Edward Viljoen: Firsts

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Firsts

By: Edward Viljoen on Thursday, May 08, 2008

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Here is a photo of the dance I mentioned in an earlier post. The lead woman offered dance lessons to our group and her son and daughter are accomplished dancers and her husband a famous dancer.

We met the entire family the day after the debut when they stopped in on our morning gathering to bring gifts to each person in the group. We each got an extra carry-bag - much appreciated by those who had by then thoroghly indulged the shopping demon.

I am previewing a facility in a central location, for a potential first or last night stopping place. It is exquisite and it's in the heart of the popular spots.

Last night we had cocktails and snacks in what could have been a club anywhere in the world. Same people same planet same same same different different. Know what I mean? And there I was right in the middle of it all just like I used to be when I was 21 or so and its the same - boof boof boof - heads are gonna hurt in the morning.

It helped a lot to visit the bar because it helped me appreciate the remote areas our journey took us and the emphasis on learning about the culture. Then I remembered this bar is part of the culture too and I started to notice how easily it is for me to slip into either or thinking

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Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not merely a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language, the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

Reviews

“While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life’s daily challenges, it’s easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living from the goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are.”
—Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

“Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. You’ll be glad you did!”
—Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

“If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtue—kindness—and reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess.”
—Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

Edward Viljoen was a recent guest to my radio show, "In The Spirit." I had read his book, "Ordinary Goodness" and was happy to talk with him about it. I like the way he inserts stories from his own life to illustrate various points. In this cynical age, this book is a tonic a guide to live a good life by being good to others. We cannot be truly happy until we do. Thank you, Edward for bringing a much needed topic to our attention.

—Gary Goldberg, host of In The Spirit

The Power of Meditation

“Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.” —Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works