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Z 2 A
In the West, we know how to achieve - in spades! We know how to plan and execute. We know how to set goals and objectives. We know how to live life from A to Z. But how do we get from Z to A? What do we know of navigating that space in between? When life as we know it ends, before we see a new beginning, there is a creative void where all things are possible. That’s what this book is about. I call it Z 2 A.
Sometimes it takes an ‘earthquake’ in our lives to make the change happen that is good for us. I’ve had many discontinuances in my life. Perhaps the universe thought I should have more practice than most, so I’d know what I was talking about in writing this book.
Z 2 A is ever so much about the unexpected. New solutions. A different path. Seldom the one logic dictates. Not a straight line, but more a connect the dots experience where you have no idea what you are doing as you mosey from point to point.
The space in between is that moment when all things are possible. It’s the creative void that artists work with. It’s the moment of surrender where healing can take place. It’s the instant of inspiration where new ideas are born. It’s the crack in the wall where change can seep in. It’s the chink in the armor where old patterns can be dismantled.
To further deepen the experience, I have chosen to illustrate this book with my own art. The images are there to assist your mind to access Z 2 A space and time. Breathing spaces for your mind so to speak.
Sometimes it takes an ‘earthquake’ in our lives to make the change happen that is good for us. I’ve had many discontinuances in my life. Perhaps the universe thought I should have more practice than most, so I’d know what I was talking about in writing this book.
Z 2 A is ever so much about the unexpected. New solutions. A different path. Seldom the one logic dictates. Not a straight line, but more a connect the dots experience where you have no idea what you are doing as you mosey from point to point.
The space in between is that moment when all things are possible. It’s the creative void that artists work with. It’s the moment of surrender where healing can take place. It’s the instant of inspiration where new ideas are born. It’s the crack in the wall where change can seep in. It’s the chink in the armor where old patterns can be dismantled.
To further deepen the experience, I have chosen to illustrate this book with my own art. The images are there to assist your mind to access Z 2 A space and time. Breathing spaces for your mind so to speak.
- GenresPhilosophy
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
About the author
Eva Dillner
12 books22 followersBloggare, konstnär & författare, med intresse för samhälle och politik.
https://www.evadillner.com
https://www.evadillner.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 22, 2011
I am not into philosophical or self-guidance books. But this is my first book from First Reads Giveaway. Okay, I got three other books from the same author, and you know what, this is the fourth time she is sending me. The first 3 shipments of the books didn't reach me. But when I informed the author, she apologized and sent me again. So, you see, I owe to her, to read the books.
Z2A - the space in between - okay, let's see a gist of what Eva Dillner means. To understand the below 2 lines, you need to know the situation. The situation described in the book is she is travelling in an incredibly thick Delhi (India) morning fog. Now, let's see the concept of the book in 2 lines.
"As I ponder in awe, I'm struck by how Z2A this journey is. We keep edging forward, trusting that with every movement, we will be guided to the next."
So, this is all this book is about - positive attitudes, instinctive actions, using right energy. Eva Dillner travels to a lot of places, meets a lot of people and does a lot of stuff. And she gives that experience with her inner emotions during that time in Z 2 A.
Some of the things, the author explains, are inspiring. Look, if you are going to be always positive and think positive, won't you feel some kind of confident energy in you? You will find this book to contain a lot of positive stuff.
"Does this make you uncomfortable? The very idea of just doing it for the sake of doing it, without knowing where the path may take you? I perceive that to be a common stumbling block."
"Do you think JK Rowling had any idea her Harry Potter would be so successful? No. But she wrote it anyway. The story was there for her to write and she followed through on that impulse. She did the experience and trusted the universe."
"It doesn't matter if you go whole hog or nibble, just DO IT!"
See what I mean now, when I said it contains positive stuff?
She talks about hypnotherapy (Eva Dillner is a Certified Hypnotherapist) and yoga, along with a lot of philosophy.
I will not say that the book is great. Its seriously not for me to decide, because as I said, I am not into philosophy and I didn't understand much about it. She has just poured her thoughts into the book and it looked scattered - the thoughts, I mean. Its a bit tough to go with her thoughts.
I liked the part about "In this moment" in the book. Here are some words for you, from this topic.
Three simple questions:
- In this moment, do you have food to eat?
- In this moment, do you have a roof over your head?
- In this moment, do you have clothes on your back?
We were OK. The answer to all of the above was YES. In this moment I am OK. That is all you need to know.
So, overall this book is okay..for me. It was a fast read. Oh, I forgot to tell about the drawings in the book. 60 of her original drawings. Okay, I admit, I don't understand them. But some of them looked good. Oh, come on, I can atleast like the colors, right? Yeah, that's what I mean, when I said some of them are good. Maybe others, who like philosophical/self-guidance books, might understand it better.
Z2A - the space in between - okay, let's see a gist of what Eva Dillner means. To understand the below 2 lines, you need to know the situation. The situation described in the book is she is travelling in an incredibly thick Delhi (India) morning fog. Now, let's see the concept of the book in 2 lines.
"As I ponder in awe, I'm struck by how Z2A this journey is. We keep edging forward, trusting that with every movement, we will be guided to the next."
So, this is all this book is about - positive attitudes, instinctive actions, using right energy. Eva Dillner travels to a lot of places, meets a lot of people and does a lot of stuff. And she gives that experience with her inner emotions during that time in Z 2 A.
Some of the things, the author explains, are inspiring. Look, if you are going to be always positive and think positive, won't you feel some kind of confident energy in you? You will find this book to contain a lot of positive stuff.
"Does this make you uncomfortable? The very idea of just doing it for the sake of doing it, without knowing where the path may take you? I perceive that to be a common stumbling block."
"Do you think JK Rowling had any idea her Harry Potter would be so successful? No. But she wrote it anyway. The story was there for her to write and she followed through on that impulse. She did the experience and trusted the universe."
"It doesn't matter if you go whole hog or nibble, just DO IT!"
See what I mean now, when I said it contains positive stuff?
She talks about hypnotherapy (Eva Dillner is a Certified Hypnotherapist) and yoga, along with a lot of philosophy.
I will not say that the book is great. Its seriously not for me to decide, because as I said, I am not into philosophy and I didn't understand much about it. She has just poured her thoughts into the book and it looked scattered - the thoughts, I mean. Its a bit tough to go with her thoughts.
I liked the part about "In this moment" in the book. Here are some words for you, from this topic.
Three simple questions:
- In this moment, do you have food to eat?
- In this moment, do you have a roof over your head?
- In this moment, do you have clothes on your back?
We were OK. The answer to all of the above was YES. In this moment I am OK. That is all you need to know.
So, overall this book is okay..for me. It was a fast read. Oh, I forgot to tell about the drawings in the book. 60 of her original drawings. Okay, I admit, I don't understand them. But some of them looked good. Oh, come on, I can atleast like the colors, right? Yeah, that's what I mean, when I said some of them are good. Maybe others, who like philosophical/self-guidance books, might understand it better.
September 7, 2011
I received this book as a result of "winning" it in a random draw on the giveaway page.
I understand that this book is intended as a self-help book, designed to re-ignite creative or personal "flow", but to be honest, I found the book a bit of a non-starter for me. The pictures were interesting, but there was only one that appealed.
For me, overall it felt and read more like a combination of train-of-thought writing and a disjointed autobiography than a help book. It wasn't badly written or badly constructed, but it didn't fill the preview that was written either here or on the back of the book.
Sorry.
I understand that this book is intended as a self-help book, designed to re-ignite creative or personal "flow", but to be honest, I found the book a bit of a non-starter for me. The pictures were interesting, but there was only one that appealed.
For me, overall it felt and read more like a combination of train-of-thought writing and a disjointed autobiography than a help book. It wasn't badly written or badly constructed, but it didn't fill the preview that was written either here or on the back of the book.
Sorry.
June 25, 2011
I received this book as a Good Reads first read. Thank you.
This book is full of inspirational messages like; take time for yourself. This is not unlike the saying take time to smell the roses, but not exactly like it either. It is about following your heart and allowing yourself to imagine. Enjoy life and do something unexpected.
Beautifully written and illustrated.
This book is full of inspirational messages like; take time for yourself. This is not unlike the saying take time to smell the roses, but not exactly like it either. It is about following your heart and allowing yourself to imagine. Enjoy life and do something unexpected.
Beautifully written and illustrated.
November 19, 2011
It is quite rare to read a book that truly speaks to you. Well, ‘Z 2 A’ penned by Eva Dillner, Swedish- writer, artist, therapist and teacher specializing in helping people during the transformation stage did just that. It spoke to me. I am so glad that I got is as a give away on GoodReads.
She was one of the fifteen Swedish artists selected for the Tellus Art project in India in 2010 and this book, interposed with photographs of her paintings is a rich spiritual tapestry helping the reader in the entire process of transformation.
Caught up in the corporate rat race, we know how to set goals and achieve them, or rather goals are set for us and if we want to climb up the corporate ladder, the goals have to be achieved. Our life is measured by what we are, rather than who we are.
Yes, the two things are quite different. Recall the last networking dinner you attended. Let us illustrate: You went up to someone and said: I am ABC and I work as a corporate lawyer. You repeated this over and over again. Then, you found a momentary sense of achievement in obtaining the contact number of someone who could be your potential client.
When was the last time you told anyone who you are? That you are a dreamer? Or someone who finds happiness in feeling the sand beneath your toes as the sea breeze ruffles your hair? Or that you find immense joy in helping street dogs find a good home.
Or do you even have time to observe the clouds, or find joy in walking along the beach or feel happy when a dog wags its tail and jumps up to lick you?
We know how to get from A to Z. But what happens, when life as we know ends, or we deliberately break the pattern, before we see a new beginning, there is a creative void where all things are possible. This is what the book teaches us, living from Z 2 A.
We all prepare plans, even if we don’t pen these down on paper or store it on our lap tops or other gizmos, at least we have plans in our mind. Yet, everything does not go as per plan, all the time, right? Eva says: “We live and learn. Might as well roll with the punches. Put another way, you can’t force your will on the universe.”
At this juncture, there is a need to do the ‘RE-words’, which are outlined below.
• RE-evaluate: We need to re-evaluate on what has worked and what hasn’t. Yet at the same time, one must remember that life is a constant change. Just because something was the right thing to do last year, doesn’t mean it still fits. The ‘Z 2 A’ period offers the time to reflect, to pause, to let thoughts drift and meander.
• RE-member: It is important to get a perspective of what we have done, where we have been. This may offer a glimmer of insight into what we may want to change for the future.
• RE-think your options: There are many alternative ways to accomplish the same thing and with this, we move on to the next ‘RE’.
• RE-consider your options: Look outside the box, look at the alternatives on the opposite side of where you are. For instance, a hard driving executive may wish to explore the softer side.
Sometimes things like an illness, an accident, a retrenchment do happen for a RE-ason. These are personal ‘earthquakes’ and give an opportunity for rebuilding.
As Eva states: “The abrupt or soft demise of what has been is a signal that the Z 2 A period has landed in your life. Take advantage of it. Stop, pause and reflect before charging ahead to rebuild what was. Perhaps, you may want to look at other alternatives for the future”.
What perhaps holds us back is fear. The status quo Is often more comfortable than embarking on a new treasure hunt. LIFE IS A TREASURE HUNT.
Look at all the explorers who went sailing off to find the new world, at a time when consensus had us believe that the earth was flat. They really didn’t know if there was an end of the world, that would have abruptly plunged them into nothingness. They went anyway. They did the ‘experience’ and trusted the universe, perhaps with a bit of prayer to help them along the way.
There is a job for everyone. And by job we mean not your work-job but what you are called upon to do. For some of us, a high flying career is our life purpose. For others, it isn’t so. If we are dragging ourselves to our corporate cubicle, just to stash away money for a nest egg, do we have any idea that there will be a tomorrow to enable us to enjoy this nest egg? Or for that matter, how are we to know that our passion, will not enable us to continue to earn?
Eva outlines another process that can help us in transformation. In the process of RE, the present-future exercise is a good way to help us get in touch with our inner dreams , to get direction and move towards the future that is calling us. Often what our conscious mind says to do is contrary to what our higher self has in mind for us. This exercise puts the higher self back in the driver’s seat. While doing this exercise we should keep three elements in mind, viz: mindfulness; gratitude; compassion especially for ourselves. This exercise may require you to move back and forth, to do a lot of homework, to tie up loose ends. Once the backlog is cleared there is a lot more clarity.
This book, which as the author admits weaves in and out, dealing with different aspects of life. But the last chapter is devoted to letting go and trusting the higher power.
In these days of economic turmoil when many of us are prompted to ask the question, what shall I do with my life, this book will act as a guide. It may or may not resonate with you as much as it did with me, but nonetheless it will offer ever reader some gems to take away.
She was one of the fifteen Swedish artists selected for the Tellus Art project in India in 2010 and this book, interposed with photographs of her paintings is a rich spiritual tapestry helping the reader in the entire process of transformation.
Caught up in the corporate rat race, we know how to set goals and achieve them, or rather goals are set for us and if we want to climb up the corporate ladder, the goals have to be achieved. Our life is measured by what we are, rather than who we are.
Yes, the two things are quite different. Recall the last networking dinner you attended. Let us illustrate: You went up to someone and said: I am ABC and I work as a corporate lawyer. You repeated this over and over again. Then, you found a momentary sense of achievement in obtaining the contact number of someone who could be your potential client.
When was the last time you told anyone who you are? That you are a dreamer? Or someone who finds happiness in feeling the sand beneath your toes as the sea breeze ruffles your hair? Or that you find immense joy in helping street dogs find a good home.
Or do you even have time to observe the clouds, or find joy in walking along the beach or feel happy when a dog wags its tail and jumps up to lick you?
We know how to get from A to Z. But what happens, when life as we know ends, or we deliberately break the pattern, before we see a new beginning, there is a creative void where all things are possible. This is what the book teaches us, living from Z 2 A.
We all prepare plans, even if we don’t pen these down on paper or store it on our lap tops or other gizmos, at least we have plans in our mind. Yet, everything does not go as per plan, all the time, right? Eva says: “We live and learn. Might as well roll with the punches. Put another way, you can’t force your will on the universe.”
At this juncture, there is a need to do the ‘RE-words’, which are outlined below.
• RE-evaluate: We need to re-evaluate on what has worked and what hasn’t. Yet at the same time, one must remember that life is a constant change. Just because something was the right thing to do last year, doesn’t mean it still fits. The ‘Z 2 A’ period offers the time to reflect, to pause, to let thoughts drift and meander.
• RE-member: It is important to get a perspective of what we have done, where we have been. This may offer a glimmer of insight into what we may want to change for the future.
• RE-think your options: There are many alternative ways to accomplish the same thing and with this, we move on to the next ‘RE’.
• RE-consider your options: Look outside the box, look at the alternatives on the opposite side of where you are. For instance, a hard driving executive may wish to explore the softer side.
Sometimes things like an illness, an accident, a retrenchment do happen for a RE-ason. These are personal ‘earthquakes’ and give an opportunity for rebuilding.
As Eva states: “The abrupt or soft demise of what has been is a signal that the Z 2 A period has landed in your life. Take advantage of it. Stop, pause and reflect before charging ahead to rebuild what was. Perhaps, you may want to look at other alternatives for the future”.
What perhaps holds us back is fear. The status quo Is often more comfortable than embarking on a new treasure hunt. LIFE IS A TREASURE HUNT.
Look at all the explorers who went sailing off to find the new world, at a time when consensus had us believe that the earth was flat. They really didn’t know if there was an end of the world, that would have abruptly plunged them into nothingness. They went anyway. They did the ‘experience’ and trusted the universe, perhaps with a bit of prayer to help them along the way.
There is a job for everyone. And by job we mean not your work-job but what you are called upon to do. For some of us, a high flying career is our life purpose. For others, it isn’t so. If we are dragging ourselves to our corporate cubicle, just to stash away money for a nest egg, do we have any idea that there will be a tomorrow to enable us to enjoy this nest egg? Or for that matter, how are we to know that our passion, will not enable us to continue to earn?
Eva outlines another process that can help us in transformation. In the process of RE, the present-future exercise is a good way to help us get in touch with our inner dreams , to get direction and move towards the future that is calling us. Often what our conscious mind says to do is contrary to what our higher self has in mind for us. This exercise puts the higher self back in the driver’s seat. While doing this exercise we should keep three elements in mind, viz: mindfulness; gratitude; compassion especially for ourselves. This exercise may require you to move back and forth, to do a lot of homework, to tie up loose ends. Once the backlog is cleared there is a lot more clarity.
This book, which as the author admits weaves in and out, dealing with different aspects of life. But the last chapter is devoted to letting go and trusting the higher power.
In these days of economic turmoil when many of us are prompted to ask the question, what shall I do with my life, this book will act as a guide. It may or may not resonate with you as much as it did with me, but nonetheless it will offer ever reader some gems to take away.
March 23, 2012
originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions
“We live and learn. Might as well roll with the punches. Put another way, you can’t force your will on the universe.”
A phrase from the book which made me paused and smiled.
I didn’t thought that I would love this book even better than her other books nor on any other philosophical ones.:)
We know how to get from A to Z. But what happens when life goes out of order, before we move on to a new day, there is a void we need to think about. This is what the book teaches us, living from Z 2 A. –the space in between-.
This book is about positive attitudes and actions. The author admits this weaved in and out, dealing with different aspects of life. Her last chapter talks about letting go and trusting the higher power.
The place described in the book is the author’s travel through Delhi (India). She wonderfully wrote that experience and inner thoughts in this book.
This was a fast read, plus a gallery of her paintings. Which at first glance would seem confusing, but if you actually focus on it, you’ll find its beauty between the strokes.
Z2A is a rich spiritual book helping the reader in the entire process of transformation. In this book, I find myself actually listening to the author and not merely reading. The message she sends are clear this time.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it considering this is not a genre I normally read. It made me stop and think about taking time for myself. Truly Inspiring. Highly Recommended to anyone who doesn’t mind reading philosophical books..:)
“We live and learn. Might as well roll with the punches. Put another way, you can’t force your will on the universe.”
A phrase from the book which made me paused and smiled.
I didn’t thought that I would love this book even better than her other books nor on any other philosophical ones.:)
We know how to get from A to Z. But what happens when life goes out of order, before we move on to a new day, there is a void we need to think about. This is what the book teaches us, living from Z 2 A. –the space in between-.
This book is about positive attitudes and actions. The author admits this weaved in and out, dealing with different aspects of life. Her last chapter talks about letting go and trusting the higher power.
The place described in the book is the author’s travel through Delhi (India). She wonderfully wrote that experience and inner thoughts in this book.
This was a fast read, plus a gallery of her paintings. Which at first glance would seem confusing, but if you actually focus on it, you’ll find its beauty between the strokes.
Z2A is a rich spiritual book helping the reader in the entire process of transformation. In this book, I find myself actually listening to the author and not merely reading. The message she sends are clear this time.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it considering this is not a genre I normally read. It made me stop and think about taking time for myself. Truly Inspiring. Highly Recommended to anyone who doesn’t mind reading philosophical books..:)
September 26, 2012
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
I loved the fact that this book was self published. It felt unedited, which isn't always a bad thing.
I really enjoyed the author's artwork throughout the book - not only was it beautiful, it made the reading experience richer and more personal.
I am going through a Z to A moment myself, so it was particularly interesting to view this as a chance to let myself be open to opportunity and creative thought instead of just a stressful phase before the next goal is set and stability is achieved. There is a good point about how stability is not always a good thing.
Personally, I had a harder time trying to connect to the book because of the expressed views on spirituality - which I respect but do not share.
All in all it was worth the read as, if nothing else, it offered a peak into a creative mind very different than my own.
I loved the fact that this book was self published. It felt unedited, which isn't always a bad thing.
I really enjoyed the author's artwork throughout the book - not only was it beautiful, it made the reading experience richer and more personal.
I am going through a Z to A moment myself, so it was particularly interesting to view this as a chance to let myself be open to opportunity and creative thought instead of just a stressful phase before the next goal is set and stability is achieved. There is a good point about how stability is not always a good thing.
Personally, I had a harder time trying to connect to the book because of the expressed views on spirituality - which I respect but do not share.
All in all it was worth the read as, if nothing else, it offered a peak into a creative mind very different than my own.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
August 5, 201424/7 2011
In the spirit of this book I wanted to finish off things and then start reading in the space in between, which is NOW. I could never have guessed the power of this book, a power very different from that of YA books and novels in general but one that still manages to keep one reading into the wee hours of the night (which is 12 o'clock for me). My expectations for the power and influence of this book are much higher now than they used to be, and I have a keen belief that I won't be disappointed....
In the spirit of this book I wanted to finish off things and then start reading in the space in between, which is NOW. I could never have guessed the power of this book, a power very different from that of YA books and novels in general but one that still manages to keep one reading into the wee hours of the night (which is 12 o'clock for me). My expectations for the power and influence of this book are much higher now than they used to be, and I have a keen belief that I won't be disappointed....
March 3, 2014
The pictures in this book were truly beautiful! The writing, in my opinion, was fairly good. I realize this is supposed to be a self help book, and as far as that goes, it was pretty good.
Read
November 23, 2011Companion calendar with text for book Z 2 A.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews