Showing results by publisher "Phoenix Books" in Religion & Spirituality

Over 100 classic and contemporary quotes from the pages of Catholic Digest give us renewed hope, spiritual vitality and a new perspective on the miracles that sustain us daily.

Dogen Zenji (1200-1253 C.E.) founded the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. His teachings are the very embodiment of the paradoxical blend of mystery and clarity that characterizes Zen. Dogen's approach to meditation has become perhaps the most influential Eastern spiritual practice in the Western world. These selections—from the publication Moon in a Dewdrop edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi—were chosen by poet Gary Snyder, a student and practitioner of Zen Buddhism for several decades. Snyder also reads the text for this recording.

Drawing on his thirty years of teaching and service, Bo Lozoff shows why compassion—not success, self-improvement, or self-esteem—is at the root of happiness. Lozoff covers themes such as developing honesty, learning humility, dealing with anger, and honoring relationships. He shows how practices such as a daily vow of kindness or a simple commitment of time with others can have a profound effect on ourselves and our world.

Take a wild and rickety ride through the philosophies of the East and West to discover madmen, dreamers, and unconventional wisdom seekers. Fun and irreverent, Crazy Wisdom synthesizes the most significant, compelling insights of the ages. Journey into the unorthodox teachings that have bubbled up through the words of such "crazy" visionaries as Rumi, Gautama the Buddha, Mark Twain, Lao Tzu, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Allen Ginsberg, and Lily Tomlin. Discover the common thread in these multiple perspectives and travel on a comedic course to enlightenment!

Martin Buber, a Jewish philosopher, spoke directly to the most profound human concerns in all his works. Included in his discussions was Hasidism, a mystical-religious movement founded in Eastern Europe by Israel ben Eliezer, called the “Baal-Shem” (the Master of God's Name).

The ambitious radio series, The Greatest Story Ever Told—based on the book of the same name by Fulton Oursler—came to ABC in the 1940s with a full orchestra and 16-voice chorus. The series dramatized the life and times of Jesus Christ—"the greatest life ever lived"—and was the first radio series to simulate the voice of Christ as a continuing character. The stories quite effectively captured the essence of Oursler's book—a beautifully simple dramatization of Christ's life as set down by four apostles.

The book of Genesis, written at the beginning of recorded history, remains a thoroughly unique document. This ancient work transcends the primitive mythologies of the ancient Near East as a divine account of Earth's earliest ages. It is informative in its content, beautiful in its arrangement, and inspiring in its appeal. There is something of value for everyone—the scientist, the historian, the theologian, the housewife, the farmer, the traveler, and the man or woman of God.

In this masterwork, Phil Cousineau examines the connection of mythology to contemporary life and what that means for self-improvement. Drawing on his extensive work with Joseph Campbell (The Power of Myth), this is Cousineau's grand opus—revealing mythic insights for everyday life.

Joe Eszterhas knows a lot about darkness. A writer of sinister, sexually graphic, violent films like Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge, he awoke one hellishly hot day in 2001 and found God. Or, rather, God found him. Crossbearer is the powerful, poignant story of how a streetwise, cynical man who must overcome his addictions to stay alive found faith in some of the most mundane sources: a game of baseball, a child's photo of a cloud, a dying mother's dying roses.

In Islam and World Peace, the message is that oneness is the most important aspect of Islam. Protecting our neighbors from danger is primary, and then embracing them—that is Islam. Sufi teacher M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen—revered by thousands from all social, religious, and ethnic backgrounds—demonstrates that Islam teaches us we must not kill each other. Instead, we must wage war against evil qualities within ourselves. He emphasizes that Islam is equality, peacefulness, and unity—and seeks to join us together as one, accepting of all.

Florence Scovel Shinn was a gifted teacher who shaped the fields of spiritual growth and New Thought. She was a pioneer of the idea that people can create anything they want simply by aligning their thoughts and words with the innate goodness within them. Known for her clarity, simplicity, and power, her practical, down-to-earth style has empowered countless numbers to realize their full potential. In these readings, Shinn offers encouragement and enlightenment to listeners to help turn defeat into victory, fear into faith, and resentment into love.

Moments before entering the battlefield, the great Pandava warrior, Prince Arjuna, faces a moral dilemma about the violence and death the war will cause. Questioning the meaning of life, Arjuna asks himself, "Why do I exist? Why should I fight against my loved ones? And where shall I go after I die?" Arjuna seeks out Krishna for the answers in The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient text that has been called the quintessence of the spirituality of India. Their dialogues touch upon ethical dilemmas and philosophical issues that go far beyond the war Arjuna faces.

The Psalms are a unique portion of the Old Testament—150 songs and poems—that cover a wide range of emotions to express the heart and essence of humanity. Written over several centuries by multiple authors, these Psalms illustrate the theology and worship of the Israelites, imparting lessons through the ages. This reading uses the King James Version of the Bible—a translation whose language is praised as some of the greatest poetry ever written—and is enhanced by actor Michael York's performance.

The subject of these stories ranges from saints to single mothers, from Depression-era childhoods and poverty to times of great peace and prosperity. Together they serve to remind us of the miracle, faith, transformation, and mystery that live in the spirit of Christmas.

This Easter-themed audio edition features three full-cast dramatizations from The Greatest Story Ever Told radio series: "The Betrayal", "The Crucifixion", and "The Resurrection".

Winona Pathfinder, an elderly Lakota Sioux medicine woman, announces she intends to die in two months. For counseling, Winona is referred to Caucasian, middle-aged, and divorced psychologist Dr. Meggie O'Connor. A reluctant client, the feisty Winona decides to turn the tables and teach Dr. O'Connor a thing or two about life while steadfastly refusing to renounce her plans to die.

Lisa Kron invites her audience on a roller coaster ride through the Kron family album in 2.5 Minute Ride. Rising and falling between high hilarity and deep disquiet, Kron demonstrates with disarming simplicity that humor and horror can share the same human moment. Kron's' performance switches back and forth between her journey to Auschwitz with her septuagenarian father, a Holocaust survivor; her Michigan family's annual pilgrimage to a Sandusky, Ohio amusement park, and more.

Submitted by readers of Catholic Digest, here are dozens of original accounts of true incidents that illustrate an uplifting portrait of the compassion and kindness for which we all are capable.

A must-read for anyone interested in book publishing, Inside the Bestsellers is about ordinary people who became top-selling authors. Discover how James Redfield self-published The Celestine Prophecy and later sold the rights to Warner for $800,000, and how the authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul promoted their book to the top of The New York Times best seller list - stories that have forever changed the business of publishing.

Intuition is that flash of insight that comes out of nowhere when we least expect it. This language of the soul arises from beyond the world of cause and effect as we understand it, and speaks to us directly from our innermost selves. In Living Intuitively, author Bruce Way, an inspirational speaker, writer, consultant, and practicing clairvoyant, shows the listener how to use intuition to enable growth and release creativity. His program includes a series of guided workshops, practical exercises, and meditations.