The Liang dynasty (502-557) is one of the most brilliant and creative periods in Chinese history and one of the most underestimated and misunderstood. Under the Liang, literary activities, such as writing, editing, anthologizing, and cataloguing, were pursued on an unprecedented scale, yet the works of this era are often dismissed as "decadent" and no more than a shallow prelude to the glories of the Tang. This book is devoted to contextualizing the literary culture of this era--not only the literary works themselves but also the physical process of literary production such as the copying and transmitting of texts; activities such as book collecting, anthologizing, cataloguing, and various forms of literary scholarship; and the intricate interaction of religion, particularly Buddhism, and literature. Its aim is to explore the impact of social and political structure on the literary world.

Breathing Deep combines words and images to create 40 ‘invitations’, each one inviting us to see the world in the power of Jesus’ resurrection. Each reflection combines gentleness with a provocative edge, challenging us to live in the spirit of resurrection when everything seems to gravitate towards death and destruction. The resurrection of Jesus has always been understood as a glimpse into the true nature of reality. This powerful series of daily meditations invites us to step into the new world brought about by the first Easter.