Wendy Agnes

Thank you, it was a joy to listen

Revisado: 05-03-25

It is a spiritual journey that touches deeply yet never becomes sentimental.

It starts with an ordinary, small man who needs to find his way after a disappointing life. When he meets an elderly lady with a disability, he finds grace in listening, finding the voice of the beans of life.

Making the Bean Paste is a spiritual process … listen … and enjoy a mindful journey. This made the book already beautiful.

And then it becomes a story of a hidden history. Japan like many countries feared leprocy. What happened to people who caught the decease in the past, is hardly known to us. This part was an eye opener, though sad it is also life affirming.

FYI this story was made into an equally beautiful Japanese film: An.

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Romance with a twist

Revisado: 11-05-24

Aren’t we all sometimes dream of being a super Movistar for a short time? And ofcorse including handsome co star.
The twist is not obvious yet a bit expected. Last chapter could have been a bit longer but Deliciously romantic and funny.

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Profound truth Simple reading

Revisado: 09-15-24

To understand & love one, other and all. I pray that everyone reads / listens to this.
Simple examples for complex thought processes. All paths are good, however, this, anyone can understand; it only requires a little effort to open the ears, mind and heart. With grateful thanks🪴

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Love Atlas, story and narration

Revisado: 05-30-23

Completely immersed in the last book of a serie that I love.
Fantastic listen book. Richard Armitage was intriguing, as always. Tuppence Middleton was sparkling. Lively interpretation of the many characters. Great choice to have a male and female voice; though occasionally it requires attention, as two people have a different voice for one character.

Beautiful end and love. Thank u Mr Whittaker and bless the memory of your mom; I will miss waiting for her next book.

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Enjoyable tour in History

Revisado: 10-28-22

84 lectures seems daunting. That is true but I finished them in two weeks. It is an enjoyable tour in history. It gives a quick overview. This allows an informed decision whether to read more.
When I don’t want to read more, I have an idea of context and a bit of content. I found a couple of authors, very interesting and found new stories and insights.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and views.

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Finally get Ulysses

Revisado: 10-27-22

I tried reading or listening to Ulysses and could not get why it is hailed as a master piece. After these lectures I understand it and want to try again.
Mr Hefferman is a good storyteller and he could have a career as a voice actor. I really enjoyed his performance with the Irish voices.
His lecture voice is pleasant, less “try to convince” and more creative enthusiasm, than some American lecturers do. Thank you for doing and sharing.

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Listen book is a blessing

Revisado: 10-15-22

I tried to read this book and failed. The listen book was a blessing.

The structure of propositions and definitions was impenetrable in the beginning. Though my way of thinking is almost mathematical, I was still completely bored after reading chapter 1. However, once I listened to the complete text, I understood what Spinoza wanted to share and it made his structure incredibly logical. His is amazingly brief, hardly a word too much. It invited me to read the book (first time while simultaneously listening to it), make my own notes and now it is one of my favourite books.

As Shiatsu student, I was pleased to read that in the 'west', there was a similar view on 'god' like in ancient oriental texts. I especially liked his point 'god is one substance with infinite attributes'. In Tao Te Ching you can find the same. When a division can be made, it cannot be one and hence not god. If I could ask him a question, I would like to know whether he had to call 'it' god due to society pressure or that he factually believed in a 'god'.
I was equally relieved that his view and Rene Descartes' view was not far of. In my opinion, the 'west' since the Enlightenment is in true essence non-dualistic. There is no believe in god as a white bearded man and factually no believe in a separate 'soul' that goes to heaven. There is unity with 'nature' or 'universe'; compare this with ancient Hindus, Buddhist and Chinese texts.

For me, the sections that deal with emotions are better than any modern self-help book. His 'contemplative virtue' rings a lot like views of modern philosophers like J. Krishnamurti ('who didn't read books'). I wonder whether he really didn't read Spinoza. Maybe this was a case of enlightened, intelligent people think alike. I agree with Spinoza's view: it's our desires, our pains and pleasures which determine our emotional well being. In the Yellow Emperor, a source book of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it states: emotional imbalance determines our health. Any self-book about o.a. stress management must come to the same conclusion, after many more words than Spinoza required. I already agreed with Marcus Aurelius that leading a virtuous life is best. Spinoza wrote it and lived it. I do understand why this book does not rank high on the modern best sellers list. The compact structure does not make easy read and you will not get easy accessible stories. However, it allows to think for yourself ... contemplation in action!

I agree with another reviewer; don't trust summaries of this book. Once you read/listened this book, you will wonder how much of his ideas is part of our present common sense and how many contemporary people built their view's on his view. My suggestion: Read it, digest it and find your own view.

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Brief brain warm-up

Revisado: 10-15-22

Before diving into the topics in this book, read/listen this brief introduction. I don't understand the complex mathematics and physics behind it but it does not hinder to understand that our observation/brain is limited. This is a brief brain warm-up to digest more than we can observe. Sometimes mr. Rovelli's accent requires attentive listening but it gives a personal dimension when the author narrates himself. Thank you for recording this.

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Must listen Intro in Augustinus

Revisado: 10-15-22

Intro in understanding contemporary thinking; we should know how a.o. the ancient Greeks and (RK) church influence in the way we think today. I didn’t know how much and what came from Augustinus of Hippo. I now have a solid idea. Whether I agree (or not) with the content is beside the point, but inspires to listen to more.

Narrator Phillip Cary brings the topic with enthusiasm. It certainly helps listening to the complete course. Sometimes a bit ‘need to convinced’ (maybe US communication habit? … and I am used to UK lectures). However, Thank you Mr. Cary.

Unfortunately I know too little content to comment whether content is completely correct (please see reviews with content comments).

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Profound and impressive story

Revisado: 07-01-22

Initially it looks like a story about two friends but then the story makes a turn. It is actually about finding purpose, experience life and through the experiences find life ... and finding life is finding Love.

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