LONGING, SUFFERING & THE LIVING
What's in my ears?
What's a decade without a rivalry between two bands? The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones is well known, in the 90s we had Blur vs Oasis. I really like Blur. There is resistance there, art. There are new things that appear in the songs, and it is well played. For a musician, it is music that develops the mind.
Although Blur also have simple happy tunes, it is Oasis who joins the party. There's something rough about the working-class guys in Manchester who drag one in. These who swear by an all-weather jacket no matter how hot it is on stage or in the TV studio. This is something other than art school students from London, with the Mods look. Oasis seems kind of, what shall we say, real?
It is easy to say what it is not. It is not great art. These are not songs that leave you pondering the lyric or the well-played solo or the spice. Here we have dancing, guitars full of distortion, screaming and only pentatonic scales in the guitar solos. But it is well played. There is intuition behind the arrangements. It is smartly and honestly done.
Be Here Now is Oasis' third full-length album. It was recorded in several different studios under rather chaotic conditions. The record bears some traces of megalomaniac madness, intoxication and a lack of direction. Some tracks have up to thirty guitars. Probably a thought to make the sound image bold, but ends up messing it up. Of course, everyone around with technical insight knew this, but who says no to Noel? I thought so!
The result bears the stamp of a too massive soundstage, where bass and drums in particular suffer. It's a wall of guitars, through which Liam's voice struggles to penetrate. But the songs! Noel can still write like no one else in this day and age.
I remember exactly where I was standing when I heard the first single D'You Know What I Mean?. In the kitchen of the large, old house on Jæren, the latest song from Oasis blared from the radio. I had read good reviews in the newspapers, so my expectations were high, and they were met. Feedback guitars, backward vocals, helicopter, morse sounds, wah guitars, distorted drums, acoustic guitar, noise, and then slipping into the first verse with lovely overtones on the guitar. And as always, cool choruses. This fluctuated and is still fluctuating. I went straight to the nearest record shop and bought the CD.
For the next few weeks, Be Here Now played constantly on the discman. I would often skip D'You Know to get to the wonderful My Big Mouth. A fat riff and Liam singing as if he's never been to heaven or talked to God. It is on this song that thirty guitars have been recorded, and you can hear it.
Magic Pie pulls it all down, thank goodness. For a while anyway. Starts with nice electric piano and great guitar with touchy echo. Then comes the distorted guitars and big drum sound. Here, they have driven the mixing desk hard, the drums also wring well. Noel sings a cool song, but a bit anonymous.
The next single Stand By Me is a classic Oasis song. Slightly sad verse and big chorus where strings double the guitar. It sounds great and nice, a little boring, but the verses, I love the verses. And don't you think there will be lovely background vocals on top. Yes! I also often skip this to get to…
I Hope, I Think, I Know. Straight forward rock, can even hear the tambourine back there. Typical nice, open Noel chords. Driving drums made this tune nice to listen to when biking on long, rugged bike paths, with the smell of shit right in your face. Good times!
The Girl In The Dirty Skirt has an immediate Britpop sound with its seven chords on the guitars. This is a kind of hidden ballad here, both with regard to the text, which is of course about a relationship with a woman "You've got a feeling got a feeling lost inside you, just won't let you and". This slightly sad chorus then turns into a really happy break with slide guitar and stuff. Lovely background vocals here too, which come exactly in the right places. Here it is clear that hundreds of concerts have done the job of understanding when it is time to lift the songs a bit. Lovely bluesy ending, which reminds me of something The Beatles could do, a good decision to let Mikey Rowe go mad on the electric piano. Incidentally, Mikey still plays with Noel in his High Flying Birds.
Then we come to the often magical song around the middle, Fade In-Out. This is a different song in the record's context and a completely right touch of rest so far into the record. The song starts with a wonderful informal atmosphere, coughing, chattering "let's go", nice bluesy guitars, beautiful acoustic guitar, cool strumming on the electric guitar, before Liam enters with confidence in his voice "Get on the rollercoaster, the fair's in a today, you grotta be bad enough to beat the brave", it hardly gets any better. The rasp in Liam's voice is cooler than ever. The drums creep in, bongo drums reminiscent of Rolling Stone's Sympathy For The Devil. Here there is a perfect balance between the instruments. Then it comes, the scream, and onto the stage strolls a confident Johnny Depp and plays a hellish slide guitar solo, while the band grooves like a storm behind. The song wiggles out with chorus - verse - chorus, while Johnny plays off several cool slide licks. The end shows an experimental direction, with pling-plong sounds we know from Blur and Radiohead, before Noel brutally ends the song with a fuzz lick. Many of the songs on this record are far too long, but the fact that this one clocks in at around seven minutes feels just right. If only Oasis could have allowed themselves to explore this more experimental side, I think the story could have been different.
We're going on to a real pusher, as they say in Sweden. Don´t Go Away is a big love song, but a really good love song. The cliché-filled rhymes are in abundanse just listen to this "Don´t go away, say what you say, say that you´ll stay, forever and a day". Sure. Lovely open soundscape with beautiful, beautiful strings and lovely tremolo guitar, makes us forgive the lyrics filled with clichés. This is simply a beautiful love song. And you guys, we get French horns at the end. The song takes its time to end in a simple and calm way, with tambourine and acoustic guitar. The typical Noel ninth tone. This is something we don't see much of in popular music today. There is almost no intro or outro anymore, fast into the hook and fast out. I think this is harmful for popular music as an expression of art in the long term.
Oh yeah!! Be Here Now starts with a cool electronic beat, which is followed by a fat guitar riff, Liam joins in and the vocal lines are imitated by something similar to a flute. This is so groovy and not least playful. This is not the self-celebrating Oasis, but a band that invites you to party. Cool vocal response between Noel and Liam. It was this or working in a factory, of course you would rather do this. And there, there comes the boogie riff. Come on, this is pure fun! Also rounded off with drain sounds, to emphasize that here we are not proud of ourselves, right...
All Around The World starts nice, builds up, nice vocal lines. There we got the classic Liam's "Make me shiiiiine", some nice blue tones lift the second verse from the first. Then it's all messed up with endless guitar solos and over-orchestration. To my ears, it gets boring, and after three minutes I skip ahead.
To my, perhaps, favorite song on this record, It´s Gettin Better (Man!!). Here is a party for everyone! Tambourine, lots of fat, twisted boogie guitars before the snare drum knocks it all in and Liam proclaims: "Say something, shout it from the roof tops off your head. Make it sort of mean something, make me understand or I'll forget". Lovely background vocals from Noel on the second verse and further into the pre-chorus. It's nice to get such an uptempo song towards the end of the record. Cool guitar solo with wah and drums that unleash the tams, and create space. Very cool transition from the solo/break to the last chorus. The outro is of course long, but there is shouting and cheering, so there is time to take a sip of beer between the jumping to the beat. Of course we get more guitar solos, almost in Neil Young style.
All Around The World (Reprise) gets to end the album. Fair enough, but there is a bit of a desperate Beatles wannabe about this one. It would have been cooler to end with the previous song.
We love this gang from the working class in Manchester, we love the sing-along, we love the all-weather jackets (I think it was Bergan's?), we love that Oasis offers parties and fun, we love that it's done for real and we love the sense of purpose. It was this or the factory job, we recognize that from several other British bands.
Be Here Now was the last record with the original line-up (ok, new drummer on What's The Story...). Bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and rhythm guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs quit after this album. Family demands, exhaustion, other dreams or just fed up with the Gallaghers, who knows why they quit. In any case, the fact is that it was these two who started the band, which was then called The Rain, and that the band was eventually taken over by the Gallagher brothers.
After Be Here Now came the album The Masterplan. This is a collection of b-sides and is exceptionally strong. There are lots of goodies here. Later I lost interest in the band. However, these first three stand strong. Oasis has over twenty million monthly listeners on Spotify, over twice as many as Blur, which says something about how strong the band is standing almost fifteen years after they disbanded.
The Gallagher brothers have not spoken to each other since 2009. The history of the band is really sad stuff. I think we will see a comeback, a tour where the original line-up plays the good old songs. The money tempts.
I'll be there, but I hope for God's sake they don't make another album!
/Sindre
What's in my ears?
Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory? - Vinyl Reissue Remastered
Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you, is as sure a winner at a party as it is a sure ticket out of the exclusive, music-dogmatic and judgmental music critics' company. Having said that, the elegant indie artist Ryan Adams (Hero) has made a fabulous version of Wonderwall, which at the time of writing has been streamed over a hundred million times. More than twice as much as his own super famous song When the stars go blue.
A good song is a good song, but even good songs can get boring. Although I was blown away by Definitely Maybe, I didn't run to the record store and buy (What's the Story)Morning Glory? when it was released. I had simply heard Wonderwall too much on the radio, and was sick of the whole band for a while. I think I listened mostly to Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which was released later in October 1995, and the Norwegian band Seigmen's Metropolis also released the same month. What a month of music!!
A year later I bought (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. Of course, I had heard several of the songs here and there, but hearing the whole album in its entirety was still an experience.
The whole party is kicked off with lovely Hello, brimming with self-confidence. It's good to be back, a shameless proposal to the followers. Then we're straight into Roll With It. You gotta say what you say, don't let anybody get in your way, continues the youthful drive. It's no wonder you get excited about this!
It's all calmed down with Wonderwall, which I often skipped when listening to the record while doing homework. We had heard enough of this before. On Don't Look Back In Anger maybe Noel is trying to say something deep, I don't know. He does not succeed. The text is charmingly messy. It takes up the fact that you can start a revolution from your bed, just by sitting on the bed and writing songs! And who is Sally? But it’s a great song. This has almost become one of Manchester's many national anthems.
Hey Now!" is a small resting reef. A cool song with some great melody lines here and there. We may need a little break after such a massive hit parade at the start of the record. The Swamp Song is an instrumental piece, guess it's an excerpt from a jam, with harmonica. Used a lot live. Bonehead's Bank Holiday is a playful and nice feature. Originally released as a bonus track, but included on this new release on vinyl.
Now let's put on vinyl record number two. Lower the pin and out comes the legendary Some Might Say, a drone of a party song. Beautiful background vokals. The text is simple and I interpret it as giving a shit about what others think, doing your thing. Can't disagree with that, Noel, at least not now that the years have gone by.
Here the previous drummer Tony McCarroll plays drums. He has even got a picture of himself inside the cover. I think he was fired by Noel due to lack of technical skills, after pressure from producers and record company. Alan White handles the drums on the rest of the album. He joined for a few years, but the swaggering life with Liam eventually took its toll on a, still young, drummer.
The vinyl spins on to Cast No Shadow. A lovely ballad where Noel actually succeeds in being somewhat deep, As they took his soul they stole his pride, is a bit deep, isn't it? As on the previous song, we have magical background vokals here too. There is often something insanely beautiful about siblings singing together.
I always liked She's Electric. A lovely, soft song about an exciting girl and her eccentric familiy. The chords creates a wonderful British sound and the song glides along easily without becoming a filler.
We turn the vinyl over and are served what must be the last dish of the main course. Morning Glory is a mammoth. I heard a live recording of this from Roskilde, before the album was released. It must have been massive to hear such a good song after the debut and imagine what's coming next!
It is the songs, the chords and the melodies, which are Noel's great strength. The text is again simple. Wake up with morning glory, try to wake up to your favorite song and dream. It’s the language of the youth. But the song, the song, it stands the time!
After another listen to the swamp song, the party ends with Champagne Supernova. A seven-minute sing-along ballad. The boys are sworn football fans (City) and know what it takes to make a good sing-along.
Like their great heroes, the Beatles, Oasis also have a surplus of good songs in this period. Many were later released on The Masterplan. One of the best is the live monster Acquiesce. Again about dreams and making things happen. This is an insanely catchy song where Liam sings the verses and Noel takes over the chorus with the lyrics Because we need each other, we believe in one another.
Almost a little touching considering the later history between the brothers.
/Sindre
What's in my ears?
Oasis - Definitely Maybe - Vinyl Reissue Remastered
As mentioned, I have finally set up the vinyl player in the large living room. The room dedicated to music, writing and books, and which occasionally doubles as a bedroom. High under the ceiling and with the sofa centrally located in the room, it becomes a perfect spot for listening to music.
With the record player in place, I have started buying vinyl again. I live just outside Strömstad in Sweden, and here we actually have a small music shop, the legendary Rämjes. The selection of vinyl is large in relation to the space. One day when I had been to the library and borrowed the next supply of Knausgård books, they have a nice little section of Norwegian books, I popped into Rämjes to see if they had anything interesting.
There was a lot I wanted to buy, but this time I ended up with the first three albums from Oasis. A lot can be said about this band, but for me these three albums stand firmly in my musical formation. That's why I'm going to make three blog posts about each of these releases.
The first time I heard Oasis was at my cousin's house in Stavanger. I lived on the countryside, Jæren, and had limited access to new impulses. My friend at Bryne Gymnasium, Ben from Varhaug, had much knowledge about grunge, so I had bought myself a good deal on the grunge CDs. Otherwise it was mostly U2, Pink Floyd and REM.
The first song I heard by Oasis was "Whatever", which is a single not released on any album. There was something about the sound, the vocals and the simple structure that caught me immediately. It wasn't long before I went to buy their first album "Definitely Maybe" and was blown away. Cool songs, cool vocals, cool cover, wall of guitars and a fantastic drive.
Therefore, this first blog post will be about this album.
A little about Oasis
Oasis was a British rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. The band consisted of the following members:
Liam Gallagher - Vocals
Noel Gallagher - Guitar and vocals
Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs - Guitar
Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan - Bass
Tony McCarroll - Drums (Tony was later replaced by Alan White)
Oasis was one of the most influential and popular bands of the 1990s and was often compared to The Beatles due to their melodic rock sound and lyrics that often centered on everyday themes. The band was known for its tough image, the sibling rivalry between Liam and Noel Gallagher, and their major hits, including "Wonderwall," "Don't Look Back in Anger," "Champagne Supernova," and "Live Forever."
Noel Gallagher was the primary songwriter in the band and was responsible for many of their most well-known songs. Oasis was famous for its controversial and often humorous behavior in the media and was part of the "Britpop" movement alongside bands like Blur, Pulp, and Suede.
While Oasis enjoyed great success in the 1990s, they also experienced internal conflicts and tensions among the band members, particularly between the brothers Liam and Noel. This led to multiple breakups and reunions before the band eventually disbanded in 2009. Noel Gallagher went on to form his own band, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, while Liam Gallagher started his solo project.
Oasis has had a lasting impact on rock music, and their songs continue to be beloved by fans around the world. They are considered one of the most significant British rock bands of modern times.
Definitely Maybe
"Definitely Maybe" is the debut album by the British rock band Oasis, released in 1994. This album played a crucial role in revitalizing British rock music in the mid-1990s and established Oasis as one of the most influential bands of that era.
Tracklist:
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Shakermaker
Live Forever
Up in the Sky
Columbia
Supersonic
Bring It on Down
Cigarettes & Alcohol
Digsy's Dinner
Slide Away
Married with Children
"Definitely Maybe" is an album that hits you like an explosion of energy and arrogance. Oasis had grand ambitions from the outset, and this album is an expressive manifestation of their confidence. The album opens with "Rock 'n' Roll Star," an anthem that immediately sets the tone for the entire experience. The song speaks of the dream of being a rock star, and that's precisely what Oasis achieved with this album.
The songs on "Definitely Maybe" are filled with attitude and timeless rock 'n' roll. "Live Forever" is a heart-wrenching ballad that continues to be considered one of the band's career highlights. Other tracks like "Supersonic" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol" are pure rock anthems that capture the raw energy and frustration of youth at the time.
Noel Gallagher, the band's primary songwriter, penned lyrics that are a mix of self-assuredness and vulnerable moments. He wasn't known for being deeply philosophical, but his lyrics were honest and relatable, making it easy for people to connect with them.
The album is not without its flaws, and some critics have pointed out that the lyrics can sometimes be simple and repetitive. However, it's this simplicity that made Oasis so accessible and popular.
"Definitely Maybe" is an album that not only defines an era but also a generation. It helped to revive British rock music and inspired countless bands that came after them. The album is a timeless classic that continues to be cherished by fans and music experts worldwide.
In summary, "Definitely Maybe" is an album that combines exceptional musical talent with a rare attitude. It's an essential album for any rock music lover and proves that Oasis was and remains one of the most influential British rock bands of all time.
/Sindre
What am I reading?
Fun fact. I was a bit eager when I ordered this book on Amazon. Mostly, I'm happy with the paperback version of books, so I ordered it. When I received the book it was only a thin booklet. Something had to be wrong. The title was correct, but the author's name was Rick Rudin. I had been too much in a hurry. I was going on a cabin trip and had been looking forward to reading this book at the cabin. On to Amazon and order the correct version, which fortunately arrived before I left.
Rick Rubin is one of my heroes. best known as a music producer, he is also much more. He was born on March 10, 1963, in Long Beach, New York. Rubin has played a pivotal role in shaping the music industry and has been associated with many iconic artists and albums across various genres, including hip-hop, rock, and pop.
Here are some key highlights of Rick Rubin's career
Co-Founder of Def Jam Recordings
In the 1980s, Rick Rubin co-founded Def Jam Recordings with Russell Simmons. Def Jam became a powerhouse in the hip-hop and rap music scene, signing artists like Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Beastie Boys.
Rick Rubin is known for his production work on numerous classic albums
Some of his notable productions include:
Beastie Boys' "Licensed to Ill"
Run-D.M.C.'s self-titled album
Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" series
Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"
Slayer's "Reign in Blood"
Jay-Z's "99 Problems" (from "The Black Album")
Diverse Range
Rubin's production style is marked by an ability to work across a wide range of genres. He has produced records for artists as varied as Adele, Metallica, Shakira, and System of a Down.
Shaping the "Unplugged" Series
He was the co-creator of MTV's "Unplugged" series, which featured live acoustic performances by artists. This series became famous for intimate and stripped-down renditions of songs.
Spiritual Pursuits
In addition to his music career, Rick Rubin has been involved in meditation and spirituality. He has founded the record label American Recordings and has explored various spiritual practices, including Buddhism.
Rick Rubin's impact on the music industry is profound, and he continues to be a highly respected figure in the world of music production and innovation. His ability to bring out the best in artists and his dedication to pushing creative boundaries have left an indelible mark on the music landscape.
What about the book then? Is it any good?
The short answer is of course YES. Is it revolutionary? Well.
The first thing that struck me when I received the book was a feeling of exclusivity. Something not least the inclusion of a bookmark shows. The paper is quite thick. Exclusivity is nice, but it can also give the impression that the book is mostly merch for the fans, the disciples.
Although I look up to Rubin, I bought the book primarily to learn something.
A simple cover that hints at yin and yang and the eternal round dance. The reincarnation. The sun. Macrocosmos and microcosmos. Already, I sense that Rick has not written a dry book.
The title suggests a lifestyle, a way of being. I quickly leaf through the book and can see that there is plenty of space here, lots of paper, even note sheets at the far back.
The book starts with a quote by Robert Henri
"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable".
Beautiful.
We understand that this book is not just about conveying music production. It is about something more than that, something much more. It is about the living life.
I turn the page. The table of contents reveals a rich content. This is a reference book.
Here we have chapters such as, The Unseen, Nature as Teacher, Self-Doubt, Patience, Success, Tuning Out(Undermining Voices), Openness, The Energy(In the Work) and Why Make Art?
The chapters confirm that we are dealing with a book that will show a way of living.
A living life that produces art constantly. In one form or another.
New blank page on the left and on the right a page with a small circle without fill. He's not in a hurry Rick, and that's a good thing. My life could use more of this spirit.
New blank page and then follows the introduction, which almost becomes a statement.
Nothing in this book
Is known to be true.
It's a reflection on what I've noticed
Not facts so much as thoughts.
Some ideas may resonate,
Others may not.
A few may awaken an inner knowing
You forgot you had.
Use what's helpful.
Let go of the rest.
Each of these moments
Is an invitation
Two further inquiries:
Looking deeper,
Zooming out, or in.
Opening possibilities
For a new way of being.
This book makes something eternal, clear. Something we have forgotten, and which we can see in art. Here there is no good or bad, winners or losers, champion or amateur, here there are only living participants in this project we call life.
Read the book. Why? Just read it!
/Sindre
What's in my ears?
"The Cardigans - Long Gone Before Daylight"
The weekend before Easter in 2003, I got into the band car to drive from Halden to Trondheim and celebrate Easter with the family there. The car stereo was far better than the car itself, but the old VW Caddy started fine. With me on the journey I had the latest CD of the Swedish band The Cardigans, Long Gone Before Daylight.
I really had no expectations for this album. It had been a long time since I had listened to its predecessor, Gran Turismo. It is characterized by an electronic soundscape and has bangers such as Erase/Rewind, My Favorite Game and the lovely Higher.
The sun was shining and I put the CD in the player. Out of the speakers came the most beautiful and well-produced music I had heard in a long time. Beautiful and well-composed Communication filled the car, I immediately got goosebumps. I played the record over and over during the eight hours it took to drive. The songs on this album still remind me of the view on highway three through Østerdalen. To my ears, there are no bad songs on this record.
I always visited Platekompaniet(a national record store) in Trondheim on my trips to Trondheim. This trip was no exception. At this time, the CD ruled and the vinyl renaissance was only in its infancy. Platekompaniet still had a box of vinyl that I always leafed through. And there I found the album I had been listening to in the car all the way up here. Immediately a discussion started in my head, to buy or not to buy. The vinyl cost quite a bit, and at the time I had barely entered working life, so it would make a decent dent in the finances. Besides, I didn't have a record player yet.
I left without vinyl, and already regretted it in the car on the way home, when of course I also listened to the same CD. Then 20 years passed. My wife came home from training and put on this album from Spotify. I had completely forgotten how good it is, how inspiring it is and how useful it is to listen to the production. Also, I remembered that I didn't buy the vinyl. Off to Amazon and to see if it was possible to order. It was1 Now I have finally heard one of my favourite albums, on my favourite medium, in the listening room, which is finally ready.
The Cardigans are known for their ability to create melodious pop music with profound lyrics, and their 2003 album Long Gone Before Daylight is no exception. However, this album sets itself apart from the band's earlier works by taking a more subdued and introspective approach to the music.
The album opens with Communication, a song that immediately sets the tone for the entire album with its gentle acoustic guitar and Nina Persson's distinctive voice. The lyrics revolve around communication, or the lack thereof, in interpersonal relationships, and this theme permeates the entire album.
One of the highlights of the album is You're the Storm, a beautiful and emotionally charged song that explores the themes of love and emotional turbulence. Nina Persson's voice truly shines here, and the arrangement of instruments gives the song an almost symphonic feel.
No Sleep and And Then You Kissed Me II are also notable tracks that showcase the band's ability to create atmospheric compositions that capture the intensity of the moment. These songs are perfect examples of The Cardigans' talent for blending simple instrumentals with rich and thought-provoking lyrics.
Long Gone Before Daylight is an album that demands the listener's attention. It is not a collection of easily digestible pop songs but rather a deep dive into human relationships and emotions. The musical exploration of acoustic elements gives the album a warm and organic feel that stands out in The Cardigans' discography.
While this album may not have as broad an appeal as some of the band's earlier releases, it is an artistic triumph that showcases their musical diversity and maturity. Long Gone Before Daylight is an album for those who appreciate challenging, emotionally charged pop music with deep meaning.
/Sindre
What am I reading?
Title: The Way of the Pilgrim (Pseudonym: Ivan Ivanovich)
Author: Anonymous
Rating: ★★★★☆
I got a tip about this book through the really good Swedish podcast MYTHS & MYSTERIES (Per Johansson and Eric Schüldt). This pod delves deep into various philosophical, esoteric and metaphysical topics. Long listening, but in Swedish.
The Way of the Pilgrim is a timeless classic that takes readers on a spiritual journey through the heart of Eastern Orthodox Christian mysticism. Written by an anonymous Russian author, this book recounts the experiences of an unnamed pilgrim as he embarks on a quest to understand the essence of the Jesus Prayer, also known as the "Prayer of the Heart."
The central theme of the book revolves around the power and practice of the Jesus Prayer, a simple yet profound mantra-like prayer that involves the repetition of the words "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" as a means to achieve continuous prayer and spiritual enlightenment. The pilgrim's relentless pursuit of mastering this prayer is both inspiring and thought-provoking, and it serves as the backbone of the narrative.
What makes "The Way of the Pilgrim" remarkable is its ability to convey the inner workings of the pilgrim's spiritual journey with sincerity and authenticity. The author provides an intimate look into the pilgrim's thoughts, struggles, and encounters as he travels through the Russian countryside, meeting various spiritual guides and fellow travelers. The simplicity of the prose is deceptive, as it carries a profound message about the transformative power of faith and prayer.
One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of the Russian Orthodox Christian tradition and its emphasis on the importance of the interior life. It offers valuable insights into the practice of hesychasm, a form of Christian meditation aimed at achieving divine union. The book's depiction of monastic life, humility, and the pursuit of inner stillness is both enlightening and inspiring.
While "The Way of the Pilgrim" is a spiritual classic, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. The narrative can be repetitive at times, reflecting the pilgrim's ceaseless repetition of the Jesus Prayer, and some readers might find this monotonous. However, for those interested in exploring the depths of Christian spirituality and mysticism, these repetitions serve as a valuable teaching tool and a window into the contemplative experience.
In conclusion, "The Way of the Pilgrim" is a profound and illuminating work that offers spiritual seekers valuable insights into the practice of continuous prayer and the pursuit of inner peace. It invites readers to ponder the deeper dimensions of faith and the transformative power of a sincere and focused spiritual practice. While not a quick read, this book is a treasure trove of wisdom for those on a spiritual journey and those curious about the mystical aspects of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. I highly recommend it to those who seek a deeper understanding of the contemplative life.
/Sindre
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