Fantasy novels often should be called “Quest for Coupons” in my opinion…
Their formulaic plots unfold more or less the same with a hero overcoming various monsters and traps to collect certain items. Once enough items are collected, he can free the kingdom from whatever evil power has consumed it and the story is over. continue reading…
I just read this piece of wisdom last night in the Spring 2012 issue of Self-Realization Magazine from the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
…creative thinking (not frantic reasonings but a stilling of thoughts, which are then replaced with intuitive perception) affords the soul reinforcement with harmony, peace and mental and physical strength…
I was actually suffering from a battle between “creative thinking” and “frantic reasoning” when I came across this passage. My mind was trying to solve a problem with my other website (www.liversnacking.com). I found myself involuntary thinking about the problem when my attention was needed elsewhere. continue reading…
Reincarnation allows for a view where everyone will eventually find salvation. For example…
A Hindu swami once told me that Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, finally achieved liberation in the 19th century. This was after twenty centuries of human incarnations. continue reading…
Several years ago a friend gave me a copy of Zen and the Art of Writing — a collection of essays by Ray Bradbury (author of Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles).
It’s a little paperback with yellowed pages and a mouldy smell — looking relatively mediocre. It contains very little education on the mechanics of writing.
Despite its modest appearance and total absence of “how to write” instruction, it’s one of my most valued resources for mastering the creative side of writing.
One of my favourite chapters, “How to Keep and Feed a Muse”, starts off like this continue reading…
On Easter Monday, 2005, early in the morning, I received a call from the delivery room:
“Mr. Manley, you’re wife is going in for an emergency c-section…”
It was too soon. Months too soon.
It had been a very rough pregnancy, with my wife, Nicole, in the hospital for the last few weeks.
Nicole was permitted to come home Easter Saturday. We kept things very low key as her energy wasn’t high.
On Easter Sunday I brought her back to the hospital.
And on Easter Monday the baby’s heart stopped. continue reading…
As the death count in Japan grows, along with possibility of multiple nuclear meltdowns I want to share with you a story from ancient India that offers a metaphysical explanation for all this horror and destruction…
Deep in the jungle, Narada broke a strong branch from a tree. Taking a rock he began sharpening the end of the branch.
A year has past, he thought to himself. Four seasons I have sat outside this cave.
When the spear had been fashioned, Narada walked to the entrance of the cave. continue reading…
While a vicious tsunami rippled across the Pacific unleashing destruction and chaos… another tsunami of magical snow dumped itself upon my corner of Ontario. Yesterday was mud puddles with the rainy promise of spring. Today, however, Jack Frost came back for a final performance. Literally one of the most beautiful winter mornings I can remember.
Most people looked on the news today and saw nothing but horrific scenes from Japan.
To bring some balance to the universe I thought I’d offer seven photos of the winter wonderland my son and I raced out to right after breakfast this morning… continue reading…
Aron Ralston from the cover his book Between A Rock and a Hard Place
In April 2003, while on a solo hiking trip in Utah, Aron Ralston‘s right forearm was crushed under a dislodged boulder, pinning the 27-year old man against a canyon wall. After five days, without any hope of rescue, and no water left, Aron had little choice…
I recently saw an interview with Aron Ralston where he describes — in gruesome detail — the process of amputating his own forearm with the small blade of a cheap multi-use tool.
Yes, listening to his experience made me feel extremely uncomfortable…. The loud popping sound Aron heard echo through the canyon when he purposely broke his arm (since his knife was not sharp enough to go through bone)… Cutting through a major artery and stopping the bleeding… Slicing through layers of muscles and tendons… continue reading…
“Backwash!” yelled the lifeguard. “Backwash!”
I was coughing. My two brothers were coughing. The air smelt like bleach.
“Everybody get out of the pool,” our swimming instructor yelled. We were at a local recreation centre.
We had just jumped into the water with our grade 5 swimming class. When I came to the surface I felt horrible. I’d inhale but didn’t feel like I was getting enough air. continue reading…
Ever since kindergarten I’ve been a fan of the British science fiction Doctor Who. The new series is even better. Nicole and I enjoy renting the DVDs. It’s one of the very few television programs we bother with. So when I heard a spin-off had been made, called Torchwood, we placed an order with Zip.ca (the Canadian version of Netflix).
Alas, how disappointing. continue reading…