il Giardino Romantico

One of my favorite ways to spend the weekend, or any free time I have at hand is to walk into a book store with a marvelous collection of English books and see what treasure there is waiting for me to uncover. However, it has become harder and harder to find what I define as 'treasure'. I suppose this has very much to do with my growing appetite for reading, and hopefully my growing maturity in the habit as well. A good book is not easy to find. A great book is even harder. Yet they exist. And to prove that to you, I now present to you the five books that have completely changed my life.

我在週末或是任何空閒時間最喜歡做的事情就是走進書店看看有什麼寶可以挖。不過好書越來越難找。極品好書就更別說了。也許是因為累積下來我讀得書越來越多，也或者是因為我的閱讀習慣越來越成熟[希望啦]，不過挖寶的歷險記是一次比一次艱難！不過呢，好書還是有的。所以接下來就是要介紹五本完全改變我生命的書籍。由於都是原文書，所以本篇文章的內文我都是先打英文，才將重點整理出來打成中文。而我比須先聲明，我從來都沒修過翻譯，對於翻譯可以說是一翹不通。所以中英都看得懂得朋友們，請別雞蛋裡挑骨頭。Typo歡迎告知，但翻譯內容就別太強求了，好嗎？


1. The Speed Reading Book by Tony Buzan
2. Yoga for you by Indra Devi
3. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
4. Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
5. The Law of Attraction by Jerry and Esther Hicks

Two of these books came to me through the introduction of one of my best and most trusted friend, Jason. Therefore, not only do I have to show my appreciation to these wonderful authors, I have also Jason to thank.

1. The Speed Reading Book

For any of us who wouldn't mind learning a few useful techniques to improve our reading habits and increase the speed of our reading, this is the perfect book. Not only is it a good reference book, but it also contains actual practice exercises. Therefore, it is not just a book that preaches about what you need to do in order to be a better reader, but it provides reading exerpts that you can actually use to train yourself to become a better reader.

Now, you'll notice that I've used the word 'better', instead of 'faster'. The reason for that is because by using this book as a tool, we're not looking at just increasing the speed of our word-per-minute, but we're also looking at an improvement in comprehension as well.

I've become acquainted with Buzan's mind-mapping techniques a little before this book and had been using mind-maps to organize my reading notes before I began perusing this one. Therefore, it is in some ways easier for me to grasp the idea and the techniques introduced in the book. I devoured this book before my IELTS test. I had always been a faster reader, so speed had never been a problem for me. Well, in fact, speed WAS the actual problem. But after drilling, and using the techniques introduced in the book, I was able to increase an immense amount of comprehension level without compromising the speed. So I used the techniques while I did the IELTS practice tests and on the actual test. Trust me, I was extremely satisfied with that aspect of the exam.

一開始接觸Buzan的書籍是從Jason書架上拿下來的一堆關腦部以及思考的一些書。再閱讀本書之前就開始使用他研發的mindmap系統整理閱讀筆記。[mindmap=心智圖] 所以在使用這本書的時候，可以說是已經半熟悉Buzan所介紹的各種方式。

本書不僅提供提高閱讀速度的方式，並還包含了實際的練習閱讀文章，讓讀者在剛吸收完一種新的方式就可以馬上派上用場。

這本書是我在考IELTS之前買的。也就是說我在練習模擬考之前，就先將這本書讀完。當我在做實際的模擬考的時候，運用了Buzan教導的方式，就連在實際考試的時候也使用了他的方式。速度對我來說一向不是問題。但也可是說是我唯一的問題。因為我讀太快，重點常常抓不到。但使用Buzan教的方式，不但速度沒有變慢，理解以及吸收能力反而提升了。因此給各項語言考試的考生的推薦，在做模擬考的同時或之前，是不是來試試Buzan的速讀法呢？

2. Yoga for You

And now something a little more physical and spiritual. I've had so much fun with yoga ever since I walked into my first yoga class. The joy and satisfaction that yoga has brought into my life is extremely sublime.

Before this book, most of my yoga books mainly consisted of pictorials that explained in detail what each yoga pose should look like and how they should be done. Perhaps I was not ready for something spiritual. Fortunately, Indra Devi's book offered a great introduction to the life-style aspect of yoga and many pleasant reading sessions.

It was during the perusing of this book that Jason first suggested a one-week vegetarian trial. Without the book, I don't believe the experience would have been as successful as it had been.

It was also this book that enhanced the idea of positivity and gratitude toward every day life. Being thankful to everything and everyone around you and always remind yourself to think in a more positive way. Not only is this useful in yogic practices, but also our emotional and mental wellbeing.

我一直都視瑜珈為我生命中最美好的事情之一。在購買本書之前，我的瑜珈書籍幾乎清一色都是有很多圖片，介紹如何將各種體位法做到好，做到標準，做的安全的那種。這本可以說是開啟心靈上的瑜珈的第一本書籍。

也許是因為之前對瑜珈的認知還不夠深入。總覺得哲學性質的瑜珈書太沈重。但這一本對我來說來的正是時候。因為就是在讀完這一本書，Jason第一次提議要開始我們的無肉體驗。我想少了這本書，我可能從來都不覺得我會成功的成為一個素食者吧！？

除此之外，此書也教你如何對身邊的所有事物感到恩惠，以及對生命充滿正向的思考。相信就算你對瑜珈一蓋不知也可以從此書得到一些對生命有所幫助的哲學與理論。

3. Fast Food Nation

Just like any other average teenager, I used to salivate just thinking about a juicy KFC fried chicken or a Mac cheeseburger. As I grew older, I moved slowly away from that. But I had never really completely lost my appetite over a delicious fresh-fried chicken drumstick. Oh, it must be drumstick, or my meal would be ruined.

The reading of this book commenced right after Jason and I began our one-week vegediet trial. After that first week, I ate meat for about a week. But I no longer craved for steak, beef noodles, or even my favorite - chicken. Sure it smells great. I still think that whenever I walk pass a fried chicken stand. Yet I have lost my desire for meat.

What the book had done for me, was it reinforced my desire to eat more healthy food. Although the book was intended only to allow its readers to become aware of what they are actually putting into their mouths, what it had done for me was way more dramatic than that.

If I catch a kid overjoyed, jumping up and down with excitement over a Happy Meal, I frown. I can't walk pass a Mac without holding my breath. I intentively arrange my lesson plans to avoid talking about any kind of fast food. I've even quit drinking soda pops believing that beer is a lot healthier than they are.

Whenever I consider my successful transformation into a vegetarian, I can't help but give a little credit to this book.

青少年的我，很喜歡吃啃德雞。也不介意偶爾吃一次麥當勞。隨著年齡成長，吃速食的慾望大幅降低。但還是偶爾會想啃啃那鮮嫩多汁，剛炸出來的炸雞腿！這些慾望，就在我讀這本書之後，完完全全的消失了。

這本書改變我的不只是清除了所有對速食的慾望，而且更深入的改變是就連我看到孩子為了可以吃兒童餐開開心心上下跳躍時，我會因此深鎖眉頭。我現在經過速食店沒辦法正常呼吸的走。我必須腳步加快，並且捻著鼻子暫停呼吸。更誇張的是，在教書的時候我還會故意避開任何跟速食相關的單字與內容。真有必要教，我一定用我最快的速度帶過。就連汽水，我也都不喝了。甚至開始相信啤酒比汽水還健康。

每當我想到我能成功的成為素食者，我就會想到這本書。並且對它充滿感激。

4. Light on Life

Now, whenever you hear the phrase 'yoga master', who do you think of? If it's not Iyengar on your mind, then you're missing out on something great.

When I was at the bookstore, I came accross two of Iyengar's books - Light on Yoga and Light on Life. What lead me into thinking that Light on Life would be more helpful for my yogic path was that this book is a perfect sequal to Yoga for You.

The reading itself is not difficult. However the ideas that the master has to offer may be elusive to beginners. It is a book I would definitely name as one of my top five favorite books.

The reason for that would be because the book doesn't just offer tips on how to improve your yoga sessions, or how to become a master like himself. In fact, the humble master doesn't even consider himself qualified enough to be a master. That, my friends, is what made all the difference. Let the master tell you his own stories, and learn how to better your life through his philosphy. One of the things I found most helpful, especially as a teacher, was to show your anger, but don't get frustrated with yourself. It is important that we learn whatever we can and apply what we learn from these meaningful writings because it is only through this way that life becomes better for us, and consequently for all those around us.

講到瑜珈大師，如果你第一個念頭想到的不是B.K.S. Iyengar，那你可能要重新做一下功課喔！因為如果你不認識這位大師，你的瑜珈路程可能會少了些東西。

整本書的用語其實並不難。但是想要傳遞的觀念也許對初學者來說可能會有點難理解。大師出了兩本書。一本是Light on Yoga，另一本則是我購買的這本Light on Life。當初會選擇這本的原因是因為覺得它是比Yoga for You 更晉級的一本書。Indra Devi介紹的一些理念其實都是很基本，日常生活都可能會運用的到的理念。但Iyengar書中所提到的一些觀念，很多與我們道家思想不謀為合。無論是在瑜珈修行上，或是日常生活中都可以運用的到的。

個人覺得最受用的觀念之一就是表現出你的憤怒，但別對自己生氣。尤其是當這憤怒的用意是來自於想幫助別人達成目標的時候。我們在教書的時候，一定常常遇到這種狀況。為什麼學生老是吸收不進去！？這麼簡單！？為什麼他總是不專心？當學生達不到我們的要求的時候，可以把這種憤怒表現出來。但是出了教室，就千萬別繼續將這種憤怒放在心中。就把他留在教室就好。


5. The Law of Attraction: The Basic Teachings of Abraham

My acceptance of the Law wouldn't have been as profound without my yogic experience. In yoga, where they teach you to remain a positive attitude toward life, we experience a miracle after the next. I believe those that find these teachings most helpful are almost always the ones that are most in need of them. Yoga for me, for instance, was dramatic. There were so many problems with my physical body that it was painful and difficult at first. But I remained hopeful and endured the first few sessions. Then I witnessed and experienced the miracles myself.

The Law was the same. If you are in despair and let yourself remain in despair, nothing and no one can help you. You are the only one in this world that is capable of helping yourself and changing everything that surrounds you. The book will help you understand why your life had been the way it had been, and allow you to change that into anyway you wish it to be. It wouldn't be easy for me to discuss this without going into to much detail, but rest assure, sorry would be the last thing you'd be feeling after giving the book a chance to be on your bookshelf and into your life.

This is the only book you'll ever need to better your life. But in oder to apply the law, you need to first understand how it works. Then, not only will your attitude toward life change drastically, but you'll find surprise after surprise.



如果沒有瑜珈的基本理念墊底，我想我對the Law的接受度也許不會這麼高。我一直都是屬於比較悲觀的個性。凡是都會做最壞的打算。然後當事情不對勁的時候，才想說：吼！好加在我有做最壞的打算！不然就完了。

了解了the Law之後，才知道這跟本事多此一舉。這本書可以讓你了解為什麼你身邊的事物是你所看到或接觸到的樣子。當你了解之後，你才能夠運用他漸漸的將你的生命改變成你想要的。

就跟瑜珈一樣，我抱持著無限希望以極可能。但這種感受，其實如果沒有自己親自體驗過，實在是很難形容。如果要向大家強力推薦，又好像在做推銷一樣。我只能說，買了這本書，學會如何運用他，將會是你這一輩子報酬率最高的投資！



So, my friends, these are the five books that have completely turned my life insideout, but in the most spectacular way. Ever wonder why I'm alway so happy? Ever wonder why I express very little virulent ideas on my blog? Well, if your curious, you might want to try these books yourself. Trust me, this curiosity won't kill the cat!


這些就是完完全全改變我生命的五本書。這五本裡，有兩本是透過Jason才得到的訊息。所以除了要感謝這五位超級作家之外，Jason也是我需要感謝的人！

如果你很好奇說，為什麼無論發生什麼事我總是很樂觀，或是懷疑我的部落格為什麼重頭到尾很少看到有憤怒的文章！？這一次，好奇心不會殺死一隻貓，而會使貓過的比以前還要好、還要快樂喔！

【補充】
網路書店連結：

原文版 (amazon)：
1. The Speed Reading Book
2. Yoga for You
3. Fast Food Nation
4. Light on Life
5. The Law of Attraction: The Basic Teachings of Abraham

中文版 or 國內網路書店 (博客來)
1. 全腦式速讀 The Speed Reading Book 中文版
2. Fast Food Nation
    速食共和國－速食的黑暗面 Fast Food Nation 中文版
3. Yoga on Life 無中文版
4. The Law of Attraction: The Basic Teachings of Abraham無中文版