The Beauty of Imperfection

Are you a perfectionist?  I am too, at least about some things, but I’ve learned to relax over the years, and it has literally saved my life.  In my new essay, The Beauty of Imperfection,  I talk about another approach to life, one that includes what the Japanese call wabi-sabi.   In a few paragraphs I attempt to take on Plato, the Tyranny of Thin culture, and eating disorders. Now that’s a challenge, but I hope you enjoy it!  I would, of course, enjoy hearing your comments.

I am also filled with gratitude that my essay called Van Gogh’s God has now been translated into Chinese by Han Sun, of the Institute of Education and Culture  & Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Heilongjiang University in China.   The visually beautiful Mandarin version is below the English version. (I wish I could read it, but maybe you know someone who can!)

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, full of gratitude and peace and special moments of appreciating the beautiful imperfections of life.

Patricia

 

Embracing a Beautiful God: Tenth Anniversary Edition

I can’t believe it’s been TEN years!  Where did the time go?  The Tenth Anniversary Edition of Embracing a Beautiful God, a book of devotional essays, is now available in paperback and kindle.   See below for a full description.

You can read one of the essays now–one of my favorites– called “Van Gogh’s God”  along with images of his works . . .

As an essayist, beauty continues to be my favorite theme. If you love the arts–especially classical music– you might also like my latest JJB article:  “The Whole Planet in a Single Note: Lang Lang.”   The editor of JJB is working to get it translated into Chinese.

Blessings and Peace,

Patricia

EMBRACING A BEAUTIFUL GOD: TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

BOOK DESCRIPTION:  Within these fifty-two short, imaginative, and often humorous essays lies a lively “spirituality of Beauty” from the tradition of process theology. A book to be read aloud or savored as a daily meditation, it will appeal to readers from a variety of spiritual traditions. This Tenth Anniversary Edition includes a new preface by the author.

FROM BOOK COVER:

“Patricia Farmer offers us her luminescent meditations like a beautiful string of pearls. When we’ve absorbed them, we see the world differently.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People.

 

“This is one of those rare books that is what it is about: Beauty.–Professor Marjorie Suchocki, author of In God’s Presence

 

“It has the earmarks of a spiritual classic.” — Professor Jay McDaniel, author of Living from the Center

 

 

What is Fat Soul Philosophy?

Everything you ever wanted to know about Fat Soul Philosophy but were afraid to ask . . . 

I invite you to read my latest JJB essay: What is Fat Soul Philosophy?   It tells all–and offers photos and quotes from some of the FATTEST souls in the world.

I’ve also featured two other fat souls in these short commentary essays : No Tiny God: Malala in Process and Eyes that Feel: Edythe Boone and Marjorie Suchocki

It seems the Fat Soul metaphor is becoming fatter by the minute!   Be sure to check out the  commentaries by Professor Jay McDaniel that relate Fat Soul to some very interesting characters and ideas: Bears and Sugar Worlds: A Tribute to Lou Reed  and Crazier Than Hell: A Whiteheadian Appreciation of Shamanism.and Can We Direct Peoples Waking Dreams  It’s fun to see all the new dimensions of the metaphor–maybe you can help, too?– which will undoubtedly become a part of the next novel in the series.

The first two novels from the Fat Soul Philosophy Series, The Metaphor Maker and Fat Soul Fridays are both available now in Paperback and Kindle Editions.  Special thanks to Bruce Epperly, Nancy Gregory, Christine Zalocusky, Debra  Jones, and  Lenni Lissberger for their generous reviews of Fat Soul Fridays.   Hoping to see more reviews on Amazon and Goodreads in the near future.

Hope to see you on my author’s page on facebook too!

Peace, Patricia