Travel Archives - Madhu Bazaz Wangu
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Travel

Day 309, Saturday, November 9, 2024

Reflections Good morning friends! Do you know of a friend or an event that relates nature and people? Someone you know who lives in the mountains, near a river or in the woods? If not perhaps today's post inspires you to write a short story about it. Inspiration Natural landscape can absorb you in its majesty, shake you up with its exquisite beauty, and spew you out transformed. This has happened to me over and over again in U.S. National Parks. Many individuals report feeling connected to the sacred through nature. Were you aware that regions with higher levels of natural amenities have lower rates of adherence to religious organizations? Mountains, hills, lakes, beaches, coastlines, forests, and pleasant weather all contribute to the powerful spiritual effects on people’s behavior who live close by. Spiritual relates to...

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Day 308, Friday, November 8, 2024

Reflections The photos included in this post are also featured on the cover of my book, "Images of Indian Goddesses." Such images had triggered the strong emotions while I was researching and writing my doctoral dissertation. I held them in my heart-mind for years. And then when I finally stood mesmerized in front of them all my emotions poured out. INSPIRATIONKali in Himachal While driving in the lower Himalayan Mountains with my husband, we viewed the River Bias as its flow shimmered in the deep valley. The intention of our trip in the state of Himachal Pradesh was to photograph the images of the Indian goddess Kali enshrined in the locally well-known temple. I had seen goddess photos in art history books, describing such local temples, and this one had attracted my...

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Day 307, Thursday, November 7, 2024

Reflections Magnificence of nature and magnificent art, music, dance-drama performances turn me speechless. Words lose their meaning. Coming from a writer, this is a significant declaration. In silence, my eyes well, heart hurts (in a good way) and my ego self dissipates. I merge into what I'm beholding as the matter turns into spirit. The object can be as small as a flower or a bonsai arrangement. Or as marvelous as Michelangelo's David. Inspiration A photograph of a great work of art is the mere memory of the original. In no way can it have the same impact as an in-person encounter. I experienced this when we visited the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy. I had seen the reproductions of Michelangelo’s marble statue of David, but was clueless about how I would...

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THE BLACKENED MIRROR-A SHORT STORY

CHANCE MEETINGS: Selected Review Excerpts:Chance Meetings . . . encourages deep thought and arouse the spirit to examine the beauty and harshness of the human condition. Wangu's gift for sensory detail and her lyrical prose take the reader on a cross-cultural journey. . . (Rosemary Hanrahan MD, MPH, Author and Life Coach) In Chance Meetings, an eloquent collection of stories, Dr. Wangu weaves a rich tapestry of the human condition with the strong, clear language of myths. Whether it's a tale of an impoverished orphan in India with no family or friends to turn to in a desperate moment, or an elderly American woman imprisoned within the walls of illiteracy, each story hangs like a bead on a japa mala - for the reader to touch and be touched by the...

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FIVE-STAR REVIEW: UNBLOCK YOUR CREATIVE FLOW

LOOK WHAT I RECEIVED TODAY! Reader's Favorite 5-star review! Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite Author Madhu Bazaz Wangu, Ph.D., offers a systematic 365-day program in her self-help book Unblock Your Creative Flow: 12 Months of Mindfulness for Writers and Artists. The book aims to increase the creativity and productivity of those in the fields of writing and art. In order to help people reach and maximize their full creative potential. . . This all-encompassing strategy takes into account a person's bodily, mental, and spiritual needs to enable intentional and meaningful living. “An inner journey like this that you have chosen to walk upon demands commitment,” says Dr. Madhu Bazaz Wangu, but I can assure you that Unblock Your Creative Flow rarely feels like a book of self-help chores. Yes, commitment is essential...

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With a Buddhist Monk, Kyoto, Japan

On a Mindful Path

On a Mindful Path (Cont.)I decided to add nonverbal activities to my braided practice of journalism, meditation and deep reading. The daily practice of the four disciplines, with a nonverbal activity such as a walk, strengthened my writer’s voice. I felt more grounded and in the process was more attentive to what was going on around me.  I was attentive to the things and people that enhanced my days. Gradually and carefully I stopped doing things that seemed unimportant and distanced myself from the people who I thought kept me away from making progress on my mindful journey.  In time, I realized that I had awakened a voice within that I did not know had always been there. It was similar to a personal consultant who knew me more than I knew...

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Fearless Kumud

Sometimes don't you want to scream, "Enough is enough?" And then something worse happens! How do you feel? What do you do? Read and find out how Kumud felt and what she did out of extreme desperation. Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/mr24djxyRakuten Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/2p8yt732Smashwords: https://tinyurl.com/2p8aj9td ...

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Available Now!!!

Available Now!

Happy and Healthy Earth Day to All!What an auspicious day to release my new publication, UNBLOCK YOUR CREATIVE FLOW: 12 MONTHS OF MINDFULNESS FOR WRITERS AND ARTISTS! Please follow one of the following links for getting your print and iBook from:  Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/mr24djxyRakuten Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/2p8yt732Smashwords: https://tinyurl.com/2p8aj9tdBookBub: https://tinyurl.com/yc22mu9xMy website: www.MadhuBazazWangu.comApple Books  If you have already ordered it at Amazon please cancel your pre-sale order. I apologize for any inconvenience it may cause." ...

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Cover Reveal and Pre-order

RELEASE DATE! APRIL 22!!

Unblock Your Creative Flow: 12 Months of Mindfulness for Writers and Artists. RELEASE DAY--April 22. Only a week left! You may buy the book from any of the following outlets: Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/mr24djxy Rakuten Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/2p8yt732 Smashwords: https://tinyurl.com/2p8aj9td BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/yc22mu9x And don't miss what the reviewers are saying about UNBLOCK YOUR CREATIVE FLOW! Excerpts from Readers’ Reviews on Goodreads: https://rb.gy/lluw8 "An absolute must . . . The best technical guide on the craft of writing or artistic techniques. Madhu delivers an enlightening, engaging, and achievable practice . . . each day delivers gems of wisdom wrapped in gorgeous prose . . . give yourself the gift of Unblock Your Creative Flow and witness the wondrous things it will guide you to achieve." "UNBLOCK YOUR CREATIVE FLOW . . . should be on every artist’s shelf—a truly comprehensive guide." "Takes on...

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