Soma
Resources => Books [Public] => Topic started by: erismoksha on October 05, 2007, 09:57:37 AM
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I was wondering if anyone wanted to do like Oprah does, and do a thing where we read the same book, and go over or discuss it. Some books you can even get at the library, then we could read like, say 100 pages first week, go over things we read/learned, discuss and so forth.
Im doing that at the Zendo with the book Practicing the Path by Yangsi Rinpoche: http://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Path-Commentary-Lamrim-Chenmo/dp/086171346X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9553105-0300734?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191542166&sr=1-1
That's about Tibetan Buddhism, Bodhisattva path, etc.
I know we do this with CC books already, but thinking, something new? Anyway, let me know, if there is a book anyone is reading, or wants to I may be able to check it out, would be cool to do something like that in here.
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Sounds good .... We rather have a platform for that in the "Books" folder, eh?
If you hit on a book I have somewhere, I'll join in!
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Sounds good .... We rather have a platform for that in the "Books" folder, eh?
If you hit on a book I have somewhere, I'll join in!
Well Im gonna get that book next week, per amazon. Ive got many books I could suggest, myself. Im also reading right now Practicing the Path by Kornfield(almost done), The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, and Awakening to the Sacred by Lama Surya Das. So, dunno what anyone else is reading or wants to. Im game.
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that's a wonderful idea - you set can run it ellen
but you would have to find a book everyone wanted to read, or could get hold of.
I'm about to start "The Yogins of Ladakh" myself - but i read a paragraph a week at best. And I'm still in the middle of a book on Banaras and one on Kundalini.
to be honest i think you might be pushing it uphill, but don't let that stop a try.
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to be honest i think you might be pushing it uphill, but don't let that stop a try.
Heh....sounds like a great 'opportunity.' ;)
z
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Well if everyone tosses in suggestions then im sure, out of the gazillion books in the world, this little group could agree on one book to read, right?
Im game, anyone have anything they either want to read or are thinking about reading. Shouldnt be something you've read twenty times either - something fairly new.
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Well if everyone tosses in suggestions then im sure, out of the gazillion books in the world, this little group could agree on one book to read, right?
Im game, anyone have anything they either want to read or are thinking about reading. Shouldnt be something you've read twenty times either - something fairly new.
Damn....guess that leaves 'Cat in the Hat' out.
z
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Damn....guess that leaves 'Cat in the Hat' out.
z
Oh, uh uh Zam.... shame on you.
Of COURSE we can read Cat in the Hat! If you ask me nicely though....
I think the Cat in the Had made a very nice Don Juan.... ;D
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I mean, lets think about this, we've got the ally cause there's no way, Cat in the Hat, didnt get the kids stoned with all of the odd fuzzy things running around. Tore up the house, he walks in, opens up the Crack - turns it all upside down. I would say, yes, there are some good lessons in Cat in the Hat. Sure!
Mescalito - look again, he's involved:
(http://www.officialticketcenter.com/atart/cat%20in%20the%20hat.gif)
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Mescalito - look again, he's involved:
We didn't see well together...
Ayahuasca on the other hand......a most wonderful parallel.
z
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We didn't see well together...
Ayahuasca on the other hand......a most wonderful parallel.
z
Kidding? Did you go to the Amazon for that?
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Kidding? Did you go to the Amazon for that?
No kidding.
Yes, I was fortunate to spend a good deal of time in South America.
z
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No kidding.
Yes, I was fortunate to spend a good deal of time in South America.
z
Ah, well you'll have to share your experiences there one of these days when ready, hopefully? ;)
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Well if everyone tosses in suggestions then im sure, out of the gazillion books in the world, this little group could agree on one book to read, right?
Im game, anyone have anything they either want to read or are thinking about reading. Shouldnt be something you've read twenty times either - something fairly new.
I like the idea. I'm reading Gurdjieff's "Meetings with Remarkable Men" right now, and also rereading some CC.
I've read "Cat in the Hat" quite a few times...I know more than twenty, so that's definitely out! ;) ...sorry Zam ;(
But seriously...sounds like fun. :)
Ang
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We should probably pick a book none of us have read though.
What about The Secret? http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1582701709/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3978131-9936445?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191602284&sr=8-1
Has anyone read that one yet? I heard its pretty good, and should be pretty accessible even at the library.
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They have a website too: http://www.thesecret.tv/behind-the-secret.html
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This sounds great. I'm thinking there are a few ways we could approach it.
We all pick the same book, one none of us have read yet, or at least most of us have not read yet.
We all pick the same book, doesn't matter how many times you have read it.
We all pick from a collection of similar book and cross compare them. This is a more difficult option but it could solve the problem of us all being in the process of reading something else. The problem is time constraints, currently being involved in one learning process or another while not wanting to break away form that book's process. Example: Someone is reading Meetings with Remarkable Men, another is reading The Mists of Dragon Lore by Theun Mares, another isn't reading it now but has in the past read Journey To Ixtlan by CC, and to make it even more complicated someone else is reading (As I am: http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/CivilWar/CivWarChron.jpg) Civil War Chronicals the Marvel Comicbook. Then we take this one concept at a time and discuss it. I.e. at first glance what do they all have in common. The comic book has super-hero's in it, super-beings could be equal to what we strive to develop in ourselves, what CC learned at the feet of Don Juan, what Theun teaches in Dragon Lore about becoming the myth, and Gurdjieff's remarkable men being archetypes of power like the superhero.
Okay, so it would require a bit of thinking, but it could work.
That is just a back up in case nothing else would work.
I thinking the easiest option would be the first though. We all pick a book we are mutually interested in reading. Then we set a mutually agreed upon deadline for discussing that book. By setting a deadline for discussing it, we give each other the time we need to read it. Some of us like myself may need more time than others as I'm currently reading school books that don't relate to anything we are likely to discuss here (computer stuff). So I would read slower but I could say be finished reading in 3 weeks to a month depending on the book. Then at the end of the month ellen pops up with the starting discussion....which we might actually want to do in the chat room, is up to ellen though.
I'm psyched about it.
I'm not currently in process of reading anything but school books and this one comic book. When I hear other ideas I'm sure something will appeal to me.
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No, not up to me, Ian. Totally up to you guys - Im game for anything.
The chat discussion, is a good idea, we could even do both ;), write here, or in chat discuss a certain book.
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Ang gave a suggestion for a book which looks good, but I was thinking, maybe what we all should do, is put up some ideas in what we want to read about, or learn about.
Like, something about the 'warrior path?' There's other books with that theme.
Something geared toward a specific religion, or practice? Or animistic like shaman, or totems?
Energetic - like Law of Attraction? (I think The Secret touches on that).
Something on relationships? Anyway, toss in some suggestions what you want to learn/read about, and then maybe we can narrow it down.
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I like this idea...
...We all pick the same book, doesn't matter how many times you have read it...
...We all pick a book we are mutually interested in reading. Then we set a mutually agreed upon deadline for discussing that book. By setting a deadline for discussing it, we give each other the time we need to read it.....
...Then at the end of the month ellen pops up with the starting discussion....which we might actually want to do in the chat room.
Lately, I've discovered in rereading books, I'll pick up on totally different/new ideas than when I first read the book.
A
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Hey all....I found one...."The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep" by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche....any thoughts?
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I like this idea...
Lately, I've discovered in rereading books, I'll pick up on totally different/new ideas than when I first read the book.
A
Good readers, like good books, do this, they evolve and change as newer and newer knowledge become part of their lifes' stance. It is quite like building a compost pile; it takes years before what you invested becomes a soil for planting and reaping.
t2
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Hey all....I found one...."The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep" by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche....any thoughts?
This could be good! Ive always been fascinated by Tibetans and lucid dreaming (just posted something on that). May have to check into that.
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Please count me out, I have stopped reading books and even long quotas from books seem to not interest me any more . It could be momentary, for the last two years and forward for some time. I don't know :-\.
But I have read a lot of books ;D more than most.
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Ang gave a suggestion for a book which looks good, but I was thinking, maybe what we all should do, is put up some ideas in what we want to read about, or learn about.
Like, something about the 'warrior path?' There's other books with that theme.
Something geared toward a specific religion, or practice? Or animistic like shaman, or totems?
Energetic - like Law of Attraction? (I think The Secret touches on that).
Something on relationships? Anyway, toss in some suggestions what you want to learn/read about, and then maybe we can narrow it down.
I like this idea best, but careful not to break it down to far as then we are just doing what we already do. In other words someone starts a thread on Shamanism, well darn already have a section on that. Would have to b3 something we haven't already discussed much, least is how I see it.
Plus there is something else that a "Soma Book" group might consider during the design process. The title words Soma and Book. Both are very powerful words if you think about it. We know about Soma, it has been discussed a bit by Michael. What about the symbolic significance of "book"? According to the illustrated encyclopedia of traditional symbols, a book represents: The universe, the liber mundi and liber vitae. The book is connected to Tree symbolism and the tree and book can represent the whole cosmos. Islamic: 'The universe is a vast book'.
That is just a small snippet of what the encyclopedia had to say. From this we can gather that books may be more than meets the eye. Even Gurdjieff espoused the value of reading so long as you know how to read well.
There is so much that can be learned from a single book, in theory, all that you could ever need to know, mentally at least, could be learned from reading any one book if only you were patient enough to read or drain all the knowledge from every single word and letter and even empty space (As those spaces have meaning too.).
So on the choice of a subject I think it best we all at least read a book.....
I can agree with The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep" by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Just have to see if my library has it in stock.
I think for the chatroom and or discussion formate. A good way to arrange it would be to have an initial chat discussion. Then, if possible, save the chat discussion, copy/paste it to the discussion room to start a thread. Then those who couldn't make it in to the chat in time can still partake. Then the discussion of one book would end when the thread has grown cold. We pick a new book and enter a new word-world.
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I can agree with The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep" by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Just have to see if my library has it in stock.
Ill check this week and see if I can find it as well. Also, might be helpful to coordinate when we could do chat meets for those who might want to read it.
So so far we have these suggestions:
The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
Naz suggested Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: http://www.bordersmedia.com/shows/bookclub/gilbert.asp
I suggested The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-2395818-0255213?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+secret
Now, whats interesting, at the video store, I saw the DVD for The Secret rentable over there, too.
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All three sound interesting. I'm fairly sure I can get the Secret in one way or another since it is currently so popular. We could choose to all read one of these then when we are finished with that one we move on to another of the three, then we all get to read what we want.
Personally I think we should have some constructive end aim for the reading of each book.
Here are some suggestions from eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how_6181_start-book-club.html
Here is my version of what eHow suggests, what I suggest for the Soma Book club:
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Have a plan. The books will no doubt be "development" oriented. Will we intellectualize the concepts in these or use discussion to come up with an understanding that will better allow us to apply the concepts to our lives properly.
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Step Two
Organize the details. Meet in chatroom or discussion forum or both.
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Step Three
Create a reading list of 4 or more books that several of us can agree we would like to read. That way we can just move down the pre-agreed upon choices instead of re choosing every time we want to move to a new book.
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Step four
Create an outline of what we hope to get out of each book. A map of what we hope to learn to do better, i.e. lucid dreaming or attracting abundance into our lives. Having chosen a definite aim perhaps the spirits will help us along the way.
Of course in the course of reading we may find something other than our aim.
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Yeah, The Secret is easy, someone should be able to find it at the library or even a used bookstore. I thought about that. After seeing some of that on youtube.com, im more curious about it. Kinda reminds me of the hype with What the Bleep, and a similar premise. However, there is some truth on the law of attraction and energy tho.
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Well the real secret about the Secret is that it isn't much of Secret. Calling the book the Secret is just a way of rehashing the same old thing but making it sound mysterious. That is what I figure or course I'm justing a book by it's cover as I have not read it yet myself. I did skim through it and found little that I hadn't read in Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill or on several websites about the law of attraction.
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Yeah I dont think its much of a secret, lol, still tho, it is an interesting phenomenon what's occuring with the book, and also how like boo says 'our thoughts make our world.' Ive been thinking about that lately, like, when what we 'want' and what we 'think' in contrary, how much that can really affect us. Like it sends of certain energies. Like say, I get stressed on bills at times, I notice when I do, seems like they get to be a problem, so I try to align myself in more positive ways, even 'this too shall pass,' and then things can get better. But still makes me question how much power we do have, with the power of intention, because a lot of 'the secret' is really wrapped up in that. Intent.
I may check out the video tonight. If I do, let all know how it is.
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I did skim through it and found little that I hadn't read in Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill or on several websites about the law of attraction.
Not to mention, the Kybalion, the works of Emmet Fox, Ernest Holmes, Catherine Ponder, Terry Cole-Whitaker, etc. etc.
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I am currently participating in an online study group of one of Alice Bailey's books - The Treatise on Cosmic Fire. It is a 5 year project! :)
Much of it is involved in reading the same section at the same time - new sections begin at new moon and full moon and then there's time for "revision" too. There is a commentary posted, and then whoever finds anything of particular interest in that section, posts too, and some discussion may ensue, as well as lead to other things, though the discussion is pretty much centered around relevancy to the section. There are a couple of hundred people involved - if not more by now..
It is a different format from a 'book club" - never been in one, so don't really know what is done in a book club.
I also went to a physical study group of another of Alice Bailey's books - Esoteric Healing. Was rather an interesting format - almost ritualistic in part.
Another online reading I was involved in was with Wisdom Impressions - The Nature of The Soul - by Lucille Cedarcrans, a sort of later version of Alice Bailey, a more 7th ray approach (and still not fully accepted by main stream Alice Bailey diehards; though making inroads :D )
That was rather fascinating too! We read a new chapter every week - took a year to complete, and had 'assignments' to report on; 7th ray being very much an 'embodiment' type of ray..
At present, I am reading a Terry Pratchett book.. :P
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daphne
This sounds very interesting! You see I've been looking for this type of thing. So when Ellen started this thread I saw it as a sign. Now you've opened my eyes to see that there are online groups doing this type of thing. So if our Soma thing doesn't work...But, I want the Soma thing to work. Lets a get a readin people. :)
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Ian - if you want it to work, it will work ;)
Im gonna check the library and see what books might be available and other choices, too :)
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Some of my favorite goodies from A. Bailey is what she wrote on Neptune and Glamour. Ive found some of her interps on this subject to be pretty helpful in interpreting transits.
I am currently participating in an online study group of one of Alice Bailey's books - The Treatise on Cosmic Fire. It is a 5 year project! :)
Much of it is involved in reading the same section at the same time - new sections begin at new moon and full moon and then there's time for "revision" too. There is a commentary posted, and then whoever finds anything of particular interest in that section, posts too, and some discussion may ensue, as well as lead to other things, though the discussion is pretty much centered around relevancy to the section. There are a couple of hundred people involved - if not more by now..
It is a different format from a 'book club" - never been in one, so don't really know what is done in a book club.
I also went to a physical study group of another of Alice Bailey's books - Esoteric Healing. Was rather an interesting format - almost ritualistic in part.
Another online reading I was involved in was with Wisdom Impressions - The Nature of The Soul - by Lucille Cedarcrans, a sort of later version of Alice Bailey, a more 7th ray approach (and still not fully accepted by main stream Alice Bailey diehards; though making inroads :D )
That was rather fascinating too! We read a new chapter every week - took a year to complete, and had 'assignments' to report on; 7th ray being very much an 'embodiment' type of ray..
At present, I am reading a Terry Pratchett book.. :P
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I should add, another book I wish to read is "Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment" (http://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Story-Enlightenment-Deepak-Chopra/dp/0060878800/ref=sr_1_1/102-3659736-2593763?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191882906&sr=8-1) by Deepak Chopra.
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Eastern philosophy popularizer and mind-body pioneer Chopra has done novels before, and critics have not found fiction his long suit. That should change with this tale of how the Indian prince Siddhartha came to be the enlightened one, the Buddha. The subject is tailor-made for Chopra. He can draw on what he's familiar with: the ancient Indian culture that shaped the historic personage of the Buddha, and the powers of mind that meditation harnesses. Although the novel begins a little slowly with exposition and character introduction, once the character of the Buddha is old enough to occupy center stage, Chopra simply portrays the natural internal conflict experienced by any human seeking spiritual wisdom and transformation. Centered on a single character, the narrative moves forward simply and inexorably. Especially imaginative and intriguing is the low-key nature of the Buddha's enlightenment experience. In case Chopra's fans want something more direct, an epilogue and concluding "practical guide" offer nonfiction commentary and teaching on core Buddhist principles. Chopra thanks a film director friend for sparking the project, and the novel has clear cinematic potential. This fast and easy-to-read book teaches without being didactic. Chopra scores a fiction winner. (May)
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I just got notice that The Secret is available at the library, I had them put it on hold for me, so if anyone will be reading that let me know. Probably pick it up tonight.
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I was reading Rumi to my daughter tonight. It dawned on me, why not Rumi?I was thinking we would do a study of book Rumi's Masnavi.
I imagine a long and pragmatic study, where we endeavor to understand not only through the words, but through out actions in applying the wisdom to our lives. I was thinking a very long study like in the group Daphne attends.
I'm going to start a thread in this book section, get the ball rolling. If anyone wants to join in on the discussion this is cool, if not, this is cool too. It will be at each person's own pace, which for me will be very slow since I have so little time to carve out.
Here is the whole Masnavi online:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/masnavi/index.htm
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Draco, that's interesting! :) :) :)
I have become spoiled by the translations of Coleman Barks and Nader Khalili, but I believe you're onto something here!
So, how shall it be organized --- just the raw readings of the ghazals of the mathnawi?
T'will be hard to not just hum with love! :-*
In explaining it Reason sticks fast, as an ass in mire;
Naught but Love itself can explain love and lovers!
:)
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I'm wondering if this is a little different than what ellen had in mind, but I say, let's do it! There's nothing written here that one can't read one of the books that have been proposed, and do the rumi study-group!
Since it's on-line, I'm with ya all the way on the rumi! Count me in!
Hey--- make a new thread, Draco!
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Sorry... :P I've been out of the loop a bit, didn't mean to step on anyone's toes. I didn't realize Ellen had already gotten started with her thingy on this.
Is it that The Secret thingy? I had thought that was just sort of a normal discussion, either way sorry again.
I envision this not as a "book club" in the traditional sense, but as a harmonious group effort. Us working together to come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Rumi's work, leading to the same for each of our lives. Kind of like when we all do our ceremonies at the same time with Tom. A group effort not only to study the Masnavi, but to bring us closer together.
Any suggestions to achieve this vision are greatly appreciated.
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I'm not sure ellen settled on which book yet.
But you're right --- this is something apart from the book-thing:: it's a path-thing! What a great idea too!
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Thanks for the link...
I just saved it to read along with you all.. Ill share thoughts if they should find words.
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OK, that rumi looks nice - i am happy with that, but i still think a normal book would go down well.
i have thought about this. it can't be too long, should have enough thought content per every few pages for a good size bite. can't be too heavy or the lighter minded will drop off. would be good to be an easy read, but i do have problems with modern 'popular' texts.
in absence of handwaving agreement, I've looked at our library... passed over the Complete Kama Sutra, The History of Japanese Religion, The Speaking Tree (which i think is excellent but I haven't looked at it), The Soul of the White Ant, Cave in the Snow, The Way of the White Clouds (that's a good one) etc.
point being, if it's not already available on-line, I could scan a few pages every week for us to chew on. I'd scan a half dozen pages, then we could read and comment over the week.
Now I have found some suggestions: here's my first:
The Last Barrier, by Reshad Feild
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point being, if it's not already available on-line, I could scan a few pages every week for us to chew on. I'd scan a half dozen pages, then we could read and comment over the week.
Now I have found some suggestions: here's my first:
The Last Barrier, by Reshad Feild
This could work for me. The book looks interesting too. And it's not avaiable in my language anyway.
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Sounds right in line with the Rumi thing anyway. I'm in...if we can get this show on the road.
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I've begun reading Water for Elephants (http://www.amazon.com/Water-Elephants-Novel-Sara-Gruen/dp/1565125606/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1049100-7204916?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194274012&sr=8-1) and while its a fiction novel, I think it might be really good for us in here. All libraries should have the book, its on the best seller list. Anyway, read the description of the book and lemme know if anyone is interested. I just began it so its not like Im really ahead of anyone.
Additionally, I am also reading (alternating), Deepak Chopra's book Buddha, A Story of Enlightenment. (http://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Story-Enlightenment-Deepak-Chopra/dp/0060878800/ref=sr_1_2/102-1049100-7204916?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194274188&sr=8-2) Its a fictional account, woven with historical truths, so that's another I recommend as well.