The Floating Press imprint: 2252 books

Do you believe in the persistence of the human soul? Convinced that we live through multiple iterations of life on Earth before finally achieving enlightenment and moving to the next plane of being? Interested in learning more about the early Western response to the Buddhist and Hindu doctrines of reincarnation?...

In his personal life, Swedish playwright and novelist August Strindberg placed great importance on personal development and progression, even if that process proved to be unbearably painful and disruptive. That value system is reflected throughout the novel The Growth of a Soul, a coming-of-age story in which the transition to a state of maturity and enlightenment extracts a significant cost.

William James was an important American psychologist and philosopher. He was one of the early academics of psychology and his philosophy touched mainly on pragmatism and the religious or mystic experience. The Will to Believe is a lecture he delivered, which argues that personal belief is a valid basis...

Social philosopher Richard B. Gregg is credited with coining the term "voluntary simplicity" and is said to be "the first American to develop a substantial theory of nonviolent resistance." He was influenced by Gandhi, and traveled to India to learn from him. In turn Gregg was an influence on figures...

Interested in learning more about Buddhism? Tired of watered-down, "Westernized" assessments of this ancient faith tradition? Go straight to the source with this translation of Japanese Buddhist scripture that delves into the core of Buddhist doctrine and wisdom.

For centuries, the unique culture of Japan has enchanted Westerners and other foreign observers. Although there was a strong and growing interest in scholarly studies of Japan throughout the nineteenth century, most of these investigations were conducted by outsiders with scant knowledge of Japanese...

Author David V. Bush's contention that people need to spend more time in silence is particularly relevant in the hectic hustle and bustle of the 21st century. In this volume, Bush expounds on the spiritual and intellectual benefits of time spent contemplating in silence and offers practical tips designed to help even the most easily distracted readers ease into a regular meditative practice.

Must religion and morals go together? Can one be taught without the other? These questions are as relevant today as they were nearly a century ago when author Annie Besant first addressed them in The Basis of Morality. Whether you are an ardent believer or a hard-nosed skeptic, the age-old relationship between religion and morality is a fascinating one to ponder.

This epistolary novel from writer A. C. Benson explores the friendship between a schoolmaster, T. B. (whom many critics regard as a stand-in for Benson), and his old friend Herbert. Over the course of dozens of letters, the details of both correspondents' lives and pasts are revealed, as are their opinions and beliefs on a wide range of topics.

Though remarkably creative, Swedish writer and artist August Strindberg had a very stormy personal life that was fraught with drama, controversy and scandal. In the 1890s, as his marriage to Finnish actress Siri von Essen was crumbling, Strindberg decided to air his side of the story in the guise of...

Though Swedish author August Strindberg produced significant works in fields ranging from memoir to observations of the natural world, he is best remembered as a groundbreaking dramatist whose plays were far ahead of their time and helped to usher in a new era of literature. The five-act drama Lucky...

For readers who are familiar with Swedish writer August Strindberg's early, groundbreaking works for the stage, the dreamy magical realism of the short story collection In Midsummer Days will likely come as a surprise. These tales veer sharply away from the unflinching realism that came to be associated...

This fascinating series of lectures looks at human history not through the typical lens of conflict and struggles for political power, but as a gradual process of collective spiritual growth and development that is unfolding over the course of thousands of years. An enlightening read for anyone interested in New Thought and theosophy.

Annie Besant began her career as a political activist, working on issues such as suffrage, women's reproductive rights, and socialism. Along the way, she encountered the New Thought movement and developed a strong interest in spirituality. Within a few years, she had established herself as an international...