Member: ecohealth2003

Uh, my name is Michael, not Alan. Perhaps you meant someone else?

posted by mschuyler at 9:28 pm (EST) on Nov 25, 2009

Jennifer, Interesting to find another fan of Stewart and Betty White's work, especially because he isn't wildly known these days, and because Spiritualism, while certainly not obscure, is a bit past its zenith. Clearly you both have led a very interesting life, and I am sure I could learn a good deal from both of you, and hopefully share a thing or two. I am a lawyer and businessman by profession, but I developed a deep interest in astral travel as a consequence of a close business relationship with a scientist and patent holder that I hold in deep regard for his honesty. As he confided to me that astral travel was indeed possible, as he had been doing it all his life, I abandoned my attitude of disbelief and set out to study the subject in depth for the purpose of acquiring the skill myself. The fuse now lit, I became a voracious buyer and reader of books on and related to astral travel. Well of course, astral travel is just the tip of the iceberg, isn't it? So, my knowledge has grown, as has my library of perhaps 500 volumes on or about that subject and its many associated tangents. Please do stay in touch. Kind regards, Tom Billstein (Northern CA).

posted by T-Bills at 1:28 am (EST) on Nov 24, 2009

Hello Jennifer:
Thank you for writing me, and I apologize for not getting right back to you. I teach, and it has been an unusually busy semester for me.

I went to the website you mentioned and looked around; I hope to explore it further. The book in my library that attracted you is written by B. Alan Wallace a well known Tibetan leaning western teacher. Choosing Reality was the first book I read on the topic of western science in comparison to Buddhist view of mind and reality. It got me thinking for sure.

Thanks for visiting Readings in the Humanities group. p.s. I'm just preparing to take an internet course called Awakening Joy with a group of women in my town--it is called Awakening Joy--a 10 month long investigation into cultivating joy in daily life through thought, action, and creative expression. Having had my share of scholarly study these past three years, I'm ready for something a bit more hands on.

Sher-rosinbow

posted by Rosinbow at 11:38 am (EST) on Nov 23, 2009

H. Richard Niebuhr once wrote: "Trying to find the Historical Jesus is just one more way of denying, despising, and rejecting the Messiah."

The question for us is can we by Faith enter into the great companionship that Jesus the Messiah invites us to? People will always search for ways to discredit and reject Jesus, but by Faith we have the opportunity to respond to his call (to the great call of God's love) and enter into relationship with him.

posted by picklesan at 12:47 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2009

Dear Zee and Jennifer,

I hear what you are saying about the limits of the Western Thought and of Christian Theology. I guess it would also depend on what one meant by, or was looking for, in Christian Theology. I think there has been an over-emphasis on doctrine and teachings, over Faith and discipleship in the Christian world, which leads many away from what Christian Faith is all about.

Certainly, there's alot of room and opportunity for dialogue and discussion in these areas. It seems to me that the East can learn from the West and the West from the East. We have so much to offer one another if we would take the time. While in Japan I became very much impress with the lives and writings of 3 Japanese Christians (Endo Shusaku, Tomohiko Kagawa, and Nagai Takashi). They were able to live out their faith in an authenically Japanese way that transcended Western sterotypes.

I would be interested in meeting you both for tea or something. Unfortunatly, having just returned to Canada I don't have a car and would be unable to meet in Woodstock or Brantford.

Take care,

Al

posted by picklesan at 10:07 pm (EST) on Nov 16, 2009

Jennifer,

Thanks for sharing your story. You've definately been blessed to have had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences. My wife and I have recently moved back to Canada (London,ON) from Japan. We really enjoyed our time there. At this point we're trying to figure out our next step.

We first went to Japan in 2004. We stayed for a year teaching English and I was working as a Chaplain at a local mission. We had the opportunity in '07 to return to the same place for 2 more years. We made alot of great friends, were able to see alot of the country, and were able to learn more about Japanese culture, society and spiriutal beliefs.

In 1998 (age 22) I had the opportunity to go to Amsterdam and take part of a Discipleship Training School that focused on reaching out to socially marginalized people as well as exploring and growing in matters of Christian Faith. After those 6months I went with the same organization to Santa Cruz, Bolivia to work with street children and youth. I was there for aboout 2 years. I was blown away by the level of poverty and injustice as well as the level of despair and loniliness in the lives of the kids. This was a personal and spiritually transformative experience for me.

After that I returned to Canada to go to Tyndale College & Seminary in Toronto, where I had the opportunity to study. While I was there I got involved with the Salvation Army and worked at a 108 bed shelter for homeless men in downtown Toronto.

Needless to say I am very grateful to have had these opportunities to serve. From this experience I see how God has been developing compassion and love for those who are lost, broken and hurting. My main focus and aim in life is to grow in intimacy with Christ and to grow in compassion for others.

Thanks for letting me share a bit about myself. I hope you and Zee will continued to be blessed and live everyday with a sense of wonder and gratitude.

_______________

Zee,

Thanks for your response. I agree that alot of suffering in our world is brought on from inordinate desires. On the other hand, I wouldn't want much to do with a simplicity which lacks the fear, the astonishment and the joy that are alive in our world and come to us in our desires, pleasures and wants. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with a dark vision of a child who is too simple to play with toys. I think children are in this and in many other matters our best guides. Children see everything with a simple pleasure, even complex things. I think the key is living with a sense of responsibility. I wouldn't want to let my desires become so un-disciplined and out of control that they destroy me, and I wouldn't want to live totally devoid of desire. I like what G.K. Chesterton says about our desires and simplicity:

"The only simplicity that matters is the simplicity of the heart. If that be gone it can be brought back by no turnips or cellular clothing; but only by tears and terrors and the fires that are not quenched. If that remain, it matters very little if a few early Victoiran armchairs remain along with it."

Best,

Al

posted by picklesan at 6:17 pm (EST) on Nov 16, 2009

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for introducing yourself!! It's great that your so interested in Eastern philosophies. If you don't mind me asking, what in particular has drawn you to Buddhism and Taoism? Well, keep in touch!

Cheers,

Al

posted by picklesan at 1:28 am (EST) on Nov 16, 2009