The Paradoxical Ascent to God
The Paradoxical Ascent to God

Author: Rachel Elior

Publisher: SUNY Press

Published: 1993-01-01

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780791410455

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This book is a study of the Habad Hasidism movement, an influential part of the Hasidic Movement, which originated in the eigteenth century. Habad was founded by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1813) who established a Hasidic community in Belorussia and who set forth the new Habad doctrine in a book entitled Tanya (Likutey Amarim). This doctrine expounded the mystical ideas underlying the quest for God. Its essential innovation lay in the formulation of a religious outlook which concentrated upon perceiving the divinity: its essence, its nature, the stages of its manifestation, its characteristics, its perfection, its differing wills, its processes, the significance of its revelation and the possibilities of its perception. This conception generated a profound transformation of religious worship and was the cause of great controversy throughout the Jewish world.

Ascent of the Mind to God
Ascent of the Mind to God

Author: St. Robert Bellarmine

Publisher:

Published: 2022-01-03

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 9781957066103

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The Ascent of the Mind to God, stands apart from Bellarmine's Apologetic works. Written after a retreat in 1614, he christened it his "Benjamin", because it was born in old age, and the first of many other spiritual works which have been popular for centuries. The Ascent proposes 15 steps of a ladder, beginning with man, the microcosm of all creation, being a development of Homo creates est which are found in the first principle of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. Moving the microcosm, he turns his attention to the macrocosm, nature, the elements, the heavens, and then the heavens above, the angels and the very nature of God. St. Robert stops at each step to search out the vestige of God within creation, and to challenge the soul to consider its final end at each turn. Every movement up this ladder is a lesson in itself of holy wisdom, drawn from the pages of Sacred Scripture, assisting men in being more prayerful, and assist them in finding time for contemplation in their busy lives. St. Robert draws on his own experience, as he was a contemplative mystic in spite of his very busy life, and exhorts the reader to overcome struggles of prayer and focus on God, which he undoubtedly had to fight back at every turn. Published here in a new translation, the Ascent of the Mind to God by the Ladder of Creation will help the reader: -to contemplate God in everyday things; -to challenge their life, habits, and vices; -to fight distraction in prayer; -to see in all things the power, beauty, wisdom, mercy, and also justice of God. This books is ideal for personal prayer and meditation, or for making a visit to the blessed Sacrament, whether in a Church or an hour of adoration.

Inanna's Ascent
Inanna's Ascent

Author: Trista Hendren

Publisher:

Published: 2019-08-07

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 9788293725022

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When we think of Inanna, she is usually envisioned as the descending Goddess--and often, it is her time spent in the Underworld that most alluded to. While the Underworld, or the "shadow" is vital, it is equally important to remember what happens after the time spent in the darkness, the void, or the long dark tunnel. We descend our entire lives it seems--only coming up for brief moments of respite. Patriarchy pushes us down repeatedly--and sometimes, we just stay there. Inanna's Ascent examines how women can rise from the underworld and reclaim their power. All contributors are extraordinary women in their own right, who have been through some difficult life lessons--and are brave enough to share their stories.

Ascent from Darkness
Ascent from Darkness

Author: Michael Leehan

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc

Published: 2011-10-04

Total Pages: 271

ISBN-13: 0849947030

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The redemptive story of one man's agonizing journey from the depths of Satanism to a radical new life in Christ. A life of difficulty and disappointment set 33-three year old Michael Leehan up for the worst decision of his life—to make a deal with the Devil to follow and serve him. Practicing the dark arts that include ritualistic cuttings and blood sacrifices, while fine tuning his manipulation and control skills, Michael launched into a twenty year downward spiral that included job loss and detachment from loved ones, and even jail time. But God had another plan that included a group of Christian men to love him and pray for him—even when it became evident his assignment from Satan was to kill their pastor, Craig Groeschel. The life Michael Leehan lives today is an incredible testimony of the transforming power of God's mercy and grace, but is also a wakeup call to the church to be fully aware of the spiritual war that is going on all around them, and to the ultimate battle for their souls. "I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:18

The Ascent to Truth
The Ascent to Truth

Author: Thomas Merton

Publisher: HMH

Published: 2002-11-04

Total Pages: 357

ISBN-13: 0547537077

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The author of The Seven Storey Mountain explores the mysticism of Saint John of the Cross. The only thing that can save the world from complete moral collapse is a spiritual revolution. . . . The desire for unworldliness, detachment, and union with God is the most fundamental expression of this revolutionary spirit. In Ascent to Truth, author and Trappist Monk Thomas Merton makes an impassioned case for the importance of contemplation. Drawing on a range of thinkers—from Carl Jung to Pope Pius XII—Merton defines the nature of contemplative experience and shows how the Christian mysticism of sixteenth-century Spanish Carmelite Saint John of the Cross offers essential answers to our disquieting and troubling times. “For any who have the desire to look into meditation and contemplation . . . this is the book for which they have waited.” —New York Herald Tribune Book Review “For those who may be curious about mysticism, and for those who may be called to a life of contemplation, this is an excellent book.” —Catholic World

Christ Versus. Satan in Our Daily Lives
Christ Versus. Satan in Our Daily Lives

Author: Robert Spitzer

Publisher: Ignatius Press

Published: 2020-10-27

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 1642291374

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Spiritual writer, theologian, and philosopher Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer tackles the topic of recognizing and overcoming spiritual evil. His focus is the human heart. His goal: our moral and spiritual transformation, which leads to true peace and genuine happiness. The book is divided into two main parts: the realities of God's goodness and of spiritual evil, and recognizing and overcoming diabolical tactics, which range from temptation and deception to the Deadly Sins. Father Spitzer shows readers how to experience God's peace even during times of suffering and persecution. He examines the basics of the spiritual life and Christian mysticism, including the contemplative dimension. He explains the purgative, illuminative, and unitive aspects of spirituality, as well as the Lord's consolation and the passive Dark Night of the Spirit. Father Spitzer provides the biblical and theological background of Jesus' victory over Satan. The author also explores the reality of the Devil, including extraordinary manifestations of diabolic activity such as possession. He recalls the true story of the famous possession case on which the novel and film The Exorcist were based. In the final sections of the book the author explains: how diabolical spiritual forces operate how temptation works, and what to do to defeat it the "deadly sins" and how to overcome them

The Journey of the Mind to God
The Journey of the Mind to God

Author: Saint Bonaventure (Cardinal)

Publisher: Hackett Publishing

Published: 1993-01-01

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13: 9780872202009

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The Hackett edition of this classic of medieval philosophy and mysticism--a plan of pilgrimage for the learned Franciscan wishing to reach the apex of the mystical experience--combines the highly regarded Boehner translation with a new introduction by Stephen Brown focusing on St. Francis as a model of the contemplative life, the meaning of the Itinerarium, its place in Bonaventure's mystical theology, and the plan of the work. Boehner's Latin Notes, as well as Latin texts from other works of Bonaventure included in the Franciscan Institute Edition, are rendered here in English, making this the edition of choice for the beginning student.

Paul's Ascent to Paradise
Paul's Ascent to Paradise

Author: James D Tabor

Publisher:

Published: 2020-08-19

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13:

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Paul makes the singular claim to have been the "last but not the least" of the Apostles of Jesus. Paul never met Jesus, but he makes high claims for his experiences of mystical revelations that include his ascent to heaven and his claim to not only have "seen" Jesus in his glory, but to have regularly communicated with the one he calls the Risen Christ. Early Christianity, as it unfolds, stands or falls on the claims of this single man whose Message and Mission are distinct from that of James, Peter, and John. In this book Paul's Ascent to Paradise becomes an entrée into his whole world of Hellenistic mystical religious experience. This "history of religions" approach to Paul supersedes the dogmatic approaches of Christian theology and dogma. It is refreshing, gripping, dramatic, bold and fascinating. For Paul the "appointed time of the end had grown very short," to use his words. Everything has to be viewed through that apocalyptic lens and one is transported back to Paul's social world, the "battles of the apostles," and either his triumph or his failure--depending on the judgment of history.