Religion and Spirituality Books

This is a great book about the simplicity of prayer, anytime... anywhere..
Joyce's teaching has impacting me in a great way and this book is solid teaching on prayer.

The chapter on love has answered many questions I had. I am a Christian seeking to be more and more like my Divine Father and this book has helped me. I recommend this book to anyone who is a christian and those who has an open mind to Divine truths and who seek a deep fellowship with God.

I know the title might not sound that juicy. Prayer is not that exciting. Wrong! Read this book if you want to wash away all the garbage you believe about not praying good enough or correctly. Joyce encourages us to identify the originator of all those thoughts and he lives down below. An encouragment to read.

Joyce Meyer has a great way of getting her point across in this book. She is so down to earth and explains things so clearly for everyone to understand. I know how to pray but I have learned so much more from reading this book.
Everyone should spend the time and the money to read this book it will open many doors for you to GOD!!!
Please read it is.... sensational!!!

I really Loved this Book it helped alot.I need a note book for all i learned and want to high light!!recommend greatly!!!

If you are a dormant Christian as I am and are looking to ignite your spiritual life, this is a great book to start with. I accidentally ran in to this book when I needed it most. I could say, I had hit rock bottom, and this book gave me a lift. I am now in a mission of reading all of Joyce Myers books and finding the purpose of my life.

Thank you Joyce!

Anyone who is seriously on the spiritual path must read this book. If you are readers of E. Tolle and follow his principles you will appreciate reading this and all of Joel Goldsmith's books.

This is my first review on Amazon, or anywhere else for that matter. I have been interested in spiritual growth for quite some time, beginning with my undergraduate major in Philosophy in the late 60's/early 70's. As I later discovered, I was not so much interested in the subject as in finding my OWN philosophy. Through the years I have spent much time investigating and learning about different belief systems and practices. The most useful to me were those originating in the East, primarily meditation (which I now teach) and yoga. The beauty of those systems is that they provide you with a systematic path towards what some call 'enlightenment,' or Christ consciousness, depending on your orientation. I am NOT talking about having intellectual 'knowledge' about spirituality, I am talking about the DIRECT EXPERIENCE of yourself as an aspect of God and as ONE with the universe.

But this is not to say that knowledge is unimportant, because that is certainly not the case. Knowledge supports and can hasten the spiritual growth that some of us are aiming towards. What Joel Goldsmith does is to present spiritual truth from a VERY high level of consciousness that, IMO, accurately reflects the 'letter of truth' of metaphysics. His interpretations of, among other things, the Bible and Jesus's sayings, can be challenging and a stretch but are spot on. I have found that the contemplation (which is different from meditation) of his writings has done quite a bit to speed up my spiritual growth, and I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any seeker (altho 'seeking' is unnecessary - we already know where the "Kingdom of Heaven" is - it's "within us" - we just need to clear out all that is keeping us from living there full-time). To follow-up on what another reviewer said, if I had to spend some time on a desert island and could only pick one book, THIS would be the one.

This is the simplest, most direct book I've ever read on how to apply spiritual principles in a functional, working, demonstrable manner. Within 3 days of seeing god as my supply, I was bumped into a promotion for more pay and easier work. When I noticed it was difficult to forgive as a cashier I was sent to do standing-work, where I just had to say hi all day and see people as infinite beings to further my yogic studies. When I was grateful that my real home and supply is already with me and I'm just unable to see it, I received a large sum of money the next morning. And finally, when I followed a feeling of freedom when deciding to give away my possessions I was given good health and no longer had to maintain my stuff costing me more than I had. I now have more than I need, and give without a thought.

This book helped me put into practice these ideas, and gave me working principles I could see in my life. He was the first step, but his teacher was the next. Ernest Holmes.

The heritage of my exploration of Goldsmith stems from Walter Starcke's book, "It's All God" and/or Tolle's book, "The Power of Now". Seeking contact with God is what all people are attempting to do. This book is one more in a series that places you in the emphasis of God's Realm spread out before us, touching the water and touching the wave, spiritually, metaphysically and within the context of psychic transformation.

To live in the Presence of God one must create a practice. This small book is a wonderful guide. It matters not your religious tradition for this Presence is universal and a constant vibration of Goodness. To live in the Presence of Goodness is to live in comfort and Joy. Everyone deserves this opportunity. Allow yourSelf to move from belief to experience. Come and join all who have had this experience. As a poet and conscious traveler, I consider this small book a gem. Blessings upon your pathway.

Yes, this book is a blessing. It is a godly means of tranforming your mind. Be blessed.

Myles Munroe is an excellent author and this book will give help you with what God has given you to do. My goal is read all of his books, all of his books are great, he's one of my favorites.

If you want to really, fully understand how and why one is given a Christian spiritual gift like purpose and vision you will truly enjoy reading this book....it's hard for me to put it down...and I'm only into the 3rd chapter. Myles Monroe has been given a rare gift of explaining the actual "mechanics" of various spiritual gifts in terms that are so plain and understandable....I've read his book on prayer as well "Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer" it was TERRIFIC!! I can't wait to order another one of his books when I get through with this one.

I can't get enough of this book, every page is an "aha" moment. It's taking me to the next level. I think the book was written just for me, answering/addressing the questions I've had & couldn't seem to figure out the answers.

Myles Munroe has done it again! In his own uniquely simplistic way of informing people who are searching, of the principles in scripture which help us to move forward in the purpose that God has given each of us. Munroe shows us how to identify the talents that God has given us and to utilize them to our fullest potential. This book along with the study guide helps the reader to remain on track in regard to prioritizing what is really important in life. The fulfillment of our individual purpose for being. It's not about competition, it's about purpose!!

The Purification of the Heart is a must read for all.

The book begins by introducing the concept that our hearts are the light by which we can 'see' and therefore it is our hearts which we use to discern between truth from falsehood and right from wrong. It follows that the healthier or more purified our hearts become the brighter the light and the more we are able to see the reality of this life, whilst the more diseased or impure our hearts become the more indiscernible truth and falsehood become until we are completely are blind and have no senses towards good and evil. We are taught that the purification of the heart is achieved by trust in God, and doing good deeds for His Pleasure, whilst the heart becomes more diseased as we disbelieve and/or disobey God (i.e. sin). Some noteworthy Ayahs of the Quran are:

As a day [i.e. Day of Judgment] in which neither wealth nor children shall be of any benefit [to anyone], except one who comes to God with a sound [or pure] heart. (Surah 26 Ayat 88-89)

Have they not travelled in the land, and have they hearts with which to feel and ears with which to hear? for indeed it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts, which are within the bosoms, that grow blind.
(Surah 22 Ayat 46)

That He (God) may make that which the Devil promises a temptation for those in those whose hearts is a disease, and those whose hearts are hardened - LO! the evildoers are in open shism. (Surah 22 Ayat 53).

Following the Introduction the book proceeds to the main text which details the spiritual diseases of the heart that humans can suffer from and how to treat and cure them. This section is a based on a poem written by the scholar Imam al-Mawlud on this topic of purification of the heart, and Hamza Yusuf thoughtfully translates and explains in detail this poem for all to understand. I found this section to also be very educational about many areas of Islam and life other than the immediate topic of self-purification.

The only thing in the text that I objected to was something written on page 108, where Hamza Yusuf tries to explain the events that followed the murder of Uthman the third ruler after the Prophet Mohammad (SAW). In his explanation of this Hamza Yusuf writes:

"Muslims, however, maintain a good opinion of Muawiya, contrary to the Shiites."

Although I don't believe Hamza Yusuf intended for this, the passage could perhaps be taken as been sectarian. As it could be seen that Hamza Yusuf calls Shiites to be separate from Muslims. Sectarianism itself is a disease of the heart and goes against the Quran and the Prophetic teachings. This passage should be clarified, and preferably the passage should read that "some Muslims have a good opinion of Muawiya, whilst other Muslims are sceptical of his intentions". the Use of labels of Sunni or Shiite is sectarian and are both innovations (as no one at the time of the Prophet used these labels).There are only Muslims and non-Muslims.

The book ends with three Appendices, which are added gifts to finish the book. The first is about techniques we can use in our quest of constant Remembrance of God, The second about The Holy month of Ramadan and its significance in self-purification and the third a small extract of advise by a 15th century scholar about how we can achieve self-purification.

5 Stars!

sheikh hamza yusuf is one of the few islamic scholars that has chosen to go into a deeper meaning of everything in the quran and islam in general...he can be thought of as having a little bit of sufi perspective on things.....he has chosen to point out the things in the messages that other scholars dont seem to grasp.....lovely book will help u learn a lot that perhaps u never understood before about islam.....beautiful book translated into english.....makes me think what else am i missing that still hasnt been translated into english for us....extremely recoomended book

It's a great book with a good tone (the author doesn't talk down). Provides some good insight to the way people behave, and how to avoid that behavior or improve oneself.

Wonderful resource: concise, excellently composed, and powerful. It's a book that I would love to present to all my family and friends.

This book is a very useful one, it is divided in many chapters each of them covering a specific disease of the heart, and ways in which it can be cured, it is a book which is full of wisdom as it contains Qu'ranic verses and sayings of the Prophet (PBUH), it also has many stories/events and is particularly useful for Muslims and non Muslims, for anyone looking to improve their way of life, their behavior and to be a better person, and particularly the book contains a lot of useful information for improving spiritually.

It is a book that I loved so much that I gave it to a friend, unfortunately it seems the book is very hard to get hold of now as it seems un available both on amazon.com and co.uk, I hope to get my hands on it again soon as I believe it is a book we can all read, many times.

My book came promptly and in good condition, as promised. Impressive service. The book is typically fine Gomes fare.

I have gleaned deeper comprehension of Bible themes and concepts by this book. I would say, "Buy this book!" to anyone looking for a guide to deeper comprehension of the Word.

Once again Peter Gomes has provided a combination of sound information, humor and relevance to enhance Biblical understanding for lay readers and clergy alike.

Orthodox believers, the strictly Orthodox, don't need to go here. Or maybe you should--if you are willing to think--to do what the Bible said do, "Worship the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, MIND, and strength.

For those who want to think and aren't afraid to delve into new areas of thought in an effort to make the faith come alive, truly alive, this is a good book, a very good book. But for those who want to read more of what they already believe, for those who want to stay in the cocoon of their faith, never asking or considering the tough questions, this is not the book for you. For Job, yes; for you, no.

The premise of this book is simply this: Is the church--Christians of today--"worshiping" Jesus to the point that they ignore or forget His message, what He said do, the lives He said to lead?

Most likely Christians of today really don't want to hear what Jesus said, they would prefer to worship him as Christ and Lord without letting him really be Christ and Lord. For many Christians--I hope not most--the message of Jesus would be as scandalous today as it was when he first spoke it. It caused him to be put to death before and it would cause many church people, good, well meaning church people, to want to put him to death again today. The church might well lead the charge for his second death as the church led the charge for his first death...

It is a lot easier and a lot more comfortable to worship Jesus on a pedestal as "Christ and Lord" than it is to hear his message and lead the lives He said live.

It brings to mind words from an old country gospel song, "Sorry, I never knew you..." Most Christians "know" who Jesus is, but they don't want to really know him. It would be too difficult on their lives of comfort and ease..." It would be scandalous...

Perhaps we should remember what Jesus said about being "lukewarm...."

One of the great ironies of the past 2000 years is that the message(s) of Jesus have been lost and billions of people preach Jesus while ignoring his message. Peter Gomes deals with just this issue in a masterful manner, at least in the first four chapters. His historical scholarshiop is impressive as is the breath and depth of his knowledge. Part 1 of his book needs to be read by any serious student of Christianity.

Somewhere along the line, Gomes appears to get lost (Ironically, this is not unlike the story of Christianity itself). The bulk of the rest of the book is certainly a good read, but it hardly matches the promise of the first four chapters. Indeed, while interesting and informative (who can't like an author who enjoys Steven Seagal movies?), the remainder of the book seems to ramble. Individual topics are well done (e.g., "When is the End Coming?", "Whatever Happened to Sin?", "The Fear Factor"), but at some point the book deteriorates into a series of sermons/lectures, however well written and informative.

But the lack of focus shouldn't deter serious students from reading this book.

This spiritual book is for all levels, even if you are starting to become interested in your spiritual life or if you are someone very spiritual this will help both.

It is easy to read, fun and deep

I recomemd it to EVERYONE.

This is the best book I have read on steps to increasing your faith. It is a well written guide to bring you closer to Christ. I would recommend this book to everyone!

This excellent book by Fr. Thomas Williams is written with such clarity and common sense I found it hard to put down. His easy and approachable writing style, his common sense orthodoxy, makes essential reading for anyone looking to deepen their faith with easy to follow practical points for those at all stages in their spiritual growth. His chapter on prayer is particularly outstanding. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed. Rachael Quinn, Dublin, Ireland.

SPIRITUAL PROGRESS: BECOMING THE CHRISTIAN YOU WANT TO BE is a fine introduction to Catholic Christian Spirituality. Thomas D. Williams, a Catholic Priest and Vatican Analyst and Correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, has written a highly readable book on deepening one's spirituality in a world dominated by those secular influences which can be all too often at odds with faith and devotion. The book, a scant 254 pages, is divided into four parts which can be read sequentially, or explored thematically.

I: Where are we going?
II: What God does for us.
III: What are we to do?
IV: Getting Down to Brass Tacks

The scripturally based narrative is clear and direct, beginning with a general discussion of holiness and spirituality. It moves quickly into an exploration of prayer and worship, examining how we can deepen our faith. Lastly, Father Williams provides tangible practical advice including the selection of a spiritual director and development of a spiritual direction program.

Although aimed primarily at beginners, the book is a refreshing reintroduction of spirituality to experienced practitioners. I recommend this book for anyone seeking to grow in relationship to God.

This book is written in real, every day english. Fr. Thomas is great at conveying his message in a way for real people who would like to live their Christian faith more deeply, to grasp. These are big Spiritual concepts that I can understand and live in my life as a Mom.

J.C. Ryle warns the reader in a compelling way to flee worldly temptations and sinful lusts and to meditate on things above. He shows that only godly living brings true contentment in life.

I wish someone had went through this exhortation with me back in my teens or early twenties. This is a must read for every young man and even for middle aged and older men. This is the kinda talk a father would have with a son, and Ryle is very easy to read and understand, yet the wisdom he passes on is crucial and very important for all men. This is a straight forward heart to heart talk about what really matters in life. Thank you J.C. Ryle.

I bought this for my son, I read it first and have greatly enjoyed this read. It is still a message for young men of today. I would highly reccommend.

Great conservative ideas for keeping young men pure. Though written quite awhile ago, the ideas are really timeless.

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool (Anglican Church). This book is a short yet passionate plea of a man in the latter years of life who was no doubt qualified to address young men. Page after page one finds that this booklet is full of truths that are no less relevant today than as when they were written more than a hundred years ago.

The books is divided into four sections with a conclusion. In section one, Ryle begins with reasons for his exhorting young men. In section two, he then focuses on five specific dangers which young men to be warned of (e.g. pride, the love of pleasure, the fear of man's opinions, etc.). In section three, he outlines some general suggestions which he entreats young men to receive and then in section four he lays down some practical specific "rules of conduct" which he strongly advises young men to follow. Ryle then concludes with the results of heeding such exhortations as he has laid out.

I read this book on a bus ride to the mall . . . and I'm so grateful that I did. In the preface to the book, J.C. Ryle wrote this:

"I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most distinct recollection of the joys and the sorrows, the hopes and the fears, the temptations and the difficulties, the mistaken judgments and the misplaced affections, the errors and the aspirations, which surround and accompany a young man's life. If I can only say something to keep some young man in the right way, and preserve him from faults and sins, which may mar his prospects both for time and eternity, I shall be very thankful" (p.5).

Well J.C., you did your job with me--thanks. While I know men such as him are not popular nowadays, I cannot do justice to my own conscience if I do not say that his exhortations are more practical and timely than many of today's most popular authors.

I bought Transfigurations and Grey's earlier book Sacred Mirrors at the same time. Both are visually amazing and the print quality is excellent. I especially liked reading about Alex Grey's journey as an artist that is part of Transfigurations. It's not a path I would want to tread, but knowing about his life gives good insight and empathy into the aesthetics of his work. I'm very glad he met with Tibetan culture, which obviously has influenced him greatly, and helped him escape the dark trap of Euro-American nihilist existentialism

Transfigurations is a beautiful book that does an excellent job presenting the work of Alex Grey, one of the most important artists of our times. There is no artist quite like Alex Grey. For many years, I have used this book and an earlier Grey book, Sacred Mirrors, as a transformative tool both in my own life and helping others.

I bought this book for my son who'd asked for a coffee table art book
by Alex Grey, and he was happy to have received it. When it was under the tree unwrapped after Christmas, I took a look, and it's an interesting work. I'm not sure if it's in his room or if he took it to college; I'll have to look. If it's home, I can read more of it.

It arrived in beautiful condition.

Truly edifying, powerfully enlightening art of the nervous system (peeled open) and all its glory.

The universe is marvelous, indeed. Grey is a shining star.

Although my other books reviews are totally sarcastic this one is sincere. Giving TRANSFIGURATIONS five stars tells you nothing, it is my most cherished possession purchased from Amazon. Alex Grey is the most beautiful inspiring artist I know of, disturbing as well. For both reasons I get goosebumps each time I hear his weird kind of slimy sounding voice on the DVD and audio tapes that I also purchased. I find his whole dark side very intimidating and there are a couple of spots where the blur between holy and immoral is way to ominous for my churchy little, reactionary mind to consider but I'm sure that in his genius he is expressing things that, like all of his works, are simply way beyond my comprehension.

Even though I really like Grey's self-portraits as a boy, I usually skip past the first thirty-five or so pages to his more inspiring works of colorful anatomy charged with energy and connected to occult and mystical symbols of the spirit. I've always thought of these symbols as pertaining to aesthetics who live an isolated existence, however, for Grey's works they seem to be intimately associated with love, family, personal growth, and the journey through life.

I find his most beautiful works to be his oil on linen anatomical scenes of his family which include one of him and his wife embracing and another with both of them, eyes shut, in a moment of reverence with their daughter in which all three pineal glands are actively sharing an interwoven and upward spiraling rainbow of purely intelligent energies. Another is of his young daughter, as a toddler, who draws out a sphere from her heart encircled by a rainbow of noble and vital energy containing within it a Tibetan symbol of primal purity.

Alex Grey expresses better than anyone I've found how religious symbols from around the world are spun from the same spiritual desires and aspirations of people everywhere and are all equally divine.

Transfigurations shows Alex Grey's development through his life cycle from the dark cocoon of young manhood through his emergence as a man of tremendous knowledge and beauty expressed in fantastic colors and intricate and intriguing layers and details. He is clearly one who has made an incredible journey in life and easily ranks with all of the most famous and greatest artists in art history.

There are a plethora of translations of Chinese classics out there, but please know that many of these "translations" are just "re-imaginings" of the original, i.e. the authors usually do not know Classical Chinese (let alone modern Chinese!).

Merton is one such "translater". This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as one is aware that this does not strictly reflect the original text (although it may resemble it). What we have here is a picking over of existing translations of the Chuang-tzu and a recombination of them. This is often done with some artistic licence.

Merton is better than most in that he is somewhat sensitive to the original material. Things get vastly worse with translations of the Daodejing (for example, Ursula le Guins monstrous butchering). If you want a more accurate account of the Chuang-tzu then I recommend A.C. Grahams' expert translation which is a relatively successful facsimile of the Chinese original (given the difficulty of rendering Chinese into English anyway).

I am a recently retired teacher who for thirty-five years have begun every class (Theology, Sexuality, Physics, Chemistry, Math and in summers Arts and Crafts to kids 4-12 years old) with a sounding of small brass cymbals (Tibetan), a minute of silent breathing followed by a short reading from the Tao Te Ching, Emily Dickinson, a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, or the Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton.
I meet former students now pushing into their fifties who baldly admit that those moments have stayed with them all these years and they have included meditation as one of the most important activities in their lives.
Thomas Merton's Introductory Notes say it far better than I ever could and should be read .
I can only wholeheartedly recommend that you buy this book and keep it at your desk or bedside for a quick straightening out of your mind concerning what is really important in life.

If you have an interest in learning the deeper meanings of Tao then this is a book you must add to your collection. A seldom translated philosophy of poetic renderings are clearly detailed in the transliterations of Thomas Merton...the spirit of Tao is clearly revealed.

This is a very good translation made by Tomas Merton of Chuang Tzu's works. This also gives a little bit of the view of Tomas Merton due to his Note to the Reader section and his specific selection of some of Chuang Tzu's writings to put in this book. This book has many good proverbs and stories written by Chuang Tzu which can be very enlightening and sometimes humorous. Chuang Tzu is one of the greats of Taoism but of course Lao Tzu takes the top position. If you are interested in the learning about the roots of Taoism you should check out this book and some about Lao Tzu also.

Like a fine wine, this collection is best consumed slowly. As it is clearly stated in the foreward, this is not a faithful reproduction of Chuang Tzu but a collection of personal and spiritual interpretations of his work. Readers that expected otherwise might consider reading the description of the book before purchasing it. It would seem embarassing to write a negative review of a product that goes in complete contradiction of the product's clear description and intentions.

Thomas Merton was a Trappist Monk who took a particular interest in Buddhism and Asian spirituality. Because Merton tragically died at a young age, we will never see a final product of this work. In "The Way of Chuang Tzu", Merton selects writings of Chuang Tzu which reflect a Christian mentality. Obviously, Chuang Tzu was not a Christian. However, this does not disqualify his writings to a Christian audience in any way. If the reader can go into this book with an open mind, he/she is likely to enjoy it. Those who are closed minded to this type of work which may seemingly blur the line between faiths according to their view may be outraged. I would strongly encourage open-mindedness.

Another great biblical resource that is packed with great illustration pictures, concise information and easy to carry along.

I purchased this book as a gift for my mother-in-law. My parents have the same book and they love it. My mother-in-law had been trying to find the book after seeing their's. The book is great to just flip through for interesting Bible facts or to find answers to questions.

I teach Bible Church School and this book is great when you need to understand the gist of a person or place in the bible. It's not your exhaustive detailed reference work, but it is a 'to the point book'.

Great little pocket/purse size for information on just about anything in the bible. Places, people, etc...fun to read!

A super resource for anyone interested in Bible characters and Bible places.