In Three Mystics Walk into a Tavern, Jalal ad-Din Rumi, Moses de León, and Meister Eckhart—three of the greatest mystics of all time—meet in Venice for an imaginary night-long conversation that will inspire everyday individuals of the twenty-first century to find their own spirituality and realize that everyone can be a mystic. Although the mystics came from different backgrounds and religious traditions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity), their spiritual paths led them to similar understandings of a union with the Divine. The three mystics have a timeless and timely message for people who walk the earth eight centuries after they did, no matter an individual’s religious background or even if they have none. It is a message of connecting with the “divine spark” deep within us and within the universe.

Practical Mysticism in Islam and Christianity offers a comparative study of the works of the Sufi-poet Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273) and the practical teachings of the German Dominican, Meister Eckhart (c1260-1327/8). Rumi has remained an influential figure in Islamic mystical discourse since the thirteenth century, while also extending his impact to the Western spiritual arena. However, his ideas have frequently been interpreted within the framework of other mystical, philosophical, or religious systems. Through its novel approach, this book aims to reformulate Rumi’s practical mysticism by employing four methodological principles: a) mysticism is a coherent structure with mutual interconnection between its parts; b) the imposition of alien structures to interpret any particular mysticism damages its inward coherency; c) practical mysticism consists of two main parts, namely practices and stages; and d) the proper use of comparative methodology enables a deeper understanding of each juxtaposed system. Eckhart’s speculative mysticism, which differs from and enjoys similarities with the love-based mysticism of Rumi, provides a "mirror" that highlights the special features of Rumi’s practical mysticism. Such comparison also allows a deeper comprehension of Eckhart’s practical thought. Offering a critical examination of practical mysticism, this book is a valuable resource for students and scholars of Islamic studies, comparative mysticism, and the intellectual history of Islam.

The contemporary Christian church is in critical decline, both in membership and finances. All attempts at reversal are failing, primarily because of the consuming socioeconomic-secular dynamic in which society is immersed in its self-destructive course. Consequently, Christian imagery is losing its conceivability and credibility, and past motivations that once encouraged belief have lost their appeal. Without these as points of contact, the demise of the institutional church will be relentless, despite all efforts to halt it. Yet, as at other crisis points in history, the divine promise has been to raise a “faithful remnant” with sufficient promise to outlast whatever the societal demise. After carefully analyzing the ingredients of our societal crisis, the author develops the contours of a “Remnant Church” to be set in place now within the present institutional churches. This necessitates distilling a vital spirituality and discerning the heart of a preservable tradition, sufficient to claim both personal and communal commitment. Thereby prepared for the long haul, the Remnant Church can emerge as a prophetic alternative.

A Systemic Theology sounds like a work that will close debate, shut down questions, and attempt to sit conclusively on a shelf. In this novel undertaking, the author has borrowed that classical form and danced around it with a wonderfully accessible exploration of Creation Spirituality. Kuykendall’s tone is personal and invitingly conversational, and will lead the reader to want to further explore, to read broadly, and of course – true to the Creation Spirituality tradition – get oneself off the bookshelves and into the messy, inspiring, and beautiful gift that is existence. With scholarship and storytelling, the author entices Christians familiar with restrictive theological categories the chance to recognize the authenticity of the Creation Spirituality tradition, and to embrace a spiritual life that is vibrantly here-now and this-worldy. To those new or familiar with the tradition, Kuykendall’s Systematic Theology excels as both a primer and reference companion. - Matthew Henry

For cocktail enthusiasts, herbalists, foragers, and bartenders, Botanical Bar Craft serves up original, spirited recipes and invaluable plant knowledge, inspired by adventures in the garden and forest. In Botanical Bar Craft, innovative herbalist and mixologist Cassandra Sears invites readers to create herbal elixirs and apothecary cocktails infused by a close connection to nature. Whether in the garden, the field, or the forest, Sears finds generous abundance among the plants. Her tonic libations harness the power of phytochemistry and place-based consciousness while easing stress and comforting the body, mind, and spirit. With original recipes that tie together the creative arts of herbal medicine and craft cocktail making, Sears blends herbal tinctures, teas, and botanical infusions into modern-classic cocktails as well as sensational and unique nonalcoholic drinks that hit the spot for relaxation without sedation. More than just a collection of recipes, Botanical Bar Craft is also an herbal handbook for bartenders and a mixology guide for herbalists. Readers will delight in the journey as Sears combines dashes of herbal lore and history with instructions for developing the spirited philosophy of apothecary bartending, lessons on mixology, and a primer on the beneficial actions of medicinal herbs. Inside Botanical Bar Craft, you’ll also find: 65 original recipes for potions, tonics, elixirs, and cocktails, including Kava Cacao Flip, Pregnancy Punch, Victory Garden, Bloody Botanist, Bitters and Soda, Juice of Life, and Euphoria. More than 40 plant profiles that include how those plants grow and suggestions for how to use them behind the bar to draw out their beneficial actions. An accessible explanation of the chemistry and energetics of medicinal herbs. Behind-the-scenes interviews with artisan distillers. Advice and tips for growing a garnish garden. This book will not only appeal to herbalists, herbal enthusiasts, and home cocktail enthusiasts, but also to professional bartenders looking to embrace the use of innovative and highly flavorful natural ingredients in their bar creations. Botanical Bar Craft provides all the answers for those who are curious and wondering how to make a really good drink inspired by and infused with plants. “Unique among cocktail books—it helps readers reconnect their creative selves with the natural environment and healing plants. . . [Sears] equips you with the proper bar techniques to harness the power and fleeting beauty of your surroundings.”—Brian Catapang, bar director and co-owner at Magnus on Water

Spirituality has oft been reduced to just religion, religion further reduced to mere morality, and morality ultimately reduced to sexuality. This book is not about how to be "good," nor even "religious" but about being "mystical" - the only reason for the experiment that is life on planet Earth.

In the Zohar, the jewel in the crown of Jewish mystical literature, the verse "A river flows from Eden to water the garden" (Genesis 2:10) symbolizes the river of divine plenty that unceasingly flows from the depths of divinity into the garden of reality. Hellner-Eshed's book investigates the flow of this river in the world of the Zoharic heroes, Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai and his disciples, as they embark upon their wondrous spiritual adventures. By focusing on the Zohar's language of mystical experience and its unique features, the author is able to provide remarkable scholarly insight into the mystical dimensions of the Zohar, namely the human quest for an enhanced experience of the living presence of the divine and the Zohar's great call to awaken human consciousness.