The Master in Transition
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MILESTONES was both the musical and chronological bridge between trumpeter Miles Davis' great mid-fifties quintet (John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums), with its postbop sensibilities and emphasis on fresh interpretations of standard material, and the more personalized and transcendent vision Davis would realize so brilliantly on his next album, KIND OF BLUE. By augmenting the quintet with Cannonball Adderley's matchless alto saxophone chops, Miles added tonal variety to a signature sound which, for all its beauty, had started to grow a bit predictable; and by redirecting his own compositional bent from harmonic to modal centers he literally wrote an entire new chapter in jazz history. All of this is excitingly evident on this crucial 1958 recording.
  Taking numbers by Thelonious Monk ("Straight No Chaser"), Jackie McLean ("Dr. Jekyll") and John Lewis ("Two Bass Hit") on rides which even the composers themselves could never have envisioned, Davis and Company here set a new standard for small group improvisation. If anyone still had any doubts, MILESTONES certainly announced that the bebop era was over. Further leavening the proceedings, a hornless workout on "Billy Boy" allows Davis' excellent rhythm section (often obscured by the playing and reputations of this legendary front line) to sing and shine on its own while the leader takes a breather. But it's the two original compositions herein - "Sid's Ahead" and even more so the title track - which really point the way forward. The former is an epic-length jam balancing control and freedom in a manner almost unprecedented, with improvisational statements of consummate logic effectively becoming the structure of the piece over its thirteen minutes and change. "Milestones" itself is a sort of first stab at KIND OF BLUE, and could easily have fit on that album were it a bit lengthier - as it would subsequently become in concert. Miles' lightheartedly reflective melody is now a classic, and the permutations through which he and his band take it proclaim the advent of a powerful new approach to the genre. Great stuff, and a definite must-have for any serious jazz enthusiast!
3518018
I just finished The Painters Secret Geometry and it was a true journey. To begin with, the complexity of the subject is great: I simply have to paraphrase the words of the author in his introduction as he explains why he wrote the book and what its about.

This book is not a treatise on painting nor is this book a history of composition this book bears witness to the evolutions of ideas and forms over time regarding the internal construction of art works. The framework of a painting or carving, like that of the human body or that of a building, is discreet; sometimes, indeed, it makes one forget its existence. Some people think that an extremely subtle and secret mathematical science lurks underneath the apparent spontaneity of the masters while others state that it is only a false science, a few tricks, a kind of savoir-faire.

The internal construction of a picture has varied in complexity from period to period. There were times of great, complex compositions led by compasses and rulers as well as simplified natural divisions like the rabatment play of rectangles. Author, Charles Bouleau debunks the notion that it is all about numbers, music, and laws of harmony; as these words are generally vague and ambiguous. Artists have constantly applied their intelligence to giving organization to forms, harmony to lines.

This quote that he shared from French artist Henri Focillon in 1955 really wraps up the give and take of form and flow for masterful art:

This labor (of the spirit) is so strenuous that sometimes the mind can do no more. All that it then seeks or needs is to relax, to lose willingly all sense of form, to accept passively whatever may flow up to it from the ocean-depths of life. The mind, at such a time, believes that it can find rejuvenation in mere brute instinct, in the admission of fugitive impressions it overturns the checkerboard of logic.

If you are an artist of any type  this is a great text. Thankfully, its now back in print!
1362229
Introduction to Tien Shan Pai is a great book from an amazing martial arts master.  Grandmaster Huang and Shifu Chisholm introduce you to many aspects of the Tien Shan Pai system including the "wheelhand" technique and even components of iron palm training.  Most importantly the book contains the warm-up and stretch kick sequence which will improve the physical condition of all people - regardless of martial arts style.  Huang, Chien-Liang is the 64th Generation Grandmaster of the Tien Shan Pai sytem and a global authority on Chinese martial arts.  He is also the President of the United States Kuo Shu Federation (USKSF) which hosts one of the premier martial arts tournaments in the country every July in Baltimore, MD USA. This is a must-read book for anyone looking to understand about Tien Shan Pai and/or Chinese martial arts in general.
3571233
The thoroughness of guru Iyengar's approach to yogasana is beyond doubt.  It is complete, with precautions and adaptation for beginners and challenges to the most advanced practitioners.  My opinion is that his approach is the best because it stresses on correct alignment and relaxation (quite unlike power-yoga and heat-yoga that "married" to western culture and "forgotten" the spiritualism of this old Eastern practice).  Fair to say, when a body is heated up (or warmed up) it would be easier for one to stretch one's muscles and tendons.  This is the western/exercise approach of warming up before the REAL exercise.  In Eastern approach, on the other hand, the warm-up is through relaxation/(standing) meditation plus generation of heat through circulation of prana.

Here we come to one interesting point. Mr. Iyengar devoted a full (but small) chapter to pranayama.  He even wrote a book separately on the subject.  And, in his more recent book Light on Life, he clearly said that prana in Yoga is the same as chi in Chinese.  AND, in his Light on Pranayama, he clearly taught us that some important aspect/component of pranayama should be learned in yogasana (for example, on page 97 of Light on Pranayama, he wrote "It (mula bandha) should be learnt while doing various asanas, especially tadasana, sirsasana, sarvangasana, urdhva dhanurasana, ustrasana and paschi mottanasana").  YET, this teaching method of his in Light on Pranayama has not been mentioned in his Light on Yoga.

I think there are two reasons: first, as Mr. Iyengar said in his Light on Life, he had been teaching yogasana for a few years BEFORE he started learning pranayama in 1944.  That means what he learned from his guru was that yogasana was taught without pranayama, hence he didn't have that first-hand learning (and consequently teaching) experience of incorporating pranayama into a teaching of yogasana.  The second reason, I believe more important, is that there are simply too many asanas to be learned from Mr. Iyengar's system!  There simply ain't so many people nowadays who can devote so much time and energy to learn most of Mr. Iyengar's yogasanas!

From Mr. Iyengar's book Light on Life, perhaps of his age, he seems to want to bring in more spirituality into his system of yoga practice.  The first step is likely to incorporate his pranayama into his yogasana system, with a radical rationalization/re-organization of his asanas.  Perhaps the training method of taoist/chi teaching might be useful reference (quit-pro-quo, many training systems have incorporated some forms of yogasana). Perhaps we shouldn't labour our guru to this new task, perhaps his family or his senior students should be taking over this task, or perhaps it has already be done - that would be good news for all learners of yoga who like to keep the classic eastern tradition (instead of jumping around in a heated room).
1572244
Dear Sean,
You wrote a great book with fantastic insights, quotes and stories.
When the pupil is ready the master will Come and I want to share that when ever this book will reveals its self to a person his or her time has Come to start the Journey to genius.
With much Love and the best regards.....a wonderfull path wished to all.
4473594
Bishop Spong has confirmed the teaching of the mystics about the stages of the spiritual life in his own life: purification, illumination and union. He seems to be on the way to the latter. My hope is he continues this last part he has embarked upon unto eternity. Great book!! (Audio)
3442093
In the fourth (and final?) installment of The Sages: Character, Context, & Creativity,  Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Lau continues from where volume 3 leaves off, with Rabbi Judah the Prince and the compilation of the Mishnah. Rabbi Judahs monumental achievement sets the stage for the events that will shape religious practice and normative religious thought to this day: the creation of the Talmud. Lau covers this transition in Jewish history and the characters involved. Like his first three volumes, volume 4 is written with the same care and elegance, and kept in balance between the academic and traditional religious perspectives.

The book is divided into three parts:
1) The Transitional Generation:
- Historical Background
- Rebbi's Sons
- Levi ben Sisi
- Rabbi Hiya the Great
- Bar Kappara in Lod
- Rabbi Oshaya Rabba
- Rabbi Yeshoshua ben Levi
- Rabbi Yannai and His Circle
- Rabbi Hanina bar Hama

2) Babylonian Jewry During the Sasanian Revolution:
- Historical Background: The Sasanian Revolution and Its Significance
- The Origins of Babylonian Jewry
- Shmuel
- Rav
- Rav and Shmuel 1: Styles of Learning
- Rav and Shmuel 2: The Attitude to Sasanian Rule
- Rav and Shmuel 3: The Attitude to the Exilarch
- Geniva's Rebellion Against the Exilarch

3) The Early Talmudic Period in the Land of Israel:
- Historical Background: Jewish Life in Israel in the Anarchic Period
- Rabbi Yohanan bar Nappaha
- The Authority of the Mishna
- Was the Mishna Written Down?
- Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish
- Rabbi Yehuda Nesiya
- The Destruction of Nehardea and Babylonian Migration to Tiberias
- Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat
- The Death of Rabbi Yohanan

Without hesitation, this book (along with the other three volumes) is worth adding to your collection on early Jewish history, and an excellent aid for those studying/learning Mishnah and Germara.
1044660
Very well presented publication as befits the life and work of an art master of excellence.
3689145
Great lessons from a great master. Dale Carnegie is a master of life changing advice. This book takes some of his best teachings and summaries them into a quick, easy to digest format. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
734602
For a number of years Alan Wallace has conducted retreats taught from his translation of one of Dudjom Lingpas teachings called The Foolish Dharma of an Idiot Clothed in Mud and Feathers. Now those who couldn't attend have the opportunity of reading the final version of this teaching and much more. Here in a three volume set are major teachings of Dudjom Lingpa. This extraordinary work is well worth obtaining for the most serious Buddhist practitioners who wish to study and practice the Buddhist tradition commonly called Dzogchen (In this work Alan Wallace translates it Dzokchen.).

These three volumes of profound teachings come with a warning from the translator: they are considered secret, although self-secret and a qualified lama is recommended, and the reader should also follow the traditional Tibetan ngondro practice. With that caveat, jump in:
The introduction describes the life story of Dudjom Lingpa, then the lineage that followed him. His explanation of the path to perfect enlightenment follows in the remaining three volumes. When we reach the first of the translations, we have been prepared to expect the extraordinary and there is no disappointment.

A number of the teachings include separate commentaries. The first teaching in volume one, Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, is first of them. The commentary is by Pema Tashi and it may be that you will want to skip to the commentary, then go back to enjoy the original text. This first commentary alone is worth the price of admittance. Phase Five (in Vol 1, page 89) on determining dualistic grasping and revealing the way to natural liberation is brilliant.

The second major writing is The Foolish Dharma of an Idiot Clothed in Mud and Feathers. It was the subject of several retreats over a course of years led by the author and though short is exceptionally penetrating in its analysis of reality and certainly not the work of an idiot as the self-deprecating title suggests. The Foolish Dharma is followed by the extremely challenging The Enlightened View of Samantabhadra, the last major work in volume one, save an excellent Glossary. Reading it feels a little like one might imagine the climb up Mount Everest.

Volume Two centers around Buddhahood without Meditation, a key work by Dudjom Lingpa on cutting through, translated previously by Richard Barron and last revised and printed in 2002. Ill leave it to others with more expertise to compare the translations. This volume additionally contains commentaries by Sera Khandro, the consort of Dudjom Lingpa's son, and recognized as brilliant in her own right.

This is the book set that just keeps on giving. The energy of the work doesnt falter. Volume Three certainly doesnt disappoint and could stand alone. It centers on The Vajra Essence, and Dudjom Lingpa saw it as the sun breaking through the clouds. Here Samantabhadra as naked awareness addresses our questions along the path. Alan Wallace has kindly inserted an outline into a text that originally lacked any breaks, helping us to keep the subject in some kind of order for our intellectual minds. The rest is up to each of us individually.

Why write a review of a set of three volumes currently unavailable and when available expensive? When you obtain it this three volumes will earn its place on your bookshelf, to be turned to over and over again for its timeless wisdom and inspiration, qualities common to all works from the pens of great spiritual masters.
1457001
At long last that daunting journey from competent pianist to artist just got a little easier thanks to Neil Rutman's recent contribution to the piano literature: "Stories, Images and Magic from the Piano Literature". Mastering the technical aspects of advanced pianism is difficult enough. The challenge of becoming an inspirational performer often proves even more elusive. Mr. Rutman certainly embodies that in his own performances and now has graciously shared with the musical community a mechanism by which one might reach that lofty plane. What better way to enhance the understanding of the great works of music than to enter the minds of the composers and the legendary pianists through a knowledge of the events of their time, their inspirations and  their emotions.
2038523
I have two previous books by Juliette Aristides - both are overviews of painting and drawing (no easy task) this book focuses a little more on technique and specific exercises. The highlights:

a. beautiful reproductions and well chosen examples of master drawings both from old masters and contemporary artists.
b. insightful commentary. Although this is about technique - Aristides never loses sight of the 'big picture' (which by the way is an essential technique!)
c. More in-depth surveys' of drawing techniques including master copying, rythmn and line.

There is no substitute for an atelier and working with a master, but this book is as close as it comes.

In her book "the creative habit" Twyla Tharp recounts a story of a master ballerina coming to a basic dance class and going through the 'basics' at the barre. She goes on to say that masters always practice and never lose site of the fundamentals. For that reason alone all artists, beginners and especially advanced artists, should have this on their bookshelves.

There are a LOT of drawing books out there, but this is one of the best published in recent years.
4501950
If you have ever felt a longing to know your life's purpose or to experience the power of the Divine, you must watch the movie on DVD called Soul Masters. It is about the spiritual journey of Master Guo and Master Sha and how they are preparing humanity for the Soul Light Era that we are now in.  You will see that it is possible for you and me to have a part in helping to heal the world . . . during Mother Earth's transition.  As Master Sha says, "I have the power to heal myself.  You have the power to heal yourself.  Together, we have the power to heal the world."
276437
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is truly the greatest living spiritual Master of today. This book presents him in a very enchanting way, with stories and experiences of seekers who have been with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It's incredible to notice how simple and natural a Master can be and how he can bring profound changes in the life of a true seeker.
A must read ~ Just go for it.
3488050
I suppose I should start by noting that the author was my teacher during my brief career as a samanera (novice monk) in Sri Lanka, and on account of this fact I think I'm well placed to remark on his credentials.  They are, in brief, impeccable.  The Venerable Author is not only an amazingly erudite man (the consensus among his students was he probably spoke Pali in his sleep) but, I would wager, enlightened to some degree as well.  (Monks, of course, don't generally talk much about what they've attained except with their teachers, though this thought, too, was general consensus among his students.  What he knew seemed to go well beyond the stuff of books.)

This little tome, which stands as a good introduction to the author's thinking, may be short on pages but is long-and weighty-as regards content.  While the work is ostensibly an exposition of an obscure and dense little sutta, that sutta is used as a lens with which to peer into the heart of the Buddha's teaching.  And the author's razor-sharp eyes see far indeed.

Ven. nananda starts off with a wonderful and illustrative story of a magic show, wherein two friends see the same show but come away feeling very differently about it.  For one has been taken in and tricked by the magician's sleight-of-hand while the other has not-he watched the show from backstage, and saw exactly how the"magic" worked.  The response of the first is naive infatuation and excitement, while that of the second disinterest and detachment.  These two responses correspond quite nicely with the response of the worlding (putthujjana) and the noble disciple (arya) who has escaped the world's fetters.  The remainder of the book elaborates this basic dichotomy between ignorance and knowledge as it applies to the Buddha's teaching.

In the course of the work many of the author's favorite topics are touched on: the meaning of dependent arising, the "vortical interplay" of consciousness and its object (name-and-form), the self as a "point-of-view," the beguiling nature of concepts and the ideologies we construct from them, and, finally, an exploration of the consciousness of the liberated person, the arhant.  For those of you who have read, or will read, the author's earlier and more substantive work, Concept and Reality, this topical list should appear familiar, for he returns to many of the same themes there.  Clearly, these are critical concepts in the Buddha's teaching, and Ven. nananda discusses them with a degree of insight you rarely encounter in popular dharma books.  It is not often either that today's popular pundits have anything near the wealth of scriptural knowledge this author brings to bear; he knows the illustrative passages and discusses them in a way that illuminates and places them in context.  The Buddha's teaching, it seems, is far more than the typical lists you see repeated verbatim now here, now there: three marks, four noble truths, five khandhas, six sense bases, seven factors of enlightenment, eightfold path, etc.  In this little book you get a taste of the meaty substance of the Dhamma, and a glimpse the genius of the Buddha.
2454783
Good to see Lucas back in Action! It's a good transition novel; reinforces to Lucas the need to be a part of some organization that will provide him authority to do his work, as well as back up and resources. I look forward to his new position - hope he manages to bring some of his old cohorts with him. I also hope that the wider scope of his new position does not take him too far away from the midwest locale that has worked so well.
4485469
Moshe Feldenkrais was, in my mind, a genius. This book was my introduction to his work, and I could not recommend it more highly. In my opinion, this book is also the most accessible of his works. It is his shortest published work, originally intended to be the first in a series of case studies for practitioners. The bad news is that Moshe never published the other case studies. The good news is that, as a case study, the book is explicitly focused on a course of treatment using Feldenkraiss process, and the specific, detailed movements and actions involved. The theory discussed is given only to the extent that it serves the case at hand.

 Im not saying that having a background in Feldenkraiss theories won't add to your appreciation of the book. But in my case, now that I am working through his longer and more theoretical writings, I find his case study on Nora to be a helpful reference point. So if you're curious about his work, this is a great place to begin. Whats more, Feldenkrais is a very detailed writer, even at his briefest. So the descriptions of his actions are easy to visualize, and his explanations of his reasons -- equally detailed -- prove sound.

 Nora, the student in the case study, is a woman in her sixties who suffered a stroke. Despite several years of traditional therapies, she has made little progress in her cognitive healing or movement. She still cannot read, and though she could previously speak several languages, sing, and enjoyed other hobbies, she can do none of that now. She meets Feldenkrais by chance and eventually has numerous sessions with him, both in Switzerland and Israel. Over the course of the sessions, Professor Feldenkrais is always a teacher and never a therapist. With her, he discovers more about the sources of her challenges. A big one, for example, was that Nora lost her left/right orientation, without which other basic skills are impossible. Thus begins a long road of retraining her brain to adapt to the world, described in each short chapter.

 What Im left with most from Body Awareness as Healing Therapy is the deep connection between learning and healing that Feldenkrais explored throughout his life. As an educator who works with many at-risk youth, the connection between learning and healing is central to what I do in the world. Feldenkraiss work has given me a deeper appreciation of the role of the body in the healing and growth of the brain and mind. This line, in particular, I found very inspiring: Learning is turning darkness, which is the absence of light, into light. Learning is creation. It is making something out of nothing. Learning grows until it dawns on you. (p. 56). After reading that, it dawned on me that we all could learn a great deal from applying Feldenkraiss ideas into our lives. I hope you enjoy learning about his process as much as I did.