A critical revaluation of ancient spiritual systems long ignored or rejected because of their assumed incompatibility with science. Here are Swami Muktananda on the mind, Swami Prajnananda on Karma, Swami Kripananda on the Kundalini, Joseph Chilton Pearce on spiritual development, Jack Kornfield on Buddhism for Americans, Claudio Naranjo on meditation, and much more.

'But where shall wisdom be found?' asked Job, and from across the ancient world came many different replies. Some conceived of wisdom in supernatural personified form and answered the question in appropriate terms. For others, wisdom was something far more human, manifested in a number of different possible ways. For many philosophers, on the other hand, it was simply the highest human intellectual attainment possible. However understood, wisdom was highly prized across the ancient world and throughout ancient history. To the extent to which there was a shared ancient culture, wisdom lay at the heart of it. However, the modern study of the subject has been very fragmented. Old Testament scholars, theologians, historians of philosophy, Egyptologists, Assyriologists, classicists and historians of ideas have all taken an interest, but there has been limited communication and co-operation between the disciplines. This is the first book to bring the different aspects of the study of ancient wisdom together and present it as a subject in its own right, looking at wise deities, wise figures from myth and legend, wise characters from ancient history, practices associated with wisdom (including divination and healing), and wisdom as it appears in ancient literature. Familiar figures such as Solomon and Socrates rub shoulders here with less well-known ones such as Shulgi and Stilbides. Specially drawn maps accompany the text to provide a geographical context while a timeline provides a chronological one.

In Ancient Wisdom for the Good Life, Ralph K. Hawkins turns our attention to the Bible’s Wisdom Literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs) and how it can correct us, train us in righteousness, and ultimately empower us for successful living. These are some of the most inspired writings on the Good Life the world has ever known, in which ancient Israel’s sages wrote about how to live stable, harmonious, productive, and joyous lives. Together, they interlock to cover the entire field of wisdom, providing contemporary readers with the tools to develop a unified world view with God at the center. Ancient Wisdom for the Good Life culls out the guidance of ancient Israel’s sages for a modern society that has been cut adrift from its moorings. Full of wisdom and practically written, this book could be used as a supplementary text in an undergraduate or seminary course in the Wisdom Literature, and it would certainly be useful for pastors in their sermon preparation or even just general reading. Table of Contents: Winning and the Wisdom Literature A Mindset of Integrity A Mindset of Community A Mindset of Communication A Mindset of Cause-and-Effect A Mindset of Goal-Setting A Mindset of Work A Mindset of Health A Mindset of Abundance A Mindset of Joy About the Author Ralph K. Hawkins (PhD, Andrews University) is professor of religion and director of the Program in Religion at Averett University. He is co-director of the Jordan Valley Excavation Project (JVEP) and the author of several books, including The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal: Excavation and Interpretation (Eisenbrauns), How Israel became a People (Abingdon Press), and Discovering Exodus: Content, Interpretation, Reception (SPCK/Eerdmans). An Anglican priest, Hawkins has also written pastoral books, including While I Was Praying: Finding Insights about God in Old Testament Prayers (Smyth & Helwys), and Leadership Lessons: Avoiding the Pitfalls of King Saul (Thomas Nelson).

Jane Alexander is inspired and inspiring. I trust her advice completely' - Sarah Stacey, Mail on Sunday In this fast-paced, social media-filled world, people are looking for clarity and inner calm, as well as an escape from the digital overload. This book offers a comprehensive lowdown on the ancient wisdoms from around the world in an accessible way, so we can harness this wisdom and use it in our contemporary environment. The book will be broken down into five major sections. The first gives an overview to the various forms of ancient wisdom covered in the book. The following four sections will each cover a season with information and practical exercises on: Nutrition (adapting your diet throughout the year); Body (different seasonal exercise, including simple yoga and qiyong flows, healing forms of breathwork and bodywork); Emotional life (seasonal emotional shifts and advice on natural approaches to dealing with everyday stresses and anxiety); and Spiritual life (powerful soul-work, including crystals, sound healing and oracles).

Ancient Wisdom is a Healer's manual, the crme of the crop of Spiritual Wisdom gathered during fourteen years of study with Spiritual Masters from all over the world and beyond

DIVThoughtful, sagacious advice from the best minds of bygone civilizations touch all aspects of human life — from adversity and contentment to war and peace. Author bios, plus pronuncation guide to names. /div

Our ancesiors' beliefs contain within them the seeds of universal truths that have transcended time and can be found in many of our beliefs today. Indeed, in many parts of the world, inherent belief systems continue to be practiced. Ancient Wisdom looks at the fundamentals of these belief systems, how they have shaped the societies in which they are based, and what they can offer us in the fast-paced, technological society we inhabit today. The shared human quest to make sense of our lives and our place in the cosmos is the common characteristic to be found in all the spiritual and magical traditions that are included in this book.

Journey through the ages with this superb hardcover edition of memorable quotes featuring poets, playwrights, politicians, and philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome. Wise words include topics from adversity and courage to love, peace, and war.