Book Review: Seven Wisdoms: the Legend of the Lotus by Thoko M Banda
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Wednesday, 14 May 08 - 02:40 AM (GMT +12:00) By John Dierckx in Reading & Writing |
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I would probably not have picked up on the book if I had not had such an interesting and stimulating conversation online with the author of the book Thoko M Banda. (www.thokobanda.com). After the conversation through facebook chat and surprised by the humbleness in his words. Even more surprised I was finding out how all that time he apparently has been following my actions online. I mean yes I do that with all my heart but hardly ever find anyone expressing their appreciation with the exception of perhaps a few friends such as Michael Pokocky and Dennis Gallagher; both very inspirational or at the least stimulating persons in their own right.
But as usual I am wandering off, so back to the book, Seven Wisdoms. After my chat with Thoko Banda I downloaded and read the book within the next 24 hours. I can recommend the book to anyone. Personally I like the apparently simple way in which the whole book is written, but when reading it again and again it seems to reveal new layers.
So what are these Seven Wisdoms?
- Love to live each moment with love in your heart.
- The highest form of control is when you surrender all control.
- Never let life get in the way of living.
- Nature acts never in haste - nature acts always with advance hindsight.
- As you thought, so you became. As you think, so shall you become.
- All that is worthwhile can only be accomplished with persistent enthusiasm.
- Pause: be still, and hear what the silence conveys.
I could off course write more about these seven wisdoms but I suggest that it is better to leave it just like this. Why? Whilst rereading the book and especially the comments with these Seven Wisdoms, representing nature and the natural way, they keep on gaining additional depth. So, any comment at this stage would most likely not do justice to the depth of these wisdoms.
Instead of providing you my views on this timeless book I suggest you make this just as personal as it is to me and get your own copy at http://www.lulu.com/wisdomworld. With prices of $4.99 for a pdf version and $18.57 for a printed copy hardly a difficult consideration. It will be money well spend: an investment in you.
From my side I would be curious to hear what your thoughts are after (re) reading the book. I can from my side assure you that many of the thoughts shared by Thoko Banda will be seen in other posts here on this blog and on my business blog at http://dierckx.terapad.com.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this little gem.
Why Books will Never Die
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Tuesday, 20 November 07 - 11:02 AM (GMT +12:00) By John Dierckx in Reading & Writing |
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My good friend Michael Pokocky, has this fantastic habit of sharing thought provoking or otherwise interesting links to articles and blogs. This time he sent me a link to an article by Seth Godin: "You won't find me on Amazon's New Book Reader" as well as his own reflections on this subject matter on his well read blog Philosophis+ : The Book is not Dead.
I Just finished reading a few books from a CD called 4000+ works of literature. It is strange, I read a lot on screen, however primarily work related.
Reading a work of art, literature or even just the next Grisham does not seem to work for me on screen if I do not have that additional smell of fresh ink, that anticipation of what's to come when you quickly flick through the pages before actually starting to read. What is left of snuggling up on the couch with a book or just taking it along to read at a nice spot in the park? Pages blowing over by the wind, the touch of paper.
Books are more than their words, smart publishers understand this and that's why those coffee table versions of books still sell.I read two Dan Brown books: Angels and Demons and of course the Da Vinci Code. Reading the books themselves was a great experience, reading them in the luxurious coffee table versions, with the added sensation of luxury paper and illustrations was just fantastic.
Reading books comes with an array of additional sensations either real or just imagined (but experienced as real) that make reading a book regardless of the arts and craft displayed by the writer so much more than just reading and enjoying the words. The content is one thing, the way it is presented is the next. No cold digital reader will ever replace that.
That's why, I think books will indeed never die.
An Interview with Paulo Coelho
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Saturday, 11 August 07 - 02:53 AM (GMT +12:00) By John Dierckx in Reading & Writing |
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Last fall, Paulo Coelho the best-selling Brazilian author of The Alchemist and about 14 other novels was interviewed.
Visit beliefnet to continue to read the interview written by Valerie Reiss.
Highly recommended.
Paulo Coelho talks about God, the Church, Inspiration and writing.
My first short story
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Sunday, 03 June 07 - 04:53 AM (GMT +12:00) By John Dierckx in Reading & Writing |
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Some time ago I was asked to contribute to a book that was planned called"A Lighter Side of PI". One of the three stories I contributed I have just edited and is now available for your light reading pleasure at my new google pages called John is Thinking Out Loud.
The first shirt story made available there is called
"Work, Holiday, Business & Pleasure"
In short the story is based on real live events combined from different cases though. A holiday in Spain leads to meeting an old girlfriend who has a daughter with relationship problems. Everything that could go wrong and right went wrong and right. Nothing heavy, nothing to exciting just funny light reading.
I hope you enjoy and let me know if you enjoyed it or have some tips.
Blog Recommendation: Maurizio - Omnologos
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Wednesday, 23 May 07 - 08:54 PM (GMT +12:00) By John Dierckx in Reading & Writing |
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Today and by accident I stumbled upon the blog of Maurizio Morabito: a fellow ecademist that maintains a blog with the name Omnologos.
For those who like to set their teeth in the complex subjects such as for instance the Darwinism v Creationism discussion but many other big subjects, this blog is definitely recommended.
... More items are available in my News Archive
