pianistcomposer

"Culture wars" = solved! ...

Revisado: 07-31-24

...or at least approached in the most intelligent and compassionate way I could imagine. Seriously, this is one of those books that every human should read, and the world would become a better place fairly quickly. I fail to see how anyone could pick apart any of these arguments, which of course could just be a limitation in myself, but I digress. More helpful wisdom from Ken Wilber. (I highly recommend his "A Brief History of Everything" for a more thorough primer on Integral Metatheory if you are new to it, but this book is not heavy in jargon and for sure written with relative layman in mind.)

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Revisiting this book I read as a teenager in 1992 or so...still magical!

Revisado: 07-14-24

Clive Barker is a wonderful storyteller with a huge imagination, and this was one of my early favorites of his. It's definitely a departure from the more horror-themed works of his, although there still is some pretty horrific stuff in it. It's more fantasy, this one. Fantasy with a dark but huge heart.

What I particularly love is his use of English; I can hear the debt to Shakespeare that we all have, but it's especially pronounced here, I think. Beautiful imagery, perhaps a little overly flowery at times, but never self-conscious. I always found myself swept along.

Also, as a sidenote, Barker was clearly raised in some sort of Christian tradition, because his knowledge of the imagery/iconography which informs some of the characters and situations is quite pronounced, without the book being religious in and of itself at all. In fact, I would imagine based on this that he is more of a pagan type, but with a huge debt to all the myths. That's just an aside, and adds a layer of richness, especially if you are a fan of that sort of thing.

The narration was quite good, although I hear certain characters differently when I read it on the page. That's no fault of the narrator, of course, but I did have to get used to it. Once I could make that internal switch, it was smooth sailing.

Anyway, if you are into dark fantasy and great imagination, this one should be at the top of your list. I really wish they would make a film or a Netflix series or something out of it, because I feel like it would have strong legs.

After all, nothing ever begins...or ends.

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This is the first book that truly changed my life

Revisado: 06-28-24

...and it's so wonderful to read (hear) it again, nearly 30 years later. Anyone interested in how the entire planet can move forward without negating any points of view, no matter how seemingly disparate—which I fervently hope would be everyone—should read this book and really feel its truths. Thanks to the universe for producing such great synthesizers/understanders as Ken Wilber, and thanks to Ken for wearing that mantle lightly and gracefully.

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Ken does it again...depth for the ages

Revisado: 06-15-24

Ken Wilber's writings changed my life back in the mid-'90s with "A Brief History of Everything," and it just got better from there. I maintain that he uas created the most comprehensive map of reality that has yet been devised, and each book is sort of at once an overview of where his worldview is at right then and a deep-dive into one or another aspect of it. For instance, this one has actual exercises in locating and experiencing various higher developmental states (including—unprecedented for him, I believe—a section on sexual tantra!), so it's not just theory. Even still, he distills various cultural issues with a grace and clarity nearly unmatched.

Wilber is the first to admit that he stands on the shoulders of giants, and his encyclopedic knowledge of the great wisdom traditions of the world—combined with "knowledge of acquaintance" in the form of actual *experience* of these states he elucidates—remains among the most impressive I've ever come across. May he live long and write more!

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Required reading

Revisado: 09-29-22

I honestly feel like they should be required reading for all of humanity at this point, especially teachers and parents. I am not an alarmist by nature, since whatever is going to happen is going to happen in any case, but it would be nice if those things that happen could be for the benefit of humanity and the planet rather than their downfall. Thank you, Johann.

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You may be a cynic if…

Revisado: 06-16-22

…the title and/or concept of this book makes you want to put your finger down your throat. But all jokes side, I feel like the world would be a much better place if everyone were to read this and take its messages to heart. There’s a lot of research and a lot of compassion in here. Step up, world. Including myself.

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So similar it’s scary

Revisado: 04-24-22

I’ve so far only heard Jeremy once, a few years back at UMD, and (apart from a little post-concert meet-and-greet) don’t know him personally, but I almost feel like we’re the same person after listening to this. From the early-on treacherous ability to sight-read everything really well to the (comparatively) late realization of, hey, you have a body too (and subsequent allowance of homosexual experiences), I was relating so hard to so much of this. Add to that his incredible gift for non-pretentiously philosophizing and wondering out loud about various aspects of music and life, and you have a must-listen for all musicians and even a good portion of the general public. The musical examples are beautifully chosen, and there is very little “getting into the weeds” about cerebral music stuff. Thanks, Jeremy, for this love-letter to an art form that entrances so many of us. (And, for what it’s worth, I feel like my own teacher—Leon Fleisher, whom I was happy to hear you mention a couple times—would have enjoyed it, too.)

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As Stephen King said of Dan Simmons...

Revisado: 05-12-21

(...don’t ask me how I remember this blurb)...”He writes like a hot-rodding angel.” Russell is like Jesus and Hunter S. Thompson were gangbanged by Monty Python and somehow biology allowed an offspring. Hats off to you and your journey, Russell, and thanks for making esoteric spirituality as relatable as a 7-11 without degrading it into fluorescence and Slurpees. You are a treasure.

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Really useful and enjoyable

Revisado: 04-12-21

This was great and chock full of concise and precise advice (rhyming unintentional, but kudos to me, I guess?)...HOWEVER, there were many tiny editing mistakes which—while not necessarily detracting from my overall enjoyment—did occasionally make me wonder if I was losing my mind and/or experiencing deja-vu. I only mention it because I know (as a narrator myself) that that sort of thing can drive a certain kind of person crazy, so if you’re that person: be warned. If you can get past that, this book is a rich treasure-trove for the aspiring (or even working) actor.

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Stephen Fry is a treasure

Revisado: 03-07-21

I was brought to tears by sheer beauty a few times during this, as well as having been reminded of exactly how much I love these archetypal tales. May they never die, even as we evolve to transcend (and thereby) include them.

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