Handbook of Urban Druidry

For some time now I have been a reviewer for Moon Books.  Recently they sent me a batch of books on Druidry.  This is the first - The handbook of Urban Druidry by Brendan Howlin. I like to read as many different perspectives as possible, so I am interested in this book especially.  Why am I including this review in my DP journal? I have seen mentioned several times we should make notes on any extra books we read.  For me, I am taking it  a step further to add my own thoughts so I can use this entry as something I can look back on as I learn and grow throughout my studies.

Learning to see - The main thing in this chapter that struck me was to pay attention to the little things. Most people in my life constantly are staring at their phones or tablet. They miss so much that is amazing in this world! I not only don't own a phone with internet access, but the more time I spend in my studies, the less time I want to spend online. I am an ebay seller, so I have little choice about being on my computer. I keep facebook up for a few people to contact me when they need to since I rarely have my phone on me, yet I spend little time actually messing around online. I am glad that time keeps getting less and less.  These days, most of my personal time with the computer is spent playing my music collection, reading ebooks and educational articles, and for personal conversation with non-local friends.  I feel that if I am going to be on my computer, I should make the time count!

Learning to relax - Example, watch less tv.  OK, this is something else I can go along with.  Yes, I do have some favorite shows and they are not all educational. Yet I have reached a point where I have no problem watching them at my convenience on demand or online.  However, I can understand the need for a television.  I used to be a very lonely person.  I did have a number of shows I HAD to see on time every week. Yes, I would get stressed about it. They were a major part of my life and if I missed one, I felt like I had missed time with good friends. I am so glad that is no longer the case.

I didn't actually realize how much I had changed regarding tv until I sat down and started typing this journal entry. These days, I often prefer to watch my favorite shows late at night on demand.  It allows me to live life without worrying about such things and I watch less crappy tv simply because there's nothing on that night, yet the tv is still on for companionship.  I admit, I still have it on a lot in the background since I am home all day.  Yet my choices are different and it's not such a focus. I've also noticed my viewing choices have changed. No more crime shows like CSI. Absolutely no true crime is ever turned on outside of the nightly news.  I prefer a pleasant comedy to make me smile or a thought-provoking sci fi/fantasy show that gets me considering things outside the box. Watching syfy channel has led to some interesting meditation focus points.  

My main problem with this chapter is the discussion on meditation. Yes, I agree it is very important. However, not only does the book do an awful job of explaining it (by giving quick vague tips that won't work for most people) but it doesn't really explain why it is beneficial other than "to help you relax".  I can't see the spiritual seeker wanting to add it to their practice based if this happened to be their introduction.

Getting in tune with the seasons - ahh. Now we're getting somewhere. This is vital for a Druid! I'm glad the book is getting along into a bit deeper practises. I have found this to be helpful for any person on a spiritual path, regardless of their particular faith.  I have seen in my students over the years that this helps decrease depression, increase joy and help with a personal healing practice.

Wait. I was wrong. Using this practice "to impress your friends" should NOT be the primary motivation for a Druid! Hmm.. that was about all the 3 page chapter said. I admit to being disappointed.  There is so much that could have been said!

Living the wheel of the year - As my other journal entries have explained, this is a very important part of my practice.  I didn't expect much after the last chapter, but this actually has some decent ideas for people who are new to the concept. Even for people who have followed this way of living for many years, we can never have too many ideas.  I truly believe that no matter how experienced we are at something, we can never learn too much.  In this case, I have "lived the wheel" for almost 20 years now.  Yet I never pass up a chance at more ideas on celebrations and working with seasonal energies. After all, there are as many perspectives as there are individuals. I currently teach classes on spirituality at my UU church.  This leads me to reading plenty of beginner books as I am working on lesson plans.  I can't even count how many times one of these books has led to some idea to enhance my practice. This ended up being one of those times.  Even if this is all I gain from this book, I will be able to say I found something of value.

Personal Responsibility - This is a topic I frankly think should be taught everywhere to every group of people at every age, especially in any type of studies about spirituality. Too often in today's society, people blame everyone else for their own behavior.  No matter what they do, no matter what the reason, somehow it wasn't their fault.  I am 37 and I most often hear from others my age that poor behavior isn't their fault because they had a bad childhood, a bad marriage, or an absent parent.  I had all those things, yet I take responsibility for my actions. These are not legitimate excuses, yet society tells us they are. 

Two days ago a young white man went into a black church, sat through service with them, and then pulled a gun killing 9 people. All over the news "experts" keep explaining why it wasn't his fault, even though he planned it for 6 months and had a manifesto written where he considered and dismissed other mass murder plans before deciding on this. A murderer of 9 people who had attempted to kill everyone, yet it supposedly wasn't his fault. This is a drastic, yet well-publicised example of needing to teach personal responsibility.

I was pleased to see a chapter on the topic here until I read it. The first sentence insults men as wanting to run from the "r" word. It eventually devolves into discussing aliens and conspiracy theories. The occasional good point is detracted from by the insults and silliness. Well, at least the topic is here...

Living a longer happier life - This chapter is a page and a half saying to put small stresses on the body to make it stronger, and that is the key to being happy. As a person with major auto-immune disorders and chronic pain, I have nothing to say on this chapter. 

Living lightly on the land - Another lesson we so desperately need today!  Landfills, toxic waste, littering, disposable everything... the planet can't keep on taking all this. If we want to leave a place for our descendants to live, things must change! I'm disappointed that this chapter really just discussed the annoyance of having a small allotment for a garden and that a person shouldn't "whine and procrastinate".  I consider this another missed opportunity!

Expectations - This is just over a page telling us the more we expect, the more we are disappointed. I'm sad to say that my first thought was this book.  I can already tell that what little is helpful in here isn't enough for me to recommend this or teach from it.  I doubt I will ever read it again.

Environmental awareness - A discussion on being depressed from friends not contacting you is how this begins. I'm starting to think the chapter titles are random. This was one page, one, that ends with saying we need to do things for others.  I absolutely agree with that stance, but I have no idea what that has to do with the title, especially since the word "tree-hugging" is in the first sentence. Regardless of the title, yes, we should do things for others.  I mean do it for THEIR benefit, not just to feel like you are better than others. 

I have noticed a trend among far too many volunteers of using thier hours as a way of proving superiority. I have had times in my lif where I needed assistance.  I can say from first-hand experience that having someone help you while having a smug look on thier face just makes you feel even worse. Most individuals needing assistance would rather be anywhere else than in that line asking for help. A kind smile makes us feel a little more human while the smug reactions only serve to make us feel worse about a situation we can do nothing about.

This is another topic I wish we would teach our children.  Imagine how our society would change if we did things for others simply to help them.  We would mow an elderly neighbor's lawn just to help them, not in the hopes they will feel guilty and pay us. Children learned the value of community service in a food bank, animal shelter, community garden or just helping in their neighborhood. What a better world this would be!  When I received notice that my Compassionate Membership gets extended only if I do community service, I thought that was a wonderful requirement!

Medicine and Herbs - Herbalism has called to me for years.  I love how nature can heal us as long as we care for it in return.  What a lovely relationship!  I had even considered joining the Healers Guild for a time, but in the end, the Naturalists won out.  Every time my grandfather takes me to his herb garden or out in the woods to teach me about medicinal plants I am even more grateful that I am lucky enough to have family who still understands this amazing gift.

I will readily admit this chapter hit a hot-button topic for me. My issue with this chapter is the focus on being ill for "attention, sympathy, and to manipulate others". Sufferers of chronic illnesses specifically are used as an example.  I am one of those, and I certainly DO NOT use my illness for any of those reasons! Most people don't even have a clue how sick and in pain I generally am.   Only those closest to me can tell the signs, such as the growing flushing across my chest being a sign I am fighting to handle the pain. Attitudes such as in this book are why I still have not been approved for disability.  No matter how many doctors say I am in bad shape, all that is seen is my age.  This author seems determined to insult just about every audience likely to read this book, except for able-bodied, hard-working, career-minded moms.

Then we reach Part 2 "The Advanced Stuff" which is an explanation of the OBOD. At this point I will end personal opinion simply because I don't want to look back on this entry at a later date and let it affect my opinion of the OBOD.  Nor am I going to risk pissing anyone off who may personally know the author.  That being said, the author may be an amazing person and incredible teacher.  We have to remember that everyone's skills lie in different areas.  I am apparently a great teacher (or so my students frequently tell me). The church's attendance  more than doubling in the past 6 months by individuals who state they are coming primarily for my classes indicate there is truth to that statement, but that doesn't mean I'm a great writer.  An ok writer, sure, but my illnesses lead to clarity issues that makes me no longer that good of a writer. There is nothing wrong with that. We all have different gifts. That is what makes the world so amazing!!