An exhibition of Rashid’s most recent paintings at the Gallery Different in Central London, 2-5 October 2024
Short reviews by Madhuri on books by Cathy Glass, William Finnegan, Glen Tibaldeo and Laura Berger, James Lee Burke, Dr. Louis J. Camuti, Matt Lewis, Stevie Smith, Rosemary Thornton, Maria Coffey, Susan Lewis and George Mahood
The wonderfully designed book, subtitled Songs of Love, Wonder & Devotion, contains 25 poems, photos and stories
Subhuti writes from his visit to the exhibition, Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking, at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London
A review by Madhuri on Sarah MacDonald’s book; “A good read, well-informed as to politics and history, and fresh in energy. Her style is both girly and manly, so it’s got balance. She falls in love with India: its warm heart, its chaos and its magic.”
Short reviews by Madhuri on books by Anne Watts, Keith Foskett, Bill Green, Philip Gonzalez and Leonore Fleischer, Jojo Moyes, Louise Candlish, Doris Lessing, Barbara Erakko Taylor, Sherman Alexie, Karen Armstrong, David Vann, Alec Le Sueur, Elizabeth Kim
A review of Neeten’s online book by Scott Lowe, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, published in the magazine Nova Religio
Short reviews by Madhuri of books by authors: Burton Silver and Heather Busch, Pico Iyer, Celia Imrie, Joseph Wambaugh, Marina Chapman, Bernie Chowdhury, Joe Tusker
A review by Bhagawati of S D Anugyan’s latest book; “I urge you to leap and join this incredible adventure!”
A review by Lisa Von Stein: “If you are going to read just one spiritually oriented book this year, I recommend this one for many reasons, not least of which is the mischievous sense of humour that permeates its pages.”
A review by Madhuri of Alan Lew’s book, subtitled The Spiritual Path of a Zen Rabbi; “I enjoyed the book a lot, and I feel it’s valuable for opening our minds and letting in a bit of wonder and a lot of grounded feeling.”
Madhuri’s short reviews on books by: Jon Ronson, Myriam Sagan, Isabella Bird, High Lasgarn, Catherine Cookson, Caitlin Moran, Claude Saks, Stan Jones, Ayya Khema, Thurston Clarke, Helena Merriman
Historical notes by Michael Topper on this re-surfaced documentary, one of the first about Osho and his commune
A presentation by the author, Bhakta A. Lorenz, of her collection of short stories, with three reviews: “It’s a great read. On a subject that we all, sooner or later, get to deal with. ‘A Drop of Death’ dares us to think about the inevitable with humour, contemplation, humility, wonder, and courage.”
A review by Madhuri of Tim Ward’s book. “The book is so much fun… his arguments are sometimes rebellious in a valuably-refreshing way.”
Asanga presents the book, subtitled, The Advantages of Age: Handbook to Growing Old Funkily, to which he has contributed two stories.
Short notes on a pile of books read recently. Authors: Adeline Yen Mah, Wendy Burden, Peter Nichols, Jojo Moyes, Jamie James, Tessa Hainsworth, Dr Amanda Brown, Betsy Whyte, Sara Pascoe, Dean Nicholson, Edward Chisholm
Two reviews for Roshani Shay Curtis’ book: one by Veena and one by Chintan. They write: “Very much worth reading.” “This is a story which will enrage, frighten, and at the end leave you cheering. I loved this book.”
Madhuri’s review of Bhante Walpola Piyananda’s book. “An enormously genial Buddhist rant… peppered with anecdotes from the author’s life as a monk, teacher, Abbott, chaplain, and Chief Sangha Nayaka Thera of the USA.”
Madhuri’s review of Ray Brooks’ book; “Having worked in Japan a lot during the 90’s, I enjoyed the immersion into aspects of the culture I’d not encountered, as well as some I had.”
An introduction by Roshani Shay Curtis of her newly-lauched book about her life with son Tarun. The book is subtitled: Our Adventures with Love, Deafness and Autism.
Sudhir reviews Pratibha Castle’s poetry book, launched today, 9 November 2023. “These poems resonate because they describe life as it is. They give a sense of how the eternal can slip into the world of time, of how, if one looks even in the midst of the mundane, there is magic.”
Life in the Amsterdam Red Light District, told by “a young British woman, a newly-qualified nursery nurse who was lured by an advertisement to work in a crèche.” The reflective review by Madhuri concludes with “If Yin was honoured, meditation would become possible for humans.”
Kul Bhushan writes on the film, Guide, and on one of his favourite stars with a spiritual dimension.
Book review by Madhuri; “This book is mostly a description of bliss states, and as such is quite uplifting to read. A special book!”
Pankaja on the discovery that one of the novels she had written pre-sannyas is now being re-published, receiving accolades the likes of “a daring writer long overdue for reappraisal.”
Nayana’s review of the just published book by Lasell Jaretzki Bartlett (aka Kavita); “There are so many useful lessons running through the book, all written in a clean and simple style. It’s one of those books I’m sure I will dip back into again and again.”
Madhuri announces her new poetry book dedicated to her home in the English Pennines. It’s her 9th book and her second published this summer!
A review by S D Anugyan of Madhuri’s most recent book of poems and paintings in celebration of cats.
Madhuri’s review of Brock Talon’s memoir subtitled: Leaving Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower after Thirty-Five years of Lost Dreams.
A review by Punya of Rajyo’s memoir; “Her recountings run off the pages you hardly notice that, inevitably, you have again gone past your bedtime.”
Madhuri reviews Arjava’s latest book. She writes: “This is a playful, loving, happy person, and his understanding of his luck at meeting Osho runs through the whole book like a river.”