Sometimes my music background just won’t sit still and be quiet.  I find myself writing more and more about the power of music these days.

For all of you classical music lovers, I have written a new essay just for you. It’s called Beauty Can Save Us: Mozart and Whitehead.    I talk about Mozart’s last symphony and what it tells us about hope and possibility in a world of tragedy and suffering.  I also talk about how Mozart is a metaphor for Whitehead’s idea of Beauty and God. Two big revolutionaries in one small essay. ( I had to drink several pots of tea while writing!)

But if you’re more in the mood for the Beatles, I hope you’ll enjoy my essay Lennon and McCartney: Magic and Metaphysics.    Or if Jazz is more your thing, check out  Dave Brubeck: Theology in 5/4 time.

Returning to classical music, I also give you The Whole Planet in a Single Note: Lang Lang, my favorite pianist who has a unique vision for saving the world through music and children. Yes, Beauty can save us.

Be sure to check out all the new essays  on Jesus, Jazz, and Buddhism: Process Thinking for a More Hospitable World.  A new topic daily, like food for the soul.  Jay McDaniel has created a revolutionary on-line magazine with a many themes and variations.

May your holiday be filled with music–classical, sacred, rock, jazz–whatever your cup of tea!

Patricia

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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

 

 

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

Finally  . . .

FAT SOUL PHILOSOPHY NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AS WELL AS KINDLE.

What is it about, anyway?

A young, endearing gay man , struggling with past trauma, searches for  the meaning of happiness–and a legal marriage to his partner.   A retired philosopher yearns for children she never had.  A man of years is haunted by fears of dying. A single, idealistic pastor needs help on the romantic front.    A one-eyed, tattered-eared cat seeks love—and a little respect would be nice, too. This is a tall order for Fat Soul Philosophy as it inspires each character toward the true meaning of happiness in a big, scary, mixed up world—one that desperately needs what process theologian Bernard Loomer calls S-I-Z-E!

Here’s what some are saying about Fat Soul Fridays (excerpts from recent Amazon Reviews of the kindle edition):

“A heartwarming marriage of fiction and philosophy . . . .I laughed, I cried, and I learned!” Christine Zalocusky, Illinois

“Patricia has the wonderful talent of weaving all religions, philosophies, lifestyles, personalities, countries (even our beloved Ecuador), etc. into great books.” Nancy Gregory, Cuenca, Ecuador

“Patricia Adams Farmer’s Fat Soul Fridays sings! It’s about beauty and largeness of soul and inspires the reader to look for beauty in commonplace activities and seek a spiritual largeness to embrace the wondrous complexity of life.”” The Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly, Massachusetts.

“This is my third book by Patricia Adams Farmer Can’t wait for the next book!” Debra Jones, Oklahoma

I SO appreciate my readers!  And every review helps other readers, too.  So thank you.

What else is happening?   Look for a new tenth anniversary edition of Embracing A Beautiful God coming this fall!