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[DDuff]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Here's your gold star and happy cheers!! (Sorry, every once in a while the teacher in me slips out! I have been known to gush!)

You know what is really sad and pathetic - I'm so excited to get that gold star. Always the good student - not to mention; daughter and granddaughter and great granddaughter of some pretty great teachers.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

You know what is really sad and pathetic - I'm so excited to get that gold star. Always the good student - not to mention; daughter and granddaughter and great granddaughter of some pretty great teachers.

I know what you mean! I once took a class (as an adult) where they had little 10 cent trinkets as rewards. I wanted one of those silly little plastic glitter magic wands SO MUCH that I don't recall having worked so hard in my life.

You would not believe how much work I can get from my students by dangling a sticker over their heads, but I'm the same way!

I'm one of those people who can go alot of miles on a little bit of appreciation or recognition.

Sometimes, just getting a quick post from you book club members is a big gold star for me!

[DDuff]

Happy Tuesday Book Club! and a special sign of appreciation for Miss Sandy

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

Happy Tuesday Book Club! and a special sign of appreciation for Miss Sandy

That warmed the cockles of my heart, and I always say, there is nothing worse than cold cockles!!

I've been reading on and I'll post my bead bits hopefully tomorrow. I NEED to remember to write a note to the author and invite her by. I have her snail mail address.

Nighty night, book club!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Good Morning Book Club!!!

I am so amazed at how the feel of India is completely different from Italy. It is like it is not even the same person/writer somehow. I kind of like the multi-faceted nature of her personality. Who wants to commit to being one way, right?

Carry on!

[DDuff]

Happy Hot and Sticky July Morning Book Club! Beware Sandy this humid weather is headed your way. Today may be the day I get to focus on the next beads. Can't imagine doing much outside today. Although maybe if I sat out in the sticky heat it would get me in the third world frame of mind for India and Indonesia?

[DDuff]

Thanks to a nice trip to the air conditioned bowling alley - I was able to finish beads 45 - 52. I'm still enjoying the India vibe.

Bead 45: I loved the emphasis on stepping back the mantra to something more simple. "I am That" Beautiful yet simplistic. How many of us need to be reminded that we are not alone? Liz's desire yet fear of self discovery is so real and sad.

Bead 46: I enjoyed the Swamji's directive to try and stop the waves and then " How were you planning on stopping that?" Just a glimpse in what a control freak Liz is and we all can be when put in a difficult position.

Bead 47: I got a good chuckle out of this woman who has given up everything to live in Italy, India and Indonesia and is now in an Ashram saying "I don't want to hear anyone's hippie theories" Hello! Reality Check!

Bead 48: Once again I love Richard. He really is a man of wisdom. Just keep throwing 6 months at it till it goes away is actually a pretty sound piece of advice when dealing with loss and love. And finally the truth comes out. Liz has control issues. Amen.

Bead 49: Only one line from this bead sticks with me "Allow contentment to come to you." I'm going to try this one on for size.

Bead 50: I almost cheered out loud for Liz in this Bead. She is finally starting to realize what a strong woman she truly is. I love the image of heart being a lion roaring in defense of her internal criticism.

Bead 51: Yeah Richard Again! I felt glad that Liz had a true friend with whom to celebrate her success. I'm also wondering if I could handle a Thumbs-UP. Sounds like Jolt plus.

Bead 52: I'd love to find out exactly what the Geet says. The only thing that came to me in this bead is I wonder if Pavarti from Survivor was named after this goddess. Sorry sometimes my mind wanders. I agree with the monk if something is rubbing you the wrong way there probably is a reason for it.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

Thanks to a nice trip to the air conditioned bowling alley - I was able to finish beads 45 - 52. I'm still enjoying the India vibe.

.

Thank you so much for the comments. It is SO MUCH FUN to read while getting input from others!

OK, bead 45: I loved the concept that she said to her mind "I love you". I also love the concept of "I am that". I was on my vision-quest solo trip to Disney World a few weeks ago. (OK, if that sounds like an idiot's journey to find herself, please don't think less of me).

Anyway on my Disney vision-quest it was interesting how, after about the 4th day of having face time only with people I'd never met before, I felt some of the same thoughts that the author expresses.

Oh, and the blue light-once I had a series of Ayurvedic treatments at Spa Mandalay in Vegas. (Another deep and spiritual vision quest?) Anyway, sitting on the lounge chair after what they call Nirvana, I had may have glimpsed what the author is describing. Unfortunately I thought it was a stroke or a seizure and I shook myself back into reality, but I think that was what my body feels like when there is no tension, no agenda, and no inner-stupid-dialog. IMAGINE THAT!

Bead 46:There's that blue light again. This chapter made me think of the places I've been in search of answers. I liked what she said about St. Teresa of Avila. (BTW, I'm also a non-Catholic who's been know to spend days or week-ends at the local convent.) I love what she said about getting derailed when you get distracted thinking how important your work could be. Also loved the distinction between literal anatomy and poetic anatomy.

LOVED the end with the concept of trying to stop a wave. This lady REALLY speaks to me.

Bead 47: Love the way she asks herself for help and reminds herself she will never leave herself.

Bead 48: LOVE the concept of developing the capacity to love the whole word.
What she said about a soul mate is probably one of the most insightful relationship comments I've read in a long, long time!

The concept of letting people go so you can leave a vacuum that leaves space for others, particularly God is cool.

Bead 49: Can I wait with DDuff for contentment? Anyone else with us?

I'll post bead 50-52 soon

Carry on Book CLub! Thanks for the chat!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Please forgive the spelling/grammar errors above. I can't edit that post for some reason!

[BelmontBelle]

First off I apologize for being absent for awhile. A month ago I got way ahead in the book so I decided I better set it aside until you all caught up, but then I got very involved in a great series and completely forgot most all I read in this book. Let me tell you it's tough going back and trying to remember your thoughts with out re-reading the whole thing over! Instead of going back to when I last posted, I'll just jump in here.

Bead 45 I like her new mantra much better, my favorite of her descriptions is "I am an expression of God" after all we were created in His image. I love what Danell said...

"I am That" Beautiful yet simplistic. How many of us need to be reminded that we are not alone?

Bead 46 I was thinking of the waves as a metaphor for her life crashing in on her and how would she stop it. But maybe not since he indicated that she wouldn't be able to stop it. HMM?

Bead 47 I was so sorry that she was so overwhelmed that she ended up in the bathroom again. I do wonder why she writes to herself instead of God, although I'm glad that she is finding a way to be happy on her own.

Bead 48

Once again I love Richard. He really is a man of wisdom. Just keep throwing 6 months at it till it goes away is actually a pretty sound piece of advice when dealing with loss and love. And finally the truth comes out. Liz has control issues. Amen.

I couldn't agree more, I just love Richard too!

Bead 49 The search for contentment is something that most all of us experience. I love her answer..."Look for God. Look for God like a man with his head on fire looks for water." To be honest though, I'm not sure any of us will find it completely on this side of life.

Bead 50 I loved this bead. I wish someone would holler out to me like that when I'm having self doubts.

Bead 51 I love that she has a friend to share her triumph with! I smiled through this whole bead.

Bead 52 The Gurugita sounds torturous to me too, the whole idea of it seems weird from my point of view, although I guess it does something for most of them. The question is will Liz ever get anything out of it?

I'll do my best to stay on track now, I promise! I was only a little ahead of this point when I stopped, so I don't have much re-reading to do and I must be sure to take notes from now on.

Until next time.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by BelmontBelle

Bead 46 I was thinking of the waves as a metaphor for her life crashing in on her and how would she stop it. But maybe not since he indicated that she wouldn't be able to stop it. HMM?

Until next time.

I'm at the point in life where I might be ready to just run right into that wave. Seems like you can spend alot of time trying to stop some things that will come one way or another, so you may as well just let it happen and spend the energy on something that might actually make sense.

GREAT COMMENTS, Belle. I am really enjoying reading what other people think about this book.Here's your Gold star!

G'night, book club!

[DDuff]

Welcome Back Lisa! I've enjoyed reading Sandy's and your thoughts on these beads. Too bad we all couldn't get together for a spiritual spa quest. Liz's trips sound good but Sandy's Disney/Spa quests sound pretty good too.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

Welcome Back Lisa! I've enjoyed reading Sandy's and your thoughts on these beads. Too bad we all couldn't get together for a spiritual spa quest. Liz's trips sound good but Sandy's Disney/Spa quests sound pretty good too.

Good Morning Book Club!

We can always go on a virtual vision-quest together. Here is the first part of the journey...accepting the impermanance of the things we create here. Click here and draw away by moving your mouse over the screen. Turn up the sound!

Buddha Board – Water Painting Art - Official Website

Carry on, Book Club!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Here's bead 50-52!

bead 50 made me think about great it is to really be able to believe in a love like that! I like the author's honesty about annoying intrusive thoughts.

bead 51: THis made me think about how people in some parts of the world honestly look at a life span of about 40 or 50 as all they can hope for, and how lucky we are.

Bead 52: OH THE GURUGITA!! Makes me think of some of the hymns in church that are so darn slow and I'm ready to jump out of my skin!!! I also liked the robe kissing part. VERY FUNNY!

[DDuff]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Good Morning Book Club!

We can always go on a virtual vision-quest together. Here is the first part of the journey...accepting the impermanance of the things we create here. Click here and draw away by moving your mouse over the screen. Turn up the sound!

Buddha Board – Water Painting Art - Official Website

Carry on, Book Club!

DS and I saw a Buddha Board in our favorite new age bookstore and he really enjoyed it as well. With the heat we've been having I guess I could just go out and water paint on the cement and it would work just as well.