Now, nearly two decades later, Napier is ready to share more of her own life story while returning to the subject she was first introduced to by her grandmother. As she comes again to the topic that pervades her life story, she focuses on several themes, including: - the importance of experiencing a sense of meaning in life; - the sacred nature of all beings and life itself; - the belief that everything is an essential part of the full expression of one life, both individually and collectively, and that we inherently draw from an underlying wholeness; - the power of what it means to be aware in the present moment; and, - the fact that suffering is part of everyday life, and we can learn to move through it. Napier explains that once we recognize our place within collective consciousness-- and focus on compassion and mindfulness--we can begin to experience more directly the interdependence and interconnection underlying our place in the universe.

Living Life as a Sacred Practice is the author’s response to many years of trying to learn various methods of unifying mind, body, and spirit. She has captured the essence of life and greatness in this book with the inclusion of many practices to develop spiritual mastery. The approach requires choosing a theme from the table of contents that resonates with the reader or that the reader needs to work on. Examples of suggested sections are Abundance, Sacred Feminine, Beauty, Life, Light, Breath Consciousness, Healing, Wellness, and Inside Out. The process begins with reflecting on a quotation, reading a commentary, and reciting an affirmation. This can be repeated throughout the day to reinforce the message. You may choose a practice for twenty-one to thirty days to achieve spiritual transformation, or just use the suggested one that comes along with the quote for inspiration. The commentaries are unique, thoughtful, and out of this world. It teaches the reader to be an original thinker and to look at life from the vantage point of a creator, not as an object of creation.

A systematic manual for learning the history and lifestyle of Kriya Yoga, the tradition of Yogananda that goes back through Sri Yukteswar to Lahiri Mahasaya. Roy Davis was initiatesd by Yogananda himself 50 years ago and is thus in the direct line of transmission of this movement. The seven lessons are systematically set out with exercise at the end of each chapters. The serious student will gain a great deal from careful reading and folowing the practices outlines in the book .

"Awakening the Shaman Within: Unveiling the Mysteries of Ancient Wisdom" takes readers on a captivating odyssey into the heart of shamanism—an ancient and revered tradition that has traversed the annals of human history. Through the pages of this transformative book, readers are invited to explore the rich tapestry of shamanic practices, unveiling the hidden wisdom and sacred mysteries that lie within. Chapter by chapter, the book delves into the various facets of shamanism, offering profound insights into its origins, rituals, and significance in modern society. From the ancient practices that were steeped in reverence for the natural world to their adaptation in the context of contemporary living, "Awakening the Shaman Within" offers a comprehensive understanding of this time-honored tradition. In the initial chapters, readers are introduced to the calling of the shaman—the mystical bridge between the human realm and the spirit world. Delving into the depths of consciousness, they learn the art of navigating the shamanic worlds—the Lower, Middle, and Upper—wherein reside the keys to healing, wisdom, and transformation. The book further illuminates the significance of the medicine wheel—a sacred symbol that embodies the cyclical nature of existence and serves as a profound tool for personal growth and healing. Readers will uncover the symbolic meanings of the Four Directions and harness the transformative power of the medicine wheel for their spiritual journey. Guardians of the Spirit Realm—power animals and spirit guides—are introduced as essential allies on the shamanic path. With reverence for nature's wisdom and an understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings, readers forge nurturing relationships with these spiritual allies to receive guidance and insight. The journey continues as readers embrace the shamanic arts of meditation, dream interpretation, and divination, delving into the depths of their subconscious and receiving guidance from the spirit realm. By embarking on shamanic journeys and interacting with celestial beings, they open themselves to cosmic wisdom and unveil the profound truths that lie beyond ordinary reality. As the book progresses, readers learn the sacred practices and rituals of shamanism, from connecting with ancestral wisdom to embracing the balance of masculine and feminine energies. They discover the healing potential of elemental connection and past-life integration, transcending time and space to gain insights from parallel realities. "Awakening the Shaman Within" unveils the shaman's vital role in the community, emphasizing collective healing, shamanic leadership, and ethical practice. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship with Earth, readers are empowered to become guardians of Gaia, fostering ecological activism and sustainability. In the concluding chapters, the book beckons readers to integrate shamanic wisdom into everyday life, becoming luminous warriors who embody spiritual illumination and serve humanity with love and compassion. By embracing the call of the sacred and the extraordinary, readers awaken the dormant shamanic essence within, stepping into a profound journey of awakening, healing, and self-discovery. As you embark on this transformative voyage, "Awakening the Shaman Within" invites you to unveil the mysteries of ancient wisdom and embrace the profound interconnectedness of all life. Prepare to awaken the shaman within you and traverse the realms of spirit, consciousness, and nature, where healing and spiritual evolution await.

In my observation of lives around me, I often wonder, What happened there? I imagine what that person might have done to contribute to the success or failure of their own life. Usually, a life attracts my attention because of its exceptionalityfor good or for bad. Over time, I have come to see that many people seem to wander through life, just to wake up one day, usually at about middle age, and realize that their life had happened while they were not looking! This is a clarion call and encouragement to consciousness and deliberateness in living the life one would be proud of in the end. It is also a summary of the lessons I have learned from my own experiences or from books and other resources I have used in my quest for answers on the subject of life. The chapters are arranged based on the different stages and aspects to point out signposts, road junctions, and time lines that the reader can expect to navigate on the journey of life. It is to bring consciousness to the consideration and planning that the different aspects of life need for your own particular journey. The book must not be read in a particular sequence; you can read particular chapters or aspects as required by your particular stage, situation, or need for counsel at different times. Different chapters will be more applicable and enlightening for different readers at different times. It could be growing up and career building time for some, marriage and parenting for others. It might be about maneuvering middle and old age for yet another. In the end, no one can control all aspects of life all the time, but you can be awake and write your own story by making things happen instead of just waiting and watching them happen, accepting whatever life brings. Make your life happen.

Do you ever feel like you'll never be perfect? Do you worry that what you say or do or wear will be how people remember you? It's time to let go of those worries and embrace who you are. Letting Go: A Girl's Guide to Breaking Free of Stress and Anxiety has everything you need to help you understand and manage the very real pressures you're facing from life. Designed to provide strategies for managing stress and anxiety, this book is filled with practical evidence-based advice and stories from teen and young adult women like you who have found ways to manage their anxieties. Every chapter features a discussion of different types of stress and anxiety so you can understand better what you're experiencing, activities to help you remember all the things you love about yourself and to help you understand yourself better, strategies for combating both stress and anxiety, and stories of other girls who've learned to move past their stress and love their lives—and themselves—to the fullest. Ages 12-16

Awakening the Power Within: Unleash Your True Potential and Transform Your Life I have previously written about the importance of inner strength in our lives. When I started writing this book a year ago, my intention was to share exactly that – finding strength within oneself, especially in difficult moments, is crucial. When a person discovers it and becomes aware of it, it greatly helps them. Equally important is to show others that it is possible, using one's own example of going through various challenges and life truths to expand one's strength. This means that others can improve their lives, ease situations, etc., using certain methods. A year later, when it was completed, it helped me a lot in dealing with much more serious life obstacles. It is written from personal experience as a way of struggle, reflection, life experience, and collaboration with different mentors from various areas of life. The book consists of three sections. The first identifies obstacles to our personal development, the second deals with overcoming them, and the third is the place where we want to be, for the well-being of ourselves and those around us. The journal complements the book, providing practical examples, self-reflection, introspection, and space for you to answer what concerns you. The text in the book not only provides solutions but also the mindset of overcoming challenges, self-improvement, thinking, working on oneself, seeing things from different perspectives. It gives guidelines on what to work on, overcome, where to focus and work, what to pay attention to, and the possibility of finding that strength. The sources from which you find them are within you, and it all comes down to merging within you. By awakening strength within oneself, each of us connects with our source, whether it's God, the Universe, divine force, energy, nature, or oneself... Ebook is now only available online. The printed version may come later.

Request a FREE 30-day online trial to this title at www.sagepub.com/freetrial What is unique about the process in the discussion of healthcare and interventions to use when working with families? What assessment tools provide guidance for healthcare providers as they determine interventions for families in their care? What are the changing dimensions of contemporary family life, and what impact do those dimensions have on health promotion for families? How is family healthcare changing in terms of practices, delivery systems, costs and insurance coverage? Students are able to explore these questions and more in the Encyclopedia of Family Health. Approximately 350 signed articles written by experts from such varied fields as health and nursing, social and behavioral sciences, and policy provide authoritative, cross-disciplinary coverage. Entries examine theory, research and policy as they relate to family practice in a manner that is accessible and jargon-free. From 'Adolescent Suicide' and 'Alternative Therapies' to 'Visitation during Hospitalization' and 'Weight Problems and Genetics', this work provides coverage of a variety of issues within a family context. The Encyclopedia of Family Health provides a comprehensive summary of theory, research, practice, and policy on family health and wellness promotion for students and researchers.

Metamorphosis, the theme of this book, derives from the Ancient Greek language and refers to a transformative process that often includes disintegration and reintegration, on the route to conscious living with self, community and the world. This collection proposes that engagement with the sacred is what makes research and practice transpersonal, the sacred ‘other’ that lives both within and beyond us as individuals and unique cultures. The transpersonal approach is distinctive in that it regards the potential metamorphosis of all those involved in research and professional practice a core value. This volume engages the audience in professional, practical, as well as inquiry-related topics that reflect the diverse nature of the transpersonal studies field, and extend an experience of metamorphosis to the reader. The book moves scholarship forward in an innovative and creative way with relevant themes that not only honour the sacred, but lend a transpersonal paradigm to scientific and professional methods and models.

The book explores the complex world of Islam from the perspective of its adherents and activists in Azerbaijan. Baku, the most secular Muslim capital city, is a battlefield for the minds and souls of „ethnic Muslims.” Visiting pirs was till now the typical expression of religiosity among Azerbaijani Muslims. Sunni-Shia division was blurred. Nowadays, Shia and Sunni Muslim movements propose new distinctive identities. Foreign and local preachers took advantage of liberal religious policies of the 1990s to promote their ideas. Salafis stress the „pristine” Islam and the idea of universalism, while Shias underline rationality in their faith tradition. Turkish model of Islam is more inclusive towards local customs. Sufism, although not as powerful as before, also finds a committed audience. Finally, independent charismatic local leaders gain supporters. The book investigates how this pluralism affects both religious groups and believers. Competitive environment requires effective strategies and flexibility. In this process, the traditional dominance of Shiism is challenged by Sunni movements. Shiism, however, is not giving up and adapts its concepts and practices to contemporary contexts.