One of the presents I was given this Christmas was a book by a blog pal who has been producing some of the finest blog posts I have ever read concerning the journey of the soul, viewed “Through a Jungian Lens”. Robert Longpre, who many of you will know from his retiredeagle blog (see blogroll) has been producing his own photo books and finally I got a copy of the second, “Through a Jungain Lens: Swamplands and Soul” that I have been craving for a long while. There’s something in me that often will not buy for myself things that will do me good, and though I knew this book would do me good, I couldn’t bring myself to buy it for myself. Silly, I guess.
Anyway, my husband secretly bought me a copy and now I have it in my lap as I read. It’s hard to quantify what makes this such a special book for me: the intense photos, that draw you into a landscape that is at once familar as it is strange or the thoughtful and intuitive prose. The final section is a translation of The Dark Night of the Soul by St John of the Cross, a poem I have long loved, set with photos that enhance the poem.
There’s no real set path for surviving the midlife crisis but hearing that another has survived it is heartening and encouraging. This is a guide book to one man’s experience and it may help you in yours as I think it may help me in my journey through the coming years.
So, go to: http://retiredeaglebooks.wordpress.com/ and have a scout around and see what leaps out at you.
Zen and the Art of Tightrope Walking 
Hi Ms. Viv,
I saw the preview pages of the book you recommended. They are beautiful. I like the quotation with which the book begins. It’s true that our experiences are the lens through which we see the reality around us:) The use of tunnel vision effect is a great idea – it helps you focus on the textures instead of the details.
Thanks for the link. I am sure you’ll enjoy the book:)
Licks n wags,
Oorvi
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I also hope other people will like it too. I’m planning on maybe getting a copy for a friend for her birthday next year too!
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Hi oorvi. I want to thank you for the positive comments about the preview pages of my book. The third book in the series should be available sometime in January (hopefully) when I get the final edit from a Jungian friend and analyst.
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My wife and I made it through middle age by pretending we were young. It’s still working.
A social worker asked an elderly lady on a nursing home intake how her childhood was.
The patient said, “So far so, good.”
drtombibey.wordpress.com
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Hello and welcome Dr Tom.
I’m not done being young yet either. If you care to have trawl through the archives here and find a poem called Dangerous Age, https://zenandtheartoftightropewalking.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/dangerous-age/ it might shed some light on how I feel about it.
I’m 43, still not quite one thing or another.
cheers!
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I am 49 (in dog years) but I think that I am young…and to be honest, I think that now I enjoy my youth more because the years have given me the maturity to appreciate the value of time:)
Licks n wags,
Oorvi
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Very true indeed.
I sometimes think I was never truly young, though!
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Thanks for the positive comments about my book, Viv. Who knows, perhaps someone else will buy the book as a result of your contribution. As for being young, I was born an old soul. That being said, I live as though I have the energy and passion of youth.
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Hi Robert,
I suspect a few more sales will come along. I know J is wanting to buy them, and when he comes here next month he can have a look at mine and probably go from there.
Some people are born not neccessarily old but beyond age restricted stereotypes. I am one, I think, and my daughter had people saying she was an old soul from pram days!
take care!
xx
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This book looks great! I love that it’s called Tunnel Vision and how his style of photography supports that. Thanks for sharing.
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I think you’d like it. It’s very inspiring but in a gentle way!
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