Encyclopedia of Spirituality: Essential Teachings to Transform Your Life

By Tim Freke

"To each person that way is the best way which appears easiest and appeals most."--Ramana Marharshi, Hindu sage. Many roads will lead you to a place of joy, and of oneness with the world. But which spiritual beliefs, rituals, and ideas will fire your imagination, and enable you to penetrate the profound mysteries of existence? The precious wisdom contained in this wide-ranging and lushly illustrated encyclopedia can transform ordinary life into an extraordinary journey of awakening. Beginning with an exploration of the great spiritual traditions, and how they really are "one river to the same sea," delve into the various branches of Shamanism, Hinduism, Paganism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, and even modern "cults" like Scientology. Expand awareness through practices--smudging, saying mantras, studying sacred texts, and dozens more--designed to foster new insights and promote self-knowledge. Learn from the most profound teachings of all time, the perennial lore and understanding of the mystics, saints, and sages. A rich source of spiritual advice, comfort, and perceptiveness. 256 pages (all in color), 8 1/4 x 10 7/8.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806999055
• ISBN13: 9780806999050
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Sterling
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 8.6" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Good book for opening the doors to other Spiritual tradition

A Wise person once told me. "Religion is another group of people's way to God; Spirituality is your way to God." Ever since then, though I respect many religious traditions, and being Initiated and Ordained as a Santeria Priest of Orisha Ochun. This book is really beautiful, full of bright pictures, meditations and the belief systems from every corner of the globe. This book has it all, Christianity, Hinduism, Paganism, African Spirituality, Zen and Shamanism. Various forms of Spiritual beliefs which really enforce the ancient saying. "All Roads lead to God." A beautiful book to be kept in your coffee table as it will defiantly spawn many interesting conversations with guests. Also a good book for those who are just starting out on their road in Spirituality, this book has excellent Meditation exercises, as well as so much basic information, that it will open your yearning for wanting to learn more. The book ends with an awesome "further reading section." that has an excellent resource on other really good books.

What! You mean my belief is not the only one.

Particularly helfuly as an introduction to spirituality on a broad scale. This book is writen in four parts. Part one Spirtual traditions, Part two Spiritual practices, Part three Spiritual teaching and part four has a glossary, and further reading list, etc. The first part deals broadly with Shamanism, hinduism, christianity, Psychedelic drugs, Zen, Islam etc. The second part introduces you to the actual practices from prayer to communing with nature to Devotion to Ritual and so on.Part three as the book says is a study of the timeless teachings to be found at the heart of all spiritual traditions, and how we can use them to enrich our lives, explaining concepts such as suffering, forgiveness, grace and effort, fear, love and mystical union and so on. This book realy helped me see the falsehood in the claim that only one religion, practice or belief is correct and the rest simple misguided, this book lets you see what feels right for you personaly. Another important book is prometheus rising by Robert Anton Wilson, it can help you break out of your reality tunel and start seeing that the map of New York is not New York.