Practical Religion

"Simplicity,” wrote legendary occultist Jack Parsons, “has been the key to victory in all the idea wars and, at present, Magick does not have it.” In Practical Magick, acclaimed historian and esotericist Mitch Horowitz responds to this call, distilling magick to its core essentials. Drawing upon ancient, Hermetic, Renaissance-era, and modern sources, Mitch dissects the building blocks of magick and provides formulas of immediacy, simplicity, and potency.

If you are currently providing care for your aging parents or facing the prospect of doing so in the near future, you are definitely not alone. Dr. Grant Ethridge and his wife, Tammy, have been there, having given care during their dads' last days. They know the stress and uncertainty you face. Through their story and those of other caregivers, Grant and Tammy share research and practical tips to aid you in dealing with everyday caregiving struggles and situations. You will learn how to decide which care is best, prepare legal documents, handle family disputes, and much more.

In Hiring the Heavens, Jean Slatter turns abstract expressions, such as "God is within you" and "ask and you shall receive" into something more concrete, more immediate and real. She suggests listeners recognize themselves as part of the divine plan of creation and teaches them to simply believe that the "angels for hire" can help them solve problems, both small and large.

The cacophony of modern life can be deafening, leaving us feeling frazzled and uneasy. In this warm, wise book, Prem Rawat teaches us how to turn down the noise to “hear ourselves” - to listen to the subtle song of peace that sings inside each of us. Once we learn to truly “hear ourselves” and the voice of peace within, then we can hold on to that as we face all the noise of the world. The culmination of a lifetime of study, Hear Yourself lays out the crucial steps we can use to focus on the voice within.

Paganism for Beginners: A Modern Guide to Nature-Based Spirituality, Pagan Rituals, and the Old Gods is your comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of Paganism. Whether you're curious about earth-based religions, searching for a deeper spiritual connection, or ready to start your own Pagan path, this guide offers everything you need to take the first steps with confidence. This easy-to-follow book explores the core beliefs of Paganism, its ancient roots, and the many modern traditions practiced today—including Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, Hellenic Polytheism, and Eclectic ...

Great teachers like the Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, and Gandhi were all born with brains built essentially like anyone else’s—and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world. Neuroscience now reveals how the flow of thoughts actually sculpt the brain, and more and more, we are learning that it’s possible to strengthen positive brain states. By combining breakthroughs in science with insights from thousands of years of mindfulness practice, you too can shape your own “Buddha’s Brain” for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.

The jhānas are eight progressive altered states of consciousness that can be identified with the aspect of the Buddha’s Eightfold Path called Right Concentration. Training in concentration leads to these states, each of which yields a deeper and subtler state of awareness than the previous one. The jhānas are not in themselves awakening, but they are a skillful means for stilling the mind in a way that leads in that direction, and they are attainable by anyone who devotes the time and sincerity of practice necessary to realize them.

The position of the stars at the moment of your birth can tell you a lot about who you are—and working with the right crystals can help you turn those traits into your greatest strengths. This guide to crystals for beginners shows you how to combine the zodiac with powerful crystal energy to manifest your goals, inspire greater happiness, and be your most authentic self.

A mix of memoir, spiritual teachings, and practices from Afro American traditions, Jambalaya offers a fascinating introduction to the world of nature-based spirituality, goddess worship, and rituals from the African diaspora. More relevant today than it was 36 years ago, the wisdom of Jambalaya reconnects us to the natural and spiritual world, and the centuries-old traditions of African ancestors, whose voices echo through time, guiding us and blending with our own.

Twentieth-century seer Edgar Cayce recognized the healing power of the violet light. Dannion Brinkley saw and experienced the violet flame in his near-death sojourns. Healers and alchemists have used this high-frequency spiritual energy to bring about energetic balance and spiritual transformation. Now you can learn how to apply the practical techniques in this book to create balance, harmony and positive change in body, mind and soul. Includes nine easy steps to begin using the violet flame with affirmations, mantras, and visualizations.

Today's parents are all but completely disconnected from the commonsense parenting wisdom of their parents and grandparents. The self-esteem parenting revolution has erased the practical insights gathered by generations of parents about the best way to raise kids. In this book, family psychologist John Rosemond seeks to recover this wisdom by resurrecting what parents of yesteryear tended to say.

Palmistry is an ancient science and an unsurpassed tool for character and emotion analysis. Everyone has the ability to tap its potential for insight, reflection, and greater understanding-and world acclaimed palmistry expert Vernon Mahabal will tell you how. Talk to the Hand reveals the tricks of the palm reader's trade and is organized around the most popular questions and inquiries the author has received over the years. It serves as a fascinating field guide for those who want a quick, accurate way to assess their own and other people's talents, abilities, and more.

When was the last time you had an honest, heartfelt, yet kind and productive conversation with someone about depression, mental illness, substance abuse, pornography, premarital sex, racism, divorce, abortion, LGBT issues, or politics? If you're tired of avoiding tough conversations, Challenging Conversations is the book you've been waiting for. With straightforward answers to some of the most challenging moral issues disrupting the church, this book will help you build your confidence using three simple steps to becoming a conversant Christian.

Expert hypnobirthing teacher and founder of The Positive Birth Company, Siobhan Miller has made it her mission to change the way women around the world approach and experience birth. Through her teaching she seeks to educate and empower women—and their birth partners—so that they can enjoy amazing and positive birth experiences, however they choose to bring their babies into the world. Siobhan debunks common myths about hypnobirthing and explains why she believes it can make every type of birth a better experience—from a water birth at home to an unplanned caesarean in theatre.

Understanding Hinduism: A Beginner’s Guide to the Beliefs, Practices, and Spiritual Wisdom of India’s Ancient Religion Are you curious about Hinduism but don’t know where to start? Understanding Hinduism is your accessible and engaging guide to exploring the world’s oldest living religion. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker, a student of world religions, or simply interested in the cultural richness of Hindu thought, this book breaks down the core beliefs, practices, and philosophies in a clear and respectful way. In this comprehensive introduction, you’ll learn about: The sacred...

In A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting, Pastor Vladimir Savchuk shares simple, practical, and (most importantly) biblical in- sights on what you need to know, why you need to know it, and how to cultivate this powerful spiritual discipline in your life. It’s concise enough to listen to in one siting, and valuable enough to refer back to time and again.

How do children thrive? As a parent, you probably think about this all the time. You want your children to have happy, healthy, and meaningful lives - but what's the best way to support them? In How Children Thrive, developmental pediatrician and parent Dr. Mark Bertin provides a positive, simple, and empowering approach for raising children of all ages. Bringing together mindfulness, new science on brain development, and the messy reality of being a parent, Dr. Bertin has a created a breakthrough guide that will help children - and their parents - flourish.

Taking a look at how the fivefold ministers relate to the church today.... Discover how the fivefold ministry was created to work within the local church, the training ground for ministry. These ministers - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers - are coaches who equip and train God’s people to release his power for works of service. Learn how proven fivefold ministers can be mentored and released in the body of Christ.

Has your family gone through the same trials and tribulations generation after generation? Do you feel fated to continue that trend? If so, you may have inherited the unhealthy family patterns that shaped your ancestors’ lives and can be passed down to your descendants. But have no fear—the cycle can be broken. In Healing Ancestral Family Patterns, renowned author, soul healer, and shamanic practitioner Dr. Steven Farmer will show you how to access the ancient wisdom of your ancestors and free yourself from the negative cycles of the past.

Your kids will always be your kids. The trick is figuring out how to adapt to the new phases in that parent-child relationship. No question, it can be tricky. And if you fail to navigate that transition well, the result will be stress, alienation, and maybe a broken relationship. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In Your New Life with Adult Children, Dr. Gary Chapman—author of the worldwide bestseller The 5 Love Languages®—teams up with clinical psychiatrist Dr. Ross Campbell to provide the insights you need when your child moves into adulthood.