Peace Studies Gratitude Dear Mr. McCarthy: My favorite thing about Peace Studies has been all the guest speakers. Each one brought something new to the forefront of my mind, reminding me how self-absorbed we all can be. I hope to someday emulate the qualities all these speakers possess: kindness, perseverance, bravery, humility, and passion. From learning about poverty and immigration, to peace movements and protests, I have learned so much more in peace studies than I could ever learn in a chemistry or US history class. Elizabeth Mulvihill Dear Mr. McCarthy: Through your lessons you have exposed the lowest parts of human nature, our follies, and our brutality, but through all the wonderful speakers you brought in I have seen true generosity, tenacity, optimism, grit, and love for humankind. I have never felt so much love in a classroom until now . . . . So much change in our world is influenced by greed, hate, and self-interest. I am happy to have encountered the few who are not, thanks to your class. I've become a better person who is ready to be more active in the community and more ready to share her love with the world. Thanks, thanks, and thanks again. Elizabeth Stephens

Thomas Keating was a Cistercian monk who founded the worldwide 'Contemplative Outreach', teaching people the art of meditation. This is the 20th anniversary edition of Continuum's best-selling spiritual classic, which has sold over half a million in the English language and has appeared in 10 foreign-language editions. This book is designed to initiate the reader into a deep, living relationship with God. Written by an acknowledged spiritual master, the book moves beyond "discursive meditation and particular acts to the intuitive level of contemplation." Keating gives an overview of the history of contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition, and step-by-step guidance in the method of centering prayer. Special attention is paid to the role of the Sacred Word, Christian growth and transformation, and active prayer. The book ends with an explicit treatment of the contemplative dimension of the gospel. Open Mind, Open Heart will take readers into a world where God can do anything, into a realm of the greatest adventure – “Where one is open to the Infinite and hence to infinite possibilities." This is the 20th anniversary edition of Continuum's bestselling spiritual classic, which has sold over half a million in the English language and has appeared in 10 foreign-language editions (Croatian, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesia, Italian, Korean, Polish, and Portuguese). The new edition consists of a substantial new preface, an expanded glossary, some changes in terminology, and a reordering of several chapters.

This book is for Christian readers of fiction who might experience difficulty trying to make an informed choice beyond what is being published by evangelical presses. Marketed to a specific target audience, evangelical fiction oftentimes leaves a reader with a strong emotional response but lacks the literary depth or the breadth of subject that could inspire life-changing spiritual growth. With this premise at the heart of her book, Connie Wineland includes her own story of conversion to Christianity by way of reading fiction. During her late twenties and early thirties, particularly while in graduate school, Wineland became immersed in literary and rhetorical studies while also practicing an Eastern form of religion as well as Native American spirituality. However, despite all her training in literary theory, her readings in Romantic, Victorian, modern, and postmodern literature (which she explains), as well as her personal interest in mythology and world religions, kept her questioning the existence of God and the possible nature of God. Then, as a relatively new convert to Christianity, she faced several challenges at a small Christian college where she taught literature and writing courses. Eventually wanting to reach beyond the academic community, Wineland began a local Christian readers' group, which she ran for four years. She includes in this book resources and materials such as sample syllabi and study-guide questions, useful Web addresses, and plenty of how-to information for starting and running your own book club. Also included is an extensive list of annotated titles of recommended reading to get anyone started!

To see if nonviolence could be taught, in 1982 Colman McCarthy became a volunteer teacher at one of the poorest high schools in Washington, DC. In the thirty-two years since then, he has taught peace studies courses for more than ten thousand college and high school students. Large numbers of those students have faithfully kept in touch with McCarthy, often with handwritten letters, and he has answered them with the same seriousness he brought to his columns and books. The exchanges rise to a rare kind of literature that blends personal warmth, intellectual honesty, and shared idealism. The discussions range from peace and war to a host of other issues of social justice, such as the death penalty, human rights, poverty, the living wage, animal rights, and vegetarianism. The wide-ranging letters suggest how teacher and students co-create a world of more love and less hate.

50 soul stirring stories is a collection of delightful stories designed to develop the mind, free it from distortions and connect with the inner spirit. The protagonists here are ordinary people confronted with their own delusions, weaknesses and unaccountable desires. The stories evoke the dilemmas, pain and strange joys of childhood and adulthood.