Bøger udgivet af North Atlantic Books,U.S.

The secretive Mysteries conducted at Eleusis in Greece for nearly two millennia have long puzzled scholars with strange accounts of initiates experiencing otherworldly journeys. In this groundbreaking work, three experts—a mycologist, a chemist, and a historian—argue persuasively that the sacred potion given to participants in the course of the ritual contained a psychoactive entheogen. The authors then expand the discussion to show that natural psychedelic agents have been used in spiritual rituals across history and cultures. Although controversial when first published in 1978, the book's hypothesis has become more widely accepted in recent years, as knowledge of ethnobotany has deepened. The authors have played critical roles in the modern rediscovery of entheogens, and The Road to Eleusis presents an authoritative exposition of their views. The book's themes of the universality of experiential religion, the suppression of that knowledge by exploitative forces, and the use of psychedelics to reconcile the human and natural worlds make it a fascinating and timely read. This 30th anniversary edition includes an appreciative preface by religious scholar Huston Smith and an updated exploration of the chemical evidence by Peter Webster.

The combat techniques of Tai Ji, Ba Gua, and Xing Yi were forbidden during China's Cultural Revolution, but the teachings of grandmaster Wang Pei Shing have survived. This comprehensive guide, written by one of his students, selects core movements from each practice and gives the student powerful tools to recognize the unique strategies and skills, and to develop a deeper understanding, of each style. It contains complete instructions for a 16-posture form to gain mastery of combat techniques. The book helps practitioners achieve a new level of practice, where deeply ingrained skills are brought forth in a more fluid, intuitive, and fast-paced fashion.

For readers of Dopesick and In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, a celebrated cannabis attorney's personal look at the War on Drugs and what comes next for the drug legalization movementGetting high is something most of us do, and in many cases do safely--yet drugs remain a singular public enemy. In a ranging blend of memoir, pop culture, policy critique, and social analysis, LA-based criminal defense attorney Allison Margolin explores why--and what we can do about it.Informed by Margolin's experiences as a drug user, advocate, and the daughter of California's most renowned (and infamous) cannabis attorney, Just Dope offers a look at where our current drug policy fails. It exposes the true history of drug prohibition in the United States, sharing why it started, how it evolved, and where it stands now. And it looks unflinchingly at the false dichotomy between "good" drugs and "bad" drugs and Margolin's experience with programs like D.A.R.E that misguidedly ask you to "Just Say No."For readers of All Day is a Long Time and In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Just Dope is an experiential tour-de-force of personal essay and whip-smart policy critique-and a vital call to knowledge and action.

**An Amazon Editor''s Pick in Best Nonfiction**“An intimate, honest, accountable, and thorough invitation into healing” -- adrienne maree brown, author of Pleasure Activism“This book is a powerhouse.” -- Ashley JuddThe myth of wellness is a lie. And until we learn to confront and dismantle its toxic systems, we can’t ever be well.Better, stronger, healthier, whole--the wellness industry promises us that with enough intention, investment, and positive thinking, we’ll unlock our best selves and find meaning and purpose in a chaotic and confusing world.The problem? It’s a lie.The industry soars upwards of $650 billion a year, but we’re still isolated, insecure, and inequitable. “Wellness” isn’t making us well; it’s making us worse.It diverts our attention and holds us back from asking the questions that do help us heal: Who gets to be well in America? Who’s harmed--and who''s left out? And what’s the real-life cost of our obsession with self-improvement?To be truly well, we don’t need juice fasts or yoga fads. We need to detox from a culture rooted in perfectionism, white supremacy, and individualism--and move toward a model that embodies mutual responsibility and extends beyond self-help to collective care.In American Detox, organizer, yoga activist, wellness disruptor, and CTZNWELL founder Kerri Kelly sounds the wake-up call. It’s time to commit to the radical work of unlearning the toxic messages we’ve been fed--to resist, disrupt, and dream better futures of what wellness really means.

An investigation into the physics of light and our journey toward healing, connection, and wholeness.The reductionism and materialism of our modern world make it easy to imagine everything can be cleanly broken down into smaller and smaller parts. Yet the straightforward example of light in a hologram, which can't be reduced to its parts, points to an underlying interconnected reality--a wholeness. Physicist Sky Nelson-Isaacs uses numerous familiar examples--rainbows, music, photography--to illustrate a fundamental wholeness found in nature.Just as light is filtered as it passes through a filmstrip, Nelson-Isaacs points out that our human experience is filtered through thoughts and feelings. This view provides an explanation as to why, in our daily lived reality, we can feel so broken and not-whole. Nelson-Isaacs weaves together cutting-edge ideas into the nature of space and time and original research, with a compelling message of urgency. The filters we use to make choices everyday hide important information from us, leading us away from experiences of flow. Through synchronicities, we are led to life lessons tailored to our readiness for change. Nelson-Isaacs reconsiders the view of time itself, suggesting that we live not just in this moment but on a timeline of history, part of a wave moving from our past into our future. Every choice we make shifts what is available to us. Can we learn to rethink our lives and reality to remove our filters and realize the wholeness that we have inherent in ourselves and in our world? Yes, says Nelson-Isaacs--and once we do that, we can use the multiverse of possibilities to make choices that help us heal and grow into a greater sense of ourselves.

Capoeira weaves fighting, music, dance, prayer, and ritual into an urgent strategy by which people live, struggle, celebrate, and survive together. In this book Bira Almeida--or Mestre Acordeon as he is respectfully called in capoeira circles--documents his own tradition with both the panoramic eye of the historian and the passionate heart of the capoeirista. He transports the reader from the damn of New World history in Brazil to the streets of twentieth-century Bahia (the spiritual home of capoeira) to the giant urban centers of North America (wher capoeira is now spreading in new lineages from the old masters). This book is valuable for anyone interested in ethnocultural traditions, martial arts, and music, as well as for those who want to listen to the words of an actual mestre dedicated to preserving his Afro-Brazilian legacy.

Macrobiotics for Life presents a complete, holistic approach to health that can be applied to the body, mind, and soul. Combining the concept of a healthy, natural-foods lifestyle with a philosophy of self-love, macrobiotic expert Simon Brown explains how food, exercise, and bodywork can create greater physical health. Written in an accessible, easy-to-understand style, the book takes readers through simple steps beginning with thought, exercise, and diet, and shows how to bring macrobiotic practice into everyday life. Topics include healing the mind (letting go of assumptions and judgments), healing the heart (listening to one’s emotions), and healing the body (caring for one’s skin, energizing one’s organs, and creating a healthy digestive system).Brown offers extensive information about macrobiotic foods—tips for eating out, saving time in the kitchen, dealing with food cravings—and a variety of menu plans to help readers get started, including a time-saver weekly menu. A full range of nearly 100 recipes provides the essential resources for experiencing macrobiotics, and sixteen striking color photographs illustrate meals that are both delicious and nutritious to help readers see the variety of options that are available.

This book describes the history and importance of Ju No Kata—the science of what it takes to execute throws—to the study and practice of judo. It also serves as a semi autobiography of the author, Keiko Fukuda, who is the world's foremost authority on Ju No Kata. At the age of 90, she still practices her passion. Understanding Ju No Kata is essential for passing higher-rank tests and this book, imbued with Fukuda's wisdom, is comprehensive and definitive.

Grounded in a comprehensive overview of the philosophical and spiritual foundations that underlie karate, The Art of Killing emphasizes its original purpose: to kill an attacker swiftly and brutally.Prior to 1900, karate-do was exclusively an art of unarmed self-defense. Its practice was designed for life-or-death situations--effectively, an art of killing. Here, authors Leonard Pellman and the late Masayuki Shimabukuro restore karate to its original intent. They move karate away from its popular modern-day sporting applications back to its deadly origins---and to the restraining philosophy of peace, self-sacrifice, compassion, and service to others that necessarily accompanied it. With chapters on kokoro (heart, mind, and spirit), ki (spirit and energy), and the seven major precepts of bushido, The Art of Killing shows readers that the lethal art of karate is more than a method of bringing an enemy down--it's a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in essential lessons to guard against abuses of power. This book does not contain detailed instruction in killing methods, but it does showcase the deadly power of karate--and explain why purity of intentions matters, and how compassion and respect are the essence of karate training. Readers will learn:The purpose and meaning of karate-doThe origins and major precepts of bushidoTraining methods, preparation, and etiquetteFundamentals, spiritual power, training patterns, and analysis and application of kataAbout the body as a weapon

Reconnect to your soul's innate wisdom with ancient healing practices, nature-based wisdom, and psychological principles--live authentically, nourish your inner power, and be a force for personal and collective liberation.If you've ever wondered what was missing--or felt out of step with the social and cultural programming of the westernized worldview--Soul Authority will empower you to find balance, build your soul sanctuary, and become a powerful agent of positive transformation.There is a soul authority that exists in all of us, a higher knowing that connects us to each other, the living Earth, and back to ourselves--even as we live in a world that sows division, destruction, and uncertainty. Shamanic eco-psychologist Loraine Van Tuyl, PhD, shows you how to tap into this innate wisdom, giving you the tools to trust its insights, hear its voice, and come home to our interrelated collective soul.Interwoven with stories from the author's personal journey from growing up in Suriname during a military coup to pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology amid a profound spiritual awakening, Soul Authority is an inspiring alchemical exploration of rekindling the deep knowing that's accessible to all of us.Through exercises, reflections, and concrete action steps, you'll discover: • How to find your own True North, the guiding compass aligned with your inner truth • Practical skills for combatting the burnout, overwhelm, and disconnection that prevents us from making a bigger impact in the world • To tap into the soul mission that nourishes your purpose • How your healing journey and collective liberation are interconnected • The "ancestral deficit" and "nature deficit" that leave you overwhelmed • Strategies for grounding, clearing, visibility, and creativity

A comprehensive guide to psilocybin mushrooms and their impact on our psychology, biology, and social development.How-and why-do psychedelics exist? Did psilocybin catalyze our early human ancestors' social evolution? And how can an integral understanding of psychedelics quite literally change the world? In an ambitious and comprehensive look at psilocybin-and an inside look at how humanity co-evolved alongside "magic" mushrooms-Jahan Khamsehzadeh, PhD, explores our historical and ancestral relationship to psychedelics and presents new and exciting research about what psilocybin can mean for us today. Separated into three sections-Present, Past, and Future-The Psilocybin Connection advances our understanding of psychedelics in unexpected and original ways. Khamsehzadeh shares compelling research that suggests how naturally occurring psychedelics may have played an essential role in humanity's social, cultural, and linguistic evolution. Supported by archaeological evidence, neuroscience, and academic studies, he explores how mushrooms gave rise to art and expression, impacted spiritual experiences, and even spurred human brain development. Blending the most comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of psilocybin research with stories of his own and others' psychedelic awakenings, Khamsehzadeh moves our understanding of the psychedelic mushroom forward toward a fresh, hopeful, and exciting future.

A groundbreaking approach to martial arts combining Self-Image Psychology and Qigong.Martial arts teacher Phillip Starr draws on more than sixty years of experience to introduce the Mirror Image Technique--a method that recognizes the reinforcing nature of body and mind. Our self-image expresses in how we stand, move, and hold ourselves in the world; and in martial arts, the way we move reflects the way we think on the mat, in practice, and when sparring.Here, Starr pulls from Self-Image Psychology and Qigong to offer readers a unique set of physical exercises that can be applied to any martial art tradition--as well as our personal lives. Like two mirrors facing each other, the physical body both reflects and changes the mind, and vice versa: our physical movements become more than just the consequence of our intentions or thoughts. As we adjust the way we move, we adjust the way we think: about ourselves, our lives, and our environments.Unlike other self-help books that consider the mind as the sole gateway to change, the Mirror Image Technique shows that cognitive transformation starts with the body. Starr takes readers through:Demonstrating key principles of Qigong with exercises like The Unbreakable Arm and The Unliftable BodyImproving your stanceIncreasing your strike forceInsights into the mindset for breaking boards (tameshiwari).Intended to enhance growth and personal development, the techniques in Martial Arts and the Mirror Image lead to a renewal of confidence and enthusiasm for one’s particular practice.  

Heal from trauma and PTSD with the martial art of jiu-jitsu--written for survivors, mental health therapists, and trauma-informed martial arts instructors.This groundbreaking book introduces jiu-jitsu as a powerful embodied modality for trauma survivors in recovery, and includes 10 grounding practices, self-defense techniques, and 30 instructional photos. Unhealed trauma--from “little t” traumas to complex PTSD--leaves a lasting imprint on the bodies and minds of survivors. And in the aftermath of trauma, many people experience shifts in how they feel, connect with others, and interact with the world at large. This embodied, whole-person approach will help you heal the wounds of traumatic stress and how it shows up within yourself and your relationships, from disembodiment and numbness to anger, fear, anxiety, confusion, and dissociation.As part of a martial arts trauma recovery program, you’ll learn about:   • Trauma, embodiment, and the transformative power of jiu-jitsu   • Self-defense skills that can help survivors of violence define boundaries and feel safe, secure, powerful, and at home in their bodies    • Creating a welcoming, responsive practice space as a studio owner   • Integrating jiu-jitsu practice into a safe, accessible recovery protocol for survivors--and how therapists can recommend them to clients or build them into a treatment plan Written for trauma survivors, mental health clinicians, and martial arts practitioners and studio owners who want to create a safe, empowering, and trauma-sensitive space, Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu is a unique and vital guide to healing trauma’s invisible wounds.

"Illustrated in a cartoon-like style in watercolor paint and mixed media on paper, this picture book is an invitation for teachers and students to learn about the climate crisis and to be part of the solution."-School Library Journal An environmental picture book about finding your voice, taking collective action, and saving the planet for kids ages 5 - 9. Tantrums are bad--except when they save the world!Sophia's minding her own business when--bing bong!--the doorbell announces an unexpected guest: a polar bear. Despite Sophia's protests, he walks right in, making himself at home. His ice cap is melting--where else is he supposed to go? Soon, more visitors arrive: a dispirited sea turtle and farmers whose lands have gone dry are joined by confused bees, more climate refugees, and a grumpy Bengal tiger. Sophia is frustrated and confused. She doesn't understand why they showed up at her house...or what any of this has to do with her. But as Sophia hears their stories, she learns that this is her fight, too...and discovers the power of collective action, the strength of her own voice, and how all of us are stronger together. They head to City Hall only to wait around for hours before being dismissed, and Sophia just can't hold it in anymore: Sophia's strong feelings smouldered once more,And this time they'd gotten too big to ignore.Raging with purpose, with banners unfurled,She kicked off a tantrum to save the whole world! And she does--and so can you. An inspirational, beautifully illustrated picture book for kids aged 5 to 9, The Tantrum that Saved the World is part environmental story, part ode to community action, and part blueprint for building a better world--together, for all of us.

Through the lenses of Shokotan Karate and biomedicine, sensei and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong shows readers how body, mind, and spirit can be developed through martial arts practice.Through the practice of martial arts, a person can realize their full potential--not only in body, but in mind and spirit. The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts shows readers how. Author, sensei, and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong delves into the physical, mental, and spiritual components of martial arts and integrates contemporary sports psychology, kinesiology, and neuroscience into a nuanced and illuminating understanding of what martial arts practice can be. Structured into three sections, Tong discusses: • The Mind: The dao of martial arts, mental tranquility, contemporary neuroscience, and warming up the brain • The Body: Posture and stance, breathing in martial arts, and the physics of mastery and effort • The Spirit: Soul, spirit, and moving zen; nature and manifestations of the spirit Each section includes observations on martial arts origins, physiology, and tangible results on martial arts training. Blending traditional and contemporary approaches, knowledge, and research, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts builds a vision of practice that elevates physical performance, awareness, decisiveness, and strength of spirit.