Da Vinci, recipe, Gorillaz

I overslept & missed yoga.. but remembered lots of very intense dreams. I just got a job as a police officer. Ok, that’s just scary in itself.. but so much more!

“Beauty and vitality are gifts from nature for those who abide by her laws” – Leonardo da Vinci

I have Da Vinci on the mind this morning. I really wanted to see the DaVinci Code movie on the weekend, didn’t end up going & was told by 2 separate friends who saw it on Sat eve. to wait for the dvd. I borrowed the book for my son, Nick, who read it in 6 hours.. at least I got a brief synopsis from him. Nick reads like crazy. I find it incredible.. shortly after he finished that, I looked over & he was well into Digital Fortress, another book by Dan Brown. Just what does he do with all that information?

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an Italian Renaissance polymath: an architect, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, inventor, geometer, musician, futurist and painter. He has been described as the archetype of the "Renaissance man" and as a universal genius, a man infinitely curious and infinitely inventive. He is also considered one of the greatest painters who ever lived.

He conceived of ideas vastly ahead of his own time, notably conceptually inventing the helicopter, a tank, the use of concentrated solar power, the calculator, a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics, the double hull, and others too numerous to mention… In addition, he greatly advanced the state of knowledge in the fields of anatomy, astronomy, civil engineering, optics, and the study of water (hydrodynamics).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci)

It is apparent from the works of Leonardo and his early biographers that he was a man of high integrity and very sensitive to moral issues. His respect for life led him to being a vegetarian for at least part of his life. The term "vegan" would fit him well, as he even entertained the notion that taking milk from cows amounts to stealing. Under the heading, "Of the beasts from whom cheese is made," he answers, "the milk will be taken from the tiny children." As a young man in Florence he often bought caged birds just to release them from captivity. (Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists)

From Robert Genn’s twice weekly letters
http://www.painterskeys.com

The da Vinci Mode May 23, 2006

Dear Robin,
Leonardo da Vinci's life was a living demo of his "seven virtues." For those artists of life and of art who might plot to develop higher levels of accomplishment and greater self-realization, here are his seven virtues, as I understand them:
"Curiosita"--an attitude of curiosity and continuous learning. What, when, where, why, and how?
"Dimostrazione"--an ability to learn and to test knowledge by experience. Experimental nature.
"Sensazione"--a development of awareness and refinement of sight and other senses. High sensitivity.
"Sfumato"--a tendency to embrace and accept uncertainty, ambiguity and paradox. Free thinking.
"Arte/Scienza"--a development of balance between science and art, logic and imagination. Whole-brain thinking.
"Corporalita"--a calculated desire to achieve poise, fitness and ambidexterity. Physical action.
"Connessione"--a recognition that all things are connected. Systems thinking.

({(Leo’s 7 virtues = curiosity, experience, sensitivity, acceptance, creative-logic balance, exercise (yoga ;), connection to everything)})

"How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day," by Michael J. Gelb, and, "The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci," edited by Pamela Taylor, are two of the noteworthy sources of Leonardo insights…

In my daily evangelizing, I'm constantly devising ways to press creative people into thinking about things in a Leonardo mode. Whether we're talking about flying machines, military engines or easel paintings, we are led to a greater realization of our potential through personal, self-generated knowledge of the what, when, where, why and how. Perhaps because of Leonardo's charming admissions of personal weaknesses (procrastination, for one), we feel the uncanny presence of a contemporary who's just dropped in from the local Brotherhood and Sisterhood.
For many of us, an evening curled up with The da Vinci Mode would not be a waste of time.
Best regards,
Robert

PS: "Nothing is more apt to deceive us than our own judgment of our work. We derive more benefit from having our faults pointed out by our enemies than from hearing the opinions of friends." (Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519)

Esoterica: The last time I looked, our own Resource of Art Quotations had 69 quotes from Leonardo. Now it seems that contemporary psychological research has revealed Leonardo-like info about the extent of our potential. Our brains are much better than we think. They are more flexible and multi-dimensional than any computer. They can learn seven facts per second, every second, for the rest of our lives--and there's still plenty of RAM to go. If used properly, our brains improve with age. And this is not just in our heads--it's in every cell of our bodies. Mona Lisa is winking at us. How totally Renaissance!

Recipe from another e-mail:
The Daily Raw Inspiration - 5/22/06 Simply Savory

Mash up an avocado. Chop up a tomato into it. Peel a zucchini. Slice the zucchini into noodles with a potato peeler. Chop them up into noodle pieces. Mix it all together and enjoy! Takes about two and a half minutes to make! Very enjoyable. Add some dried herbs. I found a great brand – Frontier Herbs that are all organic and non-irradiated. I used Tarragon, Oregano, Cumin, and/or Thyme. You can also add a sprinkle of Unrefined Sea Salt if desired.
In Joy,
Jinjee
http://www.TheGardenDiet.com

I heard on the radio that the Gorillaz won an award for best website.. and being a big Gorillaz fan I thought I should post it here.. I just checked it out.. its incredible (cool art on the walls) .. can take lots of time tho. Oh & I got 95.23 accuracy rating on the shooting game. : ) http://www.gorillaz.com/ click on the building when you get there to get in.

2 raw thoughts from: 20 Questions with David Wolfe. http://www.rawfood.com/index.cgi?id=54929285103&sp=20_Questions

Is there a mind/body or spiritual aspect to a living plant food lifestyle?

"The mind, body, spirit connection that raw food cultivates within you is ultimately the major reason for continuing on this path. The Bible says that the body is the temple of the soul. Unfortunately, I used to treat my body like an amusement park! Now I know better. Since we are what we eat, if we eat the best food ever we maximize our mind, body, and spiritual connection with nature and our creator. This is experiential because we cannot miss what we never had. Raw-food nutrition returns to you lost powers and abilities. I like to say that it bestows superhuman abilities — in physical endurance, clarity of thought, and sixth sense perception."

What is the psychology of “beauty consciousness?

"True beauty comes from the inside out. It emerges from proper thinking, as well as proper nutrition, and exercise. Thoughts — positive or negative — etch themselves into the face and record themselves in the character of the individual. You are your own sculptor. The habitual presence of high and noble thoughts polishes the face, defines the stature, and builds the countenance. High purpose and genuine enthusiasm create an immaculate beauty. Thoughts alone can overwhelm the influence of clothing and cosmetics."

painting pic from http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/vinci/joconde/joconde.jpg