Newsletter 5 - December 2007 - 3 new useful sites

Wouldn't it be useful to read  wise quotations, short articles about insightful books and films and news of relevance for personal development? I thought so too, and much as I like other sites, I decided a few months ago that they didn't give me quite what I wanted.
So I've been busy creating three new blogs in addition to Socrates Satisfied.
If you have visited my home page, http://www.timlebon.com recently, you'll have seen highlights from the 3 new blogs when you scroll down the main page. In case you haven't, here's what they offer.
The three new blogs are called Wise Quotes, Wise Books & Personal Development News.

Read on and follow the links to find out more ...


Wise Quotes

It's always good to hear wise words from great thinkers old and new. Sometimes they tell us something we didn't truely appreciate before. At other times, as Christina Feldman's quote below reminds us, the hardest challenge is remembering to put our knowledgeinto practice. Looking at wise quotes regularly can help you learn knew insights and remind you of how much you already know.

The Secret of Eternal Happiness (Robin Sharma)

Find out what you truly love to do and then direct all your energy towards doing it

Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari, p. 55

---

Remembering to be mindful is the great challenge - Christina Feldman

Mindfulness is neither difficult nor complex;
Remembering to be mindful is the great challenge

Christina Feldman

Keywords: Mindfulness, Meditation, Wisdom, Christina Feldman

Read On: Christina Feldman on Stillness and Insight and Dependent Origination

Read more Wise Quotes at http://quotes.timlebon.com

---

Wise Books -and Films 

This is probably my favourite of all the blogs I write. Although Plato's Republic is shown above, you are just as likely to read about films like It's a Wonderful Life here. Whenever I see a film or read a book which I think helpful for wise living, I add an entry. You'll find plenty about recent philosophy and psychology books - as well as some more off-beat entries, like the one below ..

Monday, July 30, 2007

Blink - Doctor Who and the Existentialists

Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink.

The first time I watched this stand-out episode from the latest season of the British children's science fiction programme Doctor Who, I didn't think too much about philosophy. I was far too busy consoling my terrified children. For some reason weeping angels who send you back in time, ageing or killing your present-day self, were much, much scarier than Daleks or Cybermen.

The second time I saw Blink I couldn't understand how I missed the existential theme the first time around.

The episode's title - BLINK - as in " blink and life will pass you by" - is the first hint.

Then there are the experiences of the characters. After a visitation by the time-stealing angels, all that is left of Sally's friend Kathy are her remains in a graveyard. Billy, a young and sassy policemen, fares little better. One moment he is chatting up Sally Sparrow with the immortal line

Life is short and you are hot.

The next time we see Billy, he is an old man in hospital, about to die. As he catches sight of young Sally he laments

Look at my hands. They're old man's hands -- how did that happen?

We know that Billy and Kathy's fate await us all - weeping angels are but an exaggeration of the human condition.

Generally Doctor Who reminds us of the downside of immortality. The Doctor lives for hundreds of years and regenerates when his old body gets damaged beyond repair. The Doctor can help us be aware of problems with life going on too long - boredom, too much knowledge, too many memories and the loss of loved ones being some of the afflictions associated with extreme longevity.

BLINK firmly reminds us of the opposite reality. Life is short - and we have no idea just how short. Life is short -so we need to make the most of it. Life is short - so treasure every moment.

And remember:

Carpe Diem.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.

And - whatever you do - don't blink.

You can read more about wise books and films at http://wisebooks.timlebon.com

---

Personal Development News

This blog, which lives at http://news.timlebon.com, announces interesting events and courses - as well as news relevant to personal development and featured in the press.
Here's news about an free event in London in a couple of weeks time - maybe you would like to come along.

Free talk on Philosophy in Schools, London Friday, Dec 14th 2007 630pm

Talk on Philosophy in Schools

Peter Worley is giving a free talk on "Philosophy in Schools" at 630pm on Friday December 14th in Central London

Peter studied philosophy at University College London and Birbeck College, London. He is a philosophical practitioner who for the last four years has been developing his own approach to teaching philosophy to London primary school children.

Venue: David Wynter Room 2nd floor Swedenborg House 20-21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH

The entrance to Swedenborg House is in Barter Street and doors are open from 6.00 p.m.

The nearest underground stations are Holborn and Tottenham Court Road

Please e-mail spp@timlebon.com in advance if you would like to come.

---

Very best seasonal greetings -

Hope to see you soon

Tim