Taoism is an ancient faith of China. It would begin with ancient philosophers like Chuang Chou, Lao Tzu, and others. It would create an idea called Tao. It can mean anything like the Way, Nature, order, life, God, the right way of things, and much more. Its idea underlies martial arts, Chinese philosophy, and indeed Chinese civilization. It is a fascinating word with rich meanings. Here in this book, we will study Tao through philosophical,...

During the last century China has undergone more change than during any other period in its long and turbulent history. Roughly a quarter of the world's population has been directly affected by the radical transformation that culminated in the establishment of the present Communist state-one which claims to have translated into reality the Confucian ideal of securing the equality of all men. In underdeveloped regions throughout the world, wherever...

Buddhist teacher and anthropologist Joan Halifax delves into "the fruitful darkness" the shadow side of being, found in the root truths of Native religions, the fecundity of nature, and the stillness of meditation. In The Fruitful Darkness, a highly personal and insightful odyssey of the heart and mind, she encounters Tibetan Buddhist mediators, Mexican shamans, and Native American elders, among others. In rapt prose, she recounts her explorations...

The action-packed story of the WWII aviators known as the "362nd Suicide Outfit," including 150 photographs. During World War II, the Ninth Air Force comprised air-to-ground aviators, charged with destroying the enemy close to the front and below the clouds, often bringing them face to face with their German opponents. The 362nd Fighter Group, led by two very different leaders-the tough disciplinarian Col. Morton Magoffin and later the beloved motivator...

In the nineteenth century, two villages in Iran, SHORCHEH and TIKKEN, were deeply entrenched in religious fanaticism and rigid traditions. Within this oppressive environment, a forbidden love affair takes root, further fueling an ongoing rivalry centered around a vital water well. As the tensions escalate, Sattar, a young poet and the son of a powerful landlord named Assad Khan from Tikken, finds himself helplessly falling in love with Asyeh, the...

An anthology of poems dedicated to the people of Palestine and their long struggle for freedom"Poems for Palestine" was launched as a project aiming to collect together verse written by the people of Palestine, as a website open to all comers, all free to upload their work. The broad spectrum of the resulting talent displays a multitude of different poetic styles, subject matters, and emotions. The role of art, and poetry...

The Tantrāloka is a voluminous masterwork of the 10th century philosopher-saint, Abhinavagupta. It is a veritable encyclopedia of non-dual Shaivism, a spiritual treasure-trove containing a glorious synthesis of all the schools that make up Kashmir Shaivism, also known as Trika. This third volume contains an English translation of the fourth āhnika (chapter) of the Tantrāloka, dealing with śaktopāya, the means (upāya) pertaining to knowledge...