Holding the Center: Sanctuary in a Time of Confusion

from cover

In his newest book, psycotherapist Richard Strozzi Heckler applies his ideas about mastery and skillful action to the natural world, the family and marriage, and community. As in all his books, Heckler draws from personal experience: training his horse, cultivating presence in aikido dojos, consulting with business executives, raising children.

A masterful and encompassing book, Holding the Center develops from the fulcrum of the self in the natural world. Many of Heckler's lessons arise from his life as householder and father. Community is a larger family-we make alliances to 'take care of what matters to us.' But that takes listening to others with an open heart, learning what the needs of others are.

The world can be a show more sanctuary, if we find a balance between instinct and choisce. Richard Strozzi Heckler sounds an important call about the interplay between power and generosity in these subtle and luminous essays.

Richard Strozzi Heckler co-founded Lomi School, a major school of bodywork, and Tamalpais Aikido. He has pioneered the use of aikido, mediatation, and bodywork with disturbed childeren , inner-city gangs, several branches of the military, and corporate executives. His books are The Anatomy of Change, Aikido and the New Warrior, and In Search of the Warrior Spirit. He directs Rancho Strozzin Institute in Petaluna, California.

Contents

Introduction
Connecting with Place
Landing
A Good Year for Grasses
Holy Curiosity
Place of Awakening
Connectiong with Others
Given to Love: The Warrior fo the Twenty-first Century
Teachership
Community
Commanded By Love
You Can't Leave Me
Connecting with Body
The Bear
Reaching
Center: The Unity of Action and Being
Body show less