This is a resource book with a difference. Not only does it give useful background notes to most of the world's religions and festivals, but the reasons for such celebrations have been explained in non-academic terms by individuals who are working in the community.

Is a physical journey the necessary path to spiritual evolution? Kailash Manasarovar:A Sacred Journey dwells on this question and perceives the possibility for the three stages of inner transformation during the journey, using the Devi Mahatmayam as a metaphor. The journey shows that it takes just a shift in perspective to behold the divine in the mundane. By eroding the conditioning of our essence, the journey helps us connect with a pure centre, marking the beginning of interactions which are actions, rather than mere reactions to situations. From this point on, it is in maintaining a heightened awareness of one?s emotions, memories, surroundings and companions that makes the journey more meaningful.

This collection is a study of Islamic thought and institutions that represents a critical introduction to the system of Islamic belief and practice from a social science perspective.

Cultural and spiritual bonds with ‘nature’ are among the strongest motivators for nature conservation; yet they are seldom taken into account in the governance and management of protected and conserved areas. The starting point of this book is that to be sustainable, effective, and equitable, approaches to the management and governance of these areas need to engage with people’s deeply held cultural, spiritual, personal, and community values, alongside inspiring action to conserve biological, geological, and cultural diversity. Since protected area management and governance have traditionally been based on scientific research, a combination of science and spirituality can engage and empower a variety of stakeholders from different cultural and religious backgrounds. As evidenced in this volume, stakeholders range from indigenous peoples and local communities to those following mainstream religions and those representing the wider public. The authors argue that the scope of protected area management and governance needs to be extended to acknowledge the rights, responsibilities, obligations, and aspirations of stakeholder groups and to recognise the cultural and spiritual significance that ‘nature’ holds for people. The book also has direct practical applications. These follow the IUCN Best Practice Guidelines for protected and conserved area managers and present a wide range of case studies from around the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.