Showing results by author "Jacob Needleman" in All Categories

In this new translation of the Gospel of Thomas, Leloup shows that the Jesus recorded by the "infinitely skeptical and infinitely believing" Thomas has much in common with gnostics of non-dualistic schools. Like them, Jesus preaches the coming of a new man, the genesis of the man of knowledge. In this gospel, Jesus describes a journey from limited to unlimited consciousness. The Jesus of Thomas invites us to drink deeply from the well of knowledge within, not so that we may become good Christians but so we may attain the self-knowledge that will make each of us, too, a Christ.

The late antique world possessed no voice like that of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE). His private meditations on what constitutes a good life have withstood the centuries and reach us today with the same penetrating clarity and shining light as the words of Shakespeare, Emerson, or Thoreau.

Embark on a worldwide journey with renowned scholar of comparative religion, Jacob Needleman, as he gathers together ancient texts and writings of the modern practitioners of essential Christianity. Needleman demonstrates that a more effective, contemplative tradition existed in the early church and continues today in the lives of extraordinary people whose stories he retells in the course of his own personal explorations into the realms of the spirit.

The oldest human quest serves as the central focus for this wonderful exploration into how truth is revealed. Learning to listen to the inner voice, living in relationship, suffering and liberation, finding providential help along the way and much more are covered by Needleman as he speaks to the depth and breadth of the spiritual search. He emphasizes the power of the oral tradition and the need to be open and receptive to truth when it appears.

Western science has operated for centuries on the assumption that we can understand the universe without understanding ourselves. We are just now seeking to make the necessary connection between the general laws of nature and those of our own (inner) nature. But the job won't be done with "massive injections of the new consciousness"; we cannot democratize the sacred by cheapening its demands.

What is it about the structure of the American constitution, the structure of the government, and the soul of the people that provides a safe haven for this kind of dynamic evolutionary process? Who were the founders of America, and how did they acquire the vision to establish such a nation? In this richly profound dialogue, Jacob Needleman explores these questions and the sacred meaning of America.

Jacob Needleman takes us on a journey back to the beginning of America. His portraits of Washington, Jefferson and other famous historical figures ignites our imagination, and instills in us a deep reverence and appreciation for the unwavering vision that was necessary to establish our government. In his re-telling of the American story, Needleman brings to light the nation's deep hunger for meaning.