A Smile in the Mind’s Eye: An Adventure into Zen Philosophy by Lawrence Durrell (PDF)

Description

The “virtuoso” author’s memoir of his spiritual journey with famed Taoist philosopher Jolan Chang (The New York Times). Beginning with their first meeting over lunch at Lawrence Durrell’s Provencal home, Durrell and Jolan Chang—renowned Taoist philosopher and expert on Eastern sexuality—developed an enduring relationship based on mutual spiritual exploration. Durrell’s autobiographical rumination on their friendship and on Taoism recounts the author’s existential ponderings, starting with his introduction to the mystical and enigmatic “smile in the mind’s eye.” From parsimony, cooking, and yoga to poetry, Petrarch, and Nietzche, A Smile in the Mind’s Eye is a charming tale of a writer’s spiritual and philosophical awakening.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I went in believing this to be a book about “Zen philosophy” but it is more of a zen stained travelog. That being said it’s a beautifully written book that has inspired me to read more of the authors work.

⭐The British author, Lawrence Durrell is best known for his four novels comprising “The Alexandria Quartet.” I loved the Quartet and also his four ‘landscape books’ about his pre- and post-war experiences in and around the Mediterranean: “Prospero’s Cell, “Reflections on a Marine Venus,” “Bitter Lemons,” and “Sicilian Carousel.” This 95-page “A Smile in the Mind’s Eye” was written during the latter part of his life in Provence and does not compare to the Quartet or the landscape books, but there are flashes of beauty, especially when he strays away from an exposition of Taoist philosophy and into descriptions of the Provençal landscape:”The snow was falling in great meshes and wreaths and chaplets, and the water was swirling and polishing the black cliffs as it streaked for the sea.”Much of this book concerns the author’s interactions with Jolan Chang, a Taoist philosopher and expert on Eastern sexuality. Their spiritual explorations are interesting, but I preferred to read about the mundane aspects of their philosophy, especially concerning diet:”I was cutting up leeks…and inadvertently threw out large sections of the outer leaves as I prepared them. Horrified, Chang gave a sort of little chirp – a Chinese sob – and dived down to the dustbin to recover them crying angrily: ‘You are wasting again; and you know how firm my Taoist principles are!’”In the latter part of the book, the mysterious Vega appears (named after the author’s favorite star): “She too had been a Taoist with the requisite look of melting mischief as required by the recipe of Chang.”One of the traits that endeared Vega to the author: “Every year she chose one author and read everything about him. She added that this year the lucky author was Nietzsche and she was in mid-channel.”Durrell was also fascinated by this 19th century German philosopher, and this book segues into a long non-sequitur on Nietzsche’s life and philosophy. Actually, one of the many charms of Durrell’s writing is the way he catches a fresh scent and trails off in a new direction.If you are unacquainted with Lawrence Durrell, you might want to pick up one of his landscape books or read the famous Quartet before you peruse this slender volume.

⭐I thought I had read all of Lawrence Durrell’s books and was surprised and pleased to discover this one. I am a great fan of his travel memoirs of the Greek Islands, and also of the Alexandria Quartet, but this book is a departure from any of his previous works. it is much lighter, almost casual, in the story of his acquaintance with the Zen teacher – I envy them both the discoveries of that first weekend. The discussions of the philosophy are interesting and thoughtful – I love this book and go back to it often.

⭐Delightful memoir of a long weekend spent with a true Taoist of the age, and of a visit to a Tibetan monastery in France. I enjoyed following Durrell along on his adventures.

⭐In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit up front that I am a huge Lawrence Durrell fan and think him one of the master’s of the English language and one of the most under-appreciated authors of all time. This particular book, “A Smile in the Mind’s Eye”, is a delightful adventure into Zen philosophy and Mediterranean life. Highly recommended

⭐Beautiful book, good price, prompt delivery. Thank you!

⭐a travel piece…. schlock…. hack writing… boring… a total waste of time… this poet…. made aliving selling his sub-blog quality writing….

⭐Très satisfaite de ce petit livre, un essai de l’écrivain Lawrence Durrell que je lis présentement. Je connaissais l’oeuvre de cet écrivain mais j’ignorais qu’il avait publié un essai sur le Tao. C’est très bien.One of the best books I have ever read

⭐インドで生まれ、終生故国イギリスになじもうとしなかったコスモポリタンのダレルが、アジアには縁がなかったように見えて、その詩の「漂泊」に心を惹かれるところには日本の詩歌と似たところがあります。本書はそんなダレルの中国文学への接近の様子を語って余りあるものです。

⭐

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