#sarah-ahmadi — Public Fediverse posts

Faust: Unraveling the Great Enigma S2E10 – Protecting the Soul

Welcome to Faust: Unraveling the Great Enigma – Protecting the Soul.

Up to this point in our Faust journey, we have followed Goethe’s restless scholar as he wrestles with knowledge, longing, and the limits of human understanding. But after The Spirit’s Refusal episode, Sarah and I realized that we weren’t simply studying Faust anymore. His questions had begun asking something of us.

Why do we always feel as though we are behind? Why is it so difficult to be content with the life we already have? Why do comparison, achievement, and endless striving so often leave us feeling empty?

Faust # 1 Protecting the Soul

In this conversation, we step away from literary analysis for a moment and explore what it means to protect the soul in a culture that constantly urges us to seek more. We reflect on comparison, consumerism, the quiet wisdom of our parents, and the small acts of attention that help us return to ourselves.

Perhaps this is one of the hidden gifts of reading the classics. They do more than tell us a story. They invite us to examine our own lives. As Goethe reminds us through Faust’s journey, the greatest discoveries are not always found in distant places. Sometimes they begin when we become still enough to notice what has been quietly waiting within us all along.

I hope you’ll make yourself a cup of tea, settle into a comfortable chair, and join Sarah and me as we continue to unravel one of literature’s greatest mysteries.

Rebecca

https://youtu.be/0pEzMsx1PMk?si=tp67zUz_wW2q6ZhY

https://open.spotify.com/episode/73rRCK6XhkuUDBxEXeZfU5?si=gt1spRpwRc6-je8LuJDGOg

Protecting the Soul – Faust: Unraveling the Great Enigma

#Faust #FaustSalon #JohannWolfgangVonGoethe #ProtectingTheSoul #RebeccaBudd #SarahAhmadi

Retuning to the Conversation

The Book Dialogue: Returning to the Conversation

Sometimes a conversation pauses, not because there is nothing more to say, but because life has taken us somewhere else for a while. Sarah and I have been away from The Book Dialogue, although we have never really been away from books.

Sarah has been deeply immersed in her PhD thesis. I have been exploring Goethe’s Faust through my podcast series, Faust: Unravelling the Great Enigma. And together, as a family, we have been caring for our mother, Frances.

Frances is now settled in long-term care. She is happy, comfortable, and surrounded by excellent care. Knowing this has given us space to find our way back to some of the conversations that have always sustained us.

And through all of this, our reading never left us.

Rebecca and Sarah — returning to the conversation, surrounded by books, stories, and a shared love of reading.

Books have remained beside us. In quiet moments, in conversations over the telephone, in questions that followed us through the day, and in those wonderful occasions when one of us says to the other, “You have to read this.” That is why returning to The Book Dialogue feels less like starting again and more like picking up a conversation that was temporarily interrupted.

The Reading Journey

As we begin again, Sarah and I want to explore something larger than individual books. We want to talk about the reading journey. What is a reading journey? When does it begin?

Can we recognize the books that changed the direction of our reading? Why do some books disappear from memory while others remain with us for decades? And what happens when we return to a book years later and discover that, although the words have remained the same, we have changed? Our reading journeys are not simply lists of books we have finished. They are part of the stories of our lives.

There are books we read because someone placed them in our hands. Books we discovered by accident. Books we were not ready for the first time. Books that accompanied us through difficult seasons. Books that made us laugh. Books that challenged assumptions we did not even know we carried. And increasingly, there is another part of the story.

Reading in a Changing World

Technology is changing the way we encounter books. We read printed books and e-books. We listen to audiobooks. We discover writers through podcasts, blogs and online conversations. A quotation encountered somewhere on the internet can send us searching for a poem written centuries ago. Technology may change the doorway through which we enter a book, but the essential experience remains wonderfully human: one mind meeting another across distance and time.

We are curious about what this means for our own reading journeys. The question is no longer simply, “What are you reading?” It is also, “Where is your reading taking you?” That is the conversation we would like to continue through The Book Dialogue.

There will be books, of course. There will always be books. But there will also be conversations about memory, curiosity, discovery, technology, rereading, and the strange and wonderful paths that lead one book to another.

Most of all, there will be two sisters talking about something they have loved all their lives.

Reading.

We are delighted to be back.

Sarah & Rebecca

#bookReview #bookReviews #Books #Reading #RebeccaBudd #SarahAhmadi #Season7 #writing

The Bard’s Corner – Finding Ourselves in Shakespeare’s Sonnets

The Bard’s Corner: Finding Ourselves in Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Welcome to The Bard’s Corner—a new podcast series within Rebecca’s Reading Room, where we listen anew to the voice of William Shakespeare. Not as a distant literary figure confined to dusty libraries and exam rooms, but as a companion whose words still walk beside us.

“From fairest creatures we desire increase,
That thereby beauty’s rose might never die…”
— Sonnet 1

William shakespeare

For many, Shakespeare feels like an academic mountain—imposing, admirable, and far away. But I believe we’ve been looking at the summit instead of stepping onto the path. When we return to his sonnets with fresh eyes and open hearts, we discover not a test to be passed, but a mirror held up to life itself.

Shakespeare and Company, Paris France (Rebecca Budd Photo Archives 2023)

We begin our journey with Sonnets 1 and 2—two deceptively simple poems that form the foundation of the entire sonnet sequence. These are not love poems in the traditional sense. They are pleas, reflections, and quiet reckonings. They speak of beauty, legacy, and the passage of time. And as we listen, we begin to hear something else: the questions we ask ourselves each day.

What will I leave behind?
Is my life meant to be shared, not hoarded?
How do I honour time without fearing it?

In Sonnet 1, Shakespeare urges the young man to pass on his beauty through future generations—a metaphor for legacy, for choosing life over isolation. In Sonnet 2, the tone darkens: forty winters are coming. The mirror will one day hold a different face. What will remain?

These questions may be wrapped in iambic pentameter, but they are not abstract. They are deeply human.

The Bard’s Corner is an invitation to return to these verses not with a scholar’s gaze, but with a seeker’s heart. To read Shakespeare not just for what he meant in 1609—but for what he might mean to us now, in this moment, in this life.

Sonnet 1 features a heartfelt conversation with my sister Sarah. We explore the meaning behind Shakespeare’s opening lines and reflect on how beauty, legacy, and connection shape our lives today. It was a joyful recording—full of insight, laughter, and the quiet discovery that Shakespeare speaks to sisters, too.

https://youtu.be/a47u7NQnizI?si=uCgergehtrakiO-d

Sonnet 2, on the other hand, is a quieter moment. Just me, in nature, and Shakespeare’s voice carried forward. A simple recitation. A short reflection. A moment of pause.

https://youtu.be/1pTaTO7vwII?si=FEzLQq8AY_o_-_fk

These two episodes offer a glimpse into what The Bard’s Corner hopes to become: not a lecture, but a shared listening space. A room where Shakespeare isn’t confined to the classroom, but invited into the kitchen, the garden, the quiet hours of the morning.

If you’ve ever felt that Shakespeare belonged to someone else—some professor, some actor, some distant past—this is your place to reclaim him. Join me, and let’s find ourselves in his words.

We don’t read Shakespeare to understand the past. We read him to understand ourselves.”

Sonnet # 2: When Forty Winters Shall Besiege thy Brow – The Bard's Corner

Sonnet # 2: When Forty Winters Shall Besiege thy Brow05:18Sonnet # 1 From fairest creatures we desire increase11:06The Launch of The Bard’s Corner01:33

#Poetry #PoetryRecitation #RebeccaSReadingRoom #SarahAhmadi #Sonnet1 #Sonnet2 #TheBardSCorner

S6 E1: The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a new episode of our podcast, where today we’ll be diving into the calming and insightful world of Haemin Sunim’s acclaimed book, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down. Join us as we explore the profound wisdom embedded within Sunim’s teachings. In a society that often prioritizes speed and efficiency over mindfulness and reflection, this episode serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of slowing down to appreciate the present moment.

What our mind focuses on becomes our world. Seen this way, the mind does not seem so insignificant in relation to the world out there, does it?

Haemin Sunim, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down

The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. However, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim reminds us that we don’t have to rush through life. Sunim, a bestselling author and Buddhist meditation teacher, offers gentle insights drawn from his experiences in both Korea and the United States. If you’re seeking clarity amidst chaos, this book provides a nurturing path toward inner peace, urging us to embrace the present and find solace in simplicity.

So, sit back, relax, and let’s embark on this journey of self-discovery and reflection around the beautiful messages found in The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down.

Welcome to 2025!! We are thrilled that you joined us for another season of The Book Dialogue.

Sarah & Rebecca

https://anchor.fm/s/107374d0/podcast/rss

#Episode1 #HaeminSunim #lifestyle #mentalHealth #mindfulness #RebeccaBudd #SarahAhmadi #Season6 #selfCare #slowLiving #TheThingsYouCanSeeOnlyWhenYouSlowDown

S5 E4: The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson

“When I held them in my hands and tried to look into their eyes, I was close to something that transcended the limits of the known universe. That is how the eel question draws you in. The eels’ mystique becomes an echo of the questions all people carry within them: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?”

Patrik Svensson, The Book of Eels: our enduring fascination with the most MYSTERIOUS creature in the natural world

The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson

Welcome to The Book Dialogue

Thank you for listening in!

Join us today as we discuss The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson. Sarah is excited to share her thoughts on reading about eels, one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures.

Patrik Svensson’s profound exploration of eels invites us to draw parallels to our own existential inquiries. As he eloquently states, “When I held them in my hands and tried to look into their eyes, I was close to something that transcended the limits of the known universe.” Through his narrative, we will uncover the mysteries surrounding these elusive beings while reflecting on the universal questions of identity and purpose.

Whether you are a long-time fan of nature writing or new to the genre, this discussion promises to engage and inspire.

So, grab your headphones, and let’s plunge into the world of The Book of Eels!

Sarah and Rebecca

https://anchor.fm/s/107374d0/podcast/rss

We all came from the sea once, and therefore anyone wishing to understand life on this planet has to first understand the sea.”

Patrik Svensson, The Book of Eels: our enduring fascination with the most MYSTERIOUS creature in the natural world

#bookReview #Books #eel #eels #Episode4 #fish #PatrikSvensson #RebeccaBudd #SarahAhmadi #Season5 #TheBookDialogue #TheBookOfEels

S5 E3 44: Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

Welcome to the Book Dialogue

Thank you for listening in!

Edinburgh, Scotland (Rebecca Budd Archives August 2016)

Welcome to another episode of the Book Dialogue Podcast! We are travelling virtually with Alexander McCall Smith to the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. The address is 44 Scotland Street, home to a vibrant array of characters living in a townhouse that serves as a microcosm of society. With its rich tapestry of interactions and quirky personalities, Alexander McCall Smith invites us to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and the randomness of life.

Edinburgh, Scotland (Rebecca Budd Archives August 2016)

So, whether you’re a long-time fan of Alexander McCall Smith or a newcomer eager to discover his work, settle in for a lively discussion about the joys and surprises of 44 Scotland Street.

https://anchor.fm/s/107374d0/podcast/rss

Closing Thoughts

As we wrap up this episode of the Book Dialogue Podcast, we hope you’ve enjoyed our journey through the charming streets of Edinburgh and the delightful world of 44 Scotland Street.

Thank you for joining us today! We encourage you to explore Alexander McCall Smith’s work. Layers of humour, warmth, and insight await you. Until next time, keep reading, keep reflecting, and remember—there’s always a new story waiting to unfold. Safe travels in your literary adventures!

Thank you for being a part of our community.

Sarah & Rebecca

Edinburgh, Scotland (Rebecca Budd Archives August 2016)

#44ScotlandStreet #AlexanderMcAllSmith #bookReview #Books #Episode3 #Fiction #mystery #Podcast #RebeccaBudd #SarahAhmadi #Season5 #TheBookDialogue