Richard Prince, a professor, had come to a dead end in his life. It was then he received a surprising invitation to speak at a conference in Bhutan, whose goal is "Gross National Happiness." Although he's skeptical, while trekking to the Tiger's Nest Monastery, the most revered of all Bhutan's spiritual sites, Richard falls and almost dies. During his recovery, he is visited by a Himalayan master who begins instructing him on the keys to personal and cultural transformation and how Bhutan and other countries can achieve the goal of "happiness" for their people and the world. Little does he know it, but he has begun the "hero's journey" to rediscover a meaning and purpose for his own life. As Richard travels the Bhutan countryside, he falls deeply in love with Sumitra, assistant to the minister of education. She reveals to him a great secret about their relationship and destiny, and he promises to return to Bhutan. "Unexpected Journey takes you on an exciting adventure to a mystical land where East meets West. Accompany our reluctant hero, Richard Prince as he searches for meaning and discovers love in this adventurous spiritual romance." --Ruth Drayer, The Spiritual Journeys of Nicholas and Helena Roerich "James has written an account that showcases the salient features of the hero's journey. He describes the magic of Bhutan that will captivate and exhilarate readers ready to travel to the remotest lands of the world as well as of the heart." --Alanna Kaivalya, Author, Educator, Mythologist "A modern "Lost Horizons" where our hero encounters a mysterious Himalayan teacher and a beautiful soul mate. Highly recommended." --David Tame, The Secret Power of Music

A trilogy consisting of 'Hero in the Labyrinth', 'Finding the Centre' and 'Seeing Through Different Eyes'. Like Dante who, in middle age wakes up to find himself in a dark wood and responds with The Divine Comedy, our Hero, in the seventh year of the seventh cycle of seven years in his life, wakes up to find himself in a labyrinth. His response is to spin an Ariadne thread of consciousness through time to orient himself within it and hopefully uncover the mystery of his (i)-dentity. Is this too a comedy? If so, do we laugh at or with our struggling hero?

A collection of awe-inspiring stories from Finnish mythology, drawn from the oral traditions of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. 38 entrancing tales are appropriate for all ages. 4 illustrations.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Jon Katz's Going Home. In his previous books, New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz introduced us to the delightful menagerie at Bedlam Farm, including Izzy, the unforgettable border collie rescue. Now, in Izzy & Lenore, Katz delves deeper into his connection with the beautiful, once-abandoned dog, learning yet again about the unexpected places animals can take us. Affectionate and intuitive, Izzy is unlike any dog Katz has encountered, and the two undertake a journey Katz could not have imagined without the arrival of a new companion: a spirited, bright-eyed black Labrador puppy named Lenore. As trained hospice volunteers visiting homes and nursing facilities in upstate New York, Katz and Izzy bring comfort and canine companionship to people who most need it. An eighty-year-old Alzheimer’s patient smiles for the first time in months when she feels Izzy’s soft fur. A retired logger joyfully remembers his own beloved dog when he sees Izzy. As Izzy bonds with patients and Katz focuses on their families, the author begins to come to terms with his own life, discovering dark realities he has never confronted. Meanwhile, Lenore–quickly dubbed the Hound of Love–arrives at Bedlam. Her genial personality and boundless capacity for affection steer Katz out of the shadows, rekindle his love of working with dogs, and restore his connection to the farm and the animals and people around him. Humorous and deeply moving, Izzy & Lenore is a story of a man confronting his past, embracing the blessings of his current life, and rediscovering the meaning of friendship, family, and faith. Katz shares an uplifting tale of love, compassion, and the rich and complex relationships between dogs and their humans.

ENGLISH EDITION: Live the story of your life at the highest level. If you received an unexpected call to make a film about your life, would it be a captivating film, full of risk, battles, and victory? Or would it be one of those films where people leave the theater before it’s finished? We’ve all heard great stories about famous heroes, those men and women who have gone down in history having made a difference. But what might be said about your life? Could you make it into one of those great stories? Awaken Your Inner Hero is a call to adventure, to get out of your comfort zone and take the kind of risks that will lead you to radically change the way you are living your life. Based on the “hero’s journey” and on universal principles that have been used by poets, writers, and directors to create great stories, the author unveils seven steps that will help you make your deepest desires come true and develop a story worth telling. You will discover life has great things waiting for you, if you are bold enough to go after them. Beyond the routine of the day-to-day, there is a longing within you that motivates you to give everything inside of you to fulfill a purpose, to immerse yourself in your own story, to live your life with success and meaning, to awaken your inner hero.

Haden Black changed Theia Alderson's life when he appeared in her dreams. And to save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything, but the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions. Now Theia is susceptible to the same deadly hungers that Haden has long struggled with-and their return to Serendipity Falls could test their control. And someone from Haden's past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her...