Take 85

 

Another book that I read this week was Illumination. It is a book on shamanic practices, types of initiation and seven deadly and angelic emotions. Some pseudo-science mumbo jumbo appealing to gullible individuals who think healing their emotional self will solve all their problems. Battling the myth of living to be 1000 the book also contains mentions on the importance of action and effort to override negative emotions and develop artfully. I took it all with a grain of salt. As much as I am interested in knowledge and wisdom from what I learned it my life it is important to experience all emotions without judging them, accepting yourself, not trying to focus too much on who you are but on expressing whatever it is you have inside you creatively and maintaining a healthy balance between work and play. I think the whole shamanic practices thing is meant for regular people who bow down to societal rules or to those who are willing to believe that hallucinations tell them some things about their hidden selves. At least I found there is such a thing as the neuroscience of enlightment.

Take 84

Another book that I read this week was The Shadow Effect. It is a book about the presumably destructive forces of our psyche which argues we all have a dark side we should learn to deal with through love and forgiveness. I don't know about that. It seems to me that people who do bad things are not victims of their shadow but merely give in to their natural impulses. Then there is the eternal debate between sides: some argue that there are good and evil people and we are eventually drawn to people who resemble our native nature, others argue that good and evil inhabit each of us and that contrast is what makes the Universe go round. Then there is the debate between the projection side and the thinslices side. We just don't seem to be able to agree, do we? I don't believe in the shadow. There, I've said it. Some people should not be excused but merely made to take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. The book just seemed like brainwashing and holy moly indoctrination to me. Not to mention the preposterous idea that you should not keep secrets as this strengthens your shadow. Sure. Willingly bring yourself to the gallows.

7 Months in the Making

As 2020 is ending it is time to announce another achievement of mine. This year I challenged myself to read 22 books. I somehow managed to read over 100 books. I am proud of myself for accomplishing my goal of reading 100 books in 2020 and for having implemented the idea of yet another book blog. I took advantage of the fact that I did not have a job and focused my efforts on implementing yet another idea of mine. I can now show off with my newest creation. Yay. Not to mention the fact that this move of mine did wonders for my self-esteem. This would be the ideal  life for me: reading books, writing about them, sleeping and dreaming of solutions to my problems. I hope 2021 will bring you achievement and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Take 83

 

Another book that I read this week was The Ultimate Guide to Chakras. It is a short read that presents each of our energy centers coupled with recommendations on how to activate them, cristals, gods and godesses and runes for each. Not much science in it and highly improbable but somehow I found the book interesting and experienced synchronicities while reading it. Should you feel a little New Age you should definitely give it a try.

Take 82

 

This week's book is Auto-pilot. It is a book about the art of idleness and the brain's default mode network. A collection of seemingly scientific facts that argues that it is better to be lazy and do nothing than work. Doing nothing makes you more creative and can help you with self-knowledge. Doing nothing can make you a happier person, even if religious figures tell you that work is what appeases God. The book also contains references to Reiner Maria Rilke's life and his predisposition for idleness. It is a promising read for a slacker like me but I think it goes against the grain too much to be taken seriously by workaholics. Doing nothing as part of human nature? Such nonsense. I found it a little bit pseudo-sciencey so as much as I wanted to use it as a solid argument for my lack of activity I had to admit I couldn't do that. 

Take 81

 

Another book that I read this week was Irish Fairy Tales. Apart from George Orwell's Ninety-Eighty Four it is the book that marked my adolescence. I remember how Mădălina Bănuţă, one of my class mates at the time decided to do a paper on Irish fairy tales after she saw me borrowing the book at the local library. So in her honour I've decided to read the book again to remember the days of my youth. The book states: "After this Earth there is a world of the Shí. Beyond it again lies the Many-Coloured Land. Next comes the Land of Wonder, and after that the Land of Promise awaits us. You will cross clay to get into the Shí; you will cross water to attain the Many-Colored Land; fire must be passed ere the Land of Wonder is attained, but we do not know what will be crossed for the forth world." I wonder what this means. I am sure Mădălina Bănuţă knows, her being smart and all. All in all a beautiful read with nuggets of wisdom here and there which lie underlined. Good thing I saved a copy of the book for later use and recollection. I also learned idioms such as "silent as a mouse" and "shy as a flower" and the fact that while Romanians have the golden apples in their fairy tales the Irish have the nuts of Knowledge.

Take 80

 

Another book that I read this week was Convenience Store Woman. Set in Japan it tells the story of a single thirty-six-year-old woman working at a convenience store trying hard to be a normal person so as not to be expelled from society. A book about conformity and the fact that single women are expected to marry and have children. A book about today's society that seems to resemble Stone Age where anyone who is a parasite deserves a good talking to and unsolicited life advice. A book that notices how exceptions are quietly and elegantly being taken care of. Quirky, dark at times, offering another take on the subject of conformity vs. individualism. Short and packing a punch. Highly enjoyable. I somehow felt avenged by this book because I went through the same commotions as the main character. Get a job, get laid, have children. I, too, was made to feel like someone who needs curing and was actually sent to the asylum because I was different. So when something like this book comes along and shows normal people for who they really are I cannot help but rejoice. This book should definitely be read by all of those who gave me a hard time during my life. And then they can uck it.