What is beauty? Does it exist in the proportions of a perfect face or a graceful melody, or is it in the eye of the beholder? Why does someone find beauty in an object that leaves others unmoved? The notion of beauty is elusive- we love and seek out the things we find beautiful, yet it seems impossible to describe their essence. John Armstrong takes us on a lucid and lyrical exploration of beauty's power, tracing the various ways in which we have interpreted its secrets through art, literature and philosophy. In doing so, he helps us to deepen our own responses to beauty, showing how it is intimately connected to the pursuit of happiness.

'The love of beauty involves a yearning which is not - and perhaps cannot be - fulfilled. For at the core of beauty is a conception of how we would like life to be and yet we know that life cannot be that way.' The notion of beauty is elusive- we love the things we find beautiful, and yet we are inarticulate when we try to communicate this love or describe its essence. There are people, works of art and places that are universally regarded as beautiful; but we also recognize the personal, individual character of our feel for beauty. In this lucid and lyrical exploration John Armstrong aims to deepen our response to beauty. And, he suggests, our capacity to discover and create beauty in everyday life is intimately connected to the pursuit of happiness.

An innovative walk through Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, perfectly tailored to young girls by the Secret Power for Girls concept -- leading students to understand the "secrets" of God's plan for their lives; and revealing the spiritual power that can be theirs by the Holy Ghost - through Susie Shellenberger's unique teaching gifts. Readers will "join" Paul in his struggles and revelations; will examine God's plan and their own responses; and will come to a deeper relationship with God and k

The tenth-anniversary edition of the book that changed lives in profound ways, now with a new foreword and afterword. In 2006, a groundbreaking feature-length film revealed the great mystery of the universe—The Secret—and, later that year, Rhonda Byrne followed with a book that became a worldwide bestseller. Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it. In this book, you’ll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life—money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life. The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers—men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

An invitation to discover and develop your heart powers and tap into heart energy • Features accessible yet profound wisdom about the power of the heart and approaches for tapping into heart energy • Reveals that the heart, often perceived as our most vulnerable and fragile place, is in fact the source of our greatest potential • Supports individual heart-work by offering simple and practical exercises, meditations, and visualizations proven effective through many years of practice The heart is more often associated with vulnerability than hidden powers. We generally feel the need to protect our heart, building high walls after experiences of emotional pain and hurt. This response is unconscious, and since the modern world teaches us to rely on the brain to guide our life and actions, many of us find it hard to connect to the power and skills within our own hearts. Addressing the fears and feelings of insecurity that can arise and prevent us from opening up to the treasures we hold within, Shai Tubali reveals that the heart, often perceived as our most vulnerable and fragile place, is in fact the source of our greatest potential. Providing practical advice, exercises, meditations, and visualizations proven through his own heart-work practice, he shows how to tap into the heart’s energy field and easily activate its seven secret powers: wisdom, vulnerability, forgiveness, ability to love, infinite energy, transformation, and self-acceptance. He explains how our modern education system develops our mind perception only, focusing on the goal of being successful and urging us constantly to be faster and better. Not only does this not bring happiness and fulfilment, but it may even cause stress and illness. Showing how to transition from mind to heart perception, Tubali helps us understand more about our heart’s skills and how to implement its powers by healing inner energetic and emotional blockages. Calling for a change from one-sided mind perception and behavior, Tubali urges us to get in touch with our core and surrender completely to our heart energy, leaving all misconceptions behind and tearing down protective walls to discover our full potential. Unlocking the seven heart powers will lead to a deep sense of peace, balance, and fulfilment and enable you to approach life from a place of trust and love.

She gave him one lingering glance; then, turning abruptly, picked up her empty milk pail and started down the hill at a run. The man she left gave a sigh, deep and long of intense relief. Evening had fallen rapidly, and the purple darkness enveloped him in its warm, dense gloom. He sat absorbed in thought, his eyes turned towards the east, where the last stretches of the afternoon's great cloud trailed filmy threads of wooly black through space. His figure seemed gradually drawn within the coming night so as almost to become part of it, and the stillness around him had a touch of awe in its impalpable heaviness. One would have thought that in a place of such utter loneliness, the natural human spirit of a man would instinctively desire movement,—action of some sort, to shake off the insidious depression which crept through the air like a creeping shadow, but the solitary being, seated somewhat like an Aryan idol, hands on knees and face bent forwards, had no inclination to stir.

Beauty can be consoling, disturbing, sacred, profane; it can be exhilarating, appealing, inspiring, chilling. It can affect us in an unlimited variety of ways. Yet it is never viewed with indifference. In this Very Short Introduction the renowned philosopher Roger Scruton explores the concept of beauty, asking what makes an object - either in art, in nature, or the human form - beautiful, and examining how we can compare differing judgements of beauty when it is evident all around us that our tastes vary so widely. Is there a right judgement to be made about beauty? Is it right to say there is more beauty in a classical temple than a concrete office block, more in a Rembrandt than in last year's Turner Prize winner? Forthright and thought-provoking, and as accessible as it is intellectually rigorous, this introduction to the philosophy of beauty draws conclusions that some may find controversial, but, as Scruton shows, help us to find greater sense of meaning in the beautiful objects that fill our lives. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.