Notwithstanding the provocative title, this book is not about a woman or an act of sexual aggression. Sophia Perennis is a Latin term that translates into English as "wisdom perennial." Sophia Perennis is also known as the eternal wisdom, perennial philosophy, and by other names that directly refer to ideas and teachings that focus on the universal underlying perspective that the nature of reality, and specifically humanity, is inherently divine. When one attempts to teach this wisdom, there are many opportunities for confusion. When Sophia is used to control or harm others, she is violated by those who claim to love her; and that is the rape to which the title of this book refers. I wrote this book for those who are ready to take the next step toward an enlightened life. The book is about challenging our assumptions about important everyday life issues, especially religion, in hopes that we might come to understand that the reality in which we live is not necessarily exactly the way we believe it to be. I will quote scientists, philosophers, clergy, saints, sages, and more, who look at things differently than do most of us. In exploring these alternative ideas, I hope to assemble these disparate perspectives into a mosaic that will reveal a much grander view of reality. Another intention of this book is to show evidence of a growing consensus of intelligent people who believe that our species and the entire planet are changing, evolving, expanding, as consciousness and what might be called spirit. This paradigm shift that I, and others, are seeing at this time in history seems like a surge in the natural movement of human consciousness toward transcendence and enlightenment.

What is life? Why are we here? What are we supposed to do in this physical existence? The Wonder of You, takes the reader on an in-depth exploration of the NDE (Near Death Experience) and the amazing life lessons being brought back. Through examining thousands of accounts, Lynn K. Russell offers a step-by-step explanation of the astonishing messages and beyond to the incredible wonder you are. This book is filled with research that stretches from man’s beginnings and onwards to the future through the exciting discoveries of physics.

How should we view religions that are different from our own? In a world where misunderstandings and disagreements between cultures and faiths are commonplace, this fascinating book, the first in a new series called Studies in Comparative Religion, helps us put other faiths in context and addresses the problem of encountering conflicting religious forms. Featuring 23 fascinating articles from religious scholars and the personal accounts of the remarkable individuals who have lived theses encounters first hand.

This book provides a biographical account of the remarkable Benedictine monk, Henri Le Saux (1910-1973), who spent the last two-and-a-half decades of his life in India where he immersed himself in Hindu spirituality. It traces the central themes of his prolific writings on religious and mystical topics.

Based on a careful reading of Pope Benedict s 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate ( Charity in Truth ), the essays in this substantial volume explore how an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ is the true basis for economic and social progress. The authors are experts in a wide range of disciplines -- theology, philosophy, biblical studies, political science, economics, finance, environmental science -- and represent a broad spectrum of Catholic thought, from liberal to conservative. The first book in English to offer an overarching interpretation of Pope Benedict s groundbreaking encyclical, Jesus Christ: The New Face of Social Progress will inform anyone interested in Catholic social doctrine, and its depth of insight will offer fresh inspiration to serious followers of Jesus Christ. Contributors J. Brian Benestad Simona Beretta Michael Budde Patrick Callahan Paulo Fernando Carneiro de Andrade Peter J. Casarella William T. Cavanaugh Maryann Cusimano Love Daniel K. Finn Roberto Goizueta Lorna Gold Keith Lemna D. Stephen Long Archbishop Celestino Migliore Michael Naughton Julie Hanlon Rubio Sister Damien Marie Savino, F.S.E. David L. Schindler Theodore Tsukahara Jr. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson Horacio Vela