Beginning to Understand the Self....some more!
I just finished reading a really thought provoking book, I cannot even tell you how I managed to come by it. I went to the library last week and it somehow managed to come home with me. Since then I have not been able to put it down. It is entitled 'The Serpent Rising' written by Mary Garden, a woman who lives on Queensland`s Sunshine Coast. (Click here to be directed to her home page)
Do you know when you read a book and you think, 'I think this one was written especially for me.' ? Well I reckon this one was written especially for people like me! The way that she writes, the thoughts that she has, the way that she sees everything...I am glad to see that I am not in need of a straight jacket!
In short she is walking down the street one day in her hometown in New Zealand when a notice in a shop window attracts her attention. Mainly it is the image of a snake on the notice that she is drawn to, inviting people to join in celebrations at a local Hindu Ashram. Although not a religious person she cannot rid her mind of this image of the snake all day and finally gives in and attends the session later that night. From here on in her life is changed completely. She gives up her University course and sells off her worldly possessions, packing a small bag and heading off to India on a spiritual journey of self-discovery. What happens to her there is nothing short of amazing and not necessarily always in a good sense.
Her book serves as a warning to people who search too deeply for themselves (well in my eyes it did) because it is easy to get caught up in the romance of it all. When I first started reading it I was ready to pack my bags and head off on the same journey as hers. The idea of being in such a mystical land, spending days reading and writing and discovering whilst living away from the chaos of the world, surrounded by such like-minded people, people who understand that inner battle that constantly rages, groups where you feel that the jigsaw pieces fit, all together, in an actual picture....wow!
However, it is tainted with sadness as she seemed to discover the bad eggs - the people who use others genuine desire for self-discovery to sate their own selfish needs. As I was reading I wondered what kind of person could prey on the mind of someone in such a vile and destructive way. They use the power of their knowledge, something which is supposed to be so pure, in ways that do nothing more but confuse and scramble the brain even more. (Incidentally this man is still practising in India, at the same place where she lived...I checked out his website...hhhhhmmmmm interesting!)
While I continued on her journey I realised the vulnerability of those who seek so much, those who cannot sit still and be with their own thoughts, who search deeply for some sort of fulfillment. I realised what an individual journey this all is, that no one can really point you in the right direction because what is good for one is not necessarily good for another. I realised that there are a lot of broken people in the world who search for answers in all the wrong places. And I realised that sometimes the answers that we get are not really the ones that we expect, yet we have to be able to be strong minded, have clear goals and arm ourselves first, as best we can, before we take such giant leaps forward in our lives.
Perhaps spontaneity is just that...romance. And as with all romance we should be careful not to wade into waters that are too rough for fear of being swept away and drowned by it all.
I have loads of questions....but those remain for me to find the answers to. Your thoughts on such matters are most welcome however.....
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The book just suddenly happened to come home with you. Well really, such a big porkie pie, tch, tch, tch.
It obviously had a certain appeal to you, I'm attracted to the mystical bit, don't worry can't afford a ticket to India, I'm waiting until my adsense comes in.
I've a child who keeps flitting between India and Paris, which disappoints me, I'd prefer them to be permanently in Paris where they were for many years.
If I weren't there for the births myself, I'd be sure my children were all foundlings.
I've a lovely post up at present which seems to be running itself, that's rather nice.
Any chance of your Uni books just happening to go home with you?
Interesting post. I can see shades of the traveller there again, just like the other three.
I can just see what is going to happen to me in the next life, I'm going to be blessed with stay at home children who just never leave, watch me grizzle then.
Lovely post, keep up the good work, hope your book club takes off with a bang, katyzzz
Rugby World Cup 2007
I'm not just in awe of your prolific output but your profundity and your viewpoint and your humour too!
Spirituality needs practicality.
An equilibrium.
I understand how this book "somehow managed to come home" with you....I have this problem with shoes and chocolate!!
Hope you are well hon.
Brilliant post. As always.
Dusk
Movies and Life
These lines really grabbed me, so apt and beautifully put:
I realised that there are a lot of broken people in the world who search for answers in all the wrong places. And I realised that sometimes the answers that we get are not really the ones that we expect, yet we have to be able to be strong minded, have clear goals and arm ourselves first, as best we can, before we take such giant leaps forward in our lives.
Very true....there are a lot of broken people in the world searching for answers...sometimes not in the most helpful ways....
Thanks for the inspirational start to my day,
Trace xx
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
*lol* I took the book back today....how bad would the karma be on nicking a book on karma...oh my!!!!
G`day Katyzzz,
*lol* I hear ya...I don`t have a passport at the moment so am a little stuck for travelling...when I went overseas last year I used an ETD and got stuck in a detention area in Hong Kong for 3 hours and then had to spend another ridiculous amount of hours wandering around the CLOSED airport.....ah the joys of travel....
A friend has just come back from India I can`t wait to catch up with him so I can hear all about it....he is making his way across the Nullabor Plains soon....lucky bugger.....but India sounds wonderfully mystical, intriguing......it is my mission for next year (or Nepal or Tibet)
Ah I don`t even want to talk about Uni at this point in time. Due to a certain male who shall remain nameless because even by thinking his name I start shaking with rage......I have had to postpone my Uni now until mid-year intake. All that work I have done already a waste (or as I like to think of it a head start now)..... seeeeeething.....
Hiya Dusk,
ah something else I learnt in this book....Devi means goddess....Dusk Goddess....how appropriate a name for one so fine....
The book? Well it`s there, in tatters and bits and pieces....maybe one day hey! You actually don`t realise how much you have to say until you start writing....
An equilibrium.
love it! well said
ah a chocolate managed to come home with me today too ....all these things just landing up in my bag...must be my klepto tendancies starting to come out....would you like some? Belgian Praline I`m into at the moment......mmmmmmmmmmm
I am well sabre lady....I hope you are too
Hiya Trace,
I love that....Trace.....so gentle, like a wispy cloud floating in a summer sky....
sadly there are a lot of broken people in the world hey? I have seen so many good people go down the wrong path....but as they say you must hit rock bottom before you can start to find your way to the top again.
I hope you have had an inspirational day. Mine started out that way... I was inspired to get stuff fixed up at work....and then I became uninspired when I nearly glued myself to the glass door trying to fix a sign...I was contemplating on sticking more glue on, just to make sure the job was well done as the thought of being rescued by some beefy firemen flittered through my mind...but then I didn`t reckon the pain of being skinned would have been worth it!
Have a fabulous evening ladies.... thanks for stopping by.
ash
Rugby World Cup 2007
I was born at 6pm.
Dad was a romantic.
Tough act to live up to!
...am waiting for the book....will take the chocolate for now...
You should suggest emoticons in the Writers Forum.
Sideways smiling!!...giggle...
Be well Ash hon...
It's not a waste...as you say...a headstart...
Dusk
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Dad was a romantic.
Tough act to live up to
ahhhhhhhhhh......siiiiiggggghhhh
I may have some of that chocolate lying around...quickly eat it so the evidence is gone in case the coppers come a-calling :0) *lol* I wonder if that`s a drunk smile....the big nose and all....yeah I shall suggest some emoticons I think.....
Yes sadly everything had to be shipped back this morning...but at least I have some idea of the reading and future work assessments so I can be a little prepared I guess.....headstarting to throb.....
ciao bella
ash
I've got boxes of the bloody things in my garage. It's a long story ... but I stupidly got involved in a collaborative publishing arrangement (that is I put up half of the costs, though I reckon it was 100%, but will never know because 'publisher' is not very communicative and has never given me breakdown of costs). I notice he says my book is a 'best seller' on his web site, which is a crock of shxx. Enough said. I keep getting feedback like 'oh read your book, couldn't put it down' etc but it seems as though most people are stumbling over it in their local libraries.
Distribution to book shops is a nightmare for the small scale publisher or self-publisher ...
My email address: marygarden@bigpond.com
and some of the stuff I've had published is on Really Long Link
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ah yes I LOVED your book. It seems a lot of others have found the same and I hope more do. Apart from here in Orble I have mentioned it to a few friends too, I hope word gets around.
I live on the Sunshine Coast myself and am amazed that there is little promotion for local Authors in the libraries around here... well none that I have seen anyway.
Thank you for the feedback on the Publisher. I noticed their website in the back pages of your book and took a look at it. I also noticed your book listed as one of their 'Best Sellers'... sorry you got such a raw deal from them... now I know to stay away!
Thank you for the book offer, I look forward to reading your poetry next.
Much luck in your future endeavours and thanks for stopping by.
Ash
Poetry mmm .. presume you mean my book Coming Together pub. 1991. You may stumble over one in the odd library, and I did see one at Beerwah. Frankly, I felt like stealing it and mulching it on my garden.
Strangely enough, I've had a very confronting article called 'Why Doesn't She Leave?' published in the latest LivingNow (a freebie mag around the place). This is about the relationship I explore in Coming Together.
Orble is new to me, so I'll go off and have a wander. Did notice that Stephen King's book On Writing is the book of the month (or something like that). That book changed my (writing) life ...
ciao
Mary
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Yes that would be the one.
*giggle* I`m glad that you didn`t
Your mention on your website actually led me to the Stephen King book which I am currently reading and finding very interesting. I have started thinking a lot more about the way that I write with his advice... and funnily enough it`s proven very helpful. (Of course that has nothing to do with him being such a great Author
Welcome and I hope you enjoy your wanders around Orble. You will find some very interesting pages on here. I shall look out for the article too.
have a great day
ash
Oh right! You must have read my piece called Darts in the Dark. Mind you, King warns against my dart in the dark approach towards finding homes for your articles/stories.
But his advice for wannabe writers is brilliant, though it's been said countless times before. If you want to write, write. If you don't, do something else. AND I also believe (like King) in the MUSE. Now that's something I should write about. Hmmm. My brother-in-law is Maurice Gee, and he 's one of New Zealand's top writers. He reckons there's no such thing! I wonder if it is related to the 'allegedly' two different kinds of writer: the intuitive and the analytical that someone mentioned last year at the Byron Bay Writers Festival.
You have a great day too ...