The premise of Awakening to the Spirit Within is that all beings are connected by a spiritual energy which forms the essence of who they truly are. Eight paths, which facilitate an awakening to this essence, are explored: Native American Spirituality, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Kabbalah, Jesus and the Christ Within, Sufism, and The New Thought Movement. Practice exercises and references are also included. This book highlights some of the unique gifts which various spiritual traditions have to offer our world. In addition, it explores the mystical threads of connection which underlie them. Like the title suggests, it also gives ways of listening to guidance from within. The author includes messages from her own inner guidance in an effort to illustrate how this may occur. Her openness provides more warmth and intimacy than is usually found in such a book. In these uncertain times, there has been an upsurge of interest in books related to spirituality, religion, and mysticism. People are looking for ways to heal, rather than destroy, our planet. That is why this book, and others like it, are so timely and important in moving us closer to our shared goal of creating a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Today, practicing shamanism doesn't mean you have to live in a rain forest or a desert. Thanks to a modern renaissance of shamanic spirituality, practitioners from all walks of life now use powerful indigenous techniques for healing, insight, and spiritual growth. With Awakening to the Spirit World, teachers Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman bring together a circle of renowned Western shamanic elders Tom Cowan, Carol Proud foot-Edgar, Jose Stevens, and Alberto Villoldo to present a comprehensive manual for making these practices accessible and available in our daily lives, including; How the original practice of shamanism shaped the world's spiritual traditions and why it is still relevant today The art of the shamanic journey a time-tested meditative method for experiencing important spiritual lessons and truths Guidance for avoiding common pitfalls of shamanic practice Instruction for working with your dreams, connecting to your spirit guides, healing yourself and your environment A CD of drumming to facilitate your shamanic journeys.

For the first time, Tom Brown, Jr.--America's most acclaimed outdoorsman--shares the unique meditation exercises used by students of his personal Tracker classes. These techniques for finding inner peace and harmony with nature are based on the wisdom of his greatest teacher, a native American called Grandfather. Now all of us can learn these spiritual lessons of life through the earth around us--and deep within ourselves. "This book may challenge the very core of your belief systems and shake up your personal philosophy, but that is not my intent. What I set forth in this book is meant to enhance and magnify your beliefs. Simply, the techniques and skills can be easily integrated into all philosophies, religions, and belief systems. After all, Grandfather considered these techniques the common thread that runs through all things..." Tom Brown, Jr. Awakening Spirits includes advanced methods of relaxation, insight, healing, and communication with nature and spirits. Through the dynamic meditation called Sacred Silence, the reader can experience the joys of self-discovery--and the power of a personal Vision Quest.

The renowned author of eight books and abbess of the online retreat center Abbey of the Arts, Christine Valters Paintner takes readers on a new kind of pilgrimage: an inner journey to discover the heart of God. Eight stages of the pilgrim's way--from hearing the call to coming home--are accompanied by scripture stories of great biblical journeys and the author's unique and creative practices of prayer, writing, and photography. As she did in The Artist's Rule and Eyes of the Heart, Christine Valters Paintner once again helps readers travel to the frontiers of their souls to discover the hidden presence of God. In The Soul of a Pilgrim, Paintner identifies eight stages of the pilgrim's way and shows how to follow these steps to make an intentional, transformative journey to the reader's inner "wild edges." Each phase of the exploration requires a distinct practice such as packing lightly, being uncomfortable, or embracing the unknown. Paintner shows how to cultivate attentiveness to the divine through deep listening, patience, and opening oneself to the gifts that arise in the midst of discomfort. Each of the eight chapters offers reflections on the themes, a scripture story, an invitation to the practice of lectio divina, and a creative exploration through photography and writing.

This guide and activity book complements Barbara Ayosea Morse’s Tales from Squnch Valley. It is for parents, teachers, child-care workers, counselors, and therapists who work with children of all ages and abilities across cultures. The book offers movement, visualization, art, and writing exercises while also enhancing language development and social skills. Though written for children in grades K-6, activities may also be adapted for younger children, adolescents, and even adults. The Squnch tales and related activities are appropriate for use in both traditional and home-school settings, as well as for distance-learning. Staff in outpatient and residential treatment centers will also find them to be an excellent resource. Because of tensions among various groups in our society, books with universal characters, such as Squnches, are greatly needed. The Squnch tales teach children the value of living in harmony with one another and with nature in today’s challenging and ever-changing world.

In wildlife conservation, rewilding refers to restoring habitats and creating corridors between preserved lands to allow declining populations to rebound. Marc Bekoff, one of the world’s leading animal experts and activists, here applies rewilding to human attitudes. Rewilding Our Hearts invites readers to do the essential work of becoming reenchanted with the world, acting from the inside out, and dissolving false boundaries to truly connect with both nature and themselves.