Recent reading brought my attention back to a book of Celtic wisdom that I read years ago called, "Anam Cara," written by John O'Donahue. In that wonderful collection of words, O'Donahue explains the meaning of the phrase like this: "The anam cara was a person to whom you could reveal the hidden intimacies of your … Continue reading Sunrise to Sunset: A metaphor for life
Recently in email I received a link to a video that presented a poem by Kate Nowak called, "May You Be Blessed." It's a very nice sentiment expressed in the poem, and her efforts have been re-posted quite often. I couldn't help admiring her idea, but I really felt like it needed a response. Here … Continue reading The Abundance of Life and Love
It was early morning on the last day of summer vacation in the mountains, and I rose early to take in the sunrise on the river. Having spent the last few days constructing a raft, as I had learned to do from one older and wiser, I felt confident that I could navigate the lazy … Continue reading Why I Felt I Must Do It Again
Relief sculpture of battle scene in the Vatican Museum, Rome, Italy. “In these confused and restless zones, in which present blends with future in a world of upheaval, we stand face-to-face with all the grandeur—the unprecedented grandeur—of the phenomenon of man. What has made us so different from our forbearers, so ambitious too, and so … Continue reading The Phenomenon of Consciousness
A Spirit Born To Be Yours A long time ago, In centuries past, You and I existed On a plane that can No longer be reached. It is in the past, But it is also now, And it is also tomorrow. We were lovers. We breathed the same air. Our lips pressed together; Our hearts … Continue reading A Spirit Born To Be Yours
(c) Can Stock Photo Inc. / eric1513 Everywhere we look in the world, no matter how remote or distant from us, we find the two great opposing forces of grief and hope. At times, especially when the grief is very near, our initial response at first tends toward the abandonment of hope. It really doesn't … Continue reading Grief and Hope
"The greatest achievement was, at first and for a time, a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg. And in the highest vision of a soul, a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities." - James Allen, "Visions and Ideals, 1902 "A man becomes calm in the … Continue reading Consciousness in the World: The Universe is Alive
"Wind" by Andrew Wyeth For many people, the idea of being "near death," is one they would rather not contemplate, but as anyone who has survived an accidental or unintentional brush with death can tell you, suddenly finding yourself at the edge of such a possibility tends to narrow your focus sharply on whatever action … Continue reading Neuroscience and Near Death Experiences
Driving all day to our destination for Thanksgiving dinner this year gave me some additional time for contemplation, and a chance to review some material that has been on the back burner. There haven't been many such opportunities recently, and I know that my writing has suffered from my inability to focus well these past … Continue reading Making Progress Slowly
These past few weeks have brought me face-to-face with some of the most challenging moments of my life. Facing life squarely is always a challenge one way or another, but confronting the consequences of my brother's illness took me to levels of challenge I never imagined. Forced to consider and respond to circumstances beyond anything … Continue reading Finding My Way
John's Consciousness 