Bøger i Skylight Illuminations serien

The foremost American researcher of Confucius as a religious and spiritual figure explains the Analects' universal wisdom for our own time, guiding us on the "path of the sage" or "Way of Heaven"-a journey of reason, peace and understanding.

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.

Presents the most important of Rumi''s writings with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that conveys how his teachings about the nature of love for God and God''s love for us can increase our understanding of Islamic wisdom in the West.

Presents insightful commentary that shares these timeless principles and encourages us to put them into practice in ways that are uniquely our own.

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.

A "bible" for the religiously unaffiliated, weaving sacred texts from the world's major religions into a coherent exploration of the core questions at the heart of every religion¿s search, with insightful commentary on using these texts in our daily lives.

Experience the wisdom of Maimonides, arguably the most significant Jewish thinker of all time, whose approach to biblical interpretation and philosophy remains relevant for all who follow a religion based on sacred text and oral interpretation.

This accessible introduction to Julian of Norwich's reflection and commentary on a series of her mystical visions opens up her profoundly hopeful vision of humanity and God, her creative imagery and her rigorous honesty about the spiritual life.

Excerpts from Charles and John Wesley, cofounders of Methodism, provide insight into the renewal of dynamic and vital Christianity and into the struggles and concerns of all who seek to be faithful participants in God's vision of love in every age.

Breathes new life into classic stories from people who so marvelously combined the mystical and the ordinary. Rabbi Rami serves as an expert guide to these wise and meaningful stories that can help further your own spiritual awakening.

Ancient Gnostic texts-presented here in all-new translations and with insightful commentary-hold important clues to the development of the soul as a concept and reveal inspiring ways your own soul can remember and return to its unique, divine purpose.

This first English publication of significant portions of Ghazali's foundational text offers helpful commentary and a modern translation to open up the wisdom of a great spiritual master, scholar and sage to seekers of a balanced understanding of Islam.

An engaging introduction to the wisdom sayings of the rabbinic sages about matters in life and how to live it with dignity. Fresh, contemporary translation and provocative commentary distills Pirke Avot as a practical guide to living ethically today.

The Dhammapada-believed to have been spoken by the Buddha himself-contains most of Buddhism's central teachings. Helpful commentary explains references, philosophical terms and the inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers.

Be inspired by the writings of ordinary Christians who chose to renounce the world in order to individually follow God''s call. Insightful commentary and historical background illustrates how you can use this wisdom in your own spiritual quest.

This text explores a collection of writings on Mary, the mother of Jesus, dating from the time of the Hebrew Bible prophecies to the present. Sacred poems, prayers, hymns and songs, scriptural passages, and prose pieces illustrative of the unbroken river of reflection, devotion, and love that Mary inspires.

A fresh, modern translation of key selections from this timeless text opens up classic Taoist beliefs and practices with insightful commentary that highlights how you can live a more balanced, authentic and joyful life by following Taoist principles.

Take inspiration from the primary texts of the lively Celtic Christian tradition, with selections from the works of Pelagius, Eriugena and St. Patrick, as well as prayers and poems from Wales, the Outer Hebrides and Ireland.

Take inspiration from the primary texts of the lively Celtic Christian tradition, with selections from the works of Pelagius, Eriugena and St. Patrick, as well as prayers and poems from Wales, the Outer Hebrides and Ireland.

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.

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.

Hundreds of commentaries and dozens of Bible translations make the Hebrew prophets available to modern-day readers but most often these sources focus on history or apologetics losing the reader who is searching for spiritual insight. THE HEBREW PROPHETS makes the wisdom of these timeless teachers available to readers with no previous knowledge of the prophets. With fresh contemporary commentary Rami Shapiro reveals the central themes covered by all the prophets: moving from ignorance to wisdom injustice to justice cruelty to compassion and despair to joy. This unique look at the Hebrew prophets sharpens the personal nature of their message and highlights their critique of the spiritual errors we all face in life challenging readers to correct those errors and experience a life of awakening and joy.

The Dhammapada-believed to have been spoken by the Buddha himself-contains most of Buddhism's central teachings. Helpful commentary explains references, philosophical terms and the inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers.

Presents the core teachings of Tanya, with insightful commentary that will deepen your understanding of the soul and how it relates to and manifests the Divine Source from which all life comes, in which all life lives and to which all life returns.

Moses Maimonides (1138 1204) is Jewish history's greatest exponent of a rational, philosophically based Judaism. He opened his classic code of Jewish Law, the Mishneh Torah, with the "Book of Knowledge," providing the essential teachings of Jewish faith and ethics. His "Thirteen Principles of Faith," included in his commentary on the Mishnah, have become cornerstones in Jewish theology.In this book, Rabbi Marc Angel provides a lucid English translation of Maimonides' key teachings on Jewish faith and ethics, as well as an informative commentary that brings his wisdom to life. Readers will confront Maimonides' views on the nature of God, providence, prophecy, free will, human nature, repentance and more.The teachings of Maimonides continue to have profound relevance to those seeking an intellectually vibrant understanding of Judaism. Although deeply rooted in Jewish sources, the writings of Maimonides provide spiritual insights for people of all backgrounds.

The foremost American researcher of Confucius as a religious and spiritual figure explains the Analects' universal wisdom for our own time, guiding us on the "path of the sage" or "Way of Heaven"-a journey of reason, peace and understanding.

The three principal infancy gospels-the Infancy Gospel of James, the Book of Joseph the High Priest, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas-are accounts of the birth and early life of Mary and of the birth and early life of Jesus. These apocryphal stories are fictions but nevertheless of great historical interest in terms of the beliefs and storytelling of early Christians, for they are the sources of well-known Christian legends as well as some of Christianity''s beloved heroes and heroines. Now you can experience the mystery and amusement of these charming folktales without any previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you a deeper understanding of the sources of devotion Christians feel for the holy infant Jesus. Sharing these folktales told by the ordinary people of early Christianity provides access to the great insight these writings offer into the Christian people''s religion of ancient times rather than to the religion of the literate elites