Since I have been lost all weekend in a book, one that transports me to another place in time to get a glimpse of people I'd never have any way of knowing, who have ideas that are foreign to my way of thought, I decided that it is a book that is making my life sacred at the moment.
"Sacred" might seem like an overstatement. Most would think of a sacred book as being the Bible, The Dhammapada, The Q'uran, the Gita or some other book that specifically delineates or instructs a way of life. One might think a book that is life-changing would be viewed as "sacred".
But all books are life-changing.
They are the great equalizer. They allow us exposure to new ideas, new places, other cultures, other ways of life, people we'd never know otherwise and probably people we wouldn't want to know. They force us to examine things we might not examine otherwise. They promote values or lack of values. They reflect periods of history we'd never know otherwise.
Books are available to everyone. Whether you spend half your monthly income at Border's the way I do or whether you borrow from the library, books are available. You can go anywhere you choose, any time of the day you choose and you can learn anything you choose.
It is knowledge that provides us with choice. And choice is sacred.
So this week, I choose books.
~*
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sacred Life Sunday... Books
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16 comments:
Agreed. Books expand our narrow lives, for all lives are relatively narrow, and allow us to experience the lives of others, real or imagined.
Many of my best friends have been books.
A life without books would be like a garden without plants.
absolutely, chani.
books are an important part of my life and the lives of my children.
i simply could live without books.
yes.
I just got my leather bound, signed copy of Lamb by Christopher Moore. It was a life changing book and it made me pee my pants laughing more than 10 times!!!
I agree. Books are like that, for me. They have always been such an important part of my life and I attribute so much to them.
Julie
Using My Words
I was once depressed, not clinically I don't suppose, but felt sad and low. But a trip to Narnia and then to Middle Earth helped to pull me out of it. They were a wonderful escape and helped me to get over what was ailing me. So, I don't quibble with calling them sacred.
My books are my good friends. They never treat me unkindly, so I know they'll always be my good friends.
Cheers!
Snoskred
www.snoskred.org
what's to disagree with here? ;)
i am experiencing much of the same reading A Thousand Splendid Suns...although for me I only get to disappear after 8pm.
Makes it last longer that way.
I get a very weird high around books and to get lost in one is my favorite thing in the world.
"There is no frigate like a book," wrote Emily Dickinson. This is why I choose to write. If I were to get my book published, I would be providing something valuable to others. And, at this point, the amount I owe to other authors means I'd better start paying a little back...
I absolutely believe this was a sacred time for you. Who says it has to be about Spirituality for it to be sacred. It was sacred because it was special to you. It was a wonderful time in your life. You were happy. You were absorbed. You were content. It was part of your Sacred Life. Books are important to you and to me. They are sacred!
Annie
xxx
There is nothing like a book. The joy one feels in reading the odd combination of letters and words, the rapture of being taken on a trip, blindfolded. The ecstasy of holding a loved book, the cover in your hands, the weight of it, of holding it close to your chest.
Scared indeed.
Barnes & Noble is my "pusher" of choice (though I visit Borders when I happen upon a store). I'd love to save money by using the library, but I wouldn't be able to carry on a conversation in the margins with the author without defacing public property (and distracting future readers) so I cut back on other things to fund my passion ... reading.
From the imaginative lands of Dr. Seuss, Lewis’s Narnia, Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Rowling’s Hogwarts, Meg's experiences with the Mrs. Which, Who & What while searching for her father ... to Diana Galbaldon's adventures taking us back in time and THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR saga ... the KITE RUNNER, THE RED TENT, THE NAMESAKE ...(I must stop myself trusting you get the picture). So many books ... so little time! of course reading is sacred ... no matter what the text.
Books are my very favorite belongings. I love books. Your picture is sweet. And I always like what you write. Thank you.
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