Opening Comments from Bob
This Issue: Besides the traditional content, the newsletter includes two poems, Are We Welcomed? and Moments. The pictures are from throughout the State of Utah.
Subscriber Residences: PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end. There currently are subscribers in 28 states, 3 provinces, and 13 countries. See the complete list near the end of the newsletter.
Next Month: Barring the unforeseen, the next issue comes out on July 26, 2020.
My Facebook account is again open.
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Two Poems this Month
Are We Welcomed?
My skin is brown.
....... Am I welcomed?
I am poor.
....... Am I welcomed?
I will work hard.
....... Am I welcomed?
I don’t know the language.
....... Am I welcomed?
Do I have value?
....... Many think not.
How short the memories
....... of one's ancestors crossing the sea.
Italians and Irish, to name two,
....... stepped onto the shore
....... wishing to create a new life.
Like today,
....... many were greeted
....... with suspicion and hostility.
Ghettos often became their homes.
Descendants
....... now mainstream.
How soon they forget.
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Moments
Early morn facing the east
eyes closed in quietness and peace.
Soon one senses the light
as the sun peeks over the mountain.
With each passing moment
warming rays stroke the face.
Can life be more glorious? |
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Vignette this Month: A Quotes from Deng Ming-Dao
Traditionally, I write a short paragraph or two on a topic. However, I so appreciated the below quote in a book I am reading that I decided it would be my vignette for the month. In my opinion, contained within these words are deep thoughts, even truth.
Everyone wants to be daring, creative, original. Everyone wants to do things in new ways. But unless we return over and over again to basics, we have no chance to truly soar. Do not forget the root. Without it, we can never issue forth true power.
Tradition is first. Mercy is greater than tradition. Wisdom is greater than mercy.
Those who consider their path superior are
....... condescending,
A parrot who speaks of the totality of the self
....... is absurd.
Many paths lead to the summit,
But it takes a whole body to get there.
If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, I will print it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. It should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
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Recommendation
Stay safe and healthy!
.........Please take a look at the gift page.
Quotable Quotes
"My fame is not for having strength, it is for being able to use such strength." - Kung Yi-tsu
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire
......with God:
But only he who sees takes off
......his shoes – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Old pond,
......Frog jumps in
............Plop – Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) considered Japan’s greatest poet and his greatest haiku poem
“The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pause between the notes–ah, that is where the art resides!" – Arthur Schsnabel
“We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.” – Tao Te Ching
Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Missed Train
The train was about to pull out of the station. A young man ran towards it and managed to throw his bag in and climb aboard just in time.
A fellow passenger looked at him and said, "Young man, you should be in better shape! At your age, I could catch the train by a gnat's whisker and still be fresh. Look at you, panting away."
The young man took a deep breath and said, "I missed this train at the last station."
Compliments of Joke a Day
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Tai Chi Corner
Pictured on the computer screen during a ZOOM lesson is Dr. Paul Lam teaching
a move in Yang 24..Due to the pandemic, group in person lessons have ceased.
We discovered a new tool called ZOOM. We have been teaching Yang 24 using
Dr. Lam's online lessons along with my personal instructions. We have also made
use of YouTube.
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print everyone's, I personally respond to all. (When editing the comments for publication, I often eliminate the paragraphing to save space.)
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"Love it! I still use your book, 'Wisdom from the Journey' as a format. And I love reading your work..." - Janice from OH (Ed.: Thank you! At the start of her email, Janice is speaking to the content of my new book Searching and Answers.
"It has certainly been a pleasure to receive your uplifting poems and pictures over the years. You are appreciated." - Bev (Ed.: Very much appreciated to a long term subscriber.)
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Book Reviews
General: JJG wrote: I've read Bob's "To the End of Time" trilogy twice, each time gaining deep and deeper insights into the human condition. The three small volumes hold their own as good stories but also provide a unique glimpse into a new religious paradigm. Would that it could come to be.
Specific Book: To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey
David from Utah: "The new novel, To the End of Time and Back is a skillful account of two lovers on an 'Epic Journey,' racing through time and history to learn life-changing truths. Their spectral mentor, Arundel, sends them through difficult travels, but their relationship endures and remains strong despite physical, and psychological stress. Powerful emotions such as fear, anger and happiness, combine with lust, pain and sexuality to help them learn. Written in verse form, the story is an epic poem, painted to portray the duality of mankind throughout dimensions of human history that is sometimes cruel and horrific. The reader will come to know and understand what is being described and will certainly enjoy the stimulating elegance of the story and the philosophy. A thoroughly enjoyable read that is certain to make you think."
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Jim from Mt. Vernon: "I finished your book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was much easier to follow by having the whole thing in front of me, and reading as much as I wanted at a time. I felt pretty weary after bouncing around in time for many hundreds of years, but I was relieved to know that at least part of the world survived 'Armageddon'. What a feat you have performed."
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Art from Park City, UT: "I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your latest book To the End of Time and Back. When I bought the book I had no idea what to expect. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I had fun reading it from A to Z and everything in between."
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Bobbie from Texas: "Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!"
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Kimberly from Ohio: "Well, Bob! I am rather blown away by your book. Finished it yesterday, and it only took four days, which means I was intrigued and wanted to know how the book ends. I'm a slow, deep reader and since my profession is writing and editing, I edit continuously as I read. Can't help it! But this book was worth dropping everything for and reading to the end. I admit to cynicism about your claim that it would change me, and I don't know that it has just yet but it won't be leaving my heart and head for a long time, and change could happen. I'm impressed that the book actually lived up to your claims for it. . . . I'm intrigued by this book because it rings so true, and I am therefore tempted to believe you actually were given the gift of this dictation. But if not and this is fiction, you have written one hell of a book, masquerading amazingly as non-fiction ... which is indeed one of the goals of fiction."
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An Ohio Reader: "WOW! WOW! WOW! I read it in one sitting and found so many things you wrote about 'true' for what I know and feel about past lives I've lived. Actually, the chapter about the Holocaust was something I couldn't bear to read–too sad and painful. (I've always felt that way about that period of history.) . . . it was very well done, Bob. Just beautifully done. I'm looking for the movie. . . I'm sure others will feel connected to this book just as I did. AMAZING. Just AMAZING. I couldn't put it down. There was so much anticipation with each chapter it hooked me from the very beginning. . ."
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Reader from Arizona: "I read your book a couple weeks ago. You are lucky we don't live close enough for me to call you to discuss it! It was interesting and easy to read. I liked the format. It reminded me of Many Masters, Many Lives by Brian L. Weiss (which was not that quick to read). Have you read that? . . . Anyway, kudos on the book -- on all your books. . ."
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A Reader: "Your newest release takes the reader to places deep within. It makes one ponder all things about life itself. Many authors have written about reincarnation, but yours goes deeper. Through an eternal relationship between two souls, you describe all the human emotions one can feel. The book takes you to historical times and places around the globe, making you feel as if you are part of the beautiful relationship of A~ and Z~. After reading, they will become a part of you."
Specific Book: Adelyn: An Epic Journey:
Ohio Reader: "In his book, Adelyn: An Epic Journey, Bob navigates the reader through a challenging journey in the time space continuum while exposing both the weaknesses and strengths of humanity. As Adelyn is exposed to the infinite love of The Source, the reader is challenged to understand how personal beliefs and actions often have more to do with cultural rather than spiritual influences. In a time and world filled with political anger and personal indulgences reading Adelyn offers the open-minded promise. It would make a great book study."
Specific Book: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts
Doug from Ohio: ". . . I was not prepared for page 116 Should have been because of the extremely personal nature of the entire book. Please understand that the unusual length of time to finish your book (especially for a binge reader like me) was because it screamed to be read thoughtfully in increments. For me that was 10-15 pages every weekend, often in quiet . . .Thank you for "putting pen to paper" and sharing your soul. Those of us who have followed Poetical Journeys will recognize much of the content. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to share part of your journey really feel a part of it."
Charles from Park City: "Hi Bob….I just picked up your The Tao of Momentary Thoughts. It’s wonderful . . I love your book."
Ed from Seattle: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts: "I was smiling all the way through the reading . . .I think I will reread it again during the next week. . ."
Reader Demographics
States - AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NC, ND, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, and WI
Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;
Countries - Albania, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, UK, U.S., and Venezuela.
........Changes in this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
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PJ Online
To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.
The next issue will go out on Sunday, July 26, 2020.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
