IDEAS • POLITICS • RELATIONSHIPS • ART • WRITING • SPIRITUALITY • YOUTH CenterThe Post A Journal of UU Rowe Center Volume 26 No.2 • Spring/Summer 2015

SPECIAL SECTION What’s God Got to Do With It? Joanna Macy, Mary Catherine Bateson, Starhawk and others reflect on their spiritual journeys

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE Charles Eisenstein Fear of a Living Planet Chris Martenson The Great Unraveling Ralph Nader Letter to Environmentalists Joyce and Barry Vissell How to Love Catherine Ann Jones The Bliss of Not Knowing

AND MORE! www.rowecenter.org page 2 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 3

Charles Eisenstein will present “Approaching That- IDEAS More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Pos sible,” September 17-20.

CHARLES EISENSTEIN child hugs a tree and thinks that leaves a livable planet what healthy forests, healthy our ways, or else!” Appealing we’ll receive? I am willing to he feels the hug and imagines to future generations. What streams, and healthy skies look to fear and selfish , in bet that even the survival of the tree is his friend, only to is it, exactly, that makes us like. And we insulate ourselves general, is a natural tactic for the species or the wellbeing learn that no, I’m sorry, the into environmentalists? If we ideologically by our trust in anyone coming from a belief of your grandchildren isn’t tree is just a bunch of woody answer that, we might know technological fixes and justi- that the planet has no intrinsic the real motive for your FEAR of a LIVING PLANET cells with no central nervous how to turn others into environ- fications like, “Well, we need value, no value beyond its . You are not system and therefore cannot mentalists as well, and to deep- fracking for energy indepen- utility. What other reason to an environmentalist because oes the concept of a all, science can easily affirm of knowing and choosing. But possibly have the qualities of en the commitment of those dence, and besides it’s not that preserve it is there, when it has you are afraid of what will CHARLES EISENSTEIN has written several books, most recently living planet uplift The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible and Sacred . or deny Earth’s aliveness that’s still pretty theoretical, so beingness that humans have. who already identify as such. bad,” or “After all, this forest no intrinsic value? happen if you don’t act. You are and inspire you, or A speaker and writer focusing on themes of human culture and identity, he depending on what definition let me share a little of my own The child imagines that just as I don’t know about isn’t in an ecologically critical It should be no surprise an environmentalist because is it a disturbing has a degree in mathematics and from Yale, lived a decade in of life is being used. No, we introspection. she looks out on the world, the you, but I didn’t become an area.” that this tactic has failed. you love our planet. To call as a translator, and has been a college instructor, yoga teacher, and Dexample of woo-woo nonsense construction worker. He currently writes and speaks full-time. He lives in are dealing with an emotional When I apprehend concepts world looks back at her, only environmentalist because The most potent form of When environmentalists cite others into environmentalism, that distracts us from practical, Pennsylvania with his wife and four children. perception here, one that goes such as “Earth is alive,” or to learn that no, I’m sorry, the someone made a rational ideological insulation, though, the potential economic losses we should therefore appeal science-based policies? beyond “alive” to affirm that “All things are sacred,” or world consists of a jumble of argument that convinced me is the belief that the world isn’t from , they to the same love in them. It is The scientifically-oriented strategic error that opens envi- mistaken. By shying away Earth is sentient, conscious, “The universe and everything insensate stuff, a random melee that the planet was in danger. really in pain, that nothing implicitly endorse economic not only ineffectual but also nuts-and-bolts environmental ronmentalism to accusations of from the idea of a living planet, even sacred. That is what up- in it bears sentience, purpose, of subatomic particles, and that I became an environmentalist worse is happening than the gain and loss as a basis for en- insulting to offer someone a activist will roll his or her eyes flakiness. By invoking unscien- we rob environmentalism of sets the critics. Furthermore, and life,” there is always an intelligence and purpose reside out of love and pain: Love for manipulation of matter by vironmental decision-making. venal reason to act ecologically upon hearing phrases like “The tific concepts, by prattling on its authentic motive force, the derisiveness of the criti- emotion involved; in no case in human beings alone. Science the world and its beauty and machines, and that therefore Doubtless they are imagining when we ourselves are doing it planet is a living being.” From about the “heart” or spirit or the engender paralysis rather than cism, encoded in words like is my rejection or acceptance (as we have known it) renders the grief of seeing it destroyed. as long as we can engineer that they must “speak the lan- for love. there it is a short step to senti- sacred, we will be dismissed as action, and implicitly endorse “hippie” or “flake,” also shows the result of pure ratiocination. us alone in an alien universe. It was only because I was some substitute for “ecosystem guage” of the power elite, who Nonetheless, environmental ments like, “Love will heal the naive, fuzzy-headed, irrational, the worldview that enables our that more than an intellec- Either I embrace them with a At the same time, it crowns us in touch with these feelings services,” there need be no supposedly don’t understand campaigning relies heavily world,” “What we need most is hysterical, over-emotional hip- destruction of the planet. tual difference of opinion is at feeling of eager, tender hope, or as its lords and masters, for if that I had the ears to listen to limit to what we do to nature. anything but , but this on scare tactics. Fear might a shift in consciousness,” and pies. What we need, they say, stake. Usually, derision comes I reject them with a feeling of sentience and purpose inhere evidence and reason and the Absent any inherent purpose or strategy backfires when, as is stimulate a few gestures of “Let’s get in touch with our in- is more data, more logic, more The Psychology from insecurity or fear. “Judg- wariness, along the lines of “It in us alone, there is nothing eyes to see what is happening intelligence, the Earth is here the norm, financial self-interest activism, but it does not sustain digenous soul.” What’s wrong numbers, better arguments, and of Contempt ment,” says Marshall Rosen- is too good to be true,” or “I’m stopping us from engineering to our world. I believe that this for us to use. Look around this and ecological sustainability long-term commitment. It with such ideas? The skeptics more practical solutions framed To see that, let’s start by berg, “is the tragic expression nobody’s fool.” Sometimes, the world as we see fit. There is love and this grief are latent in planet. See the results of that are opposed. Similarly, calls to strengthens the habits of self- make a potent argument. Not in language acceptable to poli- observing that the objection to of an unmet need.” beyond wariness, I feel a hot no desire to listen for, no larger every human being. When they ideology writ large. preserve the rainforests because protection, but what we need only are these ideas delusional, cy-makers and the public. “Earth is alive” isn’t primarily What are they afraid of? flash of anger, as if I had been process to participate in, no awaken, that person becomes of the value of the medicines is to strengthen the habits of they say, but to voice them is a I think that argument is a scientific objection. After (And I—the voice of the deri- violated or betrayed. Why? consciousness to respect. an environmentalist. The Love of Life that may one day be derived service. sive critic lives in me as well.) That wariness is deeply “The Earth isn’t really Now, I am not saying that The idea that our planet is from its species imply that, if Why then do so many of us Could it be that the contempt connected to the contempt I’ve alive” is part of that ideological a rational, evidence-based alive, and further, that every only we can invent synthetic name “fear that we won’t have comes in part from a fear that described. The derision of the cutoff. Isn’t that the same analysis of the situation mountain, river, lake and alternatives to whatever the a livable planet” as the motive one is, oneself, “naive, irra- cynic comes from a wound of cutoff that enables us to despoil and possible solutions is forest is a living being, even forest might bear, we needn’t for our activism? I think it is to tional, and over-emotional?” crushed idealism and betrayed the planet? unimportant. It’s just that it will a sentient, purposive, sacred preserve the rainforest after all. make that activism acceptable Could the target of the deri- hopes. We received it on a The wounded child be compelling only with the being, is therefore not a soppy Even appealing to the wellbe- within the ideological frame- sion be the projection of an cultural level when the Age of interjects, “But what if it is animating spirit of reverence emotional distraction from ing of one’s grandchildren work I have described that insecurity lurking within? Is Aquarius morphed into the Age true? What if the universe for our planet, born of the felt the environmental problems harbors a similar trap: If that is takes an instrumentalist view of there a part of ourselves that we of Reagan, and on an individual really is just as science connection to the beauty and at hand; to the contrary, it your first concern, then what the planet. When we embrace disown and project, in distorted level as well when our childish describes?” What if, as the pain around us. disposes us to feel more, to about environmental issues that what I believe is the true mo- form, onto others—an inno- perception of a living, personal biologist Jacques Monod put it, Our present economic and care more, and to do more. only affect people in far-away tive—love for this Earth—we cent, trusting, childlike part? universe in which we are des- we are alone in “an alien world. industrial systems can function No longer can we hide from lands, or that don’t tangibly veer close to the territory that The fear of being tined to grow into magnificent A world that is deaf to man’s only to the extent that we our grief and love behind the harm any human being at all? the cynic derides. What is it to emotional, irrational, or hyster- creators gave way to an adult- music, just as indifferent to his insulate ourselves from our ideology that the world is The clubbing of baby seals, the make “rational” choices, after ical is very close to a fear of the hood of deferred dreams and hopes as to his suffering or his love and our pain. We insulate just a pile of stuff to be used extinction of the river dolphin, all? Is it ever really rational to inner feminine; the exclusion lowered expectations. Anything crimes”? Such is the wail of the ourselves geographically by instrumentally for our own the deafening of whales with choose from love? In particular, of the fuzzy, the ill-defined, that exposes this wound will separate self. It is loneliness pushing the worst degradation ends. True, that ideology sonar… it is hard to construct a is it rational to love something and the emotionally-perceived trigger our protective instincts. and separation disguised as an onto faraway places. We is perfectly consistent with compelling argument that any that isn’t even alive? dimensions of our activism in One such protection is cyni- empirical question. insulate ourselves economically cutting carbon emissions, of these threaten the measur- But the truth is, we love the favor of the linear, rational, cism, which rejects and derides by using money to avoid the and consistent as well with able well-being of future gener- Earth for what it is, not merely and evidence-based mirrors the as foolish, naive, or irrational What Moves the immediate consequences of any environmental argument ations. Are we then to sacrifice for what it provides. domination over, and margin- anything that affirms the magic Environmentalist? that degradation, pushing it that invokes our survival these beings of little utility? alization of, the feminine from and idealism of youth. Most people reading this onto the world’s poor. We insu- as the primary basis for Besides, did anyone This article is adapted from our social choice-making. Part Our perceived worldview probably consider themselves late ourselves perceptually by policymaking. A lot of ever become a committed one that appeared originally in of our resistance to the notion has cut us off, often quite to be environmentalists; learning not to see or recognize environmental activism environmentalist because of Kosmos magazine. of Earth as a living being could brutally, from intimate certainly most people think it the stress of the land and water depends on appeals to survival all the money we’ll save? be the patriarchal mind feeling connection with the rest of life is important to create a society around us and by forgetting anxiety. “We have to change Because of all the benefits threatened by feminine ways and with the rest of matter. The suzybecker.com page 4 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 5

POLITICS Chris and Becca Martenson will present “Peak Prosperity: Thriving in Any Future,” April 24-26.

CHRIS MARTENSON History is full of periods when well- people think they hold just evaporates, meaning but self-interested leadership like morning mist. Because we cannot tried to cover up past mistakes with yet pick which way the tower will fall The Approaching a combination of money printing and — into deflation or inflation — it is best refusing to acknowledge those past to be poised for either. If I had to pick, mistakes, exactly as is happening today. I would say that the world will see a We have loads of history to study on the mix of both deflationary and inflation- matter. Consider the Weimar Germany ary outcomes over the next two years. GREAT UNRAVELING experience. A set of bad decisions, a Deflation will happen if the pile of debts prior war, and a punitive reparations topples faster than authorities can print treaty all combined to create a period up new money and get it into the hands erhaps the largest predicament that limit has been reached. Pretending when printing more and more money of the same people/entities that bor- CHRIS MARTENSON earned a Ph.D. from Duke and a MBA from Cornell. He worked in we face is that infinite econom- otherwise is a game we’ll leave for the the world of corporate finance and strategy for 10 years and is an accomplished speaker and made sense to those in power. And so rowed all that debt. Inflation will hap- ic growth on a finite planet is entrenched defenders of the status quo. author who has presented the “Peak Prosperity” material at the U.N., U.K. Parliament, in Las they did, with much applause from seat- pen if it is people’s faith in the national an impossibility, and yet that’s Vegas, to corporations and audiences the world over. Dr. Martenson spent six years researching ed politicians and most of the populace currency that declines more quickly. Who’s Next? and creating the video version of the Crash Course, which has been viewed more than 2.5 mil- Pexactly what our monetary and banking lion times. His Crash Course book was published by Wiley in 2011. too. At least for a while. But you know Inflation will probably strike: systems require. The economic and financial crises how that all turned out: Vast fortunes • South America Not merely because the bankers and are not going to strike everywhere at to Rico, Brazil, and Portugal would be Portugal is not currently in crisis but were lost, savings were entirely wiped • Mexico politicians want it — which they do — once, or in equal amounts. Some places getting a lot more attention. The core of with debt-to-GDP of 129% it won’t out, and the moment is still referred • Japan (eventually, and horrifically) but because that’s how the system itself will be struck first and hardest, with the the problem is that these countries took take much for it to enter the same path to by many as a period of great wealth • China (this is a 50/50 toss up) is designed. When you loan money only predictable pattern being that the on too much debt and now cannot pos- towards public recognition of its own destruction. And, indeed, many experi- • Eastern Europe suzybecker.com into existence, you get an exponential weaker nations and companies will be sibly pay it all back. Compounding the math problems. Ireland at 123% and enced it that way, as people in Venezu- • Russia increase of that money over time. Actu- hit first from the outside in. problem was borrowing in US dollars, Italy at 132% debt-to-GDP are also in ela are today. • Greece (after reverting to the ally, you get an exponential increase in The trouble always starts on the which removes a lot of maneuvering line. But the truth is that wealth was not Drachma) consume multiple points of view, and growth rates of the past are a thing of debt, too, only at a faster pace, which edges. We see junk bonds falling before room because a country cannot simply Welcome to the next phase of this destroyed; it was transferred. It passed • Africa accept pretty much nothing at face value the past. With that knowledge we then translates into larger quantities. higher quality grades. Poor companies print up the money to pay off the debt. mega-drama, where it becomes impos- from the unwary to the alert, and it Deflation will probably strike: that comes from the defenders of the can assess the likelihood of success for For as long as debts are growing sink before better ones. Weaker coun- Eventually straightforward logic and sible to completely ignore simple math did so in enormous and magnificent • U.S.A. status quo. The truth is always more the central banks that are busily print- at an exponential pace, everything is tries fall into chaos before stronger simple math will be performed on other and basic logic, despite the best efforts amounts. It’s true that the money claims • Northern Europe complex, nuanced, and hidden than ing up vast quantities of new claims on fine with the world, the economy hums ones. larger economies and the same conclu- of the press, politicians, and other pow- against true wealth were destroyed as • Canada most people believe. future . along, politicians get re-elected, and the Even within a given country, some sions will surface. What cannot be paid erful entities. the money spiraled down an inflation- • Australia For example, U.S. in If that growth arrives, there will big banks churn out profits year after areas will fare far better than others. back, won’t be paid back. The Great Unraveling then is really ary hole, but money and debt are not For those countries that experience Ukraine are not centered on democ- be relative stability in the financial year. However, when the debt growth The trouble has already begun in Japan cannot ever possibly pay off nothing more than a bunch of unrealistic wealth; they are merely claims on deflation first the second act will be racy, for the situation in Ukraine is but markets. If not, there will be disap- stops, financial panic sets in, the bank- Greece, obviously, but under more nor- its debts. Somebody is going to have hopes and dreams being forced, kicking wealth. Real wealth is factories and inflation — if not hyper-inflation, as a much more complex amalgam of old pointment, if not outright chaos at some ing system threatens collapse, and the mal times the events in Venezuela, Puer- to take losses. Argentina is a mess. and screaming, into alignment with re- farms, buildings and houses, raw land the central banks panic and really begin fault lines and new energy and emerging point. fiscal and monetary authorities pull out ality. But the way it will play out is with and minerals and water and food. There to print in earnest. The reason I expect geopolitical power realities that involve Still, here we are in 2015, when the all the stops in their efforts to prevent what the people of Venezuela would tell were just as many of these things before this, rather than a scenario of just let- Russia and China. very idea that endless economic growth these various ills from getting any you is a period of immense wealth de- the Weimar hyperinflation as there were ting the deflation run its course and burn Knowing how access to energy is an illogical impossibility of the most worse. struction. A time when a Bolivar sinks afterwards. That is, the amount of real itself out, is because deflation of the supplies has always shaped history, obvious sort remains a fringe view. What the political and banking folks from 46 cents of purchasing power to wealth was fairly consistent throughout. sort we are talking about here — with combined with an understanding of Odd, but true. are desperately seeking to prevent is half a cent. But who owned it changed a lot. over four decades of too much borrow- Europe’s permanent energy shortfalls, Everyone should be asking them- nothing less than a Great Unraveling. The truth, however, is that the wealth And this is the hidden part of money ing to erase — will destroy institutions, gives us a workable map of the Ukraine selves exactly what they would be do- Their task is impossible. of the people of Venezuela was not printing — the inevitable destructive careers and countries. Nobody in power conflict that allows us to mentally and ing differently today if they knew for The Great Unraveling will be a set destroyed; it was merely transferred. events are always presented to us as if ever has the stomach for those sorts of even physically prepare for the pos- certain that the next wave of financial of related economic and financial crises Actual wealth, unlike paper claims on they were some form of natural disaster, things. sibility that the conflict gets worse and and economic disruptions were going to that end up taking inflated expectations wealth, cannot be printed up, nor is it unseen and unforeseeable, an unavoid- The summary is this; we are still spreads before it recedes. arrive in their country next month. and reducing them to match reality. easily destroyed. But it does get trans- able accident that just happened. printing and borrowing enormous Or we might note that economic How would your answer change if Perhaps this process will take years, or ferred all the time, and every single QE But they are neither unforesee- amounts of money and credit, but the growth as practiced in the past relied the crisis were known to be coming in maybe it will take decades, or maybe (quantitative easing) effort by the cen- able nor unavoidable. When too many world is not growing any larger in on equivalent surges in cheap oil sup- one year? it will take months. Nobody knows. tral banks has done exactly that. claims are piled up against too little response. The pressure is building. No- plies that no longer apply. Today we can What if it was going to be two But the longer that final process of ac- real wealth, a resettlement is inevitable. body knows when all of that money and either have stagnant or falling supplies years? What changes in your answer? counting is delayed, the wider the gap The Coming Wealth Transfer The only question is whether it comes credit will have to be “trued up” against of cheap oil or we can have growing Anything? between expectations and reality. The good news about wealth trans- about in the form of an inflationary de- the amount of real stuff out there, but it supplies of expensive oil, but we can- It is time to prepare. Greece has merely exposed the flaw fers is that with a little forethought you struction, as in Venezuela today, or in a will. It always does. not have growing supplies of cheap oil. in the system of money that requires can be on the right side of the line — deflationary bust, more in the fashion of Those days are gone. This piece is adapted from one that endless, perpetual exponential expan- towards which wealth is transferred — Greece today. On Being Prepared This gives us a workable map of the appeared on the blog site http://www. sion. Sooner or later it hits a limit, and when the time comes. Either way the perceived value that It’s critical that you read widely, future which centers on the idea that the peakprosperity.com/blog. suzybecker.com page 6 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 7

Ralph Nader will present “Getting It Done: How to Re POLITICS - ARTS store and Repair Our Wounded Democ - racy,” May 15-17. RALPH NADER SHAUN MC NIFF

Shaun McNiff will present How to CHANGE CONGRESS “Imagination in Action: Secrets for Unleashing FAIL BETTER! Your Natural Creativity.” on CLIMATE CHANGE May 8-10. This letter was sent three times to Al Gore, George erage that helps marginalize the climate deniers and “In a dark time, the eye begins to Soros, and venture capitalist Thomas Sever, without RALPH NADER has launched three major presidential strengthens the resolve of already concurring members see.” SHAUN MCNIFF has written the forthcoming Imagination in Action: Secrets for Unleash- tragedy and on to Frida Kahlo campaigns and founded more than 100 civic organizations that ing Creative Expression. An exhibiting painter, his life work has been freeing the artist in every receiving a reply: have affected auto safety, tax reform, atomic-power regulation, of Congress and their staffers. With bold vision and —Theodore Roethke person. He is the first University Professor of Lesley University, where he established the first and the moaning piano in “The Weary occupational safety, the tobacco industry, clean air and water, leadership, such an effort could create the type of at- Expressive Arts Therapy graduate training program, from which the discipline of Expressive Blues” of Langston Hughes, the arts n light of your efforts to educate and galvanize food and drug safety, access to health care, civil rights, open gov- mosphere in which climate change rises from the back Arts Therapy emerged. An Honorary Life Member of the American Art Therapy Association, he are replete with models for transform- ernment, congressional ethics, and much more. He is a tireless has published many other books, including Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul and Trust the public regarding the urgencies of climate advocate for ending the destruction of civil liberties, the economi- benches to become a priority for congressional leaders iberating creativity is all the Process: An Artist’s Guide to Letting Go. ing pain and difficulties into soulful change and the increasingly documented neces- cally draining corporate welfare state, the relentless perpetuation confident that the country is ready for significant strides about creating with the shad- expressions. sity for action we, the undersigned environmen- of America’s wars, sovereignty-shredding trade agreements, and forward. ow. When I first started intro- sion was already there smoldering, and As someone whose life work is in- As Samuel Beckett put it in Worst- the unpunished crimes of Wall Street against Main Street. He has Italists, wish to propose a new major initiative focused written many bestsellers, including Unstoppable: The Emerging Currently, there are astonishingly too few lobbyists ducing people to how art fur- I ignited it. volved with the arts and health, I have ward Ho: “Ever tried. Ever failed. on members of Congress. Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State; The Sev- working full time in Congress in this way. The most Lthers healing and social transformation, “Tension is beneficial,” Heraclitus been able to see how this ability of art No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail The adoption of a comprehensive energy conver- enteen Traditions; The Good Fight; and the landmark Unsafe at effective advocates on any issue are those who have I viewed myself as evoking the positive of Ephesus said. It activates, communi- to engage the difficult materials, ap- better.” sion program requires the kind of grassroots and local/ Any Speed. money and continually engage in personal advocacy aspects of creative activity. I often en- cates, and gets things moving. The word preciate their place, and do something state efforts that have been growing around the country. What is lacking is the kind of focused pressure on with members and their staff — here in Washington and countered a reluctance to participate: “agitate” derives from the Latin agito, with them as affirmations of life offers This piece is adapted from Shaun But it is also clear that without Congress on board, our Congress that’s necessary to overcome the corporate back home. Given the magnitude of the threat posed “No way am I going to do that.” And agitare — to move, drive, urge forward. A a practical model for how healing and McNiff’s forthcoming book Imagina- national legislature will continue to be an instrument of special interests and their political allies in Washington by climate change, such an operation should rival the if people did start to work, they were certain agitation enhances creative expres- creative change happen in personal tion in Action: Secrets for Unleashing the vested fossil fuel interests perpetrating the status quo that have blocked every significant attempt to rescue scale and effectiveness of groups such as the NRA and guarded. At first I thought the discom- sion, like the washing machines in our and social realms. The process may not Creative Expression (Shambhala). that stops these changes and obfuscates the reality con- our country and the planet from the existential threat AIPAC. It should be possible to do so with an initial an- fort came from something I did, which homes. Things have to be broken down, cure the angst, yet it brings relief and necting widely supported greater energy efficiency and that looms ahead. Apart from some credible efforts nual budget of $20 million. may have been partly true, but experi- dissolved, softened, and stirred up so that satisfaction in a reliable way. Through- lower ground-level pollution with reduced greenhouse around elections and targeted but limited policies, the Despite suggestions to the contrary, we believe a ma- ence has shown that the source of ten- they can change and be made anew. out history, from shamanism to Greek gases. has not managed to leverage jority of Americans would rise to the call to dismiss the Currently, despite mounting studies and visible its grassroots power to overcome or even perturb the naysayers and drive Congress to action. Many leaders, worldwide evidence of human-made climate change, Congress’s intolerable institutional gridlock. outside of Washington, from a variety of sectors who Congress, as a whole, operates in an eerie bubble, as if We believe that an effective way to crack this inertia have already spoken out about the urgency of the issue, CATHERINE ANN JONES oblivious to the consequences for the people and com- would be to create a new congressional climate action could be constantly mobilized to focus on individual munities it purports to represent. Those who are con- lobby, staffed by first-rate professionals with the drive, members, including articulate celebrities and a wide cerned about climate change on Capitol Hill too often requisite skills, and singular daily focus on Congress. circle of elders and persuaders from both parties. surrender to the futility of taking any action in the face The idea would be to build a team sizeable enough — Of course, here in Washington, D.C. there are en- Learning to Be COMFORTABLE in the UNKNOWN of the obstructive power of the rejectionists. The defeat- perhaps as many as 100 people working daily on the vironmental groups (including our own) that deal with ism is palpable, notwithstanding the recent all-night Hill alone — to sustain a consistent presence around climate change policies that arise in the regulatory agen- earning to be com- close friends. Among the guests and trusted, an ally appeared to CATHERINE ANN JONES is a writer whose books include The stand on the Senate floor by 30 Democratic senators and every member’s office. An array of strategies and tactics cies and Congress. But there are also the many daily fortable with the Way of Story: The Craft & Soul of Writing and Heal Your Self with Writing (win- was an astrologer whom I had guide. Later, too, I realized how the one-minute floor addresses some members of Con- would be used to hold members accountable to the im- brushfires that consume so much time and energy. A unknown, with not ner of the Nautilus Book Award) and whose films includeThe Christmas never met. As we had time, he my years as an actor were in- gress are making about the perils of inaction on climate pacts of climate change on their districts. Efforts would new group would enter the picture without any histori- knowing, is an inte- Wife, Unlikely Angel, and the TV series Touched by an Angel. Her 10 plays have offered to look at my chart. valuable in order to later write been produced in and outside of New York City. She holds a graduate de- issues. Meanwhile, climate change deniers rarely get be made to mobilize a diverse range of constituencies cal baggage or other matters pulling it in various direc- Lgral part of the inner journey. gree in depth psychology and archetypal mythology from Pacifica Graduate Knowing nothing about me plays and challenged for outlandish and irresponsible claims that (including businesses, residents, and farmers suffering tions. Its mandate would effectively draw a spotlight on You can move forward even Institute and has been a Fulbright Research Scholar studying shamanism in or what livelihood I movies. When India. She teaches internationally and works as a writing consultant. warnings about climate change are exaggerated, part the consequences of drought and other extreme weather members of Congress and amplify the efforts of existing in the state of unknowing, had, he told me that Catherine Ann Jones asked if I of a “hoax,” nothing more than “fear mongering,” or events), public health professionals, scientists, national grassroots campaigns. It also would be poised to take trusting the inner process that he saw an acting will present “The Way miss acting, I based on “unsound science.” The result is that too many security experts and other eminent leaders to pressure legitimate advantage of new developments — including when it is time to know, know- The Patriots. After the stage run and television job, and then career but that writ- of Story: The Craft and say, “No, the

outside advocates and environmental groups have prac- individual members of Congress. In addition to provid- extreme weather events that shock the nation and under- ing will come. The invisibles of the Pulitzer Prize-winning simply stopped acting. There ing would be much Soul of Writing,” difference tically given up for any action on the Hill. This is a self- ing improved capacity toward congressional account- score the urgency of the issue. will be there to light the way. play, Great Performances de- was a three-month period when more important. I September 18-20. now is that I inflicted retreat that nullifies much of their good efforts. ability, the initiative would help shape, promote, and Rarely in our country’s history have we seen the Meanwhile, even if all is not cided to film it for PBS televi- I had no idea what was next. I laughed and realized play all the We cannot allow a legislative stalemate to continue publicize congressional hearings and debates, and even- need — as well as the reliable potential — for this type yet clear, muster the courage sion. Even though this was meditated and trusted that when that somehow I had roles as I create to justify civic resignation and inaction in addressing tually drive momentum toward far-reaching legislation, of strategically designed initiative. Given the stakes, the to remain in uncertainty while all very good, something had it was time to know, knowing known this all along, as I had them.” All the parts of one’s this greatest of threats to our country’s and world’s while expanding and intensifying other congressionally annual budget is modest and achievable with your lead- trusting the inner process. changed in me during the run would come. always written but had never life make sense in retrospect. environmental future. As you know well, the knowl- mandated policies, including regulatory oversight, ership. If successful, it could catalyze the kind of dy- Many years ago, I was in of the show, and I knew it was Then I was invited to be a considered it as a possible edge sufficient for action is here; the technologies and procurement and new initiatives designed to accelerate namic that we all know is crucial to liberate the energies the middle of an acting engage- time to stop acting.There was bridesmaid at a friend’s wed- livelihood. He said I would do This piece is adapted from Heal capital necessary to transition to a clean energy system the spread of renewables and efficiency standards, and of our country over a matter of such economic, social, ment in which I was playing no outer reason, only a clear ding just outside of New York even better as a writer. Grate- Yourself with Writing (Divine are available and in many cases cost-competitive at the reduce our addiction to fossil fuels. and environmental magnitude. the female lead in a revival of inner feeling. So, trusting this City and to spend the weekend fully, I took this advice and Arts, 2013) by Catherine Ann consumer interface. And the obligations to posterity are These activists will be skilled at generating news- Sincerely, Ralph Nader and colleagues an old Sidney Kingsley play, inner voice, I finished the stage there with the couple and their never looked back. As I waited Jones. undeniable. worthy material and framing cutting-edge media cov- page 8 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 9 RELATIONSHIPS

JOYCE VISSELL the clothes put away. Again, I tures in Santa Cruz fall below were getting ready for bed, These excerpts are adapted from the Vissells’ forthcoming books know that Barry could easily thirty degrees, I still crank open Barry looked at me with plead- To Really Love a Woman and To Really Love a Man. Although be at peace with putting his the window. Barry occasion- ing eyes. “Only a little bit,” their writings refer mostly to heterosexual women and men, they clothes away once a week. But ally sighs from his side of the was my reply. Though the win- note that “gays and lesbians will find a wealth of information for suzybecker.com Find Out What’s I feel our bedroom is a sacred bed away from the window, but dow was only open a fraction same-sexed relationships. Our focus, after all, is how to deeply love place where we sleep, make also realizes it’s non-negotia- of an inch, I still had my fresh another person, whether it be a man or a woman.” love, and I say my prayers in ble. I crave fresh air. If Barry air. Most other people that Important to HER the morning. I feel much better books a hotel for us, he knows night slept with the heat on and when it is kept neat. Barry’s to ask if the room has windows their windows closed. Barry love spending time in nature with Joyce, especially on over- office, supply closets, and the that can be opened. Some ho- tolerates this because he knows night river trips. The wildness of nature feeds our relationship. arry loves me by day, Barry looks at the mess in garage are another matter. I try tels don’t, so he goes on to the how important it is to me. It’s The busyness of life falls away as we settle into a rhythm doing simple things the kitchen and sighs. I know not to look, and only once a next hotel on the list. Once we worth it to him to pile on more I that are really im- he could easily go to sleep and year insist on bringing a little were working in Canada in the blankets knowing how much based on the simplest of things: the direction of the wind, a level portant to me, and deal with it in the morning, order to those areas. winter and the temperatures the fresh air means to me. His protected spot to set up our tent, the different moods and sounds Bnot necessarily to him. but he looks at me and knows Sometimes I think it must were below zero. When we sacrifice feels so loving to me. of the river, the temperature letting us know how much we need It’s very important to me to how I feel without even talk- be so hard to live with my idio- to wear, and the solitude letting us know if we need to wear have the kitchen clean before ing about it. As tired as we are, syncrasies. I can’t sleep unless clothes at all. Nature allows us to see one another in a new and we go to sleep. My Swedish we tackle the kitchen together the window is open. Even on JOYCE VISSELL, R.N., M.S., is a nurse/therapist and BARRY fresher way....You love your man by encouraging him to really get VISSELL, M.D., is a medical doctor and psychiatrist. It’s been said that mother once advised me to al- and, by the end, we both have a cold nights, when the tempera- their main medicine is unconditional love. Marianne Williamson has written, outdoors. More than mowing the lawn (which I love to do!), or ways do the dishes before I go good feeling about it. And each “I can’t think of anything more important to the healing of our society than pruning the trees (which I also love to do!), encourage him to get to sleep, so I don’t start the new morning it is very nice to start a connection between spirituality, relationship, and parenthood. Bravo to the Vissells for helping us find the way.” Ram Dass describes the Vissells as a couple away in nature. Especially if he spends most of his time indoors, day with yesterday’s dirty dish- the day with a clean, organized who live the yoga of love and devotion. They have been deeply in love for 50 you give him a great gift by inspiring him to receive from our great es. I took her words to heart, kitchen. years and have raised three children. Since 1972, they have been counseling, Earth mother. Go with him sometimes and enjoy nature together, and cannot go to sleep until the I also have the same feel- healing, and teaching internationally and have written six books on relation- Joyce and Barry ship, parenting, and personal growth, including The Shared Heart and Models but also allow him to experience solitude in the great outdoors, kitchen is all tidy. Sometimes ing about our bedroom. I want - Vissell will pres of Love. They are co-founders and directors of the non-profit Shared Heart where he can reclaim his inner pioneer or explorer. — B.V. we are so tired after working all the bedroom to be neat with all ent “Couples Foundation. on the Path to Wholeness,” May 22-25. BARRY VISSELL

love Barry by sharing his vision or at least around people who were older than me. Barry lovingly and gently assured me that Find Out What HE Really Wants and Needs trying it on for size. When we were both Toward the end of Barry’s first year of his vision definitely included me as well. I having an affair with Joyce’s best friend three years after I27 years old, we had been married for residency, the psychiatry program changed knew that only my fear was standing in my ou may think the gently asking me what I really Dad: “You want art les- me. Even though it was obvi- self in the kitchen. She could we were married, and Joyce’s five years. Up till then, I had financially sup- from being human-centered to being drug- way. So I agreed to try his vision on for size. man you love is want and need. sons? Art is for sissies! I don’t ous to me that she was much have easily felt brushed off, leaving the marriage, to finally ported Barry through medical school even centered in its approach to patients. One day, I maintained that if it didn’t work for me, completely up You may recognize that want anyone calling my son a more angry at her father and but instead came quietly up crack open my shell of resis- while I was in graduate school. Then he did Barry came to me and said, “I can’t continue I would go back to working with children. front with what your man is unhappy, or even sissy!” her husband (I knew some of to me and gently wrapped her tance. I soon discovered that a year of psychiatry residency in Portland, with this residency. It goes against who I Barry was so happy that I was willing to Yhe wants and needs from you. depressed. You may ask him Mom: “You need me to the details), she kept projecting arms around me and I melted the child inside me was not Oregon, while I worked in the department am. I have a vision of the two of us helping support his vision. Sorry to burst your bubble, what he wants or needs and he hold you? I don’t have time it onto me. I apologized for my into her loving embrace. only still alive and kicking, but of child psychiatry. I had a great job teach- people in a deeper way.” It took nine years to bring that vision, but he is most often not. First responds with “I don’t know.” for that. Besides, you’re not a part and invited her to go deep- It can be a huge chal- also needed Joyce’s love. It ing medical students how to interview I could understand why he wanted to which eventually became my vision as well, of all, he often doesn’t know It takes loving patience to sit in baby anymore.” er, but she refused. I got off lenge for a man to recognize was rarely safe for me to need children and evaluate them for psychiatric leave. He only needed one year of residency into fruition. During those nine years we what he wants and needs. Or front of him and give him per- So you can see, telling your that phone call feeling shaken and then admit his need for love as a child, so I formed a he may mix up the two, want- mission to want and need. He man what he wants or needs is and walked through the house love. For many years, the protective shell around that problems. I liked working with the medical to get an MD license and this felt like a good traveled and studied, had two of our three ing one thing but needing may not have ever gotten this not a good idea. However, gen- to the kitchen. Joyce was word “need” to me was a four little boy’s need for love, and students, who were all younger than me, but vision for him. What I couldn’t see was my- children, and studied some more while our something else. permission from his parents, tly asking can be quite helpful. standing near the entrance to letter word as bad as some hid it away even from me. The I really loved being with the children. I felt self joining him. How could I do this work babies slept. For the past 40 years, we have One very common ex- or worse, he may have been Sometimes it’s hard for me the kitchen. She took one look other bad four letter words. rediscovery of that little boy completely natural with children and, in a with him when I was afraid of most adults? been living the vision that Barry had during ample is sex. How often have told what he wants and needs to identify what I need. A little at me and knew something was It implied pathetic weakness. and his need for love was a short time, just by playing with them, a child I gave him my blessing for his vision, but his residency. I am so grateful that I pushed I wanted sex with Joyce, but by them. His own wants and while ago, I was on a very dif- wrong. Unbelievably, I walked I was strong, independent, cornerstone for a whole new would open up to me. I felt shy and insecure said that I was simply too afraid to join him. past my fear and tried it on for size. — J.V. really needed acceptance or needs may have been ignored, ficult phone call with someone right past her with hardly a self-sufficient and secure that I life, and a deeper relationship comfort. Joyce loves me by rejected or even ridiculed. who was angry and blaming glance, and began busying my- didn’t need anyone. It took me with my beloved. page 10 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 11

Walter Cudnohufsky and Rachel Gibson will RELATIONSHIPS present “Generations Camp: Three Days of - YOUTH Joyous Music, Art, Fun, and Love for Grand parents and Grandkids (Ages 6-13),” May WALTER CUDNOHUFSKY 22-25. grandson. I created a new fable using details from our grand- COLEEN MURPHY son’s life, so he could more easily identify. Art and music have always What Are GRANDPARENTS Good For? played an important role in our DEAR ROWE CAMP times together, especially under hy is it impor- the skilled guidance of Rachel, tant for grand- WALTER CUDNOHUFSKY, the music-focused mother of A Long-Overdue Thank You Note parents to have a landscape architect and author of our local grandchildren. We several books, has taught a popular a close bond ten-month watercolor class for have been playing, drawing Wwith their grandchildren, and adults since 2007 and also conducts and painting with them since ear Rowe Camp, vice-versa? occassional watercolor classes for they were little. We attend their I miss you! I think that’s why it’s taken me t Senior High Camp (August 2-22), young people children. Grandparents have life- violin recitals and they attend so long to write, and why I’m drawn to a cutesy make responsible choices, balancing freedom with derived wisdom to pass along, my local choral concerts. The format as a bit of a crutch. I hope you’ll forgive radical self-expression. We welcome diversity as part and grandchildren need many grandchildren know you love grandchildren often give us the Dme on both counts. Actually, I’m confident that you will, A models for how to be in the them, that you are rooting for superb gift of a mini-concert. seeing as how unconditional acceptance is one of your core of our strength, including the LGBTQ community and people world. them, because in some ways One of the memorable values, so let me begin by thanking you for that. of color. Teenagers engage in a variety of planned and self- We elders also have a genu- their lives may be harder than moments from the last Rowe Thank you for the opportunity to spend three weeks ev- directed activities, including dancing, cooking, art-making, ine need to share our wisdom. ours. Generations Camp was when ery year with people who believe that all of us are worthy of sports, and nature skills. Participants engage in educational My now 98-year-old mother A recent PBS documen- grandparents and grandchil- love and respect. That belief, and the bold articulation of it, workshops about social justice, sexual health, and guidance Gertrude has 39 grandchildren tary, “Being Mortal,” includes dren did a joint thumb-print art binds us together while freeing us to grow more fully into about the difficult choices that are part of being a teenager. and great-grandchildren. She a family whose grandfather project. Each grandparent and our truest selves, and, well, it’s beautiful. It’s also hard as recently wished to give them comes home to die. He asks grandchild stood up together hell sometimes to live up to, as it can require some serious A staff of dedicated young adults offers support and guid- something for the holidays and his 10-year-old grandson if he and told a brief story about stretching on everyone’s part. Being at camp called me to be ance. Share your summer with Senior High Camp 2015 and was stressed because she had had ever talked about death and the family of animals they had my most honest self, and to listen for that self in others, re- learn something new about yourself! We still have a few no ideas. We encouraged her: then said, “I want you to know created. It seems uncommon sulting in my growing both tougher and more tender during spaces left, but don’t wait! “Of course you have a gift! Tell I am not afraid of dying. All for grandparents and grandchil- my time there. Again, thank you. them your stories!” My sister living things die. I think it is dren to make something from Thank you for having long, complicated, nuanced ways and I interviewed her over sev- important you know that.” The scratch together. Some of the of examining the joys and challenges of choosing to live you, too, must always be ready to grow and change and lis- eral days, writing down her life grandson asks, “Are you disap- grandparents attending had a in community. During the 15 years I spent directing Senior ten. Last year when I visited Senior High Camp and saw the stories and gentle lessons. Ev- pointed that you will miss out discovery: they were capable of High camp, I lost track of how many times I would be ap- gender-neutral restrooms in the rec hall, I was profoundly eryone loved receiving them! on things?” The conversation life with your grandchildren. standings are delivered through ways to be connected, we all making art and singing. proached by someone during the year, asking me what it impressed and moved. Thank you for working hard to be We continue to work on the ex- to follow is short, simple, and The process of thinking about our actions, interactions, and prefer to have quality time I have long believed that it was like to work at “that camp with no rules.” After a few increasingly welcoming of trans and non-binary people. panded story of how she raised beautiful. those messages may be helpful by simply being together. through face-to-face meetings is important to contrive situ- years, I learned to be less defensive (thank you for that, too!) My sons grew up on the edges of Senior High Camp, nine children. There are many ways to for us elders. Children learn These messages can be sim- which are not always easy to ations where this interaction and more of a listener, asking these people what rules they and have gone through sessions of Young People’s Camp It’s important to let your share your understanding of through imitation. The under- ple; they need not be profound arrange because of distance or can happen. We cannot depend thought might be necessary, before launching into a descrip- and Junior High as part of their paths. This year, they will or pre-planned. In fact, they schedules. totally on spontaneity. Rather tion of the Senior High Camp behavior standards, what they both be at Senior High Camp and I am so proud and happy may have potential to imbed in A long-standing tradition than diminishing the experi- include, what they don’t, and why. and excited for them. It would be dishonest to say that I the grandchildren’s memory if of mine is the writing of very ence, careful contrivance can Sometimes these conversations would get messy and I parent fearlessly, but I strive to parent (and live) in a way LIFE LESSONS from they are spontaneous and from personal and brief letters to actually enhance it. would lose my cool. Cool is often where some honesty has that is not ruled by fear. A thing about having kids, though: GREAT-GRANDMOTHER GERTRUDE the heart. Susan, my wife, plans individual family members on Not only did everyone leave been hiding out, though, and so thank you for providing the Sometimes it’s terrifying. Thank you for your patience with age-specific gifts, often books. birthdays, holidays, and anni- last year’s camp with new context in which I have blurted out, “I don’t care whether me during my anxious parent moments, and thank you for hen asked what advice do I offer young same way. It is important especially today to eat On occasion, and after an ini- versaries. When of appropriate projects they could do together, they sleep at night or in the daytime, or what they wear or consistently hiring staff who are kind and compassionate people now, I say, “Gosh I don’t know good food to stay healthy. Do your best to avoid tial reading, she has joined her age, we include our grandchil- they also left knowing how, how they cut their hair, what I care about is that they respect and funny and cool and think deep thoughts and also have Wwhat to say, times are so different.” But starting bad habits. If my growing up has taught grandchildren in play-acting dren. The letter is always about and possibly with the courage themselves and each other because that’s how we’re going first-aid training and are secure enough in their own person- then I do go back to these memories and what was me anything, it’s that one must find joy in the the story. them and their specific charac- to create things on their own. to make real change in the world!” Uh… you know?! Thank hood to speak up when they have concerns for campers’ important for me. small things. Many grandparents tell ter. We tell them what we see Adults, no matter how old, you. well-being. What comes to mind is simple. Family and Make family meals important and celebrate us they have difficulty find- in them and how that particular need creative expression as Thank you for trusting people, and especially trusting Camp, you gave me so much! Memories, yes, and also friends are so important, so choose friends wisely. holidays and family traditions. ing time to spend with their attribute is valued in the world. much as children do! And one youth. Thank you for knowing (and always reminding me) tools, skills, lessons that I use every day out here in the Get good at doing something you like, learn it well, Take care of each other! Most of all, stay in grandchildren, confirming our It is often about what we hope of the things grandchildren can that every voice adds value to the discussion. Thank you for wider world, and in my home. I treasure these gifts and look and pass it along. It is very satisfying to create school, because education is important for a good own experience. There are so for them, and never about what do for their grandparents is to seeing that another world is possible. Thank you for teach- forward to our mutual continued growth. things and also a pleasure to teach. life, especially today. many things competing for they should do! remind them of the more open ing me that I can always grow. Thank you for knowing that Love, Coleen Murphy Cooperation and families are so important, so —Great-Grandmother Gertrude Cudnohufsky the grandchildren’s attention: As a birthday present, we and innocent way in which they be kind and polite and people will treat you the (Walter’s mother), New Years 2015 cell phones, computers, sports, recently decided to give a book once saw the world, inspiring lessons. While these are new of fables to our nine-year-old grandparents to tap into uplift- ing emotions yet again. Unplug, Unwind, and Understand The Rowe Center WORKSHOPS

MAY 8-10 MAY 8-10 MAY 15 - 17 MAY 22-25(Friday -Monday)

Imagination in Action Engaging the Realms Getting It Done Couples on the Path Secrets for Unleashing Your of Enchantment How to Restore and Repair to Wholeness Natural Creativity Our Wounded Democracy A Faery Seership Experience JOYCE & BARRY VISSELL SHAUN MCNIFF RALPH NADER ORION FOXWOOD Imagine your relationship expressing the true Discover practical methods for breaking through Spend a very special weekend strategizing for depths of your love and commitment. If you creative obstacles, trusting your own truth, and “Orion is smart, savvy, funny and change with America’s Public Citizen # 1. sharing it with the world. down to earth, with great wisdom.” are in love, this retreat is an opportunity to rise —Margot Adler even higher. If you are in crisis, this retreat is an opportunity for healing on the deepest level.

MAY 22-25 (Friday - Monday) MAY 22-25(Friday-Monday) MAY 31-JUNE 14 JUNE 5-7

Generations Camp Restoring the Soul after War Earth Activist Training Bedside Singing Three Days of Joyous Music, Art, A Memorial Day Retreat for People in Military for the Dying Fun, and Love for Grandparents Service, Veterans, and Those Who Love Them STARHAWK & and Grandkids (Ages 6-13) EDWARD TICK & KATE CHARLES WILLIAMS KATHY LEO, WITH MARY CAY DAHLSTEDT WALTER This two-week Earth Activist Training BRASS & PETER AMIDON This retreat honors the original CUDNOHUFSKY (EAT) program can set your life on a spirit and meaning of Memorial new path, help you transform your Hospice choirs are springing up all over the & RACHEL Day and is for all people who neighborhood, and show you how to country, many of them modeled on the Hallowell GIBSON wish to heal the eff ect of war save the planet. Fulfi lls requirements Choir. Learn to help ease the fi nal transition, on themselves, their families, and our nation. for Design Certifi cate. anointing the dying person with voices in harmony.

JUNE 12-14 JUNE 12-14 YOUTH CAMPS ♦ RETREATS

FULL! WAITING Adventures in Sound-PlayEclectic Wellness Bootcamp JUNE 28-JULY 18 Junior High Camp (ages 13-15) LIST ONLY! Spontaneous Music-Making for Everyone! Take Charge of Your Health JULY 19-AUGUST 1 Transitions Camp (ages 11-13) Without Firing Your Doctor PAUL WINTER TERRY-ANYA HAYES JULY 19-JULY 25 Young People’s Camp- YPC1 (ages 8-10) Reclaim your natural birthright to express yourself and experience Kickstart your wellbeing with JULY 26-AUGUST 1 YPC 2 (ages 9-11) joy through sound-play! a mix of habits, foods, and practices that nourish, nurture, and heal. AUGUST 2-AUGUST 22 Senior High Camp (ages 16-19)

ADULT COMMUNITY RETREATS SEPTEMBER 17-20(Thursday -Sunday) SEPTEMBER 18-20

JUNE 14-20 Skill Set: A New Retreat for Emerging Adults (Ages 20-24) Approaching That More The Way of Story AUGUST 23-28 Kindred Spirits: A Community Supporting Beautiful World Our The Craft and Soul of Writing Healing and Self-Discovery Hearts Know Is Possible CATHERINE ANN JONES AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 3 WomenCircles: Priestesses of Peace AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 3 Woman Soul: A Community of Sacred Trust CHARLES EISENSTEIN “Catherine Ann Jones is in possession of a powerful talent… SEPTEMBER 4-7 Labor Day Retreat for Gay, Bisexual, and “One of the up-and-coming great Nothing is more rare in my Questioning Men minds of our time.” —David Korten opinion.” —Norman Mailer SEPTEMBER 11-13 Members and Friends Vacation Retreat

SEPTEMBER 18-20 SEPTEMBER 25-27 SEPTEMBER 27-OCTOBER 1 OCTOBER 2-4 ♦ SUMMER CAMPS (Sunday-Thursday) Farming The Forest The Growing Storm Healing the Soul from War

Foraging for Wild Mushrooms and The Work That Reconnects Autumn Work Week A Training Retreat for Care- Cultivating Gourmet Mushrooms, Accompanied by Rilke’s Poetry Providers of Veterans Ginseng, Ramps, and More! JOANNA MACY & FRIENDS OF ROWE ANITA BARROWS EDWARD TICK KEN MUDGE & & KATE DAHLSTEDT DAVID FISCHER Bring your hearts and senses vividly alive through the beauty of nature, Learn to use Soldier’s Heart’s innovative—and This introduction to foraging and a prescient early Twentieth Century successful—model for our veterans’ healing and forest farming will thrill your inner poet, and two modern champions of homecoming. hunter-gatherer! sanity, peace, and compassion.

OCTOBER 2-4 OCTOBER 4-9 (Sunday - Friday) OCTOBER 9-11 OCTOBER 9-12(Friday-Monday)

® The Healing Voice Healing Family Composing a Life of Wonder,Building a Vocal Community Liberation through the and Ancestors Creativity, and Beauty Singing in the African-American Tradition Ecstasy of Chant Ritual and Resonance YSAYE BARNWELL JILL PURCE MARY CATHERINE BATESON JILL PURCE Reserve quickly: This workshop is a Recreate your life as a vibrant Liberate your voice, your heart, and whole lot of fun and sells out early! composition, characterized by your mind in an uplifi ting exploration of Find the keys that set yourself, your family, and harmony, grace, continuity, and breathing, mantra and sonic meditations, sacred future generations free; transform clamorous chants, and shamanic ceremony. ancestors into benign allies and powerful guides! change!

OCTOBER 16-18 OCTOBER 16-18 OCTOBER 23-25 OCTOBER 23-25

Time Travel 101 Shamanic Wisdom for The Gift of Isis Fundraising in Diffi cult Times Living—and Dying—Well A Weekend for Women on New JEAN HOUSTON Paths to Desire and Intimacy KIM KLEIN “Jean Houston’s mind should be CHRISTINA PRATT GINA OGDEN We all know the best way to raise considered a national treasure.” money is to ask for it. But what “Tell me, what is it you plan to do is the best way to ask? —R. Buckminster Fuller Through sacred ceremony and a supportive with your one wild and precious circle of women, heal the past and celebrate your life?”—Mary Oliver unique sexual self—body, mind, heart, and spirit.

OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 1 Reading the Forested May–November 2015 Landscape

TOM WESSELS

Learn to see the forest for the trees—once you spend a weekend in the woods with this www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 passionate and gifted teacher, you won’t look at a forest the same way. 22 Kings Highway, Rowe, MA 01367 1 hour from Brattleboro • 3 hours from Boston • 1½ hours from Albany 2 hours from Hartford • 4 hours from NYC page 14 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 15

Joanna Macy will going forth and giving back spirituality, except as social ment — you have to include anity always began services the gift. convention. I also think that that, too. with prayer and thanksgiv- present “The Growing Storm: The Work That there probably are people R.C.: In many cultures, spiri- ing, and certainly Native whose spiritual life is entirely Americans do. The Work Reconnects Accompa tuality has been considered a nied by Rilke’s Poetry”- solitary, but my own spiritual- special province of elders, of That Reconnects begins with “Wonder and ity involves engagement with gratitude. with Anita Burrows on those in the second half of life September 25-27. Trust are the other people, and ideally that — the wisdom years. You’re Seven SPIRITUAL R.C.: When did you first en- is what religion is about — a writing and teaching about the counter the poetry of Rilke, Basis of Faith” shared spirituality. I also feel, is the last son- fact that many of us now have and how did it affect you ear- though, that the labels omit unprecedented opportunities lier in your spiritual journey? net in Sonnets to Orpheus, An interview with the fact that any real religion where he writes of letting this MARY CATHERINE for extended years in the sec- J.M.: I encountered it 60 years is a path of development, darkness be a bell tower and ond half of life. What are the ago. I was in Germany with BATESON not a state. It’s when you’ve you become as a bell, and implications for spirituality, two of my three children. On signed on a dotted line and as you ring what batters you and how have you experi- a snowy day, I simply walked Mary Catherine Bateson, that’s it, that religions tend to becomes your strength. In enced them yourself? into a bookstore and saw this Ph.D., is a writer, a cultural an- become caricatures of them- JOURNEYS our times, how that can hap- M.C.B.: I’d like first to ad- little volume on the table. I thropologist, and a visiting schol- selves. My feeling about the pen is that the breakdown of dress the idea that spirituality picked it up, and it was Ril- ar at Boston College. Her books religions of the world is that I systems can be a vehicle to becomes more important in ke’s Book of Hours. I turned include With a Daughter’s Eye: can learn something from any help us realize the intercon- later years. I think it changes piritual journeys can take many conventional, with God and without. If you know these our new Spiritual Guidance Training Program, which to the second poem there: A Memoir of Margaret Mead and of one of them. Another way nectedness of all life. What through time. There’s spiritu- forms. In this special interview sec- people already, some of what you discover here may commences this fall. (Please see page 21.) Dr. Wake- “I live my life in widening Gregory Bateson; the bestselling they become caricatures is we crave is that deep sacred ality in infancy — I often talk circles / that reach out across Composing a Life; and Com- when there’s too much effort tion of The Center Post, we’ve asked surprise you; if any of these teachers are new to you, field, one of our interviewees, is the director, working community. posing a Further Life: The Age toward uniformity. about the sense of wonder and the world….I circle around basic trust as the beginnings seven notable conference presenters their revelations about their personal spiritual journeys with a team of distinguished faculty members. We R.C.: On the last page of your of Active Wisdom. Her family God, around the primordial R.C.: You’ve written about life of spirituality, quite early in — Mary Catherine Bateson, Kathy may serve as an introduction, and an invitation to know encourage you to learn more about our Spiritual Guid- tower. / I’ve been circling for memoir you write, “The wid- background offers a robust ex- as an ongoing, improvisation- ening circles of my life have ample of religious pluralism: Her life. One of the interesting Leo, Joanna Macy, Christina Pratt, them better. We hope their reflections on their spiritual ance program on the Rowe website, and we invite you thousands of years / and I still al art. Can forming a spiritual not had as their center the grandfather William Bateson was things about later life is that don’t know: am I a falcon, / life be ongoing and improvi- for many people it may be the Jill Purce, Starhawk, and Chelsea Wakefield — to journeys help you in contemplating your own. to share the rich and revelatory journeys of our inter- a storm, or a great song?” At Big Papa God of my preacher a biologist who read the Bible sational as well, and do you forebears. I walked out on aloud so his sons “would not be first time they look over their Sshare accounts of their own spiritual evolution, in faith Spiritual journeys often benefit from spiritual guid- view subjects — each a spiritual guide in her own right that moment my sense of my feel that you’ve done that? whole life and find meaning. that belief when I was twenty. empty-headed atheists”; her fa- traditions that range from the conventional to the un- ance. Here at The Rowe Center we’re pleased to offer — in the pages that follow. life was that I felt I should M.C.B.: What authority now holds me ther, the anthropologist Gregory Yes. Roman Ca- It may be a time of complete have been on a straight path, tholicism, of course, is not freedom and leisure, and cer- like the Pilgrim in Pilgrim’s in orbit?” At the time, you Bateson, defined spiritual words suggested “love.” That was such as “wisdom” and “sacred” particularly improvisational. tainly both in Western society power greater than your own. breakdown of cultures. But it ones are present in our ovaries Progress. I’d been doing this ministers and was a devoted 15 years ago. What is your and “love” in terms of systems I’ve done a good deal of ex- and in traditional societies a Do you feel that your spiri- also involves a lot of work on and gonads and DNA. So we and that, I left my early faith Christian as an adolescent, even sense now of God — what theory and died in a Zen hospice; perimenting. I have had a lot time of spiritual deepening — tual journey has been shaped one’s own part to sustain the can pray to them, speak for because it felt claustrophobic, “What We preaching at age 17 in rural does that word mean to you? her mother, the anthropologist of experience of Islam, having in some societies you can’t mostly through personal seek- grace. The universe depends them, do role plays, engage and when I read that Rilke churches as part of a traveling Margaret Mead, was Episcopa- lived in the Islamic world; become a priest or shaman Crave Is That ing and effort, or have you on us to make that effort to with them, and we experience poem I realized I’m not lost, J.M.: I would say, “The sacred group called Youth Caravan. She lian. Mary Catherine was raised I’ve spent time with different until you have passed the age had the sense that it’s mostly receive and respond, and that them. Intuitively and imagina- I’m just living my life in wid- intelligence of the universe.” I Deep Sacred studied religion at Wellesley, ma- in the Episcopal church and now kinds of Christian communi- of reproduction. That’s par- been an experience of grace? receiving and responding is a tively, the ancestors and future ening circles. see each one of us as a vehicle joring in Biblical history. As she is a Roman Catholic who has had ties. There is a sense in which ticularly true of women. But spiritual emotion. That’s the ones are going to help those of R.C.: How has Rilke’s poetry for this sacred intelligence. Community” began to question and seek new JOANNA MACY: It definitely significant cultural contact with — I’ve never thought of it in that’s not true everywhere. essential feedback loop. us in this generation — I think helped to sustain your spiri- And we express that not only answers in her spiritual journey, has been for me a journey of Judaism and Islam. quite this way before, till just My own story is com- An interview with of this generation as everyone tual journey through the past in praise and thanksgiving in 1965 her path led her to India receiving, more than putting R.C.: You describe working now — but a great deal of plicated by the fact that I JOANNA MACY alive now — because ours six decades? but also in grief; I’d be un- THE ROWE CENTER: Many while working for the Peace out; of taking in, absorbing, in Deep Time, extending the meditation and prayer that’s dropped out for a while, or is the weak link; we’re very able to bubble with praise and people today identify as Joanna Macy, Ph.D., is a Corps, where she encountered integrating. I’d be tempted to realization of interconnected- J.M.: Rilke’s poetry has been a personal is improvisational, thought I did, and I came much in danger of wiping out thanksgiving if I had not al- “spiritual, not religious,” scholar of Buddhism, general Buddhism, and later to Sri Lanka say it’s been a journey into ness temporally and praying marvelous fountain of beauty sort of like sitting down with back. I feel that I’m continu- the whole story. most drowned in my grief and and they’re sampling from systems theory, and deep ecol- and Tibet. In the 1970s, she be- reciprocity — the reciprocity to those in the future, asking and meaning for me — his a musical instrument and ing to discover...there’s so For me, a lot of prayer outrage at what’s happening diverse faiths and practices. ogy, and the root teacher of The gan academic study of Buddhism of being part of the universe. them to help us be faithful in utter treasuring of the gift finding your way to an im- much to learn from a tradi- also is praise and thanksgiv- in the world. Viewed from the perspective Work That Reconnects, known at Syracuse University, merging it That, in itself, is quite a shift the urgent work we need to of life, even in the darkness, provised piece of music. If tion as rich as the Catholic ing. At this point in my life, But when you see yourself of your own spiritual jour- worldwide for empowering ac- with her work in systems theory. from the individualistic view do in saving the planet. What and not insisting on a happy you’re going to have dense tradition, and a huge amount the natural world is so alive and all other beings, you see ney, how can people engage tivists in social and ecological For Macy, religious scholar- assumed by the mainstream in is the role of prayer in your ending. He’s seen the suffer- gatherings that involve a lot of to learn about oneself. for me. I walk around the the whole show with fresh authentically with a variety justice. She has published many ship has combined with personal the West. I see it as an open- life, and how do you think of ing of the First World War, people, there will be elements R.C.: As a woman and a prac- block and smell blossoming eyes. You awaken what in of religious traditions with- books, including Active Hope: mystical experiences, meditation ing to grace. The web of life, prayer? he’s aware of the destructive of formality — Quaker meet- ticing Roman Catholic, what jasmine and see crocuses, Buddhism is called bodhicit- out succumbing to spiritual How to Face the Mess We’re in practice, raising a family, world the sacred intelligence at the nature of the 20th century and ings are formal and Catholic are your thoughts about Pope J.M.: It’s prayer to the future and I can’t help saying, ta, the motivation to act for dilettantism? Without Going Crazy (with Chris travel, writing, teaching, and so- heart of the natural world, the suffering to come. He has masses are formal, but that Francis? ones, and to the ancestors as “Thank you, thank you, do the sake of the whole. And Johnstone); her memoir, Widen- cial activist work. seems to work through us — a strong intuition that things MARY CATHERINE doesn’t mean that the same well. The past generations you know how gorgeous you you discover the bodhisat- M.C.B.: Along with many ing Circles; and translations of it has to work through us, at may come to an end, but that’s BATESON: My feeling about thing is happening inwardly THE ROWE CENTER: In your and future generations in a are?” tva in yourself, the one who people I was very excited Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry. this point of sustained emer- no reason to stop praising this the religion-spirituality issue for each person. People have memoir Widening Circles, you very real way coexist with Responsiveness to natural knows there is no private sal- about the Second Vatican Macy is descended from Con- gency and the breakdown of world and the great mystery is that I wouldn’t be much different styles, and they have define “grace” as the experi- us; the ancestors’ blood flows and human beauty is prayer. vation, because we awaken Council and Pope John XXIII, gregationalist and Presbyterian natural systems, as well as the of it. What says it all for me interested in religion without different stages of develop- ence of being supported by a in our veins, and the future My root tradition of Christi- together. Then it’s a matter of but it is not surprising that page 16 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 17

Starhawk will present there’s been backtracking and ways my concept of God been visiting people near the end gion again. don’t you come over to your Design Certificate. “Rowe is such alive for you at this stage in religion of the future is cur- “Earth Activist Training” reaction since then. I think was shaped by the Hebrew I was an avid reader and mom now?” She let me lead your spiritual journey, and rently being formed.” How of their lives and also offering Kathy Leo, with Mary Cay a beautiful, welcoming, magi- with Charles Williams on the entire Catholic world has scriptures, then modified by read a lot of different kinds of her. She lay down with her how do you experience them? does that “feminist religion of workshops for singers called to Brass and Peter Amidon, will cal place,” she says. “I’ve done May 31-June 14. taken a deep sigh of relief various things Jesus says in this work. writing about spirituality, and present “Bedside Singing for mother and wept the whole Goddess and ritual work there, S: I often say to people that the future” look to you now, with Pope Francis. Pope John the New Testament about God I was interested in Buddhism time, holding her mother as 16 years later? THE ROWE CENTER: You’re the Dying” on June 5-7. and I’m very excited to teach the Goddess is not something Paul II charmed many people as father. but never really wanted to we sang five more songs. I ran a whole permaculture course, performing a remarkable that manifest for you person- you believe in; if I walk out- S: I think it’s has grown enor- and was charismatic, but he’d What’s thrilling and pow- be put in a kind of form that into her six months later and which I think is one of the best service helping people in the feel the mystery so strongly, ally, and how do you feel side my door I can see soil mously in the last years. It been in Poland holding the erful to me in the Hebrew was a practice. I was more she said that the experience things anyone can do in life. It sacred passage from living to everything else falls away, called to embody and live that where leaves and needles encompasses the broad pagan line since the Soviets, so the scriptures is the emergence open than that. I think nature had been an epiphany for her, teaches a whole range of what’s dying. What was your early and there’s a truth there. A principle? have fallen, and trees that are movement and the broad Polish pope was an exceed- of the concept of justice, and became my place of Spirit. deeper than we ever could possible in sustainability and spiritual and religious life sense of oneness. drawing from that soil in an nature-based movement start- ingly conservative pope; in what Christianity brings to Hiking, kayaking, garden- have known. understanding how to weave dif- S: I now spend most of my like? And in this practice of incredible, interconnected ing to take place on the world fact, a reactionary pope. And that is an emphasis on love. ing, being close to the Earth The kind of presence ferent practices together to create waking time in nature. I teach bedside singing for the dying, web of organisms and nutri- stage. I’d say that the central Benedict seemed to me a very I have a very strong sense of KATHY LEO: I was raised as felt like the most intimate we feel when we are close systems that are inherently self- a lot of permaculture design, when we leave that space and ents, and the trees growing focus has shifted, so it’s not unhappy pope from the begin- the presence of God, always, a Catholic on suburban Long connection. to someone who is dying is renewing and self-supporting. which is a whole system of go back into daily life, we and taking in sunlight, and so much around feminism ning. It was not the right role and I’m not too particular, Island. I didn’t go to Catholic I feel guided in my life. a sacred kind of presence. Some of it focuses on gardening, ecological design that allows feel gratitude and wanting to transforming air and water but around nature, in part for him. So I like that Francis as maybe some theologians school, but every day I went I would ask God, Spirit, the Sometimes, just before we camping, and land use and has us to look at nature and how give love. Forgiveness comes into wood, leaves, flowers. because of the huge crisis is clearly having a good time would like, in defining that to Mass, I did catechism, universe to show me what’s cross the threshold into the many applications for education, it works, and to meet our hu- more easily, and kindness, That’s something going on we’re in right now, when the — he’s bringing joy back into in terms of the persons of the received all the sacraments, next, give me directions, and room of a dying person, planning, business, or other sys- man needs while regenerating and joy. around us all the time. So it’s life-support systems of the the Vatican. Trinity. communion, the whole it always just happened to where grief is almost tan- tems. We also teach grounding in the landscape and environ- Raised as a Catholic girl, not a matter of belief; it’s a planet are under siege and we As a woman, I have to Wonder and trust are the works. I loved the ritual of me, living different chapters, gible, we pause and simply spirit, and how to weave a human ment around us. I practice on with this concept that God matter of opening your eyes desperately need to wake up say it is certainly true that the basis of faith as it develops. church plus the mysteries one floating into the next. I say to ourselves, “May I be connection around that and take the land in my own life, and is a man in the sky watch- and allowing yourself to ex- and make changes. ways in which women can But wonder may not take a and community and feeling left home, had travel adven- of service.” In that way, we action to bring it forward in the for me it’s a really important of gathering, and the candles ing and judging everything perience the wonder of what’s R.C.: The Craft that you prac- participate in Catholicism are religious form; wonder may tures, sailed in the islands, become open, grounded, and world.” aspect — knowing how to here right in front of your limited. As an Episcopalian I lead to art or to science, or to and prayerfulness and peace. married, became a mother, I did — that concept has so present. This can be a prac- make compost, how to till tice honors both the Goddess THE ROWE CENTER: Both face — death, growth regen- Those things were very com- changed for me. I feel that soil, how to take carbon out of and the God. What do each have preached in the Cathe- both. But simply the experi- and moved to Vermont. tice in our daily lives as well. of your parents were children eration. When we allow our- pelling to me always. God is here in this place we the atmosphere. We have to be of these mean to you in your dral of St. John the Divine ence of living and traveling R.C.: How has that guidance Just pause and say, “May I be of Jewish immigrants from selves to approach them with But what I wasn’t drawn are. Whatever God is, is not engaged to do what we can to own spiritual life? — that’s not going to happen and being with people and manifested in your spiritual of service,” and you’ll find Russia, and, as you write in wonder and reverence, we can to was feeling fear, a dread secret from us. In our work hold back the tide of disaster S: to me in the Catholic Church. being astonished at the won- journey? yourself in the presence of The Spiral Dance, you were create more emotional and For me, Goddess and God about right and wrong, strict with the dying, sometimes and really put the world on a One thing that led me to the ders of nature, and the good- something that touches and raised Jewish — you were spiritual health in the world, are like portals; each offers rules, a lot of shame. The K.L.: I was a midwife for 10 we’ll sing Christian hymns regenerative course. Catholic Church was that, ness of so many people, keep opens your heart. very religious when you were and joy and life and beauty. entryways into different ways priest would yell at people years, doing home births, and it gives great comfort; If you believe that the living in the Philippines, me in a state of wonder. young, and pursued your Jew- I think the way we work of caring for the world. When if they came in late, and I and it opened me to God and sometimes we sing songs Goddess is embodied in ev- I realized that Americans The thing that saddens ish education to an advanced together with other people you call on them and work felt very uncomfortable in Spirit in a whole new way. I about nature; we meet their ery human being, then you go abroad and can have an me most about organized level. What were you seeking and connect with other with them, they’re aspects of his presence. As I got older can quiet myself enough and spirit wherever they are, “The Goddess can’t just sit on your fanny American Protestant church religion is that people feel in your spiritual journey that people is a profound expres- yourself. They allow you to I saw a lot of hypocrisy in be still and I’d get messages without judgment. In the end when people are suffering; to go to and complain about they can take a label and not led you away from Judaism to sion of the sacred that is im- look at the world with a dif- the natives; I wanted to be move, not grow. Composing the Church. I started to look or visions or insights to give it’s all the same. Whatever Is Embodied in you have to try make the ferent prism; energies come elsewhere and think differ- me information about the you want to call it, it’s all the Goddess tradition? manent in each human being. close to the people I’m living a life is an improvisational Every Human world a better place. I’ve In our work in communities, to you; you experience death, ently. My whole perception woman who was laboring. I’d Love, consciousness, truth. STARHAWK: Growing up in with. art form, and what we’re try- been involved in many issues we don’t set up some indi- growth, regeneration in differ- of spiritual life was outside know what she needed and R.C.: Have there been specific Being” the fifties and sixties, I was over the years, from protest- R.C.: You’ve written of the ing to do is create lives that vidual as being of more in- ent ways. have an intrinsic harmony the church walls — even at what to do, I’d know if the experiences in your work with looking for a way to experi- ing the Vietnam War in high When I began, I focused need to move beyond an ab- a young age, I spent more baby was okay or not — it’s An interview with ence the sacred as a woman, herent worth than others, but solutist view of a transcendent and beauty in them, and con- the dying that touched you STARHAWK school and doing antinuclear at the same time we have a more on myth and story. My tribute that to the world. And time looking out the window a deep intuitive listening, and most profoundly? and a chance to take on roles and weapons work, to partici- practice was sitting at an al- Father God. At this stage of at treetops or passing clouds it feels like a guiding for me. of responsibility and power. structure to function, and we that’s a lifelong task. K.L.: There have been hun- pating in the feminist move- tar, doing trance and medita- your life, what is your per- than listening to the priest. I believe and trust that we’re At that time, there wasn’t allow people to earn empow- dreds of stories of grace, but Starhawk is an author, activ- ment and a huge amount of tion, using my own imagery. sonal view of God? not alone here, and that we much in Judaism, although erment. Trying to build net- R.C.: Was it a crisis for you I remember one time when ist, permaculture designer, and work in the global justice Now, the focus is much more M.C.B.: I lived a year in Israel have a lot of helpers. It’s the that changed in the late sixties works of community where when you left the church? an elderly mother was dying one of the foremost voices in movement, the Palestine on being out in nature and when I was young and gradu- same energy I feel now at a and seventies. That’s why the we take care of each other “Birth and and her daughter asked us Earth-based spirituality. Her question, and anti-racism working directly with the ated from high school there, K.L.: I was in my late teens bedside for the dying. Goddess movement was so and celebrate together, create to come. They were pretty 12 books include The Spiral work. Right now a lot of my land, soil, animals — open- and part of the required cur- Death: That when I stopped going. There attractive. Also, the Goddess a human fabric together — in R.C.: How does that work with much estranged; it was a very Dance; The Fifth Sacred Thing; focus is on climate change ing up and putting myself in riculum involved a tremen- was a conflict of wanting to who speaks to us as women life we experience loss and Edge Between dying people affect your spiri- hard energy. In the hospice The Earth Path; her first picture and building the permacul- a state of consciousness to dous amount of study of the be a good Christian girl and to is an icon of sacredness not death and often disease, and tual life and your understand- room, the mother lay in bed, book for children, The Last Wild ture movement. We know get out of my inner imagery Hebrew scriptures. In many be good in God’s eyes, while just of woman’s body, but of those are moments when the Worlds” ing of God? and the daughter sat on the Witch; and her book on group how to regenerate land on a and connect with what’s go- inside myself knowing there the immanence of the sacred what really makes it bearable K.L.: couch across the room. I of- dynamics, The Empowerment large scale; what stands in the ing on around me. An Interview with was Spirit, something other Whether it’s a baby com- in nature — that for me was is love and support. They’re fered the daughter a place Manual: A Guide for Collabora- way is finding the political Mary Catherine KATHY LEO in the world, but not knowing ing into the world or a soul a strong appeal. I had always gifts we can always give to near her mother, but she said tive Groups. will to do it. Bateson will present what that was exactly. I really leaving the body, it’s a shim- had my own experience of the one another. appreciate church communi- mering kind of place, and if no. As we started to sing, the Starhawk directs and teaches R.C.: You’ve written that the “Composing a Life of Kathy Leo is the founder Earth Activist Trainings, and will sacred in the natural world. R.C.: In 1999, when the 20th Wonder, Creativity, and ties and appreciate the quiet there’s anything you can call daughter put her face in her three core principles of God- anniversary edition of The and coordinator of Hallowell, and the services — I’m not God, that’s where I see it. At hands. I went over to her, and offer one at Rowe from May 31 R.C.: One of your core theo- dess religion are immanence, Beauty,” October 9-11. a hospice choir in Brattleboro, to June 14 which will include the logical principles is that the Spiral Dance was published, anti-church — but after that that edge where it’s between gently put my arm around interconnection, and com- you wrote that “the feminist Vermont, that for 10 years has time I never embraced a reli- the worlds, a thin veil, you her shoulder and said, “Why curriculum for a Permaculture Earth is sacred — how does munity — how are these most page 18 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 19

Jill Purce will present their problems, and I would most of my mystical experi- for me. I encourage others to What is that? and fostering personal devel- feelings of blissfulness were “The Healing Voice: Lib talk to them about God and ences had nothing to do with do the same. Being in the mo- opment and success in life, unforgettable. Then as the eration through the Ec - C.W.: I learned this from Al - Helping People teach them to pray. I had a other people. When I was 17, ment, engaged with the flow Pesso and it changed my life! but not necessarily referenc- chant developed, the wind stasy of Chant,” October profound mystical experi- my college roommate gave of life, is important. I attend to People who are drawn to ing what the soul needs. and storm abated. It was 2-4, and “Healing Family Discover Their and Ancestors: Ritual and ence when I was 13. I’d been me a copy of Autobiography what’s profound and beauti- helping professions, including R.C.: One of the areas that in- the amazing power of the Soul-Print talking to a teen who had of a Yogi, which introduced ful. I try to be present to each myself, fall prey to this. terests you is spiritual bypass. human voice to transform Resonance,” October 4-9. recently walked through a me to meditation and a spiri- person sitting in front of me… It starts in childhood, in an What is that? emotions and the natural el- An interview with plate-glass window while on tuality that was more aligned including my husband of 25 environment where the big ements, which had a semi- CHELSEA drugs. I was praying for her with my Soul Print. I was not years. Anyone in a long-term C.W.: Working with people nal effect on what I would do her music than people were not okay. The on the spiritual journey, I’ve anything else, she had a very WAKEFIELD in my bedroom, and the room a very good meditator in those relationship knows this can only way we could be okay later. disappeared and was filled years. I couldn’t settle down be challenging! Dream work encountered many who want strong influence on me and was to figure out what was R.C.: In your early work was a very creative person. Chelsea Wakefield, Ph.D., with light. Filled with an ec- enough. is important, because dreams to engage in premature tran- missing in their lives and to with the spiral you observed My father was deeply loving, LCSW, director of the Rowe static joy and a sense of the Sexuality became another bring us messages about the scendence — they haven’t become that. The problem what you called “the form- and a profound healer; people Spiritual Guidance Training presence of the divine, I also place in which I began to state of our soul as well as the really engaged life on Earth or was that it worked, and this creating principle of flow, came just to be with him Program, is a depth psycho- began to speak in some for- value being embodied and cutting-edge of our growth. learned to navigate the diffi- can become habitual. It fore- cult realm of human relation- resistance, and rotation.” In because they knew that was therapist, soul worker, writer, eign language. I ran into the where I could experience a Being embodied is incred- suzybecker.com closes on childhood, and as your own spiritual journey, enough to heal them. international teacher, and retreat family room to find my par- communion of souls. Moth- ibly important to me. We ships. Many have a history a professional helper, it can where have you experienced Being the child of a leader. She has been on the fac- ents, who told me later that erhood helped me learn to cannot be fully present to life of hurt or trauma and they’re lead us into deep levels of church on high holy days. I the most flow, where the musician and a healer must ulty of the Haden Institute since I was in this state for about settle; breastfeeding was the or to others unless we’re in using spirituality, meditation, despair and burnout. went to a Church of England most resistance, and where have affected my path of 2000, where she teaches both the half an hour. I was deeply first time I could really sit our bodies. We are disturb- strings of self-improvement The antidote is to see boarding school where every- has there been a circling out healing through sound. What Spiritual Direction and Dream changed by it. and be still, not wanting to be ingly disembodied in this retreats to avoid the messy Being Sound, where we’re extending our- one except me was confirmed into new forms of spiritual the chanting has given me Work training programs. She is anywhere else. culture, and certain kinds of aspects of their lives. Certain R.C.: What did the people at selves beyond our bounds, Sound Being at age 12, and only at 18 did understanding? is what it gives everybody: the author of Negotiating the In- Parenthood has taught spirituality can actually make people would rather go to a your church think of this? into this savior complex, I join them. From an early J.P.: a means to be present. You ner Peace Treaty: Becoming the me a lot spiritually. I vowed this imbalance worse. I do retreat or workshop than fix An interview with It’s always been flow C.W.: and to stay grounded in our age I had a deep interest in can’t be anxious if you’re Person You Were Born to Be, a That’s where the big to not repeat the way I was a daily review of the events problems in their primary JILL PURCE without resistance. In my own centers, inviting others spirituality and philosophy. in the present, because you method of psycho-spiritual work trouble began. I’d been bring- parented, as an extension of of the day, tracking where relationships and navigate whole journey so far, I feel into their own growth. We Then in my twenties I started have no extraneous parts of that helps people develop peace, ing a lot of troubled kids my parents’ ego. It was im- I’ve slipped off my center the vulnerability of an inti- Jill Purce is recognized inter- very fortunate that I’ve never do our piece, not everyone’s. exploring different spiritual your mind available to regret integration, clarity, and purpose. to church, and the “good” portant to me to see the soul into fear or reactivity. This mate relationship. Lots of nationally as the pioneer of the come to a point where I had This helps me set limits and avenues, and at one point was the past or dread the future. She is also the creator of the Lu- church people were concerned of my child and encourage becomes material to work people avoid the hard ques- sound-healing movement. She dis- to question the next step; it al- practice self-care. Being involved with a Sufi group. As long as you’re chanting, minous Woman Weekend, which that these kids would ruin the his growth into his unique with for my own growth tions of right livelihood; they covered ancient vocal techniques, ways seemed to unfold seam- spiritually grounded allows In the early seventies, I met a and listening to the unfolding provides a safe space for women good ones. So I was already Soul Print. We have these into wholeness. I track what have marvelous meditation the power of group chant, and the lessly, without blockages. me to monitor the work I Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen sound in the present, you’re to explore archetypes of the femi- suspect. lofty ideas about how we’ll I’m over-defending or what practices but cannot sustain spiritual potential of the voice as a There was a brief moment am truly called to do, and Lama who at the time was in a state of bliss, of flow. nine and women’s wisdom in an This church was very con- raise a child, and then we’re my ego is becoming over- themselves financially. People magical instrument for healing and when I left university when to know what is needed and staying in a hut in the remote The healing that sound does experiential way. cerned with demons and the confronted with reality and identified with. I like to do who’ve never learned to ad- meditation. Working with family I wasn’t sure what I would when. The right action at the Italian Alps. I was completely for others and for me is that devil, and when I went to talk the challenges of being out sitting or walking meditation dress things directly or deal and ancestors, she is highly sought do — and it was then that I THE ROWE CENTER: You wrong time is ineffective. captivated. I suppose you it embraces us in the present to the minister about what of control! Can we really live to re-center myself in the fast with conflict sometimes try after for her family constellations met the composer Karlheinz grew up in a fundamental- If we can contribute to the could say I’m a Christian- moment — that is the most had happened he concluded up to what we say we believe flow of the day. I practice to ascend into a spiritual per- with sound. Author of The Mystic Stockhausen. He burst into ist church-going Christian person in front of us, even in Buddhist, but I dislike labels profoundly healing state to that I was under demonic in the onslaught of real life? gratitude. spective rather than feel and Spiral and Overtone Chanting my life, initiating a complete family, but the spirituality influence. In truth, they did a way that looks small, some- address issues activating hurt of any kind. change of direction, and I be in. that spoke to you couldn’t be Another important part R.C: You’ve recently returned times that is all we’re called Meditations, she guides non-sing- not want to be in contact with or anger. This is not spiritual- R.C.: As a child you had a re- went to live and work with R.C.: You also work with fam- found there. What were you of my life has been music; from Hong Kong, where you to do. Small acts have ripple ers as much as international opera what was dark and difficult, I’ve played the piano since ity; it’s denial and avoidance. performers in their pursuit of the markable experience traveling him in Germany. ily constellations — work that looking for? with what makes us fully were teaching at a spiritual effects. childhood, and this became guidance program on sexual- R.C.: Does one need to believe lost voice. She lives in London with in a small boat off the Irish R.C.: Your work with cymatics was first informed by your CHELSEA WAKEFIELD: I was human. R.C.: What is the difference a meditative road for me. ity and spirituality. in God to have a spiritual life? her husband Rupert Sheldrake and coast — a violent storm arose, (how formless matter is or- observations in Japan of how a deeply soul-centered child. I was then publicly de- between doing psychotherapy and amid the terror of those ancestors are honored and Sometimes I would shut C.W.: Certainly not. Jeremy their two sons. ganized into precise patterns I felt the Earth was filled with nounced and cast out of myself in a room and play C.W.: Yes, this area largely is and spiritual guidance? onboard, three old women through sound vibrations) included. Were there constel- Taylor, the Associate Direc- THE ROWE CENTER: Your energy. But there was no church. You can imagine how neglected by many Spiritual C.W.: began an ethereal chant that lations in your own family for hours to express what my There can be an overlap, tor for our Spiritual Guidance mother was a concert pianist led you to explore the effects encouragement for that kind wounding this was. Healing Guidance practitioners. I’ve transformed your fear to bliss, that needed healing during soul was feeling. I composed but there are distinct differ- program, refers to the word and your father a physician. of sound on matter, and your of spiritual sensibility in my that wound has provided a worked extensively with and the storm subsided. What the process of your spiritual a lot of music in college and ences. I’ve always been a “God” as a “place holder” for What was the religious back- collaborations with Stockhau- family. The emphasis was on foundation for working with became a professional musi- sexual trauma and the wound- soul-centered psychothera- effect did this experience have sen and with Tibetan Gyuto journey? believing certain doctrines, others who’ve had profound ing that results from religious an experience beyond words; ground in your household cian for several years. But pist. The primary focus of on your subsequent spiritual monks deepened your pio- J.P.: After my mother died in and good behavior, and I was spiritual wounding in their teachings and teachers. Sexu- I like that. I’m more interested when you were growing up? the music business wasn’t spiritual guidance is to help in where people are inspired, journey? neering work with the voice 1984 — my father had died a very well-behaved child. history. ality and the soul are closely JILL PURCE: My father was a a healthy place for me, and people discover their unique J.P.: It was huge. That immedi- — all of this leading to new some years before — I found We lived near the beach, linked in the psyche. People where they experience pas- Presbyterian from Northern R.C.: You call yourself an “em- I’ve always been someone Soul Print, to support them in ate shift from terror to ecstasy techniques for sacred healing. a novel she’d written in her and I’d ride my bike to long for a soul-satisfying sex- sionate engagement with life, Ireland. His father had been bodied mystic.” How did you to whom people turned for the process of finding a sense was unforgettable. The sense In your own spiritual journey, later teenage years. It was a the pier and talk to God. I ual connection. We live in a how they’re connecting in very religious; my father find your way to that? help, so I decided to become of alignment and integration of imminent mortality, as it what were the areas of your romantic novel about meeting brought my innate mysti- culture that has split sexuality meaningful ways with others, rebelled against his father C.W.: a psychotherapist. with what is most deeply true was clear we weren’t going to life most in need of healing? a world-famous musician and cism to a passion for Jesus. Part of what has been so from soul and sent sexuality and what opens them to deep and became an agnostic. My R.C.: to them, to foster a connection survive, was terrifying. Then Did using the healing power going abroad to live with him. Looking back, I see an early important in my spiritual jour- What is your spiritual into the shadow lands. places within. They may or mother was Church of Eng- with the transcendent. Most as they began their chant, of sacred chanting help you? As I was reading this novel, I calling to spiritual guidance. ney has been to actually be on practice today? may not relate these experi- land and although she prayed Earth. When I was younger, I R.C.: You sometimes talk psychotherapy focuses on ences to God, but they are a sense of ecstasy began to J.P.: Although my mother was realized that by having gone Kids would talk to me about C.W.: I’ve customized a set of about “omnipotent inflation.” healing the wounds of the past every night, only went to longed for the transcendent; spiritual practices that work related to spirituality. ripple through us. The sudden perhaps more interested in to Germany to live and work page 20 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 21

with Stockhausen 13 years Last Mask Center for Shamanic use science to talk about it. - working with my spirits I before, I had been living out Healing in New York City in Christina Pratt will pres began to make sense of it. I’m R.C.: Is that what prompted ent “Shamanic Wisdom SERVING OUR MISSION the unrealized dreams of my 1990 and since 2001, when she you to intersect your personal very grateful to my human mother. In working with fam- moved to Portland, Oregon, she for Living — and Dying — teachers, because from them spiritual path with a study of Well” on October 16-18. ily constellations, you see that has served clients on both coasts. science? I learned discipline and skills, children often find themselves She wrote An Encyclopedia of which are very important fulfilling unrealized ambitions Shamanism, a two-volume set C.P. : What made science in- when working with Spirit. But through like? A Call to Make the World a Better Place Rowe of their parents. It was uncan- describing shamans and their teresting to me was that it was ultimately I had to step away ny the way that had happened practices around the globe, and an effort to explain our world; C.P.: It was a breakdown, re- to validate my experiences Woodside Campaign Launched with a $10,000 Grant from the Still Point Foundation Receives to me. she hosts the international live- religion wasn’t working, so ally, at the time it was hap- myself, and it didn’t matter UU Funding Internet show “Why Shamanism how do we fix it, how do we pening. Studying science in if I learned from a human The spring Woodside campaign is We know we have asked a lot of you R.C.: In the last 10 or so years, become better humans? I had you’ve developed a practice Now?” college, I’d been extremely or from a helping spirit who off to a great start, thanks to a $10,000 this year, and we are grateful for your Program excellent teachers in science. depressed, and as I had in- doesn’t have a form. I made a you call Living Mandala Cer- THE ROWE CENTER: Before grant from The Still Point Fund. The gift, tremendous support to build a new water Through that experience of juries in dancing I only got Grant emonies, including one that’s you began shamanic work, lot of mistakes, and did every- given in memory of Brenda Ross Winter system. We have much to celebrate. We all true scientific inquiry, I was more depressed. When I had about to happen this spring re- you were a modern dancer in thing in the hardest way pos- (1933-2003), a visionary lady, came about pulled together to ensure that Rowe will We are grateful to seeking a cosmology and the breakdown in New York, lated to Green Tara, the Moth- New York City, and prior to sible, but once the teachings through a recommendation by Christa have clean water and now we need to pull The UU Funding Pro- also asking, “How did we get I was on my knees through er of Buddhas, sometimes that you had studied chemis- took shape it was all about Lancaster and Marc Bregman, founders of together to ensure that our young folks can gram for its generous here?” — seeking answers desperate nights and I knew I thought of as a Goddess, in try at Smith College and been refining them and becoming a North of Eden, an organization dedicated return to the home of their spirits and drink grant of $10,000 to that some people do get from wasn’t tracking reality, but I the Tibetan tradition. In this accepted at medical school. person who could teach them. to archetypal dreamwork in Montpelier, of that water. Please help with a generous help with start-up funds religion. In true scientific couldn’t get back to it. I was context, what does the word What was your religious R.C.: Elsewhere you’ve re- Vermont. donation to the Woodside Program. for Rowe’s new Spiri- manifestations, our world is fully aware that it was differ- “Goddess” mean to you? How background when you were ferred to a “highest power In addition, the First Unitarian Church The goal for the Woodside Program is tual Guidance Training really magical. It’s why some ent from the reality everyone of Oakland made a donation in honor of $91,500 this year. This is a great way to Program. do you define Goddess, or, for younger? mathematicians are such of the universe, by whatever that matter, God? else was having. It wasn’t fun; name you know it” — is this Margaret Woodside’s 85th birthday. Happy begin, and we need your support to meet The grant was pro- CHRISTINA PRATT: As a spiritual people. The closest I it was terrifying. But I finally how you think now of God? belated birthday, Margaret. And the UU grams for young people since 1924. Camp our goal. All gifts large and small are vided through the Fund J.P.: Whether Tara is a bod- child, my family was very had gotten to seeing God was accepted that it was some- Society of Greater Springfield chose the is fun and engaging and filled with all of welcomed and needed. Do you feel called for Unitarian Univer- hisattva or a Goddess or a involved in a small Unitarian through science. thing I had to go through and C.P.: This is actually an inter- Woodside Program for a share-the-plate the typical camp traditions: stories around to make the difference in one child’s life salism, which seeks to principle, it’s hard to say. I’ve church in northern Oregon. It R.C.: You also have been a that I needed to find my way esting question with shaman- donation, thanks to a recommendation by a campfire, talent shows, candlelight cha- by becoming a Woodside Ally? With a strengthen Unitarian done these mandala processes was a small-enough commu- dancer. How did that affect out of it. ism. It’s a big conversation. board member Joan Lager. If your church pels, cabin check-in every night. And amid pledge of $1,000 a year for 10 years, you Universalist institutions with different themes also, nity that we didn’t even have your spiritual evolution? I see it now as my first Shamanic people believe in has a similar program, please recommend all of that, we have a long tradition of em- can support a Woodside camper to go to and community life. such as conscious dying, con- a minister. We studied world shamanistic initiation experi- a beginning of everything — the Woodside Program and help us make powering youth to change their lives and to camp and to have the joy of looking for- The Spiritual Guidance scious dreaming. I’ve done religions as young children; C.P.: In performing I discov- what religious people consid- ered a vehicle to express my ence, although at the time I the world a better place. change their worlds. Year after year, camp- ward to returning year after year. Through program is designed several around other aspects I remember thinking that if didn’t have a context for it. er a Creation story — but with Our children are our future. They are ers leave saying, “I wish that my life could your donation you help to foster a richly to train practitioners to of Tara: white, yellow and red all of these people basically whole person. I had clas- this sense of an energy that is sical mystical experiences Some people come through hope for a better world. And at Rowe we be like this all the time. I wish that every diverse camp community that benefits all facilitate the spiritual Taras. Each of these aspects believe the same things, but initiatory experiences, and really unnameable. “The Tao see this firsthand every summer. Rowe place was like Rowe.” And our answer is, the campers and helps to make the world a journeys of others. of her represents a different simply in a different order, while performing occasion- we can name is not the Tao.” ally that were life-changing some don’t. What makes one Camp has been offering summer camp pro- “It’s up to you to create that.” better place. aspect of divinity or of spiritu- then why are we fighting? I person a shaman and another Shamanism is a cosmology ality that we might want to at- remember that as being semi- experiences, stepping out that takes me back before of everyday form and time not? It’s the fact that you can tain in our lives. On one level, nal to my understanding of find your way out — if a sha- gods or God. Religious schol- you can see the various Taras people and religion, and the into true mystical experience ars would argue that that’s and then coming back into man’s job is to help people The ROWE CENTER SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE TRAINING PROGRAM as Goddesses and ask them failure of religion. It was very get out of their forest, how what we mean by “God,” and for help. But at a more so- powerful in shaping my early performance. Something was I know that, but it’s not what going on there that I didn’t can you do that if you don’t phisticated level you become ideas about spirituality — see- get out of your own? most people actually practice First Session: October 29-November 3; registration deadline is May 1 them — you incorporate those ing the diversity, seeing the understand, and I didn’t have — they practice a personal R.C.: How did that experience aspects of divinity into your connections in all of them, anyone to talk to about it, but God. That’s not shamanism. it was nourishing my soul. shape your spiritual life? he Rowe Center is pleased to announce the ing a liminal, sacred space, away from the busy world. own life. and wondering why they If we’re living shamanisti- launching of our Spiritual Guidance Train- Advisory Committee: Mary Catherine Bateson, In our beautiful retreat setting of forest, lake, orchard, In researching consciousness C.P.: It was so many quantum weren’t working. cally, there’s no need for a ing Program, designed to meet a growing Andrew Harvey, Robert Jonas, Rev. Darcey Laine, and meadow, you will join with a group of committed later, I realized it had names orders bigger than any of my When I was a teenager, God, because we’re living in need for authentic, well-prepared individu- Joanna Macy, Rev. Kerry Maloney, Dave Munro, peers and experienced staff to embark on this deep and it was during the Vietnam in Hindu experiences. We other mystical experiences. It relationship with all of life. didn’t learn about that in the Tals who offer support on the spiritual path, embody Rev. Carl Scovel, Rabbi Rami Shapiro important journey. The training includes four residential “Shamanism: lasted three days, and I came War, the formative war of my Indigenous people understand wisdom and compassion, and who are spiritually lit- Core Faculty: Chelsea Wakefield Ph.D., LCSW retreats at Rowe, twice a year for two years; four per- Unitarian church! out knowing I was trans- Living in youth, and during that time this. The thing that makes this erate and trans-denominational. (Director), Jeremy Taylor, D. Min. (Associate Di- sonalized electives selected from the Rowe catalogue; R.C.: formed forever. It was prob- my family stopped attend- At one point, you had a work interesting at this time If you feel newly called to a career in this reward- rector), and Rev. Steve Kanji Ruhl, M.Div. reading and reflection assignments between residencies; ably the most important thing Relationship ing church. Another thing spiritual breakthrough — af- is for us, as humans, to under- ing and significant work; if you are already providing Additional guest teaching staff at each inten- and monthly streaming video-conferences. Participants to happen in my whole life. happening in America at that ter struggling deeply with the stand that it’s the things that spiritual counsel and would like further training and sive – to be announced. will be grouped in small cohorts that support learning, with All of Life” I started studying shaman- time was the Human Poten- question “Why am I here?” may be near and dear in our development; if you are a clergy person wishing to collaboration, and a sense of community, and each will ism because it was the only An Interview with tial Movement, and my ques- you realized that you’re hearts that we’ll need to let expand your ministry; or someone in a helping profes- of significance, while broadening your spiritual lit- have a staff “mentor,” who will support and guide them avenue to put that experience CHRISTINA PRATT tioning swung more in that here to help in the repair and go of, in order to become the sion, wanting to integrate a spiritual dimension into eracy, expanding your awareness of spiritual practices, in reaching their individual goals. into context. Even if some area. George Leonard and restoration of souls, and to medicine this time is asking your work, we invite you to apply. and helping you to identify the shadow aspects of shamanic teachers didn’t Christina Pratt is a teacher of different early people in that help people become spiritual for. The question is: Are we This unique two-year program will help you de- spirituality. It will give you tools and skills for guid- For more information and to download application acknowledge my experience authentic, non-traditional, heart- movement were talking about adults and serve as agents of willing to surrender our ideas, velop the foundational skills and worldview that will ing others in the discovery of their “keys to the inner forms, please go to www.rowecenter.org. as a true initiation, I did, and centered shamanism. She opened religions not only through change. What was that break- even about God, to become allow you to facilitate the spiritual journey of others. treasure,” in ways that are right and fitting for each To receive a printed brochure and application form metaphor, but were trying to that medicine? You will learn to generate and hold the kind of space individual seeker. by postal mail, please email spiritguide@rowecenter. that invites others into a deep reflection on questions In coming to the Rowe Center, you will be enter- org. or phone 413-339-4954. page 22 The Center Post • Spring/Summer 2015 www.rowecenter.org • 413-339-4954 page 23

IN MEMORIAM LIVING OUR VALUES Laurel Coggins Oleynick,

granddaughter of Rowe founder Rev. Anita Pickett, A Tribute to Max Greendale, 1942-2015 and Laurel’s husband of 53 years, Dr. Anatol “Harry” Oleynick, May Tree Residency longtime members and friends of Rowe. We are sad to announce that Rowe Life Member and Our heartfelt sympathy to their family. Ripples Out into the World longtime friend Arthur “Max” Greendale died recently after a Created through a bequest She’s also exploring a synthesis in anticipation of spring. She’s short illness. Max began com- Water System Campaign from Sylvia “Hawthorne” of drawing and quilting, and shown her work at several ex- ing to Rowe around 1980. He Bowman, the May Tree Artist how this allows for increased hibits and is creating a website, had met his wife Laura at UU Surpasses Goal at $131,000! in Residence Program provides texture and ability to layer which you can see at www. Congregations of the Catskills. Let’s raise our glasses with • build a new water storage space, time, and a nurturing en- within a theme. Since her Rowe elizabethbain.artspan.com. In She was coming to Rowe’s clean, clear water and toast tank to replace the cistern that vironment for a woman to con- residency she has had several addition, she facilitates two Liberation Camp with her to celebrate! It takes a whole is now in use; tribute to the world’s cultural local exhibits and won ribbons process-painting workshops a children and introduced Max community to build a new • lay water lines to the new life through her artistic talent. at the Heath Fair and the “Big year in her home studio, pro- to Rowe. He became a regular water system — and we did it. system; The program, which began E” (the Eastern States Exposi- viding a safe space for new at Lib Camp, and also attended We all pulled to- • give us peace seven years ago, has touched tion). As Senior Center Coor- painters to express themselves many conferences on relation- gether and raised of mind. the lives of seven women. Here dinator for the town of Heath, in deeply personal ways. She ships and couples work. $106,000 to build Our confer- are a few of their stories: she teaches art and sewing to says, “Several of ‘my painters’ Max was a programmer our new system, ence fees and Eileen Lucas Lively is de- the seniors. She is inspired by have gone on to exhibit their and manager at IBM until his and we met the camp fees pay for veloping her art through classes their passion to express them- own work, which gives me no Eileen Lively retirement in 1992. His dream Max and Laura. challenge match operations, and, at the Hill Institute in Florence, selves and sees this as a way to end of pride and pleasure! I am was to retire at 50, be able to and will receive thanks to your Massachusetts, focusing on keep them engaged with their so grateful to Rowe for the op- walls, and refinishing used take at least six weeks’ vaca- ment committee to oversee it. nance and capital improvement another $25,000 donations over watercolors and mixed-media. creativity. Eileen organized an portunity to spend nine months furniture to create an artist’s tion each year, and have time to He served on the investment projects on the Rowe campus. donation from an the years, we have exhibit to display their work at working exclusively on my art. retreat. She attended a weekly play tennis and enjoy life. He committee for 13 years. He also Max lived to see his vision anonymous donor. been able to do the Heath Fair and the Heath What a gift!” farmers’ market and sold prints realized that dream. He lived was concerned about the staff’s realized: Last year the fund This truly is worth celebrating! many large maintenance tasks Public Library. “Seeing is art, While at Rowe, one of and cards. She also worked at a part-time in Florida until this well-being and developed a re- reached $200,000, the level at Thanks to you we will have and major improvements that art is a way of seeing,” she Amina Silk’s favorite things pre-school, making art with the year, when he sold his house in tirement plan, as well as a plan which Rowe could begin to use clean, potable water for every- will allow us to serve our mis- says. “I see my world and, was to organize community art. children. She recently moved Woodstock, New York to take for disability insurance. the interest annually. one at Rowe. This spring we sion to provide a safe space overcome with joy, it spills out She had a vision of renovating to Weston, Vermont, where up permanent residence there. Max’s leadership was The biggest project during will begin work to: to hold transformative camps of me into what you see as art.” her garage and creating a com- her latest project has been Max served on the Rowe matched by his generosity. The Max’s tenure was the Farm- • drill a new well or wells and conferences for adults and After returning to Morris- munity art space at her home in yet another new apartment to Board of Trustees as Treasurer endowment initially was fund- house Expansion Project. He with sufficient capacity to serve young people alike. Thank you town, New Jersey, Elizabeth Gardner, Massachusetts when decorate and design into a cozy from April 1993 to September ed through a donation from brought it from a long-term vi- the whole campus; for being part of this extraordi- Bain took a class which led her she finished her residency, and space for living, a facial and 1997. He was elected President Max and Laura. Also, at Max’s sion to the first stages of mak- • complete all the testing nary circle of people who hold to create interesting abstract she did it. Amina posts com- massage studio, and — most of the board and served through recommendation the board ing that dream a reality, and he needed for the project from Rowe so dear. work. This winter she’s painted munity art hours and opens her important — her newest art August 2000. Max’s vision voted to put all proceeds from provided the lead gift to make start to finish; barns in the snow, based studio to anyone who wants studio. She looks forward to was to build a solid financial unrestricted bequests into the it happen. When Rowe began loosely on photographs taken to make art. It gives her great turning her creative journal/ Elizabeth Bain foundation for Rowe. He was fund and to allocate five dollars plans for a new guest house, in New England. She’s now pleasure to facilitate the cre- log /notebook into pieces of a certified financial planner, from each conference fee for Max and Laura once again Amina Silk painting gardens and flowers ative process with others. Am- artwork. arts. Hawthorne’s hope was to and Rowe benefited from his the endowment. The purpose stepped forward and made the TO MAKE A DONATION ina has also exhibited at sev- Who will be next and provide the initial funding for expertise. Max created an was to build a fund that would lead gift to name a room. Max Visit rowecenter.org, call 413-339-4954, eral shows since finishing her what might they do to put the residency and to inspire oth- endowment plan and an invest- generate income for mainte- and Laura were named Life or send a check to P.O. Box 273, Rowe, MA 01367 residency. This past winter, she their art out into the world? ers to add to the fund in order Members at Rowe, an honor and her husband Arif stayed at Applications are now being to sustain it. Hawthorne’s sister, given to those who exemplify CREATE A LASTING LEGACY Rowe as interns. During that accepted for the coming year Janet Wheeler, has continued Truck Needed Rowe Needs generosity and service to UU Let your spirit live on at Rowe. time she offered art space dur- for two residencies of three to sustain the fund through her Rowe Center. Remember the Rowe Center in your will. ing a number of conferences. months each (October–De- generous donations. The artists Do you have a truck that Photo Volunteer Max has left a great legacy After her residency, Trish cember 2015) and (March– are committed to creating an you are considering trading in We are looking for someone through his work at Rowe, and THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS Kile moved to Isle La Motte, May 2016.) Rowe will provide endowment that will sustain the or selling? Why not give it to with a knowledge of Picasa or he will be missed deeply for all on Lake Champlain in Ver- housing, studio space, and a program in perpetuity. Each has Rowe? Donations of vehicles another cloud-based archiving of these reasons — and mostly DONATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ROWE IN MEMORY OF: mont. She found a place to stipend of $250 a month to provided a piece of art which are tax deductible and the bene- program to categorize and store because he was a kind and James Thomey’s Birthday • Arnold F. Westwood live complete with a lake and the selected artist. Proposals will be exhibited at Rowe and on fit increases when the vehicle is our photographs. Please contact thoughtful man. He loved life, Brenda Ross Winter, a Visionary Lady (1933-2003) mountain view and beautiful will be accepted by email only our website. You can support the being used for a charity rather [email protected] if you gave freely of himself, and he MAY THEIR MEMORIES LIVE ON. evening sunsets. She trans- through April 30th. Details program by making a donation than sold. We are looking for a want to help. cared about relationships. He formed the garage into an art can be found on our website or by purchasing a piece of art pick-up truck in good working was a good friend, benefactor, AND IN HONOR OF studio but the space inside was at www.rowecenter.org under for the May Tree Benefit Exhibit. order. If you can help, please and inspiring leader. Our heart- Mark Benford • Andrew Plummer • Syvlie Scahill in sad shape. She spent most of the section on work. email [email protected] felt sympathy goes out to his Trish Kile the summer painting ceilings, You can help support the or call 413-339-4954. family and many, many friends. NON-PROFIT ORG. The Rowe Center U.S. POSTAGE PAID 22 Kings Hwy. Box 273 PUTNEY, VT Opportunities at Rowe Rowe, MA 01367 PERMIT NO. 1 Change service requested

Personal by matching Rowe’s needs with Come Work your skills and preferences. Each Retreats and volunteer is assigned to a specific at Rowe department: housekeeping, main- Group Rentals tenance, office, or kitchen. REGISTRATION AND OFFICE COORDINATOR — This position Create your own retreat for Experience living in a values- will be available at the end of May. yourself or for a group. Make your based community. Each volunteer The ROC is part of the program- own schedule. Call us for rates. defines personal and commu- ming team and is responsible for We’d be happy to send you infor- nity goals for his or her time here. office functions, registration, and mation. Goals may be reached through logistics for programs. Among self-directed reading and writing, the skills and experience we are attending Rowe workshops, the looking for are familiarity with Become a experience of living in community, office management, a good phone Community and the practice of loving service manner, an ability to work as in support of Rowe’s work. part of a team and to multi-task, Service Intern Volunteers live with each a sense of humor, and an ability to interact with guests. Experi- other and, in a more loosely knit ence living in a rural area and/ Whether fresh out of college, community, with the rest of our or living in a community are going through a midlife evalua- staff. Living, working, and playing especially desired. Compensation tion, or newly retired, you have with the same group of people is includes a salary, excellent health three years experience cooking for through June 7. the opportunity through Rowe’s full of complexities, challenges, benefits, and room and board. volunteer residency program to and joy. Each person is invited to Please send expressions of interest groups, ability to supervise and slow down, take stock, explore new speak honestly and openly, to find to Arthur Samuelson, Director of train others. SUMMER CAMP HEALTH CO- ORDINATOR (1) — RN or MD pre- directions, meet wonderful people new ways to deal with conflict, to Programming, arthur@rowecen- SUMMER COOKS (3) — Posi- in an inviting rustic setting, engage take risks, to enter the mysterious ter.org. tion 1: May 31-Aug. 22. Position ferred. On-call 24 hours/day to in meaningful work, and be part of realm of the inner life, and to be 2: June 21-Sept. 1. Position 3: June care for ill campers and staff. The a supportive community. transformed by the whole experi- SUMMER HEAD COOK (2) — 21 - Aug. 22. Assist with preparing “camp nurse” has 14 days off dur- Volunteers spend 33 hours a ence. If you believe in what Rowe Position 1: May 31-Sept. 7. Position two meals/day for 75-120 people, ing the camp sessions and gets week working to support Rowe is doing and have time to take a 2: June 21-Sept. 7. Hands-on cook- keeping kitchen clean, putting relief coverage to take hikes or Center in exchange for room, break in your life, please email ing position. Supervise summer away food deliveries, other kitchen go to the beach when someone is tasks. Minimum two years cooking board, and the opportunity to at- [email protected] or call cooks; prepare two meals/day, five available to cover. Requires love of experience. Requires teamwork, tend conferences. Work is arranged her at 413-339-4954. days/week. Good cooking skills, teenagers, sense of humor, tact, ability and willingness to follow resourcefulness, and other nursely direction, physical stamina, sense attributes. For children’s camps of humor. only, June 28-Aug. 22. We hire for SUMMER KITCHEN HOUSE- one camp only or entire season. The KEEPER/PREP COOK (3) — Position Families welcome. 1: May 31-Aug. 22. Positions 2 & 3: June 21 - Sept. 7. Entry-level SUMMER RELIEF NURSE (1) — Center Post positions for those without expe- Covers days off for camp nurse rience. As part of kitchen team, during three-week camps. Respon- A Journal of Unitarian Universalist Rowe Center • 22 Kings Highway, Rowe, MA 01367 keep kitchen clean, put away food sible for all duties of nurse stated (413) 339-4954 • Fax (413) 339-5728 • e-mail: [email protected] • www.rowecenter.org deliveries, wash pots and pans, lead campers in doing dishes, as- above. For any of following dates: sist with cooking prep and other July 3-5, July 10-12, July 24-26, Aug. Editor: Arthur H. Samuelson ROWE CENTER STAFF kitchen tasks. Requires teamwork, 7-9, Aug. 14-16. Felicity Pickett, Executive Director Executive Editor: Steve Kanji Ruhl ability to learn quickly and follow Arthur H. Samuelson, Program Director direction, physical stamina, sense SUMMER VOLUNTEERS — We Proofreader: Carrie Nordstrom Paulette Roccio, Director of Operations of humor. also can use extra hands as vol- Designer: Jeff Potter Steve Kanji Ruhl, Marketing Coordinator unteers throughout the summer. Rowe Owl Logo: Frederick Chadwick Kerry Read, Registration and Office Coordinator SUMMER MAINTENANCE (1) — Carrie Nordstrom, Human Resources Works with Rowe’s facilities team Cover Art: Maureen Moore and Finance Coordinator to keep physical aspects of the Cartoons: Suzy Becker Bobby Honeycutt, Head of Maintenance camp functioning (everything from For summer positions, Reed Brown, Head Cook changing light bulbs to construc- please call tion projects and fixing cars). Hard Kelsey Oppenheimer, Associate Cook 413-339-4954 BOARD OF TRUSTEES work, self-motivation, willingness Kate Peppard, Kitchen Intern or email us at Albert Mussad, President to work with others, sense of hu- [email protected] COMMUNITY SERVICE INTERNS mor. Can begin as early as May 30 Cynthia Bolling, Betsey Miller, Gail Epstein, Kerri Joanne Crowell, Jeff Giaimo, Mathais Florian, Joan Lager, Salena Migeot, Cathy Perkins Kainrath, Alyce Skelton