Description

Grace and Tranquility: Natural Peaceful Paths through Every Living Day maps a shared journey down natural paths of ease and calm found in stillness and the world’s persistent beauty. Through exquisite nature photography and meditative wisdom, Grace and Tranquility guides readers into a daily practice of peace, even in the midst of conflict and uncertainty.
Alan approaches relationships with the Earth, people in our lives, and even politics and money with equal candor and clarity. The photography uniquely enriches the words, expanding the readers’ understanding of the text.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Alan

REVIEWS

“When I finally finished Grace & Tranquility I realized I’d been deliberately reading it more and more slowly, savoring it in smaller and smaller nibbles, as one puts off the inevitable conclusion of a sumptuous meal. It is a profoundly wise book in that it never announces itself as wisdom; and it has the power, precision and absolute necessity of poetry in that every page–while containing not a single superfluous syllable–purveys both an arresting image and a scintillating nugget of truth. Anyone interested in an unostentatiously elegant narrative of the human journey toward awareness will cherish both Grace & Tranquility and its predecessor, Wild Grace.” ~ Will Clipman, pan-global percussionist, poet, maskmaker, storyteller, six-time Grammy Award nominee

“With uplifting prose and dozens of eye-catching color photographs, Alan (Wild Grace) ponders and communicates moments of profound grace and tranquility. The author’s message is clear: tranquility and grace are not distant goals, but are already within our grasp. Images and text remind readers they should be celebrating each moment, be it gardening, fishing, or playing music. Messier aspects of existence aren’t shied away from, either: war, personal upheaval, aging, and finances are viewed as opportunities to learn and reflect. Alan writes with a cadence that lets flow scores of meaning-packed aphorisms. When addressing ecological balance, there’s waste is a purely human concept. He warns that when media become are placement for direct experience, they’re illusion. The author is willing to wrestle with paradox: Tranquility is not a simple practice. And yet it is. Prose and pictures together create a joyful and affirming song of praise for self and society . . . To spend time in his world is to join a writer-artist who addresses themes both topical and timeless.” ~ Publishers Weekly, August 2010

“Eric Alan has produced a lovely book, matching evocative writing with absolutely stunning photography. It is personal and probing, providing an intimate connection to nature. He describes it as a spiritual path, and indeed it is’a book designed to strengthen one’s heart and soul.” ~ Bill Meadows, President, The Wilderness Society

GYSPY SOUL CD

Additionally, A CD of the same title by Gypsy Soul is available, incorporating Eric Alan’s lyrics into a powerfully flowing musical interpretation of the Grace & Tranquility theme. Buy it HERE.

Gypsy Soul has been listed as a “TOP PICK / CRITIC’S CHOICE” in 40 publications  LA Times, SF Chronicle, LA Almanac, OC Register, OC Weekly, Pacific Sun. Park Record, Desert Post Weekly, Performing Songwriter, Monterey County Herald, Coast Weekly, Jefferson Monthly, Where Magazine, Medford Tribune, San Francisco Herald, Standard Examiner, SLC Weekly, The Deseret, Bass Player, Ashland Daily Tidings & others.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Gypsy Soul

CD REVIEW
Cilette Swann’s voice is haunting, and Roman Morykit’s musicianship is superb. Their music stirs the soul and moves the spirit.
~ Monica Rizzo, People Magazine