God's Breath: Sacred Scriptures of the World -- The Essential Texts of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Suf [Paperback]

John Miller (Author), Aaron Kenedi (Author), Thomas Moore (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2000

For millennia seekers of truth have found God in a handful of sacred texts. Now God's Breath gathers together selections from seven of the world's major wisdom traditions. The title comes from a Zen saying, "To understand God is to listen. Listen to Jesus and Muhammad and Buddha, but don't get caught up in the names. Listen beyond them; listen to God's breath." Elegantly presented with detailed woodcuts and enlightening introductions by noted scholars, leading thinkers, writers and spiritual teachers including Huston Smith, Karen Armstrong, Reynolds Price, Stephen Mitchell, Marcus Borg, Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, the Dalai Lama, and others, the selections include excerpts from the Book of Genesis, the Tao Te Ching, the Book of Rumi, the Gospel of John, the Bhagavad Gita, the Qur'an, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. "A valuable compendium of sacred texts.... This is an essential companion for students of world religions."--Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A valuable compendium of sacred texts.... This is an essential companion for students of world religions." -Publishers Weekly

About the Author

John Miller and Aaron Kenedi run Big Fish in San Francisco. They have designed and created more than 50 art and literary books, including Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World. They live in the Bay Area. Thomas Moore is the best-selling author of Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life and Soul Mates.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (October 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569246181
• ISBN-13: 978-1569246184
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars new thoughts, April 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Breath: Sacred Scriptures of the World -- The Essential Texts of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Suf (Paperback)

Being not from a very religious background I purchased this book, I guess looking for something. Believing that no one religion is the "right" choice I chose this sampling if you will, of each. Reading this book slowley so as to connect with each phrase and idea, to understand the meaning of all the words of all the religious concepts and their origins. Is to see that they are so similar, almost identical in so, so many ways. I have a very demanding and at times very violent job, I have seen more senceless death and pain, than I will ever forget. Basically I am not, nor I have been considered a saint. This book changed the way I look at people and think about people, all people, in such a refreshing manner. Although violence is an every day part of my life, I have no enemy, I hold no grudge. After a "battle" I am humbled, and pray for the fallen, not because of what I'll do, but because they don't know. I have such peace of mind although dailey life is filled with drama. Read this book, read it slow, you will feel these words reach down and open your eyes.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge Growth, November 25, 2002

By 

ProudBookWorm "jbt-wny" (Reynoldsburg, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God's Breath: Sacred Scriptures of the World -- The Essential Texts of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Suf (Paperback)

I often have found that religion, instead of talking about how much we have in common with each other, serves to divide us (or at least that is what I feel is preached to too many). That said, this book was very interesting in that it helped me understand some of the central texts revered by others. I only read about 60% - 75% of it though. I stopped reading when one of the chapters in the book made it glowingly clear to me where the hatred of those who are not "us" stems from in one religion. I hoped this book would help me see our unions, life already shows us too much of our differences. The book itself, outside of what I got out of it, is very educational.