Describes the author's difficulties with existing religions and how he arrived at a "post-Christian" religion compatible with science, based on the insights of the mystics. "This is not a book of easy answers and superficial, feel-good spirituality. I share my pain and struggle and doubts. But I share what I've found, too, which will amaze you as it amazes me."
This collection of talks on Christian meditation is full of practical advice and great spiritual insights in equal measure. It shows how discovering the presence of Christ within through meditative prayer can give shape and purpose to everything we do and are: our actions, emotions, fears, longings, failings and dreams. As John Main taught, the point of this kind of prayer is to allow God's presence to become not just a reality, but the reality of our lives.
Internationally renowned clairvoyant and visionary Michele A. Livingston invited others to tell her about their direct messages from Heaven. These true stories will provide healing and reassurance to anyone grieving for lost loved ones and to those wondering about life after death. Angels and departed loved ones often communicate with us, from subtle signs to dramatic visions and telepathic messages. Not only do angels exist and protect us; when needed, they may even take human form! The author, known for her ability to see beyond the veil and receive messages from departed souls, adds commentary and reveals her incredible personal encounters. Miraculous Encounters will forever change your thinking about Heaven and uplift your soul for its continued journey in this world.
The Benedictine monk and writer, Laurence Freeman, took over the mantle of John Main after his death in 1982 and continues the work that he began, teaching Christians from all traditions the simplest way of prayer - meditation. It is simple in that it requires no words, yet encountering God without the safety barrier of our own thoughts and ideas is to open ourselves to total transformation. This collection of talks on Christian meditation is full of practical advice and great spiritual insights in equal measure. It shows how discovering the presence of Christ within through meditative prayer can give shape and purpose to everything we do and are: our actions, emotions, fears, longings, failings and dreams. As John Main taught, the point of this kind of prayer is to allow God's presence to become not just a reality, but the reality of our lives.
In its historical development from late antiquity to the present, western esotericism has repeatedly been the issue of polemical discourse. This volume engages the polemical structures that underlie both the identities within and the controversy about esoteric currents in European history. From Jewish and Christian kabbalah through heretical discourse and interconfessional polemics in early modernity to the legitimization of esoteric identity in modern culture, the 12 chapters, accompanied by an editors' introduction, provide a cornucopia of relevant cases that are interpreted in a framework of polemical discourse and 'Othering'. This volume sheds new light on the ultimately polemical structure of western esotericism and thus opens new vistas for further research into esoteric discourse.
If you wish to live well, practice dying. Death and dying are universal human experiences. All that lives is transitory and will depart this life. Encountering Life’s Endings encompasses the practical, psychological, philosophical, cultural and spiritual aspects of dying and death viewed through the prism of the passing of the author’s mother (94), father (89), brothers Al (69), Joe (46), Eddie (44) and numerous friends and colleagues. Interspersed throughout the book are the thoughts and insights of leading figures in the field of thanatology as well as diverse and illuminating teachings by eastern and western sages and spiritual teachers, ranging from Thich Nhat Hanh to Stanley Keleman. Readers are provided with meditations and visualizations that serve to lessen the pain and suffering associated with death and dying, thus enhancing the possibility of experiencing the last stages of our lives as a final gift to self and others. Other types of life’s endings are also dealt with in this book. For example, the death of love; facing the possible death of a child, the necessity of allowing parts of ourselves to die in order to be more fully alive; birth as a form of dying; letting go of pain and suffering in order to experience pleasure; the casting off of normality to attain sanity; and the dying of the earth, Written largely in the form of a personal narrative, hearts will open, emitting compassion for all sentient beings, and minds engaged, resulting in the deepening of how we think about, approach and experience the ebb and flow of our lives. ********************************* Louis Silverstein’s Encountering Life’s Endings: Practice Dying Live Well offers compelling testimony about basic but overlooked truths. As someone who has experienced the tragic, untimely death of a child, I have searched far and wide for words that would help me to process and recover from such profound loss. With beautifully descriptive prose, Silverstein provides guidance and wisdom, delving deeply into what is for the most part unspeakable in Western culture—the relationship between life and death. It is a gentle and honest book that weaves personal narrative with illuminating teachings from a variety of spiritual writers that provide the tools for transforming suffering into strength. Alvina Quintana, Associate Professor Women’s & Latin American Studies, University of Delaware In his fearless exploration into the meaning of dying and death, Louis weaves his way through a maze of tragic historic and current family losses, makings stops along the way in a sensuous paradise of philosophic wisdom. The answers found and the meanings revealed are richly satisfying, as is the journey through the book. Loretta Downs, Founder, Chrysalis End-Of-Life Inspirations In this personal account of meeting the death of others, Silverstein brings to light how we can imagine dying and wonder about our own. People will be moved by this book and gain insights. Stanley Keleman, The Center For Energetic Studies If you wish to live fully, practice dying is the Platonic advice that grounds much of Louis Silverstein’s pithy and personal guide for turning our fears of death and dying into explorations of the of the arts of living: forgiveness, creativity and love. Reflecting on his years of study and teaching and his own experiences with death and dying in his family, he offers us insight into how death awakens emotional and spiritual reserves that not only open the gates of grief and provide healing, but also miraculously shatter the life-long patterns of thinking that contributes to the real tragedy in life-- death of our spirit. Michael McColly, The After-Death Room: Journey Into Spiritual Activism
Loving the Light Within is about spiritual journeying and channeling as a path to illumination and happiness. The first part focuses on the authors initiation as a medium and how she evolved as a professional channel and teacher of the art of channeling. The second part is a practical guide to become present, really present to oneself, others and the Divine. It is necessary to work on all dimensions of life to master channeling and if that is not your goal, then simply to be happier. Detailed exercises are offered throughout the book for the readers to acquire a greater connection to their Higher Self and the spiritual world.
Experts on the unexplained and paranormal research, Brad and Sherry Steiger turn their unique and remarkable talents to the bold storytelling of encounters with the unknown from throughout the ages. From mysterious strangers and unpredictable beings to weird behavior and paranormal phenomena, they investigate claims of visits from ghastly ghosts, otherworldly creatures, aliens living among us, phantoms, spirits and other accounts of encounters with the unexplained. Over 130 astounding accounts of Real Encounters, Different Dimensions and Otherworldy Beings with the supernatural such as: Visitors from other worlds who have had Earth under surveillance for centuries, conducting their activities in secret-even abducting humans for their own research and undeclared ends. Members of secret societies who developed advanced technology centuries ago which has been kept hidden in underground or undersea cities. Time Travelers from the Future. Beings who claim to be our descendants from the future who are returning to study the true destiny of humankind. Ghosts that haunt people, places, and things--and poltergeists that create havoc. Beasties and monsters found in everyone’s worst nightmares--and sometimes in their campsites, fields, and yards. Other Dimensional Visitors, Beings, Creatures, or Entities that come not from a faraway world in our solar system or any other, but from an adjacent space-time continuum existing on another vibrational/dimensional frequency or level. Previously unknown, unidentified terrestrial life-forms, such beings as ""sky-critters,"" ""sky fish,” “rods,” and “orbs.” As yet unknown physical energies that may be activated by the psyche, the unconscious level of the humanmind. Archetypal creatures and entities of the collective unconscious that are the result of energies that are accessible through dreams, meditations, and other states of altered consciousness. Interactions with beings that have been dubbed elves, fairies, devas throughout the centuries. The marvelous, creative facet of dreams. Out-of-body mind-traveling through Time and Space. Majestic beings who are described in the scriptures of many world religions as angels or demons.
The Light Within Darkness, Book 3 of the Space Unbound series. Year 2218. A vast new region of space with its own network of interconnected voidoids has just been discovered, expanding humanity’s prospects immeasurably. But a malevolent mastermind is on the loose, and he’s claimed it all for himself and his twisted Posthuman empire. Now he’s on a crusade to wipe out the human race and is cloning an invincible army of transhuman psychopaths to do the job. The Alliance must stop him, but no one knows where he is among the 50,000 stars scattered across the region’s three million cubic light-years of space. The Sun Wolf, with its zero-point drive, is the only ship with any chance of finding this sinister demigod before it’s too late. The hunt begins with a cryptic clue that leads Commander Aiden Macallan and his hand-picked crew to uncharted star systems and exotic exoplanets. At the same time, Aiden’s mate, renowned microbiologist Skye Landen, follows a promising clue of her own, risking a fate worse than death. But time is running out, and an unforeseen ally from another realm may be their only hope for saving humanity from extermination.
This book delves into the fascinating world of fiber optic cables, the unsung heroes of today's information age. It takes you on a comprehensive journey, exploring the intricate characteristics of these cables and their transformative role in communication networks, particularly within data centers and mobile technologies. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of fiber optic cables, with a focus on their design, operation, and impact on communication networks. It delves into the fundamental principles of light propagation in optical fibers and covers a range of topics, from the physics of light to the advantages of optical fibers in communication networks. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by different types of optical fibers and their applications in modern technologies. Chapter 1 delves into the comprehensive exploration of optical fiber technology. It covers the foundational principles of optical fiber structures and light guiding principles, the evolution of the technology, the superiority of fiber optic communication systems over traditional copper-based systems, specialty optical fibers, and their unique applications, and the transformative impact of optical fiber technologies on communication networks. Chapter 2 delves into the physics of light propagation in optical fibers. It explores the concept of light from both wave and ray perspectives, gaining a deeper understanding of its behavior. The chapter also covers the crucial role of the refractive index and reflection coefficient in guiding light through the fiber core, as well as the intricacies of light propagation as it interacts with varying refractive indices within the fiber. Chapter 3 focuses on the challenges encountered during light propagation in optical fibers. It includes a comprehensive examination of the fiber optic cable structure, exploring its various components. The chapter also explores the intricacies of a fiber optic communication system, with a particular focus on the crucial role of Total Internal Reflection in guiding light along the desired path, and the concept of attenuation, a primary challenge in fiber optic communication, and how it affects signal strength. Chapter 4 takes a closer look at the design, protection, and environment-specific solutions employed in fiber optic cables. It offers a scientific exploration of fiber optic cable design, analyzing the different components and their contributions to overall functionality. The chapter also provides a detailed focus on outdoor cables, fiber optic connectors, the intricate details of fiber optic connectors, highlighting the importance of precision engineering, durable materials, tools, and splicing equipment for fiber optic network installation and maintenance. Chapter 5 introduces the essential elements of a fiber optic communication system – the light sources and detectors. The chapter provides a foundational overview of different fiber optic cable categories and dives into the concept of refractive index profiles and its crucial role in determining light propagation characteristics. It also explores the underlying principles of light emission, the role of energy bands, and the fundamental differences between LEDs and lasers, as well as an in-depth analysis of edge-emitting, including their quantum efficiency and light generation mechanisms and scientific breakdown of Laser Diodes and Avalanche Photodiodes. Chapter 6 delves into the realm of Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM), a revolutionary technology that has significantly increased the capacity of fiber optic communication networks. The chapter offers a clear introduction to the concept of WDM and its relationship with the structure of optical fibers. It also explores various passive and active optical components, the science behind active optical components, fiber optic transmission systems, and microwave over fiber optics links, and the key technologies driving DWDM advancements.
