MSI Press Blog

  Just the basics — because it really is a vast tradition Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest living spiritual traditions. It began in India more than 2,500 years ago and has since taken root across Asia and, more recently, the West. It is not a religion of a single book or a single authority. Instead, it is a path — a way of seeing, understanding, and living. Here are the essentials. 1. The Story at the Beginning Buddhism begins with a human being, not a god. Siddhartha Gautama, later called the Buddha (“the awakened one”), was a prince who left a life of comfort after encountering the realities of aging, illness, and death. He wanted to understand why human beings suffer — and whether there is a way out of that suffering. After years of searching, he experienced a profound awakening under the Bodhi tree. What he discovered became the foundation of Buddhism. 2. The Buddha’s Insight: Why We Suffer At the heart of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths , which are not dogmas but obse...

  Today's publisher's pride is Pathways to Inner Peace by Diane Dreher , which reached #89 on Amazon's bestseller list for positive psychology. Book Description Pathways to Inner Peace offers a guiding light of hope in a world too often filled with stress, disconnection, and uncertainty. Blending scientific insight, spiritual wisdom, personal stories, and practical exercises, this book helps readers cultivate peace of mind and deepen their connection—to themselves, to others, and to the natural world. Inspiring and accessible, it’s a companion for anyone seeking greater clarity, calm, and meaning in daily life. Keywords inner peace; mindfulness; emotional well-being; stress relief; spiritual growth; personal transformation; self-awareness; holistic healing; mind-body connection' guided exercises; peace of mind; connection to nature; self-discovery; practical spirituality; daily calm; clarity and purpose; mental health; resilience; inspirational stories; meditation and...

  From Morning Prayer: The Breviary indicates multiple times during prayer that require making the sign of the cross. The Sign of the Cross is one of the oldest and most recognizable gestures in Christianity. It is simple enough for a child to learn, yet profound enough to summarize the entire mystery of the Trinity and the saving work of Christ. Its history stretches back to the earliest Christian communities, and its use today remains just as central—especially in the Church’s daily prayer. 1. Where the Sign of the Cross Comes From — and Why Early Christians Used It The Sign of the Cross is ancient—far older than most formal liturgical structures. Early Christian writers testify that believers were marking themselves with the cross long before the Church developed the rites we know today. Earliest Evidence Tertullian (c. 200 AD) describes Christians tracing a small cross on their foreheads “in all our actions… when we come in or go out, when we dress, when we wash, at our meals, ...