The book's title, "Going Clear," refers to a stage of Scientological enlightenment, wherein "thetans" (i.e., earthlings) empty their minds of self-defeating "engrams" (suppressed memories from previous lives).
Almost anything that invokes pleasurable impressions can be the cause of pride, within the limitations that the idea of the subject must allow us to build associative connections directing the mind to the idea of self.
Ladies of Leisure (LOL) is a creative community for young women born from the creative mind of self-described "jill of all trades" Savannah Anand-Sobti.
In its broad outline, "Year of the Dog" is the story of a woman who goes slightly bonkers and becomes an animal-rights advocate, not because she's bonkers, but because the love of animals is where she finally finds her peace of mind, sense of self, grace.
You can already hear mini-explosions of impotent rage going off left, right and centre in the minds of the self-righteous and worthy.
"Kids aren't sad just because," she says about the scene that activates every thought that goes through the minds of the self-conscious when they look in the mirror.
You wouldn't think that a state of mind so self-sabotaging is sustainable, short of clinical insanity.
It was the first indication that beneath his sloth-like demeanor there lurks a lively mind, capable of self-deprecation.
Outside New Orleans, "Dirty Word" could sound like a throwback to the 1970s: performed instead of programmed, community minded instead of self-absorbed.
He had a "practical mind devoid of self-delusion and, as Lincoln said, was able to define people as they defined themselves".
It was, at first, highly disruptive to my peace of mind and sense of self.
