Books published by publisher Light of the Spirit Press

The unique story of Jesus, Saint Thomas his Apostle, and how the Dharma of India became part of Saint Thomas Christianity“Original Christianity” is the teaching of both Jesus of Nazareth and his Apostle Saint Thomas in India. Although it was new to the Mediterranean world, it was really the classical, traditional teachings of the ancient rishis of India that even today comprise Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Dharma, that goes far beyond religion into realization.In The Christ of India Abbot George Burke presents what those ancient teachings are, as well as the growing evidence that Jesus spent much of his “Lost Years” in India and Tibet. This is also the story of how the original teachings of Jesus and Saint Thomas thrived in India for centuries before the coming of the European colonialists.The Christ of India: The Story of Original Christianity includes the following: • The Christ of India, about the Essene roots of Jesus and the early Christians; the spiritual training of Jesus; The "lost years" of Jesus, with much information never before gathered together in one place; Jesus' return to the West, and how his teachings were misunderstood; Jesus return to India after his resurrection; and much more.• The Apostle of India, about how Jesus' apostle Saint Thomas went to India, and how the Christianity which grew up in India had a totally unique character compared to elsewhere in the world; the history of Saint Thomas Christianity in India and how it was persecuted by the colonialists.• The Beliefs of Original Christianity• Special Appendix: Indian Masters Who Considered Jesus One of Them. Stories of masters who had visions of Jesus, and those who researched Jesus’ time in India, including Sri Ramakrishna, Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Sivananda and othersYou will learn about the manuscripts which proved Jesus lived in the "East," and the efforts to suppress the news of their discovery.You will learn about the Indian Saint Thomas Christian bishop of the 18th century who taught karma and reincarnation, who later became a wonderworking saint revered by Christians, Hindus, and Muslims alike.Those who find themselves attracted to both Jesus and the Dharma of India will find this book fascinating and illuminating.

"An extraordinary work of theological commentary, "The Gospel of Thomas for Awakening" is as informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring. --James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review"From the very beginning there were two Christianities." So begins this remarkable work.While the rest of the Apostles dispersed to various areas of the Mediterranean world, the apostle Thomas travelled to India, where growing evidence shows that Jesus spent his "Lost Years," and which had been the source of the wisdom which he had brought to the "West."In The Gospel of Thomas for Awakening, Abbot George shines the "Light of the East" on the sometimes enigmatic sayings of Jesus recorded by his apostle Saint Thomas, revealing their unique and rich practical nature for modern day seekers for spiritual life.Ideal for daily study or group discussionThe Reverend Gerry Nangle says: "The chapters are quite short, each based on one or two sayings, making them ideal for daily study and contemplation or suitable as material for group discussion. This book can be read once or twice for its rich factual content, or many times for the spiritual challenges it raises within the reader's own mind and heart."While many books related to the Gospel of Thomas deal with historical or theological issues, Abbot George's approach is remarkably practical, dealing with how Jesus' words can be applied to make your life better and more spiritually rich. This is a must have book for spiritual aspirants, whatever their background.

From Publisher's Weekly: "[Abbot George] Burke enthusiastically explores the story as a means for knowing oneself, the cosmos, and one's calling within it. His plainspoken insights often distill complex lessons with simplicity and sagacity. Those with a deep interest in the Gita will find much wisdom here." Several thousand years ago in north-central India, two people sat in a chariot in the midpoint of a great battlefield. One of them, the yogi Arjuna, knew that it would be not be long before the conflict would begin. So he asked Krishna, the Master of Yoga (Yogeshwara), what should be his attitude and perspective in this moment. And above all: What should he do?There was no time to spare in empty words.In a brief discourse, later turned into seven hundred Sanskrit verses by the sage Vyasa, Krishna outlined to Arjuna the way to live one's entire life so as to gain perfect self-knowledge and self-mastery.The Bhagavad Gita tells us that we can attain a Knowing beyond even what it tells us. And it shows us the way.With penetrating insight, Abbot George Burke illumines the Bhagavad Gita's practical value for spiritual seekers, and the timelessness of India's most beloved scripture. With a unique perspective of a lifetime of study and practice of both Eastern and Western spirituality, Abbot George mines the treasures of the Gita and presents them in an easily intelligible fashion for those wishing to put these priceless teachings into practice.Drawing from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Jesus, Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Papa Ramdas, and other spiritual masters and teachers, as well as his own experiences, Abbot Burke illustrates the teachings of the Gita with stories which make the teachings of Krishna in the Gita vibrant and living.While Yogananda in his commentary on the Gita, God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita, focuses on the valuable symbolism contained in the Gita, Abbot Burke dwells primarily on the practical aspects, and what aspirants can put into practice here and now on a daily basis.Any student of the Bhagavad Gita will find The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening an essential companion in their studies. At times general principles found in the Gita are illumined, and in other places the deeper meanings found in the Sanskrit text are explained word by word so that seekers will have and in-depth understanding of the religion, practices, and culture that those familiar with Indian religion and philosophy take for granted."A must read for anyone on a spiritual quest for the truth!" --Sailaja Kuruvadi

The unique story of Jesus, Saint Thomas his Apostle, and how the Dharma of India became part of Saint Thomas Christianity“Original Christianity” is the teaching of both Jesus of Nazareth and his Apostle Saint Thomas in India. Although it was new to the Mediterranean world, it was really the classical, traditional teachings of the ancient rishis of India that even today comprise Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Dharma, that goes far beyond religion into realization.In The Christ of India Abbot George Burke presents what those ancient teachings are, as well as the growing evidence that Jesus spent much of his “Lost Years” in India and Tibet. This is also the story of how the original teachings of Jesus and Saint Thomas thrived in India for centuries before the coming of the European colonialists.The Christ of India: The Story of Original Christianity includes the following: • The Christ of India, about the Essene roots of Jesus and the early Christians; the spiritual training of Jesus; The "lost years" of Jesus, with much information never before gathered together in one place; Jesus' return to the West, and how his teachings were misunderstood; Jesus return to India after his resurrection; and much more.• The Apostle of India, about how Jesus' apostle Saint Thomas went to India, and how the Christianity which grew up in India had a totally unique character compared to elsewhere in the world; the history of Saint Thomas Christianity in India and how it was persecuted by the colonialists.• The Beliefs of Original Christianity• Special Appendix: Indian Masters Who Considered Jesus One of Them. Stories of masters who had visions of Jesus, and those who researched Jesus’ time in India, including Sri Ramakrishna, Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Sivananda and othersYou will learn about the manuscripts which proved Jesus lived in the "East," and the efforts to suppress the news of their discovery.You will learn about the Indian Saint Thomas Christian bishop of the 18th century who taught karma and reincarnation, who later became a wonderworking saint revered by Christians, Hindus, and Muslims alike.Those who find themselves attracted to both Jesus and the Dharma of India will find this book fascinating and illuminating.

"An extraordinary work of theological commentary, "The Gospel of Thomas for Awakening" is as informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring." –James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review"From the very beginning there were two Christianities." So begins this remarkable work.While the rest of the Apostles dispersed to various areas of the Mediterranean world, the apostle Thomas travelled to India, where growing evidence shows that Jesus spent his "Lost Years," and which had been the source of the wisdom which he had brought to the "West."In The Gospel of Thomas for Awakening, Abbot George shines the "Light of the East" on the sometimes enigmatic sayings of Jesus recorded by his apostle Saint Thomas, revealing their unique and rich practical nature for modern day seekers for spiritual life.Ideal for daily study or group discussion.The Reverend Gerry Nangle says: "The chapters are quite short, each based on one or two sayings, making them ideal for daily study and contemplation or suitable as material for group discussion. This book can be read once or twice for its rich factual content, or many times for the spiritual challenges it raises within the reader's own mind and heart."While many books related to the Gospel of Thomas deal with historical or theological issues, Abbot George's approach is remarkably practical, dealing with how Jesus' words can be applied to make your life better and more spiritually rich. This is a must have book for spiritual aspirants, whatever their background.

Several thousand years ago in north-central India, two people sat in a chariot in the midpoint of a great battlefield. One of them, the yogi Arjuna, knew that it would be not be long before the conflict would begin. So he asked Krishna, the Master of Yoga (Yogeshwara), what should be his attitude and perspective in this moment. And above all: What should he do?There was no time to spare in empty words. In a brief discourse, later turned into seven hundred Sanskrit verses by the sage Vyasa, Krishna outlined to Arjuna the way to live one’s entire life so as to gain perfect self-knowledge and self-mastery.The Bhagavad Gita tells us that we can attain a Knowing beyond even what it tells us. And it shows us the way.With penetrating insight, Abbot George Burke illumines the Bhagavad Gita's practical value for spiritual seekers, and the timelessness of India's most beloved scripture. With a unique perspective of a lifetime of study and practice of both Eastern and Western spirituality, Abbot George mines the treasures of the Gita and presents them in an easily intelligible fashion for those wishing to put these priceless teachings into practice.Drawing from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Jesus, Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Papa Ramdas, and other spiritual masters and teachers, as well as his own experiences, Abbot Burke illustrates the teachings of the Gita with stories which make the teachings of Krishna in the Gita vibrant and living.While Yogananda in his commentary on the Gita, “God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita,” focuses on the valuable symbolism contained in the Gita, Abbot Burke dwells primarily on the practical aspects, and what aspirants can put into practice here and now on a daily basis.Any student of the Bhagavad Gita will find “The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening” an essential companion in their studies. At times general principles found in the Gita are illumined, and in other places the deeper meanings found in the Sanskrit text are explained word by word so that seekers will have and in-depth understanding of the religion, practices, and culture that those familiar with Indian religion and philosophy take for granted.A must read for anyone on a spiritual quest for the truth!” —Sailaja Kuruvadi

Imagine if you got on your school bus in the morning and it turned into the Fortnite Battle Bus and dropped you off on a Battle Royale Island -- because that's basically what happened to me...I’m a Fortnite noob. I admit it. I never actually played. Which I wish I had. Because Fortnite happened to me in real life.After the meteor crashed down on our school nothing was ever the same.One ordinary (yet not so ordinary day AT ALL) I got detention. When I arrived in the detention room our principal took us--my three friends and I--in an airplane and flew us to Death Island.He told us we were a squad and that I was the leader. Our plane got shot down and we landed on the island, in a Battle Royale fight against 800 other students from other high schools. Our crazy principal told us it was up to us to save the island.But mostly I just wanted to stay alive, and keep my friends alive. Which meant we had to be the last team standing.This is the Crazy and Extreme DIARY OF A FORTNITE NOOB -- And How Fortnite Came Into Real Life. Basically. Sort Of.Strap in for the ride of your life. Because you're about to get caught in a storm of action, adventure and fun!

"From the very beginning there were two Christianities." While the rest of the Apostles dispersed to various areas of the Mediterranean world, the apostle Thomas travelled to India, where growing evidence shows that Jesus spent his “Lost Years,” and which had been the source of the wisdom which he had brought to the “West.” In The Gospel of Thomas for Awakening, Abbot George shines the “Light of the East” on the sometimes enigmatic sayings of Jesus recorded by his apostle Saint Thomas, revealing their unique and rich practical nature for modern day seekers for spiritual life. Below is a sample commentary on one of the verses of the Gospel of Thomas: Ending Duality Jesus said, When you make the two one, you will become the sons of man, and when you say, ‘Mountain, move away,’ it will move away. (106) Making the two one Unity is always the state of everything: duality is only part of the dream aspect of relative existence, of creation. So what Jesus is saying is that we must dispel the illusion of duality–banish it from our mind–not by intellectual affirmation or any thought process but by entering into the state of Oneness though meditational experience, through prolonged practice of yoga. This is possible because unity lies at the very heart of our existence; it is our eternal nature. Becoming the Sons of Man Jesus often referred to himself as Son of Man, and the expression occurs over eighty times in the four Gospels. It appears even more times than that in the Old Testament where it is used by God and angels to address prophets and others that are being taught by direct revelation. So just as Jesus is not the Christ, but rather a Christ, in the way he was a Son of Man in the sense that all human beings are destined to be just the same as he. Sons of Man and Sons of God are really the same thing, which is reasonable considering that man and God are one. That being so, these words of Saint Paul are very significant for us: “The earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.… Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:19, 21, 22). Creation itself is the great womb of God in which all sentient being are gestating (evolving) unto the point of delivery (birth) into the Infinite Consciousness as liberated Sons of God. Moving the mountain The mountain will move when the Sons of God tell it to, because they are one with the mountain. In this verse, as well as in similar ones in the Bible, a mountain is any obstacle to spiritual life and progress. It is literal, too, because I have seen Dur Mountain in Cairo which moved several miles at the command of a Coptic Orthodox saint, a simple shoemaker. (After it had moved some miles he called out: “Dur!” which means “Stop!” So it is called Dur Mountain.) Anyone can see from the strata of the mountain that it is sitting in a place not native to it. If you go to its point of origin you see that the strata fit perfectly like pieces of a puzzle. No geologist can honestly deny the fact that the mountain is now sitting miles from its original location. The vistas opened to us by Jesus have no boundaries except those we set ourselves.

The unique story of Jesus, Saint Thomas his Apostle, and how the Dharma of India became part of Saint Thomas Christianity *Award Winning*There is a strong connection between Jesus and India, both historically and philosophically. And his disciple, Saint Thomas, who was the apostle of India, built upon the foundation of that connection. The result is that unique form of Christianity known as Saint Thomas Christianity.In The Christ of India, Abbot George Burke presents the growing evidence that Jesus spent much of his "Lost Years" in India and Tibet, and reveals the philosophical unity of Jesus' teachings with the Eternal Way of Truth known in India as Sanatana Dharma. The history of Saint Thomas Christianity from the times of Jesus and Saint Thomas to the present day is also outlined.The Christ of India: The Story of Saint Thomas Christianity includes the following:The Christ of India, about the Essene roots of Jesus and the early Christians; the spiritual training of Jesus; The "lost years" of Jesus, with much information never before gathered together in one place; Jesus' return to the West, and how his teachings were misunderstood; Jesus return to India after his resurrection; and much more.The Apostle of India, about how Jesus' apostle Saint Thomas went to India, and how the Christianity which grew up in India had a totally unique character compared to elsewhere in the world; the history of Saint Thomas Christianity in India and the story of mission from the Church of India to America in the 1800's and what happened to it.Basic Beliefs of Saint Thomas Christianity, andThe Saint Thomas Christian View of DharmaYou will learn about the Tibetan and Indian manuscripts which proved Jesus lived in the "East" and the efforts to suppress the news of their discovery.You will learn about the Indian Saint Thomas Christian bishop of the 18th century who taught karma and reincarnation, who later became a wonderworking saint revered by Christians, Hindus, and Muslims alike.Those who find themselves attracted to both Jesus and the Dharma of India will find this book fascinating and illuminating.

When your beloved witchy grandmother is dead, your best friend is dating the son of one of the meanest women in town, and your dreams have been hijacked by Southern belle spirits trying to kill you, what's a girl to do? Caffeine up and go on a ghost hunt, of course! Crescent is the story of Stella Fortunat, a girl who wears way too much eyeliner, drinks way too much coffee, and has way too many expectations set on her by an unsympathetic mother. Most of her life has been occupied by work at her family's cafe, blending her own eye shadows, and sitting at the feet of her tarot reading, voodoo practicing "GG". Now, Stella's own prophetic dreams have taken a very dangerous turn, and everyone seems to think she's crazy. From mystical visions to masquerade balls, Crescent is a journey that's dark, playful, poignant, and funny.

When your beloved witchy grandmother is dead, your best friend is dating the son of one of the meanest women in town, and your dreams have been hijacked by Southern belle spirits trying to kill you, what's a girl to do? Caffeine up and go on a ghost hunt, of course!Crescent is the story of Stella Fortunat, a girl who wears way too much eyeliner, drinks way too much coffee, and has way too many expectations set on her by an unsympathetic mother. Most of her life has been occupied by work at her family's cafe, blending her own eye shadows and sitting at the feet of her Tarot reading, Voodoo practicing "GG".Now, Stella's own prophetic dreams have taken a very dangerous turn and everyone seems to think she's crazy. From mystical visions to masquerade balls, Crescent is a journey that's dark, playful, poignant, and funny."Teen supernatural fiction at its best."-D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review

The sea keeps secrets. Gryshen’s never belonged. She’s always been . . . odd. And she’s never wanted her role as chieftain’s daughter. There are too many expectations. She’s expected to lead a pod of iloray who don’t seem to trust her. To be the responsible sibling, while her charming kid brother jokes, hunts, and woos. To marry her father’s unbearably dependable aide, Bravis. Life in the water has always moved too fast. And now it’s speeding up. Gryshen’s beloved father is dying, leaving her to take the throne and guard her pod’s sacred pearl, a magical gem that gives life to all iloray. When she meets the remarkable Coss, son of the most ruthless chieftain in Oceas, she finally finds a way out. But her dreams come undone as her father’s health collapses, the sacred pearl goes missing, and an ancient test reveals just how much of a stranger she is. Now, Gryshen—who’s never led anything—must lead warriors from pods around the sea in a battle to save their kind. Will she discover what she is along the way? The sea is full of secrets, and it’s time for them to surface.