Ancient Spirituality

Long before the European Enlightenment and the Darwinian revolution, which we often take to mark the birth of the modern revolt against religious explanations of the world, brave people doubted the power of the gods. Religion provoked skepticism in ancient Greece, and heretics argued that history must be understood as a result of human action rather than divine intervention. They devised theories of the cosmos based on matter and notions of matter based on atoms.

Beneath Candice Kumai’s polished image as a wellness icon, she was tormented by anxiety, competitiveness and deep inner suffering. It wasn’t until she re-embraced the Buddhist principles she’d been taught in childhood that she began to change her life for the better—even making a pilgrimage to her mother’s home country of Japan to study in the mountains with Buddhist monks. Full of wisdom and raw honesty, Spirited recounts her journey and shares the Buddhist practices that transformed her life so you can, too.

Walton and Walton offer in The Lost World of the Torah a restorative vision of the ancient genre of instruction for wisdom that makes up a significant portion of the Old Testament. In the ancient Near East, order was achieved through the wisdom of those who governed society. The objective of torah was to teach the Israelites to be wise about the kind of order needed to receive the blessings of God's favor and presence within the context of the covenant. Here listeners will find fresh insight on this fundamental genre of the Old Testament canon.

What was God doing between the Old and New Testaments? There was a four-hundred-year gap between the last Old Testament prophet and the New Testament arrival of Jesus Christ. It’s called the Intertestamental period. In that time period, there were some very significant things happening and they were related to the Bible and its prophecies as described by the prophet Daniel. This book explores some of the biblical and historical meaning of it all.

Ryokan (1758–1831) is, along with Dogen and Hakuin, one of the three giants of Zen in Japan. But unlike his two renowned colleagues, Ryokan was a societal dropout, living mostly as a hermit and a beggar. He was never head of a monastery or temple. He liked playing with children. He had no dharma heir. Even so, people recognized the depth of his realization, and he was sought out by people of all walks of life for the teaching to be experienced in just being around him.

Llyn Roberts shares her years of experience with indigenous healers, shamans, and Elders who come from cultures that know how to shapeshift realities. She translates ancient techniques into easy-to-understand modern practices that you can use every day to transform personal imbalances, open to your life purpose, deepen your relationship with spirit and nature, and reclaim your power to make a positive difference in the world.

The Vedas are a large body of religious literature that dates back to ancient India. Written in Vedic Sanskrit, the writings form the earliest stratum of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda are the four main Vedas. This book guides and offers the reader with a grasp of the theological place, purpose, and spiritual essence of the Vedas as well as other additional texts that constitute a whole.

The practice of magic played an enormous role in ancient Egyptian civilization. By studying how magic was viewed by those who practiced it at that time, you can uncover the secrets to practicing their magic in modern times.

Description: Unveil the secrets concealed within the pages of scripture with Ashley H.A. Williams' illuminating masterpiece, "The Bible's Hidden Divination & Magic." In this captivating exploration, Williams delves deep into the heart of biblical texts to unravel the mysteries of magic and divination as depicted in ancient times. Williams guides readers on a transformative journey through the often-overlooked realms of prophecy and mystical practice. Each chapter offers a rich tapestry of insights, revealing the profound spiritual truths encoded within the stories of Moses, Miriam, Elijah, ...

Since the Victorian period, it has been understood that the story of Noah, iconic in the Book of Genesis, and a central motif in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, derives from a much older story that existed centuries before in ancient Babylon. But the relationship between the Babylonian and biblical traditions was shrouded in mystery. Then, in 2009, Irving Finkel, a curator at the British Museum and a world authority on ancient Mesopotamia, found himself playing detective.

Step into the tranquil and profound world of Shinto with "Shinto: A Beginner's Guide." This book is your gateway to exploring the ancient spirituality that lies at the heart of Japan's cultural and natural beauty. Discover the Essence of Shinto: Unveil the mysteries of Shinto, where every mountain, river, and tree is imbued with the sacred presence of kami. Learn how these spirits influence and guide the daily lives of those who honor them. This guide makes the complex philosophy of Shinto accessible and engaging, allowing you to integrate its wisdom into your own life. Immerse in Cultural ...

For us to perceive any of the worlds that exist beside our own, not only do we have to covet them but we need to have sufficient energy to seize them. In this revolutionary book, Carlos Castaneda offers listeners the key to this energetic conditioning for the first time, revealing a series of body positions and physical movements that enabled various sorcerers to navigate their own sorceric journeys. By sharing this wisdom, Carlos Castaneda makes it possible for listeners to travel to some of these other realms, which are as real, unique, absolute, and engulfing as our own world.

One of the most remarkable historical works of the 19th century came from the pen of French historian Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges, a native of Paris. This amazing analysis of family and religious life among the ancient Greeks and Romans is the key to understanding ancient Mediterranean civilizations. The story begins in the misty period of the Bronze Age as the Indo-Europeans began to filter down into the Italian and Greek peninsulas. They brought with them a patriarchy that was based on ancestor worship and the veneration of hearth gods.

What makes us happy? It's not what you think. Stress is everywhere. Clever marketing has led us to believe in chasing happiness down a path that doesn't lead anywhere. There is an answer. It's not a secret. An ancient formula can help. Two thousand years ago, there was a prayer. A prayer for happiness. You can follow these 10 practices in it. The prayer has helped thousands of people. No matter where you are in life, finding purpose is easier than you think.

Millions of people around the world believe we have been visited in the past by extraterrestrial beings. What if it were true? And if so, what if there were clues left behind? Each week hundreds of thousands of viewers tune in to the wildly popular Ancient Aliens® television series to seek insight into those very questions - and to become part of a thrilling, probing exploration of the mysteries at the heart of world civilizations.

Have you ever doubted the historical Jesus or traditional biblical stories? Felt guilty for questioning your faith? This book will free you from those fears by uncovering the truth. I'll answer questions like: - Did Jesus literally rise from the dead? No - you'll learn how this story originated from ancient Kemetic (Prehistoric Egypt) astrology. - Did Jesus die on the cross? No - I'll explain this ancient Kemetic numerological meaning for this ancient savior motif. - Where was Jesus during his "missing years"? There were none - it's explained by Egyptian numerology. - How are Horus and ...

No matter our age, God intended for us to feel loved and have a deep inner knowledge of who we are and where we are headed in life. Many of us will never truly fulfill our God-given identity and destiny until we rediscover...the ancient paths.

Imagine a life where the chaos of the world fades into the background and you find yourself grounded in profound inner peace. Hesychasm for Beginners is your gateway to this ancient practice, a spiritual treasure rooted in centuries of wisdom and designed for modern seekers longing for stillness, clarity, and connection. Discover the transformative power of Hesychasm—a spiritual tradition that has inspired saints, mystics, and ordinary people alike. Whether you're a seasoned believer or simply seeking solace, this book offers practical steps to integrate sacred practices into your daily ...

Studying the views and lifestyles of your forerunners in the faith can provide incredible guidance for how you live out your spiritual convictions today. In Wisdom from the Ancients, author and scholar Bryan Litfin paints a vivid portrait of the first five centuries of the Christian church, packed with fascinating history and applicable insights for modern believers.

The chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) turns a critical eye toward such practices as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. Are such powers really possible? Science says yes. According to noted scientist and best-selling author of The Conscious Universe, Dean Radin, magic is a natural aspect of reality, and each of us can tap into this power with diligent practice.