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Opening the Doors of Perception: The Key to Cosmic Awareness
by Anthony PeakeIn 1954 Aldous Huxley's hugely influential book "The Doors of Perception" was published. Huxley's title is taken from William Blake's 1793 book "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell". In this Blake makes the following observation: "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern." Opening the Doors of Perception will update Huxley's work and suggest process and procedures whereby man can, indeed, perceive reality in its true glory. The book will be in two sections. The first will discuss in great detail a concept I first introduced in my book The Daemon: A Guide to Your Extraordinary Secret Self. I termed this the "scale of transcendence" and suggested that there is a scale of perceptions whereby the doors of perception are slowly opened and, bit by bit, they reveal the true nature of "reality" as suggested by most esoteric teachings and mystic traditions. Most human beings perceive the doors as being securely closed. However there are occasions when the doors become slightly ajar and allow fleeting glimpses of what the Gnostics called "The Pleroma". For "normal" people these glimpses are experienced during fleeting "noetic" experiences. However forothers the doors are prized upon by certain neurological processes starting with migraine and progressing through various "altered-states" such as temporal lobe epilepsy, bi-polar syndrome, autism and finally, when the doors are fully open, schizophrenia.
Opening the Dragon Gate
by Thomas Cleary Zheng Shunchao Chen KaiguoThis authorized biography of the contemporary Taoist expert Wang Liping (1949 -) tells the true story of his apprenticeship in Taoist wizardry, as well as Taoist principles and secrets of inner transformation. The 18th-generation transmitter of Dragon Gate Taoism, Wang Liping is heir to a tradition of esoteric knowledge and practice accumulated and refined over eleven centuries. This is the first English translation by noted writer Thomas Cleary of the authorized biography by two longtime disciples of this living master of the Dragon Gate branch of the Complete Reality school of Taoism, which integrated Buddhism and Confucianism into a comprehensive new form of Taoism.
Opening the Dragon Gate
by Zheng Shunchao Thomas Cleary Chen KaiguoThis authorized biography of the contemporary Taoist expert Wang Liping (1949 -) tells the true story of his apprenticeship in Taoist wizardry, as well as Taoist principles and secrets of inner transformation. The 18th-generation transmitter of Dragon Gate Taoism, Wang Liping is heir to a tradition of esoteric knowledge and practice accumulated and refined over eleven centuries. This is the first English translation by noted writer Thomas Cleary of the authorized biography by two longtime disciples of this living master of the Dragon Gate branch of the Complete Reality school of Taoism, which integrated Buddhism and Confucianism into a comprehensive new form of Taoism.
Opening the Eye of New Awareness
by Tenzin Gyatso Donald S. Lopez Dalai LamaAn introduction to Buddhism, written by the Dalai Lama himself, provides a complete look at the Buddhist philosophies and ideals, as well as the vital necessity of treating others with kindness and compassion.
Opening the Eye of New Awareness
by Donald S. Lopez Jr. Jeffrey Hopkins His Holiness the Dalai LamaOpening the Eye of New Awareness is a succinct, thorough overview of the doctrines of Buddhism as they have been practiced for a thousand years in Tibet. The Dalai Lama here discusses the need for religious practice and the importance of kindness and compassion. Originally written for Tibetan lay people, this was the Dalai Lama's first book on Buddhist philosophy to appear in English, and Prof. Lopez's new introduction places these teachings in their proper historical context. This is an invaluable handbook for both personal use and academic study of the Buddhist path. "Written for both Tibetan and Western readers, Opening the Eye of New Awareness is the Dalai Lama's first religious work. It is not an edited transcript of public lectures, but is His Holliness' own summation of Buddhist doctrine and practice. Completed in 1963, just four years after his escape from Tibet and four years after completing his religious education, it is a work of consummate scholarship by a twenty-seven year-old geshe, wise beyond his years. Nowhere in his many subsequent works does one find a more clear and concise exposition of the essentials of Buddhist thought. Indeed, all of His Holinesss's many publications are in some sense commentaries on this first book."
Opening the Hand of Thought
by Tom Wright Shohaku Okumura Jisho Warner Kosho UchiyamaFor over thirty years, Opening the Hand of Thought has offered an introduction to Zen Buddhism and meditation unmatched in clarity and power. This is the revised edition of Kosho Uchiyama's singularly incisive classic. This new edition contains even more useful material: new prefaces, an index, and extended endnotes, in addition to a revised glossary. As Jisho Warner writes in her preface, Opening the Hand of Thought "goes directly to the heart of Zen practice... showing how Zen Buddhism can be a deep and life-sustaining activity." She goes on to say, "Uchiyama looks at what a person is, what a self is, how to develop a true self not separate from all things, one that can settle in peace in the midst of life." By turns humorous, philosophical, and personal, Opening the Hand of Thought is above all a great book for the Buddhist practitioner. It's a perfect follow-up for the reader who has read Zen Meditation in Plain English and is especially useful for those who have not yet encountered a Zen teacher.
Opening the Heart of the Cosmos: Insights on the Lotus Sutra
by Nhat Hanh ThichZen Master Thich Nhat Hanh uses the Lotus Sutra, one of Mahayana Buddhism's most revered texts, to illustrate the Buddha nature inherent in everyone. With great passion and clarity, he demonstrates how each human being has the capacity to transform their own individual suffering, develop compassion, and help create more peace in the world.Nhat Hanh's insights invoke a wide range of contemporary topics and concerns, from war and the threat of terrorism to individual anxiety and the degradation of our environment. He proposes a radical new solution to current conflicts, encouraging each of us to work on our own mindfulness practice to create greater peace and harmony. His accessible analysis of the sacred text demonstrates its practical and direct applicability to today's concerns.
Opening the Heart of the Cosmos
by Thich Nhat HanhThis book has been re-released with a new title, Peaceful Action, Open Heart. Peaceful Action, Open Heart is available as both a paperback and an ebook. The hardcover edition of Opening the Heart of the Cosmos is out of print.In both editions, Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how a revered Buddhist sutra can be a profound guide to transforming ourselves and the world. Teaching universal mindfulness, he speaks with the authority which comes from the depths of a people's suffering and yet has remained open and pure. Opening the Heart of the Cosmos highlights elements of the sutra as keys to global compassion, love, and understanding, while invoking a wide range of contemporary concerns. "This is the great insight of the Mahayana," he says, "that everyone can become a Buddha."
Opening the Red Door: The Inside Story of Russia's First Christian Liberal Arts University
by John A. BernbaumAfter the Berlin Wall fell, a group of Christian colleges in the U.S. seized the opportunity to begin strategic faculty and student exchanges with universities inside the Soviet Union. They could not have foreseen the doors that would open next. During a 1990 visit to Russia, John Bernbaum and his colleagues received a surprising invitation from a Russian government official: come help build a faith-based university in Moscow. Thus, after seventy years of fierce religious persecution under communism, the Russian-American Christian University (RACU) was born. In Opening the Red Door, Bernbaum presents an insider's account of the rise and fall of a Russian-American partnership. As a founder and later president of RACU, Bernbaum offers a ground-level perspective on Russia’s post-communist transition and the construction of a cultural-educational bridge between the two superpowers. He describes how American RACU staff worked to understand Russian history and culture—including the nation's rich spiritual heritage—so they could support their new Russian friends in rebuilding an educational system and a society. He documents the story of the first private Christian liberal arts university to be accredited in Russia's history, from its first steps, through its major successes, to its facing increasing opposition during the Putin era. Opening the Red Door offers unique insight not only into Russian culture and post–Cold War history but also traces the dynamics within international educational institutions and partnerships. When he first traveled to Russia, Bernbaum writes, he thought of it as a nation of mystery. But after more than twenty-five years of work there, he believes Russia can be understood. His journey of understanding will prove instructive to educators, administrators, students, missionaries, and anyone interested in international relations.
Opening the Sealed Book: Interpretations of the Book of Isaiah in Late Antiquity
by Joseph BlenkinsoppOf all the texts in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, perhaps no book has a more colorful history of interpretation than Isaiah. A comprehensive history of this interpretation between the prophet Malachi and the first days of Christianity, Joseph Blenkinsopp's Opening the Sealed Book traces three different prophetic traditions in Isaiah -- the "man of God," the critic of social structures, and the apocalyptic seer.Blenkinsopp explores the place of Isaiah in Jewish sectarianism, at Qumran, and among early Christians, touching on a number of its themes, including exile, "the remnant of Israel," martyrdom, and "the servant of the Lord." Encompassing several disciplines -- hermeneutics, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Second Temple studies, Christian origins -- Opening the Sealed Book will appeal to Jewish and Christian scholars as well as readers fascinated by the intricate and influential prophetic visions of Isaiah.
Opening the Treasure of the Profound: Teachings on the Songs of Jigten Sumgon and Milarepa
by Drikung Chetsang Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche Khenmo Trinlay ChodronSpiritual teachings in the form of songs--spontaneous expressions of deep wisdom and understanding that reveal the nature of reality--have been treasured since the dawn of Buddhism in India. In Opening the Treasure of the Profound, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen translates nine such songs, by Milarepa and Jigten Sumgön, and then explains them in contemporary terms. His insights take the Buddha's ancient wisdom out of the realm of the intellectual and directly into our hearts. Here, we are invited into the world of transmission from master to disciple in order to discover truth for ourselves--to open the treasure of profound wisdom that fully realizes the nature of reality.
Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer
by David G. BennerMost Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self-improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure. But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God—it is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us. Spiritual director and psychologist David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality, and the Christian life. Prayer is far more than saying words to God; all of life can be prayer when offered to God in faith and with openness. Using the four movements of lectio divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding, and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service, and much more. Learn how prayer can be a way of living. Move beyond words to become not merely someone who prays, but someone whose entire life is prayer in union with God. This expanded edition includes a new afterword and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.
Opening to Meditation: A Gentle, Guided Approach
by Diana LangIn this beautiful book and downloadable audio companion, Diana Lang demonstrates that meditation is as simple as breathing. There is no mystery to it. Her pleasant, straightforward guidance makes meditation available to all. Along the way, she shows us the numerous benefits to be gained from meditation, and she writes and speaks beautifully about breathing, acceptance, intention, and the power of love.
Opening to Meditation: A Gentle, Guided Approach
by Diana LangBreathe, Be Still, and Listen Diana Lang’s books, audio programs, webinars, and workshops have allowed thousands to access the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation. Drawing on her wide experience in studying spiritual teachings from around the world, Lang has put together a gentle, guided approach to meditation that is very easy to implement. In Opening to Meditation, she demonstrates that meditating is as simple as breathing. There is no mystery to it. Her instruction goes to the core, avoiding the analytical theory, fixed rules, and intellectual razzmatazz that often intimidate would-be practitioners. Instead, she shows us how to reconnect with our foundational essence of soul and self, where peace and centeredness are always and everywhere available. Includes downloadable guided-meditation program
Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts
by Nancy Mujo BakerStop trying to become &“better&” by suppressing or hiding parts of yourself, and learn what it means to be fully human with this accessible guide to the core ethical teachings of Zen Buddhism. In Opening to Oneness, Zen teacher Nancy Baker offers a detailed path of practice for Zen students planning to take the precepts and for anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, interested in deepening their personal study of ethical living. She reveals that there are three levels of each precept: a literal level (don&’t kill, not even a bug), a relative level that takes moral ambiguity into account (what if it&’s a malaria-spreading mosquito?), and an ultimate level—the paradoxical level of nonduality, in which the precepts are naturally expressed from a state of oneness. Full of nuance, intelligence, and compassion, the first half of the book addresses the ten grave precepts mostly from the relative level, including instructions for how to practice these precepts individually and in pairs or groups. The second half of the book takes a deep dive into looking at the precepts from the ultimate perspective, largely through an exploration of the writings of Dogen, the thirteenth-century religious genius who founded the Soto Zen school. At once comprehensive and innovative, Opening to Oneness will take its place alongside classics like The Mind of Clover, The Heart of Being, and Being Upright as a cherished guide to Zen Buddhist ethics.
Opening To You: Zen-inspired Translations Of The Psalms
by Norman FischerA week with the Trappist monks of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky left Norman Fischer feeling inspired by the uplifting, soaring verses chanted each day, but he was also astonished by the violence, passion, and bitterness they expressed. This experience started him on a journey through eastern and western spirituality and his own Jewish roots, resulting in these moving and intimate translations of the Psalms. Fischer's aim was to translate the Psalms in a way that would convey their beauty and power in accessible English for readers of every spiritual path or religious background. In ninety-three poems of praise, celebration, suffering, and lamentation, he brings the Psalms alive for today's readers, revealing an interfaith aspect to these sacred songs that is completely contemporary.
Opening Up
by James W. PennebakerAnyone who has ever entrusted a troubling secret to a journal, or mourned a broken heart with a friend, knows the feeling of relief that expressing painful emotions can bring. This book presents astonishing evidence that personal self-disclosure is not only good for our emotional health, but boosts our physical health as well. Psychologist James W. Pennebaker has conducted controlled clinical research that sheds new light on the powerful mind body connection. This book interweaves his findings with insightful case studies on secret-keeping, confession, and the hidden price of silence. Filled with information and encouragement, Opening Up explains Why suppressing inner problems takes a devastating toll on health How long-buried trauma affects the immune system How writing about your problems can improve your health Why it's never too late to heal old emotional wounds When self-disclosure may be risky--and how to know whom to trust
Opening Up by Writing It Down, Third Edition: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain
by James W. Pennebaker Joshua M. SmythExpressing painful emotions is hard--yet it can actually improve our mental and physical health. This lucid, compassionate book has introduced tens of thousands of readers to expressive writing, a simple yet powerful self-help technique grounded in scientific research. Leading experts James W. Pennebaker and Joshua M. Smyth describe how taking just a few minutes to write about deeply felt personal experiences or problems may help you: *Heal old emotional wounds *Feel a greater sense of well-being *Decrease stress *Improve relationships *Boost your immune system Vivid stories and examples yield compelling insights into secrets, self-disclosure, and the hidden price of silence. The third edition incorporates findings from hundreds of recent studies and includes practical exercises to help you try expressive writing for yourself. It features extensive new information on specific health benefits, as well as when the approach may not be helpful.
Opening Up the Scriptures: Joseph Ratzinger and the Foundations of Biblical Interpretation
by Carlos Granados Jr Jose Granados Luis Sanchez-navarroOpening Up the Scriptures was written by a group of eminent Catholics, including Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger -- now Pope Benedict XVI. In these erudite essays the authors contend that historical-critical interpretation of Scripture has long since run its course in both Protestant and Catholic exegesis. Instead, they argue, the future of interpretation lies in accepting that the Bible is not just a collection of historical documents but also a record of revelation conceived in faith. By this token, true exegesis involves the faith and humility of the exegete.Contributors:Paul BeauchampBruna CostacurtaIgnace de la PotterieJoseph Cardinal RatzingerKlemens StockAlbert Cardinal Vanhoye
Opening Windows
by Howard BooksThrow back the curtain and see His light. Open the window and hear His voice. Raise the glass and feel His gentle breeze. Refreshment and renewal await you in the pages of this beautiful book inspired by Max Lucado's best-selling praise-and-worship recording, Opening Windows. Open your heart to the combined insights of some of today's most inspiring writers, and allow their wisdom to guide you in opening the windows of your soul. You'll be captivated by there stories of inspiration, you'll ponder fresh perspectives on God, and you'll find new motivation to live a life dedicated to Him. The invitation is yours...Open the window. You'll never be the same.
Opening Your Child's Spiritual Windows: Ideas to Nurture Your Child's Relationship with God
by Cheri FullerThe greatest gift you can give your son or daughter is a deep, authentic relationship with God. God created your child to be naturally curious about spiritual matters. Twelve spiritual windows open at different times and in different ways. Each is a vital part of your child’s spiritual journey through four important areas of growth: enjoying God, loving God, following God, and serving God. You can strengthen these areas in your child by learning how to respond to the: Enjoying God Window Wonder Window Worship Window Loving God Window Bible Window Prayer Window Ownership Window Obedience Window Church Window Joy of Helping Window Spiritual Gifts Window Heritage Window Worship Window
The Openness of Being: Natural Theology Today (Gifford Lectures #Vol. 1970)
by E. L. Mascall"The ten main chapters of this book contain, apart from some passages in chapter three which were omitted through limitations of time, the lectures as actually delivered, and in preparing them for publication I have retained the conversational form. Certain material which, either on grounds of length or because it fell outside the limits proper to natural theology, was not delivered orally I have included as Appendices. Some repetitions have been allowed to remain. <p><p>In the text and footnotes I have mentioned the dates of books referred to only when it seemed relevant to the argument to do so; the dates of all will, however, be found in the Bibliography. Most of chapter eight appeared as a review-article and a review in the Downside Review, most of appendix one as a review in The Thomist, most of appendix three as an article in the Church Quarterly Review and appendix four as an article in the American Church Quarterly, for consent to reproduce these I am grateful to the editors and publishers of the journals concerned." <p>--By author
Operation: Married By Christmas
by Debra CloptonUnmarried Men Of Mule Hollow: Run For Your Lives! When Haley Bell Thornton arrives back in Mule Hollow wearing a wedding gown, no one bothers to ask where the groom is. Especially not Will Sutton, the first of her ditched fiancés. The runaway bride has done it again! And now the woman he loved and lost ten years ago is tottering around the dusty ranch town in her high heels and fancy honeymoon clothes. Will vows not to care. Definitely a problem, since Haley's granddad--and the matchmaking ladies--have a secret holiday plan to make wedding bells chime by Christmas Originally published in 2007
Operation: Married by Christmas
by Debra CloptonUnmarried Men Of Mule Hollow: Run For Your Lives!When Haley Bell Thornton arrived back in Mule Hollow wearing a wedding gown, no one bothered to ask where the groom was. Especially not Will Sutton, the first of her ditched fiancés. The runaway bride had done it again! And now the woman he loved and lost ten years ago was tottering around the dusty ranch town in her high heels and fancy honeymoon clothes. Will vowed not to look. Definitely a problem, since Haley's granddad--and the matchmaking ladies--had a secret holiday plan to make decade-old wedding bells chime by Christmas!
Operation Bonnet
by Kimberly StuartTwenty-year-old Nellie Monroe has a restless brilliance that makes her a bit of an odd duck. She wants to be a private investigator, even though her tiny hometown offers no hope of clients. Until she meets Amos Shetler, an Amish dropout carrying a torch for the girl he left behind. So Nellie straps on her bonnet and goes undercover to get the dish. But though she's brainy, Nellie is clueless when it comes to real life and real relationships. Soon she's alienated her best friend, angered her college professor, and botched her case. Operation Bonnet is a comedy of errors, a surprising take on love, and a story of grace.