at Banyen Books & Sound
(in no particular order… here are a few of the many titles coming...)
The Illustrated Rumi, translations by Coleman Barks, with illustrations from traditional Islamic art. This lovely volume at last appears in paperback.
The Mandala Book: Patterns of the Universe, by Bailey Cunningham
Visually evokes the “mandala” theme in and through nature, flowers, bodies… the universe. Beautiful.
The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis, by Julie Holland, MD
As the legalization of cannabis moves toward reality, this book candidly offers facts and authoritative opinions in a society full of marijuana myths and stereotypes. Includes contributions and interviews with leading experts, including Rick Doblin, Andrew Weil, and others.
Religion of Ayahuasca: The Teachings of the Church of Santo Daime, by Alex Polari de Alverga.A new reprint. Was originally titled “The Forest of Visions.”
Be Love Now: The Path of the Heart, by Ram Dass with Rameshwar Dass
Coming full circle, the author of Be Here Now returns to his early days with his guru in India, sharing wisely about the path of the heart, of devotion, of serving the One—with some great stories and reminiscences—as well as offering some tasty “meetings” with some of the great saints and sages of India. A sweet gift from Ram Dass’s heart to ours.
The Etiquette of Freedom: Gary Snyder, Jim Harrison, and The Practice of the Wild, by Gary Snyder, & Jim Harrison. A small book marking the conversation of these two old friends, along with the film The Practice of the Wild, which recorded them riffing on beats, Buddhism, deep ecology, and “the etiquette of freedom.”
Heidegger and a Hippo Walk through the Pearly Gates: Using Philosophy (And Jokes!) to Explore Life, Death, the Afterlife, and Everything in Between, by Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein. The latest from this pair who dedicated their last book, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes (2007) to their “philosophical grandfather,” Groucho Marx.
Glad No Matter What: Transforming Loss and Change into Gift and Opportunity, by SARK. Another colourful, engaging romp with “Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy,” aka SARK—this time, with personal stories from her own losses and life—exploring how we’re all “beautiful losers,” and how much we can learn and grow through our inevitable losses.
The Answer is You, by Michael Bernard Beckwith
Waking up to your true potential, with this feature DVD of a lively teaching sessions with Beckwith. There’s also a 2CD set by him with this same title.
Processmind: A User's Guide to Connecting with the Mind of God, by Arnold Mindell. Post-Jungian depth psychologist Arnie Mindell’s latest book.
Peace in the Present Moment, by Eckhart Tolle & Byron Katie
Lovely photographs complement spare sayings from these magnificent nobodies… a spacious reminder book.
Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness, by John Reynolds
A strong dzogchen text from the Tibetan tradition, updated.
Notes from the Edge Times, by Daniel Pinchbeck
Psychenautical journalist Pinchbeck’s short pieces from the last few years, many of them drawn from Reality Sandwich, his webzine.
The Dangerous Old Woman: Myths and Stories of the Wise Woman Archetype, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. A long-awaited 8 CD audio program from the author of Women Who Run with the Wolves.
Fate and Destiny: The Two Agreements of the Soul, by Michael Meade
Drummer and storyteller Meade’s latest book: always a bracing, earthy, and mythologically astute journey.
Buddhism through American Women’s Eyes, edited by Karma Tsomo
Many Western women write of their fruitful, challenging, and profound journeys in Buddhist practice.
Returning to Sacred World: A Spiritual Toolkit for the Emerging Reality, by Stephen Gray. Vancouver author’s eloquent evocation of spiritual awakening, drawing on Tibetan Buddhism and many years of shamanic practice, notably in Ayahuasca (Vegetalismo) and Peyote (Native American Church) traditions.
Buddha Speaks, edited by Anne Bancroft
A classic book of guidance from the Buddhist scriptures freshly reprinted.
Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong, by Bruce Frantzis
This “miracle health system for developing chi” is practiced by millions in China to release stress and maintain robust health, Dragon and Tiger qigong is also used to help prevent and heal cancer and to mitigate the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
The Essential Gnostic Scriptures, translated by Willis Barnstone & Marvin Meyer Excerpted from their enormous volume, The Gnostic Bible, these are texts of luminous wisdom from the ancient and medieval worlds, including the Gospels of Thomas, Judas, and Mary Magdalene.
Feng Shui Made Easy, by William Spear
A modern classic in this field, again available.
Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom, by Dzogchen Ponlop
A young Tibetan Buddhist teacher guides you through the inner revolution that comes from unleashing your rebel buddha. He explains how, by training your mind and understanding your true nature, you can free yourself from needless suffering.
The Essence of Happiness, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
A beautiful “distillation” of the essential passages from The Art of Happiness. A lovely, mindful gift book.
The Force of Kindness Book & CD, by Sharon Salzberg
This beloved meditation teacher’s guidance on cultivating kindness—a book with guided meditation practices on CD. Now in paperback.
Stresss-Proof Your Brain: Meditations to Rewire Neural Pathways for Stress Relief and Unconditional Happiness, by Rick Hanson. A 2CD set: meditations to rewire neural pathways for stress release and unconditional happiness.
Growing, Older: A Chronicle of Life, Death, and Vegetables, by Joan Dye Gussow A moving and instructive memoir of a great gardening mentor, following her husband’s death. An affirmation of a life's work—and work in general. Gussow continues the hard labor of growing her own year-round diet, and shares a great harvest of wisdom, especially for gardeners.
