The fourteenth-century anchoress known as Julian of Norwich offered fervent prayers for a deeper understanding of Christ's passion. The holy woman's petitions were answered with a series of divine revelations that she called «showings.» Her mystic visions revealed Christ's sufferings with extreme intensity, but they also confirmed God's constant love for humanity and his infinite capacity for forgiveness.Julian of Norwich&apo ...
Modestly described by its author as «a little rule for beginners,» this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom dates from the sixth century. It was originally intended as a manual for aspiring monks, a diverse group composed of serfs, scholars, shepherds, and sons of the nobility. St. Benedict's little book eventually developed into the preeminent monastic legislative code, a distinction it maintains to this day.In addition to its importance in th ...
Some view it as a prophecy of events already fulfilled, and others as a foretelling of things yet to come. Still others regard it as an expression of eternal spiritual truths, rather than specific incidents. The biblical Book of Revelation supports a variety of interpretations — and controversies — and it exerts an endless fascination on readers of every generation.This compilation features highlights from the King James edit ...
"Believe me, count as lost each day you have not used in loving God." — Brother LawrenceThis simply written little book about prayer and Christian life conveys a humble man's thoughts on the importance of experiencing God's love. A seventeenth-century French Carmelite, Brother Lawrence spent much of his time in the kitchen of a Paris monastery. Of this experience, he said: «The time of business does not with me differ fr ...
"Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true," declared Pascal in his Penseés. «The cure for this,» he explained, «is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is.» Motivated by the 17th-century view of the supremacy of human reason, Pascal (1623–1662) intended to write an ...
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god," Thomas Jefferson asserted, «because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.» America's third president regarded Jesus as a moral guide rather than a divinity, and in The Jefferson Bible, he highlights Christ's ethical teachings from the Gospels. Discarding the scriptures' supernatural elements and dogma, this volume refl ...
Kama means desire, love, and lust; sutra means teachings and «verses.» The Kama Sutra, then, is the book of love, teaching the best methods of cultivating sensual pleasure, sexual desire, and loving union. A classic of world literature for 1,700 years, this is the most explicit and fascinating book ever written for lovers.This immortal work also serves as a window into Indian culture and mysticism. Its unique approach —combining medita ...
Banned in Russia, Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You was deemed a threat to church and state. The culmination of a lifetime's thought, it espouses a commitment to Jesus's message of turning the other cheek. In a bold and original manner, Tolstoy shows his readers clearly why they must reject violence of any sort—even that sanctioned by the state or the church—and urges them to look within themselves to ...
This masterpiece of Christian literature by a 16th-century priest explains how to live a holy life in the secular world. Drawn from the letters of St. Francis de Sales, it presents clear and direct advice about praying, resisting temptation, and maintaining devotion to God. A key figure in France's Counter Reformation, St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) served as Bishop of Geneva and was canonized in 1665. The popularity of his prol ...