An enlightening, gorgeous guidebook to an ancient faith.
A psychotherapist introduces readers to the fundamentals of Zoroastrianism in this nonfiction work.
The difference between humans and other living creatures, says Moterassed, is that humanity has “the choice to decide for themselves what to do and where to go.” Fundamentally, in other words, humans have the unique ability to choose to do either good or bad. In this introductory primer on the ancient teachings of Zoroastrianism, the author emphasizes the religion’s underlying philosophy: “good thoughts, good works, and good deeds.” It first begins with a chapter-long exploration of the definition of goodness and notes that ethics sometimes differ across religions (particularly on sexuality) and that modern notions often conflate good living with materialism and social hierarchies. Ancient Persian prophet Zarathustra, however, equated goodness with wisdom and “consciousness (pure mind) in a person’s life.” While careful not to denounce other faith traditions—extoling, for instance, the values and morals of Jews, Christians, and Muslims—Moterassed stresses that Zoroastrianism is “not about following a rigid set of rules.” Zarathustra’s emphasis, alternately, lies on “awareness, authenticity, and spontaneity,” giving his followers a formula that empowers them to make good choices in various situations. The book also highlights the universalism of Zoroastrianism, claiming that Jesus, Buddha, and Lao Tzu didn’t need religious codes; they too had awakened to their innate consciousness guided by love. A psychotherapist who has taught meditation courses for more than 30 years, Moterassed is particularly adept at making one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions applicable to a modern audience. Comprising three short chapters, and coming in at just under 70 pages, this is an accessible book that doesn’t overwhelm readers with complex theological analysis. Instead, it carefully balances its survey of Zoroastrianism with an engaging writing style and pragmatic advice. Accompanying the text is a glossary of Avestan phrases still used by Zoroastrians, as well as ample full-color, high-resolution illustrations, charts, and images.
An enlightening, gorgeous guidebook to an ancient faith.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 24, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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