User:Clark
From ShunpikerWiki
Update - 6/11/2006
Well, two months and one week have passed since I posted the book list. Unfortunately I was not able to dedicate full attention to all of them, but I am happy to have supplanted the luxury of unfettered curiosity with the urgency of now. All of the busy work and school work, finding someone to sublet my room and countless other details have allowed me to stave of the fear, but I will soon be embracing it full force. Somehow I am infinitely enchanted by this.
I have enjoyed the photos that have been posted on other user pages, so here is a recent one of myself as Dr. Talksalot:
Original Post (Book List) 3/4/2006
I am honored to have been invited to attend the Shunpiker Summit and have gratefully accepted. With this I have been making preparations--mental, spiritual and otherwise. To share one of the more practical and tangible of these preparations, here is my abbreviated reading list as of 3/4/06 (in rough alphabetical order):
A Traveler’s History of India, Sinharaja Tammita-Delgoda ISBN 1-56656-445-X
A fairly concise, yet comprehensive history. Oh, these ancient lands and what they have witnessed!
City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi, William Dalrymple ISBN 0-00-637595-2
My roommate just lent me this book before he left for Peru and I can't put it down! It's an extremely well written and engaging account that strikes the vicarious nerve in me.
The Essentials of Hinduism, Swami Bhaskarananda ISBN 1-884852-04-1
As difficult as it is to write about a way of life, esp. one with such a dense history, this book is at least helping to familiarize me with some background on the basic concepts and terms of Hinduism.
Lonely Planet Guide: South India, Multiple Authors ISBN 1-74104-165-1
The third edition (Sept. 2005) seems quite up to date and is chock full of 'quick facts' that is the milieu of travel guides.
Musical Instruments of India, S. Krishnaswamy Pre-ISBN
Wonderfully concise (102 pgs.) survey of the most common instruments. The copy I am reading is a wonderfully weathered edition from 1965 with the price in Rupees on the inside front cover: 2.50.
My Music, My Life, Ravi Shankar Pre-ISBN
The icon speaks. Or shall I say, writes. I found the section on his guru particularly fascinating. After you are thoroughly inspired by reading about his life story, you may proceed to section 4: A Manual for the Sitar! When in doubt, RTFM, right?
Ragas in Indian Classical Music, Anupam Mahajan ISBN 81-212-0269-8
My reading this is merely an attempt at a glimpse of an understanding of this magical art.
Seduced by the Beauty of the World, Don Bloch (text) and Iman Bijleveld (Photos) ISBN 081094543-6
Nice balance between travel diary and photo essays compiled from four trips to India over ten years. The photos are all taken with natural light and no wide-angle lenses or shutter speed tricks.
Yoga for Health, Relaxation and Well-Being, Nirvair Singh Khalsa ISBN 1-885003-64-1
I have used this book on and off throughout the years when I am able to make time for yoga. It is very straightforward and well-organized. The author has taught Kundalini Yoga at ye olde University of Alaska Anchorage since 1975!
As time permits, I will add other bits to this page.
