Meaningful Connections: EDUCATION

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THE MISSING TWIN TOWERS 09/12/01

On 09/12/01 I walked from 14th street and Union Square down to the hole in the ground that used to be the Twin Towers. It was an eerie and surrealistic experience. Check points with soldiers and policemen were on every block. Somehow I found a way to get to within two blocks of the center of the destruction. The light had a strange brownish glow due to a mixture of the heavy particles of the disentegrated buildings filtering the winter sunlight. Many people were wearing face masks to help them breathe. I was struck by the nearly universal dazed and shocked expressions of a multitude of awe struck onlookers like myself. However, as bad as it was, I was also struck by the noble activity of hundreds - or was it thousands - of workers and volunteers that were quietly, and methodically attending to the grim work of cleaning up this horrible lower manhatten "Pearl Harbor" mess. Returning to Union Square I came upon a hastily erected evolving memorial. On subequent days I came upon similar memorials, most notably a large one in Grand Central Station. What most stirred me were pictures of kin who were unaccounted for as yet, apparently posted by relatives and friends, desperately clinging to the hope that their loved ones had some escaped the horror and might be recognized by someone, anyone, who would take the time to carefully scan their names and faces and. if indeed spotted, would hopefully notify them. It was quite shaking to have to face up to the brutal fact that nothing is absolutely secure - life is tenuous at best. Perhaps all that can be done at such times is to try to remain steady and, if so inclined, to record such occurrences as objectively as is humanly possible.

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK

I was feeling depressed yesterday morning. Additionally I was restless and somewhat agitated. My body wanted movement. I looked outside noticing that the fall colors were shimmering flooded with sunlight. I picked up my small canon camera and decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. The walk was magical. The pictures that follow speak for themselves. After only a few pictures it was obvious that my depression completely lifted. My conclusion is that immersion in nature - any season - is likely to be the best natural anti-depressant.

THE CHRISTOS' GATES in the SNOW

NATURE'S GLORY

What I most love about nature is it is so natural. It is what it is. It is so full of beauty. It gives so much and asks for nothing in return. Most of the flowers and yard photogaphs are a theme and variation from flowers and tomatos I plant each spring. I enjoy watching the buds ripening and opening up. I particularly enjoy the uniqueness of each flower as it unfolds sometime mid summer. As I zoom in for closeups I sense these colorful mysteries speak to some elemental and most essential best prrt of me. As I focus upon the details of each unique flower, or fruit, or tree, or mixture of shadow and light, or glitter, or sparkles, I feel as connected to being alive and resonant with my natural 'friends' as at any time or with any people in my life. I appreciate the democratic spirit clusters of flowers have for themselves collectively and individually. They seem to celebrate being alive as they unself consciously display their radiance for whomever wishes to take note - or not. They seem utterly indifferent whether anyone cares or not. They don't fuss or get irritated as they 'graciously' make room for each other. I can appreciate what Van Gogh felt in the open sunlight painting his sun flowers and hay stalks - giddily - passionately grasping for the right words as he expressed his feelingsin his letters to Theo {his brother}. Observing nature with direct perception, not having to find words to describe what is experienced, is a tonic for me - a being who derives his lively hood from systematically searching for just right words.

TIMES SQUARE, ETC.

Times square by day or night pulsates with excitement, noise, and electricity. If you are bored, or under stimulated go to Broadway and 42nd street to be atmospherically reinvigorated. No need to spend a fortune going to usually dissappointing theatre - just stand on a corner in Times Square and watch the passing show - fixed or in motion. A well crafted building is a joy to behold. Equally so are machines like the Metro North Railway trains, stations, tracks, wires virtually all of the trappings that go into making a transportation system. So too - unusual scenes such as colorful canoes glittering amongst tall green pine trees on a bright sun filled summer day delights my senses and stirs my soul. There is so much not to like but it is all worth it when my senses are stimulated. It is very true: you can't appreciate the light unless you can take note of the darkness.

My Favorites

Speaking of Faith public radio's national conversation about belief, meaning, ethics, and ideas
An outstanding concept and consistently sophisticated presentation of what I refer to as "grounded" spirituality.
The Digital Journalist February 2005 Issue Contents
A sophisticated photojournalism site.
EpistemeLinks.com: For Philosophy Resources on the Internet
A goldmine of philosophical references.
Sound and Spirit
A musical trip exploring a new theme each week.
Edge
A highly stimulating site for truth seekers.
One Minute Web Guides
An outstanding, carefully chosen, informative guide to a plethora of relevant sites.
Studio 360 This Week - LAX, Pico Iyer, Sontag
An always entertaining and informative talk show.
NPR : National Public Radio : News, Arts, World, US.
An outstanding news and music station.
The Bryan Lehrer Show
A highly informative daily talk show.
ZDNET
Excellent site for downloads (free and shareware)

MY FAVORITE BLOGS

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May 04, 2008

ATTENTION ALL ELEMENTARY and SECONDARY TEACHERS

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

A fifth grade teacher friend of mine has recently been best by a serious and near overwhelming teaching problem. She has a Masters degree in education, has been teaching in the New York school system for 8 years, is totally dedicated to excellence, is highly intelligent, sensitive, caring, imaginative, fair and reasonable. She is also highly attuned to double messages and when confronted with them is loathe to play political games such as "don't make waves", "just play along", don't confront and push buttons" and the likes.

Continue reading "ATTENTION ALL ELEMENTARY and SECONDARY TEACHERS" »

May 04, 2008 in EDUCATION | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

SCINTILLATING SOUNDS

: WHAT THE UNIVERSE TELLS ME: UNRAVELING the MYSTERIES of MAHLER's THIRD SYMPHONY
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Pat Metheny: THE WAY UP
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Chris Brubeck: FROM BACH to BRUBECK

SEMINAL BOOKS

Jacob Needleman: The American Soul : Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders
This book is a profound answer to extremism's supeficial challenge.
Robert Henri: The Art Spirit: Notes, Articles, Fragments of Letters and Talks to Students, Bearing on the Concept and Technique of Picture Making, the Study of Art Generally, and on Appreciation (Icon Editions)
The Art Spirit is also a prescription for living the good life. A must for serious students seeking the meaning of their life.
ERIC HANSEN: The Bird Man and the Lap Dancer : Close Encounters with Strangers
An unusual traveler's stories of truly meaningful connections.
Brewster Ghiselin: The Creative Process: Reflections on the Invention of Art
Reinforces the aspiring creator to take his/her creative urges seriously.
Theodor Reik: Listening With the Third Ear: The Inner Experience of a Psychoanalyst
An inspired guide into the inner world of experiential logic.
Harlan Ullman: Finishing Business: Ten Steps To Defeat Global Terror
A practical and realistic approach to confronting this most complex problem.
Clarence Irving Lewis: Mind and the World-Order: Outline of a Theory of Knowledge
An illuminating guide book for those searching for a method to objectify and organize their experience.
Jared Diamond: COLLAPSE: HOW SOCIETIES CHOOSE TO FAIL OR SUCCEED
A primer for survival and thrival if we dare learn from our collective experience.
Christopher J. Moore: In Other Words
A liguistic roadmap for getting found if one is lost in translation.
Ernest Becker: The DENIAL of DEATH
A daring and provocative challenge to all human beings to face nitty gritty reality square in the face. His ideas are building blocks in erecting a grounded faith.

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Meaningful Connections

If time is an illusion then "time = libido (energy to be consciously directed). This weblog highlights my efforts in harnessing and directing my energy towards obtaining and sustaining meaningful connections with myself and the outside world.

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