One Mind
Greg Hald
CD, $15

Greg Hale plays his own compositions on Spanish guitar, and the illustrations are Greg's marvelous modernistic oil paintings.

I own several classical and flamenco CDs, so I very much enjoy listening to Greg's lively and upbeat instrumental music. On "One Mind," he is joined by four top studio musicians on bass, drums, keyboards, cymbals, chimes, wind gongs, congas, bongos, timbales, claves, and more. Together they create a joyous sound.

An avid student of truth, Greg has experienced tragedy; his pregnant wife died nine years ago. Climbing up from rock bottom, he realized more than ever that love, family, and living life fully are far more important than the world of effects. In meditation, he found serenity, beauty, and the healing presence of Spirit flowing to and through him. His paintings as well as his musical compositions are inspired by images that came to him during meditation.

More information can be found at www.greghalemusic.com and www.greghaleart.com.

-Jim Shea

Not Always so:
Practicing
the True Spirit of Zen
Shunryu Suzuki
Hardcover, $22.95

Thirty years after his death, Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki's first book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is still a bestselling book on the Buddhist philosophy of Zen. Just released is Not Always So, his never-before-published second volume, which is a collection of lectures encompassing Suzuki's simple yet powerful guidance.

Renowned religious scholar Huston Smith tells us that: "Suzuki Roshi was with us, in America, only twelve years…but they were enough."

In Not Always So, we learn Suzuki's insights on the big life questions that challenge us all. Rather than strict guidelines and exacting dogma, the author gives us his fluid teachings on Zen and Zazen, a form of sitting meditation that is an integral part of Zen philosophy. Through his calm and often humorous approach, the reader will embrace his profound thoughts on how to improve their communication and concentration, respect their bodies, be kinder to themselves, and attain greater peace of mind.

-Jim Shea

www.gratefulness.org

This unusual website is a celebration of one of the highest forms of thanks of which we humans are capable-gratefulness. There is a charming innocence and openness about gratefulness.org, which promises to provide "online support and offline action to realize joy, build community, and transform our world." When we access some of its many supporting links, we find that these promises have been kept. Supporters of gratefulness.org such as Brother David Steindl-Rast O.S.B., Brother Wayne Teasdale, and other well-known writers have contributed incisive and thoughtful essays.

A link of considerable interest is "Resources for Learning," which lists some seventeen annotated centers and websites that emphasize positive living and inner growth. Significant expansion is promised for the future. For those with audio capabilities on their computers, spiritual music suited to various periods of the day and night is available. In one link titled "Story Corner," we find a touching essay by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Colombian writer and Nobel Laureate. Afflicted with terminal cancer, he wrote a farewell letter to his friends, which includes this brief quote: "My God, if I had a piece of life...I wouldn't let a single day pass without telling the people I love that I love them." Could gratefulness be better expressed?

-Cliff Johnson

Back

To read further, pick up your copy of Science of Mind Magazine or click here to

United Church of Religious Science
Visit our other sites.

[ UCRS | UCRS Events | SOM Mall | World Ministry of Prayer ]
[ Science of Mind Foundation | Int'l Youth & Family | Holmes Institute ]
[ The Global Heart | Ciencia de la Mente ]