But when Nguyen left academia to become a journalist, he confronted the harsh reality of the Party and the crushing weight of its bureaucracy. Torn between his outrage at the rampant corruption and hypocrisy of the Communist party, and the need to provide for his family, Nguyen ultimately surrendered to the propaganda machine, censoring his own articles and fabricating statistics to keep his job. Having recently discovered the truth about her husband, Linh's heroic vision of him is now shattered and she decides to leave him rather than betray their shared principles.

The world is split in two... and both sides are deadly. In a society of extreme have or have nots, Tenly Hawkins is just trying to improve her future. Born into the Cobalts, the lowest rung of society, she has done everything possible to escape her fate by playing by the rules. Against all odds, she secures a coveted position in the Premier Workforce... and a way out of squalor into Scarlet society. But when her scoundrel of a best friend, Kalib, also secures a spot, she's suspicious. Did he cheat, and will his fortune somehow collapse everything she's worked for? Placed in a high ranking household as a governess, Tenly settles into her new role. That is, until she caught in the middle of growing progressive upheaval due to the inequality of the rich and poor. But it's all being covered up. Her life's dream is not the safe haven Tenly once thought it would be. And if anyone finds out about her secret meetings with Kalib, she can't seem to refuse; it could not only put them both at risk... It could be fatal.

Our modern patterns of thinking and learning are all based on observing a world of 'things', which we think of as separate building blocks. This worldview allows us to count and measure objects without their having any innate value; it provides neat definitions and a sense of control over life. However, this approach also sets humans apart from each other, and from nature.In reality, in nature, everything is connected in a fluid, dynamic way. 'Separateness' is an illusion we have created -- and is fast becoming a dangerous delusion infecting how we relate to business, politi, and other key areas of our daily reality.Giles Hutchins argues that the source of our current social, economic and environmental issues springs from the misguided way we see and construct our world. With its roots in ancient wisdom, this insightful book sets out an accesssible, easy to follow exploration of the causes of our current crises, offering ways to rectify these issues at source and then pointing to a way ahead.

Amidst all the anticipation, anxiety, and hype swirling around the year 2000, we may find ourselves searching for some sure guidance as we enter the new millennium. Dharma: The Way of Transcendence provides it. Written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whom scholars and spiritual leaders worldwide recognize as the most distinguished teacher of Indian culture and philosophy of the modern age, Dharma answers essential questions thoughtful people ask in every millenium: Who am I? What are my deepest needs? How can I fulfill them? Srila Prabhupada writes, "The body and the mind are but superfluous outer coverings of the spirit soul. The spirit soul's needs must be fulfilled. The need of the spirit soul is that he wants to get out of the limited sphere of material bondage and fulfill his desire for complete freedom. He wants to get out of the covered walls of the greater universe. He wants to see the free light and the spirit." To learn what that free light and spirit are, and how you can see them, read Dharma. Book jacket.

Can we trust our senses to tell us the truth? Challenging leading scientific theories that claim that our senses report back objective reality, cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman argues that while we should take our perceptions seriously, we should not take them literally. From examining why fashion designers create clothes that give the illusion of a more “attractive” body shape to studying how companies use color to elicit specific emotions in consumers, and even dismantling the very notion that spacetime is objective reality, The Case Against Reality dares us to question everything we thought we knew about the world we see.

Advaita and nondual teachings are about finding the Truth. This Truth is not a dogma that you study; it is the Truth about life †the Truth about who you really are. This Truth is discovered, not learned. It is discovered through sincerely inquiring, Who am I? What you discover is that who you are has nothing to do with self-images or roles and everything to do with what you experience when you ask this question. What you discover is that who you think of yourself as is just that †a thought! And beyond that thought is a great Mystery †an experience of nothingness, which is your true nature.Nothing Personal leads you to the experience of your true nature and helps you explore its depth. Through exposition, questions and dialogues, it brings you to a place of realization of the Truth: you are that spacious Awareness in which everything appears, including your thoughts and feelings. Your thoughts and feelings do not define you but merely appear within Consciousness along with everything else. This Consciousness is who you are.Nothing Personal offers a gentle and persistent guide to seeing the underlying truth of your ultimate nature. In this concisely edited collection of satsang talks and dialogues, you are invited to honor the limitless love that is your true nature and to enjoy the sweet richness that is revealed when you give this Truth your undivided attention.From the introduction:Unlike most books, this one is not meant to add to your knowledge or understanding. It is about the Truth that cannot be spoken or written. Although the Truth cannot be contained in this or any other book, each word written here is intended to point you toward that Truth. Many of the words and ideas may seem paradoxical or contradictory because what they point to is larger than our conceptual frameworks. Many questions are asked, which are not answered anywhere in the book. Find out what the experience is like to ask yourself these questions, even if they leave you emptier of knowledge and understanding. In this emptying, you just may discover what you are looking for.The Truth is revealed when we allow ourselves to not know, so I invite you to set aside all that you know for the time being and allow yourself to look with innocent eyes at what the words are attempting to unveil. Take the time to experience the unspoken truth in each section before moving on to the next. Resist the temptation to read these words with your mind, which is likely to rush right past the Truth. Allow the words to sink into your heart and reveal the truth of who you are.

Using the fundamentals of A Course in Miracles, Seeing Beyond Illusions walks us through a gentle dismantling of the dualistic lie of separation, freeing us from our unconscious guilt at having forsaken Source by learning to trust our divine connection to all that is. At its core, this book is about letting go of our need and urge to control, freeing ourselves to embrace forgiveness, and experience the reality of our profound connection with others. The easiest of easygoing spiritual coaches, David Cowan has a gift for synthesizing wisdom as old as Jesus and as cutting-edge as neuroscience, his writing is infused with an all-encompassing relevance that heals.

There is no doubt that we see a failure of leadership today. Political leaders are unable to forge a path out of two wars we were led into by lies and greed. Today we see the economic system that has fueled capitalism for years is collapsing from greed and mismanagement. Much of the existing leadership has been unwilling to change, passing the costs of their selfishness and mismanagement to the next generations and the generations after them. Paradigms of the past remain only as illusions and no longer work. What does real leadership today look like? Beyond Illusion: Leading from Reality takes a hard look at what is missing in today's leadership using, as effective models, outstanding leaders in the Bible such as Nehemiah, Moses, and Jesus. If you want to be a leader today, you will find essential clues in this book as well as stories that show you how you can lead in transforming your community, nation, and in the world. + + + + + + + + "Carl is a man who hears what the Spirit is saying and places the poetry of that message for the reader to hear for himself". Bettie P. Mitchell, Founder and former International Executive Director, Good Samaritan Ministries

In a world saturated with distractions and superficial pursuits, the search for authentic happiness and self-love can often feel elusive. "Beyond Illusions: Discovering Your True Nature" is a profound exploration of the human experience, delving into the depths of our identities, the nature of our relationships, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Through a series of introspective chapters, readers are invited on a journey of self-discovery, confronting fundamental aspects of their existence. From the complexities of identity and the nature of love to the transformative power of dreams and the pursuit of happiness, this book challenges conventional wisdom and societal norms. With unflinching honesty and keen insight, the author explores the paradoxes of human nature and the struggles we face in our quest for fulfillment. More than a book, Beyond Illusions is a call to action, encouraging readers to shed the illusions that bind them, embrace their true selves, and find meaning and happiness in a world that often seems indifferent to their struggles. Whether you are looking for answers to life's big questions or simply a fresh perspective, this book offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience. It invites you to question the status quo, challenge the narratives that have shaped your life, and embark on a journey of self-discovery that will ultimately lead you to a deeper understanding of your true nature.

A Spiritual autobiography from the daughter of Hollywood director King Vidor. The intriguing story of her early life lived amongst the 'royalty' of Old Hollywood, and her later life and path in the extraordinary company of the American-born spiritual master, Adi Da Samraj.