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Re:
More than any body of spiritual or philosophic exposition throughout history grounded in what is so, a functional study of subjective experience within an objective reality, so humble and elementary in its sublime esoterica of wisdom and insight it would not be hubris to have called this volatile mass not Re: but along the lines of Lucretius' The Way Things Are perhaps How to Live, the definitive embodied elocution of a relentless moment of careening evolutionary prerogative characterized by a profound play with humor and grace...each enlivened thought coming unbidden in response to a capitulation in utter faith to an absolute necessity whose cumulative effect is that of magic, alchemy, delight...
http://www.cobaltsaffron.com
http://www.cobaltsaffron.com
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Darrell Calkins
3 books1 followerDarrell Calkins has lectured and led seminars and retreats around the world for more than 35 years on subjects ranging from humor and mysticism in Asian philosophy to intuition and creativity. He has served as a trainer and consultant for teachers, artists, athletes, public speakers, negotiators, clergy and others in high-performance professions. His background includes extensive studies in philosophy, comparative religions and psychology, and in-depth practice in Zen, martial arts and yoga. He currently lives, writes and leads retreats in southwestern France.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 14, 2015
While I cannot begin to attempt to discuss the book Re: in a fashion that comes near to the eloquence, crystal-clear clarity and precision in Ethan Dunn's description of the material held within--which, in itself, is substance enough to inspire a book--I find Re: an essential part of my own writing and life, too much so to not take the chance to do so. Re: is a collection of letters written by Darrell Calkins in a somewhat spontaneous, creative series of conversations on the internet exploring questions of well-being, dignity, nature, faith, hell, consciousness, imagination and mastery within the creation of one's life among many other subjects.
My relationship to the book has evolved over the years (now seven years) from one of rapt, overwhelmed wonder to subtle fascination as the subjects therein, and also from seminars and retreats with Darrell Calkins, continue their workings in my mind, psyche and experience of life.
I find it difficult to give a thorough review because as a manual, Re: is wide-ranging as life itself, and more so. Each time I venture through its writings, my understanding and perception of the size of life and my placement within it expands.
Each chapter manages to come at subjects of well-being including suffering, the seeds of war, harmony, transformation, redemption, emotion, art, guilt, desire and many others with a language that is exceptionally clear and simple. I've always been curious about what the essence is of each philosophy I encounter; how do the works of sages from hundreds of years ago relate to my, and our, experience on the planet and its mysteries today? I am an avid reader of works from schools of Western psychology, critical thinking and spiritual discipline and find Calkins' work as genius in how he distills wisdom throughout schools of thought and philosophy and makes it comprehensible.
To me, Re: is a guide to navigating the fundamental experience of being alive with a self-knowledge and rich appreciation. Calkins explores the far reaches of the planet and human psyche.
Don't be fooled by the small number of reviews or by the fact that you haven't seen this book on the New York Times Bestseller's List. If you are, you'll miss out on an incredible landscape of possibility and human potential. In my experience, the most creatively original and ground-breaking works are little recognized and under the radar (like Van Gogh's paintings and Immanuel Kant's philosophical writings that were scarcely known or recognized during their lifetimes). It's the mysteries you can feel exist somewhere, deep down, but remain just out of touch.
This book is a keepsake for the entirely of one's journey through life.
Julia Richardson
My relationship to the book has evolved over the years (now seven years) from one of rapt, overwhelmed wonder to subtle fascination as the subjects therein, and also from seminars and retreats with Darrell Calkins, continue their workings in my mind, psyche and experience of life.
I find it difficult to give a thorough review because as a manual, Re: is wide-ranging as life itself, and more so. Each time I venture through its writings, my understanding and perception of the size of life and my placement within it expands.
Each chapter manages to come at subjects of well-being including suffering, the seeds of war, harmony, transformation, redemption, emotion, art, guilt, desire and many others with a language that is exceptionally clear and simple. I've always been curious about what the essence is of each philosophy I encounter; how do the works of sages from hundreds of years ago relate to my, and our, experience on the planet and its mysteries today? I am an avid reader of works from schools of Western psychology, critical thinking and spiritual discipline and find Calkins' work as genius in how he distills wisdom throughout schools of thought and philosophy and makes it comprehensible.
To me, Re: is a guide to navigating the fundamental experience of being alive with a self-knowledge and rich appreciation. Calkins explores the far reaches of the planet and human psyche.
Don't be fooled by the small number of reviews or by the fact that you haven't seen this book on the New York Times Bestseller's List. If you are, you'll miss out on an incredible landscape of possibility and human potential. In my experience, the most creatively original and ground-breaking works are little recognized and under the radar (like Van Gogh's paintings and Immanuel Kant's philosophical writings that were scarcely known or recognized during their lifetimes). It's the mysteries you can feel exist somewhere, deep down, but remain just out of touch.
This book is a keepsake for the entirely of one's journey through life.
Julia Richardson
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