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Helen Keller, Mindfulness, In the Mood for Love, Why Silence is Power, and Sahih al-Bukhari 6126

Sunday Supplement #61 (July 10th, 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:

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.”

– Helen Keller

Book of the Week:

Mindfulness – Mark Williams and Danny Penman

Oxford professor Mark Williams is one of the leading thinkers on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. He teamed up with award-winning journalist Danny Penman to write Mindfulness.

The book explains simple and straightforward practices from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to help dissolve anxiety, stress, exhaustion, and unhappiness.

Mindfulness’s subtitle is An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World

The mindfulness meditation program is broken down and explained in a way anyone can do. The time the practice requires is only 10-20 minutes per day.

One of my favorite things about this book is that it doesn’t rely on spirituality or religion to explain the benefits of meditation.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many spiritual traditions include meditation, but I find it promising that science has found a way to separate the practice from religion.

There are many different books, apps, and videos that explain and provide lessons for meditation. It’s worth checking Mindfulness out to see if it resonates for you.

Movie of the Week:

In the Mood for Love

One of my favorite films is Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love. It tells the story of two neighbors who befriend each other after suspecting the extramarital activities of their spouses.

The film beautifully shows the platonic relationship of the two neighbors as they question and reenact situations they believe formed their spouses’ relationship.

Everything in the movie is choreographed exquisitely. The music and the cinematography enhance the brilliant acting from leads Maggie Cheung and Tony Chui-Wai Leung.

The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2000 and received a nomination for the Palme d’Or. Tony Leung won Best Actor, becoming the first Hong Kong actor to win the award.

Much of the movie is explored through scenes without dialogue. Some of the best sequences occur through close attention to mannerisms and non-verbal exchanges.

I’ve found that there aren’t many movies that leave lasting impressions on their viewers. This movie is one that I find myself often visiting over the years.

In the Mood for Love is well worth checking out if you’re looking for a movie that explores the human experience in a subtle and profound manner.

Brainfood of the Week:

Why Silence is Power | Priceless Benefits of Being Silent | Einzelgänger

Einzelgänger is a YouTube channel that creates videos exploring different people and ideas of history with the aim of making content that inspires, resonates, and entertains.

I’ve featured three of Einzelgänger’s videos in previous Sunday Supplements. 

This video explores the advantages of silence in creativity, mental health, spiritual and religious practice, and other everyday situations. It breaks down into four parts.

Silence can also send a powerful message. In conversation, pausing or choosing not to speak can give a person strength. In protest, silence can express what discourse cannot.

Studies have shown that silence relaxes the mind, enhances sleep, and lessens insomnia. Excessive input of noise is detrimental to our ability to function.

All of these topics are explored in more depth in the video. On the surface, the necessity of silence is obvious, but Einzelgänger’s video has many insights worth picking up.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak what is good or keep silent.”

– Sahih al-Bukhari 6126

Sahih al-Bukhari is one of the six major collections of Hadith, based on the Islamic prophet Muhammed’s teachings, sayings, traditions, and practices.

The whole passage starts with, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbor. The second part says whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should serve his guest generously.

The third and last part of the passage is the one I’ve highlighted above. It reminds me of the saying, “If you can’t say something kind, don’t say anything.”

Words have much power, but I believe silence equally holds great power. Many great speeches exist, but a single word or silence can be just as profound.

The passage above from the Hadith reminds me that speaking isn’t always necessary. Silence is a tool that can be louder than words.

Explore and look for moments of silence, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Alan Cohen, Waking Up, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Improvement Pill, and The Bhagavad Gita

Sunday Supplement #56 (June 5th, 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:

“There is virtue in work, and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”

– Alan Cohen

Book of the Week:

Waking Up – Sam Harris

Multiple New York Times bestselling author Sam Harris explores how to live a spiritual life without religion in his book Waking Up

In the book, Harris outlines his journey of spirituality, what he’s learned, and the science that backs up the practice.

A few chapters delve into different religions and modern practices. Harris outlines the useful common ground while highlighting the pitfalls. 

Many spirituality books and practices believe their way is the only way or the best way to see the light. Waking Up provides a good litmus test to weed out the charlatans. 

Harris outlines the essentials for living a spiritual life that isn’t reliant on religion and shows how mediation is a rational practice.

Waking Up is worth reading and keeping in mind when delving into other spirituality books and practices.

Movie of the Week:

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

John Hughes wrote and directed many classic 80s films. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is arguably one of his best.

The film follows high school senior Ferris Bueller as he fakes sick a month before graduation. He’s skipped too many times before, and if he gets caught, he won’t graduate.

Ferris’s day off includes rousing his best friend from staying home actually sick, getting his girlfriend out of school, and going on numerous adventures in the city.

While Ferris and his friends go on their adventures, the school principal attempts to catch Ferris in his lie. Ferris’s sister also attempts to track him down after seeing the support from the school about his illness.

The movie was made for $5 million and grossed over $70 million at the box office. 

At the beginning and the end of the movie, Ferris Bueller states, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.”

The film stands the test of time and is worth checking out if you’re looking for a fun watch with interesting and upbeat themes.

Brainfood of the Week:

How To Meditate For Beginners – Improvement Pill

This Improvement Pill video discusses precisely how to meditate— where to meditate, what to do with your body, what to do with your mind, and how long you should do it.

The video uses information from the highly recommended book Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana.

Improvement Pill’s video does a brilliant job of highlighting the optimal ways of meditation and also gives practical advice on making it easy to get started.

Mindfulness Breathing Mediation is the type of meditation the video uses as a guide and starting point.

The cumulative benefits show themselves at different times for different people. However, a meditation practice could be an invaluable addition to your personal care routine.

I’ve featured Improvement Pill recently in Sunday Supplement #54, but I’ve watched their videos for years. Their channel is an excellent source of knowledge on self-help subjects. 

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place.”

– The Bhagavad Gita

This passage from the Bhagavad Gita reminds me of the importance of steady meditation practice.

Having one or two times in the day where you sit or lay in silence is a beautiful way to recuperate and give your body and mind a break.

The Bhagavad Gita passage reminds me of the effects of meditation when practiced over time.

While I haven’t mastered meditation, some of the most productive and calm times in my life have been after adopting a morning and evening mediation routine.

The Brainfood of the Week is an excellent video to help start a meditation practice. I also provide video prompts in Sunday Supplements #31 and #41 worth checking out.

Make time for yourself to rest your mind and body, and have a blessed week ahead!

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