Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Elantris, Stardust, Calm, and the Atharva Veda

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Sunday Supplement #31 (December 12th, 2021)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.”

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Book of the Week:

Elantris – Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author. Sanderson also teaches one writing class a year as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University and hosts the podcast Writing Excuses with authors Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, and web cartoonist Howard Tayler.

While Sanderson went to undergraduate and graduate school, he was employed at a hotel as a night auditor and wrote many novels while he worked. His sixth novel, Elantris, was picked up by Tor Books and started his career as a Fantasy and Science Fiction author.

Elantris tells the story of the falling of magic in Arelon. Elantris was the capital of Arelon and was the home of magical beings who used their abilities to benefit the kingdom. The residents of Elantris were once ordinary people from Arelon until they became transformed overnight through the power of Shoad.

Without warning, the magic failed, and the Shaod became a leper-like curse. The demigods of Elantris became wizened creatures, and the city of Elantris was walled off for the transformed to be exiled.

Prince Roaden and Princess Sarene’s marriage was the last hope for an Arelon under threat from the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. However, before Sarene could marry Raoden, the prince was struck by the Shaod, and his father snuck him into Elantris.

Elantris goes on to follow the stories of Raoden, Sarene, and a priest of Fjordell and the future of Elantris and how each deals with their own position and the situation they are forced to manage. 

The novel is one of my favorite fantasy books and has brilliant lessons on making the best of where you’re at and how to never give up. If you’re a fan of fantasy, this should be on your list. 

Let me know what you think!

Movie of the Week:

Stardust

Stardust is a 2007 film adapted from Neil Gaiman’s Locus Award-nominated novel. I don’t think many movies better their source, but Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman make a case for their script.

The movie follows Tristan Thorn, a shop boy, who makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the fabled magical kingdom beyond the borders of their town.

This fantasy film stars Charlie Cox as Tristan Thorn and Claire Danes as Yvaine the fallen star. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Lamia, the witch after Yvaine’s heart and eternal life, and Robert De Niro plays Captain Shakespeare, a colorful pirate who aides Tristan and Yvaine.

Stardust is a fun watch that shows the power of saying yes to adventure and learning about yourself along the way. There are great performances sprinkled throughout, and the fun script makes an entertaining viewing.

The movie isn’t an Oscar-nominated masterpiece, but it is something lighthearted that would be a fun watch on a cold or snowy day.

Brainfood of the Week:

10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Calm

Calm is the number one app for meditation and sleep. There are many facets of the app, but the focus of this post is on their daily ten-minute guided meditation.

There are many benefits to meditation, such as decreasing stress and anxiety. The practice of meditation can also enhance awareness and patience.

I like to keep a playlist on my phone of downloaded meditations I’ve come across on YouTube. I tend to switch between guided meditations, soft background mediations, and if I’m in nature ambient meditation.

I’m not always in a steady practice of meditation, but I notice how my days feel rushed when I fall out of practice. Ideally, I liked to meditate once in the morning and once in the afternoon or before bed.

Breathing exercises are another great way to ground and be present. Part of these practices helps me be calm when I go through each day. I always finish each session with a little prayer or intention for the rest of the day or for a specific event I’m going to encounter.

These are all practices I’ve worked on incorporating into my life. The Calm video is a great guided meditation to check out. Their app is also worth looking at with a free and subscription option available. 

Go at your own pace and find the practice and time that works best for you. Let me know what you think and if you’d like any other recommendations in this field.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“May thou bless me with radiance, courage, energy, and strength.”

– Atharva Veda

In Sunday Supplement #29, I discussed the benefits of cultivating a positive mindset. I delved into the power of gratitude and practicing control over your thoughts.

For this section of the Sunday Supplement, I wanted to list a prayer/mantra. I think it is crucial to work on ourselves, learn, and grow. However, I believe asking for help is something that can often be ignored or frowned upon.

For me, prayer and mantras are the other side of the coin for positivity and gratitude. While we cultivate our lives and perspectives, asking for a bit of help and having faith in something can be a tremendous support.

I believe in a higher power. I don’t care what people call it, but I feel it when I’m with other people, in nature, and when I experience moments of silent bliss within. I believe meditation, prayers, mantras, walks in nature, and connection with others tap into that universal power.

The Atharva Veda has been called the Veda of magical formulas, and it contains over 5,000 mantras in its pages.

The above passage is just one version of a mantra that you can use, but I encourage you to find one that feels right and try repeating it after meditation or prayer. See what happens after you incorporate it into your routine.

Have a magical month of December, and have a blessed week ahead!