What I Was Reading.

I have the time to read again so I finished the books I started when I started this blog.  I have about 20 or so books sitting under my coffee table waiting to be started.  I’ll update the What I’m Reading Right Now section once I decide what I’m going to read.  Here’s some thoughts on the ones I finished.

The Power of Silence – Further Lessons of Don Juan Carlos Castaneda

This another installment of Castaneda’s study of don Juan and the ways of the nagual (sorcerer).  This volume covers what seems like a wrap up of everything from the previous two.  It covers the ways to move your assemblage points, intent and stalking.  If you want to know what these mean read the book here.

What I got out of all that is pretty simple.  It’s very similar to mindfulness in Buddhism to me.  Silence helps to keep your mind focused on the now – not wandering through the past or traveling into the future.  Intent to move your assemblage point says to me that if you want something to happen focus with all of your being and it will be.  Maybe not right in that moment – patience is a virtue.  Amass your energy for what you intend, move your “assemblage point” (state of mind, perhaps) and what you want will take shape.

There are also stories of how don Juan himself was trained by his naguals.  It lends some insight into who he is and why he does what he does.  I recommend reading all of them in order…4 down and 5 to go.  There are 3 others…if I can find them all.

Writing Down The Bones – Natalie Goldberg

Whether you write fiction, non-fiction or poetry this book gives insight on how the author creates.  Her ideas and assignments are suggestions from her own workshops and experience as a writer.  It may help you grow as a writer, it may not.  I like her link of spirituality and writing.  And her ideas for keeping notebooks and rereading your work regularly.

Abnormal Psychology An Introduction – Durand & Barlow 2nd ed.

This book was given to me by a friend.  It was found in the trash and rescued.  I took Abnormal Psych in college (I may have the textbook somewhere) and have always been fascinated by it.  I hope to be able to be on “the other side of the couch” one day and help people get through mental illness.  This is a textbook.  Even so the authors manage to make it very readable and interesting with their own cases as examples.  It comes with a CD study aid which I would have used if my computer would cooperate.  As I struggle to get into some program that will allow me to be a counselor of some sort I’m sure I’ll be reading more of these kinds of books and that makes me happy.

So no photos today.  I thought I’d do something different.  It’s going to rain this weekend so I may not be able to get outside and shoot anything.

I’m going to the First Friday Art Walk tonight for my usual wanderings and hope for inspiration.  Maybe I’ll see you there.

Nikon D50 in Effect.

I’ve had the chance to play with a Nikon D50 lately.  Subsequently I have hundreds of photos to weed through so expect some this week…

Here’s a couple of random shots.

Libby Gazebo - one of the first attempts at night photos. No tripod makes for the fuzzies.

Love it that I can focus on things differently.

In honor of last post and don Juan himself I present real live Jimson Weed. It was growing wild at a park in Charlottesville.

More Unreal Reality.

I started reading the next installment of Carlos Castaneda’s series about his experiences with Juan Matus – A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with don Juan.  I like it already.

It picks up in 1968 – 3 years after Castaneda up and ran away from his first attempt to become a “man of knowledge”.  Claiming here that his experiences are beyond explanation unless viewed though the unreality of which they came Castaneda continues with his documentation of his second apprenticeship with don Juan.  The author comes back to have some unanswered questions answered – but I think his curiosity simply got the best of him and he had to know what was next.  Juan’s attitude seems more laid back and “human” in this volume where the big lesson is learning to “see” the world around us as opposed to merely “looking” at it.   Castaneda gives don Juan more of a sense of humor and liveliness that I’m enjoying.

Although I liked The Teachings of don Juan…I think I’ll like this one better.  I’m especially interested in hearing more about this “seeing”…Juan describes it as “perceiving energy directly as it flows through the universe”.  Sounds like a plan.  I’ll keep you posted…