Several of you asked what books I'm reading on Buddhism. Here are a few I use for research that I've had in my collection for years. Most are texts used at university. They help me to get my facts right! I like to give some historical background before I talk about the *art*.
The first is Religions of Asia. The general editor is Robert K.C. Forman and is the third edition. It was used as a text.
The next is my all time favorite for figuring out the iconography of Buddhist art. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide To Buddhist Signs and Symbols by Meher McArthur, published by Thames and Hudson, 2002.
India:The Cultural Companion by Richard Waterstone is a book I found remaindered at Barnes and Noble. This book describes the main themes in the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and other spiritual traditions of India.
The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction (fourth edition) by Robinson and Johnson was used as a textbook. This may be my favorite as far as historical information on the Buddhist tradition worldwide.
I don't know if this helps anyone! There are others in our library. Many art books from the Met.
Loads of books on the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Journal Friday
I was surprised when I finished the journal page for this week. It has been so busy around here that I thought I wouldn't get time to smush some paint around. But look ... I did! And I had no idea what I would journal about ... and then, almost like a dream (the theme for the month over at Creative Every Day) ... there it was .....
Shangri La!!! I really think I need to branch out a little more with the color. Green is my favorite ... can you tell? Too funny. There are other colors, but I just seem to go back to green. This page was fun. I do believe the best things are found right under our noses ... right inside of us ... our own Shangri-La.
This week in The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women we've entered the Third Gateway: Actualizing Creative Results: The Power of Positive Priorities. I loved Carrie Fisher's quote, "I don't want life to imitate art. I want life to be art." Yeeehawww!
Gail McMeekin says, "You can design a life of creative fulfillment for yourself. You have the opportunity to select your goals for an abundant life of positive choices to enhance your creativity." One of the things she suggests doing is identifying your personal positive priorities.
I'm sure my age has a lot to do with where I am in my life. I quite like my life. I like that, finally, after many years of hard work in the medical profession, I am doing what I really enjoy. So here is a partial list of my priorities:
Shangri La!!! I really think I need to branch out a little more with the color. Green is my favorite ... can you tell? Too funny. There are other colors, but I just seem to go back to green. This page was fun. I do believe the best things are found right under our noses ... right inside of us ... our own Shangri-La.
This week in The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women we've entered the Third Gateway: Actualizing Creative Results: The Power of Positive Priorities. I loved Carrie Fisher's quote, "I don't want life to imitate art. I want life to be art." Yeeehawww!
Gail McMeekin says, "You can design a life of creative fulfillment for yourself. You have the opportunity to select your goals for an abundant life of positive choices to enhance your creativity." One of the things she suggests doing is identifying your personal positive priorities.
I'm sure my age has a lot to do with where I am in my life. I quite like my life. I like that, finally, after many years of hard work in the medical profession, I am doing what I really enjoy. So here is a partial list of my priorities:
- Live with grace and beauty
- Live with kindness
- Have life experiences that are joyful. Learn from those that are not.
- Have successful relationships with people. Learn, love and hug!
- Enjoy life! Hug the fur babies. Hug Mr. Dragon. Enjoy Nature - feed and nurture it and it will feed and nurture you.
- Make the quality of living important. Explore!
- Remember the power of Gratitude.
- Love what you are doing.
- Care for your body and mind. (I need to work on the body part).
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Books
I have been reading - mostly mystery novels - in between my research on India, Hinduism and Buddhism. My fun reading lets me relax. It's mind clearing!
Bookmarked For Death: A Booktown Mystery by Lorna Barrett is the second book in her new cozy series. They are set in a small town in New Hampshire on a street that would be any book lovers delight -- a street full of book stores. To celebrate her bookstore's ( Haven't Got A Clue) anniversary, Tricia Miles hosts a book signing for local, best selling author Zoe Carter. The event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom. I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book that I liked so much. They are quirky and feel like they'd be welcome at my place anytime for a cup of tea. Tricia's sister, Angelica, now owns the cookbook store next door. As with any good cozy, there are recipes at the end.
Runner: A Jane Whitefield Novel by Thomas Perry is the book I just finished. Jane, a Native American guide who helps people assume identities has been gone from the book world for nine years. Jane is now married and living a quiet life as a surgeons wife. It's nice to have her back. A bomb goes off in the middle of a hospital fundraiser. A young pregnant girl has been tracked across country by a team of hired hunters. Jane helps her escape and then sets about helping the young girl begin a new life. Of course, it's not as easy as one, two, three. There is plenty of suspense. I liked having Jane back. This series was one that I faithfully followed for many years. Times have changed since the last time Jane *ran*. I thought the book was fast at the beginning, then slowed in the middle and then set a break neck speed at the end. Guess that's the sign of a well written suspense novel. Fans of Jane Whitefield will be glad to see her back. Those who have not read any of the series before, may not like having any background on Jane.
Dragon's Kin is a novel by Anne McCaffrey and her son Todd McCaffrey. Ms. McCaffrey started writing the Pern series in 1968 and it has never gone out of style. Todd McCaffrey joins his mother as author on this novel. A mining camp's watch wher dies and young Kindan and his new friend Nuella learn about loss, friendship and responsibility. Impossible dreams are never out of reach - a lesson that we all should learn! Knowledge about the watch whers and their relationships to the dragons has been lost. Kindan and Nuella work to relearn that knowledge.
Bookmarked For Death: A Booktown Mystery by Lorna Barrett is the second book in her new cozy series. They are set in a small town in New Hampshire on a street that would be any book lovers delight -- a street full of book stores. To celebrate her bookstore's ( Haven't Got A Clue) anniversary, Tricia Miles hosts a book signing for local, best selling author Zoe Carter. The event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom. I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book that I liked so much. They are quirky and feel like they'd be welcome at my place anytime for a cup of tea. Tricia's sister, Angelica, now owns the cookbook store next door. As with any good cozy, there are recipes at the end.
Runner: A Jane Whitefield Novel by Thomas Perry is the book I just finished. Jane, a Native American guide who helps people assume identities has been gone from the book world for nine years. Jane is now married and living a quiet life as a surgeons wife. It's nice to have her back. A bomb goes off in the middle of a hospital fundraiser. A young pregnant girl has been tracked across country by a team of hired hunters. Jane helps her escape and then sets about helping the young girl begin a new life. Of course, it's not as easy as one, two, three. There is plenty of suspense. I liked having Jane back. This series was one that I faithfully followed for many years. Times have changed since the last time Jane *ran*. I thought the book was fast at the beginning, then slowed in the middle and then set a break neck speed at the end. Guess that's the sign of a well written suspense novel. Fans of Jane Whitefield will be glad to see her back. Those who have not read any of the series before, may not like having any background on Jane.
Dragon's Kin is a novel by Anne McCaffrey and her son Todd McCaffrey. Ms. McCaffrey started writing the Pern series in 1968 and it has never gone out of style. Todd McCaffrey joins his mother as author on this novel. A mining camp's watch wher dies and young Kindan and his new friend Nuella learn about loss, friendship and responsibility. Impossible dreams are never out of reach - a lesson that we all should learn! Knowledge about the watch whers and their relationships to the dragons has been lost. Kindan and Nuella work to relearn that knowledge.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Science Fiction/Fantasy Character
I was visiting Sarah at Cottage Garden Studio this evening and she had a link to take the test to see which science fiction/fantasy character you might be. I don't know why, but I enjoy these things so I took the test and look who I am - the beautiful Galadriel!
Possessing a rare combination of wisdom and humility, while serenely dominating your environment you selflessly use your powers to care for others.
Even the smallest person can change the course of the future. (I love this statement and I believe it!)
i was photo tagged....
...by Carolyn at 8 Golden Paws
here is what you do..
1.go to the photo folder in your computer
2. go to the 7th folder of photos
3.go to the 7th picture
4.put the picture on your blog along with a description of it
5. invite 7 friends to join the challenge
Well, I went to the 7th folder of photos and then to the 7th picture and I'm afraid ya'll will be disappointed. It's a picture of the dining room all torn up after Hurricane Ike.
Well, I went to the 7th folder of photos and then to the 7th picture and I'm afraid ya'll will be disappointed. It's a picture of the dining room all torn up after Hurricane Ike.
All the furniture moved to the center of the room (there were three more rooms just like this). The guys doing the work tried to be neat, but when you are working with drywall and plaster ... neat isn't in the vocabulary. The downstairs is pretty much back to normal. We are still working upstairs. Our guest bedroom is a real mess. Everything that had to be moved somewhere to get it out of the way of the destruction/construction was placed in that room. A lot of it is still there. Guess I should start cleaning clutter! I groan whenever I think about going in the room.
I think I may become a no tag zone like my good buddy Janet at The Lavender Loft. Being a no tag zone doesn't keep me from talking about Janet! I enjoy the awards and the playing. I just don't enjoy the tagging! I think everyone should have an award and everyone should share their photos!
So, that said, if you want to play ... TAG ... You're IT!
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