Collection: Spirituality & Religion

"Mimi Kuo-Deemer takes the reader on a journey through the five elements and seasons of qigong, explaining their connection to health, lifestyle, and state of mind. . . . It is a pleasure to read such a balanced approach. I highly recommend Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis!" -- Kenneth S. Cohen, author of The Way of Qigong

Reduce stress, release pain, and create bodily harmony with this introduction to qigong and the yin/yang balance of tai chi, the ancient Chinese arts of movement meditation. This accessible book features information about these practices as well as insights into their benefits, providing tools for replenishing inner resources and managing energy levels. It also offers advice on making healthier choices in everyday life that will support the body's natural capacity for energy, balance, and well-being.

This guide teaches us how to break the shackles of fear and reveals how we can overcome our own psychological stumbling blocks. Filled with epigrams, lectures, and personal anecdotes, it is a testament of what we can become, if we have faith in the divinity of our true nature as the soul.

The author of the bestselling I Used to Have a Plan is back with more balm for the soul, offering advice, inspiration, and solace for everyone who has lost something or someone special.

After losing her mother to cancer, Alessandra Olanow was overwhelmed by the sadness and uncertainty she felt each day--the shifting tide of emotions that everyone who has suffered loss experiences in their own unique way.

In this wise and intimate book, the artist and writer draws insights from her personal loss and also her training as an end-of-life doula to explore the complex, heart-rending process of grief. Olanow chronicles her journey through pain and how she learned to bear a sorrow that will never leave her. In spare but incisive writing and more than 75 full-color drawings, she shares her own struggle with feelings of loss and longing and shows that with time, grief evolves and we relearn the world changed by that loss.

Hello Grief can be read straight through from cover to cover or can be opened to any page: each spread delivers a warm combination of advice, solace, empathy, and a glint of humor that is direct, helpful, comforting, and profound in its truth. Olanow has distilled the experience of grief and the process of healing into a soothing book that will bring comfort to anyone in mourning.

This guidebook has been written for travelers and pilgrims who intend to visit some of the 88 temples of Shikoku, or maybe even plan to walk the entire pilgrimage. In addition to the history of the temples, it covers in detail the routes between the temples and provides additional information on how to organize the pilgrimage and adds cultural and historic background.

"Magick is not a path for followers; it is a path for questioners, seekers, and anyone who has trouble settling for dogma and pre-formulated answers. Magick is for those who feel the desire to peel away the surface of reality and see what lies beneath. Like various persecuted forms of mysticism, magick promotes direct contact with the source of creation."
--Damien Echols

Discover a Powerful Practice for Transforming Yourself and Your Reality

At age 18, Damien Echols was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. "I spent my years in prison training to be a true magician," he recalls. "I used magick--the practice of reshaping reality through our intention and will--to stave off incredible pain, despair, and isolation. But the most amazing feat of all that practice and study was to manifest my freedom." With High Magick, this bestselling author shares his first teaching book on the powerful spiritual techniques that helped him survive and transcend his ordeal on death row.

Though our culture has consigned "magic" to fiction, stage illusions, or superstitions about dark practices, the magick Damien learned is an ancient Western tradition equal the Eastern practices of Buddhism, Taoism, and yoga in its wisdom and transformative power. Here he brings you an engaging and highly accessible guide for bringing magick into your own life, including:

- What is High Magick? Damien clears away the stigma and reveals the history and core teachings of this extraordinary art.
- The Four-Fold Breath--a foundational meditation practice to train your mind and body to channel subtle energies.
- The Middle Pillar--how to bring divine energy into the central channel of your body for empowerment and healing.
- The Qabalistic Cross--a centering technique to help you stay balanced and protected regardless of circumstances.
- The Lesser Rituals of the Pentagram--powerful practices for banishing negative energies and invoking energy to manifest your goals.
- Working with angelic beings and other spiritual allies to support your practice.
- Creating thoughtforms to assist you in your ongoing magickal development.
- Guidance for overcoming your doubts, enhancing your visualization skills, creating talismans, practicing magick ethically, and much more.

"Magick is a journey," writes Damien. "It's a continuously unfolding path that has no end. You can study and practice magick for the rest of your life and you will still never learn everything that it has to teach you." If you're ready to discover your untapped potential for co-creating your reality with the energy of the divine, then join this extraordinary teacher to begin your training in High Magick.

A unique study of the engineering and tools used to create Egyptian monuments

- Presents a stone-by-stone analysis of key Egyptian monuments, including the statues of Ramses II and the tunnels of the Serapeum

- Reveals that highly refined tools and mega-machines were used in ancient Egypt

From the pyramids in the north to the temples in the south, ancient artisans left their marks all over Egypt, unique marks that reveal craftsmanship we would be hard pressed to duplicate today. Drawing together the results of more than 30 years of research and nine field study journeys to Egypt, Christopher Dunn presents a stunning stone-by-stone analysis of key Egyptian monuments, including the statue of Ramses II at Luxor and the fallen crowns that lay at its feet. His modern-day engineering expertise provides a unique view into the sophisticated technology used to create these famous monuments in prehistoric times.

Using modern digital photography, computer-aided design software, and metrology instruments, Dunn exposes the extreme precision of these monuments and the type of advanced manufacturing expertise necessary to produce them. His computer analysis of the statues of Ramses II reveals that the left and right sides of the faces are precise mirror images of each other, and his examination of the mysterious underground tunnels of the Serapeum illuminates the finest examples of precision engineering on the planet. Providing never-before-seen evidence in the form of more than 280 photographs, Dunn's research shows that while absent from the archaeological record, highly refined tools, techniques, and even mega-machines must have been used in ancient Egypt.

A rare, intimate account of a world-renowned Buddhist monk's near-death experience and the life-changing wisdom he gained from it

"One of the most inspiring books I have ever read."--Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart

"This book has the potential to change the reader's life forever."--George Saunders, author of Lincoln in the Bardo

At thirty-six years old, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche was a rising star within his generation of Tibetan masters and the respected abbot of three monasteries. Then one night, telling no one, he slipped out of his monastery in India with the intention of spending the next four years on a wandering retreat, following the ancient practice of holy mendicants. His goal was to throw off his titles and roles in order to explore the deepest aspects of his being.

He immediately discovered that a lifetime of Buddhist education and practice had not prepared him to deal with dirty fellow travelers or the screeching of a railway car. He found he was too attached to his identity as a monk to remove his robes right away or to sleep on the Varanasi station floor, and instead paid for a bed in a cheap hostel. But when he ran out of money, he began his life as an itinerant beggar in earnest. Soon he became deathly ill from food poisoning--and his journey took a startling turn. His meditation practice had prepared him to face death, and now he had the opportunity to test the strength of his training.

In this powerful and unusually candid account of the inner life of a Buddhist master, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche offers us the invaluable lessons he learned from his near-death experience. By sharing with readers the meditation practices that sustain him, he shows us how we can transform our fear of dying into joyful living.

Praise for In Love with the World

"Vivid, compelling . . . This book is a rarity in spiritual literature: Reading the intimate story of this wise and devoted Buddhist monk directly infuses our own transformational journey with fresh meaning, luminosity, and life."--Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

"In Love with the World is a magnificent story--moving and inspiring, profound and utterly human. It will certainly be a dharma classic."--Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

"This book makes me think enlightenment is possible."--Russell Brand

PERCEPTIVE PISCES,
SIREN, ARTIST, DAYDREAMER.
DIG DEEP, MAKE YOUR SPLASH.

Who are you going to fall in love with next? What job should you really be in? When are you finally going to come into that big money? Why does everyone freak out when Mercury is in retrograde?

In our increasingly turbulent world, many of us are looking to the sky to find guidance in the ancient art of astrology. In Pisces, Stella Andromeda will tell you all you need to know about your astrological life as the fish. Learn how to harness the ancient power of the zodiac and open your mind to what the universe can offer in ways you never would have imagined. With advice that covers everything from self-care to sex, this little book is your key to a very starry future.

Contents include: Get to Know Pisces: Lucky color; Pisces careers; How Pisces communicates / The Pisces Deep Dive: Self-care; The Pisces home; Food and cooking; How Pisces wants to be loved / Give Me More: Your birth chart, The Moon effect; Saturn return

ROAR, FLAMING LEO,
FULL HEART, STAR POWER, GLOSS SHINE.
GO WILD, TAKE YOUR STAGE.

Who are you going to fall in love with next? What job should you really be in? When are you finally going to come into that big money? Why does everyone freak out when Mercury is in retrograde?

In our increasingly turbulent world, many of us are looking to the sky to find guidance in the ancient art of astrology. In Leo, Stella Andromeda will tell you all you need to know about your astrological life as the lion. Learn how to harness the ancient power of the zodiac and open your mind to what the universe can offer in ways you never would have imagined. With advice that covers everything from self-care to sex, this little book is your key to a very starry future.

Contents include: Get to Know Leo: Lucky color; Leo careers; How Leo communicates / The Leo Deep Dive: Self-care; The Leo home; Food and cooking; How Leo wants to be loved / Give Me More: Your birth chart, The Moon effect; Saturn return

Make every meal magical with The Witch's Cookbook, your very own recipe grimoire!

Chefs and bakers may seem to wield magic in the way they can whip up the most amazing dishes and desserts. But they are nothing compared to the original brewmasters--witches! Featuring over 50 wickedly delicious recipes, The Witch's Cookbook is your short-and-sweet go-to for quick-and-easy meals with a mystical flair. Each recipe is witchcraft themed and can be made with traditional ingredients, plus a little bit of spellwork and magic, of course.

Get your cauldron bubbling with recipes like:

• Toadstool Toppers
• Crow Familiar Nests
• Typhon's Black Serpent Ramen
• Persephone's Vegetable Bounty
• Midnight Berry Pavlovas
• Love Vitality Potion
• And more!

Along with amazing meals to make any time of the year, The Witch's Cookbook features "Witch Tips" that offer additional spells and blessings for your home and hearth. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, The Witch's Cookbook is sure to be your cooking companion for every solstice, full moon, and magical day of the year!

Happiness Comes in Waves provides life lessons filled with inspiring stories and quotations from ocean advocates--illustrated with gorgeous photographs of the ocean, shorelines, and beaches.

Rise like a wave and live a life full of happiness!

Above all, the ocean teaches us this: we are all connected. Everything we do echoes into the universe and even the smallest changes can build into positive life momentum. Life is like the sea--it moves us, shapes us, supports us, and awakens us to new shores. And ultimately, life teaches us to be like water ourselves--strong yet calm, steady yet yielding, subtle yet beautiful.

Each chapter is dedicated to a theme of life lessons to inspire you to live your most fulfilling life. With chapters on being free, courageous, purposeful, peaceful, and harmonious, you'll have words of wisdom to carry with you everywhere you go.

Learn to move like the ocean with uplifting sand stories from beaches around the world meant to motivate you for your next great adventure. Splash your way through each page as you learn about sand textures from Dune Jewelry's one-of-a kind Sand Bank. This amazing nightstand book also includes an index, so you'll be able to identify where each featured sand texture comes from.

Happiness Comes in Waves is an ideal gift book for water lovers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike who want to brave new shores with a life full of intention and courage.

Your essential workbook to unlock the wisdom of the stars and understand astrology and your birth chart.

Your birth chart is a snapshot of the positions of the planets at the moment you were born. It reveals your unique self: your gifts, your challenges, and your opportunities. Guided Astrology Workbook explains the essential facets of astrology and includes interactive exercises to help you break down the detailed information in your birth chart. Best-selling author Stefanie Caponi guides you step-by-step as you learn to interpret seemingly complex astrological information with ease. With the language of astrology and your birth chart as your roadmap, you'll understand the role of the stars in your personality, life, and relationships, so that you can live with greater insight and intuition--and achieve your highest potential.

• Step-by-step guidance to help you expand your understanding of astrology as you learn to read and interpret birth charts.
• Plot and read your birth chart as you work through each chapter, adding your sun signs, rising signs, moon signs, and more, to help you understand your personality and how you engage your inner and outer worlds.
• Interactive exercises and reflection questions that help you to engage the zodiac wheel in a personal way and helps you understand the role of every placement.
• Understand astrological patterns to add depth to your birth chart interpretation and make connections with other people's charts.

• For astrologers of all skill levels to cultivate a better understanding of the role of the houses, planets, and aspects in our lives and relationships.

A revealing guide to understanding the principles of Islam

With more than 1.8 billion followers worldwide, Islam is one of the world's largest religions, but it is also one that is poorly understood by many Americans. Islam Explained offers an informative overview of the faith, helping those who are new to Islam foster cultural awareness while also providing those already familiar with it the opportunity to deepen their understanding.

Whether you are looking to expand your own knowledge of Islam or just better understand the practices of Muslim friends, coworkers, and neighbors, this concise and essential guide provides a solid foundation for future study and conversation.

Islam Explained features:

• Easy-to-understand explanations-This book provides a complete overview ideal for those who are interested in Islam as a faith, a subject of study, and beyond.
• Historical contexts-Better understand the history of Islam, how the religion has evolved, and the ways that history has shaped the lives of Muslims.
• Beliefs and practices-Explore what it means to be a practicing Muslim, including the Five Pillars, laws, dress codes, and brief glimpses into how they vary between individual sects.

Take yourself on a journey that will end in a better, more complete understanding of Islam.

A take-anywhere guide to the mindful practice of cloud watching.

Press pause, step outside, and look up. There is so much to gain by simply watching the clouds go by. This pocket guide invites you to tap into the calming power of nature through the contemplative practice of cloud spotting.

Discover different types of clouds, unique sky phenomena, and the many benefits that come from slowing down long enough to notice them. Perfect for nature-lovers and outdoorsy types, the petite size makes this book easy to toss in a backpack and take on an adventure. New and experienced meditators alike will appreciate the simple approach to mindfulness. Filled with remarkable tidbits and soothing practices, CLOUD SPOTTING reminds us that the wonders of nature abound if we just take the time to look.

NATURE AS THERAPY: The activities are easy and accessible to everyone who enjoys spending time outside. CLOUD SPOTTING is as applicable for avid adventurers as it is for people trying to spend more time outside, and for experienced meditators as well as those new to the practice.

UNIQUE CONTENT: The hyper-specific topics in this series stand apart from other general nature books in this category, offering clear gifting moments and recipients.

MAKES A LOVELY GIFT: The POCKET NATURE series makes a thoughtful gift for a wide range of folks for nearly any occasion, gifted alongside outdoor gear or tucked in a holiday stocking.

Perfect for:

• Cloud appreciators, including those who subscribe to the Cloud-a-Day newsletter or are members of the Cloud Appreciation Society
• Nature lovers
• Mindfulness practitioners
• Meditators and those looking for an easy way to start a meditation practice
• People looking to slow down and disconnect, and/or spend more time outside
• People who purchased MINDFULNESS CARDS, NATURE MEDITATIONS, A CLOUD A DAY

A comprehensive and practical guide to the ancient oracle based on the runic alphabet of the Norse

- Reveals the symbolism and divinatory significance of the 24 rune "staves"

- Provides clear instructions on how to craft your own rune stones

- Explains the role of runes in the Norse wisdom tradition and its influence on such works as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

Nordic runes are a potent and profoundly transformative magic system that gives contemporary readers access to the ancient wisdom tradition of Northern European cultures. The runes have deep resonances within the pagan Norse world of gods and goddesses, giants, dwarves, warriors, and wizards, which have greatly influenced the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, among others. Norse tradition attributes the discovery of the runes to the "All-Father" Odin--a god of inspiration and secret wisdom and the mythical prototype for runecasters, who established the pattern for gaining his knowledge.

Nordic Runes addresses three major areas: Runelore, the history of this 2000-year-old Norse oracle; Runestaves, the meaning of the individual runes of the Elder Futhark alphabet and their powerful mythological, magical, and practical lessons for daily life; and Runecasting, a comprehensive guide to the oracular application of the ancient runes, including their crafting, divination, and self-development. As Nordic Runes shows, the runes do more than simply reflect the path of fate; they help develop and enhance intuition. By learning to cast and interpret the runes, the user becomes receptive to the energy currents in material reality and empowered in the arts of its transformation.

The life-changing international bestseller reveals a set of simple yet powerful mindfulness practices that you can incorporate into daily life to help break the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness, and exhaustion.

Mindfulness promotes the kind of happiness and peace that gets into your bones. It seeps into everything you do and helps you meet the worst that life throws at you with new courage.

Based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), the book revolves around a straightforward form of mindfulness meditation which takes just a few minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed. MBCT has been clinically proven to be at least as effective as drugs for depression and is widely recommended by US physicians and the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence--in other words, it works. More importantly it also works for people who are not depressed but who are struggling to keep up with the constant demands of the modern world.

MBCT was developed by the book's author, Oxford professor Mark Williams, and his colleagues at the Universities of Cambridge and Toronto. By investing just 10 to 20 minutes each day, you can learn the simple mindfulness meditations at the heart of MBCT and fully reap their benefits. The book includes links to audio meditations to help guide you through the process. You'll be surprised by how quickly these techniques will have you enjoying life again.