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| January, 2008 | ||
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EARLY on in Chi and Creativity, authors Elise Dirlam Ching and Kaleo Ching tell us that, “the beauty of art is that it is your soul revealed; the challenge is that it is a form of communication.” Life is a creative process, and most of us agree that this is true whether one is a poet or a plumber, an artist or an after-school activities director. Add chi (the vital force believed in Taoism and other Chinese thought to be inherent in all things) to the creative mix, and this book becomes a wonderful tool for finding that place where “the creative process and personal growth commune.” The authors provide a plethora of exercises and activities for cultivating chi awareness, including simple but profoundly effective chi kung movements; chi meditation techniques that include a meditation designed specifically to transform stress; and a fascinating discussion of how chi circuits relate to the chakras. This book is different from others that purport to spark one’s creativity in that the authors are fundamentally aware of mindbody- spirit relationships. Other books take a mental approach to dealing with such dilemmas as writer’s block or a lack of artistic inspirations, but the Chings proceed with the knowledge that chi is everywhere, in everything, and that breathing exercises or acupressure or meditation are all paths to positively influencing one’s chi, which can then be expressed through creative means. The wisdom found in Chi and Creativity goes far beyond what words can fully convey, but readers know from the outset that everything the authors have written is “based on the premise that creativity nurtures understanding, healing and compassion for self and others.” This book is an enjoyable adventure in exploring the creative process and enhancing that exploration through greater awareness and appreciation of the essential vital force known as chi. —Darren Richardson |
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THE word courage comes from the Latin cor, which literally means “heart.” The author Mark Nepo tells the reader why he wrote this book, stating: “This book is an exploration into how to find the way to our core, to stand by our core, and to then sustain the practice of living from our core—to live out of our courage.” The reader may ponder: Does he mean the courage that sustains one, say, in battle? Or is he referring to the courage to abide by our convictions? I believe he means both. To develop his thesis, Nepo, a published poet and social philosopher, draws both upon examples in his own life and in those of others. He offers reminiscences, historical references and some touching personal confessions of his own “lack of courage” in some of the nearly sixty short but lucid sections that comprise this book; there are stories of ordinary people, political activists, artists and spiritual teachers from all faiths. In one self-revelation, he tells of his long fear of dogs, brought on by a frightening confrontation with one as a toddler. Many years later, he formed a lasting relationship with a lovable pet that removed that fear forever. In addition to being a poet and philosopher, Nepo is also a teacher and he serves as Program Officer for the Fetzer Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The institute is a not-for profit foundation devoted to fostering awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the global community. As the title suggests, the book is divided into two sections: Facing the Lion addresses confronting our fears and apprehensions. The other, Being the Lion, discusses discovering the courage within us to overcome those fears. Isn’t this the courage to which we all aspire? —Cliff Johnson |
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