I encountered this book this past week:

Going to Pieces: Without Falling Apart

by Mark Epstein

An intriguing phrase.

I have never read this book. I just ordered it on a whim when it popped up in my iphone notes out of nowhere. Some friend of mine probably mentioned the book to me in a conversation and I probably decided to write it down in my notes, as if I knew all along that this day would come when I found the book title and ordered it on amazon.

While I only have a very vague idea of what the book is really about, I was simply intrigued by the linguistic semanticity of the title.

 

Going to Pieces: Without Falling Apart.

Going to Pieces. ok…

WIthout,

Falling … Apart.

 

Going to Pieces WITHOUT Falling Apart.

How can that happen?

When we say we’re “going to pieces” the thought that immediately runs through my mind is a negative portrayal of something that is in one piece that crumbles into pieces.

The author of the book wrote the book based on his philosophy that roots in Buddhism and through his experiences with Buddhism.

I myself don’t associate with any particular religion at the moment, but I love this image of something going to pieces, but not falling apart.

It’s a sense of balance that one has to maintain while dispersing its energy….

Sometimes I listen to some pieces of music and it sounds like controlled chaos to me:

A great example is Krzysztof Pendercki’s Agnus Dei. It’s not only absolutely gorgeous, but the clashing chords that just keep building and building are somehow so balanced and controlled. Though harmonically chaotic, the piece is structured and “in one piece.

That’s how I feel about this phrase “going to pieces without falling apart.”

If only I could disperse my energy and effort in everything I do so moderately and balance everything like an octopus….