Ever have a book you lend out, but never get back? So you buy another one and in a year or two encounter a friend that really, really needs that book. And in a weak moment, you forget the 0% return rate and loan it out again.
Well, I'm about to buy yet another copy of Jack Kornfield's Meditation for Beginners. I've owned copies of both the book and the CD and all have disappeared. I know where they are, but figure they're in use.
I just started facilitating a new writer's circle at work. One of the people attending is the teen-aged son of one of my co-workers. He has great ideas, but sometimes being a teen makes it hard to focus on each idea long enough to express it clearly in writing.
I was pondering the situation when I heard an interview on NPR about education. One of the statements the interviewee made was particularly insightful. To paraphrase: How can we expect a child to "settle down" or "focus" in the classroom if we don't teach them how?
Enter the perfect tool, Meditation for Beginners, but this time I didn't loan it out. I don't have a copy of my own. Instead my fellow writer's dad is finding him a copy.
And it reminded me I need to buy another copy for myself; not only do I need to read and listen to it again, someone else may need it soon.
P. S. I also like his book After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. I bought it after an intensive songwriting retreat. Believe me, it provided crucial help during re-entry into the regular world.
Readin' 'n' Writin' with a little Cookin' and Travelin' thrown in.
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