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since this thread resides in the Religion and Spirituality section of the forum, then to keep it actually related to Religion and Spirituality, then readers may want to share and list the 3-5 books they are currently reading (or have read within the last say 6 months or so) which are related specifically to Religion and Spirituality.
i always have about 12 books at a time which are currently in progress (books at home, books in the car, books at my desk at work for reading at lunch and on break, books in my bag for waiting in line or at appointments). so here are some books which I am currently reading:
Dew Drops on a Lotus Leaf, Poems of Zen Master Ryokan
Turning Confusion into Clarity, Guide to Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism, by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Althar Intense, Living the Paradox, the ninth Althar book by Joachim Wolfram (my third read through these books, and yes i will read them again.)
Rebbe Nachman, The Power of Psalms, Book 2, Insights drawn from Breslov Teachings to enhance saying of Tehillim, translated and annotated by Dovid Sears
Step by Step Tai Chi, Natural Way to Strength and Health, by Master Lam Kam Chuen, guide for use in daily qi gong practice
it would be wonderful to share and see the titles and interests of readers here on CD, the 3-5 books you are currently reading related to Religion and Spirituality.
The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer. Recommended by another R&S poster, actually.
(Actually listened to it on Audible while walking in the local Conservation area, which makes a fine substitute for pictures.)
When I listen or read, I tend to visualize. When I start on a project, I must be able to visualize the finished product and work toward that goal. Some see a hunk of junk and I see a finished car. Just as most of my customer have that vision of what they are looking for, and I have to translate that into what I have to do.
I read something interesting lately that you just reminded me of. It was talking about prayer and how visualizing, fantasizing and intention setting were prayers. The beauty of this type prayer is that is serves as a guide to pull us forward. We are communicating our needs when we do that just like asking God.
There are a few biblical references, particularly near the end, but also references and quotes from other spiritual traditions. But it really isn't particulary Christian thought. The person who recommended it is a formerly-Christian atheist or agnostic. It could be used in conjunction with any spiritual tradition or none until the end when there are some vague undefined God references.
It was very helpful in particular to someone like me who has been surrounded by and steeped in death for a while now.
View expressed above reads a little repetitive and yes of course Tzap. Whatever you say. You know how we always agree about everything...
i have been thinking about what was said in the post (below) and there is nothing that a person thinks, feels, observes, or perceives that is NOT colored by their own thoughts, feelings, emotions.
all of perception falls into that category.
including all of LM's thoughts, beliefs, views, and opinions.
or anyone else's.
ALL of perception is distorted in that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LearnMe
Same here as I have always made a point of noting it serves little purpose to shake someone's faith, even it were possible...If the issue is what helps people get through the day, life, then "whatever works" as they say. If the issue is one having to do with figuring out what is fact and what is not, fiction vs non-fiction, truth vs otherwise, then emotions and what suits our wants and needs should really not factor into our thinking. Two very different things far as I'm concerned...
so no, there aren't "two very different things" at all. that is a false premise. because it is all perception, and it is all distorted and colored and skewed by the person who is doing the perceiving, observing, and interpreting. the "pairs" presented in post above are all false dichotomies, each and every one of them: "fiction/non-fiction" "truth/otherwise" "fact/not."
i have been thinking about what was said in the post (below) and there is nothing that a person thinks, feels, observes, or perceives that is NOT colored by their own thoughts, feelings, emotions.
all of perception falls into that category.
including all of LM's thoughts, beliefs, views, and opinions.
or anyone else's.
ALL of perception is distorted in that way.
so no, there aren't "two very different things" at all. that is a false premise. because it is all perception, and it is all distorted and colored and skewed by the person who is doing the perceiving, observing, and interpreting. the "pairs" presented in post above are all false dichotomies, each and every one of them: "fiction/non-fiction" "truth/otherwise" "fact/not."
I read something interesting lately that you just reminded me of. It was talking about prayer and how visualizing, fantasizing and intention setting were prayers. The beauty of this type prayer is that is serves as a guide to pull us forward. We are communicating our needs when we do that just like asking God.
I don't bother with all the mental or physical gymnastics when seeking God's heart in prayer. It's just heart to heart. I figure that no one has ever seen or heard me when I pray to God.
A long time ago during my brief time among religious folks, I went to a meeting at some one's house and at the end they wanted to join hands in a prayer circle. I wasn't really into that and never voiced any prayers, I just indulged them. During that time a child was sitting at the feet of all of them crying. I broke from the circle and attended the child and they went on. Had a great time with the child, by the time they were done, I found the child's interest and the child was happy and entertained.
yes, when i read a book i see it unfolding visually, it is like i am not only watching a movie, but I am in the movie and experiencing what the book is about. even books that may seem abstract unfold within visually and i see them.
It is nice to relate to it. Especially living words.
Visualization also helps in building something that doesn't presently exist. Sometimes I have to create a tool, that is not manufactured. So, I create it from materials I have laying around.
I have built many things from scratch. I can take some measurements and build it in my thoughts down to every last detail and piece of hardware, and also troubleshoot potential problems and when it is too complicated, I draw blueprints.
I watch a show called "full custom garage" and the guy on that show is just amazing. Far more advanced in that than I am. He pulls all these parts out of junk piles and nobody even knows what he is up to, and many times people look at him like he is crazy, until it starts to materialize.
Nowadays people rely heavily on computers to do all that, and something gets lost in that.
since this thread resides in the Religion and Spirituality section of the forum, then to keep it actually related to Religion and Spirituality, then readers may want to share and list the 3-5 books they are currently reading (or have read within the last say 6 months or so) which are related specifically to Religion and Spirituality.
i always have about 12 books at a time which are currently in progress (books at home, books in the car, books at my desk at work for reading at lunch and on break, books in my bag for waiting in line or at appointments). so here are some books which I am currently reading:
Dew Drops on a Lotus Leaf, Poems of Zen Master Ryokan
Turning Confusion into Clarity, Guide to Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism, by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Althar Intense, Living the Paradox, the ninth Althar book by Joachim Wolfram (my third read through these books, and yes i will read them again.)
Rebbe Nachman, The Power of Psalms, Book 2, Insights drawn from Breslov Teachings to enhance saying of Tehillim, translated and annotated by Dovid Sears
Step by Step Tai Chi, Natural Way to Strength and Health, by Master Lam Kam Chuen, guide for use in daily qi gong practice
it would be wonderful to share and see the titles and interests of readers here on CD, the 3-5 books you are currently reading related to Religion and Spirituality.
I had hopes this thread might be able to continue without the typical petty complaints and narrowing of space that might interest someone one way or another. I believe most people participating in the R&S forum like to read books, or maybe not most, but either way for those who do in this forum, the NPR list seems like an interesting one to consider. Also just FYI, there are books on the list that might more directly relate to topics discussed in the R&S forum. Like this one for example...
Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew
Michael W. Twitty
Biography & Memoir Cookbooks & Food Eye-Opening Reads For History Lovers Identity & Culture Nonfiction Staff Picks The States We’re In
Koshersoul is a frank, vibrant and profound follow-up to culinary historian Michael W. Twitty’s erudite and eye-opening 2017 book The Cooking Gene. This time around, Twitty explores what it means to be Black and Jewish, to be the inheritor of both African Atlantic and Jewish global diaspora traditions, and to move through the world with that multiconsciousness. Also, there are recipes. Still looking forward to trying out his pastrami-and-collards spring rolls, zested up with ginger, garlic and sesame oil.
Though cooking is not necessarily a typical R&S topic and perhaps even considered off-topic in most threads by those who are forever inclined that way, cooking comes up fairly often in this forum anyway. Maybe best to shield your eyes from this sort of thing. Looks like posting the NPR list has spurred additional comments about reading, books and other recommendations. I see that as a GOOD thing!
Meanwhile, as I've mentioned before in this forum, I too typically have about five library books on my nightstand at any given time. I like to have one about artists. Usually painters and/or musicians. Biographies and autobiographies, and usually non-fiction/history. The one I'm deepest into right now is titled, "A New World Begins," by Jeremy D. Popkin. An interesting read about the French Revolution and yet another history book that highlights just how much unnecessary extreme violence has occurred as a result of conflict between religious followers.
Not all wars and violence have been caused by religious differences. Of course not. Not even most, but how unbelievable the number that have and to what extent the violence. It's absolutely remarkable, mind-boggling and sad, but also interesting "how the world turns" in the many directions it does. Sure am glad those days are for the most part behind us anyway, even though we've still got an awful long way to go.
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