Originally published in 1975, 'Life After Life' is a qualitative study where Dr. Raymond Moody interviewed 150 people who had undergone near-death experiences (NDEs). The book details common elements in NDEs, such as an overwhelming feeling of peace, being located outside one's physical body, floating through darkness or a tunnel, encountering a 'being of light,' and experiencing a rapid succession of visual images of one's past. Moody's work neither rejects these experiences on scientific grounds nor sensationalizes them, offering a balanced and insightful look into the phenomenon of NDEs. The book has sold over 13 million copies and has been translated into a dozen foreign languages, making it an international bestseller and a seminal work in the field of NDE studies.
This biography by Jon Meacham chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his tragic assassination in 1865. It delves into Lincoln's self-education, his loves, his bouts of depression, his political failures, and his deepening faith. The book highlights Lincoln's persistent conviction that slavery must end and his role in preserving democracy and the Union. Meacham's work interweaves gripping narrative history with a deeper exploration of the complex interplay among morality, politics, and power, drawing parallels between Lincoln's era and contemporary American society[2][3][4].
This book is a collection of lectures delivered by William James at the University of Edinburgh between 1901 and 1902. It focuses on the personal and subjective aspects of religious experiences, rather than on theology or organized religion. James examines various types of religious experiences, including healthy-mindedness, the sick soul, conversion, mysticism, and saintliness. He emphasizes the importance of feeling and personal experience in religion, arguing that these experiences are the primary source of religious beliefs and practices. The book also discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of these experiences, highlighting their complexity and life-altering nature[2][3][4].
This book explores the significant impact of Islamic architecture on European landmarks, tracing influences from the Middle East through Muslim Spain and into Europe. It highlights the cultural exchange and borrowing that shaped some of Europe’s most iconic buildings.
This book delves into the psychological afflictions that plague the heart, such as miserliness, envy, hatred, and arrogance, offering practical solutions for healing these ailments through Islamic teachings. It provides a pathway to emotional well-being and personal growth by addressing the root causes of spiritual diseases.
Agenda to Change Our Condition provides clear guidance for Muslims seeking to improve their spiritual state. It emphasizes taqwa (God-consciousness) and ikhlas (sincerity), offering practical steps and exercises to achieve spiritual growth. The book covers topics such as the heart's treatment, civic involvement, and achieving taqwa through various practices.
This book is part of Al-Ghazali's comprehensive work 'Ihya Ulum Al-Din', focusing on the spiritual dimensions of the heart. It uses traditional teaching stories to illustrate key Islamic tenets and the inner life of the soul. The work is considered foundational in Sufi spirituality, emphasizing the heart as the seat of the soul and its potential for spiritual growth.
In 'Unlocking the Zen Koan', Thomas Cleary provides a brilliant new translation of the Wumenguan, the most popular Chinese Zen koans. The book includes Cleary's interpretations and commentaries from other great Chinese Zen masters, offering a deep exploration of the principles and practices of Zen. It guides readers through five steps to understand koans, from abrupt perception to more intellectual readings.
In 'Mizan al-Amal', Imam Ghazali provides a framework for evaluating human actions, emphasizing the importance of both outer and inner actions in the spiritual journey. The book serves as a guide for individuals striving to do right and avoid wrong, fostering a deeper understanding of ethics and morality in Islam.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of Jewish theology, examining its historical development and systematic principles. Kaufmann Kohler's work is significant in understanding the evolution of Jewish thought.
This episode was recorded on December 28th, 2021.
In this episode, Hamza Yusuf and I discuss the core beliefs of Islam, Hamza’s conversion, the importance of bridging religions, and the problem with our culture now.
Hamza Yusuf is an American neo-traditionalist Islamic scholar, co-founder of Zaytuna College, and the author of seven books, including Purification of Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart, Agenda to Change our Condition, and The Marvels of the Heart: Science of the Spirit.
—Links—
Follow Hamza on Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaykh_hamzayusuf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sh_hamzayusuf
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/user/SandalaMediaCenter
Every other Hamza link: https://linktr.ee/HamzaYusuf
—Chapters—
0:00 — Intro
1:01 — Religious upbringing
5:09 — Community & freethinking
7:03 — The glue that holds things together
9:59 — The problem with our culture
10:01 — Arabic word for disbeliever
13:00 — Gratitude despite suffering
17:02 — Jacques Lusseyran
20:53 — Repentance I
30:11 — Cleanliness, prayer, discernment
32:48 — Repentance II
33:55 — Hamza's conversion & near-death experience
40:24 — Preparing to die
45:38 — What drew Hamza to Islam
48:30 — Obedience to God—practically & conceptually
50:29 — Islam vs. collectivist philosophies
53:20 — Differentiating religious beliefs
54:48 — Aurel Kolnai
57:23 — The idea of evil
1:00:49 — Religiosity, atheism, values
1:07:04 — Creation, evolution, consciousness
1:09:26 — Islam in practice
1:16:44 — Importance of bridging religions
1:18:57 — Summary of Islam’s core beliefs
1:22:20 — Commonalities among religions
#Islam #Atheism #Values #Gratitude #Religion
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