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Rating: 
Summary: Hagiography In Progress
Review: I found this book a little disturbing. I love Robert Lax's poetry, his way of looking at life, his calm--all of the things that Steve T. Georgiou attempts to capture for us in this book. On the other hand, Bob Lax would be the last person to opt for sainthood. He was far too modest--far too intelligent--far too understanding of human nature--and far too much of an artist and creator to allow himself to be painted into such a corner unless he were indulging someone he truly liked. That's what this book appears to be--Lax indulging his young friend. The questions that Georgiou plys Lax with are well-meaning, but rather simple minded and one-dimensional. He seems intent on the business of portraying Lax as sage and holy man--even down to the manner of the cutting of his vegetables and the eating of his yogurt, and he doesn't let up. Although it would be interesting to hear the tapes from which these interviews were taken, it's obvious that Lax is playing along, and in several cases suggesting just the opposite interpretation that Georgiou seems almost desperate to make. The end result is a two-dimensional portrait of Robert Lax that does not do justice to the man or the artist. In addition, Georgiou adds a few Lax-based dreams and miracles into the narrative, which moves this book into the category of "New Age" writing, in my opinion. On the other hand, there are a few good points about the book. Lax discusses some of his influences and drops a memorable line or two. For that reason alone this book should find a place on the shelves of anyone at all interested in this fascinating poet. My hope is that a real study of the man and the work will be written in the near future.
Rating: 
Summary: Spirit lessons from Patmos
Review: The author has written a fine book about Robert Lax and about most of the issues that come up in discussions of the spiritual life. Lax, who passed away in 2000, was an elderly hermit-poet who lived on the island of Patmos in Greece. The author is an artist-theologian, a California type who finds in Lax a kindred spirit with whom he spends many hours. In the first chapter we find out much about Lax's early life, his education, and how he came to Patmos, where he spent the last 35 years of his life. This is followed by two chapters that give the essence of Lax's philosophy of art. Here we learn how he developed his own minimalist style. The next chapter is more directly devoted to the spiritual life, and here the central element is, as it should be, love, which includes our relation to transcendence (God) and also the way we treat each other. In their conversations Lax and Georgiou return frequently to the idea of love. They both believe strongly in it. The book is well written and it is an enjoyable read. Definitely recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: The Way of the Dreamcatcher
Review: The Way of the Dreamcatcher is deceptively easy to read - it flows and it is very easy to go with the flow. And going with the flow is a major theme running through the book as Steve Georgiou records his conversations with Thomas Merton's friend and contemporary from Columbia days, Robert Lax. The book is organised into what appear to be four conversations loosely titled `Origins,' `Craft,' `Art' and `Spirit' and sandwiched between a prologue and an epilogue and with a brief forward by Patrick Hart - Merton's secretarial assistant at Gethsemani at the time he left for Asia in 1968. The conversations range far and wide discussing Lax's life and how he came to be a hermit on the Greek island of Patmos. Along they way they talk about writing, miracles, heaven & hell, life after death, angels, dreams and the purifying properties of yoghurt! And much more besides. Jack Kerouac and the Beats, and Bob Dylan too. And, of course, Thomas Merton. Lax does most of the talking, prompted and guided by Georgiou's questions, comments and contributions - so in a way it's his book as much as it is Georgiou's.For me reading the book was like a breath of fresh air (a cliché, I know, but true) - it completely transported me out of my own world with its immediate concerns and tribulations, and I found myself with the young disciple and the sage, listening to their evening conversation as the fire flickered in the hermitage overlooking the port town of Skala on the sacred isle of Patmos. "Go with the flow" is the major message that comes through - become who you are, find out a little more everyday about who you are and become that person. Like the ageing hermit of the Aegean, living his simple life, writing his poems, becoming a little more holy everyday. As I said, deceptively easy. But I also found the book tremendously challenging - in a gentle but insistent way. It made me ask questions about my own life and why I do what I do. Questions about who I am. And more than that it raises disturbing questions about the world and culture in which we live, the culture of activity and busy-ness, the strenuous struggle to survive. Going with the flow is all very well on the tranquillity of Patmos but how do you go with the flow when everyday existence is a raging torrent? The answers are not contained in this book though there are plenty of hints and pointers - perhaps not least the need to be asking the questions in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: The Way of the Dreamcatcher
Review: The Way of the Dreamcatcher is deceptively easy to read - it flows and it is very easy to go with the flow. And going with the flow is a major theme running through the book as Steve Georgiou records his conversations with Thomas Merton's friend and contemporary from Columbia days, Robert Lax. The book is organised into what appear to be four conversations loosely titled 'Origins,' 'Craft,' 'Art' and 'Spirit' and sandwiched between a prologue and an epilogue and with a brief forward by Patrick Hart - Merton's secretarial assistant at Gethsemani at the time he left for Asia in 1968. The conversations range far and wide discussing Lax's life and how he came to be a hermit on the Greek island of Patmos. Along they way they talk about writing, miracles, heaven & hell, life after death, angels, dreams and the purifying properties of yoghurt! And much more besides. Jack Kerouac and the Beats, and Bob Dylan too. And, of course, Thomas Merton. Lax does most of the talking, prompted and guided by Georgiou's questions, comments and contributions - so in a way it's his book as much as it is Georgiou's. For me reading the book was like a breath of fresh air (a cliché, I know, but true) - it completely transported me out of my own world with its immediate concerns and tribulations, and I found myself with the young disciple and the sage, listening to their evening conversation as the fire flickered in the hermitage overlooking the port town of Skala on the sacred isle of Patmos. "Go with the flow" is the major message that comes through - become who you are, find out a little more everyday about who you are and become that person. Like the ageing hermit of the Aegean, living his simple life, writing his poems, becoming a little more holy everyday. As I said, deceptively easy. But I also found the book tremendously challenging - in a gentle but insistent way. It made me ask questions about my own life and why I do what I do. Questions about who I am. And more than that it raises disturbing questions about the world and culture in which we live, the culture of activity and busy-ness, the strenuous struggle to survive. Going with the flow is all very well on the tranquillity of Patmos but how do you go with the flow when everyday existence is a raging torrent? The answers are not contained in this book though there are plenty of hints and pointers - perhaps not least the need to be asking the questions in the first place.
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