"Were it not for the Buddhadharma, says Charles Johnson in his preface to Turning the Wheel, "I'm convinced that, as a black American and an artist, I would not have been able to successfully negotiate my last half century of life in this country. Or at least not with a high level of creative productivity." In this collection of provocative and intimate essays, Johnson writes of the profound connection between Buddhism and creativity, and of the role of Eastern philosophy in the quest for a free and thoughtful life. In 1926, W. E. B. Du Bois asked African-Americans what they would most want were the color line miraculously forgotten. In Turning the Wheel, Johnson sets out to explore this question by examining his experiences both as a writer and as a practitioner of Buddhism. He looks at basic Buddhist principles and practices, demonstrating how Buddhism is both the most revolutionary and most civilized of possible human choices. He discusses fundamental Buddhist practices such as the Eightfold Path, Taming the Mind, and Sangha and illuminates their place in the American Civil Rights movement. Johnson moves from spiritual guides to spiritual nourishment: writing. In essays touching on the role of the black intellectual, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Ralph Ellison, Johnson uses tools of Buddhist thinking to clarify difficult ideas. Powerful and revelatory, these essays confirm that writing and reading, along with Buddhism, are the basic components that make up a thoughtful life.

This reflective analysis of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen demonstrates that even from a purely aesthetic perspective the contract as an institution is just as vital to the Ring as are the characters linked to each other by this institution.

“ ...GENERAL MOTORS in 1933 reached its twenty-fifth milestone. Since the founding of General Motors Company of New Jersey in 1908, the growth of the organization has contributed a unique chapter to American industrial history. From beginnings so small that its birth escaped notice in financial centers, General Motors has worked its way steadily forward to a place where its leadership in many of the most exacting branches of production and distribution is taken for granted and where it meets the public of many lands with a wide variety of merchandise and services. Scientific research, close attention to dealer and consumer needs, and constructive public policies are among the factors accounting for General Motors' present strength. My acquaintance with General Motors began at its birth in 1908, and as a somewhat impartial observer of social trends I have watched its progress with keen interest ever since” ARTHUR POUND - 1934

Discover a hidden gem from the mind of master storyteller Philip K. Dick, the prolific author behind blockbuster films like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report. The Turning Wheel is an enthralling post-apocalyptic sci-fi short story that masterfully blends speculative fiction, dark humor, and psychological depth in a resoundingly unique narrative. In a world devastated by apocalyptic forces, society is rebuilt and governed by a karmic reincarnation-based hierarchy. Enter an alternate future where Caucasians are at the bottom, and Asians and Indians reign supreme under the rule of the enigmatic god-messiah, Bard "Elron Hu." Here, Dick presents a biting satire on L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics, as "becoming clear" represents an essential step in this new-age spiritual quest. As the turning wheel of karma continues to spin, a diverse cast of characters-- a tormented priest, a rebellious Cauc, an opportunistic Indian official, and others-- navigates the complexities and chaos of a world founded on spiritual dogma. Driven by their desires, convictions, and instincts, they must explore the true nature of power, faith, and humanity. Will they break free from the constraints that bind them, or will the merciless turning wheel crush their dreams and aspirations? Unravel the mysteries in this gripping tale, and immerse yourself in the provocative and intentionally chaotic brilliance of Philip K. Dick's imagination.

In his previous book, Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts, Reb Anderson Roshi described how we must become thoroughly grounded in conventional truth through the practice of compassion before we can receive the teachings of the ultimate truth. In The Third Turning of the Wheel, he introduces us to the next stage of our journey by invoking the wisdom of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra. According to Anderson, the main purpose behind this enigmatic sutra is to reconcile the apparent contradictions between the original teachings of the historical Buddha and the later teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Anderson reflects on the great metaphysical questions proposed in the Samdhinirmocana Sutra—the nature of ultimate reality, the structure of human consciousness, the characteristics of phenomena, the stages of meditation, and the essential qualities of a buddha—with the clarity of a scholar and the insight of a practitioner.

Buddhist teachings like the eightfold path, the four noble truths, and karma pervade Buddhist literature—but how often do we read what the Buddha himself had to say about these topics? Here is an accessible look at the Buddha’s First Discourse, which contains the foundation for all further Buddhist teaching. Ajahn Sucitto offers a new translation of this revolutionary teaching, known as The Discourse That Sets Turning the Wheel of Truth. He then walks us through the text, offering engaging and practical point-by-point commentary that makes the Buddha’s words come alive and reveals how the text’s wisdom can inspire our own liberation.