Spinning Karma

Can a New Age guru save his cult without losing his soul? Spinning Karma is the story of Rinpoche Edward Schwartz, reluctant figurehead of Mind of Pure Enlightenment (MOPE), a once-popular New Age group whose current membership has sunk to an all-time low. In an ill-conceived effort to bring the group and its teachings back into the limelight, Schwartz heads to Taiwan to film a fake "religious oppression" video - starring a group of clueless language students who believe that they're taking part in an English conversation class. The video goes viral and the scheme succeeds beyond Schwartz's wildest expectations, triggering a social-media-driven propaganda war between the United States and China that spins out of control. Before long, everybody from spiritual seekers in China and America, to an ambitious presidential contender, to the Chinese government wants a piece of MOPE ... and of Schwartz himself. Faced with the enormous karmic implications of his hoax, Schwartz repents. But is it too late? Can Schwartz save his group - and his neck - without losing his soul? Set in an exotic, untapped location, this offbeat East-Collides-With-West farce features characters and situations ripped straight from the headlines, mocking religious intolerance, the social media-driven news cycle, and the tumultuous relationship between America and China.

LaTona, a widow, met James Barkley on a trip to Airville with her son, Segun. James and LaTona struck a relationship that led to their being married. LaTona relocated to Airville to join James with her son, and James introduced them to his best friend, Justin Robertson. Justin introduced the Barkleys to his family, but his wife, June, was not enthusiastic about them because of LaTona and her son. To June's displeasure, June's children, Sheryl and Adrian, became friends with Segun, but the more she tried to discourage them, the more they bonded with Segun. One day during the summer vacation, Adrian and Segun went for a bike ride and decided to sit by the lake at the park. In an attempt to walk on a plank, Adrian fell into the lake, drowned, and died later. June got angry, blamed Segun for her son's death, and with the help of a false witness, got Segun charged with manslaughter, for which Segun spent two years in confinement. On Segun's release, June found out that Sheryl and Segun were lovers, and that infuriated her the more, and she vowed to get Segun locked up for good. Through nefarious means, she was able to separate Sheryl and Segun. Through his crisis, Segun found love in Vicentina, who helped him put his life together again. Unfortunately, June managed to get the police detective working on the case on her side, and seeing what Vicentina's uncle intended to do for Segun, the officer decided to destroy Segun's image, creating mistrust for Segun and breaking his relationship with Vicentina. Seeking evidence against Segun for violating a court order, June lost her life tragically. With Vicnetina out of his life, Segun struggled and, in the end, restored his relationship with Sheryl while helping take care of Justin, who had a stroke after the death of June.

“I Do” is my 3rd Poetry book and it is very special. I put my heart and soul in writing those poems, expressing my feelings and thoughts. I finally found myself once again. I hope you will feel loved, knowing that there is someone out there, a very special person, who is dreaming to be with you, care about you, spoil you and make any of your dreams come true. Trust me, it's worth the wait. Please check my other Poetry and Short Stories Books “Don’t Look Down Babe”, “I Won’t Say I Love You”, “Marina’s Cloud 9”, they’re equally special and emotional.

In New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer's young adult contemporary romance, a girl is suddenly gifted with the ability to cast instant karma on those around her – both good and bad. Chronic overachiever Prudence Barnett is always quick to cast judgment on the lazy, rude, and arrogant residents of her coastal town. Her dreams of karmic justice are fulfilled when, after a night out with her friends, she wakes up with the sudden ability to cast instant karma on those around her. Pru giddily makes use of the power, punishing everyone from public vandals to mean gossips, but there is one person on whom her powers consistently backfire: Quint Erickson, her slacker of a lab partner. Quint is annoyingly cute and impressively noble, especially when it comes to his work with the rescue center for local sea animals. When Pru resigns herself to working at the rescue center for extra credit, she begins to uncover truths about baby otters, environmental upheaval, and romantic crossed signals—not necessarily in that order. Her newfound karmic insights reveal how thin the line is between virtue and vanity, generosity and greed . . . love and hate... and fate.

From its origins in India over two millennia ago, Buddhism spread throughout Asia and the world. This far-reaching and accessible introduction explains how Buddhism began, developed into its present-day form, and evolved in the West--where it now exerts increasing cultural influence. Complete with maps, diagrams, and illustrations, Buddhism provides detailed coverage of key topics such as karma, rebirth, meditation, and ethics, along with the distinguishing features of the main schools.

Offering a blend of technical knowledge, history, and easy-to-use tips, this inspiring collection of spinning wisdom deftly explores the three fundamental areas of yarn production: understanding fibers, managing yarn structure, and making yarns that precisely meet the spinner's needs. The rich, historic traditions of plant and animal fibers are fascinatingly juxtaposed with recent advances in synthesized fiber and mankind's use of fibers in the past, present, and future, while detailed, image-laden instructions for four intermediate projects demonstrate the range of possibilities, from sturdy, plied yarns to playful, novelty yarns. Spinners are also offered guidance on planning a project from start to finish, as well as how to care for and store completed projects.

There’s no denying destiny . . . For too long, Benjamin Reese has masked his deadly skills and temper with loyalty and humor. A vampire-demon hybrid, he fiercely protects his family, guards his brothers, and destroys the enemy without mercy. But when he discovers one fragile, beautiful blonde—a woman once mated to a Kurjan, no less—every primal instinct he has buried for centuries roars to life. With the mating mark she roused on his hand entwining their fates, no one will prevent him from keeping her safe and making her his, forever . . . Or desire . . . Karma wishes she could remember her last name. Or if she even had one. All she has in this confusing new world is a desperate duty to save the innocent. That means destroying the dark, dangerous, and desirable Benjamin Reese and everything he loves—an impossible task even before his touch arouses a passionate hunger she can’t afford. She’s certain a deadly enemy watches her every move, but it’s not until Benny kisses her that she tastes true danger… “Spicy romantic interplay; highly recommended.” —Library Journal on Vampire’s Faith “Sizzling sex scenes and a memorable cast.” —Publishers Weekly on Claimed “A fast-paced, excitement-filled explosion of action. . .Zanetti keeps getting better.” –RT Book Reviews on Marked, 4.5 Stars Top Pick

We the Maids, For the Maids, By the Maids - we are the maids that clean up and pay for America's geopolitical mess. A political manifesto for our difficult and troubled times, Custom Maid Spin for New World Disorder is a trenchant analysis of the political, social and moral ills that beset the United States. This is a book written for anyone with a stake in the future of America. Filled with witty personal anecdotes drawn from his experiences as a lawyer, a businessman and a political activist, de Krassel argues that America desperately needs to reform. He takes particular aim at the country's career politicians, sensationalist media and jingoistic culture. And he suggests ways in which America can put its house in order. The first chapter, The Hypocrisy of Fake Morality with Real Orgasms, examines how American journalists have increasingly focused on frivolous stories about the sex lives of public figures rather than the real issues affecting the country. In the years leading up to the 9/11 attacks, for example, more time was spent by the American media chasing the Monica Lewinsky affair than tackling difficult topics like the rise of Islamic extremism abroad or the long overdue need for campaign finance reform. Further chapters cover racism and bigotry, religion, America's great opportunity in the new millennium, the breakdown of family structures, spin and disinformation. The book concludes with an exhortation to a return to the principles of the Founding Fathers. A new millennium offers a unique opportunity for change. It is a chance for Americans to retake control of their political system and reassess their values in an increasingly religious, stressed-out, debt-laden, consumerist society. Peter de Krassel was born in England of a Russian father and Palestinian Jewish mother. He has lived all over the world, including Switzerland, Israel and the United States. Currently he lives in Hong Kong. He has a unique perspective on world events both from the influences of the places he's lived in and the people he has met, as well as from his varied career.

In a world inspired by karma, three teens encounter magnificent beasts, unforgiving magic, and epic battles in this propulsive and wholly original young adult fantasy. “Evocative of Sanderson, Pullman, and Fullmetal Alchemist, yet at the same time shockingly original.” —Rosaria Munda, author of Fireborne Aina’s world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It’s said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms. But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home. Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she’s survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a ruthless fighter trying to save his clan from extinction, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be. Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king of a lower realm is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law—but the universe itself. Fans of epic, propulsive fantasies like Six of Crows and innovative world-building like Avatar: The Last Airbender will delight in A. A. Vora's ambitious, unmissable debut.

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as has this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki's classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. An instant teaching on the first page. And that's just the beginning. In the thirty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics, much beloved, much re-read, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics—from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality—in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page. It's a book to come back to time and time again as an inspiration to practice.