Treasures of the World’s Religions
This series of anthologies presents scriptures and the writings of the great spiritual authorities of the past on fundamental themes. Some titles are devoted to a single spiritual tradition, while others have a unifying topic that touches upon traditions from both the East and West, such as prayer and virtue. Some titles have a companion volume within The Perennial Philosophy Series.
This book is the only comprehensive introduction to Advaita Vedanta that traces the history of this tradition by means of primary sources. The sources (in translation) are drawn from Sanskrit texts by some of the most important Advaitic thinkers. The editors have filled in the appropriate background materials to make this a book through which readers can understand Advaita Vedanta both in terms of cultural history and philosophy. The book reveals the classical form of this great tradition of thought, showing how it actually functioned in Indian culture, and demonstrates its distinctive philosophical achievements.
“The learned editors deserve congratulations for providing us with a complete picture of the origin and the development of Advaita Vedanta in historical perspective from its inception in the Vedic texts. It is a well conceived and well executed anthology of Vedanta philosophy from the original texts, rich in content, most representative and complete in all respects.”
—Dr. Debabrata Sensharma, Ex-Director, Institute of Sanskrit & Indological Studies Kurukshetra University
The words of spiritual counsel, which form the heart of In the Heart of the Desert, are as clear and timeless as the desert stars on a winter night. Not only do the sayings of the Desert Fathers possess the imprint of eternity, but the fresh and vital commentary by Father John Chryssavgis brings these ancient words into sharp focus; it brings them fully to life and provides a key which unlocks their relevance for the reader of today. This book is a well of wisdom from which anyone who finds himself in the desert of his own soul may drink freely from the water of life.
In the Heart of the Desert also includes a foreword by Benedicta Ward, SLG, editor of the acclaimed collection Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (Cistercian Publications), and a noted expert in this fascinating area of Christian history and ageless wisdom.
“The desert can be a fearful and imposing place without a guide, and Fr. Chryssavgis takes the reader through the rugged yet beautiful terrain of desert spirituality with clarity and empathy. The fathers and mothers of early Christian Egypt come alive in this fine study, with the added benefit of an original translation of the “Reflections” of Abba Zosimus. If I were to recommend a single book to introduce the spiritual riches of the desert–solitude, silence, humility, detachment, tears and the encounter with the living God–this would be the book.”
—Robert Fastiggi, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
—Laurence Freeman OSB, Georgetown University.
Why and how should one pray? Pray Without Ceasing is an attempt at answering this question in the most essential and direct way. The treasury of spiritual texts that have been collected in this volume is focused on the way of the invocation of divine Names, or sacred formulae. Its main objective is to suggest how this universal way, beyond the diversity of its modalities throughout the great religions, is both a quintessence of religious virtues and ritual practices, and a spiritual path that responds to the particular needs and conditions of our time.
The anthology is divided into three parts. The first part includes excerpts from major classics of spirituality that introduce the foundations of the way of the invocation in various traditions. With these texts the reader is provided with an entry into some of the most celebrated sacred sources that have quenched the spiritual thirst of generations of faithful. A second part consists of doctrinal essays by contemporary scholars who have been expositors of the principles of the way of the invocation. It is hoped that this series of texts will help elucidate, in a contemporary conceptual idiom, all that may have remained obscure, elliptical or implicit in foundational classics. In conclusion, the final section of this volume is focused on contemporary testimonies by spiritual and literary figures from various traditions who have taught, advocated or simply illustrated the path of the invocation.
“Pray Without Ceasing is a wonderful introduction to the experience of prayer; it also comprises an initiation into the world of prayer itself. Whether the reader is seeking silent inspiration or pursuing academic aspirations, this book is a powerful reminder that ‘praying is like breathing’ (Gregory Nazianzus) and that ‘the Spirit blows where it wills’ (John 3.8).”
—Father John Chryssavgis, author of In the Heart of the Desert
This profound and insightful book includes selected writings of Christian sages and saints from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical and Celtic branches of the Christian tradition. They are presented from a perspective of ‘the transcendent unity of denominations.
Selections include contributions from great Chrisitian writers including:
St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Maximos the Confessor, St. Anselm, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Thomas Aquinas, Meister Johann Eckhart, Dante Alighieri, St. Gregory Palamas, St. Seraphim of Sarov, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, C. S. Lewis, Lilian Staveley, St. Nikolai Velmimirovich and more.
“Cutsinger has assembled a dazzling chorus of voices to explore the mysteries of Christian gnosis and deification. His selection is daring (where else can one find Boehme, Dante, and C.S. Lewis side-by-side?) and his taste superb. I can’t think of a better collection to place in the hands of anyone seeking to explore the Christian mystical tradition.”
—Philip Zaleski, editor of The Best Spiritual Writing series
The Golden Chain: An Anthology of Pythagorean and Platonic Philosophy is aimed at promoting a new and fresh view of what Hellenic philosophy is and what kind of wisdom it can bring to us. Due to the flagrant misunderstanding and misinterpretations of Hellenic philosophy current in modern times, it is pictured as ‘rationalism’ pure and simple, devoid of any spiritual content. This book shows that the reverse is true: Platonic and Pythagorean philosophy has been for millennia a way of life and a means of spiritual realization. For its true “practitioners,” it establishes a harmony with the cosmos, purifies the soul, leads to union with the Divine Intellect and the One. Such philosophy is close to the Great Mysteries of ancient traditions. By the Platonists and Pythagoreans themselves it is regarded as the “Golden Chain” of succession and transmission of knowledge.
“Golden, indeed, is the chain which goes through all the Platonist writers of antiquity. To have gathered such an impressive number of authors together in this astonishing anthology is one of the best ways to prove the strong continuity and power of philosophy when understood etymologically, that is, as the ‘love of wisdom.’ This anthology can serve not only as a textbook for a philosophy class but also as a wonderful reminder of what the Intellect is all about: remembrance of the Truth, the Good and the Beautiful inscribed in our deepest heart.”
—Jean-Pierre Lafouge, Marquette University
“The Golden Chain and the perennial wisdom it imparts is a much needed and neglected clarion call to character, and service to the community, one in which words like truth, justice, and compassion are not just paid lip-service, but are living, breathing, ensouled, and embodied…I cannot praise…Uždavinys, or The Golden Chain, too highly!”
—M. A. B. Mineo, Dowling College
