"My recipe is simple: tell people the necessity of finding something which can carry them through sickness, aging, and death, and don't be afraid to give them a glimpse of your joy of life. Tell people that the mind is like space: open, clear and limitless, and talk about both the way and the goal." In 1969 Ole and Hannah Nydahl became the first Western students of H.H. the Karmapa, the head of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. After years of practice in the Himalayas, he authorized them to teach and start centers in his name. An audience with the Queen of Denmark started their work in the West. A basement in historical Copenhagen became the first Tibetan Buddhist center on the European continent, and a rusted-through VW-bus with race-car qualities got them everywhere. Riding the Tiger is the inside story of the development of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. In his refreshingly unsentimental style, Lama Ole shows all aspects of the work. With breathtaking intensity, he highlights both healthy and unhealthy tendencies in the light of the Buddha's ultimate aim: to bring about the fully developed beings whose every activity blesses the world. Amazon Review: Jason Anderson from Monterey, CA: "Lama Ole Nydahl is a unique figure in modern Buddhist history--first Western student of the Black Hat lama, H.H. the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa, married lama 'without robes,' and spiritual figure personally chosen by the Karmapa to teach and make foundations in his name--and Riding the Tiger is filled to overflowing with his particular energies and gifts. It is a galloping book that takes the reader around the world, inviting him in for a close-up look at the making of a Buddhist center for meditation and study, and Lama Ole has successfully started over one hundred such centers. And a deep look, as well, at the nature of Buddhism in the West, how it has been transplanted, how it has flourished. ... This is a magical book and a magical ride!"

Riding the Tiger: Twenty Years on the Road- Risks and Joys of Bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West

Biographies & Memoirs

Lama Ole Nydahl

Leaders & Notable People

Pelican Pond

The eternal question remains the same in all ages and before all seekers of the truth: “Who am I? and what is the purpose of this life?” Living with the Eternal Truth explains, in simple language, the main principles of Sufism and the techniques of spiritual training as taught and modified by three great Sufi saints of the past century. The Naqshbandiya Sufis are called the Golden Sufis or the silent Sufis because they practice silent meditation. They do not use music or dancing or any definite practice. They are not limited to any country or civilization, but work according to the needs of the people at the time. This path is also known as “Raj Yoga,” in the sense of being kingly or royal, and is considered to be a direct road to Absolute Truth, capable of awakening someone to full perfection in this lifetime. “One comes nearer to God if there is tranquility and serenity inside the heart. Absolute Truth can be realized only in silence. In this system, the universal Soul speaks to the soul of the individual.... One sheds the ego and purifies the heart, while leading an ordinary life in society.” Sufis in this lineage live in this world and enjoy material wealth and possessions without being attached to them. Their “way of being” is all-embracing, and can be accepted and incorporated into any religion. For the Sufi, Love is God—“to realize Love is to realize God”— that is, Love radiates from every part of one’s being—in prayer, as well as in service to humanity. This book examines how we have lost our real identity due to ignorance of our true nature. To gain eternal bliss, mental balance, and tranquility of mind, we first have to find our true selves. These three profound and revered Masters have so preserved the teachings, explanations and wisdom of their predecessors that this book will long be a guide for anyone who truly yearns to become a realized being.

Living With the Eternal Truth: From the Lineage of Golden Sufis

Religion & Spirituality

Nath, Sri Ravindra

Islam

“We celebrate the Earth—for she is our Mother, we are her sons and daughters, and this Earth is our only home.” Father Scott’s pastoral mission is to bring diverse groups of people together as a spiritual community. Over the years he has compiled this most useful handbook for inter-faith worship to honor and celebrate our Earth, while merging a variety of cross-cultural traditions in ecumenical settings. Celebrating the Earth! provides sample ceremonies for spring renewal, a summer mid-day worship, an autumn harvest, and a winter liturgy of forgiveness. There are numerous blessings, prayers, and rituals for special occasions—for example, the blessing of animals on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and the Ecological Stations of the Cross (in English and Spanish)—together with a collection of services and readings which focus on “giving thanks” and reminding us that “We are All One.” The extensive Appendices include spiritual guidance and statements by indigenous leaders on the proper relationship to “all that lives,” as well as suggested Resources for pastors and leaders who can use these various ceremonies in their own communities as a way of bringing people together to pray—and to be grateful, joyful, and mindful—all through the year.

Celebrating the Earth!: An Earth-Centered Theology of Worship with Blessings, Prayers, and Rituals

McCarthy, Scott

Christian Books & Bibles

A unique guidebook for those seeking further information and interpretation of the Dolphin Divination Cards, each reading (102 in all) is designed with a short preface for quick, easy reference, followed by a longer teaching and explanation of the card. Many of the people using the Cards as a daily oracle and "mind mirror" have requested a guidebook to help deepen their understanding of the cards. Woven through the lines of the readings is friendly counsel, a universal spiritual understanding, and an environmental message to all creatures that echoes the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and the indigenous, native peoples of the Earth. Adding the love, playfulness, and genuine inspiration of the Dolphins themselves, we end up with a collaboration that creates a new way of viewing our lives. "We use the Dolphin cards every day at the barn and the Dolphin Sanctuary. We find they help attune us to a deeper level of sensitivity and intuition, which is paramount when working with animals...and other humans." Sharman Haverly, horse trainer and spiritual healer of dolphins, horses, and other animals

A Guide to the Dolphin Divination Cards: One hundred and two oracle readings inspired by the Dolphins

Clemens, Nancy E

New Age & Spirituality

THIS BOOK PRESENTS THE LIFE AND WORK OF LILIAN SILBURN (1908- 1993), one of the greatest French Indianists, and a specialist in Kashmir Shaivism, Tantrism and Buddhism. 
A philosopher by training, and director of research at the CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research), Lilian Silburn turned to Oriental philosophies very early on. 
She was one of the first to make known in the West the writings of the Kashmiri mystical philosophers. 
She was also a disciple of a great Indian Sufi master, Radha Mohan Lal Adhauliya–"Bhai Sahib"– with whom she will make many and long stays until his death in 1966. 
Composed of a large number of personal writings never published to date, this book presents us with the testimony of an exceptional spiritual and philosophical experience. 
It also evokes the atmosphere of the life she led near Paris in Le Vésinet after the death of her master ... a simple, active life, devoted to her Work. 
Surrounded by friends attracted by her personality and her spiritual "efficiency," Lilian Silburn endeavored to help others discover, within the silence and the most varied forms of ordinary life, the "non-way" which had been revealed to her by her master. 
Illustrated with photographs, Lilian Silburn: A Mystical Life contains various testimonies which give a fuller view of this extraordinary personality– both a great scholar and a great mystic.\nEndorsements and Praise 
for Lilian Silburn: A Mystical Life 
The reader has in their hands an exceptional spiritual document describing the mystical experience of a contemporary woman, Lilian Silburn, who, having met and merged with a master in India, then returned to Europe to share the experience of "transmission" from heart to heart. 
– Exceptional because it is a direct testimony: extracts from Lilian Silburn's diary, and correspondence between her and her guru, which sheds light on their deep relationship, and many photographs. 
– Exceptional because this book tells us about the experience of deep silence, an ineffable experience, beyond words, but loaded with meaning. 
–– L.M.\nIn contrast to the ocean of "spiritual" literature that surrounds us, we finally have the biography of an exceptional contemporary mystic: Lilian Silburn. It is written by a close friend, Jacqueline Chambron, who relied on Lilian's personal archives and the testimonies of those close to her. 
Jacqueline Chambron tells us how this intrepid woman traveled alone to India after WWII to seek a Master capable of fulfilling her demanding spiritual quest. Through the Sanskrit texts that she had read as an Indianist philosopher, she knew that it was possible for some masters to transmit grace directly from heart to heart, without resorting to any technique. 
This unlikely meeting of two destinies took place in Kanpur, India. The Master was neither Hindu nor Muslim ... this universal path not caring about religions. He immersed Lilian Silburn in the pure mystical experience, without asceticism or technique, as she had wished. 
This rare book will fascinate seekers of the absolute. –– M.T.\nIn the vast heritage of different spiritual paths, there is an essential aspect that is rarely discussed, that of "transmission." The present work bears witness in an extremely vivid way to this very special experience lived by Lilian Silburn (1908-1993) with her Indian Sufi master and transmitted in turn continuously in France. 
Beyond a simple testimony, this work evokes the efficiency of Grace transmitted silently from master to master within the uninterrupted lineage of her Guru. The transmission, free from any form – teachings, rituals, practices – is carried out directly from the master who fills one with Grace to melt the heart and make it suitable "to seize divine impulses on the fly." –– C.D.

Lilian Silburn, a Mystical Life: Letters, Documents, Testimonials: A Biography

Chambron, Jacqueline

Professionals & Academics

The Great Seal Limitless Space &amp; Joy The Mahamudra View of Diamond Way Buddhism Lama Ole Nydahl’s refreshing and modern commentary to this classic Buddhist text about the nature of mind makes these teachings accessible to many people. THE GREAT SEAL describes our basis for development, the path, and the goal of Diamond Way Buddhism and offers insight into both the conditioned world and absolute reality. THE GREAT SEAL, or Mahamudra view, is compared to painting on water. Everything fits perfectly in the moment, yet while it appears it is also dissolving. Enlightened actions work in the same way: here and now, beyond expectations or fears, without holding on or pushing away.

The Great Seal: Limitless Space & Joy: The Mahamudra View of Diamond Way Buddhism

Politics & Social Sciences

Nydahl, Lama Ole

Dorje, 3rd Karmapa Rangjung

Philosophy

“It is rare to discover a work of such exquisite imagery, both in its poems and its photographs. Nothing escapes this poet’s eye: Day is a perfumed meadow with ‘violet starbursts,’ early light as ‘morning prayer,’ even the ‘speak of crickets and worm songs.’ Night reveals ‘stars in the basket of sky’ and the moon transformed into a ‘ewe’s horn.’ One can only dream of becoming lost in Dr. Aronoff’s lush landscape of meditation, healing, and, ultimately, grace.” Andrea L. Watson, Braided Lives: A Collaboration Between Artists & Poets “The real blessing is Aronoff’s synthesis of exquisite photographs with the simple yet meaningful imagery of nature, rain, sky, vegetation, ocean—all the same subjects that make Merwin’s poetry so profound. But I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone who sees certainty in a tide pool, an empty bowl as an open door. Prepare to discover new worlds! This is her best volume yet—stunning!” Scott Wiggerman, author of Vegetables and other Relationships and editor of the Texas Poetry Calendar “Carol Aronoff views the world through a gentle poetic lens that includes all people, all cultures, all beliefs. In her newest book, Blessings from an Unseen World, we find her lens has become literal, visual, photographic. Her photography reminds us that landscape is an integral part of language. We are given entrance to a world of detail: two rocks side-by-side, a dilapidated building folded into itself, a trail of exquisite doors. Aronoff moves from one medium to the other with ease, ‘unveiling what once was hidden,’ allowing her readers to follow both her seen and unseen worlds.” Colette Jonopulos, editor, Tiger’s Eye Press/Altered Crow Press “Blessings from an Unseen World is a memorable conversation between Aronoff’s photographs and poems. In imagery that reaches beyond physical sight, she celebrates the healing powers of the natural world.” Laurie Kutchins, author of The Night Path and Slope of the Child Everlasting

Blessings from an Unseen World: Poems and Photographs

Arts & Photography

Aronoff, Carol Alena

Photography & Video

“Smelling the roses” is exactly how Elly Vasak has lived her life. She thoroughly enjoys, and expresses through her poems, the beauties of nature and the experience of “simply being human” each day. Descending from a family of weavers from Wales, Elly has followed the Welsh tradition of writing poems about every conceivable topic throughout her life: by noticing the little things people do and say, the wise or funny tidbits of conversation, the “twists and turns” in daily life that we all experience, and by responding to timely topics in the news, holidays or season. Here, in her third collection of poetry, Smell the Roses, Elly has woven a tapestry of delightful poems written between 2000 to 2013. Often, she says, one thought would be the spark or key to a new insight, and maybe a new poem. As a friend commented, “Select any subject matter and within an hour Elly Vasak can create a beautiful poem! Such creative imagination...!” As a member of “the greatest generation,” Elly wrote these poems for a particular group of readers—retired people, couples and singles—(who might catch a few extra innuendos and) who perhaps have a little bit of extra time to enjoy these soulful, touching, romantic, and sometimes witty poems.

Smell the Roses: Poems of Eleanor (Elly) Vasak

Literature & Fiction

Vasak, Eleanor (Elly)

Poetry

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