This second edition explores the territory between gay - lesbian studies, literary criticism, and religious studies. The book examines the appropriation and/or subversion of the authority of the Judeo-Christian Bible by gay and lesbian writers. Texts being focused on are 'Paradise Regained' (Milton), 'Sodom' (Rochester), 'The Life to Come' (Forster), 'The Well of Loneliness' (Radclyffe Hall), 'Desert of the Heart' (Radclyffe Hall), 'Oranges are Not the Only Fruit' (Winterson), and 'Corpus Cristi' (McNally) among others.

This edited volume explores the intersection of spirituality with childbirth from 1800 to the present day from a comparative perspective. It illustrates how over this time period in much of the world, traditional practices, home births, and midwives have been overshadowed and undermined by male dominated obstetrics, hospitalization, and ultimately the medicalization of the birthing process itself.

Waterbirth is an all-natural, gentle, pain-reducing, fulfilling, and empowering birthing method, in which mother and infant start their new life together in a relaxing and deeply familiar environment: warm water. But is it safe? How does water reduce the pain? And is it really more beneficial to your baby? In this complete guide to waterbirth, a yoga instructor and mother of five "water babies" relates her own experiences in the tub while providing the important information that every parent needs to understand, prepare for, and undertake waterbirthing: The basics of natural birthHow water immersion promotes the feeling of well-being while reducing painHow to locate birthing facilities, practitioners, and tubsExercises designed to relax and strengthen the motherHow to create the ideal birthing environmentPractical advise for breast-feeding, baby massage, and more In addition, Choosing Waterbirth contains a complete prenatal yoga program with exercises and breathing and relaxation techniques designed to prepare the mother for an easier labor and delivery. More than 80 photos, including some of the author giving birth in water, bring the experience vividly to life. If you are interested in creating a loving, positive, empowering, and fulfilling birth experience, Choosing Waterbirth will provide you with all the information, practical guidance, and insight you'll ever need.

One of the essential books of our time, Reclaiming the Sacred draws on the work of thousands of psychologists and economists, cosmologists and activists, saints and poets, to ground us in our inherent joy, purpose, and belonging-both for our own sakes and the sake of the world. It starts with an overview of the science of happiness, highlighting the things that most nourish human well-being-and some that don't, most notably money and possessions. It goes on to examine the ways money nonetheless hooks so many of us, and the profound consequences our materialism has for us and the world-most critically the global climate crisis. And then it goes beyond all of that, diving into the very heart of ourselves and the world, taking us on an exhilarating journey-both scientific and mystical-of reclaiming the sacredness of ourselves and this gorgeous world. This book elevates our existence, and lays an essential foundation for transcending this most critical era in human history.

In Lilith's Fire, Grenn-Scott examines why and how modern women are still demonized-identified as "bad" for actions perceived as reasonable for men, through techniques used for thousands of years-and how women have started to reverse this tendency by redefining right and wrong. Demonization, she notes, has been effective: controlling, manipulating and dividing women to keep them powerless, pitting Lilith against Eve, "good girl" against "bad girl"; and as a means of keeping one group, religion or idea dominant over another. In dismantling this technique, the author shows that portrayals of women as innately evil undermine the self-confidence of all women, and in turn their ability to take risks, assume leadership or claim power, from bedroom to boardroom. She provides strong models for women of a more proud, sensual, confident way of being; along the way, she poses difficult questions, such as: How can women become more aware that they have choice? Do we give our religious and spiritual leaders too much power? How do we make change, in our own lives and in the world? What forms of social action are most effective? Lilith's Fire opens a dialogue that the author hopes may lead to some answers, as it offers women a transformational tool to help them recognize, appreciate and draw on the strength and creativity of their own lifeforce, the first step in creating positive change.

Contemporary life is leaving us frazzled, overwhelmed, and out of sorts. Our life's rhythm is often borrowed from the pace of life around us. Humans have created such a loud, fast tempo of perfection and production that we often forget--if we ever knew it at all--the rhythms designed for our well-being. In The Sacred Pulse, pastor and author April Fiet invites us to examine the frantic patterns of our lives to reclaim the deeper, sacred pulses that pattern our days. Through stories, scripture, and practical guidance for daily living, she lays out twelve rhythms--including gardening, handcrafts, friendship, and holidays--that are both sustainable and sustaining. Everyday acts like mealtime and shopping, and sporadic rhythms like the occasional snow day: reclaiming these patterns can remind us of the holy movement of God in the world. In a world of hustle and bravado, silencing the noise takes practice. The Sacred Pulse shows us how to strip away all of the competing beats we have settled for so we can tap into the joyful, holy rhythms of life.

The first multi-cultural exploration of the sacred experience, roles, and rituals of gay and gender-bending men, from the ancient priests of the goddess to Oscar Wilde and pop music icon Sylvester--a rich tradition of men who have embodied the interrelationship between androgyny, homoeroticism, and the quest for the sacred. Illustrations and photos.