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Spirituality and Religion May 2026 |
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Ma: The Japanese Secret to Contemplation and Calm: An Invitation to Awareness
by Ken Rodgers
Ma--the emptiness in which time, space and thoughts are suspended--is an invitation to awareness. The traditional Japanese concept of ma refers to a pause or a space, the moment of no action, the stillness and silence that is filled with more powerful energy than the moments of action on the classic Noh stage. It also refers to the pauses taken in between notes by a shakuhachi flute player or the spaces between stones in a Zen garden which reveal unexpected vistas and perspectives. The eighteen thought-provoking essays in this book present the work of talented writers and artists with vast experience in the fields of Japanese art, religion, music and philosophy. They show us how the experience of ma in the traditional Zen arts and practices can be used to create a greater awareness of our surroundings to vastly improve our lives in many other areas. Highlights include: The Unspoken Space We Share by Pico Iyer, who reflects on our word choice, the way we speak to each other and the pauses in our everyday conversationsSome Gravel Some Stones by Steven Mansfield, who explores deliberate spaces in Japanese garden design and how these provide us with moments of calmPhotographic Ma by Robert van Koesveld, who draws our attention to the mysterious communicative power of spaces in photographic compositions that draw us in on a subconscious levelBetween Form and Emptiness, an interview with artist Miya Ando, whose work in metal, canvas and sculpture is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy and reflects the human experience of time, the seasons and ephemeralityMoments of Silence and Stillness by Magda Rittenhouse, whose explorations of traditional Japanese design focus on the spaces between inside and outside, sacred and profane, the safe and the unfamiliarPlus thirteen other fascinating essaysIllustrated with 80 stunning photographs, this book will appeal not just to those with an interest in Japanese culture and philosophy, but to anyone seeking to escape the stresses and challenges of daily life and develop a more balanced, meditative approach to the world.
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Soul Mastery: 22 Lessons to Reinvent Your Life
by Sonia Choquette
New York Times best-selling author of The Answer Is Simple . . . and world-renowned teacher offers a collection of 22 laws to unlock the mystery of manifestation. In Soul Mastery, best-selling author and intuitive guide Sonia Choquette will share the 22 divine laws of creation she was taught as a child by her master spiritual teacher, Dr. Tully. These are the laws Sonia has lived and taught for over 50 years, and she compares the process of learning and integrating these principles to learning the steps to a beautiful dance. Once you know the movements, they are recorded in your muscle memory and your dance with the universe begins, unlocking the mystery of manifestation and entering a higher vibrational frequency with confidence and ease. Sonia will introduce the laws, demonstrate how they are applied, and share anecdotes from her life and success stories from her students, showing how quickly your life can change once you understand and apply the 22 laws. These include: Your Intention Is Your Power Your Inner Guidance Is Your CompassLook for the Gift in EverythingLive Joyfully as a Divine and Creative Spiritand more!
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Built to Thrive: How to Use Generational Wisdom to Grow Your Resilience
by Mary-Jo Bathe
Built to Thrive is a powerful blend of memoir, generational wisdom, and practical guidance for anyone ready to rise above life's hardships and rebuild from the inside out. After leaving a 26-year marriage with only two suitcases and a quiet determination to begin again, Mary-Jo Bathe found herself in a women's shelter-broken, afraid, and uncertain of what came next. What emerged from that small room was a profound awakening: the realization that resilience is inherited, practiced, and strengthened through every challenge we face.Drawing on the timeless lessons passed down from her father, a man shaped by the Great Depression and guided by unwavering common sense, Mary-Jo reveals how resilience, hope, and generational wisdom can empower anyone to rebuild their life. Using the metaphor of constructing a house-from breaking ground and laying a foundation to framing walls, opening windows, and repairing what's worn-she shows readers how to create a life built not just to endure, but to flourish.Part memoir, part guide, and part invitation to personal transformation, Built to Thrive delivers heartfelt stories, practical reflections, and uplifting principles designed to help readers rediscover their inner strength. With compassion, humility, and lived experience, Mary-Jo reminds us that no matter how difficult the season, we all carry the tools to rebuild-and we are far stronger than we know.
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The Song of the Stars: Starry Skies, Anishinaabe Stories, Scientific Insights, and More!
by Robert Horton
Since the earliest days of human memory, countless generations have turned their eyes to the skies in wonder, drawing patterns, understanding the stars' connection to cycles and events, and carrying their stories and teachings forward to subsequent generations. The Song of the Stars offers a unique journey through the skies, linking us to generations of ancestors who marvelled at the same stars we still gaze upon today. The book brings together Anishinaabe cultural teachings about the cosmos and the Anishinaabemowin language with scientific insights to demonstrate how both viewpoints can help us foster deeper and more meaningful relationships to the Earth and the cosmos. Robert Animikii Horton, Anishinaabemowin educator, proves that this dual perspective can be a source of awe and wonder, inspiring in us a love of both language and science. Demonstrating how Anishinaabe cultural teachings and scientific insights can complement one another and need not be irreconcilable opposites, The Song of the Stars provides a combination of perspectives that cultivates a deeper understanding of the vast mystery surrounding our place in the universe.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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