by Sitaram Das | Jan 3, 2010 | Book Club
A few new books made their way into The Library recently, under some fairly auspicious circumstances. The first two books, The Play of God: Visions of the Life of Krishna
and There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man Ch’ing and His T’ai Chi Chuan
, I found one fine morning strolling the streets of Brooklyn. After a delightful breakfast with a dear old friend, we wandered past three big boxes of books on the street. There were a few other book hounds rifling through, and I just couldn’t help but take a moment. How delightful that these two books jumped out!
I have only had the chance to briefly go through them, but it appears that ‘The Play’ takes a comprehensive view of Krishna’s entire life, sharing his exploits from His Childhood stealing butter, to his part in the fierce battle of the Mahabharata.
‘No Secrets’ is one of those totally cool spiritual memoirs written about a teacher by one of their students. These books are fun; the students love to raise the teacher up to superhuman status, with great wisdom and mystical powers. The Professor in this story does not disappoint. Very enjoyable, so far.
The Third book, Chod in the Ganden Tradition: The Oral Instructions of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
, I found at a bookstore 50% off. Not as magical as finding it in a box on the street, but still very fortunate. I enjoy delving into the depths of Chod, in both practical and theoretical ways, and this text seems to fit the bill. Its author, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, seems to be qualified. He is pictured above, playing the traditional Chod Drum.
You can find these books here:
The Play of God: Visions of the Life of Krishna
There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man Ch’ing and His T’ai Chi Chuan
Chod in the Ganden Tradition: The Oral Instructions of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
by Sitaram Das | Dec 10, 2009 | Book Club
Dearest Yogis and Yoginis,
I am reading a fantastic book.
They recently republished Timothy Leary’s version of the Tao Te Ching, “Psychedelic Prayers”. (Psychedelic Prayers: And Other Meditations (Leary, Timothy)
) I had an old version once, but I gave it to Paulie Zink. I was without one for a while, because I didn’t feel like spending $50 on a old tattered printing from the 60’s. But It’s back again, and I found one on ebay for 8 bucks. it has some extra stuff in the back that is wonderful too.
Tim wrote his version while in india, studying with a Buddhist Lama and a Vaishnava Monk. He had nine different english translations, and carefully crafted his version based on his readings and meditations. He writes it as a guidebook for a psychedelic experience, and gives it a clear beginning, middle, and end. The result is an elegant and transformational text, one suitable for any voyager of consciousness. any one who “floats through the universe of the body, without getting lost”. It works really well as a guide through yoga or meditation practice as well.
Here is a verse, it focuses on impermanence. I’ve been really into impermanence lately. Its a good thing to get a handle on. nothing fancy, its simplicity holds it beauty.
I – 5
All Things Pass
All things pass
A sunrise does not last all morning
All things pass
A cloudburst does not last all day
All things pass
Nor a sunset all night
All things pass
What always changes?
Earth…Sky…thunder…
Mountain…water…
wind…fire lake…
These change
And if these do not last
Do man’s vision’s last?
Do man’s illusions?
During the session
Take things as they come
All things pass
****
and this one has been my favorite for a very, very long time.
VI – 17
Walk Carefully When You Are Among
“holy men” and
“righteous” deeds
Distract from the internal
“Learned men”
Distract from
Natural wisdom
Professional know-how
Addicts people to the contrived
And the external
Be respectful and compassionate
But walk carefully when you are among-
learned men
holy men
doctors
government officials
reporters
publishers
professors
religious leaders
psychologists
rich men
social scientists
women with beautiful faces
artists and writers
men who
charge fees
city men
movie makers
men who want to help you
men who want you to help them
Christians and Jews
For such as these
However well meaning
Place you on their chessboard
Addict you to their externals
Distract you from the
TAO within
The lesson of the TAO is more likely to be found among-
gardeners
hermits
mountain men
smiling eccentrics
men who build their own homes
children
parents who learn from their children
loafers
amateur musicians
serene Psychotics
animals
men who look at sunsets
men who walk in the woods
beautiful women
cooks
men who sit by the fire
wanderers
men who make bread
couples who have been in love for years
unemployed men
smiling men with bad reputations
get your own copy of the book here: Psychedelic Prayers: And Other Meditations (Leary, Timothy)
turn off your mind, relax and float down stream…..
Love….
Sitaram Das
