Showing results by publisher "Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd" in Religion & Spirituality

As a psychiatrist, Brendan Kelly is used to extolling the benefits of a daily meditation practice, but following his own advice is a different story. Finding the time to sit quietly every day isn’t easy when you’re already trying to juggle a stressful job, a busy family life, a cinema addiction, a cake habit, a high-maintenance cat and low-level feelings of guilt over an unused gym membership. But this is the year he is going to do it. 

Examining Judaism as a religion, philosophy, and lifestyle, this authoritative introduction asks what it means to be a Jew today. From the nature of God to worship and everyday life, Dan and Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok address the topics essential to an informed understanding of the beliefs, values, and enduring traditions of this highly influential religion.

Treasury of Mindfulness opens with a couple of short chapters outlining in simple terms the key principles of mindfulness and how to develop the practice in everyday life. Then there is the treasury itself, where the listener can rummage around to find exactly what they are looking for, or, even better, in which they can randomly listen to a chapter whenever the mood takes them and trust that whatever they’ve landed on is something they will find helpful and thought-provoking.

Today the Buddha is honoured throughout the world as one of the great religious figures in the history of humankind. In this authoritative biography, John Strong presents the story of Siddhartha Gautama the way Buddhists have told it - from accounts of his previous lives, and the story of his birth and upbringing, through to his enlightenment, deathbed deeds, and ongoing presence in the relics that he left behind.

With the ideology under more global scrutiny than ever in the wake of the war on Iraq and suspicions over election results, David Beetham offers new insights into democracy. He looks at real examples, such as the role of the citizen and how large corporations affect democracy. He also contemplates the future of democracy in the developed and developing worlds.

Isaac Asimov said that "whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse." Such quandaries are the bread and butter of philosophy of religion. Questioning why evil exists, whether God could create a stone he couldn't lift, and if the wonder of life suggests a Creator, this fascinating branch of philosophy is concerned with arguments for and against religion, and what form an immortal god (or gods) would take if in existence. Charles Taliaferro provides a clear exploration of the discipline, introducing a wide range of philosophers.

In a snowbound village in the German mountains, a young woman discovers an extraordinary secret. Before she can reveal it, she disappears. All that survives is a picture of a mysterious medieval playing card that has perplexed scholars for centuries. Nick Ash does research for the FBI in New York. Six months ago his girlfriend Gillian walked out and broke his heart.

This unique introduction takes a careful look at the role of religion and the spiritual dimension in the real world. Conversational in tone, but built on a solid foundation of knowledge, it covers an enormous range of issues in a succinct and straightforward style, from the origins of religious belief to the future of religion in today's spiritual landscape. Drawing on history, theology, sociology, philosophy and the words of great thinkers old and new, this lively little audio volume will both inform and stimulate.

The Apostle Paul has shaped the course of Christian ethics for centuries and is widely regarded as the most influential theologian in the Christian tradition. In this authoritative introduction, Morna D. Hooker offers a female perspective on a figure usually portrayed as a conservative misogynist. Looking behind the epistles to reconstruct the real man and his beliefs, she places the scriptures in their original context and suggests a consistent and coherent Pauline theology. Original and thought-provoking, this concise study is essential for all who seek to learn more about the most controversial figure in Christianity.

The mysterious art of magic has been a source of wonderment since before the time of Christ. Ranging from the supernatural practices of "black" magic to demonstrations of dazzling illusion, magic has been called on to conjure the evil eye, burn villages to the ground, and slice women in half. From the astrology of the three wise men to David Blaine's "stunts", Robert Ralley delves into this magical underworld and illuminates the dangerous balance between illusion, fraud, and wickedness that still exists today.

In this clear and accessible introduction to Hinduism, Klaus K. Klostermaier offers a unique overview of a tradition that spans thousands of years. Explaining the origins, beliefs, scriptures, and philosophies of the religion, Klostermaier succeeds in capturing the rich diversity of rituals and gods that comprise Hinduism, whilst keeping the tone both entertaining and informative. Klostermaier’s exploration of this fascinating and long-lasting belief system is essential for students, followers, and interested listeners alike.