Logospilgrim's Blog, page 18

mystical explorer

Kind readers,

this morning, my dearest Ben Wu sent me the fourth illustration of our upcoming collaboration, The Further Adventures of the Quiet Professor…

As always, Ben’s work is magical.

There are twelve more illustrations to go before the booklet is complete! I shall be bringing copies of it with me to MISTI-Con next spring, which I shall give to those who want signed copies of The Severus Snape Paradigm: Outcast, Rebel, Hero, or Blessed: how to be a joyful mystic.

In other news, I recently some more ink done… Captain Harlock, on my upper right arm. I so love what Tiffany did! He is healing beautifully.

Next time,  around a month from now, Tiffany will be doing a medium sized chest piece for me, on the very upper chest… She was very excited when I told her that I wanted this, and showed her the design, which encapsulates the essence of my vocation and existence.

Getting inked has been a life changing experience for me. Healing, empowering, liberating.

In other news, I have been painting… I hope to share a picture of my completed painting of Professor Snape with you very soon.

And I have a few more surprises in store for you this month! Stay tuned

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Ben Wu, Captain Harlock, MISTI-Con, Planet Ink, Tiffany Thornton

scribbles

Kind readers,

yesterday evening, driven by an overwhelming impulse, I designed a cover for the novel that I told you about in my previous post…

Since doing so, I feel strongly within my heart that I shall be able to write it, even though my thoughts about said novel are not earth-shaking or anything. It will be a little something for my loved ones.

The other day, I wrote these words about the novel on livejournal:

As for the novel… I have mentioned before that one of the main characters is called Kristopher Silverheart. She is the protector of an otherworldly young female character named Heaven, who possesses a special ability and is kidnapped by people who believe she belongs to their organization, and to no one else -especially not deviant misfits like Silverheart, her band of outcasts, the ones they care for, and anyone who falls “outside the lines” by definition (they believe differently, live differently). So the adventure begins… Subtle, I know. But the story line stirs me in a way that makes me ache to my very depths.

It will be a Gothic/science-fiction type of story. I have my sights set on publishing the book in the spring or summer of 2014. Meaning that I shall be writing like a maniac next year! But I am used to that.

Titles and book covers always give me focus. It is as though I had signed a contract. It is like having an invisible copy of the book in my hands, and watching it slowly materialize as I write. It is like it already exists. Writing is then not so much a question of creating something, as it is of seeing something.

Meanwhile (or should I say, in addition), I am working on Blessed… It is actually proving to be one of the inspirations behind Outlaw in the Land of Perfection.

Blessed begins with these three quotes:

Water which is too pure has no fish.

~Ts’ai Ken T’an

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

~the 14th Dalai Lama

The knower and the known are one.

~Meister Eckhart

The book will consist of the following rambles (preceded by a foreword):

ignorance

loss

gentleness

perfection

generosity

vision

communion

love

I plan to have the book finished in time for MISTI-Con, where I shall be signing copies of it.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Blessed: how to be a joyful mystic, novel, Outlaw in the Land of Perfection, writing

overflowing joy

Kind readers,

ah, autumn and impeding winter! Is there a quieter time?

I am now working on Blessed: how to be a joyful mystic, and the beginning of the novel that has been brewing within me since last spring came to me today.

I believe I have been drawing inspiration from my two favorite writing haunts here in town, Sérénithé, a most peaceful maison de thé with a collection of over one hundred teas…

And La Vieille Alliance, an utterly delightful bakery-café-pâtisserie infused with tranquility and old world charm. I actually went there for the first time today, and it was love at first croissant. If there is one thing I treasure, it is blessedly quiet places that remind me of Vienna a bit, and where I can scribble in a notebook whilst surrounded by fragrant European delicacies…

After a very restful end of summer, I have been feeling quite happy and dapper. I am endlessly grateful.

I have more ink planned this winter, and I am looking forward to MISTI-Con next spring.

Apart from writing -and painting! Severus is anxiously waiting, on his canvas, for my brush to resume its work- I shall be devoting time to the study of German and Italian in the coming months. I speak both English and French perfectly, and am eager to expand my knowledge of languages.

As usual, I am reading five books at once.

My heart is overflowing with joy that I wish to share.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: La Vieille Alliance, Sérénithé, writing

upcoming projects

Kind readers,

I am about to start writing Blessed: how to be a joyful mystic (finally!), and I am most enthused about this project.

My dearest Ben Wu and I are also joining forces again; I have written the text for The Further Adventures of the Quiet Professor, and he will be illustrating the book in his usual exquisite way… I shall be sharing each image as it is completed. Once it is done, it will be available for purchase through lulu.

In addition, I am overjoyed to tell you that I shall be contributing an article to my friend Rik Potter‘s upcoming book, The Boy Who Lived: Magickal Spirituality in the Harry Potter Universe, which will be published in the spring of 2013.

I recently had some more ink done, too. Tiffany’s work is amazing as always.

This winter, I would like to start giving therapeutic tarot card readings (this will be on a limited basis). I find tarot so inspiring: it encompasses art, mysticism, psychology, story-telling.

All of this activity will inspire colorful paintings as well. Needless to say, I shall be sharing photos of the finished pieces here with you.

Here is a painting I did several years ago:

Here is the one I am at last going to complete this autumn:

I feel very much alive.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Ben Wu, body art, painting, Rik Potter, tarot, Tiffany Thornton, writing

autumnal joys

Kind readers,

I have been preparing myself for a tranquil period of hibernation. This has included several trips to IKEA and joyful nesting activities.

I have expanded my library space by adding new bookcases in the dining room… Here is one of them:

I have also gotten lovely pillows for the living room couch, and have been beautifying several areas in my beloved home. It needed a little reorganization here and there, and a couple of cozying touches.

I have been good to myself.

I continue visiting my long neglected favorite old haunts, such as Memories which you can see below, and partaking of delicious meals…

This fall, I shall be working on Blessed: how to be a joyful mystic, I shall be painting again, I shall be studying the wisdom of the tarot in depth. My understanding of the tarot is much more mystical, therapeutic and alchemical than it was ten years ago; it has been a great benefit, a healing balm upon my heart, to reacquaint myself with this spiritual tool. I have also been reading wonderful books like Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ by Reverend Mark Townsend, and only yesterday ordered a copy of Buddha, Christ, Merlin: Three Wise Men For Our Age by Christopher Penczak.

I want to work on another collaboration with my talented friend Ben Wu as well.

And there will be some new ink. I had been too tired to get more pieces done, but now I am almost ready.

I am also currently debating whether or not to speak again, this time at MISTI-Con. The odds are I may well decide to submit a proposal. The paper would no doubt be based in part on material contained in my latest book, The Severus Snape Paradigm: Outcast, Rebel, Hero.

MISTI looks as though it will be a warm, creative, and communal convention.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: MISTI-Con, rest & recuperation

solitary peace

Kind readers,

it has been very good to rest… I still have a few more weeks of rest ahead of me. I am soaking up quietude like a dry sponge.

I am very happy that I went to Ascendio, and had the chance to sign copies of my latest book for loved ones:

It was a joy and a privilege. Also, I am quite happy with said book.

Since I returned home, I have been recuperating and treating myself gently. I have been enjoying solitary peace -I have been reading, gadding about, going to places that delight me… Such as the tea room at the Mackenzie King estate:

I have been eating curried dishes on the market:

I have been scribblings in journals, gazing at trees, relaxing in my sanctuary. It is all good.

My upcoming book has also been slowing brewing in the depths of my being. I am looking forward to working on it this fall; I am looking forward to a contemplative autumn.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Ascendio 2012, vacation

Ascendio 2012

Kind readers,

Ascendio was a wonderful convention, even though I wound up spending two days in bed because I was unwell. Ah, such is life.

For more details, please visit my livejournal.

Here I am, yapping again (fortunately, I was able to give my lecture):

 

 

In other news, my latest book is now available on amazon.

 

In other other news, I may be going to MISTI-Con next year. I have registered… We shall see how rested I feel in a couple of months.

For now, I need to eat something and sleep some more. I plan to spend the rest of the summer reading and recuperating in the garden.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: amazon, Ascendio 2012, MISTI-Con, The Severus Snape Paradigm

Ascendio details

Kind readers,

we are quite close to the big day now… I am leaving for Orlando on wednesday afternoon. I shall arrive at the Portofino around 8:00 in the evening.

To all of those who will be present at Ascendio, it will be a joy to see you there

Once more, here are the pertinent details regarding the book signing and lecture:

I shall be signing copies of The Severus Snape Paradigm: Outcast, Hero, Rebel on July 12 during the book fair, from one to five approximately.

I shall be giving my lecture/ramble, “Chariot, Hanged Man, World: The Cosmic Ascent of Severus Snape” on July 14 at noon, in a room called Tuscan I.

On the whole, I am doing well… Not too nervous so far.

It will be wonderful to embrace many of my loved ones again.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Ascendio 2012, book signing, lecture

The Severus Snape Paradigm

Kind readers,

I have just ordered 50 copies of The Severus Snape Paradigm… They will soon be on their way to the Portofino in Orlando.

Goodness. I am exhausted. But it was worth it, because it was for you.

Here is the full cover:

The book is now available directly from lulu. It should be available on amazon also not too long after Ascendio.

In addition, a loved one will be helping me with this whole eBook thing at some point after the convention; I shall let you know once the book is available in that format as well.

Here are more pictures of the newborn:

This was taken the day the book reached my mailbox. Goodness!

The cover turned out quite well… I can only hope that the contents are adequate!

May it be, now and then,  a source of comfort to those who read it; that is my only ambition for it.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Ascendio 2012, mystical essays, Severus Snape

Ascendio: book signing and lecture

Kind readers,

well, yesterday I finished my latest book of mystical essays about Professor Snape, The Severus Snape Paradigm: Outcast, Rebel, Hero.

I am resting my brain a little today, although it is oh so tempting to start proofreading it now. However, I am exhausted and need to recuperate just a bit…

I plan to upload the manuscript by the middle of the week, so that I have copies ready in time for Ascendio (which is next month! Help! Help!).

Here is the structure of the book again:

Outcast

The Waif (The Fool)

The Wizard (The Magician)

The Warrior (The Chariot)

Rebel

The Messenger (The Hermit)

The Master (The Wheel of Fortune)

The Mystic (The Hanged Man)

Hero

The Hell-Raiser (The Tower)

The Healer (Judgment)

The Herald (The World)

As always, and perhaps more than ever, I am not quite sure what it is I have done exactly. My only wish is for my scribblings to be of comfort now and then…

Despite the fact that I am not an expert on any of the topics I wrote about in the book, I drew from my own experience and shared my heart earnestly, in the hope that this small contribution of mine might ease suffering and inspire those who read it. I would like to apologize in advance for any drivel and lack of wisdom the work contains.

I drew upon Taoism, Gnostic Christianity and Buddhism a lot. I also owe gratitude for the beauty found in Hinduism. There is a good spoonful of Neo-Paganism in there too, I think.

In the book, I write about how Professor Snape has influenced my spiritual journey and practice, and how he has helped me to cope with change. The book is about Oneness, balance, transcending duality, universal and inclusive unconditional love, and the mystical center. It is about compassion for all beings, including oneself, and peace. It is about knowing through unknowing. It is about leaving certainty behind and letting go.

That was what I attempted to do, at any rate. It is a sort of… mystical kaleidoscope. Or something.

And now, about Ascendio…

I shall be signing copies of the book on July 12 during the book fair, from two to six approximately.

I shall be giving my lecture/ramble, “Chariot, Hanged Man, World: The Cosmic Ascent of Severus Snape” on July 14 at noon, in a room called Tuscan I.

In other news, my dearest and most talented friend Ben Wu did another exquisite piece for me recently.

It symbolizes my wish for all beings to be at peace.

My practice is universal wholeness… That is The Severus Snape Paradigm in a nutshell.

To quote Jean-Yves Leloup’s book Judas and Jesus: Two Faces of a Single Revelation (which I do in my latest work),

“It is neither good nor evil that will have the last word. They are the two halves that compose a human being… And beyond good and evil, beyond these two halves, another road begins.”

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Ascendio 2012, Ben Wu, mysticism, Severus Snape, writing