An enlightening, gorgeous guidebook to an ancient faith.
A psychotherapist introduces readers to the fundamentals of Zoroastrianism in this nonfiction work.
The difference between humans and other living creatures, says Moterassed, is that humanity has “the choice to decide for themselves what to do and where to go.” Fundamentally, in other words, humans have the unique ability to choose to do either good or bad. In this introductory primer on the ancient teachings of Zoroastrianism, the author emphasizes the religion’s underlying philosophy: “good thoughts, good works, and good deeds.” It first begins with a chapter-long exploration of the definition of goodness and notes that ethics sometimes differ across religions (particularly on sexuality) and that modern notions often conflate good living with materialism and social hierarchies. Ancient Persian prophet Zarathustra, however, equated goodness with wisdom and “consciousness (pure mind) in a person’s life.” While careful not to denounce other faith traditions—extoling, for instance, the values and morals of Jews, Christians, and Muslims—Moterassed stresses that Zoroastrianism is “not about following a rigid set of rules.” Zarathustra’s emphasis, alternately, lies on “awareness, authenticity, and spontaneity,” giving his followers a formula that empowers them to make good choices in various situations. The book also highlights the universalism of Zoroastrianism, claiming that Jesus, Buddha, and Lao Tzu didn’t need religious codes; they too had awakened to their innate consciousness guided by love. A psychotherapist who has taught meditation courses for more than 30 years, Moterassed is particularly adept at making one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions applicable to a modern audience. Comprising three short chapters, and coming in at just under 70 pages, this is an accessible book that doesn’t overwhelm readers with complex theological analysis. Instead, it carefully balances its survey of Zoroastrianism with an engaging writing style and pragmatic advice. Accompanying the text is a glossary of Avestan phrases still used by Zoroastrians, as well as ample full-color, high-resolution illustrations, charts, and images.
An enlightening, gorgeous guidebook to an ancient faith.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 24, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought.
All right, all right, all right: The affable, laconic actor delivers a combination of memoir and self-help book.
“This is an approach book,” writes McConaughey, adding that it contains “philosophies that can be objectively understood, and if you choose, subjectively adopted, by either changing your reality, or changing how you see it. This is a playbook, based on adventures in my life.” Some of those philosophies come in the form of apothegms: “When you can design your own weather, blow in the breeze”; “Simplify, focus, conserve to liberate.” Others come in the form of sometimes rambling stories that never take the shortest route from point A to point B, as when he recounts a dream-spurred, challenging visit to the Malian musician Ali Farka Touré, who offered a significant lesson in how disagreement can be expressed politely and without rancor. Fans of McConaughey will enjoy his memories—which line up squarely with other accounts in Melissa Maerz’s recent oral history, Alright, Alright, Alright—of his debut in Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, to which he contributed not just that signature phrase, but also a kind of too-cool-for-school hipness that dissolves a bit upon realizing that he’s an older guy on the prowl for teenage girls. McConaughey’s prep to settle into the role of Wooderson involved inhabiting the mind of a dude who digs cars, rock ’n’ roll, and “chicks,” and he ran with it, reminding readers that the film originally had only three scripted scenes for his character. The lesson: “Do one thing well, then another. Once, then once more.” It’s clear that the author is a thoughtful man, even an intellectual of sorts, though without the earnestness of Ethan Hawke or James Franco. Though some of the sentiments are greeting card–ish, this book is entertaining and full of good lessons.
A conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought.Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-13913-4
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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