Ira Rifkin

Who Were the Most Innovative Spiritual Leaders of the Past Century? Fascinating profiles of the most important spiritual leaders of the past one hundred years. An invaluable reference of twentieth-century religion and an inspiring resource for spiritual challenge today. Black Elk, H. H. the Dalai Lama, Mary Baker Eddy, Abraham Joshua Heschel, J. Krishnamurti, C. S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Elijah Muhammad, Meher Baba, Joseph Campbell, Simone Weil, Pope John XXIII, Shunryu Suzuki, Aimee Semple McPherson, Billy Graham, Dorothy Day, Thich Nhat Hanh, Martin Luther King, Jr. … these are just some of the spiritual leaders who have changed our world. The result of a nationwide survey of experts in leading universities and seminaries, as well as leading representatives of dozens of religious traditions and spiritual persuasions, this authoritative list of seventy-five includes martyrs and mystics, intellectuals and charismatics from East and West. Their lives and wisdom are now easily accessible in this inspiring volume. A celebration of the human spirit, ideal for both seekers and believers, the curious and the passionate, thinkers and doers, this book is an authoritative guide to the most creative spiritual ideas and actions of the past century—a challenge for us today.

What is globalization anyway? What are spiritually minded people -- on all sides of the issue -- doing and saying about it? The economic and cultural dynamic of globalization is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace. But what exactly is globalization? What are its origins? What is its impact on our spiritual lives? This lucid introduction surveys the religious landscape, explaining in clear and nonjudgmental language the beliefs that motivate spiritual leaders, activists, theologians, academics, and others involved on all sides of the issue. Included are the points of view of: Baha'ms Buddhists Hindus Muslims Earth-based and tribal religions Jews Protestants Roman Catholics Unlike other books on this controversial issue, this easy-to-read introduction won't tell readers what to think. Instead, it provides the information they need to reach their own conclusions. This new edition includes a new Afterword and Discussion Guide designed especially for group use.

What is globalization anyway? What are spiritually-minded people— on all sides of the issue—doing and saying about it? The economic and cultural dynamic of globalization is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace. But what exactly is it? What are its origins? What is its impact on our spiritual lives? This lucid introduction surveys the religious landscape, explaining in clear and nonjudgmental language the beliefs that motivate spiritual leaders, activists, theologians, academics, and others involved on all sides of the issue. Included are the points-of-view of: Bah’s ? Buddhists ? Earth-based and tribal religions ? Hindus ? Jews ? Muslims ? Protestants ? Roman Catholics Unlike other books on this controversial issue, this easy-to-read introduction won’t tell you what to think; it gives you the information you need to reach your own conclusions. "As important as economics may be, it is not, as the great religions stress, the full measure of humanity. There is also connection to self, to others, to the ingrained values that have sustained cultures for generations and millennia, and to the belief in transcendence that gives it all meaning. In the end, what unnerves people most about globalization—including many in the West who may fairly be said to be on the winning side (economically, that is) of the process so far—is the threat it poses to that which is most precious to a life of satisfaction: our sense of meaning." —from the Conclusion