During the Song (960-1279), all educated Chinese men traveled frequently, journeying long distances to attend school and take civil service examinations. They crisscrossed the country to assume government posts, report back to the capital, and return home between assignments and to attend to family matters. Based on a wide array of texts, Transformative Journeys analyzes the impact of travel on this group of elite men and the places they visited. In the first part of the book, Cong Ellen Zhang considers the practical aspects of travel during the Song in the context of state mobilization of and assistance to government travelers, including the infrastructure of waterways and highways, the bureaucratic procedures entailed in official travel, and the means of transport and types of lodging. The second part of the book focuses on elite activities on the road, especially the elaborate farewell banquets, welcoming ceremonies, and visits to famous places. Zhang argues convincingly that abundant travel experience became integral to Song elite identity and status, greatly strengthening the social and cultural coherence of the practitioners. In promoting their experience of traveling across a large empire, Song elite men firmly established their position as the country’s political, social, and cultural leaders. The literary compositions and physical traces they left behind also formed an overlapping web of collective memories, continually enhancing local pride and defining the place of various localities in the cultural geography of the country. Transformative Journeys sheds new light on the nature of Chinese literati, their dominance of culture and society, and China’s social and cultural integration. Those interested in premodern China and travel literature will find a wealth of material previously unavailable to Western readers.

During the Song (960-1279), all educated Chinese men traveled frequently, journeying long distances to attend school and take civil service examinations. They crisscrossed the country to assume government posts, report back to the capital, and return home between assignments and to attend to family matters. Based on a wide array of texts, Transformative Journeys analyzes the impact of travel on this group of elite men and the places they visited. In the first part of the book, Cong Ellen Zhang considers the practical aspects of travel during the Song in the context of state mobilization of and assistance to government travelers, including the infrastructure of waterways and highways, the bureaucratic procedures entailed in official travel, and the means of transport and types of lodging. The second part of the book focuses on elite activities on the road, especially the elaborate farewell banquets, welcoming ceremonies, and visits to famous places. Zhang argues convincingly that abundant travel experience became integral to Song elite identity and status, greatly strengthening the social and cultural coherence of the practitioners. In promoting their experience of traveling across a large empire, Song elite men firmly established their position as the country’s political, social, and cultural leaders. The literary compositions and physical traces they left behind also formed an overlapping web of collective memories, continually enhancing local pride and defining the place of various localities in the cultural geography of the country. Transformative Journeys sheds new light on the nature of Chinese literati, their dominance of culture and society, and China’s social and cultural integration. Those interested in premodern China and travel literature will find a wealth of material previously unavailable to Western readers.

The books that we read, whether travel-focused or not, may influence the way in which we understand the process or experience of travel. This multidisciplinary work provides a critical analysis of the inspirational and transformational role that books play in travel imaginings. Does reading a book encourage us to think of travel as exotic, adventurous, transformative, dangerous or educative? Do different genres of books influence a reader's view of travel in multifarious ways? These questions are explored through a literary analysis of an eclectic selection of books spanning the period from the eighteenth century to the present day. Genres covered include historical fiction, children's books, westerns, science-fiction and crime fiction.

Twenty-one authentic, inspirational transformational journeys that move beyond pain and despair and into triumph, health, healing, and purpose. Stories that will inspire, motivate and empower every reader.

Twenty-one authentic, inspirational transformational journeys that move beyond pain and despair and into triumph, health, healing, and purpose. Stories that will inspire, motivate and empower every reader.

Transformative Meditation is a guide of multidimensional healing journeys to assist others in releasing what no longer serves them, empowering them with tools to create the life of their hearts desire to embody more love, joy and peace through all aspects of their lives. Wisdom and experiences from Glendas transformational journey are also shared to assist others on their path of awakening, raise their level of consciousness, integrate body, mind and spirit and be more connected to the infinite present moment of now. In this book, you will be guided to: A) heal and empower your relationship to yourself and therefore All aspects of your life; B) receive empowering activations to assist you on your journey; C) live from your heart space and manifest your hearts desire; D) experience more love, joy and peace through All aspects of your life; E) through your transformation, help your loved ones heal too; F) connect with your angels and guides and animals to receive messages; Transformative Meditation is a transformational guide to help a person find their inner truth, walk the path to their destination and to be inspired on their spiritual journey. Through Glendas experiences of life, she has shared her wisdom, knowledge and personal transformation to help guide others to action. Let your heart do your talking, let your soul do your walking. This action is the most important aspect of each of our journeys. Glenda has provided teachings, techniques and shared wisdom to provide a manual for human growth and connection. Glenda has many gifts to give and many years ahead to spread her limitless energy. Sat Nam, Hari Nam Singh ji Khalsa Spiritual Teacher Transformative Meditation is an inspirational, insightful and practical must-read book for everyone who is on the path of being. Glendas creative and receptive nature, her ever-expanding consciousness, her love for everything that is, reveals the secret to inner peace and inner contentment. This secret is not concealed knowledge only revealed to those who achieve higher degrees of enlightenment, but the secret hidden in plain sight available to anyone who is willing to read the book Transformative Meditation and practice its meditation techniques. This book is a pure meditative diamond that can help people to integrate body, mind, and spirit, expand the consciousness and deepen the presence in this divine moment, right now and here. Ivanrados.com

No One's Easy Daughter: Our Journeys of Transformation is a shared memoir of thirty-nine women who 'took the veil' together as Franciscan Novices. Their journeys include involvements in social, political and spiritual movements of the past 60 years. In the wondrous ways of inner alchemy, it invites readers into their own transformative journeys.