Bücher der Reihe Skylight Illuminations

This contemporary translation presents Ecclesiastes as neither revelation nor prophecy but as a rational and inspirational guide to living well in the midst of a world of uncertainty. Insightful commentary opens up this timeless text for today''s world.

Provides deeper insight into the understanding that in Gnosticism the distinction between savior and saved ceases to exist-you must save yourself and in doing so save God.

This collection of more than 300 sayings reveals spiritual truths that resonate across religious boundaries. Some are familiar; many are surprising; all expand our conventional understanding of the scope and essence of Jesus''s original teachings.

Introduces the fascinating world of the Indian mystic and the universal appeal of his message. Selections from the original text and insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary highlight the most important and inspirational teachings

A poetic and potent treatise on strategy still internationally in use in military training. Yet its principles transcend warfare and have practical applications to all the conflicts and crises we face-in our workplaces, our families, even within ourselves.

experience the wisdom and power of Lao Tzu's words even if you have no previous knowledge of the Tao Te Ching. Provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that describes helpful historical background, explains the Tao Te Ching's poetic imagery, and elucidates the ancient Taoist wisdom that will energize your spiritual quest.

Illuminates a text that until now has intimidated the general reader.Focuses on seven themes that recur throughout the five-volume work-repentance, the heart, prayer, the Jesus Prayer, the passions, stillness, and theosis.

Provides deeper insight into the understanding that in Gnosticism the distinction between savior and saved ceases to exist-you must save yourself and in doing so save God.

The timeless account of an anonymous wanderer who set out on a journey across nineteenth-century Russia with nothing but a backpack, some bread, and a Bible, with a burning desire to learn the true meaning of the words of St. Paul: "Pray without ceasing."

A Hindu classic with universal appeal for people of all faith traditions who turn to its inspirational support in the struggles of life, its consolation in times of grief and its deeply moving promise of God's love and guidance.

At the heart of Judaism is an ethical imperative to live life from your true self, as the image and likeness of God. To do this, you must see the greatness of God manifest in all things, and therefore engage each moment with grace, humility, and justice. This imperative flowers in the words of the early Rabbis (250 BCE-250 CE), who captured God's call to be holy in Pirke Avot, a collection of pithy sayings on how best to live an ethical life. This engaging introduction to the wisdom sayings of the rabbinic sages puts you in direct conversation with them, allowing the sages to speak directly to you about what matters in life and how to live it with dignity. With fresh, contemporary translation and provocative commentary, Rabbi Rami Shapiro focuses on the central themes in this Jewish wisdom compendium-study, kindness, compassion. He clarifies the rabbinic proverbs and parables in order to expose the ethical principles at their root. By recalling the ancient voices of the rabbinic sages, he shows us the contemporary significance of their timeless wisdom and distills Pirke Avot not as a book about ethics but as a practical guide to living ethically today. Now you can experience the wisdom of the early Rabbis even if you have no previous knowledge of Judaism or rabbinic literature. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the ethical teachings of the rabbinic sages, with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that conveys Pirke Avot's core challenge of God to the Jewish people, and through them all humanity: We are to be holy as God is holy. We are to be, in a human way, what God is in a divine way.

Many consider Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali the all-time greatest scholar of Islam. One of the great legal scholars of his time (1058-1111), he was, also, one of the foremost scholars of theology, philosophy and Sufism. In the realm of Sufism, his writings on the interrelation of law, theology and mysticism were central in establishing Sufism as a core dimension of Orthodox Islamic practice. Muslim communities all across the world today still base much of their practice of Islam on Ghazali's writings. Forty Foundations of the Religion is Ghazali's own summary of his magnum opus, The Revival of Religious Knowledge, which he described as the 'very essence of the knowledge of the Qur'an'. The Foundations are a brief and powerful summary of Islamic faith, worship, law and spirituality. This is the first publication of significant portions of the Foundations in English. Original translations of selected highlights are accompanied by insightful commentary that makes the core message of this great spiritual master relevant to anyone seeking a balanced understanding of Islam. This volume will ,also, attract those who are interested in Eastern spirituality, Sufism and interfaith dialogue. Foundations offers a concise and affordable alternative to the extensive (and expensive) translations of the original Revival of Religious Knowledge.

James has been a subject of controversy since the founding of the Church. Evidence that Jesus had siblings contradicts Church dogma on the virgin birth and James is also a symbol of Christian teachings that have been obscured. While Peter is traditionally thought of as the leader of the apostles and the rock on which Jesus built his church Jeffrey Butz shows that it was James who led the disciples after the crucifixion. It was James not Peter who guided them through the Church's first major theological crisis - Paul's interpretation of the teachings of Jesus. Using the canonical Gospels writings of the Church Fathers and apocryphal texts Butz argues that James is the most overlooked figure in the history of the Church. He shows how the core teachings of Jesus are firmly rooted in Hebraic tradition; reveals the bitter battles between James and Paul for ideological supremacy in the early Church; and explains how Paul's interpretations which became the foundation of the Church are in many ways its betrayal. Butz reveals a picture of Christianity and the true meaning of Christ's message that are sometimes at odds with established Christian doctrine and concludes that James can serve as a desperately needed missing link between Christianity Judaism and Islam to heal the wounds of centuries of enmity.

For many in the West, the teachings of the Qur'an are often enshrouded in mystery and fear. Yet Islam's holy book gave birth to one of the most powerful and enlightened civilisations the world has ever seen. By the sixteenth century, Muslim culture stretched from India to Africa to Europe, preserving with it the ancient learning that helped spawn the Renaissance. With its interwoven ideas of faith and reason, justice and mercy, the path of Islam - which literally means "e;surrendering to God's will"e; - offers a uniquely focused and balanced approach to living life with a profound awareness of God. With gentleness and insight, Sohaib N. Sultan leads you through the central themes of both the Qur'an and the collected sayings of Prophet Muhammad, known as hadith. These teachings dispel common misconceptions about Muslim beliefs and offer practical guidance for your own spiritual journey, from understanding the merciful nature of God; to cultivating peace and justice in the self, family and society; to answering questions about the afterlife and how to attain it. Now you can experience the wisdom of Qur'anic teachings even if you have no previous knowledge of Islam or Muslim writings. Insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary explains the texts for you, allowing you to enter into the path of surrender to God.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430), priest, bishop and theologian, is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. He is known as much for his long interior struggle that ended with conversion and baptism at age thirty-two as for his influential teachings on human will, original sin and the theology of just war. Cherished as a model for the pursuit of a life of spiritual grace and criticized for his theory of predestination, Augustine is recognized as a living expression of the passion to understand and communicate the deeper meanings of human experience. With fresh translations drawn from Augustine's voluminous writings and probing facing-page commentary, Augustinian scholar Dr. Joseph Kelley provides insight into the mind and heart of this foundational Christian figure. Kelley illustrates how Augustine's keen intellect, rhetorical skill and passionate faith reshaped the theological language and dogmatic debates of early Christianity. He explores the stormy religious arguments and political upheavals of the fifth century, Augustine's controversial teachings on predestination, sexuality and marriage and the deep undercurrents of Augustine's spiritual quest that still inspire Christians today.

Enter the vibrant world of this medieval mystic and open yourself to the music of creation and the living light of God. This unique introduction to one of the most accomplished women in Christian history presents a wide range of Hildegard's rich and varied writings, grouped by theme, with insightful annotations and historical background.

Guides readers step-by-step through the texts that make up the Zohar and explains the inner meanings of this sacred text in a way that is both spiritually enlightening and intellectually fascinating.

The timeless account of an anonymous wanderer who set out on a journey across nineteenth-century Russia with nothing but a backpack, some bread, and a Bible, with a burning desire to learn the true meaning of the words of St. Paul: "Pray without ceasing."

How alike and unlike were Paul and Jesus? If there were differences between them, what effect did that have on the growth of Christianity? And how can these differences help Christians today find their way forward in the midst of countless new and creative ways of understanding their religion and their spirituality?

Leads you through the central themes of both the Qur''an and the collected sayings of Prophet Muhammad, known as hadith. These teachings dispel common misconceptions about Muslim beliefs and offer practical guidance for your own spiritual journey.

As seen through the writings of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic approach to life is surprisingly rich, nuanced, clear-eyed and friendly. Offers startlingly modern psychological and spiritual insight from the emperor''s personal journal entries.

Reveals the underlying story of Matthew, giving us a full appreciation of the book's message, and uncovering a portrait of Jesus that at times resembles the gnostic Christ and sage teacher of the Gospel of Thomas more than it does traditional Christianity.

Gain insight into the historical context and major themes of the Gospel of Philip and a deeper understanding of its overarching message: Deciphering our own meaning behind the symbols of this world increases and enriches our understanding of God.

The Gospel of Thomas shows Jesus as a wisdom-loving sage, sharing aphorisms about the value of the present and how to create the Kingdom of God on earth. This unique guidebook helps you translate Jesus's wisdom into a more fulfilling, enriching daily life.