Spiritual Freedom

Winner of the René Wellek Prize Named a Best Book of the Year by The Guardian, The Millions, and The Sydney Morning Herald This Life offers a profoundly inspiring basis for transforming our lives, demonstrating that our commitment to freedom and democracy should lead us beyond both religion and capitalism. Philosopher Martin Hägglund argues that we need to cultivate not a religious faith in eternity but a secular faith devoted to our finite life together. He shows that all spiritual questions of freedom are inseparable from economic and material conditions: what matters is how we treat one another in this life and what we do with our time. Engaging with great philosophers from Aristotle to Hegel and Marx, literary writers from Dante to Proust and Knausgaard, political economists from Mill to Keynes and Hayek, and religious thinkers from Augustine to Kierkegaard and Martin Luther King, Jr., Hägglund points the way to an emancipated life.

Foreword by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, O.P. "Be men and women of freedom! But remember: Human freedom is a freedom wounded by sin. It is a freedom which itself needs to be set free. Christ is its liberator." —John Paul II, from the Introduction No matter where you are on your journey of faith, God wants you to be freer. "There is always more freedom, more grace, more forgiveness, more mercy, more God," Father Dave Pivonka says. But can you be freer than you already are? Maybe you're in a position to do whatever you want, whenever you want, the common definition of freedom. Maybe you've tried to free yourself from bad habits, had no luck and decided to accept the status quo. Maybe you want greater freedom but can't quite get there. Maybe you feel like God has given up on you and freedom is the least of your concerns. Spiritual Freedom not only defines the true nature of freedom, it also gives you the practical tools you need to achieve the conversion, healing and restoration that God has for you. Through Scripture, teaching, stories, humor and questions for reflection, Father Pivonka will inspire you to embrace the truth of who you really are, a son or daughter of a God who made you in freedom, for freedom.

You can make your heaven here and now. The more you understand this, the greater your spiritual freedom. Imagine you're locked in a tiny, dark room. Feeling sad and alone, you lie down on the floor. Then you have a dream. In the dream you're visiting with a friendly stranger. His face is pleasant, familiar. He explains you've made this room of problems for yourself. You shut and locked the door when you started pushing against these problems. However, he says you can get to the spiritual root of your problems. The door can be unlocked and opened from the inside--if you know the secret. When you awaken, you see he is right. You unlock the door, pull it toward you, and step out. You feel the warmth of the sun, see the deep blue sky, and hear wonderful sounds. This is spiritual freedom! And that is what this book offers. In What Is Spiritual Freedom? Sri Harold Klemp, also the dream teacher, uses stories, special techniques, and unique insights to help you find true spiritual freedom.

Hägglund argues that a faith not in God or eternal life, but in the finite, temporal life we lead here on earth is one that gives that life far greater depth of meaning. In contrast to the traditional religious faith in eternity, he proposes a secular faith in the value of living in time. His book provides not only a critique of religious ideals, but also a positive, alternative understanding of the beliefs and values that can motivate us to live lives of meaning in the here and now. -- adapted from jacket

This book attempts to explain in detail the notion of non-attachment which is claimed to be of central importance to the understanding of spiritual philosophy of the Hindus as expounded in the Upanishads. The author maintains that the philosophy of truly creative consciousness. This book will prove of equal interest to the students of philosophy and religion, as well as to all those who are seriously interested in Indian spiritualism.

Stop hitting the spiritual snooze button. Would you describe your walk with God as fresh and exciting? Would you describe your spiritual life as vibrant and passionate? If not, would you like these attributes to be the norm in your everyday relationship with God? Are you ready to experience an awakening? Awakening helps you stir up your slumbering soul. You’ll discover how to break out of your season of dryness or get off to a great start either in the New Year or the next season in life. Take your faith-walk from a “going through the motions” or “have to” mindset to the stimulating, fresh “want to” experience of enjoying God’s presence—24/7. Weems encourages you to surrender fully, to discover the right kind of fuel for the journey, and to learn a new way to pray and fast. This lifestyle is not based on rules or religion, but on a deep, satisfying, motivating relationship with God. Included in Awakening is a 21-Day Plan that will guide you through the principles that ensure a lasting, fresh relationship with God—even in a world where everything quickly becomes stale. “It’s time to wake up and put an end to spiritual sluggishness! I promise this year will be the best of your life if it is your best year spiritually.” – Stovall Weems