Current / Recent Books

[argentus]

I just bought that book I think due to a recommendation on this site. Maybe it was YOU
Looking forward to starting it :)

If you're like me, you will read it again and again, and experience different facets of it each time.

[quintessentone]

Today's koan:

"The Buddhist nun known as Ryonen was born in 1797. She was a granddaughter of the famous Japanese warrior Shingen. Her poetical genius and alluring beauty were such that at seventeen she was serving the empress as one of the ladies of the court. Even at such a youthful age fame awaited her.
 The beloved empress died suddenly and Ryonen’s hopeful dreams vanished. She became acutely aware of the impermanency of life in this world. It was then that she desired to study Zen.
 
Her relatives disagreed, however, and practically forced her into marriage. With a promise that she might become a nun after she had borne three children, Ryonen assented. Before she was twenty-five she had accomplished this condition. Then her husband and relatives could no longer dissuade her from her desire. She shaved her head, took the name of Ryonen, which means to realize clearly, and started on her pilgrimage.
 
She came to the city of Edo and asked Tetsugya to accept her as a disciple. At one glance the master rejected her because she was too beautiful.
 
Ryonen went to another master, Hakuo. Hakuo refused her for the same reason, saying that her beauty would only make trouble.
 
Ryonen obtained a hot iron and placed it against her face. In a few moments her beauty had vanished forever.
 
Hakuo then accepted her as a disciple.
 
Commemorating this occasion, Ryonen wrote a poem on the back of a little mirror:

(First Poem)
In the service of my Empress I burned incense to perfume my exquisite clothes,
Now as a homeless mendicant I burn my face to enter a Zen temple.
 
When Ryonen was about to pass from this world, she wrote another poem.

(Second Poem)
Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the changing scene of autumn.
I have said enough about moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars when no wind stirs."
----

Just came across a book entitled "The Soup Bible". I had forgotten I took a soup making course in college at night and the book came with the course. I will glance through it for inspiration.

[Redchad]

The Origin of God, Lawrence Gardner. Really interesting read well researched well referenced and educational.

[Karl12]

I’d like to take your recommendation for ufo books for a starter like me.

Only my very humble opinion mate (and don't want to sound like a dick) but would immediately dismiss those three - would say a truly great 'beginner' book on the subject would be 'Grassroot UFOs' by Professor Michael Swords.

Ruppelt's book, McCampell's book and the NICAP Evidence report can also be found (for free) here and reckon Dolan's first book 'UFOs and the National Security State' was also excellent.

Bob Pratt's 'UFO Danger Zone' and Terry Hansen's 'The Missing Times' are also 'essential reads'.

Cheers.

[sahgwa]

Today's koan:

"The Buddhist nun known as Ryonen was born in 1797. She was a granddaughter of the famous Japanese warrior Shingen. Her poetical genius and alluring beauty were such that at seventeen she was serving the empress as one of the ladies of the court. Even at such a youthful age fame awaited her.
 The beloved empress died suddenly and Ryonen’s hopeful dreams vanished. She became acutely aware of the impermanency of life in this world. It was then that she desired to study Zen.
 
Her relatives disagreed, however, and practically forced her into marriage. With a promise that she might become a nun after she had borne three children, Ryonen assented. Before she was twenty-five she had accomplished this condition. Then her husband and relatives could no longer dissuade her from her desire. She shaved her head, took the name of Ryonen, which means to realize clearly, and started on her pilgrimage.
 
She came to the city of Edo and asked Tetsugya to accept her as a disciple. At one glance the master rejected her because she was too beautiful.
 
Ryonen went to another master, Hakuo. Hakuo refused her for the same reason, saying that her beauty would only make trouble.
 
Ryonen obtained a hot iron and placed it against her face. In a few moments her beauty had vanished forever.
 
Hakuo then accepted her as a disciple.
 
Commemorating this occasion, Ryonen wrote a poem on the back of a little mirror:

(First Poem)
In the service of my Empress I burned incense to perfume my exquisite clothes,
Now as a homeless mendicant I burn my face to enter a Zen temple.
 
When Ryonen was about to pass from this world, she wrote another poem.

(Second Poem)
Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the changing scene of autumn.
I have said enough about moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars when no wind stirs."
----

Just came across a book entitled "The Soup Bible". I had forgotten I took a soup making course in college at night and the book came with the course. I will glance through it for inspiration.

She's hardcore!
And hot! :D
lol
If I was a cheesy director I would make a martial arts film starring her.  Can't just be a nun, have to be a warrior nun, for the camera.

[quintessentone]

She's hardcore!
And hot! :D
lol
If I was a cheesy director I would make a martial arts film starring her.  Can't just be a nun, have to be a warrior nun, for the camera.

I have a hard time believing her warrior father didn't show her a few good martial arts moves. lol So, there ya go.

[Sirius]

Dude it's so good.
I didn't buy it when it came out cuz in 2013 I thought I knew better but now I know I know nothing. 
I look forward to your thoughts. 
It's a lot like what Donald Tyson I think tried to do with his book on Lovecrafts Dreams , but I think better.

Having a hard time with it, seems to be all about perverted stuff. Reading page after page of consuming bodily excretions....  Think I'll skip the dark lord, and stay with the dark lady and continue to light torches for the lost, vulnerable and the dead.

[quintessentone]

I am looking through 'The Soup Bible' book now, so does anyone want me to post random soup recipes? Just tell me to stop. lol Or more random Zen offerings?

[sahgwa]

Having a hard time with it, seems to be all about perverted stuff. Reading page after page of consuming bodily excretions....  Think I'll skip the dark lord, and stay with the dark lady and continue to light torches for the lost, vulnerable and the dead.

As far as the Tantrikas are concerned. it's not really about bodily excretions so much as those parts of the organism being imbued with particular energies after being transmuted alchemically.  But everything has a proper time and place for digestion, books and substances both. lol :D

[Sirius]

As far as the Tantrikas are concerned. it's not really about bodily excretions so much as those parts of the organism being imbued with particular energies after being transmuted alchemically.  But everything has a proper time and place for digestion, books and substances both. lol :D

More like transmute my asshole alchemically.  Does it get better?