The Contemplify NonRequired Reading List for August 12, 2016
The August NonRequired Reading List
Hey everyone, welcome to the August edition of the Contemplify NonRequired Reading List. The joy of creating a reading list of this nature is that there is no formula or code to the right number or type of recommendations. Those will likely vary month to month. The purpose of this reading list to encourage a new way of reading what comes across your desk or device and to discover hidden gems that missed your eye for one reason or another. I wish all of my friends sent out a monthly email of this type. I digress, here is this month's NonRequired Reading List.
Things the Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett (Book)
A musician's autobiography can read like an excuse to rehash the glory days of a rock and roll lifestyle that the author's body can no longer stomach. In this gem, Everett is keenly aware of his own limitations as an artist, family member, friend and well, any relationship he has ever had. Rather than falling into the overly emotive artist fairytale, Everett seeks to thoughtfully mine what he can out of the hardships, beauty and challenges that met him as an artist and introspective person. In particular, his experience as a teenager of finding his father dead in his parents' bedroom is harrowing and heartfelt. The broad imagery holds your hand as you walk with him through this discovery. You likely have never heard of Mark Oliver Everett. His band is the Eels. I don't particularly like their music, but I deeply admire Everett's tenacity to show up in life for himself and for those he seeks to love. Also, hands down the book that has walked through my thoughts the most in recent memory
The Dhamma Brothers: East Meets West in the Deep South by Jenny Phillips (Documentary)
A lot can be said of the depravity and ineffectiveness of the prison industry in the United States. This documentary does not focus on that, but tells the story of a program that aims to bring silent meditation to prisoners in Alabama. You watch the prisoners learn contemplative practices, you hear their stories and the impact this meditation program has on their life and rehabilitation. Shit gets real, real quick. You will likely not learn anything new about the prison system, but you will gain a deep appreciation for those seeking to transform their pain and presence in a maximum security prison. The question that will come to your lips by the end is, "what if more prisons opened their doors to something like this?"
Why Self-Help Guru James Altucher Only Owns 15 Things by Alex Williams (Article)
James Altucher half intrigues me and half irritates me. Simple living advice and self-empowerment from a rich, white guy. That is the rascal side of him that grades against me, but I cannot deny that he asks brilliant questions with a unique twist (You can get a taste for this through his hit-or-miss podcast, but I recommend his podcast with Freakonomics' coauthor Stephen Dubner, Question of the Day). This article showcases Altucher's eccentricity in the pursuit of a whole-hearted life. The man has failed and lost everything multiple times, his ability to start afresh is...refreshing. I've seen setbacks and failures stall too many brilliant or talented or just plain good people when they should have started afresh. If Altucher is helping these types of folks keep perspective on how small our failures actually are in the grand scheme of things, then carry on Mr. Altucher.
Contemplify Update
The two most recent episodes of Contemplify...
005: The Life and Art of Thomas Merton, Morgan Atkinson on Crafting the Contemplative Documentary
004 Simone Weil: Attention, the Agent of Love with Eric O. Springsted
Next on Contemplify...
The next episode of the podcast will feature publisher, painter and author Toinette Lippe. She has edited the work of Ram Dass, Mirabai Starr, Tao Te Ching, Thomas Berry, Stephen Levine, Rabbi Rami Shapiro and many others. This episode will be available August 20 through these fine outlets: iTunes, Stitcher,or Google Play.
Listen well + read often,
Paul
contemplify.com
Kindling the Examined Life
P.S. As always, I'm curious to know what you are reading or watching and what drew you to it. If you are so inclined, reply to this email with your own list.