Spirit Taking Form

Anyone can make art. Finding one's spiritual center can come of making art. Making art can come of finding one's spiritual center. Nancy Azara has been teaching the making of art, art-making as a spiritual practice, and other spiritual practices for thirty-five years. She has developed a system that combines her lifelong spiritual practice with techniques designed to help anyone get and stay in touch with their own inner artistic souls. Spirit Taking Form is a practical book. It offers lists of materials to work with and exercises and meditation techniques to help everyone bring out their inner voice. It includes specific meditations for healing the inner critic, cultivating imagination, and finding one's artistic heart. Its meditations and exercises can be done many times, and each time they can bring the reader new and richer experiences and deeper insights. Throughout the book Azara shares her own story and the inspirations that have made her a successful artist. Using an old Sicilian folk tale taught to her by her grandfather, she has always sought to look at life with one eye open out to the world and the other closed, or turned inward. It is this skill more than any other that she seeks to engender in the reader through exercises such as "The Visual Diary." Learning and teaching about art from a place of spirit calls us to a challenge, a challenge to look at something very familiar, yet distant and remote. Spirit Taking Form offers insight into artistic expression and how it can be applied to life as a catalyst for growth, change, and expression.

In "Islam, Spirit, and Form" by Shaykh Osman Nuri Topbas, a profound exploration unfolds, delving into the essence of Islam beyond mere ritualistic practice. In an era where the mechanical repetition of religious customs often overshadows the true spirit of Islam, this book serves as a beacon, aiming to reignite the spiritual radiance inherent in Islamic worship. With a unique blend of historical narratives, tales of prophets and their companions, and the lives of exemplary Sufis, Shaykh Osman Nuri Topbas weaves a tapestry that seeks to illuminate the profound connection between the spiritual essence of Islamic practice and its ritual form. Drawing inspiration from the poetry of Rumi, Yunus Emre, and other Sufi luminaries, the author endeavors to infuse passion into the spiritual journey. The book meticulously dissects the Five Pillars of Islam, offering insights into faith, belief in angels, books of Allah, prophets, the Hereafter, and destiny. The author provides an eloquent exploration of prayer (Salat/Namaz), unraveling its prerequisites, its significance in congregation, and its role as a unique refuge in the journey toward spiritual fulfillment. The chapters on Zakat and Infaq (Poor-Due and Spending for Others) not only elucidate the economic philosophy integral to Islam but also exude a captivating beauty in their exploration of the etiquette of spending and the requirements of Zakat. As the narrative unfolds to the pilgrimage to Mecca and the holy month of Ramadan, Shaykh Osman Nuri Topbas provides rich insights into the construction of the Ka'aba, the significance of the Lesser Pilgrimage (Umrah), and the profound spiritual journey of fasting during Ramadan. "Islam, Spirit, and Form" is not just a book; it is a guide that invites readers to rediscover the profound spiritual dimensions of Islamic practice. Shaykh Osman Nuri Topbas navigates the intersection of faith and ritual, providing a compelling roadmap for those seeking to imbue their religious journey with genuine spiritual essence.

Louis Bouyer examines the underlying principles and teachings of the 16th century Protestant reformers. These topics include Scripture alone as source of Christian belief, justification by faith alone, God's free gift of unmerited salvation, the sovereignty of God, and the Christian responsibility toward good works. He also presents certain problematic areas of Protestant thought, such as the denial of the efficacy of the sacraments, a conflict between various interpretations of Scripture and the Tradition of the Church, and the rejection of Church authority. He then shows how these same principles gradually weakened the various forms of Protestantism, while, at the same time, provided impetus for later reforms and renewals. Written in 1956, The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism by Louis Bouyer still challenges both Catholics and Protestants to better understand the issues that both separate and unite them. Topics include the Protestant teachings of: The Free Gift of Unmerited SalvationThe Sovereignty of GodJustification by Faith AloneThe Authority of Scripture Alone as a Source of Christian DoctrineThe Responsibility of Christians Believers Toward Good Works

When walking on a moonless night past a cemetery, who among us hasn't felt a bit of a chill when a twig snaps nearby or a night bird takes flight? Just about everyone has either encountered a ghost or heard an anecdote about a haunting. But why do ghosts haunt in the first place? Is there a reason they do not simply leave? Author Tick Gaudreau provides the answers you need to these common questions. Spirit Rescue presents his intriguing experiences with different types of haunting spirits. Utilizing specialized techniques, he has worked with spirits in a safe, respectful, and loving manner. Gaudreau shares these methods with you to help you identify different types of spiritual beings. Gaudreau also presents the fascinating true stories behind many of his spiritual encounters, including tales of his Spirit Rescues-a way to help earthbound spirits leave this plane and continue their journey. Both informative and entertaining, Spirit Rescue offers an exhilarating look at the spiritual world from the perspective of one who knows it best.

In this book from prolific occult author Deran Gray, he explains how to safely and effectively communicate with the spirits. Many spiritualist movements have declared the importance of effective spiritual communication in the past but never before has a cut and dry manual been put together in this way. This guide is an easy to use primer that everyone from mere beginners to seasoned professionals will find easily accessible when dabbling with spirit communication for the first time.

An ethnography of the spirit children phenomenon in northern Ghana, placing infanticide in both a deeply nuanced local context and a global public health framework.