Islam: A Short History by Karen Armstrong

Many people say and write many things about Islam nowadays. It is a hot topic, no two ways about it. I wish a great number of other critically important things received this much attention. Still, the reason Islam has suddenly become so relevant is probably that is was relatively unknown (as in 'it does not exist if it does not affect me') to the average person of the west. So when on September 11, 2001 believers of Islam committed unprecedented acts of terror against the United States, people had to suddenly realize how little they knew about the religion that sprang from the Prophet Muhammad's teachings. People started desperately looking for answers, explanations, motivations, or at least some understanding. Karen Armstrong's book attempts to provide the historical perspective for those who wish to have a better understanding of how Islam came into being, it's expansion into a vast empire whose influence has been a determining force shaping world history, politics, religion, and culture. The author also offers a brief summary of Islam's current issues.

I found the book to be highly informative, packed with great content, especially for the pre-20th-century period, written with an engaging style. The reality is that one cannot expect that an introductory-level book of mere 272 pages could possibly cover all aspects of Islam. One has to compromise in one's expectations of what is relevant. Karen Armstrong attempts to focus the reader's attention on facts of history spanning from the early days of Islam. She does not offer value judgment. She sticks to those facts of history that can be and have been well researched and not challengeable from the perspective of current events. This, in my view, is a good thing.

As her other relevant books on related topics (History of God, The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism or The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions), this one is a well-researched, interesting read. One that stays away from the trap of overlaying history with various filters of ideology and political or religious bias.

Let it snow, let it snow!

We are gearing up to breaking our all-time snowfall record (just over 2 metres) of the 1938/39 winter. This year alone we have received 177 cm of the fluffy stuff. Starting this afternoon another 25 cm is on its way from the sky above. I think we are good shape for the new records considering it's only March 7th, and this month alone is usually responsible for almost a quarter of the snow in a season.

I like snow a lot. Maybe not this much, though.

Ajax, my love...no more

Well, our less-and-less-beloved mayor Steve Parish has done it again. Openly declaring that it does not matter what the residents of our neighbourhood want. Just like they brought in 10-ton buses into our quiet, narrow residential streets to wake us up at the ungodly hour of 5:30 AM for no passenger at all, and creating traffic and safety hazard when the residents made it abundantly clear that we do not want any of this. Just like they carefully planted silver maples (they grow to 20-30 m tall) right in front our windows when we asked the town not to ruin our beautiful and expensive view of Lake Ontario.

Now they are going to put a 5,000 sq ft building and a parking lot for some 30-50 cars onto a park that we have been enjoying in its original natural state when walking dogs, playing games, gathering for picnics and so on. He and his people at the town hall would not have it. He wants to put this building there with washrooms (I am OK with this one piece of the plan), meeting rooms, bistro and what not. Noise, traffic, environmental damage, loss of greenery, break-ins will follow.

We had a rally yesterday to ensure the town leadership hears our voice. Almost the entire community, over 750 individuals, signed a petition to ask the town leadership to reconsider, and not to put in that monster of a building into our neighbourhood. What is this "leader's" response? That we do not own that land. Ergo, shut up, go home, roll over, and let the big dogs decide. There will be another consultation in March with some modified plans being presented, and then construction will start.

Mr. Parish has just lost 750+ votes. Of course, he may not care. just like he does not care about the residents. He may have had enough of politics, and wants to leave anyway. But if that's the case why did he care to show up at all? For the free cookies?

Any resident who has not signed the Lakeside Park Construction Petition can do so here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/ajax123/petition.html


Update:

Please visit the Friends of Lakeside Park site here:
http://web.mac.com/kremu/Friends_of_Lakeside_Park/Welcome.html

Beautiful lunar eclipse

February brought us record snowfall but also an amazing display of natural beauty, a total lunar eclipse that was observable through clear sky.

Heretics of Dune by Herbert Frank

I started reading this book with great anticipation (I seem to have developed some sort of an addiction to Frank Herbert's books). It lived up to all my expectations and more. At the same time, it was a disappointment. Let me explain.

The book is one of the best of the Dune series, though it takes effort to go through the first half or so. While it takes the author many chapters to set up for the conclusion (I had to struggle to immerse myself into the spirit of the book), the Heretics of Dune has everything a Dune fan desires: myths and intrigue, tactics and machinations, heroics and love, thoughts behind thoughts behind thoughts (a Herbert trademark), and of course, great story telling.

While going through the first 200 pages or so, I may have just become saturated by the Herbertian style. I must confess having somewhat lost my interest in whether it will be the Bene Gesserit, the Tleilaxu, the Honored Matres or some other yet unnamed force in the universe claiming ultimate victory in shaping mankind's destiny.

But at the conclusion (albeit a bit too abrupt) all comes together. Purpose and means. Collision between choice and predetermined fate. Willpower, determination manage to finally alter the unalterable. Against all odds the heroes are brought together and carry out their mission.

A most ingenious symmetry evolves in this installment of the Dune series. The same but different theme runs through almost every page of the book. Siona and Sheena; Teg and Leto I; Bene Gesserit and Honored Maitres. Every major power and player has a counterpart from the Scattering that shows similar traits but with a twist.

The word 'whore' is used way too often in the book for my taste. Maybe I am getting a bit prudish with the passing of years but I believe there could have been a more fortunate way of expressing the Bene Gesserit's hatred toward their arch enemy.

A cool quote from the book:

There was a man who sat each day looking out through a narrow vertical opening where a single board had been removed from a tall wooden fence. Each day a wild ass of the desert passed outside the fence and across the narrow opening - first the nose, then the head, the forelegs, the long brown back, the hindlegs, and lastly the tail. One day, the man leaped to his feet with the light of discovery in his eyes and he shouted for all who could hear him: "It is obvious! The nose causes the tail!"

Baby it's cold outside

Yes it was cold outside. And, baby, it was -19 Celsius (-30 if you factor in wind-chill). But nature did not mind. As a matter of fact, it was so beautiful, I could not resist, and had to go down to the lake to inhale more of our good mother nature's freshness. Took some pictures too. Check out the link.

Mona Lisa - mystery no more

Oh well, yet another mystery bites the dust in this age of desperate demystification. It has been removed from our ever-graying lives that were once filled with enigmas, exciting unknowns that moved our fantasy, and engaged our imagination. Finally, we know who the lady truly was who had such a mesmerizing smile that it inspired one of the greatest geniuses of all time to create such an amazing painting that kept mankind fascinated for centuries. Now we know that the lady's name was Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a Florence merchant. Funny this took so many years and the interventions of Cicero and German scientists to figure out when in Italy the painting has for hundreds of years has been known as 'La Gioconda'.

Of course, as always, there had to be a secret lover as a suspect subject for the painting, then there was the theory that the lady with the smile was supposedly the master's mother. Better yet, there was a theory the painting was actually a symbolic representation of Leonardo himself. I have seen various desperate attempts at mapping the facial characteristics of Mona Lisa to those of the only surviving self-portrait of Leonardo. The question was also raised why it would be that Mona Lisa, assuming it was Leonardo himself, looks so much like a woman? Now we know. Because the sitter was a woman. But for those proposing the Leonardo = Mona Lisa theory, this was exactly where the magic of symbolism would have to come in. One does not have to give evidence if its a symbol, right? Dan Brown to the rescue! She is hiding the ultimate secret: knowldege of the 'Sang Real'.

Then, there were those who tried some kind of facial proportion analysis to figure out what really was making the famous smile so famous. Various theories of asymmetry emerged. There was also supposed to be some clues in the fact that the lady's eyebrows and eyelashes were missing.

To me the good news is, the smile of Mona Lisa, remains just as fascinating as ever. Above all the puzzlement, amazement and all the petty confusion it has caused.

Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error. (Cicero)

Ask and It Is Given by Jerry and Esther Hicks

For almost two hundred years authors have been writing books about the concept that the focusing thought on prosperity or wellness will bring those desired things into ones life. Some of the most influential such authors from the past century were Charles Haanel (Master Key System from 1912), Prentice Mulford (Thoughts Are Things), Robert Collier (Secret of the Ages), Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich), Norman Vincent Peale (Power of Positive Thinking), and the more recent Jose Silva (Mind Control Method). The "New Thought" movement, of which the Hickses are also part of, is essentially based on the writings of these individuals along with philosophical influences from Ralph Waldo Emerson, with some remote references to Hinduism.

The book "Ask and It Is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks is a brief introduction into the application of the "law of attraction" and the "law of allowing" in our everyday lives. The general concepts and the 22 processes listed are a great tool for transforming one's mind set from one focusing on lack, difficulties and defeat to one centred around prosperity, health and well-being. There is nothing fundamentally new in the message conveyed by this book. It is the authority that Esther Hicks references in her channellings that make this book (and videos and tapes/CDs and seminars and counselling and ...) interesting. It's all supposed to be "blocks of thoughts" downloaded from a group of non-physical beings who call themselves "Abraham" into Esther Hicks translated into English-language communication that makes this interesting.

Some of the core communications that the authors share in this book are that we are physical extension of that which is non-physical; we are here in this body because we chose to be here; the basis of our life is freedom with the purpose of joy; and that we are creators who create with our every thought. Therefore, if we focus our thoughts on the things we want in our lives, those can be manifested.

The Hickses had been two of the most successful proponents of the "law of attraction" before the consciousness-propsperity-wellness market was stormed by an Australian documentary producer's Rhonda Byrne's, movie "The Secret" and her similarly titled book.

Esther and Jerry Hicks wrote a series of wonderful children's books worth reading:
Sara, Book 1: The Foreverness of Friends of a Feather
Sara, Book 2: Solomon's Fine Featherless Friends
Sara, Book 3: A Talking Owl Is Worth a Thousand Words!

Contacts with your guardian angel (Kontakte mit Deinem Schutzgeist) by Penny McLean

Penny McLean was a popular singer star in the late 70s and early 80s. In her book McLean relates that during the early years of her singing career, which happened to coincide with the dawn of the new age movement, she started to be aware of and able to make contact with her "guardian angel" and other spiritual entities who have shared with her wisdom from the realm of these entities and also some practical knowledge (such as how to fix an automobile or an answering machine). This book relates the story of her journey to experiencing and communicating with these entities.

As I had only the chance of reading a terrible translation of Penny McLean's German original, I cannot make any comment on the literary qualities of her style. Still, one thing is sure. If the translator is responsible only for three quarters of the incorrect grammar and inconsistencies in the book, this book is farily low in the list literary gems.

The first part of the book is an entertaining story about the author's initiation into the world esoteric experiences, the first angelic encounters, "talks" with entities like Rudolf Steiner and the events that helped her become a believer and fierce proponent of the ability of us humans making deliberate contact with the entities of the spiritual domain.

The second part is a much less friendly read about some of the wisdom the author claims to have received from the angelic entities. These are pieces of wisdom that have been floating around for millennia. Unfortunately, not much new is presented here.

On the one hand, the book might offer some entertainment value for those who are not believers of the human-angel dialog. On the other, tt is, however unimpressive, an affirmation for those who are already followers of any of the many branches of the new age movement.

Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak by Deborah Ellis

There is a saying: only children and drunk people tell the truth. Deborah Ellis, who has written some insightful books about the war in Afghanistan (The Breadwinner, Parvana's Journey, and Mud City) based on interviews with Afghan women of various refugee camps, allows this truth to come to light on the pages of this short book. A very short book, indeed, but with huge impact!

In a set of interviews, Isreali and Palestinian children relate their peronal stories and thoughts on the war that is destroying their lives, tears their families apart, and burns hate and dispair into their innocent souls so deep it will take generations of care, love and forgiveness to heal. Assuming they ever have the chance to experience that care, love and forgiveness ever at all. The book, not for its literary execellence, but for its message is akin to Munch's Scream or Picasso's Guernica. None of these pieces of art is beautiful. None has been made with the artist's care for aesthetics. Rather, each expresses an extremely powerful message about the brutality and bestiality of war and about the utter human dispair in the face of such terror.

There is only one loud and crystal clear message from the stories both the Israeli and the Palestinian children relate. War alienates, drives people into dispair. It does not matter who started, when or why. What matters is that neither side is willing to stop, and it is their own future, their own children are the ones who suffer the most.

This book should be mandatory read in our schools!

"Writing isn't magic. I mean, hell, if I can do it, anybody can do it. Kids can do it. When they write down their stories, it means that people can read them 10 centuries from now and know who we were, and that's a wonderful, wonderful thing. What a blast! We can know what Plato and all those people were thinking back in those days, and generally they weren't thinking anything too terribly more interesting than what we're thinking now. We're thinking the same things and have the same questions", Ellis says in an interview with Dave Jenkinson for the Canadian Review of Materials of the University of Manitoba.

Proceeds from Deborah Ellis' books are donated to charities.

I wish you and your loved ones a Blessed Christmas!

Spain 2007 - Part 9: Barcelona

Never-ending party, amazingly rich architectural heritage. Modernista artists such as Gaudi made such contribution to the city's rich beauty that even though we had a whole week in the city, it was just simply impossible to see all that was worth seeing. Topping the list of our favourite, of course, was the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece.

Spain 2007 - Part 7: Tangier, Marocco

A day-trip to Marocco was truly a change of culture. Different continent, culture, religion, food, scenery, language... Pretty much everything was different from Spain. The trip was well worth it, though I will probably not do this type of package tour again. There was just too much pushing around by the tour guide, too much of the trade cartell that the operator was in with the local merchants so we were herded into only certain stores that actually marked up prices incredibly for us while pretending to be best deals in town.

I will have to go back to Marocco. Maybe to Tangier as well. But with more time for looking exploring.

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 7. Tangier, Marocco

Spain 2007 - Part 6: Gandia

This now relatively small and quiet (by Spanish standards, anyway) town near Valencia was once home to the splendour of the House of Borja (Borgia) family whose fost famous members were Rodriogo the bishop, cardinal, pope (Alexander VI.) and saint, the notorious son and daughter Cesare and Lucrezia known for incest, adultery, murder, and scandal.

I also managed to get an excellent hair cut bz a local barber and a real delicious churros y chocolate.

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 6. Gandia

Spain 2007 - Part 5: Malaga

Classic Andalucia, great food, strong wine, and a long walk up the hill to the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro, the upper castle are all most memorable. The view from the Gibralfaro ono the city, the port and the surrounding mountains is truly breathtaking - that is if there is still any breath in one after the countless steps up the hill...

The unfinished cathedral has wonderful, unique feel as well.

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 5. Malaga

Spain 2007 - Part 4: Granada

Probably no visit to Andalucia is complete without seeing the Alhambra thus paying homage to the architectural talents, fine craftsmanship and extraordinary sense of beauty of the Moorish builders. The weather was not too friendly to us while in town, but it was no match for the gorgeous elegance of past sultans that was waiting for us in the palace and gardens. We'll remember the walk in the gardens of the Generalife (the architect's garden) and the Albaicin for a very long time yet.

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 4. Granada

Spain 2007 - Part 3: Ronda

One of the highlights of our trip to Spain was this small town perched on two sides of the Rio Guadalevin among magnificent mountains. The most noted feature of Ronda is the Puente Nuevo arching over the 120m chasm that the river has cut over the millions of years. One thing we did not go to see close up is Spain's oldest bullfighting ring. We're just no that crazy about that sort of thing.

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 3. Ronda

Spain 2007 - Part 2: Benalmádena

A beautiful vacation place on the Mediterranean coast (Costa del Sol) just south of Malaga. Pleasant walks on the shore or along the town's main street, great food in any one of the hundreds of restaurants lining the coast, great swims in the gentle waves of the sea...

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 2. Benalmádena

Spain 2007 - Part 1

We recently came back from a beautiful vacation in Spain. We have made a LOT of pictures and would like to share some of these.

Here's part 1, which actually are pictures of Philadelphia where we landed on our way to Madrid, and spent a few hours in the city - some of it walking the streets of this city that was once the second largest city of the British Empire. The city is still very proud of its Delaware heritage, and its role in the history of the independent United States (Independence National Historic Park, Independence Bell, William Penn's Landing memorial, Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, etc.) A busy city, and remarkable in many ways, but will not be my favourite. Despite any great Philly Cheese Stake...

Follow this link to the Flickr photoset -> 1. Philadelphia

Dumbledore was gay?

What interests me is not whether Albus Dumbledore was indeed gay or not. It has little bearing on the story line of the Harry Potter series. No, it's rather the possible reasons Rowlins decided to throw this in for the masses to chew on. She has created a huge and most successful business out the Potter idea (she is richer than the Queen). Any announcement in such a businesses empire is always well calculated for impact. Unless this statement was a true accidental off-the-cuff remark (which I doubt) than I am sure she is paving the way for some other announcements yet. What those might be? No idea. But after years of writing thousands of pages of books around Hogwarts and the world of magic, one cannot just drop the pen and leave the scene in quiet and retire to fishing for the rest of one's life. I expect she is already conceptualizing a new series. Maybe a "Albus Dumbledore and the ..." series. Who knows? However, I get the feeling I will not necessarily read those book. I grew a bit tired by the last volume of the Potter series. Now I need a rest.