After the morning energization exercises and meditation on the porch I sat down to that most luscious combo of delights: peace and quiet, a good book, and breakfast. It was that first sip of chai tea along with our unseasonably cool weather that reminded me of my visit to Angel Fire, NM two years ago.
My friend, Karen, had graciously invited me to join her during her yearly reading/writing get out of the heat retreat. I keep telling her that she's missing the character building that suffering through Texas heat instills in us. She never listens, preferring contemplation and reading in the mountains. I tried.
As of last week she had completed three books and no telling how many poems and musings.
Not that I'm trying to keep up or anything but I am in the middle of four books, having always found focus to be overrated. All of them found during my annual Bookshelf Purge and Reorganization event.
Not all of us can summer in Angel Fire but we do our best to entertain ourselves.
All four books are excellent so I invite you to check them out.
The End of Illness by Dr. David B. Agus
Dr Agus has presented this health nut with such provocative ideas as: ditch the vitamins and junk the juicer.
Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion by anthropologist Stephen Huyler.
Huyler explains through words and photos how devotion permeates the daily lives of most Hindus.
The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton.
Excerpts from the travel musings of historical and literary figures coupled with de Botton's own elegant and thoughtful prose make this book a joy to read.
And, finally, this morning's book. India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation's Remaking by Anand Giridharadas.
This is a fascinating look at the difficult process of "liberating the self" that peoples of colonial or occupied countries must contend. This book will give liberal Americans a more nuanced understanding of, and respect for, the way that globalization and capitalism can liberate such people at a deeper non-material level.
Quiet mornings and happy reading to all.
