- Table View
- List View
Luke - An Introduction And Study Guide: All Flesh Shall See God's Salvation (T&T Clark's Study Guides to the New Testament Series)
by Greg Carey Benny LiewGreg Carey's guide equips readers to develop their own informed assessments of Luke's Gospel. The book begins with an inductive exposition of Luke's singular approach to composing a story about Jesus, examining its use of Mark, clues to its social setting, and its distinctive literary strategies. Recognizing that many readers approach Luke for theological and religious reasons, while many others do not, a chapter on 'Spirit' addresses Luke's presentation of the God of Israel, how the Gospel ties salvation to the person of Jesus, and how the problems of sin and evil find their resolution in the kingdom of God and in community of those who follow Jesus. A chapter on 'Practice' examines the Gospel's vision for human community. While many readers find a revolutionary message in which women, the poor, Gentiles and sinners find themselves included and blessed in Luke's Gospel, this volume calls attention to inconsistencies and tensions within the narrative. Luke does speak toward inclusion, Carey argues, but not in a revolutionary way. Could it be that the Gospel promises more than it delivers? Carey suggests that Luke speaks to people of relative privilege, challenging them toward mercy and inclusion rather than toward fundamental social change. An Epilogue reflects upon contemporary readers of Luke, most of whom enjoy privilege in their own right, and how they may respond to Luke's story.
Luke Leader Guide: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws
by Adam HamiltonFrom Birth to Resurrection in the Gospel of LukeJesus came to lift up the lowly. Throughout his ministry to his final days on the road to the cross, we find stories of his relationships with ordinary, flawed, and unexpected people. He met, dined, and traveled with people who were not perfect. Many of them were struggling, some were outsiders or even outlaws. Whoever they were, from those he healed to the outlaws with him at his crucifixion, Jesus brought the good news of God’s kingdom to those who most needed to hear it.In Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws, pastor and bestselling author Adam Hamilton explores the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Through Luke’s stories we find Jesus’ care and compassion for all as he welcomes sinners and outcasts. As we study Luke and see Jesus’ concern for those who were considered unimportant, we hear a hopeful and inspiring word for our lives today.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through a six-week study based on Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws, including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.Additional study components include video teaching sessions featuring Adam Hamilton, free downloadable resources for children and youth, and a digital worship and sermon helps.
Luke- Teach Yourself the Bible Series: The Gospel of God's Man (Teach Yourself the Bible)
by Keith BrooksThe Teach Yourself the Bible Series is one of the best New Testament studies you will find anywhere. Each book in the series is packed full of valuable questions on individual chapters of the Bible, check-ups to test your grasp of scriptural truths, and usable suggestions for group study.Grow in your knowledge of God through each New Testament book, then go on to study six aspects of Christianity essential for all believers: doctrine, prayer, eternal life, prophecy, Christian character, and Bible study.The theme of Luke is Jesus Christ the Son of Man. This is not to obscure His deity or obtrude His humanity but to lift up the manhood of Christ. Study the man who was completely God, the God who became completely man. Strengthen your relationship with the living God with all twenty-five books of the Teach Yourself the Bible Series. Each volume is a timeless, yet practical, study of the Word of God.
Luke the Priest: The Authority of the Author of the Third Gospel
by Rick StrelanThis book focuses on the authority and status of the author of Luke-Acts. What authority did he have to write a Gospel, to interpret the Jewish Scriptures and traditions of Israel, to interpret the Jesus traditions, and to update the narrative with a second volume with its interpretation of Paul and the other apostles who appear in the Acts narrative? Rick Strelan constructs the author as a Jewish Priest, examining such issues as writing and orality, authority and tradition, and the status and role of priests. The analysis is set within the context of scholarly opinion about the author, the intended audience and other related issues.
Luke to Theo: Understanding Luke’s Gospel in the World of the First Century
by Clifford SamuelLuke’s remarkable work has moved beyond its original audience. Over time it has become a means of nourishing countless individuals on their spiritual and religious journeys. Luke’s gospel is valuable not only in its religious context, for it offers a captivating window into the intricacies of the first century world, its history, literature, its sacred as well as its secular beliefs. This book will be useful not only for those with a religious worldview but for undergraduate students as well as the general reader. Luke to Theo considers many thought-provoking questions. Who is this enigmatic figure we call Luke? What does he have to say about Jesus? What role does Theo play in this narrative? And just how does the author manage to engage diverse audiences from the first century right up to the present day? For both believer and sceptic alike, this book provides a framework to understand the nuances of many a biblical text. Drawing upon the latest scholarly research, the author enables readers to embark on a thought-provoking journey as literary forms and historical context enrich Luke’s remarkable work.
Luke's Demonstration to Theophilus: The Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles According to Codex Bezae
by Jenny Read-Heimerdinger Josep Rius-CampsThis is the first complete English translation of Luke's Demonstration to Theophilus (the books of Luke and Acts) as found in Codex Bezae. <P><P>Codex Bezae is a bilingual 4th century Greek-Latin manuscript. In the past it has been viewed as a marginal manuscript witness. However, the pioneering work of Jenny Read-Heimerdinger and Josep Rius-Camps (The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae 4 vols, published by T&T Clark) has brought the variant readings in this fascinating document to the fore. Their work reveals that, far from being a late revision, Codex Bezae can be seen as one of the oldest versions of Luke's work in existence. This book presents the two texts unified in one volume, as Luke intended them, for the first time in any published edition. After an introduction explaining the importance of the Bezan text, as well as providing obeservations about its variances from other manuscripts a meticulous and continuous Greek transcript is presented together with the English translation on facing pages. This will prove an indespensible reference tool for scholars of Luke-Acts.
Luke's Story: By Faith Alone
by Jerry B. Jenkins Tim LahayeLuke never met Jesus. Unlike the other Gospel writers, he never witnessed Jesus perform miracles or heard Him impart the Word that healed the souls of so many. No, his was a belief built on faith alone, like that of believers today. And his Gospel, filled with the stories of the Lord's divinity, speaks to the hearts of Christians everywhere. In Luke's Story, we follow him as he rises from Greek slave to university-educated physician. Along the way, he meets Saul of Tarsus, a formidable Hebrew debater who becomes both Luke's role model and greatest competitor. Luke is intrigued but skeptical when he hears tales of a man named Jesus who purportedly performs great miracles of healing. But the dramatic story of the conversion and redemption of Saul, now called Paul, and the miraculous healing of one of his own patients by prayer, irreversibly changes Luke's spiritual life. He pledges himself to Christ and makes the life-changing choice to write a Gospel based on years of interviewing believers about their conversions and listening to stories of the Lord's life from those who knew Him-most important, His mother, Mary. Luke wrote his Gospel to appeal to women, nonbelievers, and the disenfranchised. The result is scripture rich in the miraculous stories of Jesus that touches people all over the world today.
Luke's Story
by Tim Lahaye Jerry B. JenkinsMillions of readers made the Left Behind series bestsellers. Now the third in the authors' bestselling Jesus Chronicles is available in trade paperback. This biblically inspired novel, third in the bestselling Jesus Chronicles, tells the story of Luke-the Gospel writer whose belief was built on the power of faith alone. Luke, who hadn't met Jesus, is skeptical of His miracles, until events in his own life irreversibly change him. Pledging himself to Christ, he begins a Gospel based on the conversion stories of believers and interviews with those who knew Him best-the disciples who spent three years with Jesus and, most important, His mother, Mary. The result would be a Scripture rich in the miraculous stories of the Lord's divinity, intended to appeal to women, nonbelievers, and the disenfranchised-and that would speak to the heart of Christians all over the world.
Luke's Unique Parables: Genesis Narratives and Interpretations of Jesus
by Calum CarmichaelCalum Carmichael presents a new perspective on how parables unique to Luke's Gospel were composed. These parables took up moral issues that arose out of conflicts among figures such as Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, Judah and Tamar as portrayed in Genesis narratives. Providing literary and linguistic analyses, Carmichael demonstrates how Luke, like many of his contemporaries, absorbed the narrative legacy of the Hebrew Bible and used it to express ideas about Jesus. The Joseph story was of particular interest to Luke because Joseph's role during the Egyptian famine resulted in the rescue of his family, thereby giving the Israelite nation a future. Carmichael's radically different approach identifies the influence of ancestral wrongdoing on how Luke portrayed Jesus' moral teaching.
Lukewarmness: The Devil in Disguise
by Francis CarvajalThis is the story of every person who, after an offense, be it big or small, truly repents and weeps over his sin. He should exercise this spirit of contrition every time something goes wrong in his life, every time he does the examination of conscience, every time he confesses his sins. This is the radical cure for lukewarmness.
LullaBible
by Stephen ElkinsThe LullaBible is a great gift for first-time mommies, baptisms, or dedications.This precious book and CD is a must-have for every nursery. Becauseeach of the lullabies delivers a message of God's love from the Bible,little ones can fall asleep listening to the comforting assurance ofGod's promises.Beautifully illustrated, the LullaBible is a timeless treasury of stories and verses for parents and children to share.
Lullaby Prayer
by Tamara BundyThis bedtime book will calm your kids to sleep with a promise of God's peaceful presence all night long. As gentle scenes move through a sleepy farm in Lullaby Prayer, lyrical lines lull little listeners into rest. As the moon smiles, fireflies dance, and darkness unfolds her blanket to drape the landscape in cozy quiet, the sounds of a country evening become a bedtime ballad in this sweet, comforting prayer poem.This beautiful picture book from award-winning author Tamara Bundy featuresan evocative poem that imagines nature&’s nighttime sounds as a love song to your child from Godrhythmic verse that is a joy to read aloud at story timeJill Howarth's rich and imaginative illustrations of a country farm and its animalsa prayer for your little one at the end of each stanzaThis picture book is perfect for birthdays, baptisms, adoption parties, baby showers, or holiday gift giving for ages 4 to 8. Lullaby Prayer is sure to be a soothing part of your bedtime ritual as you tuck your little one into God's loving care.
A Lullaby to Awaken the Heart: The Aspiration Prayer of Samantabhadra and Its Commentaries
by Karl BrunnhölzlA key Dzogchen text—available together with its Tibetan commentaries, including from the fifteenth Karmapa—from a preeminent translator.The Aspiration Prayer of Samantabhadra, one of the most famous and often-recited Dzogchen texts, is at once an entreaty by the primordial buddha, Samantabhadra, that all sentient beings recognize the nature of their minds and thus become buddhas, and also a wake-up call by our own buddha nature itself. This monumental text outlines the profound view of Dzogchen in a nutshell and, at the same time, provides clear instructions on how to discover the wisdom of a buddha in the very midst of afflictions. In this volume, Karl Brunnhölzl offers translations of three versions of the Aspiration Prayer and accompanies them with translations of the commentaries by Jigmé Lingpa, the Fifteenth Karmapa, and Tsültrim Sangpo. He offers further contextualization with his rich annotation and appendices, which include additional translation from Jigmé Lingpa, Longchenpa, and Patrul Rinpoche. This comprehensive, comprehensible book illuminates this profound text and greatly furthers our understanding of Dzogchen—and of our own nature.
The Lumberjack's Bride
by Jean KincaidJulianne Maxwell Is a Bride Without a Groom Stranded in Seattle after her intended married another, the mail-order bride can't return to the troubled life she fled from. She has little choice but to marry the handsome logger who steps in to rescue her. And though Caleb Hansen is gentle and kind, Julianne can't trust him with the truth about her past. Caleb understands that Julianne needs a home, and he needs a mother for his orphaned infant nephew. He knows nothing about his new wife, or the memories that haunt her. But he can tell their connection goes deeper than convenience. He'll do whatever it takes to make them a real family, before Julianne's secrets drive them apart...
Lumen Fidei: The Light of Faith
by Scott Hahn Pope FrancisThe encyclical letter Lumen Fidei is the great monument of the Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI and brought to completion by Pope Francis. It is a capstone of the year, but at the same time a milestone of a long road, a road we have only begun to travel: the road of the New Evangelization." -from the Foreword by Scott Hahn On June 29, 2013 Pope Francis issued his first papal letter reflecting on the nature of belief and the need to renew our faith for a bright future of charity and love for all. "The light of Faith: this is how the Church's tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus," Pope Francis writes. "In John's Gospel, Christ says of himself: 'I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.'" Here is an illuminating work inviting all to lead a more spiritual and faith-based, a reminder that with faith comes service, and with service to others and to God comes heaven on earth.
Luminary (Anomaly #2)
by Krista McgeeThalli thought escaping to the surface would mean freedom. But is she any less of an anomaly aboveground?After escaping an underground annihilation chamber, Thalli, Berk, Rhen, and John find themselves fleeing across the former United States, aboveground for the first time. As the defectors cross the for gotten landscape, the three youths see things the y had only read about on screens: horses, rain, real books--and a colony of unsanctioned survivors living the ancient way in a town called New Hope.When the citizens of New Hope reveal the truth of what happened years ago, Thalli is left unsettled and skeptical of everything she's ever been told. Can she trust anything from the State, including her own feelings for Berk? When she volunteers for a peace mission to New Hope's violent neighbor, Athens, her confusion mounts as the supposedly ruthless Prince Ale x turns out to be kind and charming. Although everyone in New Hope warned her not to, she can't help but fall for him.Meanwhile, John's unwavering faith in the goodness of the Designer begins to make its mark on Thalli's heart. But can Thalli really come to trust in a generous, protective Designer who rules over all things? Would that not be setting herself up for another betrayal?The time for her to decide is now . . . because the State is closing in."McGee once again blends a Christian message within a horrific science fiction plot . . . death, torture, and confusing love triangles." --Booklist"McGee blends the determination of faith, the malevolence of those who extol power over decency, and the assertion of individual integrity in a humane glimpse at youthful courage." --Publisher's Weekly
A Luminous Brotherhood: Afro-Creole Spiritualism in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans
by Emily Suzanne ClarkIn the midst of a nineteenth-century boom in spiritual experimentation, the Cercle Harmonique, a remarkable group of African-descended men, practiced Spiritualism in heavily Catholic New Orleans from just before the Civil War to the end of Reconstruction. In this first comprehensive history of the Cercle, Emily Suzanne Clark illuminates how highly diverse religious practices wind in significant ways through American life, culture, and history. Clark shows that the beliefs and practices of Spiritualism helped Afro-Creoles mediate the political and social changes in New Orleans, as free blacks suffered increasingly restrictive laws and then met with violent resistance to suffrage and racial equality. Drawing on fascinating records of actual seance practices, the lives of the mediums, and larger citywide and national contexts, Clark reveals how the messages that the Cercle received from the spirit world offered its members rich religious experiences as well as a forum for political activism inspired by republican ideals. Messages from departed souls including Francois Rabelais, Abraham Lincoln, John Brown, Robert E. Lee, Emanuel Swedenborg, and even Confucius discussed government structures, the moral progress of humanity, and equality. The Afro-Creole Spiritualists were encouraged to continue struggling for justice in a new world where "bright" spirits would replace raced bodies.
Luminous Clarity: A Commentary on Karma Chagme's Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen
by Karma Chagme Khenchen ThranguThis book grows out of an oral teaching that Khenchen Thrangu gave in Crestone, Colorado, on Karma Chagme's text Meaningful to Behold: The Essential Instructions of the Compassionate One on the Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Thrangu Rinpoche explains in lucid detail the advanced meditation practices of Mahamudra and Dzogchen and also their similarities and differences, including advice on how to safely perform some of the more advanced Dzogchen practices.Karma Chagme was born in Tibet in 1613. He was a major lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and his writings have also become central to the Payul Nyingma order.
The Luminous Darkness
by Howard ThurmanThe Luminous Darkness is a commentary on what segregation does to the human soul. First published in the 1960s, Howard Thruman's insights apply today as we still try to heal the wound of those days. Thurman bares the evil of segregation and points to the ground of hope which an bring all humanity together.
Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown
by Deborah Eden TullA resonant call to explore the darkness in life, in nature, and in consciousness—including difficult emotions like uncertainty, grief, fear, and xenophobia—through teachings, embodied meditations, and mindful inquiry that provide us with a powerful path to healing.Darkness is deeply misunderstood in today&’s world; yet it offers powerful medicine, serenity, strength, healing, and regeneration. All insight, vision, creativity, and revelation arise from darkness. It is through learning to stay present and meet the dark with curiosity rather than judgment that we connect to an unwavering light within. Welcoming darkness with curiosity, rather than fear or judgment, enables us to access our innate capacity for compassion and collective healing. Dharma teacher, shamanic practitioner, and deep ecologist Deborah Eden Tull addresses the spiritual, ecological, psychological, and interpersonal ramifications of our bias towards light. Tull explores the medicine of darkness for personal and collective healing, through topics such as: Befriending the Night: The Radiant Teachings of DarknessHonoring Our Pain for Our WorldSeeing in the Dark: The Quiet Power of ReceptivityDreams, Possibility, and Moral ImaginationReleasing Fear—Embracing Emergence Tull shows us how the labeling of darkness as &“negative&” becomes a collective excuse to justify avoiding everything that makes us uncomfortable: racism, spiritual bypass, environmental destruction. We can only find the radical path to wholeness by learning to embrace the interplay of both darkness and light.
Luminous Dreams: Explore the Abundant Magic and Hidden Meanings in Your Dreams
by Katie HuangThis beautifully illustrated, soothing guide invites readers to explore the world of dreams through a collection of bedtime rituals, dream symbols, and intuitive practices.Unlock the powerful wisdom of dreams. This enchanting book teaches readers to listen to the wisdom of their unconscious mind and tap into their innermost desires through the art of intuitive dream interpretation. The book provides a range of rituals—energy practices, crystal work, affirmations, and more—to prepare the dreamer for slumber, promote peaceful sleep, and enhance dream recall. An A to Z guide decodes 40 common dream symbols and scenarios. Packed with beautiful, ethereal artwork and essential wisdom on the history, traditions, and techniques of dream interpretation, LUMINOUS DREAMS is an essential bedside companion for modern mystics, meditation enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to discover the hidden power of dreams.PERENNIAL CATEGORY: Sleep and dreaming are evergreen topics: People will always be looking for ways to improve their sleep and better understand the fascinating world of dreams. LUMINOUS DREAMS speaks to that perennial interest with a fresh approach that incorporates on-trend mind/body/spirit practices like crystals, herbs, essential oils, and affirmations.ON-TREND: LUMINOUS DREAMS taps into the current interest in mind/body/spirit and wellness. A beautiful new offering, this handbook is perfect for self-care enthusiasts, modern mystics, and the spiritually curious.AUTHORITATIVE AUTHOR: Katie Huang is the founder of Love By Luna, a leading astrological lifestyle brand; co-owner of MoonBox, a subscription box service aligned with the lunar cycle; and the author of CRYSTAL ZODIAC, a guide to using crystals in tandem with astrology. Katie's knowledge and background in this mysticism and dreams, as well as her intuitive approach to the topics, ensure LUMINOUS DREAMS is rich with thoughtful and thought-provoking content.PERFECT FOR GIFTING AND DISPLAY: With a contemporary look and luxe details, and affordably priced under $20, this petite book makes the perfect gift alongside bedtime and wellness products alike, from crystals to smudge sticks and essential oils. Packaged in a petite trim size with eye-catching production treatments such as foil and a rounded spine, it's also a beautiful object to display on a bedside table with a candle, journal, or eye mask. Perfect for:Mind/body/spirit enthusiastsAnyone interested in wellness/self-careMindfulness practitionersCrystal enthusiastsModern mysticsPeople who read their horoscopes, Refinery29, or Mind Body GreenPeople who bought Crystals: The Stone Deck, Moon Bath, or Mystic Mondays Tarot
Luminous Emptiness: A Guide to the Tibetan Book of the Dead
by Francesca FremantleThe Tibetan Book of the Dead, a best-seller for three decades, is one of the most widely read texts of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the years, it has been studied and cherished by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Luminous Emptiness is a detailed guide to this classic work, elucidating its mysterious concepts, terms, and imagery. Fremantle relates the symbolic world of the Tibetan Book of the Dead to the experiences of everyday life, presenting the text not as a scripture for the dying, but as a guide for the living. According to the Buddhist view, nothing is permanent or fixed. The entire world of our experience is constantly appearing and disappearing at every moment. Using vivid and dramatic imagery, the Tibetan Book of the Dead presents the notion that most of us are living in a dream that will continue from lifetime to lifetime until we truly awaken by becoming enlightened. Here, Fremantle, who worked closely with Chögyam Trungpa on the 1975 translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Shambhala), brings the expertise of a lifetime of study to rendering this intriguing classic more accessible and meaningful to the living. Luminous Emptiness features in-depth explanations of: * The Tibetan Buddhist notions of death and rebirth * The meaning of the five energies and the five elements in Tibetan Buddhism * The mental and physical experience of dying, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition " Francesca Fremantle received her doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University. She is a scholar and translator of Sanskrit and Tibetan works and was a student of Chögyam Trungpa for many years. ""A deeply heartfelt guide to spiritual fulfillment through Buddhism, Luminous Emptiness provides interested seekers with a journey through the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and Fremantle is an expert guide."--Los Angeles Times "A scholar in Sanskrit and Tibetan, Fremantle is more than qualified to write this guide; she collaborated with renowned meditation master and scholar Chögyam Trungpa on a well-received translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead in 1975. Nothing less than a careful explanation of the world and the ideas that surround that text, this new work is an excellent and plainly written manual to the complex mythologies, symbols, philosophies, and doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism. The West could hardly ask for a better primer. Highly recommended."--Library Journal "In Luminous Emptiness, Francesca Fremantle provides a commentary on the Tibetan Book of the Dead that integrates its teachings with both the central topics of the Buddhist canon and with the ongoing experiences of our lives. Her illuminating exposition of the inner meanings and relevance of the text's tantric symbolism reflects many years of study, contemplation and practice. Luminous Emptiness is valuable in making the root text more meaningful and suggestive. It succeeds in enlivening our appreciation of the immense possibilities which we are offered now, moment to moment."--Shambhala Sun "This is the most lucid and comprehensive exposition of the Tibetan Book of the Dead to appear in English. It illuminates the esoteric path and reveals the way to heal life's miseries--the projection of our minds."--Tulku Thondup, author of the Healing Power of Mind and Boundless Healing
Luminous Emptiness: A Guide to the Tibetan Book of the Dead
by Francesca FremantleThe Tibetan Book of the Dead, a best-seller for three decades, is one of the most widely read texts of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the years, it has been studied and cherished by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Luminous Emptiness is a detailed guide to this classic work, elucidating its mysterious concepts, terms, and imagery. Fremantle relates the symbolic world of the Tibetan Book of the Dead to the experiences of everyday life, presenting the text not as a scripture for the dying, but as a guide for the living. According to the Buddhist view, nothing is permanent or fixed. The entire world of our experience is constantly appearing and disappearing at every moment. Using vivid and dramatic imagery, the Tibetan Book of the Dead presents the notion that most of us are living in a dream that will continue from lifetime to lifetime until we truly awaken by becoming enlightened. Here, Fremantle, who worked closely with Chögyam Trungpa on the 1975 translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Shambhala), brings the expertise of a lifetime of study to rendering this intriguing classic more accessible and meaningful to the living. Luminous Emptiness features in-depth explanations of: * The Tibetan Buddhist notions of death and rebirth * The meaning of the five energies and the five elements in Tibetan Buddhism * The mental and physical experience of dying, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition " Francesca Fremantle received her doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University. She is a scholar and translator of Sanskrit and Tibetan works and was a student of Chögyam Trungpa for many years. ""A deeply heartfelt guide to spiritual fulfillment through Buddhism, Luminous Emptiness provides interested seekers with a journey through the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and Fremantle is an expert guide."--Los Angeles Times "A scholar in Sanskrit and Tibetan, Fremantle is more than qualified to write this guide; she collaborated with renowned meditation master and scholar Chögyam Trungpa on a well-received translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead in 1975. Nothing less than a careful explanation of the world and the ideas that surround that text, this new work is an excellent and plainly written manual to the complex mythologies, symbols, philosophies, and doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism. The West could hardly ask for a better primer. Highly recommended."--Library Journal "In Luminous Emptiness, Francesca Fremantle provides a commentary on the Tibetan Book of the Dead that integrates its teachings with both the central topics of the Buddhist canon and with the ongoing experiences of our lives. Her illuminating exposition of the inner meanings and relevance of the text's tantric symbolism reflects many years of study, contemplation and practice. Luminous Emptiness is valuable in making the root text more meaningful and suggestive. It succeeds in enlivening our appreciation of the immense possibilities which we are offered now, moment to moment."--Shambhala Sun "This is the most lucid and comprehensive exposition of the Tibetan Book of the Dead to appear in English. It illuminates the esoteric path and reveals the way to heal life's miseries--the projection of our minds."--Tulku Thondup, author of the Healing Power of Mind and Boundless Healing
Luminous Heart: Essential Writings of Rangjung Dorje, the Third Karmapa
by Rangjung Dorje Jamgön Kongtrul TayéAn extraordinary collection of writings on buddha nature by the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339)--now in paperback.The Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's unique and balanced view synthesizes Yogācāra Madhyamaka and the classical teachings on buddha nature. His work focuses on the transition from ordinary deluded consciousness to enlightened wisdom, the characteristics of buddhahood, and a buddha's enlightened activity. Included are commentaries by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé that supplement the view of the Third Karmapa on two fundamental treatises on buddha nature, emphasizing the luminous empty mind of buddha nature as presented by the great Indian masters Maitreya and Asaṅga. For those practicing the sutrayāna and the vajrayāna in the Kagyü tradition, what these texts describe can be transformed into living experience.
The Luminous Heart of Jonah S.
by Gina B. NahaiLonglisted for the 2016 International Dublin Literary AwardFinalist for the Jewish Book Council's 2014 JJ Greenberg Memorial Award"Lyrical, shrewd, and daring novelist Nahai...writes with acute emotional and nearly anthropological perception, laser-wit, and deep compassion....With touches of magic realism, extraordinary characters, and a spiraling, multigenerational plot involving fraud, a murder mystery, epic suffering, heroic generosity, women's struggle for freedom, and the clash between East and West, Nahai's mythic, tragic, often beautiful immigrant family saga illuminates timeless questions of prejudice, trauma, inheritance, loyalty, and love."--Booklist, Starred review"A riveting tale....Readers will be well rewarded."--Publishers Weekly, Starred review"A wide-ranging, page-turning, magical realist, multigenerational family saga and Iranian-Jewish-American immigration tale enveloped in a murder mystery...it both entertains and instructs, and its differing genres seem more complimentary than conflicting."--New York Journal of Books"Nahai has crafted an engaging combination of family saga and murder mystery, placed it in the framework of a relatively unknown subculture, and people it with fascinating characters. Flavored with both elements of magical realism and down-to-earth observations, The Luminous Heart of Jonah S. brings a little-known Los Angeles community to vivid life."--Shelf Awareness"What results is a novel that feels more universal than anything, and an engrossing, expansive epic that charts not only thousands years of Iranian Jewish life, but the brutality of one family's survival amidst revolution and cultural upheaval."--Kirkus Reviews, Feature on Gina B. Nahai"A bold, brave novel...as surprising as it is satisfying....Captivating."--Forbes"One of the many pleasures of this sprawling, multigenerational story is the way it transcends the specifics of the Iranian diaspora with insights that could apply to anyone."--LA Weekly"One of Nahai's gifts is her astute observation of this community, her own, which she describes with unsparing precision."--Los Angeles Review of Books"The Luminous Heart of Jonah S. is a masterpiece that is simultaneously poetic in its unfurling, trans-generational plot, and brutally to the point in the style of a hard-boiled crime novel...This is a book you should not miss."--San Francisco Book Review"Nahai's eye for detail, whether it's succinctly summing up a funeral or providing a description of a Tehran summer, always seems to be spot on."--PopMatters"An intriguing murder-mystery journey anchored within the Iranian-Jewish community of Los Angeles. Vivid and raw...Nahai masterfully introduces us to the mythical and mundane layers that make up Iranian-American identity."--Washington Independent Review of Books"This is irresistible storytelling...Nahai uses her estimable gifts to offer a nuanced, sometimes satirical portrait of the tight-knit Iranian-Jewish exile community in Los Angeles...It's a fascinating read."--BookPageFrom Tehran to Los Angeles, The Luminous Heart of Jonah S. is a sweeping saga that tells the story of the Soleymans, an Iranian Jewish family tormented for decades by Raphael's Son, a crafty and unscrupulous financier who has futilely claimed to be an heir to the family's fortune. Forty years later in contemporary Los Angeles, Raphael's Son has nearly achieved his goal--until he suddenly disappears, presumed by many to have been murdered. The possible suspects are legion: his long-suffering wife; numerous members of the Soleyman clan exacting revenge; the scores of investors he bankrupted in a Ponzi scheme; or perhaps even his disgruntled bookkeeper and longtime confidant.Award-winning novelist Gina B. Nahai pulls back the curtain on a close-knit community that survived centuries of persecution in Iran before settling and thriving in the United States, but now finds itself divided to the core by one of its own members. By turns hilarious and affecting, The Luminous Heart of Jonah S. examines the eternal bonds of family and community, and the lasting scars of e