Inside the Flame: The Joy of Treasuring What You Already Have

320 Pages·2016·33.02 MB·English

by  Christina Waters

More Praise for Inside the Flame
“An autobiographical string of pearls—sixty-six episodes from an
unusually rich life, flocked with micro details—visual, tactile,
emotional. Each may be enjoyed individually like poetry.
Extraordinary reading.”
Ralph Abraham
Chaos, Gaia, Eros
“In brief, potent vignettes, Christina Waters celebrates the deeper
meanings lurking beneath everyday experience, and through a
collection of memories and suggested activities, invites us to
reimagine our own lives.”
Lisa Jensen
Alias Hook
“Inside the Flame is a textured, flavorful exploration of the
overlooked beauty in the everyday. Waters reminds us how to open
our senses to experience the world. She shows us that every act can
be a form of meditation, from washing socks to kissing. Don’t let the
fun, short chapters fool you; her vision is transformative.”
Thad Nodine
Touch and Go
“Waters’ book is a vibrant reminder of how crucial it is to live with
the seasons of nature and of our own lives. Her eye for the beauty of
simplicity, of clarity in living is invigorating. Bravo!”
Nicole Paiement
Conductor, Opera Parall”le

Parallax Press P.O. Box 7355
Berkeley, California 94707
parallax.org
Parallax Press is the publishing division of Unified Buddhist Church, Inc.
© 2016 by Christina Waters
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Cover and text design by Josh Michels Illustrations © Alice Koswara Cover image © Getty
Images
Author photo © Shelby Graham Illustrator photo © Eric Broers Library of Congress
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-941529-32-4
Ebook ISBN 978-1-94152933-1
v4.1
for Missy, companion of my childhood
contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Publisher’s Note
INTRODUCTION : searching for home
PART ONE : how we touch the world
1. Reaching and Holding
2. Up High and Down Low
3. Daring to Move
4. Extreme Play
5. Collecting
6. Petting Cats
7. Tasting the World
8. Flavor Collisions
9. Exploring
10. The Magenta Jacket
11. Washing Socks in the Mojave
12. Transformative Housework
13. Making Faces
14. Shape-Shifting: Baking Bread
15. Hair Colors
16. The Red Riding Hood Coat
17. Shaping My Space
18. The Sunset-Colored Wall
19. Sleeping Outdoors
20. Dining by Candlelight
21. Rites of Memory: Old Sweaters and Cowboy Belts
22. Fresh Peach Pie
23. Making an Impression
24. Muddy Day
25. Purposeful Wandering
26. Hero Mom
PART TWO : how the world touches us
27. In Bed at Dawn
28. Climbing Amboy Crater
29. Winds of March
30. Seeing the Colors
31. Kissing
32. The Spell of the Piano
33. Swimming in the Rain
34. Making a Home Away From Home
35. Gifting
36. The Pleasures (and Dangers) of Touch
37. Perfume Tattoos
38. Dealing With Discomfort
39. Freestyle Craftiness
40. Visual Intimacy: Mirrors
41. When the World Touches Back
42. Handwriting: The Faraway Made Near
43. A Friday Ritual
44. Loss Transformed
PART THREE : inside the flame
45. A Well-Made Home
46. Ordinary Tools We Love
47. Paper Devotions
48. Trail of Wild Grasses
49. Musical Homecoming
50. Quilting: Making Something from Nothing
51. Seeing Up Close and Far Away
52. Death Valley Millennium
53. Diving through the Wave
54. Flying with My Father
55. Time Sharing
56. Painting the Rock
57. Uncurated Keepsakes
58. Phone Calls, Smiles, and Coffee Dates
59. Visionaries
60. Grand Canyon Sunset
61. Fire in the Rain
62. Glacier Rinse
63. Natural Disaster
64. Hearing Green, Touching Yellow
65. Brahms in London
66. Homecoming
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
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