Amazon.com: Customer reviews:
An Undivided Life: Seeking Wholeness in Ourselves, Our Work, and Our World
byParker J. Palmer
Format: Audible Audio Edition|Change
===================
renewal group study book
Bycpkreaderon February 25, 2010
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I belong to a small group that meets weekly for prayer and discussion, to help us grow in our Christian faith, action and study. This book was suggested by one of our members, and we've just started it. It seems to be a book that will help us integrate what goes on in our outward and our inward lives, so that we can become more wholly the person we are meant to be.
I can't really rate this book until we have finished it, which is why I only gave it 3 stars.
4 comments|Was this review helpful to you?
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Bycpkreaderon February 25, 2010
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I belong to a small group that meets weekly for prayer and discussion, to help us grow in our Christian faith, action and study. This book was suggested by one of our members, and we've just started it. It seems to be a book that will help us integrate what goes on in our outward and our inward lives, so that we can become more wholly the person we are meant to be.
I can't really rate this book until we have finished it, which is why I only gave it 3 stars.
4 comments|Was this review helpful to you?
===========
Taking this position is fine if you have the time and resources to reflect ...
ByStephen A.on May 27, 2017
A hidden Wholeness the first half is devoted to how finding your truth will help you live a undivided, that by living in a fragmented way, one face for work one for home life and one for friends, can ultimately lead to a soulless existence. this part feels to me that the argument is that if we but only live our lives true to our inner truth than all will be right in the world. Taking this position is fine if you have the time and resources to reflect on what really drives you, however it answers little for a person that is struggling to cover basic needs. It is like expecting someone fleeing a burning building to take the time to ask themselves why the building is on fire in the first place. its fine to do when your safe, but not when your trying not to burn. Another issue I have is that he basically calls out Secularism and Moral-ism as wrong minded, but then later warns against insulating yourself against ideas that you find challenging not to separate people in to "good guys and bad guys".
The last half of the book is about how to conduct a Circle of Truth, it is a major part of Quaker communities. In fact many cultures have takes on these and they are very useful and do build stronger communities, at home, around town, and even at the office.
and to the point of the book yeah if we live our lives in a way that is whole we will be happier, we should not stay in jobs or relationships that make us feel sick with anxiety and by being true to our inner selves we can move out of these situations, and that if we really listen to each other instead of just trying to solve problems we may gain a better understanding of ourselves and each other. so yeah the book has some good points, But in the end it falls short.
1 comment| One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
-----------------
Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 stars
ByStephen A.on May 27, 2017
A hidden Wholeness the first half is devoted to how finding your truth will help you live a undivided, that by living in a fragmented way, one face for work one for home life and one for friends, can ultimately lead to a soulless existence. this part feels to me that the argument is that if we but only live our lives true to our inner truth than all will be right in the world. Taking this position is fine if you have the time and resources to reflect on what really drives you, however it answers little for a person that is struggling to cover basic needs. It is like expecting someone fleeing a burning building to take the time to ask themselves why the building is on fire in the first place. its fine to do when your safe, but not when your trying not to burn. Another issue I have is that he basically calls out Secularism and Moral-ism as wrong minded, but then later warns against insulating yourself against ideas that you find challenging not to separate people in to "good guys and bad guys".
The last half of the book is about how to conduct a Circle of Truth, it is a major part of Quaker communities. In fact many cultures have takes on these and they are very useful and do build stronger communities, at home, around town, and even at the office.
and to the point of the book yeah if we live our lives in a way that is whole we will be happier, we should not stay in jobs or relationships that make us feel sick with anxiety and by being true to our inner selves we can move out of these situations, and that if we really listen to each other instead of just trying to solve problems we may gain a better understanding of ourselves and each other. so yeah the book has some good points, But in the end it falls short.
1 comment| One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
-----------------
Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 stars
Circles of Trust
ByJack Froston February 2, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Parke Palmer's book has much thoughtful quotes, anecdotes, personal and other stories, and short poems. Below is a summary in his own words:
Circles of Trust
When we sit in a circle of trust, we are given one experience after another in holding the tension of opposites, experiences that slowly break our hearts open to greater capacity. Here are some of the tensions we learn to hold in a circle of trust, a list that simply summarizes topics already explored: 1. When we listen to another person's problems, we do not leap to fix or save: we hold the tension to give that person space to hear his or her inner teacher. We learn to neither invade nor evade the reality of each other's lives but rather to find a third way of being present to each other. 2. We create a form of community that is mediated by "third things." These poems and stories and works of art allow us to hold challenging issues metaphorically, where they cannot devolve to the pro-or-con choices forced on us by conventional debate. 3. Our discourse never involves efforts to persuade or dissuade one another. Instead, each person speaks from his or her center to the center of the circle, where our exploration can take us to a deeper level as we hold the tension involved in weaving a "tapestry estry of truth." 4. Truth in a circle of trust resides neither in some immutable external authority nor in the momentary convictions of each individual. It resides between us, in the tension of the eternal conversation, where the voice of truth we think we are hearing from within can be checked and balanced by the voices of truth others think they are hearing.
In all these ways, and more, a circle of trust moves us toward ways of engaging each other that honor the soul and help us transcend "fight or flight"-ways that open up the possibility of walking the third way in everyday life.
Outstanding reading if you are challenged with fear and uncertainty and heartbreak wherever you are.
Comment| 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
--------------------
3.0 out of 5 starsEnter a Q&A session with author Parker J. Palmer ~ his beliefs & views...
ByrandomartcoVINE VOICEon November 5, 2009
I was not familiar with Parker J. Palmer before listening to this audio CD of 'An Undivided Life'...I must admit that the format threw me for loop: I was expecting a read-aloud of the author's book, but instead got a Q&A session with the author: that was a bit, um, unique. If you are a fan of this author & his viewpoint, this Q&A session will no doubt inspire you & answer some questions and feelings that you have on these issues: for me, I was just kind of like, 'yeah, ok.'
The author answers questions and speaks to his own experiences of 3 'clinical' depressions, and his own vocational & other choices that led him to discover the phrase, living an undivided life. He believes in living close to your authentic self, not living crosswise to your true self, and using the inner guidance to get past and not build a wall of seperation between your inside self and your outside self.
Personally, I thought it was very random and rambling: lacking any points that touched my spirit or soul, or even intellectual points that touched my brain, I just felt this was the author at his best on a soapbox, sharing his personal views and beliefs, and droning on and on in a way that reminded me of the great Ben Stein with 'Bueller, Bueller'...I didn't even get all the way through the 1st CD, I only got to almost the end before I was too bored and uninspired to continue any farther. For myself, there is no way I would ever listen to all 5 CDs and 5 1/2 hours of this program.
All my personal opinion aside, I can see how this audio CD could be inspiring or helpful to people who have found solace, hope or inspiration from his book and viewpoint of living an undivided life. And I agree with the author that we need to be authentic selfs, that is, we need to present to the world on the outside, what we are on the inside, and that in order to do this safely, we should be true to ourselves, but also just plain be a good person! I gave this 3 stars overall, as it may be truly helpful to some!
1 comment| 10 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
----------------
1.0 out of 5 stars--Parker Palmer wants to educate you in his political agenda--
ByJudith MillerVINE VOICEon May 18, 2009
This was not really what I expected. I guess I was hoping for some helpful techniques that would give me a little insight into myself and others, but all I came away with was a negative feeling for Mr. Palmer!
At first, I thought that Mr. Palmer was advising you to follow your true self in your work and in your life! He has a rich and deep speaking voice that draws your attention; however, the more he spoke, the more condescending his words sounded to me! The packaging on the 5 CD's present him as an educator. I felt that his attitude is that of superiority and that he thinks that those people who don't agree with his philosophy have to be kindly shown the errors in the way that they think.
When Parker Palmer condoned the bombing of the Twin Towers, by saying that the United States had treated others the same way, that was it for me! I wouldn't have decided to listen to these CD's had I known that Mr. Palmer also had a political agenda!
2 comments| 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
------------
5.0 out of 5 starsRich, soulful reflections form a living spiritual master
ByCarl McColmanon August 31, 2009
Parker Palmer is a wise and gentle teacher, and his books -- such as "The Active Life" and "The Promise of Paradox" -- are hailed as important works of contemporary spirituality. Ostensibly a Quaker yet clearly transcending any kind of sectarian narrowness, Palmer brings the deep contemplative ethos of the Society of Friends to his own work.
Although I've enjoyed reading Palmer's writing, I've found this audio series from Sounds True to be singularly rewarding as a glimpse into the mind and heart of this living spiritual guide. Like Ken Wilber's "Kosmic Konsciousness" before it, "An Undivided Life" presents Parker Palmer in the context of an interview with Sounds True's CEO, Tami Simon. For this reason, this audiobook has an unusually intimate quality about it, and functions not so much as a teaching program but rather as an unstructured, almost rambling conversation in which Palmer comes across like nothing so much as an old, trusted friend, who is willing to take the time to share his wisdom in a relaxed and unhurried way. As an added bonus, Palmer's voice is rich, deep, and resonant with a sense of earthy insight. The result is a listening experience that is as delightful as it is enlightening.
The key concept here, the undivided life, lines up nicely with what Ken Wilber calls the integral vision or what Richard Rohr calls non-dual consciousness. A lifelong educator, Palmer speaks of the importance of personal integrity and the willingness to orient our lives toward the deepest truths we can find within ourselves -- even when such an orientation might call us to walk a path with others may not understand or appreciate. By honestly and vulnerably sharing his own repeated experience struggling with depression, Palmer ably speaks of the many forces in our lives that can serve to "divide" ourselves, such as the tendency to pursue a career that is at odds with our deepest values and desires, merely because of social or familial expectations. True spiritual health is found in our efforts to knit all the disparate elements of our lives together in a single whole, even though sometimes this might mean moving deeply into the reality of paradox, or learning to live with the soul as a wild, untamed and even "shy" part of ourselves.
Palmer is a natural storyteller, and whether he is recounting the tale of John Woolman's struggle to lead the Quakers to take a stand against slavery, or the darkness he experienced in his own nights of depression, he knows how to make a story effortless to listen to, even as he wrings meaning out of each narrative. After five hours of hearing him speak, I felt that, without promoting a particular religious perspective or philosophical agenda, his words had truly nourished my soul.
Comment| 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
-----------
5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful and insightful
BySeries Fanon August 29, 2017
This is my second copy, and I have found things after reading it again I didn't see the first time around. Wonderful and insightful!
---------------
5.0 out of 5 stars
ByJack Froston February 2, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Parke Palmer's book has much thoughtful quotes, anecdotes, personal and other stories, and short poems. Below is a summary in his own words:
Circles of Trust
When we sit in a circle of trust, we are given one experience after another in holding the tension of opposites, experiences that slowly break our hearts open to greater capacity. Here are some of the tensions we learn to hold in a circle of trust, a list that simply summarizes topics already explored: 1. When we listen to another person's problems, we do not leap to fix or save: we hold the tension to give that person space to hear his or her inner teacher. We learn to neither invade nor evade the reality of each other's lives but rather to find a third way of being present to each other. 2. We create a form of community that is mediated by "third things." These poems and stories and works of art allow us to hold challenging issues metaphorically, where they cannot devolve to the pro-or-con choices forced on us by conventional debate. 3. Our discourse never involves efforts to persuade or dissuade one another. Instead, each person speaks from his or her center to the center of the circle, where our exploration can take us to a deeper level as we hold the tension involved in weaving a "tapestry estry of truth." 4. Truth in a circle of trust resides neither in some immutable external authority nor in the momentary convictions of each individual. It resides between us, in the tension of the eternal conversation, where the voice of truth we think we are hearing from within can be checked and balanced by the voices of truth others think they are hearing.
In all these ways, and more, a circle of trust moves us toward ways of engaging each other that honor the soul and help us transcend "fight or flight"-ways that open up the possibility of walking the third way in everyday life.
Outstanding reading if you are challenged with fear and uncertainty and heartbreak wherever you are.
Comment| 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
--------------------
3.0 out of 5 starsEnter a Q&A session with author Parker J. Palmer ~ his beliefs & views...
ByrandomartcoVINE VOICEon November 5, 2009
I was not familiar with Parker J. Palmer before listening to this audio CD of 'An Undivided Life'...I must admit that the format threw me for loop: I was expecting a read-aloud of the author's book, but instead got a Q&A session with the author: that was a bit, um, unique. If you are a fan of this author & his viewpoint, this Q&A session will no doubt inspire you & answer some questions and feelings that you have on these issues: for me, I was just kind of like, 'yeah, ok.'
The author answers questions and speaks to his own experiences of 3 'clinical' depressions, and his own vocational & other choices that led him to discover the phrase, living an undivided life. He believes in living close to your authentic self, not living crosswise to your true self, and using the inner guidance to get past and not build a wall of seperation between your inside self and your outside self.
Personally, I thought it was very random and rambling: lacking any points that touched my spirit or soul, or even intellectual points that touched my brain, I just felt this was the author at his best on a soapbox, sharing his personal views and beliefs, and droning on and on in a way that reminded me of the great Ben Stein with 'Bueller, Bueller'...I didn't even get all the way through the 1st CD, I only got to almost the end before I was too bored and uninspired to continue any farther. For myself, there is no way I would ever listen to all 5 CDs and 5 1/2 hours of this program.
All my personal opinion aside, I can see how this audio CD could be inspiring or helpful to people who have found solace, hope or inspiration from his book and viewpoint of living an undivided life. And I agree with the author that we need to be authentic selfs, that is, we need to present to the world on the outside, what we are on the inside, and that in order to do this safely, we should be true to ourselves, but also just plain be a good person! I gave this 3 stars overall, as it may be truly helpful to some!
1 comment| 10 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
----------------
1.0 out of 5 stars--Parker Palmer wants to educate you in his political agenda--
ByJudith MillerVINE VOICEon May 18, 2009
This was not really what I expected. I guess I was hoping for some helpful techniques that would give me a little insight into myself and others, but all I came away with was a negative feeling for Mr. Palmer!
At first, I thought that Mr. Palmer was advising you to follow your true self in your work and in your life! He has a rich and deep speaking voice that draws your attention; however, the more he spoke, the more condescending his words sounded to me! The packaging on the 5 CD's present him as an educator. I felt that his attitude is that of superiority and that he thinks that those people who don't agree with his philosophy have to be kindly shown the errors in the way that they think.
When Parker Palmer condoned the bombing of the Twin Towers, by saying that the United States had treated others the same way, that was it for me! I wouldn't have decided to listen to these CD's had I known that Mr. Palmer also had a political agenda!
2 comments| 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
------------
5.0 out of 5 starsRich, soulful reflections form a living spiritual master
ByCarl McColmanon August 31, 2009
Parker Palmer is a wise and gentle teacher, and his books -- such as "The Active Life" and "The Promise of Paradox" -- are hailed as important works of contemporary spirituality. Ostensibly a Quaker yet clearly transcending any kind of sectarian narrowness, Palmer brings the deep contemplative ethos of the Society of Friends to his own work.
Although I've enjoyed reading Palmer's writing, I've found this audio series from Sounds True to be singularly rewarding as a glimpse into the mind and heart of this living spiritual guide. Like Ken Wilber's "Kosmic Konsciousness" before it, "An Undivided Life" presents Parker Palmer in the context of an interview with Sounds True's CEO, Tami Simon. For this reason, this audiobook has an unusually intimate quality about it, and functions not so much as a teaching program but rather as an unstructured, almost rambling conversation in which Palmer comes across like nothing so much as an old, trusted friend, who is willing to take the time to share his wisdom in a relaxed and unhurried way. As an added bonus, Palmer's voice is rich, deep, and resonant with a sense of earthy insight. The result is a listening experience that is as delightful as it is enlightening.
The key concept here, the undivided life, lines up nicely with what Ken Wilber calls the integral vision or what Richard Rohr calls non-dual consciousness. A lifelong educator, Palmer speaks of the importance of personal integrity and the willingness to orient our lives toward the deepest truths we can find within ourselves -- even when such an orientation might call us to walk a path with others may not understand or appreciate. By honestly and vulnerably sharing his own repeated experience struggling with depression, Palmer ably speaks of the many forces in our lives that can serve to "divide" ourselves, such as the tendency to pursue a career that is at odds with our deepest values and desires, merely because of social or familial expectations. True spiritual health is found in our efforts to knit all the disparate elements of our lives together in a single whole, even though sometimes this might mean moving deeply into the reality of paradox, or learning to live with the soul as a wild, untamed and even "shy" part of ourselves.
Palmer is a natural storyteller, and whether he is recounting the tale of John Woolman's struggle to lead the Quakers to take a stand against slavery, or the darkness he experienced in his own nights of depression, he knows how to make a story effortless to listen to, even as he wrings meaning out of each narrative. After five hours of hearing him speak, I felt that, without promoting a particular religious perspective or philosophical agenda, his words had truly nourished my soul.
Comment| 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
-----------
5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful and insightful
BySeries Fanon August 29, 2017
This is my second copy, and I have found things after reading it again I didn't see the first time around. Wonderful and insightful!
---------------
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book! This should be in everyone's household as ...
ByMayron May 4, 2017
Thought provoking! Mind bending! Wonderful book! This should be in everyone's household as a manual to help build healthier relationships with each other as well as ourselves.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
ByMayron May 4, 2017
Thought provoking! Mind bending! Wonderful book! This should be in everyone's household as a manual to help build healthier relationships with each other as well as ourselves.
----------------
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought Provoking
ByChristineMMTOP 500 REVIEWERon June 7, 2009
I accepted a pre-publication review copy so was not able to find much about it before agreeing to review it. I had not read any of Parker Palmer's books and knew hardly anything about him or his viewpoints.
This is a five hour long interview in which the interviewer asks soft questions and praises Palmer. Imagine a fan interviewing someone they look up to, that is what this is like. There are times when the interviewer could have pinned Palmer down on some of his inconsistencies which would be better interviewing but obviously the intent of this product was to praise Palmer and to be kind and gentle with him.
The questions ask for details of Palmer's life that he has apparently not explained in depth in his published works. Other times he is asked for updates on his formerly published views and how the would apply to more recent world events. There is a lot of discussion of paradox and Palmer's religious views and about spirituality, how his views changed from his Protestant upbringing to his current state of thinking as a Quaker.
I found his discussion of his three major bouts of depression very interesting and the idea that he thinks of them as the body forcing the person into an inward quest of oneself while depressed was thought provoking, good if the depressed person can come out of the other side and emerge with new insights. That is an idea I've never heard anyone discuss before.
I found it hard to rate and review an interview because it is different than judging a writer's non-fiction book. When an interviewer is in charge of the flow and content, you can't necessarily blame or judge the outcome on the interviewee. The interview flows here and there and the content changes direction. Since this is a look back on the views he has published in different books, the topics jump around and other times personal stories never before shared are told. I found it all interesting.
I decided to rate it 5 stars = I Love It because it made me think even though I don't agree with all of Palmer's opinions. I'm not rating it a 5 because I love every single word and want to boost up the review rating for this product. I don't necessarily think that one has to agree 100% with viewpoints expressed in order to enjoy other parts of it and find the experience of listening to this a worthwhile use of one's time.
Many times I wanted to stop and write down some of his words as they make great quotes, but since I listened to a lot of it while driving my car it was not possible. So, I will listen to these again!
I'll also share that some ideas Palmer spoke of he did not invent, I've heard some of it before. Other ideas I'd never heard before. The idea of living a divided life is fascinating and one that I think is accurate and creates an unhappy state for large numbers of Americans. I love the idea of living an undivided life, a more authentic life, and I can relate to seeing the importance of pursuing an undivided life. My interest in Parker Palmer is now is piqued and I'd like to read some of his books and see if they are worthwhile.
As to what I don't agree with, some of it was the talk of nonviolence. Palmer's confession that he is not perfectly living nonviolence is something I appreciated hearing especially after he confirmed that he has decided he has big issues with the Religious Right. After earlier discussing that society and people should not label and pigeon hole people into categories I was surprised to see he has no problems categorizing conservatives and Fundamentalist Christians. In a talk about when people hold opposing views and are trying to have dialogue to try to find common ground--I agree with that--but was so disappointed to realize he still focuses on labeling and grouping people into simplified categories in order to then dislike, discount or reject anything just based on those narrow labels. In other words he may use common ground to try to have a civil discussion and to get the other person to see his view but he fails to apply unconditional Christ-like love to others such as if they are Conservatives or Fundamentalist Christians. He can agree to disagree in a discussion but it seems to me he chooses to hate those who hold opposing views rather than look for commonality and accept them despite not agreeing with every thought they hold. Thus I feel Palmer lost some credibility.
I also cringed to hear Palmer speak of 9/11 and to learn he's in the camp that feels that America's private citizens intentionally did something bad to Muslim terrorists to cause them to attack American civilians using terrorist actions and that the Muslims were justified. I got the impression he thinks, "If we were only nicer to them in recent years, they'd love us and never would lash out at non-Muslims" which is a crock in my opinion. I view 9/11 as what the Islamic Fundamentalists say it is, jihad.
Again, despite me not agreeing with all of Parker Palmer's views I found listening to this enlightening in some ways and I will listen to this interview more than once. It is refreshing to find books or audio products that make me think like this does. I found this thought-provoking which is a great thing and tips this from just `liking it' to `loving it'.
Comment| 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
--------------
5.0 out of 5 stars
ByChristineMMTOP 500 REVIEWERon June 7, 2009
I accepted a pre-publication review copy so was not able to find much about it before agreeing to review it. I had not read any of Parker Palmer's books and knew hardly anything about him or his viewpoints.
This is a five hour long interview in which the interviewer asks soft questions and praises Palmer. Imagine a fan interviewing someone they look up to, that is what this is like. There are times when the interviewer could have pinned Palmer down on some of his inconsistencies which would be better interviewing but obviously the intent of this product was to praise Palmer and to be kind and gentle with him.
The questions ask for details of Palmer's life that he has apparently not explained in depth in his published works. Other times he is asked for updates on his formerly published views and how the would apply to more recent world events. There is a lot of discussion of paradox and Palmer's religious views and about spirituality, how his views changed from his Protestant upbringing to his current state of thinking as a Quaker.
I found his discussion of his three major bouts of depression very interesting and the idea that he thinks of them as the body forcing the person into an inward quest of oneself while depressed was thought provoking, good if the depressed person can come out of the other side and emerge with new insights. That is an idea I've never heard anyone discuss before.
I found it hard to rate and review an interview because it is different than judging a writer's non-fiction book. When an interviewer is in charge of the flow and content, you can't necessarily blame or judge the outcome on the interviewee. The interview flows here and there and the content changes direction. Since this is a look back on the views he has published in different books, the topics jump around and other times personal stories never before shared are told. I found it all interesting.
I decided to rate it 5 stars = I Love It because it made me think even though I don't agree with all of Palmer's opinions. I'm not rating it a 5 because I love every single word and want to boost up the review rating for this product. I don't necessarily think that one has to agree 100% with viewpoints expressed in order to enjoy other parts of it and find the experience of listening to this a worthwhile use of one's time.
Many times I wanted to stop and write down some of his words as they make great quotes, but since I listened to a lot of it while driving my car it was not possible. So, I will listen to these again!
I'll also share that some ideas Palmer spoke of he did not invent, I've heard some of it before. Other ideas I'd never heard before. The idea of living a divided life is fascinating and one that I think is accurate and creates an unhappy state for large numbers of Americans. I love the idea of living an undivided life, a more authentic life, and I can relate to seeing the importance of pursuing an undivided life. My interest in Parker Palmer is now is piqued and I'd like to read some of his books and see if they are worthwhile.
As to what I don't agree with, some of it was the talk of nonviolence. Palmer's confession that he is not perfectly living nonviolence is something I appreciated hearing especially after he confirmed that he has decided he has big issues with the Religious Right. After earlier discussing that society and people should not label and pigeon hole people into categories I was surprised to see he has no problems categorizing conservatives and Fundamentalist Christians. In a talk about when people hold opposing views and are trying to have dialogue to try to find common ground--I agree with that--but was so disappointed to realize he still focuses on labeling and grouping people into simplified categories in order to then dislike, discount or reject anything just based on those narrow labels. In other words he may use common ground to try to have a civil discussion and to get the other person to see his view but he fails to apply unconditional Christ-like love to others such as if they are Conservatives or Fundamentalist Christians. He can agree to disagree in a discussion but it seems to me he chooses to hate those who hold opposing views rather than look for commonality and accept them despite not agreeing with every thought they hold. Thus I feel Palmer lost some credibility.
I also cringed to hear Palmer speak of 9/11 and to learn he's in the camp that feels that America's private citizens intentionally did something bad to Muslim terrorists to cause them to attack American civilians using terrorist actions and that the Muslims were justified. I got the impression he thinks, "If we were only nicer to them in recent years, they'd love us and never would lash out at non-Muslims" which is a crock in my opinion. I view 9/11 as what the Islamic Fundamentalists say it is, jihad.
Again, despite me not agreeing with all of Parker Palmer's views I found listening to this enlightening in some ways and I will listen to this interview more than once. It is refreshing to find books or audio products that make me think like this does. I found this thought-provoking which is a great thing and tips this from just `liking it' to `loving it'.
Comment| 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
--------------
5.0 out of 5 stars
You "CAN'T NOT"~Change For the Better with this Program!
Bykindred spiriton May 1, 2009
First let me say this is a 5 CD set that plays for 5 and one half hours. That is not clear on this page. This set is worth it's weight in gold. What you come away with is what you would expect form a 3 day confrence that you paid $300 to attend. Parker Palmer is truly giving us a gift selling this at such an affordable price.
Listening to these truths is a relaxing and rewarding experience. Parker quietly and calmly talks about how to live a full and whole life, "undivided". He talks with the owner of Sounds True the producers of the set. I don't know about you but I do not like those self help, get rich, empower yourself guys who scream at you to do this and that. You will find none of that here.
Let me explain "Can't Not" This is a key lesson in the talk. It refers to life profession choices. Say you study and have a PhD and then chose to work at a soup kitchen. You choose what your heart tells you to do not what society or your wallet want you to do. It is the choice of doing it because you Can't not do the thing.
There is so much in this set I can barely bring it into a small review. I will say he operates under the belief in Jesus Christ as the word become flesh. You as a Christian will not be offended by anything in the lessons. I do not think any Religions will be offended as he is not preaching but he does share where he stands on how God fits into his undivided life.
This is a set you need to listen to many times to take it all in. I listened at night before bed and in bed in the morning before I got up and it set my mind on right paths for sleep and a good day.
I will just pick out one thing that stood out for me. He is talking about the educational sysytem and how he learned at arms length about the Holocaust in school. Thus growing up not realizing how that even formed his life and affected him personally in his world views. Since he was not taught with emotions attatched and participating in extra learning events like museums or talking to survivors it was just dates in history. In reality if formed his views on the judgements of those that are differnt from ourselves.
After only one time listening, I feel changed for the better. I feel more able to engage in life more fully and to be open to the differences in all of us while holding fast to what I know to be true for myself. I cannot recommend this enough. It is a must for the high school graduate. It should be listened to by new parents so that the next generation grows up more whole, more abole to live full lives.
The language and presentation is graduate school level. This is not simple fix program, although the concepts are there in plain sight most people go through life on a very shallow plain. You will go deeper with this program. If you are a deep thinker and love to contemplate truths of life then this is for you. I loved it and plan to keep listening as I want to change for the better.
Thank you Parker Palmer. Well done.
Bykindred spiriton May 1, 2009
First let me say this is a 5 CD set that plays for 5 and one half hours. That is not clear on this page. This set is worth it's weight in gold. What you come away with is what you would expect form a 3 day confrence that you paid $300 to attend. Parker Palmer is truly giving us a gift selling this at such an affordable price.
Listening to these truths is a relaxing and rewarding experience. Parker quietly and calmly talks about how to live a full and whole life, "undivided". He talks with the owner of Sounds True the producers of the set. I don't know about you but I do not like those self help, get rich, empower yourself guys who scream at you to do this and that. You will find none of that here.
Let me explain "Can't Not" This is a key lesson in the talk. It refers to life profession choices. Say you study and have a PhD and then chose to work at a soup kitchen. You choose what your heart tells you to do not what society or your wallet want you to do. It is the choice of doing it because you Can't not do the thing.
There is so much in this set I can barely bring it into a small review. I will say he operates under the belief in Jesus Christ as the word become flesh. You as a Christian will not be offended by anything in the lessons. I do not think any Religions will be offended as he is not preaching but he does share where he stands on how God fits into his undivided life.
This is a set you need to listen to many times to take it all in. I listened at night before bed and in bed in the morning before I got up and it set my mind on right paths for sleep and a good day.
I will just pick out one thing that stood out for me. He is talking about the educational sysytem and how he learned at arms length about the Holocaust in school. Thus growing up not realizing how that even formed his life and affected him personally in his world views. Since he was not taught with emotions attatched and participating in extra learning events like museums or talking to survivors it was just dates in history. In reality if formed his views on the judgements of those that are differnt from ourselves.
After only one time listening, I feel changed for the better. I feel more able to engage in life more fully and to be open to the differences in all of us while holding fast to what I know to be true for myself. I cannot recommend this enough. It is a must for the high school graduate. It should be listened to by new parents so that the next generation grows up more whole, more abole to live full lives.
The language and presentation is graduate school level. This is not simple fix program, although the concepts are there in plain sight most people go through life on a very shallow plain. You will go deeper with this program. If you are a deep thinker and love to contemplate truths of life then this is for you. I loved it and plan to keep listening as I want to change for the better.
Thank you Parker Palmer. Well done.
