Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Book Review: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam


by Yahiya Emerick


The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Islam by Yahiya Emerick is just that, a thorough introduction to the history and teaching of Islam. The author starts with the importance for Westerners to understand Muslims, who are spread throughout this country and the world. These are our neighbors, both across the globe and next-door.  Emerick presents the historical background of the religion and then goes through the many aspects of this teaching, many of which are either totally unknown or misunderstood by Westerners. He uses clear definitions, and clarifications from teachers, as well as actual quotes from the Qur’an and other sacred texts.

This guide both presents a extensive exploration of the teachings as well as going through the many spiritual traditions and practices. Included is a comparison of Islam to other faiths of the world. Emerick does a wonderful job in opening our minds and hearts to this most beautiful and sacred teaching, based on love and devotion.

Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Free Event: An evening with the editors of Cry of the Nightbird

A Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Free Event

Cry of the Nightbird:
Writers Against Domestic Violence

with editors Michelle Wing
Ann Hutchinson and Kate Farrell


Date:  Friday, October 2
Time:  7 pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road

In Cry of the Nightbird: Writers Against Domestic Violence, thirty-eight writers speak out in more than fifty prose and poetry pieces of a hidden tragedy: violence in homes, living in fear, and forced silence. Authors from every walk of life and every aspect of this difficult issue raise their voices as one to end this silence, to bring freedom and release for themselves and others. These words will inform and inspire readers: give them eyes to see, a way to express, and motivation to act.

Michelle Wing, Ann Hutchinson and Kate Farrell are three Sonoma County residents who became involved in the five-year project, Changing Hurt to Hope:  Writers Speak Out Against Domestic Violence.  Together, they edited the results of the project and worked together to get Cry of the Nightbird published to make the message available to a broader audience.

Michelle, Ann and Kate will be speaking about the project and the book, which also contains a resource guide for services in Sonoma County, the state and the nation, a basic introduction to the dynamics of domestic violence, a reading list and a history of the Changing Hurt to Hope project.

Please join us for this informative Free Event.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Gangaji Returns to Santa Rosa


Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

Presents

An Evening with Gangaji

Date:  Friday, October 23
Time:  7pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road


This is an opportunity to gather together and closely investigate the truth underlying our daily life experience. Many people meet Gangaji for the first time in this community setting. Gangaji will share her direct experience and invite comments and questions from members of the audience.

Gangaji is a teacher and author who travels the world offering the invitation to fully recognize the absolute freedom and unchanging peace that is the truth of one's being.

Tickets for this event are $20 and are available at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts store, online at our website, or at the door.

We hope to see you there.

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