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Tag: Atharva Veda

Alice Domar, 12 Rules for Life, Kiki’s Delivery Service, OWN SuperSoul Sunday, and an Atharva Veda Passage

Alice Domar, 12 Rules for Life, Kiki’s Delivery Service, OWN SuperSoul Sunday, and an Atharva Veda Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on March 6, 2022

Sunday Supplement #43 (March 6th, 2022)

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:

“When you’re trying to motivate yourself, appreciate the fact that you’re even thinking about making a change. And as you move forward, allow yourself to be good enough.”

– Alice Domar

Book of the Week:

12 Rules for Life – Jordan B. Peterson

The controversy around Jordan Peterson and his work drew me to reading his book and checking out his lectures.

In Sunday Supplement #38, I featured an interview with Peterson on The Tim Ferriss Show. 

The podcast episode is a good entry point to see if Peterson is someone you’d find worth checking out. He is a clinical psychologist, professor at the University of Toronto, and author of three bestselling self-help books.

I don’t agree with some of his viewpoints, but there are many nuggets of wisdom in his work.

12 Rules for Life is on the longer side and is a slow read, but the topics the book covers are worth perusing.

The chapters in the book range from “Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible For Helping” to “Do Not Bother Children When They Are Skateboarding.”

There are interesting statistics and examples used throughout the book to illustrate each section. You don’t have to agree with everything, but many insights are worth picking up.

Movie of the Week:

Kiki’s Delivery Service

It has been a while since I featured a Studio Ghibli film in a Sunday Supplement. I discussed some more well-known movies from their catalog in Supplements #2, #16, and #25.

However, Kiki’s Delivery Service was the breakthrough film for Studio Ghibli in Japan. The film adapted Eiko Kadona’s popular children’s fantasy novel of the same name and became the highest-grossing film in Japan the year of its release.

The story follows a thirteen-year-old witch on her mandatory year of independent life as she attempts to fit into a new community while supporting herself through an air courier service.

Kiki’s Delivery Service isn’t the most fast-paced film, but the YouTube channel The Take brilliantly illustrates how it is a perfect allegory for young creatives trying to make it on their own. 

The film’s themes, including work-life balance, are wonderfully explored in a beautiful setting with unique characters.

It is a surprisingly deep movie that is worth checking out if you’re up for a slow but meaningful film night.

Brainfood of the Week:

How to Free Yourself of Negative Thoughts | Oprah Winfrey Network 

Oprah Winfrey’s series SuperSoul Sunday is an excellent program that features exclusive interviews with top thinkers, authors, and spiritual leaders. 

The program explores themes like happiness, personal fulfillment, wellness, spirituality, and conscious living to provide thought-provoking and inspiring content to help viewers become their best selves.

In this clip, from her full episode with Michael Singer, they discuss choosing your engagement with events around yourself.

Our minds can create much chatter when engaged with external or internal events and emotions. The technique Singer explains is leaning away from reacting and giving yourself the chance to not become attached to negative emotions.

I’ve recommended two of Michael Singer’s books in previous Sunday Supplements, and I highly recommend his work.

One of the best tools I’ve picked up from him is the noticing game. You develop the habit of recognizing when you’re experiencing a negative emotion, so you can become aware of it and get to choose how you want to move forward.

Give this short clip a view and see if you’re interested in checking out some of Singer’s other work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“It takes time for a fruit to mature and acquire sweetness and become eatable; time is a prime factor for most good fortunes.”

– Atharva Veda 

I love quotes and passages that remind us to be patient with our results and to trust and know that the outcome will come.

This Atharva Veda perfectly captures the process of reaping what you sow. It is also an excellent companion to the quote about not digging up a seed to see if it’s growing.

One of my friends gave me the metaphor of taking a driving trip at night. When you get in the car, you don’t question that you will make it to your destination. 

You trust that the tools around you, your phone, the vehicle, your abilities as a driver, and the roads are more than enough for you to arrive safely.

Our lives mirror this metaphor in many ways. We have survived 100% of the challenges we’ve faced so far. We need to trust and know that things will be okay.

The Atharva Veda passage above reminds me that there is plenty of juicy fruit on the road ahead.

Give yourself a moment to recognize all the work you’ve done, and have a blessed week ahead!

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

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

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on December 12, 2021

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!

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Eleanor Roosevelt, Stephen King, Collateral, Cognitive Distortions, and an Atharva Veda Passage

Eleanor Roosevelt, Stephen King, Collateral, Cognitive Distortions, and an Atharva Veda Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 6, 2021


Sunday Supplement #4 (June 6th, 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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Book of the Week:

Eyes of the Dragon – Stephen King

Eyes of the Dragon takes place in the medieval setting of Delain. The kingdom mourns the death of their king, who was murdered in strange circumstances. An evil wizard plots to see the king’s son, Peter, imprisoned for his father’s murder, which would put Peter’s irresolute younger brother in line for the throne. Peter is the only one who knows the truth, and only he can save Delain from the evil wizard’s plans.

On the cover jacket of the 1st edition, King stated, “Although I had written thirteen novels by the time my daughter had attained an equal number of years, she hadn’t read any of them. She’s made it clear that she loves me but has very little interest in my vampires, ghouls, and slushy crawling things.” He goes on to assure readers that it wasn’t a children’s book either— “I respected my daughter enough then – and now – to try and give her my best… and that includes a refusal to ‘talk down.’ Or put another way, I did her the courtesy of writing for myself as well as for her.”

The book wasn’t well-received by King’s following at the time, though. A few years later, he wrote Misery. Interestingly, Misery’s plot follows an author who tries to break free from his typecast by killing off the main character of his popular Romance series, only to be later taken captive by a deranged fan and forced to write another book in the series. I always thought Misery was a subtle (or not so subtle) jab at his followers for the reception of Eyes of the Dragon.

Stephen King is often unfairly labeled as just a horror author. There are actually many of his books that disprove this typecast. I didn’t read King for a long time because I didn’t like horror. However, I’m glad I gave his books a chance. There’s a reason he’s one of the most famous authors alive. And I believe there is a King book out there for everyone. Eyes of the Dragon is one for those who are fans of Fantasy.

Movie of the Week:

Collateral

The 2004 Drama/Thriller follows a cab driver grinding out shifts to make enough money for his own limo company. The audience is introduced to the driver, Max, and sees a pleasant exchange between him and a fare, Annie. His next fare turns out to be a contract killer, Vincent. Over the course of the night, Vincent forces Max to escort him to and from each of his hits. All of the dots end up connecting.

Jamie Foxx plays the cab driver, and Tom Cruise plays the contract killer. Both excel in their roles and drive the movie forward with captivating performances. Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo hold their own with significantly less screen time, and brilliant cameos from Javier Bardem and Barry Shabaka Henley round out the top-class acting. 

The screenplay is a perfect puzzle with no extra pieces. And each piece is a crucial element to the overall story. Director, Michael Mann, put the actors through the paces to bring the story to life. Months of prep work went into the character building, which only shows on the screen in the flow of the acting, but it was crucial for bringing out the intensity of the movie. The detail that went into creating the film’s world can be seen on the DVD extras in the making of the film. 

*If you want to see how months went into choreography, character building, scene prep, camera work, art direction, and the score of the film, check out the link— it gives a stunning inside look into how much work can go into the making of a movie.

Collateral has so much depth from a simple story because of the original script by Stuart Beattie. That framework allowed everyone involved to bring their expertise and talents to the table, which resulted in the powerful final product. The movie’s competence and quality in all departments are what makes it last in the annals of film history. It is certainly worth checking out for a future movie night.

Brainfood of the Week:

“Cognitive Distortions: 10 Examples of Distorted Thinking” – Healthline.com article

Cognitive distortions are thought patterns that promote inaccurate, usually negative, ways to view reality.

– Failing when trying something for the first time and assuming that you’re not good at it or that it’s not for you.

– Being able to cheer others’ accomplishments but not your own— Viewing what you did as not great and being subjectively negative about achievements. 

These are examples of cognitive distortions. They can occur as random thoughts or when you’re tired and stressed. But they can become habits if done often, which results in increased anxiety, depression, and difficulty interacting with others.

The Healthline.com article discusses the types of cognitive distortions, where they come from, and how you can change them. It is a useful article to review and can be a valuable tool for understanding these types of behavior. 

Whether cognitive distortions are something you experience or are something you see in the actions of others, being able to identify them is extremely helpful in recognizing and breaking out of the negative viewpoint.

Closing Prayer/Passage:

“Do not be led by others, awaken your own mind, amass your own experience, and decide for yourself your own path.”

– Atharva Veda

Something I’ve worked on over the past year is being present and being able to speak up and advocate for myself. It’s still a work in progress, but I believe listening to your heart is crucial in living your best life.

That doesn’t mean I’m always right, but it’s a good compass to go by, and I hope to always learn from my mistakes.

Have a blessed week ahead, and listen to your heart!

*P.S. My apologies to anyone who filled out a contact form on the Contact tab. There was an issue with the programming, and I did not receive your message. I have fixed the problem, and I will now be able to receive messages.

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2021 © Drew Alexander Ross