“Heschel, in the play, is a fascinating, complex, at times charming, and at other times a self-defeating, somewhat crabby personality who was an enormous force among those who were enormous forces. At many moments I found myself recalling how Kennedy seemed to blow the lid off of the Eisenhower stodginess and how Pope John seemed to do something similar to the Catholic Church.”—Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun Magazine
How much knowledge of the Dharma do we need? Sangharakshita’s answer might surprise some: ‘a lot less than we think’, but we need to use the knowledge we do have well. This is the teaching of the four main works in this volume. Based on seminars conducted in 1976 and 1978, each offers a lesson in how to think critically about Mahāyāna Buddhist teachings, and how to apply them to day-to-day life. They are The Way to Wisdom, on the five spiritual faculties; Living Ethically and Living Wisely, on Nāgārjuna’s Precious Garland, and Know Your Mind, which explores a Tibetan Abhidharma text.
Written by award-winning chef Greg Malouf and his writing partner, this richly illustrated book offers a comprehensive collection of 170 recipes, organized alphabetically according to ingredients widely used in Middle Eastern cooking.
Life—like any good recipe—requires time, wholesome ingredients, patience, and skill to perfect. It’s not every day that a Jesuit priest psychologist who apprenticed in cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in the 1960s and spent nearly 60 years preaching, teaching, and managing academic and non-profit organizations sets aside time to preserve memories of the significant people, moments, travels, and events that have shaped his life. Even more impressive is Father Walter J. Smith’s epic undertaking of presenting a creative collection of enchanting reminiscences through the lens of the foods and recipes he sampled in his extensive travels. Faith, Food, and Friendship chronicles highlights of Father Smith’s life’s pilgrimage by means of 175 carefully crafted classic, original, or adapted recipes assembled from many corners of the globe and every level of society. “Growing up in South Boston in a second-generation American Irish family that ate but never dined, it is remarkable that I developed any interest at all in the culinary arts. Looking back on my own lifetime of discovery, I can affirm that God did not skimp on the good stuff. There has been plenty of butter and heavy cream, truffles and saffron, aceto balsamico and jamón ibérico de Bellota. I invite you to accompany me on this journey, where these words from the author of the Book of Genesis will, it is hoped, prove true: ‘Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you.’” Early in his life, Fr. Smith came under the spiritual and intellectual influence of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) who launched him on a rich journey of discovery. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology and degrees in philosophy, theology, French language and literature, and counseling psychology. He spent five decades as a clinician, professor, consultant, trustee, department chair, dean, chief executive officer, and chancellor.
Sister Mary Clare is a savvy sixty-plus-year-old nun who runs a shelter for women in downtown Oakland, California. Over the years, she has incorporated holistic healing practices into her work with the down-and-out women who appear on her doorstep. Casa Guadalupe has a reputation for being welcoming—no questions asked. At the request of her cousin, an emergency room nurse, Mary Clare is called upon to provide a Reiki session to an unconscious derelict man the police have picked up near Yosemite. But when the elderly man finally awakens, he discloses that he is St. Francis of Assisi and is dedicated to restoring the Savior’s message and the Catholic Church. As the man’s story is slowly revealed through vivid diary entries, Mary Clare embarks on her own journey to find out who he is, how he ended up in California, and why he believes he is St. Francis without any idea that she is about to unveil as much about herself and her beliefs as she does about him. In this tale of faith, love, and friendship, a nun crosses paths with a derelict man on a divine mission who teaches her more than she ever imagined about herself, God, the church, and forgiveness.
