What do you find when you reach the top? A mirror. This is the great cosmic game, reveals Alan Watts--that everything you're seeking through meditation, self-improvement, or spiritual practice is always hiding inside of you. On You're It!, join this legendary "stand-up philosopher" for 15 classic talks on how to play your role in the divine drama of existence with a clear mind, open eyes, and an abiding sense of the joy in the game itself.See What Answers Are Hidden in Your Own ReflectionJust as you need a mirror to see your own face, the best way to see your own true nature is to let a teacher like Alan Watts reflect it back to you. Watts stands out as one of the 20th century's most compelling voices because he is so adept at holding up this spiritual looking glass. With his unique combination of penetrating insight and playful irreverence, Watts illuminates the truth that unites all the great wisdom traditions from the East and West--that the universe is always expressing its full, delightful mystery through you.A 12-hour Audio Retreat with the Original Spiritual EntertainerThese restored audio sessions selected by Alan Watts' son and archivist Mark Watts reveal the master in his element, performing a one-man "spiritual jam session" before a live audience. Whether he's unraveling Taoist thought, poking fun at our modern myths, or exploring the subtle beauty of Japanese poetry, Alan Watts always returns to one all-important lesson--how to get out of your own way and live in the perfection that is always present.HIGHLIGHTSThe game of yes and no--how non-dual truths are revealed in the duality of Yin and Yang- Mysticism and morality--exploring the relationship between revelation and ethics- On Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and their translation into Western thought- The beauty of the unenlightened state--why you don't have to be "awakened" to play the great game- Mind over mind--the contradiction at the heart of all spiritual practice- The veil of thoughts--how to stop being bamboozled by your own brain- What is reality? Is the universe a ceramic pot, a clockwork engine, or something far more interesting?- Seventeen hours of philosophy, humor, and stunning insight from legendary spiritual entertainer Alan Watts

    In this comprehensive book, one of Tassajara’s most well-known and beloved cooks, Edward Espe Brown, presents hundreds of recipes using fresh, whole foods; detailed notes on preparing seasonal ingredients; and, perhaps most important, inspiration for cooking with joyful intention and attention. Presented with humor and warmth, this book is full of wonderful insights into living a life that celebrates simple food.

    Following the phenomenal success of his own version of the Tao Te Ching, renowned scholar and translator Stephen Mitchell has composed the innovative The Second Book of the Tao. Drawn from the work of Lao-tzu’s disciple Chuang-tzu and Confucius’s grandson Tzussu, The Second Book of the Tao offers Western readers a path into reality that has nothing to do with Taoism or Buddhism or old or new alone, but everything to do with truth. Mitchell has selected the freshest, clearest teachings from these two great students of the Tao and adapted them into versions that reveal the poetry, depth, and humor of the original texts with a thrilling new power. Alongside each adaptation, Mitchell includes his own commentary, at once explicating and complementing the text. This book is a twenty-first-century form of ancient wisdom, bringing a new, homemade sequel to the Tao Te Ching into the modern world. Mitchell’s renditions are radiantly lucid; they dig out the vision that’s hiding beneath the words; they grab the text by the scruff of the neck—by its heart, really—and let its essential meanings fall out. The book introduces us to a cast of vivid characters, most of them humble artisans or servants, who show us what it means to be in harmony with the way things are. Its wisdom provides a psychological and moral acuity as deep as the Tao Te Ching itself.The Second Book of the Tao is a gift to contemporary readers, granting us access to our own fundamental wisdom. Mitchell’s meditations and risky reimagining of the original texts are brilliant and liberating, not least because they keep catching us off-guard, opening up the heavens where before we saw a roof. He makes the ancient teachings at once modern, relevant, and timeless.Listen to a special podcast with Stephen Mitchell:

    Thought-provoking and inspiring, this selection is aimed at the mind, body and spirit.

    What's the best way to get started? Learn from an experienced teacher.Sharon Salzberg, known for her ability to make meditation accessible while keeping true to tradition, offers Guided Meditations for Love and Wisdom. With more than a dozen beginner-friendly meditations, this program offers a well-rounded practice that will open your heart and mind.Join this cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and meditation teacher of more than 30 years for step-by-step instruction in:Meditation for balance- Meditation for seeing good- Drinking tea meditation- Compassion meditation- Sensation meditation- Meditation for emotions- Walking meditation- Lovingkindness meditationMeditation practice opens us up to the world and allows us to realize fully what we are feeling, with balance and compassion, as we encounter both the joy and suffering in life, teaches Salzberg. Now with Guided Meditations for Love and Wisdom listeners will have the tools to begin--and stick with--the liberating practice of meditation.Course objectives: Gain an understanding of the importance of breath in meditation- Receive direct, first-person experience in the 14 meditative practices- Practice meditation in daily life- Understand ways in which we sometimes prevent ourselves from fully experiencing meditation

    . . A long-lost document is found . . . A mysterious and dangerous journey unfolds . . .New York Times reporter Maggie Seline writes an explosive book that offers a controversial solution to the Middle East crisis. When she uncovers a radical energy scheme that threatens the oil industry, Maggie suddenly vanishes. Her disappearance sets in motion a worldwide women's march toward Jerusalem that rattles the status quo and parallels a frantic race to possess ancient talismans.An upcoming peace conference hides the true motivation of Giovanni Mabus, outgoing president of the European Commission. In league with the clandestine pseudo-Masonic group, Propaganda Due, he devises a plan aimed at furthering political and military chaos in the Middle East. Fascinated by Hitler’s occult obsessions, Mabus is determined to procure an ancient artifact once used by the infamous leader, believing it will be a powerful tool in accomplishing his goal.Meanwhile, Maggie secretly teams up with Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Michael Sonada in a race to thwart the sinister plot -- a race that takes them into the forbidden regions of Nepal to make an earth-shattering discovery.PURE VISION brings together ancient myths and contemporary challenges in a provocative and inspiring thrill ride. At every turn, Perri Birney's intriguing scenario encourages a closer look at the spiritual forces that infuse the world's political battles.

    This is not a mere pleasurable feeling, a fleeting emotion, or a mood, but an optimal state of being. Happiness is also a way of interpreting the world, since while it may be difficult to change the world, it is always possible to change the way we look at it" Matthieu RicardMatthieu RicardMatthieu Ricard was born in Paris in 1946, the son of the late Jean-Francois Revel, a well-know French philosopher and the painter of Yahne le Toumlin. In 1967 he traveled to India for the first time where he met great Tibetan spiritual masters. After completing his doctoral thesis in molecular genetics in 1972, Mattieu decided to forsake his scientific career at the Institut Pasteur and to concentrate on the practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Matthieu is deeply engaged in research on the effect of mind training on the brain. Since 1989 he is the French interpreter for HH the Dalai Lama. Matthieu is also a well-known photographer as well as the author of many books, amongst them, Happiness: A guide to developing life's most important skill (Atlantic Books, 2003). The royalties of his books are entirely donated to humanitarian projects in Asia, via Karuna-Shechen. Matthieu lives in Shechen Monastery in Nepal. www.matthieuricard.orgKaruna-ShechenAll the proceeds are donated to Karuna-Shechen, a charitable not for profit association founded by Matthieu Ricard. Karuna means compassion in Sanskrit and is the same name of an area in Eastern Tibet. In Tibet, Nepal and India, Karuna-Shechen has built and maintains sixteen medical clinics in which 100,000 patients are treated yearly, more than half of them for free. It has builty twelve schools, including one for one thousand six hundred children, three homes for the elderly and ten bridges. Karuna is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and has kept its overhead expenses to less than 2% of ...©2009 Matthieu Ricard; (P)2009 No Mud No Lotus