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Inspirational Stories

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30
Jun 11

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is an inspirational tale

In John le Carre's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Alec Leamas is truly an admirable character. Readers and Dahn Yoga lovers will fall in love with the mystery surrounding the character of Leamas.

Le Carre himself worked for a time in the MI6, and many of his spy stories are based on his real life experiences. In this novel, the setting is East and West Germany. Leamas is a spy who pretends to defect and then continues to spy on East Germany for the West.

"Even if John le Carre's book isn't authentic, nobody except another certified spy can be sure," wrote TIME in a book review from 1964.

Le Carre, who also wrote The Constant Gardener, is considered by many to be one of the foremost spy fiction writers of all time. Dahn Yoga lovers will likely appreciate the drama and process of personal development depicted in the novel. There is a real sense of urgency and action, under times of duress, in the novel.

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29
Jun 11

For Whom the Bell Tolls speaks of bravery in war

The character of Robert Jordan is based on Ernest Hemingway, who wrote the book. Jordan fights in the Spanish Civil war, meets and falls in love with Maria, and finally ends his life in the mountains of Spain. For Whom the Bell Tolls features other memorable characters such as Pablo and Pilar. Dahn Yoga participants looking for stories of personal development will likely find the character of Jordan to be thought-provoking and inspirational.

Jordan is a demolition expert in charge of bombing bridges in Spain. He is actually an American school teacher who has taken his political views to heart and decided to act on them by helping the Spanish Republicans, also known as the Loyalists. However, as Jordan meets other characters throughout the novel, including the beautiful Spanish girl named Maria and the strong-willed Pilar, a leader in the guerrilla band that Jordan joins.

In the end, Jordan finds himself a changed man. He is less loyal to his political convictions as he sees flaws in the Republican cause. Even if the love story between Jordan and Maria does not have a happy ending, For Whom the Bell Tolls is inspirational in its depiction of personal progress.

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29
Jun 11

Robinson’s Housekeeping an inspiration for some

Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping is set in the fictional northwestern city of Fingerbone. The story follows two sisters, Ruth and Lucille, who are orphaned at a young age. Dahn Yoga lovers may relate to Lucille's need for personal development, while book lovers of all kinds can thoroughly enjoy Robinson's beautiful prose.

In the story, Ruth is shy and quiet. Lucille seeks to develop herself in school and eventually moves away. When the girls' aunt comes to live with them, they begin to discover new things about themselves and the history of the women in their family.

"This first novel does much more than show promise; it brilliantly portrays the impermanence of all things, especially beauty and happiness," wrote TIME magazine in 1981.

However, some may find inspiration in either Ruth's or Lucille's actions, as the two sisters follow very different paths as they grow up and their lives change. 

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29
Jun 11

The Day of the Locust is strangely inspirational

For anyone who has ever felt that Hollywood may not be as authentic a portrayal of the American Dream as it purports to be, Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust is inspiration in complicity. While the rest of the world may be following pop culture or the latest Hollywood craze, Dahn Yoga lovers may be looking for something different. The Day of the Locust is the perfect summer read, even if its subject matter is dense. The prose is light and the ironic jokes are abundant.

Tod Hackett, the central character, is an artist. He falls in love with the beautiful Faye Greener, who wants nothing more than to be a Hollywood star. Faye's friends include an assortment of characters. There is even a character named Homer Simpson in the story. It is a matter of reader's interpretation which characters undergo personal development and which do not.

All does not end well in this depiction of the underbelly of Southern California. However, the book – considered one of the All Time 100 Novels, by Time Magazine – is sure to enlighten.

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27
Jun 11

Beowulf is an inspiring warrior’s tale

Dahn Yoga participants may find a level of inspiration in the story of Beowulf, who arrived on the shores of the Danes and conquered the monster Grendel. There is no lack of courage and personal development, as we see Beowulf become a wise and aged king to his people.

In the Old English tale, Beowulf is the strongest man alive and can challenge anyone to a battle. He is a famed and respected hero who comes to the rescue of King Hrothgar of the Danes. Beowulf himself is of the Geat clan.

Grendel is the monster, a descendant of Cain, who has wrecked havoc on the Danes for over a decade. Nobody knows what to do with him and how to survive his ravenous visits to the town hall of Heorot.

When Beowulf arrives, he boasts that he will fight Grendel without any weapons. Little does he know that this prideful boast will prove to work in his favor, as Grendel is under a spell that makes him immune to any attacks using a weapon.

After Beowulf successfully defeats Grendel, he comes up against Grendel's mother and finally a dragon. The story follows Beowulf through three critical periods of his life.
 

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23
Jun 11

Jane Eyre provides inspiration in book and film form

Jane Eyre has often been adapted into film. However, Charlotte Bronte's book, in its unabridged version, contains the original story of Jane and Mr. Rochester in a way that is inspirational for all those seeking truth and beauty, in the most invisible but heart-felt form. Dahn Yoga lovers can alternate between watching Dahn Yoga DVDs and Hollywood remakings of Jane Eyre. However, be sure to take some time to read the original text.

Jane is an orphan who is mistreated by her extended family. They send her away to a boarding school called Lowood, where the teachers are particularly stern. Jane loses her best friend Helen in one of the most pitifully heart-wrenching passages in literary friendships.

When Jane accepts a post as a governess to a young French ward named Adele Varens, she meets Mr. Rochester, the master of Thornfield Hall. Jane soon falls in love with the dark and mysterious Mr. Rochester, not knowing that he will return her feelings in full force, but that he must overcome a personal history that has become the epitome of Gothic romance.
 

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31
May 11

Slumdog Millionaire wins Oscars and the hearts of many

Slumdog Millionaire was a surprise winner that nabbed the Best Picture, Best Director as well as Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Awards in 2009. It is also an inspirational movie that dahn yoga participants may find enjoyable. The movie takes place in India and follows the story of Jamal Malik, who is entered in a game show contest, the Indian equivalent of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Dahn yoga lovers can take a break from their breathing exercises and watching an inspirational movie such as Slumdog Millionaire.

Jamal is a child of the streets in Mumbai who dreams of becoming a millionaire. When he finally has a chance at the awards show, he comes as far as the last and final question before winning the ultimate prize. However, he is taken into police custody because people suspect that he is cheating.

The audience then follows Jamal's life story, from when he was a small boy to his growing relationship with Latika, a friend of Jamal and his brother's since their childhood. The three children follow different life paths although their fates intertwine once more when Jamal is on the game show. The story ends on a happy note but it shows the trials and tribulations that the young people had to go through in order to rise above poverty, crime and other pitfalls.

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