Spirituality and Religion
November 2017
"I didn’t know the difference between my dharma and my karma, but I was willing to learn."
~ from Priscilla Warner's Learning to Breathe
 
Recent Releases
The origins of creativity
by Edward O Wilson

A winner of the Pulitzer Prize grapples with the question of how the uniquely human expression of creativity—so central to our identity as individuals and, collectively, as a species—came about and how it has manifested itself throughout history.
We need to talk : how to have conversations that matter
by Celeste Headlee

"From NPR veteran Celeste Headlee, an informative, timely, and practical guide to the lost art of conversation"
The Great Shift: Encountering God in Biblical Times
by James L. Kugel

In The Great Shift, acclaimed Orthodox Jewish scholar James Kugel considers how the people of ancient times encountered God and, examining the Hebrew scriptures, traces a gradual change in human perceptions of the divine presence. These perceptions progress from literal, intimate encounters with God, through conversations mediated by heavenly messengers, to an understanding of God as distant and hard to reach. Drawing on his deep understanding of Hebrew scriptures and literature, theology, and human psychology, Kugel provides an intriguing window into ancient texts for modern readers.   
The Blue Zones of Happiness : Lessons from the World's Happiest People
by Dan Buettner

The best-selling author of The Blue Zones draws on the insights of a blue-ribbon panel of world experts to reveal the surprising secrets of the world's happiest places, offering practical counsel on how to apply the lessons of true happiness to everyday life.
Pathways in the Spiritual Life
A Gentle Thunder : Hearing God Through the Storm
by Max Lucado

Citing the stories of such biblical characters as Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and Jonah, a guide to understanding and recognizing God's will reveals the ways by which God communicates and seeks to draw our attention. Reprint.
Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life
by Priscilla Warner

Having suffered from debilitating anxiety attacks since age 15, author Priscilla Warner decides in middle age to give up tranquilizing drugs and learn how to practice the transcendent calm that characterizes Tibetan Buddhist monks. She embarks on a spiritual odyssey that introduces her to a variety of relaxation techniques in addition to Buddhist meditation. This upbeat, approachable narrative will appeal to people looking for stress relief, especially those suffering from anxiety disorders.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Keene Public Library
60 Winter St.
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
603-352-0157
http://www.keenepubliclibrary.org/