{"title":"Stephen Batchelor","description":"\u003cp\u003eStephen Batchelor explores the intersections of \u003cem\u003eBuddhism\u003c\/em\u003e, philosophy, and history with a thoughtful and accessible approach. His works invite readers to reconsider traditional spiritual teachings through a contemporary, often secular lens, making complex ideas tangible and relatable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom reflections on ancient wisdom to the art of solitude, Batchelor’s books engage with enduring questions about existence and meaning, appealing to those interested in \u003cstrong\u003ereligion, philosophy\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the historical contexts that shape our understanding of both.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-art-of-solitude-by-stephen-batchelor-9780300261523","title":"The Art of Solitude","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn a time of social distancing and isolation, a meditation on the beauty of solitude from renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Review of Books\u003c\/i\u003e “Best of the Year” selection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Whatever a soul is, the author goes a long way toward soothing it. A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life.” —\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Elegant and formally ingenious.” — Geoff Wisner, \u003ci\u003eWall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen world renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor turned sixty, he took a sabbatical from his teaching and turned his attention to solitude, a practice integral to the meditative traditions he has long studied and taught. He aimed to venture more deeply into solitude, discovering its full extent and depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful literary collage documents his multifaceted explorations. Spending time in remote places, appreciating and making art, practicing meditation and participating in retreats, drinking peyote and ayahuasca, and training himself to keep an open, questioning mind have all contributed to Batchelor’s ability to be simultaneously alone and at ease. Mixed in with his personal narrative are inspiring stories from solitude’s devoted practitioners, from the Buddha to Montaigne, from Vermeer to Agnes Martin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a hyperconnected world that is at the same time plagued by social isolation, \u003cem\u003eThe Art of Solitude\u003c\/em\u003e shows how to enjoy the inescapable solitude that is at the heart of human life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Wiley and Sons Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46796784206060,"sku":"9780300261523","price":28.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24612973482294.jpg?v=1757108376"},{"product_id":"medieval-history-for-dummies-by-stephen-batchelor-9780470747834","title":"Medieval History For Dummies","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRattle through 1000 years of horrible history, from the fifth century to the sixteenth century\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFamine, plague, and public execution – the medieval period wasn't the best time for some, but heroic rulers like Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, and Henry V made sure that it was full of action. Brimming with facts, this book helps you get under the skin of the people who lived at the time, from impoverished peasants to opulent monarchs. From the Dark Ages to the Renaissance and all the upheavals in between, \u003cem\u003eMedieval History For Dummies\u003c\/em\u003e takes the pain out of medieval history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Black Death\u003c\/b\u003e – assess the deadly pandemic that swept through Britain and Europe killing millions of people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Holy Roman Empire strikes back\u003c\/b\u003e – understand how the empire fought to maintain its position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFalling apart\u003c\/b\u003e – witness the arrival of powerful armies from the east and invaders from the north, and the dramatic effects of religious schisms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeading for the Holy Land\u003c\/b\u003e – uncover the reasons why crusading became so popular, and ultimately so unsuccessful, between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLiving in the medieval world\u003c\/b\u003e – understand the lives of monks and monarchs, peasants and popes, and travellers and traders of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWaging conflicts, battles, and wars\u003c\/b\u003e – a look through the troubles that shaped the medieval age; from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Wars of the Roses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOpen the book and find:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWhy the peasants revolted\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWhere Chaucer gained inspiration to write \u003cem\u003eThe Canterbury Tales\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWhich religious groups fought for power\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHow the Magna Carta shaped our present-day legal system\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWhy the Vikings may have got to America before Columbus\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eProfiles of the best and worst medieval monarchs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHow Joan of Arc made her name\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe great and grisly histories of surviving medieval castles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGo to Dummies.com\u003c\/b\u003e for videos, step-by-step examples, how-to articles or to shop!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46867550863596,"sku":"9780470747834","price":49.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/16242893482355.jpg?v=1759711931"},{"product_id":"the-ancient-greeks-for-dummies-by-stephen-batchelor-9780470987872","title":"The Ancient Greeks For Dummies","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe civilisation of the Ancient Greeks has been immensely influential on the language, politics, educational systems, philosophy, science, and arts of Western culture. As well as establishing itself as the birthplace of the Olympics, Ancient Greece is famous for its literature, philosophy, mythology, and beautiful architecture, which attracts thousands of tourists every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis entertaining guide introduces readers to the amazing world of the Ancient Greeks. It offers a complete rundown of Greek history alongside fascinating insights into daily life in Ancient Greece and a captivating overview of Greek mythology. Readers will discover how this ancient culture became the cornerstone of Western civilisation and the enormous influence it has had on our language, politics, education, philosophy, science, arts, and sport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThe history of Ancient Greece remains a wide topic of interest, particularly renowned for its influential and diverse culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThis basic guide will allow greater access to this vibrant area of study and provide a distinct and light-hearted approach to this vast area of history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCovers dozens of topics, including early civilisations, war \u0026amp; fighting, home \u0026amp; family, day-to-day life, and much, much more!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Ancient Greeks For Dummies\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the profound impact of Ancient Greek culture on modern society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSteve Batchelor\u003c\/b\u003e is a lecturer in Classics at Richmond College and has been teaching ancient history for 10 years. He has written reviews for various publications, including \u003ci\u003eHistory Today\u003c\/i\u003e, and has also been involved in running guided historical tours of Greece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46868663566572,"sku":"9780470987872","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18643273482355.jpg?v=1759764630"},{"product_id":"buddha-socrates-and-us-by-stephen-batchelor-9780300275490","title":"Buddha, Socrates, and Us","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA renowned Buddhist teacher turns to two of the most influential figures in history for guidance on how to face the ethical challenges of our time.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough they never met, Socrates and the Buddha were almost exact contemporaries. Each addressed, in a radically new and surprisingly similar way, the core questions of how to lead a good, just, and dignified life amid turbulence and violence. Common to their teachings was an ethics of uncertainty: both men refused to make truth claims about the ultimate nature of reality and insisted on the primacy of critical self-evaluation as the basis of an ethical life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this illuminating book, \u003cem\u003eBuddha, Socrates, and Us\u003c\/em\u003e, best-selling author Stephen Batchelor explores the philosophical, social, and political worlds of the Buddha and Socrates. He shows how their teachings continue to provide lessons in how to lead a flourishing and engaged life. Keenly aware of the fickle and conflicted nature of the human mind, Gotama and Socrates inspired their followers to act with humility and courage, risk and resolve, doubt and confidence. Drawing on their insights, and those of their followers, Batchelor uncovers a common ground between Buddhist dharma and Greek philosophy that can serve as a starting point for a \"secular faith\" addressing the most pressing spiritual and planetary issues of our age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000559943916,"sku":"9780300275490","price":47.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24752643482294.jpg?v=1763284782"},{"product_id":"what-is-this-by-martine-batchelor-9780473474973","title":"What is this?","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat is this? Ancient questions for modern minds\u003c\/em\u003e presents talks given by Martine and Stephen Batchelor during a Sŏn (Chan\/Zen) retreat in England in 2016. Leading us through the practice of radical questioning at the heart of this Korean Buddhist tradition, the authors show how anyone at all can benefit from this form of radical inquiry today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese talks demonstrate clearly how a practice with origins in China a thousand years ago can meld with insights from the natural sciences, classical and modern western philosophy, Romantic poetry, and early Buddhism. The reader can use this book as a companion in facing the challenge of living a fully human life in our complex contemporary world, or as a practice manual, or both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStephen Batchelor is a writer, teacher and artist. He trained as a Sŏn monk in Korea for four years. He is the author of \u003cem\u003eBuddhism without beliefs\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAfter Buddhism\u003c\/em\u003e and, most recently, \u003cem\u003eSecular Buddhism\u003c\/em\u003e. He is a co-founder of Bodhi College.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMartine Batchelor lived as a Sŏn nun in Korea for ten years. She is author of \u003cem\u003eMeditation for life\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe path of compassion\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eWomen in Korean Zen\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLet go\u003c\/em\u003e. Her most recent book is \u003cem\u003eThe spirit of the Buddha\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMartine and Stephen have taught at Gaia House since 1986. They live in southwest France, and conduct seminars and retreats worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Tuwhiri","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47379889586412,"sku":"9780473474973","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15428493482356.jpg?v=1773263746"},{"product_id":"after-buddhism-by-stephen-batchelor-9780300224344","title":"After Buddhism","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA renowned Buddhist teacher’s magnum opus, based on his fresh reading of the tradition’s earliest texts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome twenty-five centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularised version of the Buddha’s teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age. \u003cem\u003eAfter Buddhism\u003c\/em\u003e, the culmination of four decades of study and practice in the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada traditions, is his attempt to set the record straight about who the Buddha was and what he was trying to teach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCombining critical readings of the earliest canonical texts with narrative accounts of five members of the Buddha’s inner circle, Batchelor depicts the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than a dogmatic metaphysician. 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