"Political systems take far more credit for human urges, or their lack, than is reasonable and true." This example of a potentially controversial viewpoint kicks off a new book filled with insights on topics that run the gamut of human conditions, emotions and situations by author D.B. GaNung. This superb collection of insights and awareness focus on human nature reflecting much of its complexity. The author goes on to add: "Most of life is a search for viewpoints adequate to hold our experiences and contain our insanities."
In "Tabor: The Apprentice's Book of Reflections," D.B. GaNung writes about everything from psychological development and friendship to emotions such as love, hate, ambition, jealousy, weaknesses, strengths, and everything in between. For instance, a reflection on kissing says this: "Kissing is the promise we make, first to ourselves in the desire, then in actuality to the loved one." His musings about humble work seem simple yet profound: "Humble work keeps one close to one's soul."
Of stress, a seemingly ever-present reality of life, D.B. GaNung has this to say, "Stress is natural and required - it's the number of humps we must surmount daily that can be altered or changed." Even the holidays come under scrutiny, as the author writes this about Christmas: "It came from the need long ago to brighten the darkest part of the long winter, reassuring children inexperienced with time by having something to look forward to midway through winter."
An index of topics of the book's hundreds of reflections allows readers to pick and choose topics if they so desire. Above all, the reflections provide a snapshot of what it means to be human.
"In earlier decades, people read such reflections as a catalyst to the formation of their own character," James Hollis, author and Jungian analyst, writes about the book. "Tabor returns us productively to that tradition, and to the prospect of greater thoughtfulness in the conduct of our lives."
Author D.B. GaNung spent years as a maritime chief steward, a member of the Seafarers International Union, the largest North American union representing merchant mariners who sail aboard U.S-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades. Aboard ships on long voyages has given him the time required, in the old tradition of the many old-time seagoing writers, to assemble this intriguing compilation.
For additional information, please visit www.dbganung.com
Tabor: The Appretice's Book of Reflections
D.B. GaNung
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4575-3901-5 176 pages $10.95 US
Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and fine bookstores everywhere.
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