Dear ,
Greetings! I hope you’re having a lovely summer (or winter if you’re in the Southern hemisphere). I’ve just returned from a week long
trip to Boulder, Colorado, where I was recording an audiobook for Sounds True publishers. I had a wonderful time - the recording went so well that we finished two days early, so I had some time wander around. I went walking in the mountains, and became a part of many awe-inspiring landscapes. It’s so wonderful to escape from the human world sometimes, and become a part of geological time again, instead of human time, where the crazy human world seems like a passing
sideshow.
I had an interesting experiences just after arriving, when I went for a walk down by the river into the foothills of the mountains. The landscape felt so Native American to me - I felt that it belonged to the Native Americans and that I could sense their presence in it. I almost expected to see them, coming out of the trees or from behind the rocks. That evening I met up with the producer of my
audio course, who told me that there was a major Native American presence in the foothills outside the town, and different groups would come here to camp for the winter. I'm glad I picked up on this, but at the same time it's sad there's little overt evidence of any Native American presence right now.
All in all though, I like America more every time I go there. One of the biggest differences between the US
and Europe is the sense of space. In England, there’s not much space. Houses are small and densely packed, and there’s always a sense that space has to be rationed, as it’s a precious commodity. But in Colorado, space seemed to be endless, and it didn’t seem to be a consideration. That seemed to relieve tension, create a relaxing atmosphere - but I can also imagine that, to some Americans, that openness could feel overwhelming. You could get lost in it, feel disorientated, which could create a
craving for some sort of identity and belonging.I felt that this could lead to pathological behaviour like drug addiction, nationalism and religious fundamentalism. It reminds me a play I once saw by Chekov - I think it was Uncle Vanya - which describes people living in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in the vast backwoods or Russia, feeling a sense of meaninglessness and dislocation. I would be interested to see what my American friends think about
this! The Isle of Man
A few weeks ago I had an interesting three way synchronicity. I picked my
dad up one morning and told him that the previous night I went to see a film set on the Isle of Man. 'That's strange,' he said. 'I was thinking about the Isle of Man last night. I went there a couple of times as a child and was thinking I'd like to go again.' Then we went to my mum's residential home, where I sang and played my guitar to the residents (a great experience, by the way! I do it most weeks now.) At the end of my 'performance', we got talking to a woman who was visiting one of the
other ladies. My dad asked her where she was from and she said 'The Isle of Man.' A strange coincidence - I've never met anyone from the Isle of Man before.
I mentioned this on facebook - suggesting that it was a sign I should visit the island - and a facebook friend told me that he lived there, and could organise a talk there for me. And that’s what he’s done! I’m giving a talk on the Isle of Man on Tuesday
28th August, and also a book-signing at Waterstones (in the main town, Douglas) the next day. I wonder if I’ll discover the reason why I’m supposed to go there???
New! Steve's Monthly Meditation Next weekend (on Sunday July 30th) I’m holding the first of a series of free “Monthly meditations” in which I read one of my poetic pieces, then lead a meditation based on it. This will be at 5:30 pm UK time, or 12:30 pm EST, or 9:30 am PST. The first session will be on ‘Becoming Present.’ Join me if you can! Emerging Proud
I would also like to invite you to the Manchester premier of the film
Emerging Proud, which is a very valuable attempt to create more awareness of psychological crises that are part of a transformational process (coincidentally, it contains interviews with people I’ve spoken to in my research into spiritual awakening, and written about in my books). The premier in Manchester is also on Sunday 30th July. I will be there, and taking part in a Q & A session afterwards. Other Events I’m doing a one day workshop through Alternatives in London on Saturday September 9th.
Academic Essays
I can’t remember if I mentioned this in my last newsletter, but you can now read a lot of my academic essays on-line. The Nature of the
Universe Finally let me leave you with a comforting reminder:
All best wishes and blessings, Steve |
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