New Releases by Huston Smith

In this provocative volume two important scholars of religion, Huston Smith and Henry Rosemont, Jr., put forth their viewpoints and share a probing conversation. Though the two diverge considerably in their accounts of religious faith and practice, they also agree on fundamental points. Huston Smith, author of the important work The World’s Religions, has long argued for the fundamental equality of the world’s religions. Describing a “universal grammar of religion,” he argues that fourteen points of similarity exist among all of the major religious traditions and that these similarities indicate an innate psychological affinity for religion within the human spirit. As Noam Chomsky has argued that humans are hardwired to use language, Smith similarly argues that humans are hardwired for religious experience. In response, Rosemont explicates his humanistic vision of the world, in which the “homoversal” tendency to contemplate the infinite is part of our co-humanity that endures across time, space, language, and culture. Rosemont also elaborates upon Noam Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar and its relevance to Smith’s ideas about the similarities among religions. This insightful exploration of the most essential basis of religion provides a new direction for comparative-religion scholars everywhere.

This new edition of acclaimed essays explores sea changes in the relationship between religion and science over the course of Western culture and suggest possible breakthroughs toward reaching an enlightened consciousness.

“A genius . . . a writer who spent his life decrying the onward march of the Machine.” — The New Yorker Brave New World author Aldous Huxley on enlightenment and the "ultimate reality." In this anthology of twenty-six essays and other writings, Aldous Huxley discusses the nature of God, enlightenment, being, good and evil, religion, eternity, and the divine. Huxley consistently examined the spiritual basis of both the individual and human society, always seeking to reach an authentic and clearly defined experience of the divine. Featuring an introduction by renowned religious scholar Huston Smith, this celebration of "ultimate reality" proves relevant and prophetic in addressing the spiritual hunger so many feel today.

With a new preface, this completely revised and updated version of The Religions of Man explores the essential elements and teachings of the world''s predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the native traditions of the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Oceania. The author emphasizes the inner, rather than institutional, dimensions of these religions and gives special attention to Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.

«Nel mondo di oggi, dove gli specialisti spendono l’intera carriera analizzando uno o due versi della Bibbia, un professore che osa riassumere la Cristianità in 50 pagine può essere visto come un folle. Ma per i suoi tempi Smith stava facendo qualcosa di rivoluzionario». Newsweek «Intelligente, scritto in modo straordinariamente chiaro... rivela lo spirito di ciascuna fede». The New York Times «Il miglior libro, in unico volume, sulle religioni del mondo rimane Le religioni del mondo di Huston Smith» Library Journal

“I read Huston Smith’s The World’s Religions as a teenager. It was the most influential event in my life. He has shaped my thinking, my lifelong quest, and guided me to where I am today. The Huston Smith Reader will enlighten you, delight you, and expand your awareness. I intend to carry this book with me wherever I go.”—Deepak Chopra, author of War of the Worldviews “Huston Smith approaches religion with the wisdom of a philosopher and the wonder of a child. He looks for similarities that unite, not differences that divide. He comes armed with knowledge and blessed with understanding."—Don Lattin, author of The Harvard Psychedelic Club "This remarkable book by the beloved scholar-practitioner Huston Smith has the depth and breadth of no other. It is wise and full of insight, at times funny, at times poignant. Manifesting both lived and living wisdom, the book''s power, beauty, and courage will take the reader into the heart of the world''s religions."—Joan Halifax, Founding Abbot, Upaya Zen Center “No one in our time, neither Martin Buber nor Elie Wiesel, neither Karen Armstrong nor Simone Weil, has made a greater contribution to our understanding of religion and spirituality than Huston Smith. We are privileged to live in his era, not only for his books and films, but for his emphasis on gleaning the wisdom from ancient traditions, and the example he has afforded the rest of us in practicing what he preaches, thus illuminating for us what it means to have a lived-in philosophy of the religious life. In turn, this book affords us the widest and most penetrating range of insights yet published into the mind and heart of this great teacher.”—Phil Cousineau, editor of The Way Things Are: Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life and author of The Art of Pilgrimage "Huston Smith''s words serve me well in traversing my spiritual path."—Ram Dass, author of Be Here Now

Presents the author''s recollections of his time spent traveling the world and meeting spiritual and religious leaders.

"Sophia" dedicates this issue to the life and work of the revered scholar and philosopher, Huston Smith, marking nine decades of his remarkable and fecund life. A wide-ranging interview with Smith conducted recently by Terry Moore allows the reader to glimpse his views on topics such as the balance between religion and science.

Huston Smith, the author of the classic bestseller The World''s Religions, delivers a passionate, timely message: The human spirit is being suffocated by the dominant materialistic worldview of our times. Smith champions a society in which religion is once again treasured and authentically practiced as the vital source of human wisdom.

Smith''s life is a story of uncanny synchronicity. He was there for pivotal moments in human history such as the founding of the United Nations and the student uprising at Tiananmen Square. As he traveled the world he encountered thinkers who shaped the twentieth century, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Merton. In search of intellectual and spiritual treasures, Smith traveled to India to meet with Mother Teresa, befriended the Dalai Lama, and recorded music with Pete Seger. Most important, he shared the world''s religions with the West—writing two bestselling books and serving as the focus of a five-part PBS series by Bill Moyers. Huston Smith is a national treasure. His life is an extraordinary adventure, and in his amazing Tales of Wonder, he invites you to come along to explore your own vistas of heart, mind, and soul.

The World’s Religions, by beloved author and pioneering professor Huston Smith (Tales of Wonder), is the definitive classic for introducing the essential elements and teachings of the world''s predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, as well as regional native traditions. This revised and updated edition provides sympathetic descriptions of the various traditions, explaining how they work “from the inside,” which is a big reason why this cherished classic has sold more than two million copies since it first appeared in 1958.

The world''s premier authority on religious traditions presents a concise and timely guide to the history, teachings, and practice of Islam. Drawn from his masterful presentation of Islam in the bestselling book The World''s Religions (over two million copies sold), Huston Smith offers a revealing look into the heart of a tradition with more than one billion adherents worldwide. Dispelling narrow and distorted notions about the nature of Islam and featuring a new introduction by the author, this book compellingly conveys the profound appeal of Islam, while addressing such timely issues as the true meaning of jihad, the role of women in Islamic societies, and the remarkable growth of Islam in America.

"A Seat At The Table is a valuable and insightful book about a too long overlooked topic - the right of Native American people to have their sacred sites and practices honored and protected. Let''s hope it gets read far and wide, enough to bring about a real shift in policy and consciousness.”—Bonnie Raitt "Phil Cousineau has created a fine companion book to accompany the important film he and Gary Rhine have made in defense of the religious traditions of Native Americans. [Native Americans] are recognized the world over as keepers of a vital piece of the Creator''s original orders, and yet they are regarded as little more than squatters at home. This book features impressive interviews, beautiful illustrations, and gives a voice to the voiceless.”—Peter Coyote

The Christian worldview - The Christian story - The three main branches of Christianity today.

Começando com a vida do Buda e continuando até o atual desenvolvimento do Budismo no Ocidente, Huston Smith, uma autoridade internacionalmente reconhecida em religiões mundiais, e o premiado professor Philip Novak – especialista em história do Budismo e em Budismo contemporâneo – exploram todos os aspectos dessa tradição religiosa de dois mil e quinhentos anos em sua rica variedade: sua história, as principais doutrinas , e sua evolução e desenvolvimento contínuo. Com consumado conhecimento e respeito pelo Budismo em todas as suas manifestações, os autores revelam a sabedoria vital que torna o Budismo tão atraente, não apenas em toda a Ásia, mas cada vez mais no mundo ocidental.

In his most accessible and personal book to date, Smith discusses "the spiritual life" with well-known writers and luminaries.

Going well beyond the masterful presentationof Buddhism in the bestselling The World''s Religions, Huston Smith and his premier student Philip Novak offer an expert, contemporary, yet highly readable and incisive guide to the heart of this vibrantly diverse and rapidly growing tradition, one that has an increasing presence and importance on the American scene. Smith is universally regarded as the leading authority on the world''s religious traditions, and Novak is an award-winning professor of world religions and a Buddhist practitioner immersed in the contemporary worlds of American and Asian Buddhism. Smith and Novak respectfully cover the essential teachings, practices, and historical development of Buddhism in all its rich variety. Beginning with the life and legend of the Buddha, Buddhism explores core Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, nirvana, and emptiness. The authors go on to discuss the split between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, the continued divisions of Mahayana into Pure Land, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, and the confluence of Hinduism and Buddhism in India. The second half of the book follows the global migration of Buddhism and its continuing diversification and development in the West, especially in America. This compelling work by two great scholars -- a legendary teacher and his long-time student and colleague -- is the most insightful, up-to-date, and accessible introduction to this great and immensely appealing religious tradition available today.

THe New Encyclopedia of Islam is written by a scholar for the general reader and researcher, without assuming any prior knowledge of the subject. Detailed cross-references lead the reader into deeper knowledge of Islam, whatever his strarting point. Many quotations, and hitherto untranslated prayers, support the religious and philosphical entries.

Este libro reúne una valiosísima colección de ensayos escritos por la autoridad más elocuente sobre filosofía de la religión. En ellos, el autor explora los límites de la ciencia con lucidez y humor. Mediante una poderosa e imaginativa crítica del pensamiento postmoderno, Huston Smith indica una salida del “oscuro bosque” en el que la ciencia nos ha extraviado.

Ante el problema de las drogas que impera en el mundo actual, sólo alguien con credenciales impecables y una espiritualidad irrefutable como Huston Smith puede replantear el potencial religioso de las plantas y substancias enteogénicas (alucinógenas). Al profundo lenguaje espiritual que motivó a los que experimentaron con tales substancias en el pasado, Smith añade datos científicos, médicos y religiosos para apoyar lo que ha sido un “secreto” tan viejo como la humanidad: que hay modos de percepción mucho más extáticos y clarificadores que la conciencia ordinaria.

Offers a reconsideration of the potential of mind-expanding compounds from a religious point of view.