During the Middle Ages decorative floor tiles were used in abbey churches royal palaces parish churches & the homes of wealthy citizens. Tiles were durable & hygienic & added a new decorative element to the interior. Despite their simple tools & kiln equipment the medieval tile makers proved extremely skilful in the production of different types of tile. They ranged from variously shaped plain tiles which were assembled into complex mosaic floors to two-coloured inlaid tiles & stamped-relief & line-impressed tiles all decorated with a wealth of different patterns & designs. Many medieval tiles disappeared during nineteenth-century restorations but the designs lived on in the copies made by Victorian tile manufacturers. Throughout Britain tiles can still be seen in situ on the sites of former abbeys as well as in medieval cathedrals & parish churches & the British Museum has an extensive & important collection. ...

Highly Commended in the Best Archaeological Book category of the 2008 British Archaeological Awards. Wall paintings are a unique art form complementing & yet distinctly separate from other religious imagery in churches. Unlike carvings or stained glass windows their support was the structure itself with the artists canvas the very stone & plaster of the church. They were also monumental often larger than life-size images for public audiences. Notwithstanding their dissimilarity from other religious art wall paintings were also an integral part of church interiors enhancing devotional imagery & inspiring faith & commitment in their own right & providing an artistic setting for the churchs sacred rituals & public ceremonies. This book brings together often for the first time many of the very best surviving examples of medieval church wall paintings. Using new technologies & many previously untried techniques it allows us to visualize these images as the artists originally intended. The plates are accompanied by an authoritative & scholarly text bringing the imagery & iconography of the medieval church vividly to life. ROGER ROSEWELL was educated at St Edmund Hall Oxford University. A former journalist he is a Director of a private European art foundation & the news editor of the online stained glass magazine VIDIMUS. ...

Apart from being a path for self-awareness Meditation is becoming an essential tool for controlling your reactions changing your perceptions bringing calmness & peace into your life & giving you greater clarity & insight into human relationships. Meditation also has several health benefits that have been researched & documented by the scientific community. In today's age of the troubled individual broken relationships & confusion about the direction of life Meditation has emerged as a powerful force in regaining self-control & inner stability. A teacher of Meditation the author explains this ancient science in a lucid practical & extremely simple manner. ...

Take an inward journey for a happier healthier more productive life Meditation is a great way to reduce stress increase energy & enjoy better health. It is believed to result in a state of greater calmness & physical relaxation & psychological balance. Plus practicing meditation can change how you relate to the flow of emotions & thoughts in your everyday life. This fun & easy guide has long been a favorite with meditation newcomers.. .and now it's even better. Meditation For Dummies offers a newly recorded CD featuring more than 70 minutes of music & guided meditations that are keyed to topics in the book from tuning in to your body transforming suffering & replacing negative patterns to grounding yourself consulting the guru within & finding a peaceful place. The book also discusses the latest research on the health benefits of meditation along with new advice on how to get the most out of meditation in today's fast-paced world.

Includes:: new information on the recent research on the causes of happiness & how meditation can improve mood Features a set of suggested meditations for becoming happier Examines new research on brain changes in people practicing meditation New revised & refreshed content throughout including insight into the best meditation apps electronic content & websites Praised by Deepak Chopra as a useful guidebook filled with clear instructions & helpful hints " this hands-on friendly guide gives you everything you need to begin experiencing the many benefits of meditation. CD-ROM/DVD & other supplementary materials are not included as part of the e-book file but are available for download after purchase."

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Throughout history some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves & each other. They have inspired debate dissent war & revolution. They have enlightened outraged provoked & comforted. They have enriched lives & destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers pioneers radicals & visionaries whose ideas shook civilization & helped make us who we are. ...

When you choose the action love sponsors then will you do more than survive then will you do more than win then will you do more than succeed. Then will you experience the fully glory of Who You Really Are & who you can be. Judge not & neither condemn for you know not why a thing occurs nor to what end. These are just some of the messages contained in Conversations With God" which its many readers will welcome in the form of these daily meditations. A phenomenon in the United States having spent over 40 weeks in the best-seller lists the books success is now being repeated around the world." ...

This book presents the spiritual wisdom of the Stoic Emperor of Ancient Rome. Perennial maxims point the way for achieving perfect peace of mind. They have inspired the best of humanity for almost two millennia. This book is translated by George Long the celebrated English classical scholar. ...

Many other matters respecting the attributes of God & my own nature or mind remain for consideration; but I shall possibly on another occasion resume the investigation of these. Now (after first noting what must be done or avoided in order to arrive at a knowledge of the truth) my principal task is to endeavour to emerge from the state of doubt into which I have these last days fallen & to see whether nothing certain can be known regarding material things. ...

Millions of people have been enthralled & had their lives changed by James Van Praagh's amazing psychic ability to communicate with the spirits of those who have died. This book combines his own inspiring experiences with meditations to help us reflect on our own journey through life. James Van Praagh shows that by opening to the world of the inner self which is available to anyone who will take the time to become aware it is possible to bring a new consciousness into every aspect of your life & live a more fulfilled existence. Full of practical advice on meditation & relaxation techniques James Van Praagh also shows how to clear out the negative & access the energy around you. ' (Van Praagh) has changed people's lives' Newsweek. ...

This is a culinary tour of sun-drenched shores with over 350 evocative dishes from southern Europe. It offers evocative dishes from Spain Greece Italy France Portugal North Africa & the Middle East
- a culinary tour of fields of herbs olive groves white-washed mountain villages & bountiful seas. A rich variety of grains beans & breads are covered from authentic risottos to delicious olive breads plus mouth-watering desserts & pastries. Recipes include classic dishes such as bouillabaisse moussaka & risotto alla Milanese as well as more exotic dishes such as brandade de morue Greek Easter bread & spiced duck with pears. Every recipe is photographed step by step & is accompanied by a picture of the finished dish making this stunning collection accessible as well as inspirational. From Spain to the Middle East & beyond the islands of Greece the countries of the Mediterranean have each developed distinctive uses for the sun-drenched fruits vegetables herbs fish & shellfish that are so wonderfully abundant in this region. One of the delights of Mediterranean food is its diversity. Each country has its own best-loved ingredients & cooking techniques & each cuisine has its own unique character but one thing is common to all
- the superb quality of the raw ingredients used. Whether you choose a simple salad or a fabulous fish stew this rich collection will bring you the true taste of the Mediterranean.

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