Parker J. Palmer. On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old eBook: Parker J. Palmer: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old eBook: Parker J. Palmer: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store


Parker J. Palmer
On the Brink of Everything
Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old

From beloved and bestselling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy) comes a brave and beautiful book of reflections on eight decades of life and work. Reframing aging as “a passage of discovery and engagement,” Palmer says, “Old is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to take bigger risks on behalf of the common good.”

On the Brink of Everything is not a “guide to” or “handbook for” getting old. Instead, it's Palmer turning the prism of insight on his experience as a way of encouraging readers to do the same with theirs. In elegant prose and lyrical poetry, he offers a set of meditations on the meanings of one's life, past, present, and future. “The laws of nature that dictate the sunset dictate our demise,” Palmer writes. “But how we travel the arc between our own sunrise and sundown is ours to choose: will it be denial, defiance, or collaboration?”

With gravity and levity, compassion and chutzpah, Palmer writes about cultivating a robust inner and outer life, a sense of meaning and purpose amid pain as well as joy, and the intergenerational relations that enhance the lives of young and old alike. Here's a book not only for elders but also for those younger folks we call “old souls.”

And this book sings! It includes three songs by Palmer's longtime friend and colleague, singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, written in response to themes in the book. At the download site for the songs, Palmer and Newcomer hope to engage readers in an ongoing conversation about what Howard Thurman called “the growing edge” of our personal and public lives.

Ultimately, Palmer sees age as a precious gift: “The fact that I've come this far makes me one of the lucky ones.” Surprised by the fact that he likes being old, he writes, “Welcome to the brink of everything. It takes a lifetime to get here, but the stunning view and the wake-up breeze in your face make it worth the trip.”

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Quaker Basics reflection: Kerry O’Regan | Quaker Learning Australia

Quaker Basics reflection: Kerry O’Regan | Quaker Learning Australia

Quaker Basics reflection: Kerry O’Regan

Posted on July 1, 2011 by admin

My experience of personal spiritual practice, Meeting for Worship & the testimonies – the influence of Quaker Basics

It is not easy to separate out the influence of one set of experiences during what has been a time of great change in my life. The best I can do is to reflect on experiences I have had over the past three months and assume that something of that relates to what I have experienced in Quaker Basics.

The Meeting for Learning retreat had a profound influence on me and I see my Quaker Basics (and my support group and other personal and interpersonal stuff) as being a continuation of that.

I went to the retreat with my prime goal being to clarify what I wanted to do with the next phase of my life – when I wanted to move on from paid employment, where I wanted to live, how being me and being a Quaker and being somehow part of a community would fit into that. And I left the retreat not having considered these things. How surprising. It seemed as though there were more immediate things that needed to be dealt with first; the spirituality of my life as it is rather than a consideration of life as it might become.

Entering deeply into the stillness, into the innerness, I encountered a way of being that I sensed could continue to be part of my life whatever the external circumstances of that life might be. A realisation of the sacredness of it all – of the trivial little experiences, of the heavy-duty people in my life as well as those that bring me immediate joy and wonder, of those things which cause me to sigh in exasperation as well as those which make me shriek with delight.

Then there is the God business. Both at the retreat and in QB, there have been ongoing references to God and I have come again to confront what that word means for me. Often as I settle into M for W I will recite over to myself, as a mantra, Be still and know that I am God. Be still, fair enough, but who is the I and what does it mean to be God – and for me to know that? I don’t know. I can’t imagine or experience a person with that name. But it did lead me back to Paul Tillich’s suggestion of ‘the ground and depth of our being’. Perhaps that is a nothing definition, but I can live with it; in fact it suits me very well.

There is the whole question of what it means for me to be a Quaker. I have the sticker about the Quaker web site on my car and I am conscious when driving of the fact that I am constantly saying this is how Quakers drive. But it’s occurred to me recently that I carry a similar (if somewhat less obtrusive) sticker on myself which constantly says this is how Quakers live. Whether we want to or not, we are always letting our lives speak.

The Advices and Queries give us plenty of ideas about that and they have recurred fairly constantly throughout QB. I thought there’s no way I can remember all of them and some of them speak to me more insistently than others, so I made myself a special selection. Kerry’s advices and queries:

Think to know an inner stillness amid the activities of daily life.

Think it possible that you may be mistaken.

Seek to know one another in the things that are eternal.

Live adventurously.

Let your life speak.

Attend to what love requires of you, which may not be great busyness.

Search out whatever in your own way of life may contain the seeds of war.

Bear witness to the humanity of all people.

Try to live simply.

My increased awareness of the sacredness of things has led to a more respectful acceptance of people I have found difficult, of ministries I might have found off-putting. And I don’t think this is fairy-floss stuff. It doesn’t feel like that.

And without trying or struggling with it, I suddenly saw a way to proceed towards the next bit of my life, including the unlikely resolve to walk the Camino. However illusory it may turn out to be, that doesn’t matter, for now it means clarity and acceptance. And who could ask for more than that?

It bothers me sometimes that I’m not into changing the world. That’s part of our Quaker heritage and perhaps I should be. There’s stuff in QB about the inside and the outside. Though maybe it’s ok for us not all to be outside doing people. I do think, though, that our QB group are Marys rather than Marthas, so perhaps we don’t challenge each other in that regard. But the world mightn’t be such a bad place for us to be like that – living our lives as peaceably as we are able, supporting each other and respecting the earth and its inhabitants. I think that’s ok.

MfL reflection: Kerry O’Regan | Quaker Learning Australia

MfL reflection: Kerry O’Regan | Quaker Learning Australia



MfL reflection: Kerry O’Regan
Posted on July 1, 2011 by admin

Reflections on Meeting for Learning

It wasn’t what I expected. I don’t mean the structure, activities and processes; they were all as we had been told. It was my experience of them that didn’t go quite as I’d planned. I was approaching retirement and thought MfL would provide a space to clarify the shape and structure of that next phase of my life. It wasn’t till much later that I remembered that this had been my goal. I went off (was led?) in a totally different direction. From the first reflective activity, from my first dip into A Testament of Devotion, I realised that what I wanted was to experience the sacred in the secular, to bring the stillness of the retreat into my everyday life thereafter. And I found ways to do that; ways to do that found me. For months after, I couldn’t bear to turn on the TV or radio, and even now it’s just for little bits. It seems like so much unnecessary noise and clutter.

The people were special too; getting to know one another in eternal things. And the time between the two retreats. Those of us from Adelaide who did the first retreat together continued to meet every two weeks to work through Quaker Basics, and then found a way to stay a group by becoming Quaker Learning Australia. Then my other group (supposedly my support group, but I refused to call it that); that was special too as we met through the intervening year. And of course the retreatants and facilitators. Special bonds were formed that light up when I encounter these folk at YM or wherever.

Somewhere in the midst of all that I happened upon the idea of walking the Camino, and what an adventure that turned out to be. I now live life at a slower pace; I do bits and pieces of stuff; I no longer have a car. My life is different; I am different. I don’t know how much of that is because of MfL, but some of it certainly is.

I’m happy to be contacted if you would like to explore these reflections further.

Kerry O’Regan
kerry.oregan@adelaide.edu.au
0408 881 617
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MfL reflection: Julie Webb | Quaker Learning Australia

MfL reflection: Julie Webb | Quaker Learning Australia



MfL reflection: Julie Webb
Posted on July 1, 2011 by admin

My Experience of Meeting for Learning

My Experience of Meeting for Learning came at the end of a ten-year psychological journey. It was a time to recognize and celebrate that journey and embark on a different one. It was a change from looking inward (a period of intense introspection) to looking outward from a new place.

Meeting for Learning helped secure the foundations for this new journey, through the intense period of the two retreats, my support group and the projects which developed in the “gap” year.

The first retreat focused on the inner spiritual journey. I thought that was a good start because looking inward was what I had been doing in therapy for so many years! But Meeting for Learning is not therapy and it helped me to develop a sense my place in the world and to build mutual relationships without over-dependence.

The week-long retreats consisted of a mix of structured time (in large or small groups, or alone), free time (alone or with others) and a 36-hour silent retreat. I spent much of my free time in a small meeting room, where the sun streamed in during the afternoons and I could look out on beautiful mature trees in the garden. I was interested in scrap-booking at the time and had brought supplies with me in case I was at a loose end. The room became a sacred space where I read, wrote, reflected and played with colours, shapes and textures in an abstract way. Others joined me, to knit, write, talk or sit in companionable silence. I learnt much about myself in that time. The listening groups, held every afternoon with three or four people, were often profound experiences. I have used the structure of this process many times since. As Quakers, we know the richness of silence in community in our Meetings for Worship. I had never experienced a silent retreat before and, along with a few other retreatants, approached it with some trepidation, although our reasons may have varied. The skilled and compassionate facilitators were available during the 36 hours if we needed to talk. For me, that was a safety mechanism which I used once. I have participated in a few shorter silent retreats since then, and have looked forward to them with quiet joy. After both Meeting for Learning retreats I returned home with a sense of stillness and calm, some of which I hoped to maintain as I went about my daily life. I have learnt to reduce unnecessary background noise and make time for activities which nourish my soul, whether it be walking in the bush or simply making a space in time away from all the “busyness”.

During the year between retreats I had regular contact with one of the facilitators and met monthly with a support group, as well as undertaking three projects. The projects are not as scary as they sound – they are not compulsory items with work to be handed in or examined! For me, ideas started developing during the first retreat and evolved during the year. My first project was deceptively simple, but a big step in my self-confidence. It started with wearing a scarf to Meeting for Worship. It has evolved into enabling me to enjoy beauty and express it in artistic ways. I love the term ‘practising artist” as it frees me to be an artist at my own level. The second project was to study Quaker Basics with the six retreatants from Adelaide. We met (and still meet) fortnightly for a shared meal followed by the study. The group developed very close bonds which helped us considerably in difficult times. My third project was what I called my “Quilt Project”. Apart from the practical aspects of this project, through talking about the symbolic aspects with others I was gradually able to refer to the painful parts of my past in a healthy and liberating way. After much thought, I asked three people from my local meeting to be part of my support group. One of these people later expressed the feeling that this process had enriched the whole Meeting and it is my hope that in supporting people to attend Meeting for Learning retreats, Meetings around Australia recognize this ripple effect.
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Quaker Basics reflection: David Barry | Quaker Learning Australia

Quaker Basics reflection: David Barry | Quaker Learning Australia

Quaker Basics reflection: David Barry
Posted on July 1, 2011 by admin

The Missing Piece

I have been struck twice recently by a jig-saw puzzle metaphor, I fear in any case that it is not original. Once when we were on retreat, and I am very content to use the collective pronoun here, then more recently at meeting for worship in North Adelaide. In both cases people have reported nearly completing a jig-saw puzzle but being unable to finish for the want of a missing piece.

One of the many attractive aspects of Quakerism for me is the acceptance of failures and the gentle focus on the positive aspects of trying to improve the next attempt. I feel that this is allowing me to be more content in the company of my own deficits. I know it would be wrong of me to look for perfection in another, and so I am coming to an understanding that expecting the same of myself is just as wrong. I have come to the possibly misguided opinion that things that are flawed are more interesting and more valuable as a consequence. The Japanese have beaten me to the concept with their term ‘awabe’ – that refers to the uniqueness conferred by a flaw in a mass-produced object.

Gerard Manly Hopkins I think is referring to the same concept when he coined the term ‘inscape’. Hopkins asserted that “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” I am certain it is a very conscious use of language on his part, but ‘charged’ has multiple meanings, many of which encapsulate my understanding of Quakerism.
Charged with a responsibility for the glory of God
Charged in the judicial sense – guilty of expressing the glory…
Charged in the artillery sense – ie ready to explode with the glory…
Charged in the sense of a battery, ie, the world is a reservoir of the glory…
And most powerfully, charged in the sense of being electrified with the glory…

All of this ties in, in some unclear way with the idea we examined in Chinese art that much of the interest of a picture is in what is not depicted – in the absences, in the spaces between.

I found my way to meeting while on a search to create some sense of sacred in my life. Now I find myself being challenged by the idea that every aspect of my life is sacred. That the sacredness in my life is like the chocolate in a chocolate cake – it colours and flavours everything, but it is not the whole cake.

When I first came among Quakers, I was daunted by these ‘…good Quaker folk…”. Now I very much treasure a place where I can engage in gentle humour about Jesus seeming to grow younger day by day. A place where a well a respected member of the community has it in her heart to welcome a stray dog to the meeting. She further honoured the dog by suggesting that the meeting might find some lesson from the dog’s presence, and that he might gain some benefit from being amongst us. If these people have the generosity of spirit to welcome and honour a disregarded dog amongst them, then I can feel confident in my welcome too. Now it is a place too where my absence is felt.

Spice up your life

Simplicity Not wishing to sound complacently ‘saved’ but simplicity is not a challenging testimony for me. Although the concept of a testimony is – but I will leave that to another time. I have always had plain tastes – strong flavours and colours but in simple arrangements. In the past I have wondered whether this was an attempt to hide myself, now I am of the opinion that it is simply my aesthetic.



Living simply – I have moved beyond the stage in life where I need to have things – life has been quite generous in delivering that particular lesson. In some ways for me it is much simpler to appreciate the beauty in an object without having to worry about its preservation. There is something too about ephemerality that intensifies worth – perhaps because it puts a value on time. Maybe I have just found a workable justification for parsimoniousness. If anything I need to be aware of denying myself too much. I am trying to work with the concept that if I am prepared to do something for someone else, then I should be prepared to do no less for myself.

The first time I thought that I might have the makings of a Quaker, was during a conversation while on retreat when I drew a distinction between simplicity and ease. Tessa was kind enough to comment “That is a profound thought Friend.” It gave me a sense that I was in a right place for me.
Peace Tick. At the start of Quaker Basics I thought this will be a meaty topic for me – it is the one by which I feel most challenged. In my life I think I manage pretty well to hold the peace, and while it has not happened for a very long time that I have been directly threatened, I am fairly certain that I could hold the peace line for longer than most. However, if a third party was threatened I would feel the burden much more keenly and am much less certain of my resolve. I look forward to a conversation about the extent to which I have a responsibility to protect myself from harm and how that balances against the testimony of peace.



More acutely, I am now actively looking for an alternate job here in Adelaide. While South Australia may be “The Festival State’ and ‘The Wine State’ it is also ‘The Defence State’. It is not that long ago that the British Ministry of Defence was more accurately known as the Ministry of War. Does a peace testimony preclude me working in one of the few technically advanced industries in the state? How deep is my conviction?

Having said that, the issue has arisen previously in my career, and I have always rejected any suggestion of working on defence projects. The local pool is much smaller now though.
Integrity Tick. I have long been of the mind that there is only one (albeit subjective) truth, and that my word is my bond. My signature conveys not a whit of additional protection. The only grey area I am aware of is that of lying by omission. I tend to apply the rule of thumb, who would benefit by the disclosure of information I might hold? If there is no benefit, and a real possibility of a detriment then I am inclined to hold my own counsel. Claiming integrity seems to be tempting providence, prideful even.
Community I am acutely aware of my need for and my responsibilities to community. I try to weave the threads where I can, and I do go out of my way to assist others. I think the most important lesson for me was being obliged to ask for assistance from others. My requests for help have always been met with kindness. On reflection there have been many people who offered help spontaneously in the gentlest and kindest way they could. I try to do the same.
Equality When I first read that ‘good’ scions of industry could be recognized because they know the name of the person who cleans the office floor and empties the waste, and that for a regular period they will take on one of the ‘menial’ roles, I was shocked. I had apparently naively assumed that everyone knew Anna, and was prepared to pick up litter. I am wiser now. I suffer from my own ‘isms’ but they are not many and are reducing. But I am also aware that this is an area that is pregnant with the possibility for multiple blind-spots.

Language is leaving me

If I have a creative gift then it is with language, written rather than spoken. The first time I bumped my head on a philosophical conundrum – not that I knew it as such at the time – was when someone posed the following question. Is it possible to have a thought prior to a language concept to express it? I thought not, and so designated all non-verbal life as non-thinking as well.

Later I stumbled into those little anomalies in English, that we all step over without really noticing. As far as I know there is no verb to describe the action of providing a drink to a human. With food, I can say, that I feed you. With drink if I say I drink you, that conveys a very different meaning to my intended one. The best I can muster is ‘I give you a drink’.

Then as my confidence with language grew I became aware of important concepts that exist in other languages that simply don’t get a look-in in English; enuii, jejeune and zeitgeist as examples. While I can approximate a translation of these, it is not possible to really capture their essential meaning in English. That came as rather a shock. Perhaps dogs had found the whole notion of language as jejune and rejected it early in evolution?

Eventually I came across someone with whom I could not meaningfully communicate particular feelings. I wanted to use words and they wanted to use colours, shapes and textures. At the time I thought they were just being perverse – now I am less certain.

More recently I was privy to a conversation about music – while I deeply appreciate music – I am musically ‘illiterate’ – is there a more correct term? The conversation progressed around me using words that were well known to me, but the concepts they were addressing were alien. I knew the words but not the sense. I have sometimes experienced the same phenomenon with weighty academic texts.

Now I have been introduced to the Quaker concept of silence. A silence that is not simply the absence of speech or words, but has an eloquence, a communication of its own. All those great certainties of life seem to be dropping away from under my feet much like the cartoon character Wylee Coyote when in pursuit of the frankly irritating roadrunner.

It does seem that less is more.

[新刊] 한국 近代化, 기적의 과정

[新刊] 한국 近代化, 기적의 과정



[新刊] 한국 近代化, 기적의 과정
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입금 후 주소, 성함, 연락처를 알려주세요| 책소개 |


‘박정희 경제개발’ 연구의 결정판

박정희 시대 한국의 근대화가 기적처럼 성공한 과정을 분석한 연구서이다. 박정희 탄생 100주년에 즈음해 일부 내용을 수정 보완하여 재출간했다.

박정희가 한국 경제사에 남긴 업적을 조명하는 내용들이 주를 이루고 있으며, 그의 공적은 물론 잘못된 정책까지도 객관적으로 밝히고 있다. 한국, 중국, 미국, 일본, 러시아 4개국의 권위 있는 학자들이 연구한 ‘한강의 기적’에 대해 입체적으로 조명했다.

책 속에서는 박정희가 집권할 당시 한국의 경제는 어떤 상황이었는지, 그 시점에 박정희는 어떤 경제정책을 시행했는지, 그 정책이 어떤 긍정적인 효과와 부정적인 효과를 가져왔는지에 대해 냉철하게 분석하고 있다. 한국의 조이제, 미국의 카터와 일본의 와타나베 토시오 등 박정희 시대 연구의 전문가들이 대거 참여해 집필 되었다. ●


| 조이제(趙利濟) |
경남 함안 출신, 외국어대학교 영문학과를 졸업, 미국 조지워싱턴 대학교 경영학 석사, 시카고 대학교 사회학 박사, 일본 도쿄대학교 인구학 박사, 일본 게이오대학교 경제학 박사, Russian Academy 경제학 명예박사, 시카고 대학 교수, 서울대학교 연구교수, 미시간 주립대학교 연구교수, 말레이시아 수상 고문, 시카고 대학 인구 및 지역사회 연구소 부소장, 미국 East-West Center 총장 등 역임. 현재 East-West Center 수석고문, 동북아경제 포럼 창립의장.
대표 저서로는 ,
<アジア太平洋地域の經濟發展と人口轉換> 등이 있으며 인구, 통계, 경제발전을 포함한 사회과학 분야에 150여 편의 논문과 저서가 있다.


| 카터 에커트Carter J. Eckert |
하버드와 로렌스 대학에서 서양고대사와 중세사를 전공했으며 1970년대 초 한국에 평화봉사단원으로 근무하면서 동아시아와 한국에 깊은 관심을 가짐. 워싱턴 대학교(시애틀)에서 일본사와 한국사 박사학위 취득. 1985년부터 하버드대학에서 한국의 현대사를 강의. 1994년부터 현재까지 하버드 대학 한국학연구소(Korea Institute) 소장직을 맡고 있다. 우드로 윌슨 센터(워싱턴 D.C.)의 연구원을 역임하였고 한미관계의 발전을 위해 여러 위원회에서 자문역할을 담당해 오고 있으며 이화여자대학교로부터 명예교수로 위촉된 바 있다.
주요저서로는 (공저) 등이 있다.






| 차례 |

-서문
-후기
-연표

총론 | 한국의 근대화 / 조이제

제1편 정치 ― 사상과 제도
01. 박정희 이전 시대 : 이승만 정부와 장면 정부 / 로버트 올리버
02. 5·16군사혁명, 그 역사적 맥락 / 카터 에커트
03. 국가 경제정책의 제도적 기반 / 이기준
04. 국가안보 위기와 유신체제 / 최호일

제2편 경제 ― 금융과 재정
05. 경제발전에 있어서 기업의 역할 / 구본호·김은미
06. 금융정책의 변화와 발전 / 김병주
07. 재정정책의 변화와 발전 / 박종기

제3편 과학 ― 기술과 공업화
08. 1960년대 수출지향적 공업화 정책의 추진 / 김광석
09. 동태적 산업정책 : 중화학공업 발전의 여섯 가지 에피소드 / 김윤형·김광석
10. 과학기술 진흥과 경제발전 / 김인수
11. 위대한 인물, 그리고 한국의 공업화 / 앨리스 앰스덴

제4편 사회 ― 인구와 노동
12. 인구정책과 경제발전 / 조이제·앤드류 메이슨
13. 인력개발과 노동정책 / 김수곤
14. 농촌근대화와 새마을운동 / 문팔용
15. 경제적 성취와 사회발전 / 정범모

제5편 국제 ― 미·일·중 그리고 러시아
16. 한국 경제발전과 미국의 역할 / 조이제
17. 박정희 시대 경제발전과 일본의 시각 / 와타나베 토시오
18. 한국 경제발전과 중국의 시각 / 마흥
19. 박정희의 발전전략과 러시아의 시각 / 알렉산드르 맨스로프

Parker J. Palmer. An Undivided Life: Seeking Wholeness in Ourselves, Our Work, and Our World

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An Undivided Life: Seeking Wholeness in Ourselves, Our Work, and Our World
byParker J. Palmer

Format: Audible Audio Edition|Change

===================

Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 stars

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.
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2.0 out of 5 stars

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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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

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'.
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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.

Park Chung Hee and Modern Korea eBook: Carter J. Eckert: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Park Chung Hee and Modern Korea eBook: Carter J. Eckert: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store




Park Chung Hee and Modern Korea 1st Edition, Kindle Edition
by Carter J. Eckert (Author)
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Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon.com
Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 reviews

long runner
5.0 out of 5 starsA Valuable Contribution to the Literature on the History of South Korea
22 January 2017 - Published on Amazon.com
Verified Purchase
The first of a planned two-volume work, this book examines the role of the military in Korean society during the late Choseon era and the Japanese occupation. The first part of the book traces how, during the late 1800s, Korea’s rulers slowly awakened to the fact that the country was buffeted by the imperialist powers surrounding it, and realized the need for a well-equipped, modern national military force.
The book goes on to provide an extraordinarily thorough analysis of the military culture that developed during the period of Japanese occupation (1905-45), the crucible that molded Park Chung Hee. The author describes in painstaking detail the operation of the military academies in Manchuria and Japan where Park was trained. The thesis is that the military-first orientation, with its relentless emphasis on discipline and goals, would become the defining characteristic of Park’s rule of Korea, enabling both the rise of the modern industrial state and iron-handed suppression of political opposition.
The author’s thorough understanding of the political dynamics of the time and exhaustive research give the book’s analysis and conclusions undeniable authority. This book will surely be indispensable to scholars of the period. But readers expecting a biography of Park Chung Hee will be disappointed. The author approaches the subject from the perspective of Korea’s place in the world, shedding little light on Park’s family life and personality and largely omitting Park’s personal thoughts and feelings during his formative years. (Perhaps such information simply wasn’t available despite the author’s exhaustive research.) Presumably the forthcoming second volume will provide greater insight into the character and personality of the leader who largely shaped the modern state of South Korea. I can’t wait to read it.

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Parker J. Palmer. The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in the Christian Life

Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in the Christian Life

The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in the Christian Life
byParker J. Palmer
Format: Kindle Edition|Change
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Top positive review
See all 28 positive reviews›
One person found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsThis will cause you to think!
ByYoyoMitchon March 28, 2013

This book was much discussed while I was in Seminary, as it was then newly published and dealt with a topic that is antithetical to the initial response one has upon seeing its title. I was not ready to hear the arguments presented by Dr. Palmer in the early 1980's. Thankfully, this book's longevity (this is its third time in print by two different publishers) has allowed me the opportunity to sit with now what I could not address when I was younger.
When the book was originally published, Henri Nouwen, a Catholic Priest whose writings have been very influential in my spiritual development, wrote the introduction. For this present edition, Dr. Palmer pens a lengthy introduction that is, in itself, an important essay about how the need for Paradox and community are, in many ways, in greater demand now than when the book was originally issued.
The first chapter, "In the Belly of a Paradox," compares and contrasts: Thomas Merton's engagement with Taoism and Eastern thought in a Christian context, the Paradox of Marxist thought as it mirrors New Testament actions (particularly those actions found in the Book of Acts) and the paradoxes provided in "The Way of the Cross."
In Chapter 2, Dr. Palmer takes the Catholic Stations of the Cross discipline and examines it from his perspective of it being an internal paradox. He sees this discipline as bringing about five moments of confrontation of self: recognition (of the contradiction of the cross mirroring that of the contradiction in ourselves), resistance (the desire to resist living in the tension those contradictions in ourselves create), acceptance (living in the reality that there is power and life enriched found in such tension), affirmation (the ability to celebrate that this "cross" (life) is one's own) and liberation (the realization that facing, fighting, accepting and affirming these contradictions frees us from the illusion of being independent from each other).
Chapter's three and four focus on community and how that culture brings the power of paradox to life. He argues that humans were created to be in relationship, the Christian Scriptures direct its adherents toward community and that the Western idea of "rugged individualism" leads to emptiness, poverty (of spirit and material wealth) and is impossible for the human race to sustain itself with it as a paradigm. Chapter five looks at what real, lasting and sustainable abundance is and how paradox and community are vital to that endeavor.
The author states that paradox is not a linear concept, but one that travels "in a circle." When one opens one's self to the tension brought about by listening and attending what is found when one sits with two truths, seemingly in opposition, at the same moment, one discovers that both "truths" add depth to each other. Such an undertaking is frustrating, laborious, rewarding and enriching. Dr. Palmer offers no shortcuts toward finding the "blessing" of paradox; all who wish to taste its promise must, like Jacob did with the angel, wrestle with the paradox before its riches can be gained.
This is not a long book but neither is it a book easily read in a short time. Attention has to be paid to the weighty words written on each page. The concepts offered are not difficult to understand, but they are such that their being applied will take energy, focus and commitment. Reading this small tome will cause the serious reader (and no other readers would read it) to examine their own paradoxes and find a measure of unknown Grace therein.
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17 people found this helpful
3.0 out of 5 starsEncouraging Book With Some Paradoxical...Quirks
ByTimothy Buchananon August 31, 2012
I bought this book on a whim at a second-hand book store before a three-day spiritual retreat I went on by myself. I read the book over the three days, and overall I found myself very encouraged by it! I really appreciated the invitation to step into the fray of a life of paradox. I especially loved Palmer's use of the cross as symbolic of the tensions we face between Heaven and Earth (the vertical beam of the cross) and the pull we feel between paradoxical human ideologies (the horizontal beam). Having spent the past few years feeling as if I'm living in a paradox of faith, this book reminded me that I am not alone, and that I am not worse for the wear, but that I am in good company and I am, perhaps, right where God wants me.

Palmer's commentary on community was also encouraging as community is something that I have found myself missing, despite my attempts to discover it (a paradox that Palmer addresses quite nicely). Every subject Palmer touches on in this book is examined with the grace and hope that I only wish could be found in every book written by an author who identifies as a Christian.

The book would have been perfect if not for Palmer's "Introduction to the 2008 Edition". The Introduction is essentially a 25 page criticism of the book itself. After 30 years, I would suspect that the author would have some self-critical advice to his younger self. But ultimately, the criticism found in the Introduction treads well into the territory of attack on Conservative Evangelicalism, (complete with a two page poorly veiled tirade against George W. Bush, although Palmer leaves the vivid image nameless.)

There is a place for healthy criticism from within the Body of Christ. But the introduction to a book that has little to do with such issues, I contend, is not the place. Being someone who identifies as an Evangelical, I was sad to discover that the introduction to the book caused me to feel...unwelcome. It was as if Palmer was saying, "This book is for everyone from every creed, race, background, and faith tradition...EXCEPT YOU!" As far as Evangelicals go, I'm probably on the more "liberal" edge of things. But Palmer made me feel like a bigoted hate-monger because I happen to hold certain convictions that he does not. He goes so far as to say that certain Conservative Christians are, "...making things hellish right now, and what I wish is that they would get a life." What I wish is that I had purchased the first pressing of the book; the one without the scathing and unfriendly introduction.

Perhaps this is the paradox for me: that I loved this book and the ideas it represented, but I feel as if were I to meet Palmer today, he would be angry at me for making things "hellish" and that he would have nothing nice to say to me. Perhaps I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt, but his introduction led me to believe that he had a bone to pick with Conservative Christians, and his burning desire to speak on the issue just happened to coincide with the opportunity to write a retrospective introduction to this book.

My advice: read this book. Cherish it and live it. It is beautiful. But skip the introduction. There's not much there that I think you would benefit from. But if you do read the introduction, and if, like me, you are made to feel unwelcome, I encourage you to extend to Palmer the same grace that has been extended to us through Christ. Grace extended to all, regardless of the fact that none are deserving. This, perhaps, is the ultimate paradox.

Peace.
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=========================



Top critical review

3.0 out of 5 stars

Encouraging Book With Some Paradoxical...Quirks
ByTimothy Buchananon August 31, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
I bought this book on a whim at a second-hand book store before a three-day spiritual retreat I went on by myself. I read the book over the three days, and overall I found myself very encouraged by it! I really appreciated the invitation to step into the fray of a life of paradox. I especially loved Palmer's use of the cross as symbolic of the tensions we face between Heaven and Earth (the vertical beam of the cross) and the pull we feel between paradoxical human ideologies (the horizontal beam). Having spent the past few years feeling as if I'm living in a paradox of faith, this book reminded me that I am not alone, and that I am not worse for the wear, but that I am in good company and I am, perhaps, right where God wants me.

Palmer's commentary on community was also encouraging as community is something that I have found myself missing, despite my attempts to discover it (a paradox that Palmer addresses quite nicely). Every subject Palmer touches on in this book is examined with the grace and hope that I only wish could be found in every book written by an author who identifies as a Christian.

The book would have been perfect if not for Palmer's "Introduction to the 2008 Edition". The Introduction is essentially a 25 page criticism of the book itself. After 30 years, I would suspect that the author would have some self-critical advice to his younger self. But ultimately, the criticism found in the Introduction treads well into the territory of attack on Conservative Evangelicalism, (complete with a two page poorly veiled tirade against George W. Bush, although Palmer leaves the vivid image nameless.)

There is a place for healthy criticism from within the Body of Christ. But the introduction to a book that has little to do with such issues, I contend, is not the place. Being someone who identifies as an Evangelical, I was sad to discover that the introduction to the book caused me to feel...unwelcome. It was as if Palmer was saying, "This book is for everyone from every creed, race, background, and faith tradition...EXCEPT YOU!" As far as Evangelicals go, I'm probably on the more "liberal" edge of things. But Palmer made me feel like a bigoted hate-monger because I happen to hold certain convictions that he does not. He goes so far as to say that certain Conservative Christians are, "...making things hellish right now, and what I wish is that they would get a life." What I wish is that I had purchased the first pressing of the book; the one without the scathing and unfriendly introduction.

Perhaps this is the paradox for me: that I loved this book and the ideas it represented, but I feel as if were I to meet Palmer today, he would be angry at me for making things "hellish" and that he would have nothing nice to say to me. Perhaps I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt, but his introduction led me to believe that he had a bone to pick with Conservative Christians, and his burning desire to speak on the issue just happened to coincide with the opportunity to write a retrospective introduction to this book.

My advice: read this book. Cherish it and live it. It is beautiful. But skip the introduction. There's not much there that I think you would benefit from. But if you do read the introduction, and if, like me, you are made to feel unwelcome, I encourage you to extend to Palmer the same grace that has been extended to us through Christ. Grace extended to all, regardless of the fact that none are deserving. This, perhaps, is the ultimate paradox.

Peace.
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=====================

Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 star

This will cause you to think!
ByYoyoMitchon March 28, 2013
Format: Hardcover
This book was much discussed while I was in Seminary, as it was then newly published and dealt with a topic that is antithetical to the initial response one has upon seeing its title. I was not ready to hear the arguments presented by Dr. Palmer in the early 1980's. Thankfully, this book's longevity (this is its third time in print by two different publishers) has allowed me the opportunity to sit with now what I could not address when I was younger.
When the book was originally published, Henri Nouwen, a Catholic Priest whose writings have been very influential in my spiritual development, wrote the introduction. For this present edition, Dr. Palmer pens a lengthy introduction that is, in itself, an important essay about how the need for Paradox and community are, in many ways, in greater demand now than when the book was originally issued.
The first chapter, "In the Belly of a Paradox," compares and contrasts: Thomas Merton's engagement with Taoism and Eastern thought in a Christian context, the Paradox of Marxist thought as it mirrors New Testament actions (particularly those actions found in the Book of Acts) and the paradoxes provided in "The Way of the Cross."
In Chapter 2, Dr. Palmer takes the Catholic Stations of the Cross discipline and examines it from his perspective of it being an internal paradox. He sees this discipline as bringing about five moments of confrontation of self: recognition (of the contradiction of the cross mirroring that of the contradiction in ourselves), resistance (the desire to resist living in the tension those contradictions in ourselves create), acceptance (living in the reality that there is power and life enriched found in such tension), affirmation (the ability to celebrate that this "cross" (life) is one's own) and liberation (the realization that facing, fighting, accepting and affirming these contradictions frees us from the illusion of being independent from each other).
Chapter's three and four focus on community and how that culture brings the power of paradox to life. He argues that humans were created to be in relationship, the Christian Scriptures direct its adherents toward community and that the Western idea of "rugged individualism" leads to emptiness, poverty (of spirit and material wealth) and is impossible for the human race to sustain itself with it as a paradigm. Chapter five looks at what real, lasting and sustainable abundance is and how paradox and community are vital to that endeavor.
The author states that paradox is not a linear concept, but one that travels "in a circle." When one opens one's self to the tension brought about by listening and attending what is found when one sits with two truths, seemingly in opposition, at the same moment, one discovers that both "truths" add depth to each other. Such an undertaking is frustrating, laborious, rewarding and enriching. Dr. Palmer offers no shortcuts toward finding the "blessing" of paradox; all who wish to taste its promise must, like Jacob did with the angel, wrestle with the paradox before its riches can be gained.
This is not a long book but neither is it a book easily read in a short time. Attention has to be paid to the weighty words written on each page. The concepts offered are not difficult to understand, but they are such that their being applied will take energy, focus and commitment. Reading this small tome will cause the serious reader (and no other readers would read it) to examine their own paradoxes and find a measure of unknown Grace therein.
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4.0 out of 5 stars

Reforming prayer and education
ByDarren Cronshawon March 28, 2010

THE PROMISE OF PARADOX: A CELEBRATION OF CONTRADICTIONS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
By Parker Palmer (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008)

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw

I enjoy a book, like The Promise of Paradox, that raises as many questions as answers. Rather than explaining away dilemmas of faith and complexities of life, Palmer embraces the mystery and reality of paradoxes. When prayer feels like a chore, a shopping list, or when it seems to bounce off the ceiling, I appreciate an approach that encourages prayer as a way of life. He challenges me to consider how open am I to deeply listening to God in the midst of struggles. Palmer most interestingly explores how we can be open to God through community, education and prayer.

With his wife Sally, early in his teaching career Palmer taught for a decade at Pendle Hill, a living-learning community near Philadelphia. They sought an experiment in interdependence and community life, and discovered a parallel need for boundaries and solitude. Palmer pleads for an approach to community not just for the benefit of personal nurture but for promoting economic and political justice in a society of competitive individualism. He asks, "How can I participate in a fairer distribution of resources unless I live in a community that makes it possible to consume less? ... How can I learn to share power unless I live in a community where hierarchy is unnatural?" (p.65) Shrinking world resources may push us more in the community-sharing directions which Palmer encourages, and which he himself gave up a large salary and successful career to find.

His appeal for reform in education is also still timely today. He urges collaborative learning rather than breeding exam-based competition, and celebrating diverse expressions of intelligence rather than focusing just on intellectual capacity. He appeals to teachers to be learners and to help students to engage with big questions: "as teachers, we must not only make room for the Spirit to move within us but also cultivate learning situations that will help students open up to that movement" (p.133).

Finally, his words on prayer are life-giving. Palmer draws on the Trappist monk Thomas Merton, a kind of patron saint of social activists, who appeals for an integration of spirituality with the struggles and mess of life. Palmer realises spiritual life is not orderly and pristine and suggests adding a new prayer to the well-known short list of "Thanks!" and "Help!", adding the simple "Bless this mess!" Prayer for Palmer is not special pleading for a scarce resource before someone else gets it, as if our identity depends on what we have. True prayer will help release us from the idolatry of such illusions and instead experience the fullness of God: `a life that returns constantly to that silent, solitary place within us where we encounter God and life's abundance becomes manifest' (p.114).

"This book is important not because it is written by a good scholar, but because it is written by a scholar who dared to wonder if his scholarship really led him to the truth. It is important not because it is written by a man who knows more than most people about the dynamics of community life, but because it is written by a man who gave up a large salary and moved away from a successful career to find community. It is important not because it is written by a man who has been a consultant to many on educational matters, but because it is written by a man who kept wondering if his own education didn't do him more harm than good and who gave much of his energy to a form of education not dominated by grades and degrees. It is important not because it is written by a man who knows the Bible well, but because it is written by a man who dared to let the Bible make radical claims on his own life and the lives of those he loves." (Henri Nouwen, "Introduction to the 1980 edition", p.x-xi)

Originally reviewd in Witness: The Voice of Victorian Baptists, Vol. 143, No. 8 (September 2008), p.21.
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5.0 out of 5 stars

Importance of paradox
ByJsteinon July 22, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
It was very helpful to understanding paradox better in general and just how much it shows up in all areas of life. It's well written, provocative and very useful.
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5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
ByBarbara D. Parinion March 22, 2016
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase
Essential read for understanding the Gospel.
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5.0 out of 5 stars

Magnificent
ByWilliam DahlVINE VOICEon July 6, 2008
Format: Hardcover
Congratulations (AGAIN...) to Jossey-Bass for a really smart strategic move --- originally published in 1980, Jossey-Bass (John-Wiley & Sons) purchased the rights, including the Introduction by Henri Nouwen and Voila!!! --- Like I said, another strategic masterpiece by Jossey-Bass.

I needed to read this book. As an avowed Christian, I benefit from the struggles of others who claim the name of Christ regarding their preferred faith flavor. As Palmer says in his introduction to this volume, " I find it hard to name my beliefs using traditional Christian language because that vocabulary has been taken hostage by theological terrorists and tortured beyond recognition." (p. xxi).

Palmer's treatise is truly captured early on in this volume when he writes, "Perhaps contradictions are not impediments to the spiritual life but an integral part of it. Through them we may learn that the power power for life comes from God, not from us." (p.2).

For Palmer, "The paradox that we can win only by forgetting about winning is Christianity 101." (p. 23).

This book must be savored like when a chef provides you with a teaspoon of warm broth to contemplate the care with which it has been created...with your eyes shut...slowly...allowing your soul to digest the essence of the delicacy you are savoring.

An incredibly powerful treatise...filled with life-lessons pertinent for today and tomorrow. Well, I guess that how truth actually endures.

Buy this book!!!
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1.0 out of 5 stars

Marxism clothed as gospel.
ByDr. G.on May 13, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
When I started Clinical Pastoral Education I continually heard the name Parker Palmer. This is nothing more than a euphemism for communism. His ignorance of history and theology is profound. One example he raises the model of Acts 4 they held all things in common as prescription of community. Even a casual reading of the text shows that the Acts 4 model failed and was rejected by the apostles. In Acts 5 they are declaring that their members maintained individual ownership and control of their possession. By Acts 6 the poor, the widows and fatherless are being neglected by the system. Communism always leaves to greater poverty, disenfranchisement and alienation. The free market elevates and include everyone. I will not be wasting any more of my time or money on Palmer. He is clueless as to reality or spirituality.
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5.0 out of 5 stars

The Promise of Paradox - a faith-filled promise
ByJoan Kuikenon August 4, 2008

The Promise of Paradox by Parker Palmer is a refreshing view of the traditional values and beliefs of Christian faith written 30 years ago and now in reprint. He writes his own introduction explaining the various changes in both his language and thought over the 30 year period. Henri Nouwen wrote the first introduction which is also included.
To live a faith in honest integrity one needs to come to grips with the ambiquity in life or the"belly of paradox" as he often refers. The spirit moves in ways that are often not of conventional wisdom and it is the holding of the tension between seeming polarities where the spirit grows, ripens, and truly connects with God. His message is one of unitive thinking rather than dualistic thinking and Parker Palmer lifts the reader to new dimensions and challenges with his message of love and compassion for all living creatures while embracing their diversity. A book for all faiths and all spiritual paths that leads one into greater connection with self and the God within.
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4.0 out of 5 stars

annoying, and even disturbing may be calling us to ...
ByAndrew &amp; Sherrion February 25, 2015

Some twenty years since being written, the words of this book still resonate. Paradox a seeming contradiction that reveals a deeper truth. The author calls us to sense the cross currents in out life -- the horizontal forces that cut across the vertical orientation. These cross currents while frustrating, annoying, and even disturbing may be calling us to recognize a truth in our life -- opening us to a new way. Thought provoking read!

Dani's Journey :: 소명 [삶이 내게 말을 걸어올 때, 파커. J. 파머]

소명 [삶이 내게 말을 걸어올 때, 파커. J. 파머]

소명 [삶이 내게 말을 걸어올 때, 파커. J. 파머] | 思/독서 2008.04.30 12:22 Posted by 박경식

소명은 의지에서 나오지 않는다. 그것 은 듣는데서부터 출발한다. 소명이란 성취해야할 어떤 목표가 아니라 이미 주어져 있는 선물이다.

나 이제 내가 되었네 여러 해, 여러 곳을 돌아다니느라 시간이 많이 걸렸네 나는 이리저리 흔들리고 녹아 없어져 다른 사람의 얼굴을 하고 있었네.....

-May Sarton의<나 이제 내가 되었 네>-

나는 교회 안에서 성장한 까닭에 '소명'의 의미에 대해 맨 먼저 배웠다. 하나님 앞에서 겸허 하고 세상의 다양성을 존중하며 정의에 깊은 관심을 기울이는 종교적 전통에서 자란 것이 얼 마나 고마운지 모른다. 하지만 그런 환경에서 내가 깨달은 '소명'의 개념은 왜곡된 것이었다. 소명은 자신을 향해 외 부에서부터 들려오는 도덕적인 요구의 목소리에서 시작된다고 생각했다. 자신이 아닌 다른 사람, 뭔가 지금의 자기 모습보다 더 훌륭하고 자신을 초월하는 어떤 사람이 되어야 한다는 상을 그리고 있었다. 소명에 대한 이러한 태도는 자아에 대한 깊은 불신에서 시작된다. 죄 많은 자아는 '선'이라는 외부의 강제적 힘을 동원해 바로잡지 않는 한 늘 이기적일수밖에 없다는 믿음에서 비롯된다. 그런 생각 때문에 나는 늘 내 인생을 잘 꾸려 나가기에는 부족한 존재라는 느낌을 가졌다. 내게 기대되는 이상적인 모습과 실제 모습 사이의 차이 때문에 죄의식을 만들어 내면서 그 격차를 좁히기 위해 몸부림치느라 지쳐갔다. 소명의 발견이란 얻기 힘든 상을 바라고 다투는 것이 아니라 이미 내 안에 가지고 있는 참자 아의 보물을 받아들이는 것이다.

그것은 본래 타고난 사람이 되어, 태어날 때 하나님이 주신 본연의 자아를 완성하라는 '여기 내면에서' 들려오는 목소리에서 나온다. 토마스 머튼은 이 것을 참자아라고 했고, 퀘이커 공동체에서는 내면의 빛, 또는 각 개인의 내면에 존재하는 '하 나님의 형상'이라고 부르며, 인문주의자들은 정체성이나 본성이라고 부른다.

갓난아기인 손녀딸의 모습에서 나는 날때부터 아이 내면에 심어져 있는 성향과 기질을 관찰 하기 시작했다. 아이가 무엇을 좋아하고 무엇을 싫어하는지, 무엇에 얼굴을 찡그리고 기분 나빠하는지, 어떻게 몸을 움잊기는지, 어떤 행동을 하고 무슨 말을 하는지 알아차리게 되었 고, 그건 지금까지도 이어진다. 나는 내가 관찰한 내용들을 편지에 적어 놓고 있다. 손녀딸이 스무 살이 될 즈음에 이 편지 를 보낼 것이다. 나는 그 편지에 이런 서문을 함께 적었다. "네가 이 세상에 처음 왔을 때의 모습을 그려 놓은 것이다. 물론 명확한 그림은 아니지. 명확한 그림을 그릴 수 있는 사람은 너뿐이니까. 그래도 너를 사랑하는 어떤 사람이 그린 그림이란다.어쩌면 이 기록이 할아버지가 훨씬 나중 에서야 해낸 일들을 네가 더 일찍 해낼 수 있도록 하는데 도움이 될지도 모르겠다. 바로 네가 세상에 태어났을 때의 모습을 기억하고 참자아라는 선물을 되찾는 일 말이다."

사람은 누구나 천부의 재능을 타고 이 땅에 태어난다. 그래놓고는 절반을 그 재능을 내어버 리거나 다른 사람들의 말에 미혹되어 잊어버리고 산다.

젊은 시절 우리는 자신의 진정한 모습 과는 별 상관 없는 기대들에 둘러싸인 다. 우리의 자아를 알아주기보다는 어 떤 틀 안에 끼워 맞추려는 사람들의 기 대 말이다. 가정, 학교, 직장, 종교단체에서 우리 는 자신을 버리고 사회적인 기준에 맞 추어 살아가도록 교육 받는다. 인종차 별주의, 성차별주의와 간은 사회적 압 력에 짓눌려 자기의 본래의 형상은 알 아볼 수 없을 만큼 망가질 때도 있다. 또한 우리 역시 두려움에 내몰려 다른 사람들의 인정을 받기 위해 참자아를 배반하는 일이 너무나 많다. 참자아의 선로를 벗어났을 때, 어떻게 하면 그 흔적을 다시 찾아갈 수 있을까? 한 가 지 방법은 타고난 재능에 좀더 근접하 게 살았던 어렸을 때의 기억에서 실마 리를 찾는 것이다. 세상 만물은 나름의 본성이 있다. 누 구에게나 능력은 물론 한계도 있다. 한 예로, 도자기 만드는 일을 보자. 도 자기를 만드는 일은 단순히 점토에게 무엇이 되어야 한다고 명령하는 것이 아니다. 점토는 도공의 손놀림에 따라 빚어지지만, 동시에 자기가 할 수 있 는 것과 할 수 없는 것을 도공에게 얘 기하고 있다. 만약 도공이 점토의 이야기를 듣지 않는다면 결과는 깨어진 파편이나 보기 흉 한 물건이 된다. 공학 (工學)이란 그저 재료를 향해 무엇을 해야 한다고 주장하는 것이 아니 다. 건축기사가 철, 나무, 돌 같은 재료의 본성을 존중하지 않는다면 문제는 단순히 보기 싫은 정 도에서 그치는 것이 아니라 다리나 건물이 무너지고 사람의 생명까지 위협하는 결과를 가져 온다. 인간의 자아가 지닌 본성 역시 능력과 한계를 함께 지니고 있다. 자기가 가진 재료에 대한 이해 없이 소명을 구한다면 그 인생은 아름답지 못할 뿐만 아니라 자기를 비롯한 주위 사람 들의 생명까지도 위험에 빠뜨릴 수 있다. 무언가 대단히 가치 있는 일에 몸 바치면서 '꾸며대 기'를 해 봐야 아무 소용 없다. 소명과도 상관 없는 일이다. 그것은 자기 본성을 유린하는 무 지하고 건방진 시도이며 결과는 언제나 실패로 끝난다. 우리의 가장 깊은 소명은 그것이 우리가 '되고자 하는' 어떤 이미지에 맞든 안 맞든 자기의 진정한 자아를 향해 성장하는 것이다. 그러다 보면 모든 인간이 추구하는 기쁨을 발견할 뿐 만 아니라 세상에서 진정 우리가 갈 길을 발견하게 될 것이다.

어제 소그룹원들과 함께 나누었다. 사 명, 소명, 비전, 목적...다 같은 말인데 왜 그리들 구분하려하는지. analogia entis. 존재의 유비. 하나님 과 비슷한 무엇인가가 인간에게 남아 있다. 그것을 형상이라고 한다. 영화 감독이나 artist들에게서 볼 수 있는 창조력도 다 그분의 능력의 그림 자일뿐이다. 그러나 그림자를 통해서 그분과 비슷한 무엇을 발견할 수 있 다. 우리 안에 이미 심겨진 것. 박성동 형제님이 그러셨나, 현대 인지 학에서 최근의 화두는 인간은 태어날 때부터 '무', 백지 상태라고 믿어왔던 가설에서 이제는 뭔가 '스케치(큰 그림)'가 된 상태로 태어난다는 것이다. 본래 각 사람의 취 향이, 행동과 언어와 감각이 다 다르다는 것인데, 것은 우리가 말하는 하나님과 닮아 있는 그 무엇인 것이다. 그래서 각 사람은 본래 스케치 된 상태의 그림을 찾아 살아간다는 것이 다. 기독교인 본래의 소명은 분명하다.(마6:33, 마28:18-20) 이미 주어진 소명. 그렇다면 어 떻게 살아갈 것인가?... 어릴 때의 기억에 잠겨 보면, 그 본래의 모습을 되찾을지도 모른다. 나는 몇가지 힌트를 벌 써 찾았고, 그것이 현재의 나와 긴밀하게 연관되어 있다. 그것은 미래의 나를 인도해주는 중 요한 빛이 되기도 한다. 중요한 것은 하나님이 심어 주신 본질, 내면 안에서부터 출발한다. 외부에서 주어지는 것에 대해서 고민할 필요가 없다. 그것에 휘둘릴필요가 없다. [내면 세계의 질서와 영적 성장]에 도 있듯. 부름받은 사람 세례요한의 삶은 평안과 기쁨이었다. 그것은 내면에서부터 흘러 나 오는 질서와 확신 가운데 영향력 있는 삶을 산 것이다. 사울은 쫒겨다니는 사람의 전형적인 유형이다. 왕위를 빼앗길까봐 두려워하는 감정이 다윗 을 죽이려는 살인의 감정으로, 자신의 자리를 지키기 위한 과도한 성취와 팽창, 만족할지 모 르는 욕망들...그의 말로는 비참한 죽음이었다. 나는 부름받은 사람(Called People)인가? 아니면 쫒겨다니는 사람(Driven People)인가? 하나님은 내게 주신 것 이상의 것을 요구하지 않으신다. 70의 능력을 주셨는데 90을 요구하 지 않으신다. 그러나 30의 능력만 쓰고 있다면 긴장할 일이다. 영화 [말아톤]에서 초원이가 '초원이 다리는 백만불짜리 다리, 몸매는 끝내줘요' 했던 그 말. 그는 달릴 때 기쁨을 느꼈다. 왜냐하면 하나님은 그를 빨리 달리도록 창조하셨으니까. 나는 요즘, 가르칠 때 기쁨을 느낀다. 왜냐하면 하나님은 나를 가르치도록 만드셨기 때문이다.