Internationally acclaimed neurosurgeon Dr Eben Alexander always considered himself a man of science. His unwavering belief in evidence-based medicine fuelled a career in the top medical institutions of the world. But all this was set to change. One morning in 2008 he fell into a coma after suffering a rare form of bacterial meningitis. Scans of his brain revealed massive damage. Death was deemed the most likely outcome. As his family prepared themselves for the worst, something miraculous happened. Dr Alexander's brain went from near total inactivity to awakening. He made a full recovery but he was never the same. He woke certain of the infinite reach of the soul, he was certain of a life beyond death. In this astonishing book, Dr Alexander shares his experience, pieced together from the notes he made as soon as he was able to write again. Unlike other accounts of near-death experiences, he is able to explain in depth why his brain was incapable of fabricating the journey he experienced. His story is one of profound beauty and inspiration.
The North-East of England is rich in history, beautiful scenery and welcoming people. Celebrated for its Christian heritage, its saints are as diverse as the varied scenery in which we discover their history. This book is for pilgrims - both physical and metaphorical - who want the wisdom of the past to shape their present. In each chapter we discover the stories of the saints, both well known and unfamiliar, as we journey to the places they made famous.
The Signs and Symbols Sourcebook is an A to Z treasure trove of facts, stories, and hidden meaning of symbols from cultures around the world. Where does each symbol come from and what does it mean? Learn about Native American hunting symbols, secret alphabets, and coded messages. Find out the true meaning of Indian mudras, the Masonic compass, the Eye of Horus, the caduceus, and hundreds of ancient signs. Loaded with over a thousand lush images, this comprehensive sourcebook has everything you need to unlock the secrets of the symbols of our world.
Freemasonry is the worlds oldest and largest fraternity and it remains shrouded in mystery. This Revered Wisdom volume offers an abridged edition of Albert G. Mackeys classic work The Symbolism of Freemasonry. In it, Mackey, a Mason himself, explains the fascinating philosophy and science behind the legends and symbols of this secretive sect.
Who is Lucifer? The orthodox Christian view tells us that he challenged God, fell from Heaven, tempted Eve and created death and suffering. Then he became Satan, horned king of Hell. Yet as Lynn Picknett explains, Devil was only a new incarnation of the old woodland deity Pan, while Lucifer was a personification of the Morning Star, the planet Venus and its goddess. 'He' was therefore originally 'she', and a divine representation of love, beauty and human warmth. Indeed, many ancient goddesses were known as Lucifera, or 'Light-bringer' an honour extended to Mary Magdalene in her true role as goddess-worshipping priestess and Christ's successor. While thousands follow Lucifer in order to achieve earthly wealth and power, Picknett explains that such misguided behaviour is far from true Luciferan principles - the audacious pushing ever outwards of the limits of human knowledge, startlingly exemplified by the little-known heresies of Leonardo da Vinci. Ironically, controversial modern scientists, who see no proof of a God, much less of a Devil, may possess the key to the existence of the old archetypal adversaries. Urging a radical shift in both religious and scientific paradigms, Picknett draws together ancient heretical Christian and Egyptological texts, and the implications of abnormal psychology and the 'extreme possibilities' of certain barely-understood human attributes, to pose the extraordinary question: 'Have we humans actually created God and Lucifer, not merely as icons or metaphors, but in a terrifying way, literally.
Michelle Brown tells the rich and often dramatic story of how Christianity came to the British Isles. The author explores what Britain and Ireland were like in prehistoric times and the impact of the Roman world, before moving on to the crucial Anglo Saxon period from 600 to 1000.
The greatest story ever told? Find out for yourself as Murray Watts retells the key stories of the Bible. Everything is here, from greed, deception and hate, to love, miracles and redemption. Above all, the Bible is a love story: the moving tale of God's love for the world in all its wonder and brokenness. Murray Watts combines his knowledge and love of the Bible with skilful storytelling to introduce readers to the drama and mystery of this great book. His evocative and engaging retellings unfold the sweep of Bible history in words and phrases everyone can understand and enjoy. As well as gripping accounts of all the great stories, there are accessible paraphrases of a number of popular psalms and Old Testament words of wisdom and prophecy.