Deep in the heart of Amazonas, in the Cloud Forest, a baby girl is born: Mila Tzofia Ferro, whose name means "warrior, wisdom, and iron." Many years before, in the same place, an exceptional gift was entrusted to a group of warriors called the Cloud People. While Mila's life will lead her away from Amazonas, she will inevitably be drawn back to the cloud forest and its secret. But first, Mila must confront her own.While still a baby, Mila's father becomes trapped in the web of the Norfolks-a family of powerful pharmaceutical tycoons-and pays for his entanglement with his life. As Mila grows up, she faces more challenges, including the discovery of her unsettling abilities. Yet Mila is also blessed with a strong, loving family: her caring mother wants to show her the beauty of our world. Mother and daughter move from Peru to Italy to Switzerland to Israel - gaining knowledge in each place that will come to serve Mila later. Shortly after they return to Peru, Mila meets Eli, a young, kind American scholar with his own strange abilities.Just as Mila and Eli begin to fall in love, the Norfolks attempt to procure an archaeological artifact found in French Polynesia. But they are not the only ones interested in the black-market artifact. As this remnant from Amazonas resurfaces, a chain reaction is set off and Mila understands she must come to terms with her roots, the reason for her unusual upbringing, and her unique abilities in order to fight alongside the people she loves.

Studies of rituals in sacred gardens and landscapes offer tantalizing insights into the significance of gardens and landscapes in the societies of India, ancient Greece, Pre-Columbian Mexico, medieval Japan, post-Renaissance Europe, and America. Sacred gardens and landscapes engaged their visitors into three specific modes of agency: as anterooms spurring encounters with the netherworld; as journeys through mystical lands; and as a means of establishing a sense of locality, metaphorically rooting the dweller's own identity in a well-defined part of the material world. Each section of this book is devoted to one of these forms of agency. Together the essays reveal a profound cultural significance of gardens previously overlooked by studies of garden styles.

"Warrior in the Garden" is a unique book about the ancient Bushido warrior code for modern times. Through famous stories of the samurai, samurai education, the origin of the art of Judo and Jiu Jitsu, and his own martial arts journey, Nobuo Yagai describes his world view of the timeless warrior code. This book was inspired by Hollywood martial arts guru Rigan Machado's advice to Nobuo to write about his own unique journey. Nobuo left Japan with one backpack and followed his dream to explore the martial arts as a way of life. "The martial arts academy is an extension of your home, of helping each other and creating friendships. Nobuo has the culture and the philosophy. He brings the discipline from Japanese culture and students will fall in love with the way he teaches the art." -Rigan Machado, Jiu Jitsu Legend, 8th degree Coral belt It will inspire today's warrior to infuse ancient wisdom with modern times. "Warrior in the Garden" is not for just martial artists, it is for anyone who dares to be a life warrior. Ten percent of profits will go to Doctor without Borders. About the Author: Nobuo was raised in the traditional art of Kendo. Deeply inspired by the way of Samurai, his passion is to follow this path in modern times. After he graduated university with a BA in Law and International Relations, martial arts called him to travel the world and challenge himself. In his twenties, he committed to a lifelong path in Jiu Jitsu. He has been invited to world class events. He currently operates Way of Jiu Jitsu in Denver and Aurora (Stanley Marketplace) Colorado. As a certified master trainer, he openly shares his experience in martial arts and physical education with the next generation.

With a new introduction, Phil Jackson's modern classic of motivation, teamwork, and Zen insight is updated for a whole new readership "Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball than basketball." --Phil Jackson Eleven years ago, when Phil Jackson first wrote these words in Sacred Hoops, he was the triumphant head coach of the Chicago Bulls, known for his Zen approach to the game. He hadnt yet moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he would bring his total to an astounding nine NBA titles. In his thought-provoking memoir, he revealed how he directs his players to act with a clear mind -- not thinking, just doing; to respect the enemy and be aggressive without anger or violence; to live in the moment and stay calmly focused in the midst of chaos; to put the "me" in service of the "we" -- all lessons applicable to any person's life, not just a professional basketball player's. This inspiring book went on to sell more than 400,000 copies. In his new introduction, Jackson explains how the concepts in Sacred Hoops are relevant to the issues facing his current team -- and today's reader.

Solariad of Surazeus - Guidance of Solaria presents 114,920 lines of verse in 1,660 poems, lyrics, ballads, sonnets, dramatic monologues, eulogies, hymns, and epigrams written by Surazeus 2006 to 2011.

The fierce loyalty and self-sacrificing attitude of the Samurai have made them both a legend and a cult. Yet although their military prowess and skills in the martial arts have been studied exhaustively, an understanding of their belief system still eludes many. This original and exciting work examines the spiritual world of the samurai, from their attachment to Japan's mainstream religions of Shinto and Buddhism, to their involvement in Confucianism, Christianity and folk religion. Samurai expert Stephen Turnbull examines important topics such as Zen and the martial arts, modern militarism, the cult of the sword, revenge and suicide, hara kiri and the kamikaze pilots the suicide bombers of their day. He also looks at the fascinating issue of Japanese religious terrorism, as well as the growing cult status of the Samurai both in Japan and in the West.

Imagine being spirited away in the middle of the night and waking up on a ship in the middle of the ocean, that didnt bother Joshua, he was a Seaton, he had grown up in the ocean, after all he had gills behind his ears and could breath underwater. What bothered Joshua was the giant rock man called Cragos, How could rocks talk? Never mind stand up? He didn't really understand the warrior women of Hen Coed, Why did they dislike him so much? Why were they always cranky? These women wanted to go to Morfa where the Seaton Elders lived Even the Seatons themselves didn't want to go down there, the Elders were up tight, How did these women expect to get to Morfa? They couldnt breath underwater, and now there was a Key and a Garden that shone light all year round, all day, every day, not to mention a phrophecy. A Darkness was coming, threatening to destroy the earth and everyone on it. So why had Joshua agreed to help find this Key and vanquish the Darkness? Maybe it was the Sheetrea he had just drunk, or that the Hen Coed warrior women were bloody scary! Either way, he was signed up to save the world, Well he had Minga his loyal aquadine, not to mention his father Raymond, What could possibly go wrong?

In this deeply learned book, poet and translator Robert Bly offers nothing less than a new vision of what it is to be a man.Bly's vision is based on his ongoing work with men and reflections on his own life. He addresses the devastating effects of remote fathers and mourns the disappearance of male initiation rites in our culture. Finding rich meaning in ancient stories and legends, Bly uses the Grimm fairy tale "Iron John," in which the narrator, or "Wild Man," guides a young man through eight stages of male growth, to remind us of archetypes long forgotten-images of vigorous masculinity, both protective and emotionally centered.Simultaneously poetic and down-to-earth, combining the grandeur of myth with the practical and often painful lessons of our own histories, Iron John is a rare work that will continue to guide and inspire men-and women-for years to come.