Brother Raven Speaks

By Michael Stout

Brother Raven Speaks is the first published collection of lyrics and poetry by Michael Stout, now available as an Ebook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9780244118280

Book preview

Brother Raven Speaks

Brother Raven Speaks

A collection of lyrics and poetry by Michael Stout

Publishing information

Published by Michael Stout

Copyright © Michael Stout, 2018

Typography, layout and cover design by Michael Stout

All rights reserved

The right of Michael Stout to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988

ISBN: 978-0-244-11828-0

Produced by Lulu: www.lulu.com

Dedication

To my beloved son Oscar,

You are lucky I think in that you enjoy and excel at learning. This is a gift and also a powerful position to be in.

So what to do with it? It is all too easy to believe that the system has all the answers; many have fallen prey to its wiles. You told me that you thought that people are prone to selfishness... and whilst you are right people can be and often are selfless too. Be generous with your gift and remember to think for yourself

Critical thinking is not a new idea, but it is I believe increasingly important in a world that is all too often filled with hearsay and misinformation. How do we differentiate a truth from a lie? Honesty from deceit? Fact from fiction? According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama said this which is wise and relevant: -

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. Siddhartha Gautama

I wish you happiness and success and look forward to the day when we will discuss all things as equals, as should be the case for all. I am very proud of you and you bring out the best in me. I dedicate this book to you; may you achieve what you set out to accomplish.

Whilst I try to remember that I should love all, you always remind me that I love you

above all.

Dad

About the author

I have been writing poetry and lyrics since adolescence. There are a number of subjects covered in this collection; they all share my passion for knowledge and desire for a better understanding of the world around me and society as a whole.

In places they also reflect my battle with mental