Spirit Taking Form: Making a Spiritual Practice of Making Art

Customer Reviews:

A written work that really works for the Artist.......2007-09-26

I am both a sculptor and a consultant in the use of art's transformational power to generate social innovation and general well being. Ms. Azara's book is both a personal joy to read and a professional tool.
I recommend it to any person interested in discovering or revisiting their own artistic spirit.

Wonderful.......2006-08-19

This is a wonderful book for artist and non artist alike. You do not need to have experience with meditation to follow the guidelines in this book. It has been a delightful experience to follow the exercises here. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to enjoy a thoughtful art making experience.

Would be better as a CD.......2006-06-29

I enjoyed the ideas in the book but found it ultimately not to be very useful. The book consists mainly of guided meditations focused around aspects of creativity. In a CD form it would be useful as an adjunct to actual meditation.

The information about the artist and her process was interesting and the guided meditations could be useful in a different format. My one biggest wish is for a lot more hands-on creative exercises. There were a few, but in a book geared towards creativity and "making", there should be alot more experiential stuff.

Nancy Azara's artistry.......2006-06-27

In her book, Making a Spiritual Practice of Making Art, Nancy Azara writes about her own approach to art making that incorporates meditation and intention. The beautiful prose could be a book of poems. . . but its utility for artmaking is the absolute strength of her writing. One of the significant struggles for me as an artist is to volley each day between doubt and confidence in my work. Through Ms. Azara's book, I realized that there is also an artistry to trusting myself and my own experience. I have learned through her book and feel that it has helped me to make art with greater risk and richness. I recommend this book for everyone.

Great book, artwork, and information.......2005-09-03

I bought Nancy's book because I enjoy her artwork and was pleased at how it helped me understand her artwork as well as providing a great approach to deal with patients on their issues using a variety of art forms and mediums. Nice examples, and a generally great book!

Book Description

His Book is Worse than his Bite!

Noticing that humans live in a dog-eat-dog world, have dog day afternoons, eat their leftovers from doggie bags, go out with dogs, etc., Spot has decided to cash in on his observations!

Customer Reviews:

Helping all dogs that can read to satisfy their inner dog.......2004-03-01

What makes this book from the usual gang of idiots at "MAD" magazine different is that it is not a reprint of choice material. It is, instead, a revised edition of the 1984 version of "MAD's How to Be a Successful Dog," which may or may not have been a reprint of choice material from "MAD" magazine. I assume so because this is the first "original" volume "MAD" that I have come across.

"MAD: How to Be a Successful Dog" is aimed at the "misinformed canine" in need of guidance as well as any dog owners who stumble upon this look at their relationship from the other side. The book is written by Spot, but told to Larry Siegel, the Emmy Award winning writer whose previous claim to fame had been replacing Hugh Hefner as the editor of "Shaft," the University of Illinois humor magazine. So Siegel has been waiting a long time to have a successful comeback. The book is illustrated by John Caldwell, a regular contributor to "MAD" Magazine, who won be over with the drawing on the table of contents of a dog wearing a t-shirt that says: "MY DAD PEED ON A GIANT CALIFORNIA REDWOOD AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT."

The book provides a comprehensive look at a dog's life, dealing not only with critical topics like "The Importance of Cute" and "Choosing the Right Master," but dealing in a forthright manner with the dark side of being a dog, such as "The Fine Art of Living with Guilt" and "Facing Up to Punishment." The book is filled with practical advice in terms of what to lick and when, three reasons why not to waste time chasing cats, and when to bark while traveling in a car. Spot ends with a chapter entitled "Everything You Have to Know About Sex--So Why Ask" that talks not only about the importance of engaging in meaningless small-bark but the problems of trying to light a couple of cigarettes with your paws when it is all over. At that point there is nothing left to talk about and Spot leaves his readers to return to the dog-eat-dog world from whence they came.

WARNING: This book is not intended for younger readers, even if they are being weaned on "MAD" Magazine's brand of satire. Spot know what the term is for female dogs and he is not afraid to use it. Of course, if your kids gets to the end of the book and is reading about doggie sex, one little five-letter word is hardly going to do much additional damage.

Intellectual & Stupid at the same time: Cracks me up!!!.......2001-07-06

This is another of the greatest MAD books of all time! It's funny, and the idea of the book is unique! Tha book is riotous! Larry Siegel has pulled it off, with great illustrating by John Caldwell! Tha two are a perfect match for this great book that just keeps me laughing to this day!

No dog with this one!.......1999-11-08

MAD produced over 200 paperbacks and this one was one of the best. Larry Siegel hits the mark about dog ownership. Angelo Torres did the art for the original release for Warner books. John Caldwell steps in for this release and does a great job.

Wonderfully funny book!!!.......1999-10-17

I thought this book was great!!! Very humorously written, whether your a dog or cat lover you will find much here to tickle your funny bone.

Average customer rating:

Mad's How to Be a Successful Dog
Mad
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Cats, Dogs & Animals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0446773247

Customer Reviews:

I't meant to be funny!.......2003-02-26

Lighten up people it's meant to be funny. It's not rocket science. Take an hour or so and have a laugh. And yes I am a fan.

Where's Waldo, but with Elvis.......2001-03-22

I bought this book for a friend who is an Elvis fan and now wish I had bought a copy for myself. It was a clever idea, with pictures of Elvis on the moon, in a crowd of hippies, etc.

Make 'em laugh.......2000-01-04

This book is funny and entertaining for all ages. Put it in circulation at a party and groups of people will cluster around, looking for Elvis, howling with laughter (I still haven't found him on one page). I discovered this book at a close-out sale last Christmas and, after reading it, went back and bought every copy the bookstore had in stock! Each person who received this book from me had the same question: Where can I get another copy? We cleaned out the local supply, so I'm delighted to see it can still be ordered through amazon.com. If you've ever heard of Elvis, if you have a sense of humor, if you understand Elvis is DEAD and this book is supposed to be funny, then buy this book. You will enjoy it. Five stars when you consider all books, all categories? No way. But it is a five star book in the light-hearted Elvis is dead, 8-80-have-fun-with-a-book, make groups of people laugh-at-a-party category!

Absolutely tasteless!.......1999-12-16

I bought this book after I read the synopsis. However, I was really, really frustrated that all the pictures were hoax. I mean they just pasted either Elvis's head or his whole body on the pics. Even a kid can tell that the photos are not genuine. And I laughed when I saw the very young Elvis photos in the 90's sightings. He should have been in his 60's, right? Please don't waste your money!

This is a joke book........1998-11-11

I ordered this book and immediately returned it. The entire book contains fullpage pictures of supposed Elvis sightings. It's apparent they pasted pictures of Elvis into other pictures, showing things like: (picture of Elvis in his early 20's among a crowd of people saying 1995). I really got offended when I received it in the mail, more or less, this book was published to make fun of people who are not sure whether Elvis is dead or not. Trash to a REAL Elvis fan.

Average customer rating:

Elvis...1935-? Where Are You?
Steven C. Chanzes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VII4E0

Product Description

The author of this book has been an Elvis fan since the inception of Presleymania. It started in 1955. This book is a labor of love designed only to raise doubts among the curious, to cast suspicion on what was purported to be, and to give a reasonable hope to millions of devoted admirers that the "King of Rock n Roll" might still be alive.

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Where is Elvis?
Ed Hill
Manufacturer: Cross Roads Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Where's Elvis?
John Holladay
Manufacturer: Checkerboard Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1562882600

Where in Mississippi is ... walls? Music and ministry fill the air in this tiny northwestern town.(Small-Town Spotlight): An article from: Mississippi Magazine

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Where in Mississippi is ... walls? Music and ministry fill the air in this tiny northwestern town.(Small-Town Spotlight): An article from: Mississippi Magazine
Kelli Bozeman
Manufacturer: Downhome Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00081Y502
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Mississippi Magazine, published by Downhome Publications, Inc. on January 1, 2005. The length of the article is 2045 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Where in Mississippi is ... walls? Music and ministry fill the air in this tiny northwestern town.(Small-Town Spotlight)
Author: Kelli Bozeman
Publication: Mississippi Magazine (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2005
Publisher: Downhome Publications, Inc.
Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Page: 125(5)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

POSTER: CX01 Kissin' Cousins ELVIS PRESLEY '64 One Sheet Poster. HereÂ’s a 27" X 41" ONE SHEET poster from the original release of KISSIN COUSINS. ONE SHEET is in very good PLUS folded condition. A few pinholes, no stains, no tears, NO FOLD SEPARATIONS. The only defective is on the upper border where there were small pieces of tape on the back of the poster that have been removed and scrapped. There is very slight bleed through in this section and one small hole.

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POSTER: CX01 Kissin' Cousins ELVIS PRESLEY '64 One Sheet Poster. HereÂ’s a 27" X 41" ONE SHEET poster from the original release of KISSIN COUSINS. ONE SHEET is in very good PLUS folded condition. A few pinholes, no stains, no tears, NO FOLD SEPARATIONS. The only defective is on the upper border where there were small pieces of tape on the back of the poster that have been removed and scrapped. There is very slight bleed through in this section and one small hole.
nda
Manufacturer: nda
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards
ASIN: B000VKQXCS

Book Description

New softcover edition! Though only together for a few years, CCR captured the imagination of a generation with leader John Fogerty's catchy songwriting, vibrant guitar playing, and strong vocals. It was not an easy ride to fame; Fogerty's creative leadership was resented by the other band members, and ill-conceived contracts with their management and record company left the group burdened with crippling artistic obligations and relatively little to show for their work. This book tells it all through interviews with the surviving band members, their managers, producers, and families.

Customer Reviews:

BAD MOON RISING.......2007-09-16

If one is a Creedance fan this is the book for them even if it is unauthorized. Being such an ardent fan of John Foggerty I was truly disappointed that he was such a "butt-head" when his brother was dying.
It was fascinating reading into the history of one of the greatest groups ever assembled - their music will live on forever!!!
Darlene C.

A somewhat biased look unless you read between the lines.......2004-06-29

Having previously heard much of what was written here, I can't say that I really found a lot to be surpised about in this book. Anyone that doubts that John Fogerty was CCR all by himself should do a personal reality check. John wrote or arranged all of the music you've been hearing for the past 35 years, and for the most part kept Clifford, Cook, and his own brother Tom along because no one would have paid to see a one man band, no matter how talented. Then, instead of being grateful that they were given first class seats on the gravy train, Doug, Stu and Tom stab John in the back by backing Fantasy Records after John figured out he was being screwed six ways to Sunday. So can anyone really blame John for his animosity? I honestly can't say I blame him for refusing to play with Doug and Stu at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony. He'd carried them for years before that. It was about time he put them down. Don't get me wrong, John's no saint, but he's not the arch-villain that Doug, Stu and Tom's family make him out to be, especially considering that Doug and Stu are still making a living off of him to this day.

A Great Book.......2004-04-13

Let me start by saying that this book is definitely a must have for any CCR/John Fogerty fan, or for anyone who wants to read "the saddest story in Rock And Roll". I just want to set the record straight for all of the reviewers that seem pissed off that there wasn't an interview with John in the making of the book: John wanted nothing to do with the book. Hank B. didn't just go and interview Stu and Doug and just leave John out of it. John didn't want to be interviewed for the book. And it's not like Stu and Doug do all of the talking in the book. There are tons of quotes from interviews that John has done over the years. Also, I don't really see how this book seems so one-sided to some people. When certain incidents are brought up in the book, both sides of the story are told. Let me just end by saying that this is one of the greatest biographies I've ever read.

buy it just for the facts.......2003-07-15

Given the drama surrounding this band over the past 30 years, you would think that the author could produce a more compelling book. It is not written with style and feels patched together from various sources. But for a newcomer to the CCR story, the book does offer plenty of facts and will keep your interest nonetheless.

Excellent history of CCR.......2002-10-31

Bad Moon Rising is an excellently written and thorough history of the rise and fall of the important rock band, Creedence Clearwater Revival. Highly recommended not only for CCR fans but any fans of rock music, especially from the late 60s, early 70s.

Average customer rating:
The H L Mencken Baby Book
Howard Markel
Manufacturer: Books On Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 5557098666

Book Description

Mencken's career as a journalist, editor and writer is legendary; his brief foray into the world of pediatrics as a ghost writer is not. But THE BABY BOOK gives Mencken away. It is witty, buoyant, engaging and unmistakably him.

Mencken's baby care articles appeared in The Delineator magazine in 1907, then as a book under the omniscient marquee WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BABY. "Questions for Mothers" after each chapter contains the original answers, followed by more modern ones. For all of today's science, we prefer Mencken's homilies.

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The H. L. Mencken Baby Book
H. L. Mencken
Manufacturer: Hanley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NIC3UE

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The H. L. Mencken Baby Book Comprising the Contents of H.L. Mencken's What You Ought To Know About Your Baby
Howard M.D. (Frank A. Oski, M.D.) Markel
Manufacturer: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0Z4KW

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The H.L. Mencken Baby Book-6 Cassettes
H. L. Mencken
Manufacturer: Books On Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 5553887526

Book Description

In this gripping book, mental health professionals who have worked with children exposed to war and violence share their knowledge and experiences. The contributors, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, address such topics as the ethical issues involved in working with children in war zones, children`s development under violent circumstances, post-traumatic stress disorder and other stress reactions, refugee children, "survivor guilt," interventions and treatments, and the emotional health of the caretakers.

Minefields in their Hearts - The Mental Health of Children in War and Communal Violence

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Minefields in their Hearts - The Mental Health of Children in War and Communal Violence
RJ Apfel
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OS54XQ

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India Unbound

A very good analysis of India's plight!

Worth the money

Good book

Excellent Business Perspective on India (until about 2001)

India Unbound: The Social and Economic Revolution from Independence to the Global Information Age
Gurcharan Das
Manufacturer: Anchor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Economic Conditions | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Economic Conditions | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
India | Asia | History | Subjects | Books | Ancient
General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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India: Emerging Power

In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India

India: A History

India: An Illustrated History (Hippocrene Illustrated Histories)

India - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!)

ASIN: 0385720742
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Book Description

India today is a vibrant free-market democracy, a nation well on its way to overcoming decades of widespread poverty. The nation’s rise is one of the great international stories of the late twentieth century, and in India Unbound the acclaimed columnist Gurcharan Das offers a sweeping economic history of India from independence to the new millennium.

Das shows how India’s policies after 1947 condemned the nation to a hobbled economy until 1991, when the government instituted sweeping reforms that paved the way for extraordinary growth. Das traces these developments and tells the stories of the major players from Nehru through today. As the former CEO of Proctor & Gamble India, Das offers a unique insider’s perspective and he deftly interweaves memoir with history, creating a book that is at once vigorously analytical and vividly written. Impassioned, erudite, and eminently readable, India Unbound is a must for anyone interested in the global economy and its future.

Customer Reviews:

India Unbound.......2007-05-30

There has been a change in the thinking of Indians--specially among the young... Since 1947, most of the decades have experienced the influence of Nehru and Gandhi in some form or another. But something strange happened on my last two visits to India at the beginning of the 21st century. Young people were not in awe of the "founding fathers" In fact, many were downright hostile to the memories of Nehru and Gandhi. They argued that were it not for the two political figures, India would be much further along economically. I couldn't put my finger on the ideological shift--until I read India Unbound by Gurcharan Das.

Most young people don't know about what happened after India's Independence from British rule. Nehru preached a "third way" between American capitalism and Soviet communism. Gandhi didn't want the urban elite to forget that India was mostly rural and agrarian. They both sought to balance political freedom and technological progress with the plight of the poor. Gurcharan Das and many of the young argue that there was too much idealism in India's "infancy" and that corrective measures had to be taken.

There are some who argue that it is the very foundation that was laid by devoted thinkers that has allowed India to progress to this point. Gurcharan Das does not feel that way. He argues that true capitalism would have gotten India closer to its objectives much earlier. However, there is too much emphasis on capitalism's capacity to aid growth (ask the East Germans/Polish of former communist states who are unhappy with the transition).

China is the other "developing giant." Now, after years of dizzying growth, China wants to slow down due to pollution, water supply problems, and global warming issues. People don't have the time to read and debate. Family life is going by the wayside. But India Unbound doesn't deal with such issues. Gurcharan Das believes that progress at all costs is good progress. But what happens to family ties or a sense of community? In fact, what is the role of globalization?

Capitalism evolved from a mercantile economy but the mercantile frame of mind gave rise to English colonialism In India. Jeffersonian democratic ideals were supposed to be the basis of American democracy. But, corporations began flexing their muscle. Gurcharan Das doesn't address those issues either. To be fair, India Unbound is a very readable book. Seen from the perspective of the business classes, it makes a lot of sense. However, that isn't a political or social perspective (though the ramifications do extend into those spheres). The reason I think the book should have 5 stars as a rating has to do with the fact that it provokes discussion. We need new thinking everywhere... Read this book, but read other perspectives too.

A very good analysis of India's plight!.......2007-05-02

I really enjoyed this book. It is strongly argued, well-written, easy to read and understand and comprehend, and offers an honest account of India's problems.

Das covers essentially the economic issues that India faced from independence to Gandhi's reforms in the 1990s. He has a penchant for nailing the problem at hand, explaining how his belief system evolved from a nationalist, socialist one to a free-market thinker, and it was through this lens that Das came to understand and grasp India's self-induced misery. Every decade is pretty much covered, and to sum up his main argument, nationalization of industry stifled economic and creative growth--courtesy of a protected economy, and courtesy of old-way thinking.

I agree wholeheartedly with the arguments Das makes in this book, and would like to add a couple of points below.

First, the world does not still grasp the importance of India! Think about this: that country is 1/5 of humanity, 1/3 the size of the USA, a HUGE democracy that happens to be a developing country, and one that has carried out massive economic reforms from '91-'93. India has much to be admired. I mean, India is not really a whole, cohesive country. There are multitudes of different languages spoken daily, different tribal peoples, etc.

Secondly, India has a self-confidence problem. England exploited India for 150 years, and these memories die hard. But the truth is, during that time, India ran a trade surplus with England--most of which were 1.5% of GDP annually. Surplus is a good thing, and yet India thought of itself as exploited. Thus India regarded trade as a negative ill--more specifically, as a ploy to stifle national manufacturing, and as a Western innovation to keep India dependent on becoming a commodity producer. Immediately following independence, Nehru's government implemented the self-destructive policy of import substitution. Another area of self-confidence was their showing to the world that thay have nukes (1998).

Thirdly, just look at their trade problem. Around 1990 you saw only 1 type of car: the Hindustan Ambassador. All cream colored, all made in India, and all unwanted the world over. In terms of trade, in 1948 India had 2.5% of global trade. In 1990 that number dropped to .5%. Who caused this? Largely, it was their socialist PMs.

Fourthly, nationalization killed the economy bigtime. The government controlled wages, prices, supply, and work force labor size. If a company tanked, guess what? The government would purchase it and take it over. And the government had its long arms in every conceivable industry: railways, telecom, insurance, banking, steel, bread, etc. Labor laws also curbed growth. Think about it: 40-50 labor laws in India, all separate and distinct. Once a company grew to over 10 employees, the government forced employers to provide subsidized lunches and offer health care clinics for entire families. After 25 employees, the government required the employer to fill ALL of the vacancies from an official state list. After 100 employees, the employer could not fire anyone unless permission was granted via the government first. And that permission was not often granted. Firms were not permitted to declare bankruptcy. This got to the point where workers saw their jobs as an entitlement. If the company closed for whatever reason, for a couple of days, the employees demanded back pay and overtime for those days!

Fifthly, and lastly, India needs FDI badly. Their economy is under-utilized and under-performing. Their growth rate is 3.5 percent. China, by comparison, grew by 9 percent for 2 decades. India needs, badly, foreign capital and major reforms in their labor laws. They need better infrastructure, especially in their seaports and roads. I mean think about this: 150 ports are managed by government controlled trusts!!! It is estimated that 20 percent of roads are in good condition. Korea--by contrast--is at 70 percent. Their populace needs better education. Only 4 % of gdp, courtesy of public sector spending, goes to public schools.

In truth, India has got to stop worrying about their poor being exploited!

Liberalize your economy!!!! Repeal those punitive labor laws!

Worth the money.......2007-03-14

Combines history with economics in an artful manner. Learnt much about the pre and post liberalization of Indian economy which I did not fully appreciate in 1991. Whatever the writer's point of view, he does weave a lot of tidbits together that puts quite a few things in perspective. I certainly recommend it as an original effort.

Good book.......2007-01-04

The book was amazingly great, I learned a lot about INDIA and its painful journey towards economic liberalisation. Mr. Das was amazingly eloquent in weaving his personal story with changes in Indian social and economic history. A must read for Indian economic and social history lovers.

Excellent Business Perspective on India (until about 2001).......2006-10-06

This book presents a picture of India's Economic and Business stroy from just before Independence in 1947 till about 2001. Mr Das uses his family members as a chorus to present the story in the early days, and then transitions to his own experiences as a manager in Richardson Hindustan, where he had a ringside view of the business climate in India during the 70s and 80s and later.

He captures the initial euphoria over independence and the sense of control Indians felt over their own destiny, which led to Nehru's implementation of a centrally planned economy, with most important industries nationalized, and private enterprise being severly shacked, and "profit" being a dirty word.

Some of the chapters in this book are almost like business cases/narratives which present the journey of different business houses, like the Tatas or the Ambanis as they tried to run business and navigate the suffocating bureaucratic maze that the planned economy gave rise to. His contention is that while Nehru may have made a mistake, the real blunder was in continuing with the planned economy model after his death even when it was abundantly clear that it was not working.

He leads up to the balance of payments crisis, with the resultant changes in the Indian economy caused by liberalization by Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, who appear to him to be apologetic reformers almost unaware of the monumental changes they were unleashing. Finally, he notes the frustration that the economy has not continued to open up as quickly as it had started to, now that the crisi has passed. However, he notes that there is a sense of widespread optimism that is driving change all over India.

Therefore, this book is a businessman's perspective on business history in post-independence India.

(Some of the reviewers have noted that this book does not present a balanced picture, by not presenting either the roadblocks still present, of the tremendous social and economic inequities. True, but that is not its purpose. Unless India has a vibrant business environment, it cannot generate enough opportunities for those willing to work, or enough surplus for those who need help. Thus, in that sense, I think that allowing business to do its job (with adequate institutional supervision for ethical and environmental behaviour) is the foundation on which other social objectives can be built. Anyway, Mr Das is not foremost a social entrepreneur, nor is he a social activist, even though his work must touch upon those areas. He has written about what he knows first hand, and done a great job.)

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