Kirjahaku

Mutual understanding between the faithful of the world's great religions is no longer a luxury; all over the world, religions are challenged to find common ground in the cause of peace and justice, and in the face of war and exploitation. Meanwhile, stereotypes, antipathies and sectarian isolation continue to rob religion of the impact it can and should have in fostering a better world. Conversations across Traditions offers a fresh invitation to and model for interfaith dialogue. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience of ecumenical cooperation, Roman Catholic lay brother and monk Wayne Teasdale offers a strong and prophetic voice for interfaith dialogue that brings traditions together without watering them down. He offers a blueprint for combining the strengths and perspectives of various faiths in order to address the crises of poverty, racism, environmental pollution and moral indifference. Highly informative and compelling, this book is accessible to a wide audience, from the classroom to study groups and others who want to learn about conversing across traditions. Teasdale offers a valuable approach to teaching the Roman Catholic tradition in our pluralized, globalized world. At the same time, his spiritual insight and prophetic wisdom lead the reader into the frontier world of interfaith relations where confusion is always present, and faith, though not as secure as in isolation, is enriched by contact with the great world religions. This book is visionary, hopeful, and deeply inspiring as we walk into the uncharted future.

One of today's foremost mystics introduces readers to the thought of one of the most important spiritual teachers of the past century. Bede Griffiths—English Benedictine monk and lifelong friend of C.S. Lewis, who was his tutor at Oxford—wrote in 1955 to a friend: "I'm going out to India to seek the other half of my soul." There, he explored the intersection of Hinduism and Christianity and was a driving force behind the growth of interspiritual awareness so common today, yet almost unheard of a half-century ago. Wayne Teasdale, a longtime personal friend and student of Griffiths, provides readers with an intriguing view into the thoughts, beliefs and life of this champion of interreligious acceptance and harmony. This volume is the first in-depth study of Bede Griffiths' contemplative experience and thought. Fully exploring the antecedents and development of Griffiths' theory that the Christian mystery can be expressed through the worldview of Hinduism, Bede Griffiths: An Introduction to His Interspiritual Thought is a vital starting point for any spiritual seeker who wants to understand the shared territories of these two great faiths.

Drawing on experience as an interreligious monk, Brother Wayne Teasdale reveals the power of spirituality and its practical elements. He combines a profound Christian faith with an intimate understanding of ancient religious traditions.

The meditation experience demystified—an essential guide to what goes on in meditation centers of many spiritual traditions. Today's would-be student of meditation is confronted with such a wealth of available traditions from which to learn that it can make the prospect intimidating. Where should I start? Which one should I try? Come and Sit is the perfect companion to guide you on your way. From Christian centering prayer, to Sufi dhikr (chanting the names of God), to Zen Buddhist zazen (formal silent meditation), this book demystifies both the kinds of meditation practiced in different spiritual traditions and the places people go to do them—and gives you a real feel for which method might suit you best. Why do people meditate? How might meditation affect my life? What kinds of meditation are there? What do people do in each meditation tradition? Do I have to be a member of a specific religion topractice meditation? Where should I start? Meditator and journalist Marcia Z. Nelson addresses all of these questions as she takes you on visits to meditation centers of seven different types—Christian, Zen, Insight (Vipassana), Tibetan, Hindu, Sufi, and Jewish—representing the wide range of spiritual traditions that can now be found throughout America. She shows what a typical visit to each is like and talks to the teachers and the people who go there to discover how they got started, why they keep going, and what benefits they derive from the practice. A list of further resources for in-depth exploration of each tradition, a directory of centers, and a glossary of terms make this guide exactly what you need to start meditating. Come and Sit is not only a handbook for the beginning meditator, but also an excellent resource for anyone who wants to know more about the world's great meditation traditions.

The meditation experience demystified—an essential guide to what goes on in meditation centers of many spiritual traditions. Today's would-be student of meditation is confronted with such a wealth of available traditions from which to learn that it can make the prospect intimidating. Where should I start? Which one should I try? Come and Sit is the perfect companion to guide you on your way. From Christian centering prayer, to Sufi dhikr (chanting the names of God), to Zen Buddhist zazen (formal silent meditation), this book demystifies both the kinds of meditation practiced in different spiritual traditions and the places people go to do them—and gives you a real feel for which method might suit you best. Why do people meditate? How might meditation affect my life? What kinds of meditation are there? What do people do in each meditation tradition? Do I have to be a member of a specific religion topractice meditation? Where should I start? Meditator and journalist Marcia Z. Nelson addresses all of these questions as she takes you on visits to meditation centers of seven different types—Christian, Zen, Insight (Vipassana), Tibetan, Hindu, Sufi, and Jewish—representing the wide range of spiritual traditions that can now be found throughout America. She shows what a typical visit to each is like and talks to the teachers and the people who go there to discover how they got started, why they keep going, and what benefits they derive from the practice. A list of further resources for in-depth exploration of each tradition, a directory of centers, and a glossary of terms make this guide exactly what you need to start meditating. Come and Sit is not only a handbook for the beginning meditator, but also an excellent resource for anyone who wants to know more about the world's great meditation traditions.