Great influence

There is only one book that I have read more than twice. I have just finished a third reading of 'Teachers of Gurdjieff' by Rafael Lefort. I first came across an original 1966 HB copy of this book in my local library when I was in my early 20s. It was the first book that I read twice, whilst still in my early 20s.

I recently found a 1st edition 1966 HB copy exactly as I had first read it those many years before. It was a pivotal book for me, and did indeed change the direction of where I was heading.

'Why take this road to London when it leads to Llandudno?' ( I paraphrase!)

Segments from Travelling

A few years ago I made a trip to Jordan; then I travelled over the King Hussein Bridge into the Palestinian area of the West Bank and on into Jerusalem. I made a few notes on my journey - here are a few edited audio clips from this travelogue: named 'Segments from Travelling'.

Requires Quicktime player

Gamble

The words of Rumi, like islands in an ocean of forever waves, always reach to me. Here are some:

'Gamble everything for love,
if you're a true human being.

If not, leave
this gathering.

Half-heartedness doesn't reach
into majesty. You set out
to find God, but then you keep

stopping for long periods
at meanspirited roadhouses.'

Surviving

I have just finished reading another novel: an unusual one by Doris Lessing called 'Memoirs of a Survivor'. It tells of the fragmentation of society, as it collapses and over-run with chaos....leading finally to...new worlds perhaps?

It makes me wonder whether it is too strong an analogy of where our own future is heading. Several friends have all mentioned to me that they sense the world is becoming more unstable, with more frequent outrageous acts; with people feeling more anxious, stressed...and generally uncomfortable vibrations.

Is the world's insanity increasing? Are these signs of great change to come?

In this case I would highly recommend Lessing's 5-book series 'Canopus in Argos' starting with 'Shikasta' - although not a light read.

The Nameless

Here is another podcast of one of my audio poems - from a previous collection of poems called 'The Distance Between Us and Completion'.

This one is called The Nameless

Requires 'Quicktime' player

Some reads

The other day I received a book that I had ordered from some friends' recommendations: Mr Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran.

A lovely read...can be read in one sitting. A subtle, gentle book. I'm also reading Birdsong by Rumi, and have just recently finished both Engines of Creation, and The Station of No Station.

I am that

A recent poem has surfaced...so I mixed with music and send it out as a podcast, as Mp3... called 'I am that'

Requires Quicktime player

A place to begin

I wanted this space to be a place for my musings, ramblings, daily events - nothing heavy or overly deep. I have other sites for that. Sometimes we hear that people's everyday lives are so fascinating...better than fiction - other times we read of dullness. This is a fine line I suppose, to exist daily between being unique - being dull. As Rumi once said: "Either seem as you are or be as you seem".

To be ourselves amidst fluctuations - to bind that which we either are or show ourselves to be. Why exist as a contradiction to oneself? Perhaps we are all being a traitor to ourselves in some way...until we learn how to merge all sides.

I met a friend from Bangalore, India these past 2 days - he was 37 looking 47. He plans to retire in 3 years when he is 40. Good luck to you my friend. I am hoping to begin when I am 40. How differently we climb our mountains...