Donald Altman's Blog
February 1, 2023
Hello Giveaway Winners...
Today I just got the list of the 30 giveaway winners of a signed copy of Travelers. It was fun signing those books, which I'll put in the post tomorrow. So everyone should get their books within a week. I've also included something a little special with the book... nothing big, just a Travelers Bookmark that goes nicely with the book.
When I was in grade school, my favorite time of year was the bookfair. In the small auditorium were tables filled with new books! The colors on the covers were vibrant, and I recall the excitement I had lifting each up and peering inside--as if discovering a hidden treasure!
Today, to be able to write books and connect with readers complete that circle for me. Many thanks for those who are taking an interest in Travelers and my mindfulness books.
If you have a memory centered around books, please share it here! Best, Donald Altman
When I was in grade school, my favorite time of year was the bookfair. In the small auditorium were tables filled with new books! The colors on the covers were vibrant, and I recall the excitement I had lifting each up and peering inside--as if discovering a hidden treasure!
Today, to be able to write books and connect with readers complete that circle for me. Many thanks for those who are taking an interest in Travelers and my mindfulness books.
If you have a memory centered around books, please share it here! Best, Donald Altman
January 28, 2023
Official Travelers Release
Yesterday I just got word from John Hunt Publishing that Travelers is now available for sale in online and retail outlets that carry it.
That was exciting news for me, since it's a long waiting game from the time you hand in the manuscript to getting the release date. And John Hunt Publishing is quicker at doing that than most!
I enjoyed working with them--although initially I had some questions about their streamlined publishing process. Most interactions are done through their publishing platform. People get back to you, but it's not like the old "call your editor" system! I guess there are plusses and minuses to each approach. I can say that I've worked directly with one of the JHP publicists, and that has been great!
What I like, too, is that JHP is staffed by writers... so you feel like they understand you and want you to succeed. That's all for now... Donald
That was exciting news for me, since it's a long waiting game from the time you hand in the manuscript to getting the release date. And John Hunt Publishing is quicker at doing that than most!
I enjoyed working with them--although initially I had some questions about their streamlined publishing process. Most interactions are done through their publishing platform. People get back to you, but it's not like the old "call your editor" system! I guess there are plusses and minuses to each approach. I can say that I've worked directly with one of the JHP publicists, and that has been great!
What I like, too, is that JHP is staffed by writers... so you feel like they understand you and want you to succeed. That's all for now... Donald
January 2, 2023
Story Behind Travelers
I want to share the story behind why I wrote my novel Travelers.
Having worked in psychiatric clinics, I wanted to reveal the inner workings of the mental health system, where patients are all too often seen through the lens of pathology and a diagnostic code—rather than their innate sense of wholeness.
I believe that there are other ways of understanding mental illness that can awaken us to our wholeness and the mysterious divine that exists all around us. In Travelers, I wanted to explore spiritual initiation as a form of healing that can arise even from the darkness of grief and depression.
Lacking this broader understanding of who we are, I can only wonder if are we destined to become soulless machines? Travelers shows how awakening to our true selves and the beauty of each moment opens the door to love, healing, possibilities and miracles.
PS-- there's a Travelers Giveaway happening through the end of Jan. 2023.
Having worked in psychiatric clinics, I wanted to reveal the inner workings of the mental health system, where patients are all too often seen through the lens of pathology and a diagnostic code—rather than their innate sense of wholeness.
I believe that there are other ways of understanding mental illness that can awaken us to our wholeness and the mysterious divine that exists all around us. In Travelers, I wanted to explore spiritual initiation as a form of healing that can arise even from the darkness of grief and depression.
Lacking this broader understanding of who we are, I can only wonder if are we destined to become soulless machines? Travelers shows how awakening to our true selves and the beauty of each moment opens the door to love, healing, possibilities and miracles.
PS-- there's a Travelers Giveaway happening through the end of Jan. 2023.
April 11, 2019
Mindfulness as Mndfulness
I have removed the "i" in the word "mindfulness" above, because we need to have a more evolved kind of Mndfulness, one that doesn't just help us get more focused or deal with stress better.
The real meaning of mindfulness, from the ancient Sanskrit word sati, means to self-remember or self-recollect. In other words, to bring together the lost and fragmented parts of ourself. As humans, we have a unique capacity for deep reflection and looking inward. That is how we can escape old toxic patterns, reactive mental boxes. It is also how we can reinvigorate our lives with what I call "gravitational free awareness"- awareness that is not pulled into the orbit of the ego and old ways of thinking!
This blog will examine Mndfulness through many different lenses-- including many that have been the subject of my books. My passion is seeing and understanding mndfulness in fresh ways; to reduce suffering and reactivity in daily life while growing compassion. And of course, this also means we will locate and spread many seeds of joy, calm and peace along the way.
Reflectfully, Donald
The real meaning of mindfulness, from the ancient Sanskrit word sati, means to self-remember or self-recollect. In other words, to bring together the lost and fragmented parts of ourself. As humans, we have a unique capacity for deep reflection and looking inward. That is how we can escape old toxic patterns, reactive mental boxes. It is also how we can reinvigorate our lives with what I call "gravitational free awareness"- awareness that is not pulled into the orbit of the ego and old ways of thinking!
This blog will examine Mndfulness through many different lenses-- including many that have been the subject of my books. My passion is seeing and understanding mndfulness in fresh ways; to reduce suffering and reactivity in daily life while growing compassion. And of course, this also means we will locate and spread many seeds of joy, calm and peace along the way.
Reflectfully, Donald
