Desire and beauty go hand in hand. But both our craving to be known and our ability to create beauty have been marred by shame and trauma, collapsing our imagination for what God has for us. Weaving together neuroscience and spiritual formation, psychiatrist Curt Thompson presents a powerful picture of what it means to be human.
Whether we realize it or not, shame affects every aspect of our lives. But God is telling a different story. Curt Thompson unpacks the soul of shame, revealing its ubiquitous nature and neurobiological roots while providing the theological and practical tools necessary to dismantle shame. Embrace healing and wholeness as you find freedom from the negative messages that bind you.
Do you want to improve your relationships and experience lasting personal change? Join Curt Thompson, M.D., on an amazing journey to discover the surprising pathways for transformation hidden inside your own mind. Integrating new findings in neuroscience and attachment with Christian spirituality, Dr. Thompson reveals how it is possible to rewire your mind, altering your brain patterns and literally making you more like the person God intended you to be. Explaining discoveries about the brain in layman’s terms, he shows how you can be mentally transformed through spiritual practices, interaction with Scripture, and connections with other people. He also provides practical exercises to help you experience healing in areas where you’ve been struggling. Insightful and challenging, "Anatomy of the Soul" illustrates how learning about one of God’s most miraculous creations—your brain—can enrich your life, your relationships, and your impact on the world around you.
The spiritual life in Islam begins with riyadat al-nafs, the inner warfare against the ego. Distracted and polluted by worldliness, the lower self has a tendency to drag the human creature down into arrogance and vice. Only by a powerful effort of will can the sincere worshipper achieve the purity of soul which enables him to attain God's proximity. This translation of two chapters from The Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din) details the sophisticated spiritual techniques adopted by classical Islam. In the first step, On Disciplining the Soul, which cites copious anecdotes from the Islamic scriptures and biographies of the saints, Ghazali explains how to acquire good character traits, and goes on to describe how the sickness of the heart may be cured. In the second part, Breaking the Two Desires, he focusses on the question of gluttony and sexual desire, concluding, in the words of the Prophet, that 'the best of all matters is the middle way'. The translator has added an introduction and notes which explore Ghazali's ability to make use of Greek as well as Islamic ethics. The work will prove of special interest to those interested in Sufi mysticism, comparative ethics, and the question of sexuality in Islam.
Lady Brynnafar Dumont is prepared to do anything to protect her people--even seduce the savage who defeated her father. Instead, she confronts Handsome Norman knight Lord Brand Risande, who's hiding a secret and wants nothing to do with her. Original.
My Dearest Reader, For as long as I can remember, my life has been a solitary one. Do not think me a pitiable recluse, for, as the Earl of Graymar, I have taken my place in Society when I must, and enjoyed both the company and pleasure of desirable lovers. But as the Great Sorcerer, or Dewin Mawr, as magic mortals call me, I have always believed that my destiny and the duty I owe to all those who possess unique powers, has precluded love, marriage, and true companionship. I was resigned to my lonely fate. Until now... Sarah Tamony is unlike any mere mortal woman I have ever known. Passionate and bold, she has heard the whispers about my people and discovered that I belong to an ancient Welsh clan descended from magic. Yet the dark secrets of magic mortals seem to hold no terror for her—instead she asks to know more, even seeks to reveal the truth in the popular tales she spins. This I cannot allow. For centuries, my kind has striven to maintain our privacy, fearful of what might happen if our powers should be exposed to the world. Sarah has learned a great deal about magic, but there is still much she does not know, and dangers she cannot fathom...dangers that grow closer every day. Her lightest touch ignites a deep hunger in me, and her love is a prize I would risk my life to own...for she has already stolen my soul... Your obedient servant, Malachi Seymour, Castle Glain Tarran, Wales
Embody your passion, share your creative gifts, impact the greater good. In Desire to Inspire, you'll meet a wide range of writers, artists and entrepreneurs, all with a common mission: to make an impact in the world, share her message and encourage others to inspire those around them. You'll get personal insight into the creative passions of artists like Carmen Torbus, Pixie Campbell, Christen Olivarez, Tracey Clark and so many more! • 10 chapters address a universal need for artists to have a meaningful impact in the world through the making and sharing of art. • Includes inspiring stories and art from 20 high-profile artists and provides examples to get your own ideas stirring. • 20 engaging exercises help you discover your own strengths, goals and potential paths to inspire others and make as big an impact as the contributors. • 20 inspirational quotes (on two full-color pages, printed on heavier cardstock) to create your Inspiration Deck. Let Desire to Inspire fuel your creative passions and start making a big impact today!