment.
About the author: The internationally acclaimed Vietnamese Buddhist monk writes straightforward and accessible books on meditation practice and its benefits. |
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| Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye: A Journey by Marie Mutsuki MockettWhat it's about: Author Marie Mutsuki Mockett vividly and movingly relates her visit to Japan after the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant explosion followed by a tsunami. In this spiritual memoir, Mockett, who was already mourning her Japanese grandfather's death, portrays the widespread grief in Japan for those lost to the sequential disasters.
Read it for: Mockett's account of her own gradual healing draws readers into Japanese Buddhist culture, which connects deeply with a common human desire to maintain contact with the dead. |
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