Religious Books > E Religious Books

Advantages: Full of insight
Disadvantages: -

...'According to many Sufis, the essential truths of Sufism exist in all religions. The foundation for all mysticism includes the outer forms of religious practice, plus a life based on moral and ethical principles. The roots of the tree of religion are founded in religious law.... The branches of the tree are mysticism.... The fruit of the tree is the Truth, or God.' Edited by James Fadiman and Robert Frager, this book reaches from the very beginnings ...
...hearers. Action is the final essential component of wisdom. The task of the Sufi is to recognise the Truth, to learn and remember it, and secondly, to help others to the Truth as well. As the task evolves, it becomes one process, which infiltrates daily life, worship, and all of existence. Nothing is apart from God. The Sufi strives to recognise this wholeness. 'Oh heart, sit with someone who knows the heart; God under the tree which has fresh ... Read review

Advantages: Contemplative, well organised, enlightening
Disadvantages: A bit light on non-Benedictine things

'Listen!' This is the first word of the Rule of St. Benedict. It is the first commandment in spirituality, as well as pastoral care, and should be in any good relationship. 'Monastic life is a training in the art of listening, which begins in silence, develops in attentiveness, and is perfected in communication.' Many people have gone on monastic retreat to look for spirituality, to look for some enlightenment and wisdom, ancient and timeless ...
...the monastery disappointed, for they never quite realise that the monastery is not where this wisdom is. The wisdom they seek is from inside. In this volume of the 'Essentials' series Hugh Feiss has put together a worthy little tome the explores some of the mechanics and the principles of monasticism. He begins with a section on the ordering of the day: Prayer, Reading, Work, Mutual Support, and Hospitality. How many of us think in these terms? ... Read review

Advantages: Accessible and useful ecumenically
Disadvantages: -

Laurence Hull Stookey has a wonderful trinity of books in this text and the companion volumes 'Baptism: Christ's Act in the Church' and 'Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church'. These books address key aspects of Christian church practice in ecumenical and historical tones. 'Eucharist' is no different - it is a one volume survey of historical, theological and practical issues surrounding the central facet of Eucharist / Lord's Supper / Communion. ...
...ecumenical writer; this particular text was completed while he was on sabbatical near a joint Anglican-Methodist seminary. Stookey's preface begins with a comparison of Babette's Feast and Christ's meal with the church - there is something hidden, something disarming, something inviting about the meal; we may not all approach it exactly the same way and with the same expectations, but those who feast do find it a nurturing banquet. As Stookey points ... Read review

Advantages: Great essays, great selection of original material
Disadvantages: None

...Dead.' In this book, `The Essential Tibetan Buddhism,' Thurman does a thorough job at laying out in concise and accessible terms the history and development of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as an explication and explanation of the core beliefs and practices. Dedicated to the Dalai Lama (who I have had the honour to be near during his regular trips to Bloomington, my current home -- his brother has been on faculty at Indiana University), this book shows ...
...The task of pulling out essential pieces was a massive one, for as Thurman explains, the full canon of Tibetan Buddhist text probably numbers some 600,000 pages of translated text, not to mention the extra-canonical materials produced by this highly productive and literate society. Reverence to all holy mentors! I will explain as best I can The key import of all the Victor's teachings, Path praised by all the holy Bodhisattvas, Best entry for ... Read review

Advantages: Enlightening and interesting
Disadvantages: Paradoxical at times (wait, is that a disadvantage?)

...rightly be called essential. The essential Zen, in book form, would more likely consist of blank pages; a reader fills them in. Or not.'The idea of the circlebeing a teaching 'outside words and letters'; thus any book of mere writing -- no matter how elevated or enlightened -- could not rightly be called essential. The essential Zen, in book form, would more likely consist of blank pages The idea of the circle permeates this book. Throughout there ...
...completeness, the greater oneness. This essential text includes discussion of Zen practices designed toward the attainment of greater enlightenment. Coming full circle back to a discussion of The Circle, the ideas of Zen are still incomplete, and still fully presented. He was offered the whole world He declined and turned away. He did not write poetry, He lived poetry before it existed. He did not speak of philosophy, He cleaned up the dung ... Read review