Dear Reader, Welcome to a captivating expedition into the uncharted territories of the future. As we embark on "Towards a New Era: Tracing the Future," we invite you to join us on a remarkable odyssey, where we explore the mysteries that lie ahead and the profound changes that await society. The world is in a perpetual state of flux, and the horizon of tomorrow beckons with both thrilling innovations and unforeseen challenges. In these times of unprecedented transformation, our collective curiosity piques at what lies beyond the threshold of the coming years. This book is a voyage through time and ideas, where we will navigate the waves of change that promise to shape the very fabric of our existence. Our journey begins with an exploration of understanding the future and forecasting societal changes. We delve into the potential impact of emerging technologies, the shifts in global economies, and the transformative power they hold. From the rise of artificial intelligence to the ever-expanding realms of virtual reality, we set forth to grasp the essence of the digital revolution and its far-reaching influence. The path we tread leads us to the heart of the future of work and employment. Robots and automation are poised to redefine labor markets, while new skills and opportunities emerge in tandem. We uncover the opportunities that arise through reskilling and upskilling, ensuring that we can adapt and thrive in the face of an evolving job landscape. Moreover, we confront the profound implications of societal equality and transformation. The struggle for gender equality reshapes traditional roles, while multiculturalism bridges the divide between diverse cultures. As we aim to forge a more inclusive world, we explore the ever-changing landscape of identities and acceptance. Our journey takes a vital turn into the realm of health and well-being. Advancements in medicine and technology promise to enhance the quality of life, but we must also navigate the challenges of an aging society. The balance of care and independence comes to the forefront as we seek solutions to cope with longer lifespans. In the realm of education, we uncover the transformative power of innovative learning models and technology. From virtual classrooms to AI-enhanced personalized learning, we explore the realms of knowledge and digital citizenship, ensuring a well-prepared society for the challenges ahead. As our expedition continues, we delve into the intersection of cultural transformation and the entertainment sector. The evolution of art and the immersion in virtual worlds redefine our cultural expressions and experiences. But it is not just entertainment and art that define us as a society; it is the power of activism and its role in societal transformation. Social media and digital platforms empower activists worldwide, while youth lead the charge for change, shaping a future they believe in. In the pursuit of a sustainable world, we investigate the environmental consciousness that drives us to safeguard our planet. From renewable energy sources to eco-friendly cities, we strive to create a legacy for future generations. As borders blur and our world becomes more interconnected, migration and globalization raise crucial questions about cultural interactions and the emergence of new identities. We navigate these issues with an open mind and a compassionate heart, embracing the richness of diversity. Finally, as we stand on the precipice of the unknown, we contemplate the forces that will shape the future. With uncertainty comes opportunity, and we prepare ourselves to embrace the transformative power of change. Dear reader, "Towards a New Era" is an expedition that will challenge your perceptions, inspire your imagination, and ignite your passion for what lies ahead. Join us as we navigate the uncharted waters of societal transformation, fueled by hope and a vision of a better future for all. Are you ready to embark on this thrilling odyssey? Let us embark together, for it is through our collective exploration that we will forge a society that thrives in the face of change. Bon voyage! Sincerely,

His Holiness Shivkrupanand Swami, the proponent of ‘Samarpan Dhyan Sanskar’ has been conducting the 45 days Deep Meditation Practicum for the past 14 years at Samarpan Ashram, Dandi. During this period, His Holiness Swamiji is in a highly exalted state of meditation and keeps sending written messages for the spiritual upliftment of people from all sections of society. His Holiness Swamiji has declared the year 2020 as ‘Children’s Year’. His Holiness Swamiji has specifically written for and addressed children through the medium of these messages during this Practicum and is inspiring them to connect with Samarpan Dhyan Sanskar (Samarpan meditation values) to help them lead a healthy, safe and value-based life in today’s competitive and stressful environment. This booklet is a compilation of those same messages. Children can absorb the Samarpan meditation values through regular meditative practice; they can activate their inner energies and develop a positive and strong protective shield, and protect themselves from the dreadful disease of depression which is going to spread very fast in the near future. They can lead a positive, balanced, successful, innocent and contented life. They canobtain the Karma-free state in this life itself, and then they will be able to attain the state of Moksha (liberation). This process will surely prove to be a milestone on the journey towards the creation of a New Era. We believe that not only children but adults too will benefit through the medium of these messages.

Almost half a century ago, the Australian National University's TB Millar penned a seminal book on Australian defence policy in the lead up to the Vietnam War. Today, Australia's defence forces are returning from long conflicts overseas, while the rise of China and the economic integration in the Indo-Pacific presents a complex mix of challenges and opportunities. Drawing inspiration from Millar's original volume, Australia's Defence: Towards a New Era? brings together leading experts to examine the domestic and international context of Australia's defence policy, Australian strategy and the size and state of our armed forces. As the country heads towards a new era, this book provides an in-depth overview and key insights into the past, present and future of Australia's defence.

Praise for David Houle "Houle breaks down big ideas into easily digestible, entertaining small bites...Crack this book open whenever globalization's gotten you down."—Slate.com. "The Shift Age lifts us out of the rapids of techno-change and helps us see the course of the river we've been rafting on."-Howard Bloom, author of the GOD PROBLEM and GLOBAL BRAIN "[The Shift Age] is must read for anyone who is interested in where humanity is headed in coming generations. This book provides an overview of how our progeny will live, work, and play in coming decades."—Bob Citron, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Foundation for the Future "David Houle's Shift Age offers an astounding proposition: the Information Age is ending with emergence of an age of constant change. Read this book!"—Reese Schonfeld, Cofounder of CNN, CNN Headline News, and Food Network "America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a twenty-first-century education based upon creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. Houle makes a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough."—Daniel H. Pink, author of A WHOLE NEW MIND: WHY RIGHT-BRAINERS WILLL RULE THE FUTURE and DRIVE: THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT WHAT MOTIVATES US "The New Health Age offer a succinct primer on how we got here and where we should be taking the health of our nation" —Mehmet Oz, M.D., host of The Dr. Oz Show The Information Age? Think again. Change is everywhere: how we communicate, what we do for a living, the values we hold, the way we raise our children, even the way we access information. Thanks to a global economy, the force of the Internet, and the explosion of mobile technology, we have—almost imperceptibly—been ushered into a new era, the Shift Age, in which change happens so quickly that it's become the norm. Man-made developments—such as tools, machines, and technology—defined previous ages, but the Shift Age will be defined by our own power of choice. In Entering the Shift Age, leading futurist David Houle argues that we are going through a major collapse of legacy thinking, eroding many of the thought structures that have defined the last two hundred years of humanity. Houle identifies and explains the new forces that will shape our lives—including remote workplaces, the cloud, "24/7" culture, speed-of-light connectivity, creativity, and the influence of Millenials and Digital Natives—for the next twenty years. In this eye-opening book, Houle navigates this pivotal point in human history with clarity and anticipation, focusing on the power of human consciousness and the direct influence we can impart on everything from healthcare to media to education. According to Houle, we are more independent than ever before. We are in control. There's no "going back" to the way things were. Reality is changing ever faster, and ENTERING THE SHIFT AGE is your guide to keeping up.

After World War II, Americans constructed an unprecedented number of synagogues, churches, cathedrals, chapels, and other structures. The book is one of the first major studies of American religious architecture in the postwar period, and it reveals the diverse and complicated set of issues that emerged just as one of the nation's biggest building booms unfolded. Price argues that the resulting structures, as often mocked as loved, were physical embodiments of an important time in American religious history.