unforgettable zen-like experience
936733
once you saw this movie, you will never forget it.day  to day life in the old days of Aran truthfully depicted as the struggle it really was.
2651162
Enigmatic

A multi-sensory experience.

Without words, this book is instantly absorbing you into another time, any time when you were on a beach as a child.  Any child, any beach, anywhere.  The oblivion of the adults to the power of their surroundings, fully equipped for events that they don't create as they recline in their deck chairs, lost in their summer reading and lost to the summer's day that they are living.  Are they living it at all?

You can smell the sea, feel the spray on your face, almost touch the foam with your toes, sense that unique, awful desolation that is a seaside resort in mid-summer.  Nothing to do and all day to do it.  The energy and wonder of the inquisitive solitary boy is breathtakingly revealed as his story of timeless discovery unfolds and he takes his place in the ebb and flow of life captured in a washed-up camera.

Words could never have conveyed Weisner's meaning so piercingly as the pictures in this enchanting book.  Something very reminiscent of the '60s film, "Blow Up" about it, enhanced by the wordless wondering silence in which the boy explores and you read.

Buy this book and remember what it means to be alive.
64398
By far this translation stands out as the absolute best in my eyes. We will never have a "word for word" translation of this old book, and so we are left with comparing one translation with another. I study and practice Zen, and although The Tao Te Ching in a technical sense is not considered a Buddhist work, I would dare say it should be included as a Buddhist Sutra. This translation, for those of us who speak primarily in English, is quite illuminating and very deep.
After having compared Richard Wilhelm's translation with 3 other sources, I've concluded that his is the most alive. I feel that my practice with Zen allows me to see this more clearly, so to me this work is synonymous with Zen Buddhism. I recommend that anyone, of any religious affiliation or philosophical background, grab this book immedietely. I don't think you will at all be disappointed.
Enjoy!:)
869916
All I really need to feel centered, focused and musically satiated all day is to put this CD on looping.  The sensitivity of harmonic flowing sounds are really well suited for visualizing in meditation and healing, releasing and sinking in deep with my intentions.
With Dean's serene flute playing, Scott's creatively masterful guitar phrases and Phil's viola magic, the three braid the flowing harmonies for refreshing journeys with Tibetan bowls as accents and turning points for stillness, surrender and peace. The bowls and sweeping, reaching and pinging guitar sounds on Vital Vibrations is deeply transformative; great for tuning into my body.  Resonant Wave is a sweetly melodic guitar and viola song that sounds to me like a ballad of my heart harmonizing with the elementals of a secret forest, longing for the day to never end.  Rejuvinate Soul transcends time and limitations, great for deep relaxation and letting go.  Shamanic Peace has a fascinating movement of time led by guitar melody that weaves through a Fibonacci series of signature time changes that I am sure was intuitively created.  Scott Huckabay is a creative genius of a guitar shaman with his inventive sonic healing sounds.  It's Dean's attention to meditative qualities brought about through his beautiful flute melodies that help bring about this sweet Harmonic Way, with Phil's diverse musical talents adding rich fullness to each song.
A fabulous CD for massage, meditation, yoga, spas, dreaming, journey work, ambient bliss and harmony, an intimate setting, flowing dance, and healing.
2044354
I purchased this album of CD and DVD immediately after attending a performance of In Seven Days with Thomas Ads himself conducting the San Francisco Symphony against the synchronized light show of Tal Rosner. I needed to examine the music more closely, without and later, via the DVD, the visuals. The music is based on Creation in the Bible's Genesis, with a change in order, and is thus a program of seven parts within one continuous movement. In essence, it is a piano concerto in addition to a tone poem. The piece begins in the treble registers as a fluttering, a random-like agitation, that intensifies with fierce piano work that soon descends to a bass resolution of the opposites, light and dark. Next, is a nosy construction and cleavage as water and sky emerge. The rise of plant life begins slowly, and nobly, with increasing volume and rising piano scales; punctiform notes parallel the increasing complexity of life. The piano and orchestra offer a celestial sprinkling and shimmering of light with the formation of astronomical bodies. What follows is an exciting fugue of energy and brass joy as first chirping animals take to sky and inhabit the sea; and then lively chimes and piano notes scamper about the landscape. The last section is an epilogue of wonder with chordal drones and a walking piano treble; the strings take over, and the piece ends with a tinkling and a slight a flourish. With Nicolas Hodges as the piano and Ad as the podium of the London Sinfonietta, the swirling, chattering composition provides a journey.

Revisiting the light show with the music on a large TV screen, I find that the abstract visuals (whose elements on the six split sections are said to have been derived from the architecture and interiors of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall) add little to enjoyment of the score. [A familiar lesson: the light shows of the 1960s behind psychedelic rock bands were short-lived.] The colors, forms, and movements are not obviously correlated with actual cosmic and worldly matter, except perhaps through underlying mathematics. However, the black and white ocean waves at the start are akin to quantum fluctuations; the green latticework and silvery crystal work could suggest the rise of plant life, the shifting and increasing white dots against black certainly have a feeling of astronomy along with the kaleidoscopic features of emanating solar and reflective lunar light; the explosion of shapes, beginning with yellow multiplying, twittering protozic blobs, matches that of animal life; and the Contemplation final section is definitely more architectural until the last moments when the visual oceanic waves return, indicating a cyclic cosmos.

The second and third compositions on the album are by Conlon Nancarrow. The player piano studies (no. 6 and 7) are arranged for concert pianos by Ads, who along with Rolf Hind are the performers. Visuals accompanying these works are by Tal Rosner and Sophie Clements. The first study is light and Latin in spirit. The syncopation and flow are suggestive of a tango. The visuals here are Mark Rothko-like in their rising and lowering blocks of color; superimposed are passing roadside images. The second study is exuberant pointillism of piano. Even the visuals are pointed (triangles in moving arrays), or flowing slits, bars, squares, and circles akin to player piano rolls. The DVD has as bonus a conversation between Ads and Rosner discussing In Seven Days; in the background, through the window, can be seen a side of the Royal Festival Hall, which is now recognizable from the earlier visuals.  In conclusion, the entire album is worthwhile. While the CD alone is ample, the DVD may offer a new perspective that can emphasize the music, though it itself is an art form that can be regarded on its own merits. And because this item may be marketed under DVDs, I admire the technical aspects, overall conception, and visual metaphoric impressions. But it left me cold. I meshed with the intellectual features; it was not as emotive as the musical patterns.
437398
Such impacting resonance as I have never experienced before, awoke my subconscious mind by broadening the horizons of thoughtful contemplation. What we perceive here on Earth are boundaries of limitation, and so this inexhaustible source of sensational discovery goes beyond all knowing...Life's cycle from birth to death is one definite path that we all must take, although it begs the question as to what lies beyond the horizon {whether you take a religious or scientific viewpoint}.

 "(Gandalf:) End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... And then you see it.

(Pippin:) What? Gandalf?... See what?

(Gandalf: )White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

(Pippin:) [smiling] Well, that isn't so bad..."

Sensationally provocative and introspective, the speculative story contains not only the answer to the secret of life but also imaginative and personal ideals. If you want to know more then I urge you to pick up this distinctly unique, original book that opens your mind to all the possibilities. The hauntingly mesmerizing, dreamlike narrative swirled around in my mind and lingered on long after I had finished reading. I was moved and greatly affected by K L Jordaan's words of wisdom.

 `Why does humanity chase death to enter a perfect place if the perception of a perfect place ends here?'

4.5 stars

*I won a paperback copy through a first-read giveaway on Goodreads *
4266909
When you think of electronic music the name Tomita should be the first artist that comes to mind.  I purchased his `Snowflakes Are Dancing' in the mid-seventies (it was released in '74) and it has remained one of my favorite albums (now owned on CD), electronic or otherwise, ever since.  His amazing artistic expression of Debussy compositions as performed on synthesizer transport the listener into a realm of timeless beauty and otherworldly splendor.

There has been quite a profusion of beautiful electronic music since the release of `Snowflakes Are Dancing' but in my opinion this one is still by far the best. There is something special about this production, something that touches the listener on a deeply emotional level and elicits thoughts and feelings that make your listening experience a profound and highly personal experience. Listening to this CD now 34 years after its initial release it's easy to see where the genre of New Age music found its roots. Tomita was certainly a musician, innovator and visionary way ahead of his time.

`Snowflakes Are Dancing' is one of the essentials. My Rating: -5 Stars-.
230401
A beautiful and inspirational film for those (like myself) who are relatively new to buddhist zen practice and thought. The film is a celebration of the long lineage of teachers and practitioners of sitting meditation (zazen) as a path to the relief of suffering for all beings ("To study the self is to forget the self"). The film focuses on the life of Dogen, a 13th century monk whose search for authentic zen teachings and practice moves him to bring the practice of sitting meditation to all people. The fundamental elements of zen buddhism teachings....that the essence of enlightenment is accepting what is rather than grasping for what we want or pushing away what we don't want... is beautifully illustrated in this film. Even a cursory reading about Dogen via Wikipedia or some similar source will enhance the meaning of the movie by giving the events portrayed some historic context.
2738734
When I opened Living Fully I was expecting another Buddhism for the masses sort of thing. I've known of Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche for some time, but had read only a couple of excerpts from his writings. Having become accustomed to the seemingly compulsive efforts of a variety of commentators to, in the words of Mark Twain, "Shed darkness upon this subject," I expected another instance of what I've sometimes referred to as Buddhism lite.

Let me hasten to add that I find nothing wrong with popular writing about Buddhism and dharma. We all had to start someplace on the path, and these steppingstones are only slippery when the reader decides she knows enough to go out and practice without finding a teacher. While it is true that anyone can find enlightenment in an instant, it is also true that the more one practices mindfully, the more likely it is that the instant will come to pass. Unhappily, I have read the work of many teachers who fail to emphasize the essential nature of a teacher-student relationship, and I don't think those worthies are imparting all that a seeker needs to know.

In any case, Living Fully is not that kind of book. I was slightly put off by the imperative style, until I realized that this is essentially a book of short dharma talks. If I were fortunate enough to embark on a prolonged retreat, I would certainly take this collection with me. The individual chapters, comprising a couple of pages each, would make perfect reading before meditation sessions.

Nor is it a book for beginners. Rinpoche's writings, while not at all inaccessible, lend themselves more to contemplation by those with some understanding of basics, such as the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, and Precepts, than to folks just approaching the subject. Had I run across this book fifteen years ago, I would have thought it pretty impenetrable. As it is, I look forward to again mining it for such gems as these:

  "When we finally achieve the things we desire, we fear losing them, and this triggers constant anxiety. There is a feeling of sadness and frustration born of out inability to make the world conform to our hopes and expectations."

That is as clear an explanation of a major aspect of dukkha as I ever expect to read, and worth of twenty minutes contemplation all by itself. And again...

  "It is senseless to continue chasing after the things that have failed us in the past...."

and

  "The best approach is to focus on your own faults. When you condemn others for their shortcomings, think, 'This must be my fault. I am causing suffering for myself by being judgmental. I am rejecting what I don't like, and accepting what I like. I will become bound in an endless cycle of accepting and rejecting.'"

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a basic understanding of Buddhist thought. For beginners, however, the writings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Venerable Thich Nhat Hahn, or some of the popular teachers such as Joko Beck and Chuck Hagen might be a better place to start. Finally, however, I have to say that Living Fully is a must for those serious about expanding their practice.

Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche, Living Fully - Finding Joy In Every Breath, New World Library, Novato, California, 2012.
3361821
"Zen Confidential" is biting, brilliant and insightful. No holding back in this memoir when it comes to describing the internal suffering of this monk of a man. A former stand up comic in Hollywood, Shozan has the raw edge of a Lenny Bruce transformed into Zen preacher. I loved almost every page and in the end felt that I had learned something of the essence of Zen....a truly valuable piece of work. Not for the faint of heart.
148641
I have been meditating since the age of 12 when I studied martial arts, and was introduced to Zazen.

This CD will take you to levels of meditation that many people never know exist and give up meditation as a waste of time.

With this CD your mind does not need to do any of the work involved to get to these levels. This magic happens through binaural technology. I used the word magic because thos works like magic.

Listen to this CD via stereo headphones, and the disc plays different frequencies into each ear, and your brain  generates a third (phantom) tone by getting the hemipheres to work together.

I have been using "Deep Meditation", and "Deep insight" by Brain Sync for 10 years, I have worn out two copies on cassette tape, and now I am buying it again on CD.

Allow either "Deep Meditation" or "Deep Insight" to train your mind to reach levels only experienced by Zen Masters, or Yogi's

MY ONLY regret is that Brain Sync does not distribute this in WMA or MP3 formats so you can play it on an Ipod or Mp3 player

I wish I could give this CD 10 stars!
1179825
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is, primarily, nothing less than an explanation of the actual nature of the process of a sentient entity interacting with physical reality.  Within the book, Mr. Pirsig  "labels" this process as Quality.
To understand this work's  breadth, interlace the above with an impossibly frank and human  self-examining account of a lost father, tenderly cradling the damaged mind  of his son, on a cross-America motorcycle odyssey.
Introduce a haunting  spectre from a terrifying past reality; an inscrutable horror, ever so  slightly out of sight, but roiling into a recognizable truth.
To this  already writhing brocade add a nose-to-nose staredown with madness, at a  mind-shaking level of lucidity.
Incorporate the tragedy of a shattered  family.
Then interweave these components into a vast streaming scroll  encompassing ancient thought, the absolute edge of human understanding,  morality, family, society (East and West), and the meaning and power of  love.
This is an offering from the humble yet utterly fantastic mind of  Mr. Robert Pirsig.
Make no mistake, this book is a tall task, with the  unavoidable frustrations of lost channels of thought (yours, not his),  seemingly bottomless vessels of philosophical exploration, and a knowledge  that you are, for a time, as one with a soaring intellect.  The reward is a  thunderous quiet; a fast-fading visit to a realm of laser definition.
Mr.  Pirsig will melt your heart, electrify your mind and recolor forever how  you look at everything.
It is one of those incredibly rare books which  you will  read again and again, every few years, just to re-establish  contact with that awesome multi-dimensional clarity, Mr. Pirsig's  trademark.
I have owned likely 20 copies of this book.  I don't have one  now, so I am buying more here.  I don't know why, I just keep giving them  away.  Many people I know do the same.
If the book eludes you the first  or second time, set it aside and pick it up again in a few months.  You  will align with it in time.  And there will come a time when you will look  at your children, then grandchildren and say, "I have something for  you; something wonderful."
Oh, one more small thing:  "Lila" is as good, maybe better.  It is a brush with the  universe.  I would, however, counsel all to read "Zen And The Art Of  Motorcycle Maintenance" first.  Its a great primer.
1801148
Yes I studied tea for many years but before that came this book.  It is about embracing components of zen which is not a religion but a philosophy.  It brought clarity to chaos.  A slim book which in form as well as thought demonstrates how beautiful is can be to embrace one moment, one thought, in simplicity and savor it giving it one's total focus.  In this time of gathering and grasping multiple events and experiences there is peace and delight to be found in the simple pleasure on each moment.  This book open your eyes to see and savor beauty in small portions.  I thank Sensei for using it and suggest that in our out of control lives this book can give you peace and pause for reflection and strength to take a breath and value special moments that come your way.
3834605
Dance to the music of the universe, best read in zen mode and open spirit.
3153566
No question that this is quite a rare experience, and the fact that it was well recorded is an amazing bonus! Loud and clear, music with emotion, I feel as though I am sitting on the same ground as these artists. It is an amazing piece of work, and will create a greater appreciation for a culture so radically different than our modern society. If you are looking for an experience of relaxation, understanding, and unique entertainment, this CD will no doubt take you on that journey and beyond.
3731110
Haubner shares the story of his 10 year journey into and through a commuted Zen Buddhist practice with humility and candor .  In this deeply personal account, his is a true Zen master, sharing with us the dirty parts of love.  The dark shadowy parts of judgment that keep us from loving  our neighbor and giving freely of ourselves are explored and his humble  storytelling  invite the reader to open our hearts and take the whole world in our arms.
I'm grateful for his authenticity and highly recommend this book, for the intellectual ,  the spiritual  seeker, or simply the avid reader .
4565436
Just this past weekend, I heard a 15 minute excerpt at zero dark thirty in the morning on my local FM classical music station.  I'd never heard anything so haunting and wondrous. It truly is the ocean. The next day, I had to get it and downloaded the MP3 version from Amazon so I could hear it in it's entirety. It is truly the most beautiful music I have ever purchased. Not only is it a symphonic and auditory wonder, it is also a restful and hypnotic treat for the mind.