Wisdom's Goldenrod

URRENT CLASSES

2012-01-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

URRENT CLASSES

Monday

Astronoesis class(8-10:15 pm, Main Building) This class begins with brief meditation. Currentlywe are focusing on the Orphic Gods through select chapters in Proclus’ Theologyof Plato. After that we hope to return tothe Intellectual-Principle chapter in Astronoesis. We also offer remote participation via Skype. Allare welcome, including occasional attendees. Contact David Gallagher at387-5863 or dgallagher@aol.com.

Monday School This program for children and their families meets once amonth. Contact Madhurima at ma24@cornell.edu or546-2094.

Tuesday

Emerging Teachers of the One (afternoons from 2-4:30,Main Building) We’re reading from I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj, going over videos of Nondualteachers (most recently Rupert Spira and Mooji), Adyashanti internet radiobroadcasts, and Eckhart Tolle’s monthly webcast. Contact Mark atmark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Gentle Svaroopa Yoga (5:30-7 pm, Main Building) These Svaroopa style Yoga classesare devoted to developing that inner knowing through poses that open andrelease your spine. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Contact Caroline at 379-1800.

Buddhism (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) We are currently working on GuyNewland’s Appearance and Reality: The Two Truths in Four Buddhist Systems. All are welcome. Contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com or Louat desarno@htva.net.

Wednesday

Plotinus’ Enneads (7:45-10 pm,Library) After meditation, we read and discuss sections from The Enneads, currently VI.6, “On Numbers.” All are invited. ContactHerbert at 277-5685 or hjs@lightlink.com.

Thursday

Meditation with Raphael andDiscussions on the Quest (4:15-6:45 pm,Library) We start with a reading as a seed for meditation, and then discuss ourown journeys on the path. All are welcome. Contact Avery at 546-7300 oraps5@cornell.edu.

Also on Thursday

PB Class (5:30-9 pm, Main Building) We begin with meditation,followed by class using PB quotes from a book Sam Cohen is working on. We hopeto work together to deepen our understanding on many levels. This class is alsooffering remote participation via Skype. All are welcome. Contact Sam at582-6777 or samc582@aol.com.

Sunday

Egyptian Goddesses (meets twice a month – once in Ithaca, once at WG) We arestudying Egyptian Goddesses using Alison Roberts’ book My Heart My Mother:Death and Rebirth in Ancient Egypt as astarting point. Contact Barbara at 387-6303 or nowo@mail.clarityconnect.com.

ELSEWHERE

Mandukya Upanishad (Sunday evening, Tim and Karen Smith’s home in Burdett)This class is working on the Mandukya Upanishad and Guadapada’s Karika with Shankara’s commentary. This explores the four statesof consciousness. Our starting time alternates every other week, and thegathering includes meditation, plus a dish-to-pass supper every other week. Itis possible to participate via webinar. To confirm starting time and specificsof class, contact Kira at kiralallas@yahoo.com.

Plotinus (Friday, 8:30-10 pm) We are reading and discussingPlotinus’ Enneads, currently II.4“Matter.” Everyone involved participates online in this class, which is led byTim Smith. (The late start is to accommodate west coast people.) Contact Tim attimsmit@aol.com.

PB Class (Tuesday at7:30, Herb Shapiro’s house in Ithaca) We are working through Paul Brunton’s TheHidden Teaching Beyond Yoga. We are on “The Downfall ofMaterialism.” All are welcome. We have a nice working group, but are alwaysbeginning. Contact Herbert at 277-5685 or hjs@lightlink.com.

On Wednesday: A group meets for meditation and class at LaurieConrad’s home in Ithaca on Wednesday evenings. Beginners welcome. You can emailLaurie at figaro@clarityconnect.com.

TheGoldenrod - August 2011

2011-09-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

TheGoldenrod August 2011

The sublime majesty of Truth’spresence in the sacred sermons of so many wise ones, those of good will,

ultimatelyguides us to the ways of peace and wisdom, the lovely, the holy. – AnthonyDamiani

Paul BruntonArchival Project

As some of you may know, in the last few months, the Paul BruntonPhilosophic Foundation (PBPF), has been working on a project for thepreservation and digitization of Paul Brunton’s original unpublished writings(from which the Foundation published the 16 volume Notebooks with the work of WG volunteers) as well as researchbooks and papers. The two main goals of this project are:

* to develop access formatted digital files for future publications andopen entrance

* to preserve the originals along with archival digital files.

Archival scanning has begun under the guidance of DCAPS (DigitalConsulting and Production Services) at Cornell University. DCAPS is aconsulting service for archival and access oriented digital collections andwill help immensely in developing access strategies, criteria, and mechanismsfor the collection. They have been invaluable in this initial stage. Thearchival images are stunning and we welcome anyone who wishes to, to view themin a presentation, which can be arranged at WG or at Timothy Smith’s office.

With the help of volunteers, inventory assessment has also begun. Todate, over 75,000 pages have been assessed. The DCAPS team at Cornell expressedthat the collection of PB’s writings is the most interesting they haveencountered. Collaboration with Cornell’s professionals will continue to guideus throughout the project. Research and discussion will ensue as to the best host for thecollection.

The boards of PBPF and WG recently met to begin developing strategiesfor how the two organizations can work together to steer this project. A moredetailed and developed explanation is forthcoming.

We hope everyone who is interested will become involved. Please contactMartha Cohen (607- 427-7342 or marthapbpf@aol.com)or the project coordinator, Susan Lee-Meeder (leemeeders@earthlink.net or614-306-5699). There is much financial and volunteer support help needed and welook forward to working with everyone toward fulfilling our goal. We sincerelythank all the volunteers who have helped to date.

Ifyou wish to donate to this vital project, please send a check (earmarked PBArchival Project) to PBPF, 4936 Route 414, Burdett, NY 14818.

Star Wisdom

“The God in the Sun is the ‘I’ inme.”

Please join us for a wonderful Labor Day weekend workshop Fridayevening, Sept. 2through Monday morning, Sept. 5.

The title of Anthony’s main work, Astronoesis, means “star wisdom.” But what is astar? What is the “God in the Sun?” What was Anthony’s vision? And how dowe use these inspired ideas?

Through shared experience, discussion, readings and meditations weexplore a vision of the sun, the stars, the Solar Logos: as symbols and asliving presences. Readings provided.

FRIDAY EVENING (7:30) We invoke Anthony’s presence: reading from hisinvocation to Astronoesis; audio with transcripts of classes on inquiring more deeply. Joinus to talk about the legacy of his vision.

SATURDAY MORNING (10 am) Sun behind

the sun, Solar logos: applying the four “dignity” positions of theSun in Astronoesis-- with audio/transcripts of classes on cosmology.

SATURDAY EVENING (7:30) Anthony’s commentary on The Lamp ofTranscending Awareness, interpreting an esoteric Tibetan text

using the meanings of the Sun and logos.

SUNDAY MORNING (10 am) Continuing exploration of Solar logos. Natal Sundegree and star pictures relating degrees in 1-12 pointed stars.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON (3, 4, and 5 pm) Meditations to actualize stillness andvision.

SUNDAY EVENING (6-9:30 pm) Dinner, sunset, fire puja and chanting. ALLWELCOME.

MONDAY MORNING (10 am) Continued seminar: applying these ideas in ourlife.

MONDAY EVENING (7:30) You are welcome at the ongoing Astronoesis class.

Please let Avery know if you plan toattend, and if you need a place to stay over: aps5@cornell.edu orcall 607-546-7300.

Meditation 8 am and 5 pm, breakfast 9 am, lunch 1 pm, dinner 6 pm.DONATIONS WELCOME.

Seepage 3 for more upcoming events.

CURRENT CLASSES

Monday

Monday School This program for children and their families meets once amonth. Contact Madhurima at ma24@cornell.edu or546-2094.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Also on Thursday

Sunday

ELSEWHERE

On Wednesday: A group meets for meditation and class at LaurieConrad’s home in Ithaca on Wednesday evenings. Beginners welcome. You can emailLaurie at figaro@clarityconnect.com.

Embodied Imagination

“When you pay attention to your dreams, you inhabit amuch larger part of your soul.” --Robert Bosnak

Jungian dreamworker Robert Bosnakreturns for a workshop in EmbodiedImagination from Friday evening Sept. 16 through Sunday Sept. 18. Bosnak’smethod of working with dreams is based loosely on the work of C.G. Jung,especially his techniques of active imagination and his studies of Alchemy.

Using a variety of body centered techniques, this methodallows the dreamer, through careful concentration, to re-enter the dreamambience and return to a state as close as possible to the dreamstate itself.

His techniques are now applied worldwide, bytherapists, artists, actors, healers and others interested in creative imagination.He is the author of A Little Course in Dreams, Tracks in the Wilderness of Dreaming, and Embodiment, and is a founder of the Santa Barbara Healing Sanctuary.

Workshop size is limited and a fee will be charged. Itis for educational purposes only and is not a therapeutic setting. Pleasecontact Harriet Eisman hcl26@logical.net to register or for more information.

Bosnak will present a public talk at the Center on Sunday Sept. 18 at 7:30 entitled “The Plasticity of Our Past.” Hewill talk about “techniques to strip off and dissolve the master narrativeswhich form a crust over the live magma of memory, thus freeing up Memoria, thecreative imagination experienced as our past.” He adds, “Since neurosciencetells us that we do not remember our past, but actually the last memory of ourpast, I will discuss how we can change our past without falsifying it.”

Saturday Seminars

Please join us for two Saturday seminars of

informaldiscussion, shared experiences and

meditations,facilitated by Avery Solomon.

Tentative dates for thefall are October 22-23

and Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 26-27.

Saturday: meditation 8, breakfast 9, discussion 10,

lunch 1,discussion 2, meditation 5:30. Sunday:

meditation 8,breakfast 9, discussion 9:30-11.

Donations to the Center welcome. Please contact

aps5@cornell.edu for more information, and if you

plan toattend.

Visiting the Center

If you’d liketo visit us, please call 607-546-7777 or email wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

TheToltec I Ching

We were delighted to have Martha Ramirez and William Horden, authors of TheToltec I Ching, visit the area to conducttwo workshops and to make presentations at WG on July 5 and Rasa Spa on July 6.They shared their collaboration on a new oracle based on the meso-American andancient Chinese wisdom traditions. Several people had either a private IChing reading with William or a sacredToltec calendar reading with Martha during their stay.

They look forward to returning in the fall to do a more in-depthworkshop of how this oracle engages the depths of the soul in response toquestions. William is currentlydoing intensive work with the I Ching andthe Sabian symbols after being so inspired with the WG tradition.

Dates for workshop are TBA, butWilliam will be available for private readings Sept. 19 and 20 at Wisdom’s Goldenrod. For more information contactAmy at oppermax@aol.com.

LongDistance?

Several classes are taking advantage ofmodern technology to allow distant people to participate. For information, usethe contact information given with each class.

Residence and Retreats

Thosemembers interested in a short or long

stay at WG can contact us at 607-546-7777 or wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

No Parking --Fire Lane

Reminder: the lane that runs pastthe library toward the main building is for emergency vehicles and is to bekept clear at all times. There should be no parking next to the main buildingalthough short-term unloading is OK. Please park in the parking lot.

This photograph isfrom 1979, when His Holiness blessed the WG Library. (Does anyone know who tookthis wonderful picture?)

PastHappenings

Recently at WG, we’ve had a variety ofevents including seminars on the Soul, a meditation retreat, a visit by theauthors of The Toltec I Ching, and a workshopon PB’s view of the long and short paths.

There’s been a lot of work done on thegrounds – clearing the view as well as the New Path. As usual, we sold fries,pies and corn at the Hector Fireman’s Fair. The WG board met with the PBPFboard as work continues on the Archival Project.

And every week there have been gatheringsfor silent meditation and lively discussion – about Buddhism, Non-dualism,Egyptian Goddesses and the works of Anthony, PB, Plotinus and more.

Committees

The WG board would like to invite you tojoin any of the standing committees: buildings and grounds, library, finance.If you’re interested, contact Steve Smolen at ssmolen@empacc.net.

Dalai Lama Birthday Collection

For many years, WG has given His Holiness a monetarycontribution for Tibetan causes. The Dalai Lama has clearly stated that hefeels the best way to assist the Tibetan cause is to help Tibetans, withinTibet, with education and health care. In 2003 we began donating to TibetFund’s efforts on behalf of Gutso Hospital in eastern Tibet. This from a letterreceived in July of 2011:

“…Tsewang Kongo (our committee member) returned to Kathmandu after his trip to Tibet. He distributedeye sun glasses for the villagers in and around Gutso. The local authoritiesdid cooperate with him to buy medicine this time. I have mailed you by post thereport of his trip to Gutso with latest photos. We are going to continue oursocial work in the area.

For your general information, we Tibetans inKhathmandu were banned to celebrate The Dalai Lama’s birthday by the Nepaleseauthorities this year.

Iwould like to thank the friends at Wisdom’s Goldenrod for your support. KarmaKhangkar”

It’s not too late to contribute! Send yourtax-deductible donation to WG, or place it in the envelope on the bulletinboard. Be sure checks say “Gutso” on the memo line.

Library Books

Not sure if you have a book from the WG library on your shelf? Look fora yellow dot on the spine (and bring it back, please!)

THE NEW PATH

A new walkway is under construction thissummer between the Center main building and library. Marie Holmes and TerrySalmirs as visionaries have taken on the awesome and strenuous task of buildinga new path. It replaces the20-year-old path, which preceded it. Many have assisted in the project including Strider, Marie’s son andnewest Hector resident. David and Jane Gallagher generously donated most of thenative flat stones that have paved a new surface. Come, see and walk thisbeautiful new pathway and then circle around the Center and notice that we cansee the lake again. Anyone who is inclined to help finish this project shouldcontact Marie Holmes

The design team laying outthe new path

Excavated path ready forcrushed stone

Workday early in morningbefore the high heat

The Roadcrew

Enjoying the shade onAnthony’s tractor

Setting the big stones first

A new side ramp from theaccess road

These photos are thanks to Steve Smolen..

Short Phrases Capturing the Essence of PB’s EarlyBooks

as dictated by Paul Brunton - January, 1981

The Mansfields spent time with PB in December 1980 andJanuary 1981. During that visit PB decided to offer an autographed set of hisbooks to the Wisdom’s Goldenrod Library. PB held each of the early books in hishands, gazed at it intently, and then spoke a short phrase that captured itsessence. Elaine wrote down his spoken phrases or koans on small pieces of paperand the next day he went over the wording with great care and made a fewediting changes. He then asked Elaine to write the phrases in each book beforehe signed his initials “PB.” The phrases and the corresponding books are thefollowing:

A Search in Secret India:

What am I?

The answer is a quiet smile

The Secret Path:

The clue is faint but it can take you there

A Search in Secret Egypt:

He is the man.

He was led by a true unseen guide

Follow him

A Hermit in the Himalayas:

All alone.

It seems so.

But it is not so.

Why?

The Quest of the Overself:

Let go

Begin afresh

It is there, it is there, it is there.

Discover Yourself (The Inner Reality):

To discover yourself is to find the inner reality.

How beautiful is this long-dreamed event.

Can it really happen to you?

Why not?

The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga:

The more men study words, theories and

intellections, the less they gather insight,

Revelation and wisdom.

Look within

The Wisdom of the Overself

The first glance is thought to be the truth but,

much later, the final glance reveals truth.

Look deeper.

The Spiritual Crisis of Man

Yes, God is!

Stay where you are.

Holiness will come to you.

2010-06-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

Andy & Ross WG workday-May-2010

Lunch at WG workday 5-22-10

The Goldenrod February 2010

2010-03-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Goldenrod February 2010

When you are listening very intensely to a piece of music there is no choice but to deny the self, so that you could properly appreciate that music through identity. In a similar way, to properly appreciate the wonder of the ideas, some of the things that are explained in philosophy, it is necessary to get rid of your “I.” In philosophy, if a person is truly in love with the things they’re understanding, it’s inevitable that an abnegation of the self will take place. You can’t get into philosophy if you’re full of yourself. –Anthony Damiani

Embodiment and Unembodiment:
Who lives? Who dies?
This seminar will be led by Avery Solomon with special guest Sidney Piburn on March 27-28. Join us for discussion, meditation, healing, and shared experience with friends.
Saturday morning: exploring insights into the nature of body and embodiment from several sages and traditions, ancient and modern. Saturday afternoon: a presentation of the Tibetan view of the dying process. Saturday evening: videos on near death experiences, and a cult classic: the realm of the senses. Sunday morning: round the table discussion. Food will be provided for lunch and breakfast. Donations welcome.
“The body is a screen to partly shield and to partly reveal the light that is blazing inside your presence.” -- Rumi

More Seminars
Two more seminars led by Avery Solomon will be held on May 1-2 and June 5-6. For more information, see wisdomsgoldenrod.org.

Mike Conners
Mike Conners from TAT (the Truth and Transmission Foundation) has accepted an invitation to come to WG the weekend of May 7-9, 2010. For more information contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream
There’s an exciting possibility that WG will join Hector Presbyterian in sponsoring a symposium on the environment. The tentative date is July 17th. The Pachamama Alliance was initiated by the Achuar, an indigenous people of Ecuador. The idea is that the culture of consumption, or “the dream of the North,” drives the destruction of the rainforests. For more information see awakenthedream.com. “If you really want to help us, you need to change the Dream of the North.” ~Achuar Leaders

Mentalism and Paul Brunton
A workshop is scheduled for the 4th of July weekend. The focus will be on mentalism, using Paul Brunton’s The Wisdom of the Overself as the primary text. For more information, please contact wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

Astronoesis Summer Studies
A summer workshop on Astronoesis is tentatively set for Labor Day weekend, 2010. Save the date!
This year’s section will be “The Intellectual-Principle,” and the intention is to provide an overview of this philosophically packed material. For more information, please contact June Fritchman ifnisworld@yahoo.com or juneagle@juno.com.

News from Ohio
The Columbus group has been reading several of the chapters in The Wisdom of the Overself. While reading the chapter on the Overself we wanted to shed light on the relationship between the Overself and the World Idea so we are reading parts on the soul in Astronoesis. We also have a brief discussion at the beginning of our meetings to bring up questions and ideas that have occurred to us during the week. There is such joy in sharing.

Audio, Transcripts and Diagrams
A hard-drive is available that includes the audio of about 600 classes taught by Anthony, along with the transcripts of about 140 classes. Also available: a large set of 300 AD diagrams is available on a 1 gig USB flash drive and two booklets: “An Introduction to Anthony Astrological Mandalas” and “Anthony’s Metaphysical Diagrams.” If you are interested, contact Avery at avery@averysolomon.com.

Visiting WG
If you would like to visit or stay at Wisdom’s Goldenrod, please contact us at 607-546-7777 or
wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

CURRENT CLASSES

Sunday
Egyptian Goddesses (meets twice a month) We are studying Egyptian Goddesses using Alison Roberts’ book My Heart My Mother: Death and Rebirth in Ancient Egypt as a starting point. Contact Barbara at 387-6303.

Monday
Astronoesis (7:30, Library) This class is resuming discussion of the Intellectual-Principle chapter, with occasional excursions into related topics. To verify topic, meeting time and location, please contact David Gallagher dgallagher@aol.com or 387-5863 or June Fritchman ifnisworld@yahoo.com or juneagle@juno.com. All are welcome.

Celebration of the Heart (meets monthly, 7:00 pm, Main Building) Through music, chanting, whirling and mystical poetry, we hope to create a space where the Divine Love can be evoked and experienced. All are welcome. Contact Gran at gran_rockett@yahoo.com.

Monday School This program for children is “on vacation” until the spring. For information please contact Madhurima at ma24@cornell.edu.

Tuesday
Emerging Teachers of the One (7:30 pm, Main Building) We’re reading from I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj, going over videos of Nondual teachers from conscious.tv and Never Not Here (most recently Scott Kiloby and Mooji), listening to tapes of John Wheeler and Adyashanti radio broadcasts, and to Eckhart Tolle’s monthly webcast. Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Also on Tuesday
Gentle Svaroopa Yoga (5:30 to 7:00 pm, Main
Building) These Svaroopa style Yoga classes are devoted to developing that inner knowing through poses that open and release your spine. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Contact Caroline at 351-1962.

Buddhism (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) We are now reading from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book Advice on Dying. All are welcome. Contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com or Lou at desarno@htva.net.

Wednesday
Plotinus’ Enneads (7:45-10 pm, Library) After meditation, we read and discuss sections from the Enneads, currently “That the Principle transcending Being has no Intellectual Act” (V.6). All are welcome. Contact Herbert at 277-5685.

Thursday
Meditation with Raphael and Discussions on the Quest (4:15-6:45 pm, Library) We start with a reading as a seed for meditation, and then discuss our own journeys on the path. All are welcome. Contact Avery at 546-7300 or aps5@cornell.edu.

PB Class (7:15 to 9:30, Library) We begin with meditation, then read and discuss PB’s writings and some of Anthony’s classes on PB. Currently we’re reading The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga and selections from Volumes 12 and 13 from The Notebooks. We would like to entice new people to join the class and are willing to focus on other areas of PB as the class interest evolves. All are welcome. Contact David Bulkley at 592-6413.

ELSEWHERE

Self Inquiry Discussion Group (7:30-9:30 pm on Wednesdays in Ithaca) We use Robert Adams’ The Silence of the Heart as a guide for our discussion of spiritual paths, teachers, techniques, and systems. The focus is on our own personal experiences as seekers and the evening includes a period of silent meditation. To be notified of dates and locations of this meeting sign up at Meetup http://www.meetup.com/Self-Inquiry-Discussion-Group/ Notices will be sent on Goldenrod list also. All are welcome. Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.
Katha Upanishad (Sunday evening, Tim and Karen Smith’s home) This class is working on the Katha Upanishad, which deals with death and what survives death. We also touch on the beautiful verses of the Bhagavad Gita every third week. Our starting time alternates every other week, and the gathering includes meditation sessions, plus a dish-to-pass supper every other week. To confirm starting time and specifics of class, contact Kira at kiralallas@yahoo.com.

For Anthony
At the 25th Anniversary of Your Passing

Hey, ho, what happened? I was seeking
teaching and a hurricane struck. Your
philosophy so swift my mind darted in
stillness surprising to my heart bursting
with your profounder-than-music and crude
spot-on insight, utterly sensitive intelligence.

Sometimes I marvel at the generosity of
perspective you delivered yet at times still
I rail. You were -- are -- a presence beyond
escape or self-deceit. Ever am I accountable.

That day I caught you sitting -- dare I call it
meditating? -- alone in the main building in
what was then your usual place for class --
beneath the blackboards -- gave me a blast
of your inner power. With no prior knowledge
you were there I blithely waltzed solo into
the threshold of the meditation room and
blam! Rays of multi-colored lights emanated
from higher chakras vibrating throughout this
being seated outward toward the empty room.
Circles radiating energies bright, nearly blinding
encircled your shining raven hair in larger, ever
glowing spheres. I stepped back utterly startled.

Confused, I dared not move. Your strength palpable,
the auras wildly vital, I simply watched your ecstasy.
Myself humbled and honored, I stood and soaked
greaselike into the grace and pulsations of this moment.
Soon, as classtime drew near with others soon to arrive,
your enlivened halos -- reflections of your metaphysical
drawings -- subsided slowly, apparently quite consciously
as you returned to a more worldly state -- I tried to turn
away but you caught my gaze with classic dark stare, a
happy glint of do-not-tell in your clever eyes. And never
again did you sit beneath the blackboards, either in that
class or any meditation. I checked with utter regularity.
You moved on that day to the little corner near the tapes.

And hey! Ho! Your brilliance fleet, sheetlike and clear as
the Diamond Sutra. The synchronicity at times so sweet
yet striking deep. You’d take me aside or pauperlike I’d
beg and you’d give personal guidance. Voice soft, secret of
mysticism, mediumism, devotion. Gave a mantra, asked of
dreams, pressed your hands into prayer looking remarkably
inspiringly like a ‘simple Buddhist monk.’ Said, “there are
some who approach metaphysics through mysticism; others
must go the other way. Once during a sesshien I thought
you’d somehow generated bell-like sounds with a coin then
actually did lean over to me and insisted I stop that swaying
or you’d strike me flat. I was not afraid, oh no.

Hey! Ho! I love Padmasambhava. Because you were the first
I’d heard speak of him, so like you, brows furrowing
frighteningly loving piercing glances tamed demons like ours,
now aging students. Well hey, at least you’ve clapped into
our heads how the archetypes grab us most daemonically, even
the beauteous ones and where to find them -- in chart or hiding
in the muck. And your warnings, enthusiasms for Buddhism
stuck. And all those books that didn't know what they were
talking about. Whoa! Stop! No peace and love gurus for us.
Get to the point. Follow the thought. Throw out the garbage.
Do the work. Ho! Slay the dragon...

Through you my selfhood was charged.
As if you’d yelled, “Clear!”
And all those nearby deftly and swiftly
jumped from the defibrillator so I’d
bolt sharply in clarity to life --
and knew without doubt I could be.

-- Nanci Rose-Ritter

In addition to special events, there are several groups that meet regularly to meditate and to read and discuss various books. Our “classes” are always free. (We depend on donations for our operating expenses.) These are some of the books currently being discussed:

Alison Roberts’ My Heart My Mother:
Death and Rebirth in Ancient Egypt
Katha Upanishad and The Bhagavad Gita
Anthony Damiani’s Astronoesis
Nisargadatta Maharaj’s I Am That
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Advice on Dying
Plotinus’ Enneads
Robert Adams’ The Silence of the Heart
Paul Brunton’s The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga and The Notebooks.

If you are interested in joining these groups see the information on page 2 of this newsletter.

The photos were taken by June Fritchman.The goldenrod sketch on page one is by Barbara Nowogrodzki.

Wisdom’s Goldenrod
Center for Philosophic Studies
5801 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841
www.wisdomsgoldenrod.org

The Goldenrod November 2009

2010-01-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

The Goldenrod November 2009

My conception of time might be a little different from most people’s. The production of one image, then another image, then another image: that production is the principle of time to me.
In other words, time is the manifestation of the objective world within the soul. – Anthony Damiani

Obstacles to Freedom and Freedom from Obstacles:
Yoga and Beyond
Join us for discussion, meditation, healing, and shared experience with friends on the way, at a seminar led by Avery Solomon on December 5-6. In this gathering, we’ll explore an issue essential to the spiritual path: the balance of effort and non-effort. “No effort is needed to get hold of the Overself, but every effort is needed to get rid of the many impediments to its recognition.” – Paul Brunton
Insights from masters of great traditions bring us a spectrum of practical approaches to meet obstacles and thus allow life to be lived with joy and dignity. You are invited to read in advance: a Pathwork article, paras from Nisargadatta and PB, as well as an outline of Patanjali available online at averysolomon.com.
Saturday: 10 am-5 pm. (Join us for morning meditation at 8 am and breakfast at 9 am.) Saturday evening: dinner, chanting, music and video. Sunday morning, 9:30-11 am: we’ll share and air our responses from the night. Food will be provided for lunch and breakfast. Donations welcome. For information or to register, please contact Avery at aps5@cornell.edu or 607-546-7300. “Have patience with yourself for you are your only obstacle.”

A Celebration of the Heart
Please join us for a “Celebration of the Heart” through music, chanting, whirling and mystical poetry. Through these offerings we hope to create a space where the Divine Love can be evoked and experienced.
We will meet once a month on Monday evenings at 7 pm in the meditation room of the Main Building. Please join us on December 7 and January 11 to begin this joining of heart and mind. For more information, including dates of future meetings, contact Gran Rockett (gran_rockett@yahoo.com) or Micha-El (Alan) Berkowitz (alan@fltg.net), Mahbud Burton (harmony@clarityconnect.com), or Steven Smolen (ssmolen@empacc.net).

Self Inquiry Discussion Group
This group provides an opportunity to meet with others involved in the search for Truth and Self-definition via Self-inquiry. Our meetings consist of informal and open discussion of paths, teachers, techniques, philosophical and spiritual systems, and possible ways and means for expediting the search. The discussions are not academic or theoretical, but rather focus on our own personal experiences as seekers. There is usually also a period of silent meditation at some point during the evening.
If you find yourself drawn to teachers like Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Douglas Harding, Tony Parsons, Franklin Merrell-Wolf, Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, and the ancient masters of Zen, Advaita Vedanta, and Christian Mysticism, you may find our meetings very worthwhile. We will be using the book of Robert Adams The Silence of the Heart as an initial guide but any paragraphs, talks or sayings of the self-realized teachers are welcome and will be discussed.
This group will meet at Ahimsa Yoga Center in the Dewitt Mall in Ithaca on Wednesday evenings at 7:30-9:30 pm. For information contact the facilitators: Mark Scorelle at mark.scorelle@gmail.com or Bob Yavits at yavitsr@tc3.edu.
Also, a Meetup Group for the 14850 region is being created. People can subscribe to and get notices of meetings, changes of dates and locations. http://www.meetup.com/Self-Inquiry-Discussion-Group/

Sunday
Egyptian Goddesses (meets twice a month)
We are studying Egyptian Goddesses using Alison Roberts’ book My Heart My Mother: Death and Rebirth in Ancient Egypt as a basis. Contact Barbara at 387-6303.

Katha Upanishad (evening, Tim and Karen Smith’s home) This class is working on the Katha Upanishad, which deals with death and what survives death. We also touch on the beautiful verses of the Bhagavad Gita every third week. Our starting time alternates every other week, and the gathering includes meditation sessions, plus a dish-to-pass supper every other week. To confirm starting time and specifics of class, contact Kira at kiralallas@yahoo.com.

Monday
Astronoesis This class will be “on vacation” until the beginning of 2010. At that time, we will regroup and probably resume discussion of the Intellectual-Principle chapter. If you are interested in attending the class after the holidays, for more information (topic, meeting place/day/time) please contact David Gallagher dgallagher@aol.com, or June Fritchman ifnisworld@yahoo.com/ juneagle@juno.com.

Monday School This class is also “on
vacation” until the spring. For information
about this program for children, please
contact Madhurima at ma24@cornell.edu.

Celebration of the Heart (meets monthly,
7:00 pm, Main Building) Through music, chanting, whirling and mystical poetry, we hope to create a space where the Divine Love can be evoked and experienced. Contact Gran at gran_rockett@yahoo.com

Tuesday
Gentle Svaroopa Yoga (5:30 to 7:00 pm, Library) These Svaroopa style Yoga classes are devoted to developing that inner knowing, through poses that open and release your spine. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Contact Caroline at 351-1962.

Also on Tuesday
Buddhism (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) We are
now reading from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book Advice on Dying. All are welcome. Contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com or Lou at desarno@htva.net.

Emerging Teachers of the One (7:30 pm, Main Building) We’re reading from I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj, going over videos of Nondual teachers from conscious.tv (most recently Jackie O’Keeffe), listening to tapes of John Wheeler and Adyashanti radio broadcast, and to Eckhart Tolle’s monthly webcast. Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Wednesday
Plotinus’ Enneads (7:45-10 pm, Library) After about 45 minutes of meditation, we read and discuss sections from the Enneads. We are now reading “Intellectual Objects and the One” (V.5). All are welcome. Contact Herbert at 277-5685.

Self Inquiry Discussion Group (7:30-9:30 pm, in Ithaca) We’re using Robert Adams’ The Silence of the Heart as a guide for our discussion of spiritual paths, teachers, techniques, and systems. The focus is on our own personal experiences as seekers and the evening includes a period of silent meditation. All are welcome. Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Thursday
Meditation with Raphael and Discussions
on the Quest (4:15-6:45 pm, Library) We start with a reading as a seed for meditation, and
then discuss our own journeys on the path. All are welcome. Contact Avery at 546-7300 or aps5@cornell.edu.

PB Class (7:15 to 9:30, Library) We begin with meditation, then read and discuss PB’s writings and some of Anthony’s classes on PB. Currently we are reading The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga and selections from Volumes 12 and 13 from The Notebooks. We would like to entice new people to join the class and are willing to focus on other areas of PB as the class interest evolves. All are welcome. Contact David Bulkley at 592-6413.

Anthony Damiani
Class Archives
In the WG Library on the bottom shelf of the “magazine bookcase” in the south quadrant are 15 dark-blue-bound books of notes pages Anthony Damiani Class Archives: 1970-1984. There is also one large ring binder “Informational Notebook” containing various database printouts for the classes: audios and transcripts. These volumes are for reference use in the library only (not for circulation).

This project was initiated and overseen by Carol DeAntoni and funded by a gift from The Temple Family Private Foundation. June Fritchman and Ilya Turov entered information on the cataloging sheets for this first phase during the winter and spring of 2009.

These archival notes are a first attempt to establish an outline/archive of classes given by Anthony Damiani at Wisdom’s Goldenrod during the years 1970 - 1984. As those of us who had the privilege to attend these classes are getting older, it is time to think of those whom we hope will come after we are gone who may want to research this legacy of Anthony’s philosophic genius. We hope that this information will be useful to various researchers, database entry, and for those wishing to create a “history” of WG classes.

Except for the undated entries and 1969, 1970, 1971, there is one page per individual date, and if more than one seminar/class/session was held on a given date, for each individual seminar/class/session. The pages stop after AD memorial service in 1984. The cover sheet and the form in each volume should be self-explanatory.

From the Office of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“We are happy to learn of your continuing help to Gutso Hospital Foundation in Tibet. Thank you for dedicating the donations in His Holiness’ honor.
“His Holiness just completed a seven-day teaching at the request of a large group of Chinese, mostly from Taiwan and another group from Southeast Asia. He is now getting ready for another extended visit to Japan, Arunachal Pradesh, Italy and Delhi.
“Finally, I am pleased to convey to you His Holiness’ prayers and good wishes to all the members of Wisdom’s Goldenrod.
“Best wishes. Yours sincerely, Tenzin Taklha, Joint Secretary, Office of HH the Dalai Lama”

Audio, Transcripts
and Diagrams
A hard-drive is available that includes the audio of about 600 classes and the transcripts of about 140 classes, along with an informative spreadsheet for $140. These are old classes taught by Anthony.

Also available are two spiral booklets ($10 each): “Anthony’s Metaphysical Diagrams” (30 AD diagrams and comments) and “An Introduction to Anthony’s Astrological Mandalas.”
A much larger set of 300 AD diagrams is also available on a 1gig USB flash drive ($20).
After production costs, all money goes to WG. If interested, contact Avery at avery@averysolomon.com.

News from Ohio
The Philosopher’s Center members meet weekly on Mondays and have been given a very comfortable meeting room (at no charge) by the Ohio Oncology group. We’re reading The Wisdom of the Overself and supplementing our discussions with relevant quotes from The Notebooks and from notes of Anthony’s comments. We’re currently studying the “Birth of the Universe” chapter.

We’re very pleased that First Community Church, has asked Alan Berkowitz, a.k.a. Micha-El, to be featured in their Spiritual Searcher Program. He and Gran Rockett will be presenting a workshop the weekend of April 9-11, 2010, on “The Inner Temple: From Inner Peace to Outer Change.” Micha-El is a wonderful spokesman for PB’s teachings, connecting them to relevant topics.

Over the last year, we have sponsored several public talks held at First Community Church by Avery Solomon and Micha-El on relevant subjects such as “Karma and Grace.” They have been well attended by people outside our group.

First Community Church has always been very progressive and open to spiritual teachings. In fact, PB was once a mentor to Dr. Roy Burkhart, a senior minister of First Community in the 1950’s. Partly due to the support of the late Dr. Richard (Red) Witter, their Spiritual Searcher Program has been able to bring leading thinkers from all over to the Columbus area, including Brian Swimme, Bishop John Spong, Huston Smith, Matthew Fox, William Sloane Coffin and Scott Peck. The unique program has been operating for 25 years.

Visiting WG
Many outside people were interested in the Center last summer -- we had calls weekly. Right now we are very pleased to have Raul Arenas from Stockholm staying at WG for a few months.
To find out about visiting or staying at Wisdom’s Goldenrod, please contact us at 607-546-7777 or wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

Coming Up

Mike Conners
Mike Conners from the Truth and Transmission Foundation (TAT) has accepted an invitation to come to WG the weekend of May 7-9, 2010. Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com for more information.

Spring Seminars
with Avery Solomon
Saturday through Sunday morning,
March 20- 21: Body and Embodiment: Who lives? Who dies? Embodied being and loss of being. Individual and universal body. Conscious living being.
April 24-25 and June 5-6. Beginning of a series of six seminars.
Look for more information in the spring.

Artists

Yvonne Piburn
There is an exhibit of landscapes and still-lifes by Yvonne Piburn at Leidenfrost Vineyard through the end of November.

Hymn to Water
Helena Cooper’s newest installation consists of her newest photographs being projected. Sera Smolen will accompany the photography on the cello, along with the sounds of water.
The entire installation will bring together the natural sounds, photography, and music into a great hymn to the blessings of water. This will be the debut: December 11, 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Helena Cooper Art Studio, 1002 N. Cayuga St. in Ithaca. (The entrance is on Jay St.)
Giclee photographs from Helena’s new series, “Water in Four Seasons” will also be on display.

The Dream of the Good
Anna Prim Bornstein has been working with a team in Sweden to develop a simple school-based program for fostering inner and outer peace called “The Dream of the Good.” The methodology includes stillness, peaceful touch (simple massage), contemplative movement (qigong and yoga) and reflection (students sit in a circle and use a talking stick.)
Anna gave a training course at WG in August and those attending learned three of the methods (stillness, peaceful touch and life talk) and were certified to teach them to teachers.
Kids of all ages today are so stressed, constantly being bombarded by stimulation from the outside so that they lose contact with themselves as a subject. Many young people view themselves merely as objects, as if they saw themselves in a mirror. This gives rise to many different neurotic disturbances, according to many researchers and psychologists.
The Dream of the Good, was created to counter this development, and to give students a chance to touch base within themselves. After many years of successful pilot programs, mostly in Sweden, it is starting to be introduced internationally.
The original team decided to create a permanent program focused on stillness that could be integrated into the curriculum. Anna wrote a book, The Dream of the Good, and made six films to go with it, working with Jim Wine of The Peace Appeal Foundation, The films include interviews with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Throughout the years, His Holiness has been kept informed about the work, and he has blessed it many times. Also, The Dream has for many years been a pilot project within the Peace Appeal Foundation, an international organization created by a group of Nobel Peace Laureates.
At first they worked only with high schools, then discovered that the methods, with small adjustments, worked on all levels, even preschool.
Several scientific research studies have been made, showing significant improvements in just eight weeks. Results from controlled before-and-after studies show fewer emotional problems, less stress, improved peer relations and well being at school. A Norwegian study shows an improved ability to react with peace and non-violence in provoking situations; the students felt more empathy and developed group harmony with less aggression.
Any help or information you may have that would help them gain access to schools and school systems would be much appreciated. For more information see the Webpage: www.dreamofthegood.org.

Remembering Anthony
A couple of simple gatherings were held in October to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Anthony’s death.
In preparation for this event, a list of questions was generated including: If the rest of the world could know only one thing that you know about Anthony, what would you want that to be? If a biography was written about Anthony, what do you think would absolutely have to be included? What drew you to Anthony? How are you living differently today than you might be if you hadn’t crossed paths with him? What are you most grateful for?
Although the event has passed, we’d still love to hear what you might be willing to share. If you’d like to tell some story or stories about any of these things, or something along these lines, write it down (or record your story in an audio format) and send it to WG, or email wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

Karma and Grace
In October, Avery Solomon led a seminar “Karma and Grace: Practices for Living, Loving and Dying.” The theme raised questions: How does practice lead to enlightenment? How does Karma work for us? How can we invite Grace? How to be in the world but not of the world?

Fireman’s Fair
Every shift had enough people and folks seemed on the whole to be having a pretty good time. The late Saturday shift was the only one seriously dampened by the weather. A fairly heavy rainstorm made for many fewer than hoped-for attendance. Folks hung on for the fireworks, which many found quite impressive. We were cleaned up and gone by midnight or so. Quite a few unannounced pies turned up through the three days. With that, in addition to June’s marathon pie making and the slow late shift, we actually had pies left over. That meant we had enough to give a pie to three of the fair organizers and one to Joe Dell, who grows the corn we’ve been serving all these years. We earned about $2500 for the fire department and Mike Hicks, head of the Fire Department, again said how much they all appreciate us.

Michael Hall
Michael Hall’s Teaching Day in September focused on the work of Paul Brunton. People came from near and far to hear Michael’s teaching. We’d like to thank Gudren Schlief, Cindy Stillman, and Greg Kramer for their help in putting on this event.

Money/Meeting
The Annual Meeting was held on Sunday November 8. After reports on classes, buildings and grounds, and so on, we discussed the future of WG in general terms, and then looked at the budget.
Members and friends should know that donations and dues were down last year and we ended up spending about $6000 more than we took in.

Dreamwork
Robert Bosnak gave a workshop in September entitled “Embodied Imagination” and gave a talk with Jill Fischer on a new method of dreamwork that is done in pairs. This method is presented in their forthcoming book Swapping Dreams.
Robert Bosnak offers workshops using his pioneering method of Embodied Dreamwork to re-enter dreams, deepen our experience of the images and integrate them into a body-based composite. His annual visit to the Ithaca area is an exciting event for lovers of the world of deep imagination.

The Metaphysical Chart
In this year’s Astronoesis Summer Studies over Labor Day weekend we explored the Astronoesis section “The One: Symbolization.” There were slide shows and provocative discussions; we read the text and went through the associated diagrams. We explored the components of the metaphysical chart /astrological mandala, the One-Only as first house, the Dyad, and the Triad, and Fourfold. There seemed to be special interest in the circle itself and also the fourfold, whether the four quadrants or rings of the metaphysical chart, or the nested fourfolds.
The evening sessions dovetailed with the daytime presentations. Herbert Shapiro presented his original paper “Symbol and the One” and Lenny Silver presented his exquisite star movies and his paper “Why 360?” (Both are now on the WG website). A panel consisting of Harriet Eisman, Linda Ruth, Herbert Shapiro, and Michael Wakoff exchanged ideas on the topic “Why the Metaphysical Chart?”
Most sessions were facilitated by members of the Astronoesis class: Greg Kramer, David Gallagher, and June Fritchman. MaryAnn Flory led the evening meditations, and Karim Mattar audio-recorded the sessions (available on the WG website). Thanks to everyone who came -- and thanks to Anthony himself for his kindness and insight.
The Summer Studies ’08 theme was “Number” and the following paper was written for that occasion.

Thoughts on Number by Herbert Shapiro

We are, we are told, Eternal born Soul. One integrally, and Real essentially, we enter here, into a world of magnitude and extension, mind and body. At first, we are ignorant of our natural place, then, incrementally perhaps, we shake off some of the forgetful sleep of non-remembrance and the confusion it brings. We then look around and begin to see. This world, we realize has gifted us place. This mind body, to be sure in this view a descent, is also a gifted place. We, now living in the world, have come to see, that we are ‘from’ that Real, and with a kind of intuitive certainty of the possibility of actual order and beauty, it behooves us to put right the disorders we find here; human society struggling as it does, as do we. As we begin to know, the quest to right and order the world can -- if it does -- become a quest to right and order ourselves. We turn, orienting in that righting, toward what is good for us, perhaps at first. If understanding furthers toward what is good in itself, then we can perhaps, see good for more than just self. The righting and the finding are, in this view, part of our inborn birthright. The Good, our good, our unity, what can even be called the God within, our essential nature, is imprinted on us by deep spiritual conception. Pure intelligence formed with our very Soul, includes Soul’s life and vision, powers, love, remembrance, capacity, sciences, arts and all order of structure that will become our life. That there is a reasoned science that helps lead toward the truths so promised, a science so conceived that leads to deeper intellection, knowledge by identity and more (means hither to unknown) is information passed to us by the wise of the past.
From ancient Egypt and Asia Minor to Greece, from Orpheus, Hermes, Zoroaster and the Magi, through Pythagoras, and Plato to Plotinus (where we stop for this consideration) a wisdom knowledge and science of number has been passed down to us, containing real, vital information about us and the world in which we live. The philosophies of these teachers are already arcane and no longer understood by modern consciousness. These philosophies contain within them the esoteric understanding that the world we live in is resident in a divinity that is One, the source of all; a Unity of divine Being, Idea, principle and powers. Further, the world thus understood, is an organized instantiation of Ideas, Powers, and immaterial Intelligences that form and regulate the world. These ancient philosophers assert that we can begin to grasp these ideas as mathematical intelligence: number; in various levels, as symbolized, in pattern, and processes to form geometries of existence as the world, - and subjectively, as the deep intellectual and moral structure of our own minds.
Plotinus’ The Enneads is inspired by and are commentary on Plato. Platonic science understands the world as Objective Idea, born of and rooted in the Good or the One. The Ideas, or Forms, manifest, structure, sustain and guide the Universe. The Ideas, the deep universal intelligences are Real, Eternal and are with Power. How the Ideas are in the One, how they come out of the One, how they structure existence, how they are structured as such, are some of the problems that the ancient philosophies see fit to address and try to answer. In the Platonic/Plotinian view the Forms are Number. The deep Intelligences, are not simply symbolized by Number, they are Number and more. The problem of how the unified, simply whole One gives rise to the multiple Forms themselves, and how the Forms unfold in and as a variegated universe is a fundamental problem for any philosophy engaged in trying to understand the world and man’s place in it. It is sought to be solved in this view, through understanding the world ‘Here’ and the world ‘There’ as Mathematical Ideas of number and it’s various expressions.
Science, understood here as Reasoning on the Real, uses symbol as its medium of meaning. Number is most effective symbol. When we seek to relate by representing one order to another, or even parts of this order, in meaning terms, we symbolize. In symbols, equivalences either real or devised are used. Language, music, writing, drawing, arts, the sciences use number or its products in their symbolizing. Number as symbolic of itself, is peculiar in that the numbers we use as symbols are close to and continuous with what is symbolized. The unseen world of the Real, ‘There’, and the world of the sensible, ‘Here’, are capable of intersecting through number, intimate through closeness with their origin. The world as shown forth, sprung from principle, is the most natural of symbols to represent that principial world. It is number in its symbol forms that give accounting of this world, its parts, and hopefully its source. We are well aware, that there is almost no experience in this world without number or its products. Number being in fact the unifying concept of what we call forms in substance, life ‘Here”.
Anthony’s work is a sophisticated Symbolic representation of this mathematics, of both Plato’s and Plotinus’ deep philosophic work. The astounding nature of the Astrological Charts and their capacity for disclosing the workings of the Cosmos ever thrill the imagination and enlighten. Anthony unfolded a world view that permits us to schematize, and aspire to start to make sense of what the Platonic masters were trying to impart: How a Transcendent Unity becomes a multifaceted universe containing all that we know of the objective visible world and to begin to articulate an understanding of the principles that structure the world.
For Plato, and this is the cause that Plotinus takes up, the Ideas, of and in The One, are most real, not visible, and are knowable by a deep intelligence beyond Reason. They are the causes of the structured orderings of the phenomenal world in all its processes. Their powers are the structuring, and are in the structuring. The Arithmetization of the Forms, is Plato’s attempt to ‘save’ phenomena, balancing as he does between chaos of sheer multiplicity and a static sense of motionless Eternal Being. For Plato echoing the Pythagorean view, number and its geometrics – circles, lines, angles, triangles, squares, are not simply quantity and measure, but carry the qualitative intelligence of the invisible transcendent Form-Ideas or, Essential or pre-Essential Number. Phenomena and any human mind apprehending the phenomena, are the products of the Form/Numbers. As such to the extent that we, as human Souls, participate in this numbered world, morality and knowledge are possible. Life itself is possible because of the power of the forms and their unfoldment.
“On Number”, begins with the supposition that our suffering equates with multiplicity. For us this is our grasping of the multiplicity of the unlimited infinity of non- being. Now, as we have become manifold, we have forgotten ourselves and tend toward the multiple, toward extension and magnitude (inherent existence if you will). We live this way, extended out from ourselves. As such we suffer. To the extent that we retain ourselves, our unity, our simplicity, to the extent we remain in ourselves, suffering ends. This return to the unified, to Essence, is possible, as we are part of the Cosmos. Knowledge, evolution and development are now possible. We are educated by the Universe and by our participation in it. The Mathematical forms in mind and those in the world are both sourced from the same transcendent Forms. This sourcing, at once makes possible any knowledge in and of the world, but, closer still speaks to a capacity for intimacy with the inner being of the world.
It is not quite expected at the outset, however the intuition tantalizes, that a timeless order, belonging to the Unity and Being of the universe, the Divinity, becomes available through the Mathematical Forms and our training in them.
A door opens in to this real world, through number.
Science as such now, postulates no principial level of number. It seeks through and uses mathematics to try to find a unifying idea to incorporate all. Unified field understanding, becomes an attempt, here to grasp there. For science, there is no there to be grasped. A problem. The inversion of the intuition precludes the end. General relativity speaking of the vast, quantum mechanics of the small, speak different languages. Through this kind of science we cannot find the one language we intuitively know is there, the deep coherence. Perhaps we have not thought deeply enough. The mathematics have not come to the fore. But whatever this unified theory will be, it will not bring that sense of universal sympathy, the non-dual basis of our life, the ground of our astrological existence. This preexistent Unity, Forms, Ideas, Number, in non-dual relation, permits us to live in a world that is ordered.
Our evolution is our ordering in a world amenable to order. The Good Truth and Beauty of the Absolute conceived this way is now available to us. We just have to be still.

If we use an analogy:
you have the lights on, you see the pole.
I shut the lights off, you say you see nothing.

Seeing goes on in both cases.
In one case you see nothing,
in the other case you see the pole.
But seeing itself, in the analogy I’m using,
seeing corresponds to
transcendental insight.

Reality can’t disappear
just because appearances disappear.
Insight always remains. It’s always there. -- Anthony Damiani

Isadora Leidenfrost's film "Creating Buddhas".

2009-05-18T04:10:00.000-07:00

Free screening of Isadora Gabrielle Leidenfrost's new documentary film "Creating Buddhas".

Where: Wisdom's Goldenrod

When: Sat. June 6th 7:30pm

“Creating Buddhas” is an hour long documentary about a western woman who creates Buddhas out of silk. Fabric thangka is a silk embroidered and appliquéd art form in Tibetan Buddhism. Fabric thangka is so rare that in some places it is only seen once a year. Trained in Dharamsala, for nine years, Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo is one of the few female makers in world. She became a master of a male tradition and we see fabric thangka through feminine eyes.

For more information or to view the trailer: www.creatingbuddhas.com

The Goldenrod Spring 2009

2009-05-18T03:02:00.000-07:00

The Goldenrod Spring 2009

In one sense, we have never left the divine Source, never lost our divine identity. – Paul Brunton

CURRENT CLASSES

Monday
Astronoesis (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) The class is studying Astronoesis, pp. 46-75, “The One: Symbolization,” Anthony’s overview of the metaphysical chart/astrological mandala. We are also now exploring Kabbalah and the sephirothic tree and its relation to Anthony’s metaphysics. All are welcome, including occasional attendees. Contact June at ifnisworld@yahoo.com.

Monday School (meets once a month) This is an easy-going but structured class intended for children. Activities include sitting silently, yoga, songs, stories, snack, crafts, and outdoor play. Contact Madhurima at 546-2094, if your family would like to attend,

Tuesday
Gentle Svaroopa Yoga (5:30 to 7:00 pm, Main Building) These Svaroopa style Yoga classes are devoted to developing that inner knowing, through poses that open and release your spine. Wear warm, loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Contact Caroline at 351-1962.

Buddhism (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) This class is studying Hubert Benoit’s The Supreme Doctrine: Psychological Studies in Zen Thought. Recently the class has also been reading material by Rudolph Steiner. All are welcome. Contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com or Lou at desarno@htva.net.

Emerging Teachers of the One (7:30 pm, Main Building) We’re reading from I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj, going over videos of Nondual teachers from conscious.tv and a TV show Never Not Here (most recently A. H. Almaas and Rupert Spira) and listening to tapes of Adyashanti (The End of Your World), Gangaji (Who am I), etc. Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Wednesday
Plotinus’ Enneads (7:45-10 pm, Library) After about 45 minutes of meditation, we read and discuss sections from the Enneads. Currently we are reading “The Knowing Hypostasis and the Transcendent” (V.3) All are welcome. Contact Herbert at 277-5685.

Thursday
Meditation with Raphael and Discussions on
the Quest (4:15-6:45 pm, Library) We start with a reading as a seed for meditation, and then discuss our own journeys on the path. All are welcome. Contact Avery at 546-7300 or aps5@cornell.edu.

PB Class (7:30 pm, Library or Main Building)
We have been studying Paul Brunton’s paras and transcripts of Anthony’s commentaries on them. Contact Martha or Sam at 582-6777.

Sunday
Egyptian Goddesses (meets twice a month) We are beginning a study of the Egyptian Goddessess using two books as a framework: The Myth of the Goddess by A. Baring and J. Cashford, and The Passion of Isis and Osiris by J. Huston. Contact Barbara at 387-6303.
“Oh my mother Nut,
Stretch your wings over me.
Let me become like the imperishable stars,
Like the indefatigable stars.”

Katha Upanishad (evening, Tim and Karen Smith’s home) This class is working on the Katha Upanishad, which deals with death and what survives death. We also touch upon the beautiful verses of The Bhagavad Gita. Our starting time alternates every other week, and the gathering includes meditation sessions, plus a dish-to-pass supper every other week. To confirm starting time contact Kira at kiralallas@yahoo.com

TO FATHOM THE UNFATHOMABLE: Inquiry into Reality and Appearance
Join us for two Saturday Seminars led by Avery Solomon. All are welcome to share inquiry, inspiration and meditation with friends of spiritual philosophy. Readings provided.

May 2: INFINITY AND THE IMAGINATION
Imaginative meditations shift our view of space, time and causality. Mathematical metaphors open our imagination to the infinite. Poetic writings from ancient and modern sages point to the paradoxes of reality.

May 30: EMANATION AND OMNIPRESENCE
How the Ideas come to Valois. “You are becoming Wisdom.” --Anthony Damiani

Saturday 10 am - 5 pm with 8 am meditation and 9 am breakfast. On Saturday evening join us for dinner, chanting, music and video. Sunday morning after seminar 9:30 -11. Suggested donation for non-members is $20 and includes breakfast and lunch. For information or to register, please contact Avery aps5@cornell.edu or 607-546-7300.

“I do not negate the world. I see it as appearing
in consciousness, which is the totality of the
known in the immensity of the unknown.”
-- Nisargatta I Am That
–

COMMUNITY EVENTS

SPRING CLEAN UP
A workday is planned for May 16 starting about 9 am. There are many things to do both indoors and out. Come join us as we spruce the place up.

IN HONOR OF ELLA MAY
We will have a community picnic at the Center on the 4th of July to remember Ella May and to celebrate (belatedly) her birthday.

FIREMAN’S FAIR
Hector Fireman's Fair is July 23-25. Come have fun and raise money for our local fire department. Volunteer to fry fries and more at the WG booth.
“CREATING BUDDHAS”
Come see a free screening of “Creating Buddhas: The Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas,” a new film by Isadora Gabrielle Leidenfrost. It will be shown at 7:30 on June 6.
“Creating Buddhas” is an hour long documentary about a western woman who creates Buddhas out of silk. Fabric thangka is a silk embroidered and appliquéd art form in Tibetan Buddhism and is so rare that in some places it is only seen once a year. Trained in Dharamsala for nine years, Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo is one of the few female makers in world. She became a master of a male tradition and we see fabric thangka through feminine eyes. For more information or to view the trailer visit: www.creatingbuddhas.com

NONDUALISM
Bart Marshall, a nondualist teacher in the Richard Rose lineage, will be at Wisdom’s Goldenrod June 12-14. For more information contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

MEDITATION RETREAT EVENT
Sunim, a Korean Buddhist master, will arrive at the center acompanied by another monk and the archer Hyoung Wan Kim. Sunim will be on retreat June 8-19 but will participate in daily evening meditation in the Main Building from 5:30-6:30 pm starting June 9 and will make himself available if anyone wants to have a private interview with him.

SCHEDULE FOR THE WORKSHOP:
Friday, June 19
7 - 9 pm: Meditation (40 minute sitting meditation,
followed by 20 minute stretching, 1 hour Q & A)

Saturday, June 20
9 - 11 am: Meditation (as above)
11 am – 2 pm: Lunch break
2 - 4 pm: Archery demonstration and practice
4 - 7 pm: Dinner break
7 - 9 pm: Meditation (as above)

Sunday, June 21
9 - 11 am: Meditation (as above)
2 - 4 pm: Archery practice (for those interested)

For more information, or if you would like to help organize this event, please contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com.
SATSANG MEDITATION RETREAT
with Korean Grand Master Jin Yeo, July 15-19
The Grand Master is not well-known to the public, since she hasn’t accepted any newspaper or television interviews. She has a Meditation Center in the mountains near Seoul where Hae-Tal and other meditation classes are offered to a wide variety of people including students and CEO’s.
Hae-Tal has to do with noticing the states of mind that cause problems in your life, looking into them thoroughly, then throwing them away, one by one. This way of meditating will be explored in depth during the meditation retreat.
Open to the public, the retreat will consist of lectures, question and answer sessions, and meditation periods. Meditation may include drawing, music, water, nature, mantra, and bowing. Participants keep a private notebook and complete a “mind diary.” The Grand Master usually meets individually with each participant, often giving personal meditation assignments.
A student says, “Since participating in the course, mentalism has changed from being an idea read about in books to something I experience and work with in my day-to-day life. My experience has motivated me to maintain an ongoing daily meditation practice. Also, I’ve been able to let go of a lot of fears and negative thinking.”
The meditation retreat will start Wednesday evening at 7 pm. The daily schedule beging with breakfast at 7 am, and lecture at 8:30. Participants bring their own sleeping bags and sleep in the Main Building. All meals will be provided during the retreat. Usually participants take turns helping with meal preparation and cleanup. The food will be simple vegetarian meals, including some Korean dishes. The participation fee is $400 per person for this retreat, the same amount as in Korea. Full participation is considered very important in order to fully understand Satsang meditation. Sleeping at the meditation place and eating together is also strongly recommended. (If you can’t attend all five days, then Friday evening through Sunday is also possible.)
For more information or to register contact Karen K. Smith, kks3@lightlink.com, 607-592-1462 or Songeun Lee (who will translate during the retreat) sl446@cornell.edu, 607-342-4168.
The Grand Master will offer a second retreat at Cornell July 22-26.

MEDITATION DAYS
Special meditation days were held on the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. We gathered to meditate at 3, 4 and 5 pm. The Summer Solstice meditations will be on Sunday June 21.

THE QUESTION OF FREE WILL
Alan Wallace, Tibetan Buddhist scholar, will give a public talk at the Center on Thursday July 9 from 7 - 9 pm. The topic is “The Question of Free Will: A Buddhist Perspective.”
On the evening of July 10 in Ithaca (exact location and time to be announced), Alan will give the first lecture in the Victor Mansfield Memorial Speaker Series sponsored by Namgyal Monastery. He’ll be offering a weekend workshop at Namgyal on July 11-12.
Please contact Elaine Mansfield at elaine@lightlink.com for the Center event and Namgyal Monastery at office@namgyal.org for the other events.

THE METAPHYSICAL CHART
There will be an Astronoesis Summer Studies Intensive over Labor Day weekend. “The Metaphysical Chart: Astrology’s Transcendental Ground.”
This workshop will run FRIDAY evening, September 4, through SUNDAY evening, September 6 with an add-on to be announced on Monday morning, September 7.
If you have questions or are considering attending, please contact June Fritchman ifnisworld@yahoo.com or Greg Kramer grkramer@twcny.rr.com (phone 607-387-5536 for either, leave message on answering machine).

DREAMWORK
Robert Bosnak, eminent Dreamworker, will be at the Center September 11-13. Contact Harriet Eisman hcl26@logical.net. More information will follow as the time gets closer.

VISITING
To find out about visiting or staying at Wisdom’s Goldenrod, please contact us at 607-546-7777 or wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

The idea of meditation is to teach your mind to
be very calm, very quiet and go into itself.
–Anthony Damiani

Calendar of Upcoming Events – Details inside:
May 2 Infinity and the Imagination, Avery Solomon
May 16 Spring workday
May 30 Emanation and Omnipresence, Avery Solomon
June 6 Thangka film, Isa Leidenfrost
June 9-18 Daily meditation with Sunim
June 12-14 Nondualist Bart Marshall
June 19 -21 Meditation workshop, Sunim
June 21 Solstice meditation
July 4 Community picnic in honor of Ella May
July 9 The Question of Free Will, Alan Wallace
July 15-19 Meditation Retreat, Grand Master Jin Yeo
July 23-25 Fireman’s Fair
September 4-6/7 Astronoesis Summer Studies:
Metaphysical Chart
September 11-13 Dreamworker Robert Bosnak

Wisdom’s Goldenrod
Center for Philosophic Studies
5801 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841
www.wisdomsgoldenrod.org

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Upcoming Events at Wisdom's Goldenrod

2009-05-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

Isadora Leidenfrost will show her film "Creating Buddhas:The Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas", the weekend of June 6. Standby for details.

Bart Marshall, in the Richard Rose lineage, will be here June 12 - 14, 2009. Contact More information as the time gets closer. Mark is the contact.

Sunim a Korean Buddhist master, and 2 Monks will be at the Center from June 6 - 19th. He will do a workshop June 19 -21 at the Center. More info as time gets closer. Contact Andrew Holmes, who will putting out more information.

Summer Solstice Meditations June 21. Maybe with Sunim?

We will have a July 4th picnic at the Center to celebrate (belatedly) the birthday of remember Ella May.

Alan Wallace, Tibetan Buddhist Scholar, will be at the Center July 8- 10, giving a public talk at The Center, Thursday July 9. He will beat Namgyal July 10 -12. Contact info through Elaine Mansfield.

Grandmaster Jin Yeo, a Korean Buddhist will be here July 15 -19. Karen Smith is the contact.

There will a Summer Studies this year around Labor Day. Dates and topic information to follow, as time gets closer.

Robert Bosnak, eminent Dreamworker, will be at The Center, September 11-13. Contact Michael and Harriet Eisman. Info announcement will follow as time gets closer.

2009-05-13T03:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday Seminars

2009-04-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

Join us for three SATURDAY SEMINARS, April 4, May 2, May 30
TO FATHOM THE UNFATHOMABLE…*

- inquiry into reality and appearance guided by masters
Led by Avery Solomon: at Wisdom’s Goldenrod Philosophic Center in Hector

APRIL 4. THE NO-BIRTH OF THE UNIVERSE: space-time-causality

Modern cosmology helps us dismantle some of our old views of space-time-causality-appearance.

Inspired writings from ancient and modern sages point to deeper mysteries and paradox of experience.

Imaginative meditations help us to explore and harmonize self and cosmos.

“Beneath two successive thought-moments …is Mind, the occult link..” Paul Brunton Wisdom of the Overself.

Our Saturdays follow three stages on the path of world enquiry: seeing through appearances; disentangling reality; recognizing the presence of reality. Readings provided.

All are welcome to share inquiry, inspiration and meditation with friends of spiritual philosophy

SATURDAY May 2: INFINITY AND THE IMAGINATION: mathematical metaphors to see the real is continuous with appearance…“I do not negate the world. I see it as appearing in consciousness, which is the totality of the known in the immensity of the unknown.” Nisargadatta.

SATURDAY May 30: EMANATION AND PARTICIPATION. How the Ideas come to Valois. “You are becoming Wisdom… by experiencing the World-Idea” Anthony Daminai.

***

Saturdays: 10am-5pm… Early meditation 8am and breakfast 9am.

Saturday evening join us for dinner, chanting, music and video.

Suggested donation for non-members is $20: includes lunch and breakfast.

Wisdom’s Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies. 5801 Rt. 414. Hector. NY

For info or to register, please contact Avery at aps5@cornell.edu or 607 546 7300.

“after all the greatest joy that a human being can have is to try to fathom the unfathomable.” ---Anthony Damiani 3/12/82

"The Secret of the I" Seminar

2008-11-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please join us for our second SATURDAY Seminar--DEC. 6-- a day of discussion, healing and meditation facilitated by Avery Solomon.

THE SECRET OF THE I: "Who do you think you are?" "Who do you KNOW you are, and are pretending not to be?"

Join our journey through a spectrum of consciousness from I-thought to I-Am. Our main guide is chapter 6 of Paul Brunton's Wisdom of the Overself, supplemented with transcripts of classes with Anthony Damiani and paras from Nisargadatta Maharaj and Eckhart Tolle. We explore these pointers to reality through discussion, stillness meditation, and shared experiences.

WHERE: Wisdom's Goldenrod Philosophic Center on Lake Seneca.
WHEN: Meditation 8am; Breakfast 9am; Seminar 10am; Lunch 1pm; Seminar 2:30-5pm Saturday evening join us for dinner, chanting, music and video.

Suggested donation for non-members is $20: includes lunch and breakfast. Please leave a message for Avery at 607 546 7300, or contact aps5@cornell.edu (so we can plan lunch).

2008-11-17T06:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
About 40 years ago when Anthony had just opened the American Brahman Bookstore I got together a puppet show to help with the rent at the store. I remember very little about the performance except that John Leidenfrost helped with the puppets and Lenny was somewhere in the audience.
But what I do remember is there were many things wrong with the show and for the past 40 years I have been mulling over how it could have been better. So this is the new improved version and if anyone is interested, here are the particulars.
Gillian

A Weekend with Stuart Schwartz

2008-10-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

A Weekend with Stuart Schwartz

A well-known Nondual teacher from NYC, Boynton Beach, FL and Sedona, AR. He gives teaching events in New York, Ireland, France, Switzerland, UK, Florida, North Carolina, California and more.

http://www.satsangwithstuart.com/

"Satsang with Stuart means Silence - a Presence so palpable that mind cannot obscure it. Satsang with Stuart means dialogue - question and answer - at once suggestive and supportive, in which the sharp sword of discrimination, gleaming with light, is handed to and wielded by all in the circle who would take it. Satsang with Stuart neither harbors sacred cows nor recognizes forbidden taboos. If you'd like to get rid of something or somethings that aren't really you, come along and sit in the circle...."

Author of "The Great Undoing"

Satsang 7:30-9:30 Friday Nov. 14 - $15 open - no registration necessary

Intensives 10am-4:30 Sat 10/15 (catered lunch available)

Evening: Kirtan at Foundation of Light

Sun 10am-4:30 10/16 Brunch at local cafes, wineries and restaurants or BYO or go home for lunch.

$60-$100 per day sliding scale fee based on affordability

at Wisdom's Goldenrod

5801 NYS Rte 414

Hector, NY 14841

www.wisdomsgoldenrod.org

contact: Wisdom's Goldenrod: 546-7777

or Mark Scorelle 280-7785 for more info

His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche

2008-09-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

Practices for Dream Yoga Retreat

SPONSORED by and PRESENTED at

Wisdom's Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies
with
His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche
Introductory Session:
Thursday, October 2
Talk by Rinpoche 9:00 am
Brunch 11:00 am -1:00 pm

Full Day Retreat
Friday, October 3
9:30 am -12:00 pm
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
5:00 pm Meditation
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Open Talk by Rinpoche

Khamtrul Rinpoche, born in Tibet in 1928, became abbot of a monastery at a young age (as its tulku), and walked into exile in India following the Dalai Lama in 1961. He became the physician and head of a settlement community in India, and later rose to serve the Tibetan government-in-exile in the highly respected position of Secretary of Religious Affairs. In 1986, the Dalai Lama asked Rinpoche to come out of retirement to preside over important religious practices in the major monastery at Dharamsala. And in 1991, Khamtrul Rinpoche opened, in India, his own monastery and dharma center, Chime Gatsal Ling. Khamtrul Rinpoche travels worldwide to give talks and teachings. He is beloved as a great visionary and master of the

ancient Dzogchen tradition.

Suggested donation: $10 brunch Thursday. $10 dinner Friday. Plus a contribution toward Rinpoche's monastery. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH ON FRIDAY.

All proceeds will benefit Chime Gatsal Ling Monastery & Dharma Center in India

For further information, contact Nanci at 315-585-6701 or nancirr@rochester.rr.com

[Give the address and directions to WG]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ON THURSDAY EVENING AT 7 PM, JOIN US IN THE CHAPEL AT ANABEL TAYLOR HALL, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, FOR:

A SHORT FILM, TALK AND TEA WITH THE MASTER

Featuring Khamtrul Rinpoche describe his visionary dream of Shambhala. The Thursday presentation Sponsored by: Cornell United Religious Work, Wisdom's Goldenrod, Namgyal Institute, Snow Lion Publications, The Tibetan Association

Number: The Secret to the Mystery of the One and the Many A Philosophic Perspective

2008-08-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Number: The Secret to the Mystery of the One and the Many A Philosophic Perspective - Labor Day weekend: Thursday evening August 28 through lunch on Monday, September 1. The focus of this workshop is the deeper metaphysical meaning of number including levels of number and how individual numbers represent different ways of organizing our understanding. The morning sessions will look in depth at Anthony Damiani's text on Number in Astronoesis.
The program will begin on Thursday evening with Herbert Shapiro on Number and Plotinus. This discussion will go to the heart of number as an ordering principle.
Friday evening Cindy Stillman will do a presentation on The Hidden Treasures of Pythagoras. Cindy will cover Pythagoras' incredible life, his remarkable students, his profound philosophy and his penetrating insights into the importance of number.
On Saturday David Henderson will present Images of Infinity in Mathematics. This talk will include various guided experiences of infinity and will discuss the (failed) attempts of mathematics to define the number (cardinality) of all infinities. We will include an
experience of geometric duality, which relates the Infinite that surrounds us as we look out from our isolated point of view to the Infinite within us that we search for inwardly.
Avery Solomon has entitled his Sunday talk "Magical Mystery Tour of Number" and explains, "We'll explore a qualitative view of numbers, then meet a few numbers which help us see and listen to our world differently. Brahman is Ineffable, Maya is Inscrutable, Number is Intelligible."
All are welcome to any part of this event. For more details see page 3 of this newsletter

Current Classes

2008-08-02T05:43:00.001-07:00

CURRENT CLASSES

Monday

Astronoesis (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) Through late August the class is studying the "Interlude on Number" in preparation for Labor Day Summer Studies, during which class members will be presenting the Astronoesis text in the mornings.

There will be short Symposium papers presented on Labor Day evening, Sept. 1st in lieu of regular class. Details TBA. After Labor Day the class will continue looking at Number in the
context of the symbolization of the Metaphysical Chart, specifically Astronoesis sections: The One: Symbolization and The Intellectual-Principle. New or occasional attendance is always welcome -- some great discussions.
Contact June at ifnisworld@yahoo.com

Monday School (meets once a month) Activities are intended for children from birth to age 9 and include sitting silently, yoga, songs, stories, crafts, and outdoor play. If your family would like to attend,
contact Madhurima at 546-2094.

Tuesday

Introduction to Emptiness (7:30-9:30 pm, Library) This class is following G. Newland's Introduction to Emptiness. All are welcome.
Contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com or Lou at desarno@htva.net.

Simple Svaroopa Yoga (5:30 to 7:00 pm, Library) These gentle Svaroopa style Yoga classes are devoted to developing that inner knowing through poses that open and release your spine. The asanas or poses are combined with quotes from the sage Shankaracharya, which bring the ancient truths to life in today's modern world. Wear loose fitting warm comfortable clothing. Blankets and props are provided.
Contact Caroline at 351-1962.

Emerging Teachers of the One (7:30 pm, Main Building) We are reading from I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj and going over videos of various teachers from Youtube and a Chicago TV show called Never Not Here. Also we listen to tapes of Adyashanti, Gangaji, etc.
Contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com.

Wednesday

Plotinus' Enneads (7:45-10 pm, Library) This class begins with about 45 minutes of meditation, followed by reading from the Enneads and discussion. Currently the class is reading "The Immortality of the Soul." All are welcome.
Contact Herbert at 277-5685.

Thursday

Meditation with Raphael and Discussions on the Quest (4:15-6:45 pm, Library) We start with a reading as a seed for meditation, and then discuss our own journeys on the path. Right now we are using paras on disentangling and integrating awareness. All are welcome to the meditation and discussion. Bring your issues and questions on the quest.
Contact Avery at 546-7300 or aps5@cornell.edu.

PB Class (7:30 pm, Library or Main Building) This class has been studying Paul Brunton paras and transcripts of Anthony's commentaries on them.
Contact Martha or Sam at 582-6777.

Sunday

Katha Upanishad (evening, Tim and Karen Smith's home) This class continues to work on the Katha Upanishad, which deals with death and what survives death. We are just beginning part 2 which resembles Paul Brunton's The Quest of the Overself in many aspects as a more directly practical means of verifying the teachings presented in the first half. Every third week we will begin to touch upon the beautiful verses of The Bhagavad Gita. Our starting time alternates every other week, and the gathering includes meditation sessions, plus a dish-to-pass supper every other week. To confirm starting time and evening's focus contact Kira at kiralallas@yahoo.com.

Orpheus (meets twice a month) This class is studying the myths of Orpheus using Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus as a framework. We've just completed reading the first part of the sonnets. As we approach the second part we're exploring ideas in the various myths about Orpheus.
Contact Barbara at 387-6303.

The Goldenrod Summer 2008

2008-08-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Goldenrod Summer 2008

Philosophy is broad-based, as big as life itself; it finds proper due for all the different aspects in life; it finds their proper evaluation or their proper place. – Anthony Damiani

COMING EVENTS

Number: The Secret to the Mystery of the One and the Many A Philosophic Perspective - Labor Day weekend: Thursday evening August 28 through lunch on Monday, September 1. The focus of this workshop is the deeper metaphysical meaning of number including levels of number and how individual numbers represent different ways of organizing our understanding. The morning sessions will look in depth at Anthony Damiani's text on Number in Astronoesis.
The program will begin on Thursday evening with Herbert Shapiro on Number and Plotinus. This discussion will go to the heart of number as an ordering principle.
Friday evening Cindy Stillman will do a presentation on The Hidden Treasures of Pythagoras. Cindy will cover Pythagoras' incredible life, his remarkable students, his profound philosophy and his penetrating insights into the importance of number.
On Saturday David Henderson will present Images of Infinity in Mathematics. This talk will include various guided experiences of infinity and will discuss the (failed) attempts of mathematics to define the number (cardinality) of all infinities. We will include an
experience of geometric duality, which relates the Infinite that surrounds us as we look out from our isolated point of view to the Infinite within us that we search for inwardly.
Avery Solomon has entitled his Sunday talk "Magical Mystery Tour of Number" and explains, "We'll explore a qualitative view of numbers, then meet a few numbers which help us see and listen to our world differently. Brahman is Ineffable, Maya is Inscrutable, Number is Intelligible."
All are welcome to any part of this event. For more details see page 3 of this newsletter

Benefit Concert
Nicholas Walker, double bass player extraordinaire, has agreed to do a benefit at Leidenfrost's Winery on Sunday, August 10 at starting at 6:30 pm. Save the date -- the last performance was great.

Embodied Dreamwork
on September 4-6 Jungian analyst Robert Bosnak will offer his unique method of dreamwork, exploring the hypnagogic state between waking and dreaming.
There is a fee for this event and group size is limited so pre-registration is required. For more information contact Michael and Harriet Eisman eisman@capital.net or 607-582-6204. For more information on Robert Bosnak see the website
www.cyberdreamwork.com/rbosnak.html.

Meditation Day
There will be a series of meditations to mark the Fall Equinox on September 21 starting at 3, 4, 5, and 6 pm. All are welcome.

Khamtrul Rinpoche
We are honored to announce that His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche will be teaching at the center this fall. At this point we expect him to be in Ithaca from October 10-14. For details, or if you'd like to help with Rinpoche's visit, please contact Nanci Rose at 315-585-6701
or nancirr@rochester.rr.com.

Enjoying Pathways to Reality:
Theory and Practice of Philosophic Yoga
All are welcome to join us for two Saturday gatherings facilitated by Avery Solomon on October 25 and December 6. We will discuss essential readings from great masters, which point us to
reality, as well as stillness meditation practice and wholeness healing. Saturdays 8 am - 5 pm, plus Saturday evening we'll share chanting, music and video, with continued meditations on Sunday morning. Suggested donation for non-members is $25 and includes lunch and breakfasts. Please let us know if you are interested so we can plan -- leave a message for Avery at 607-546-7300 or contact wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

Stuart Schwartz
Stuart Schwartz, a nondual teacher, is visiting Wisdom's Goldenrod on the weekend of November 14. Several WG members have met with him and are very happy he is coming to speak and meditate with us. The details are forthcoming, but we expect extended conversations
on Nondual realization over the weekend. His website says a lot -- check it out at http://www.satsangwithstuart.com/about.htm.

More about the Workshop on Number
The daily schedule for the Labor Day program begins at 8 am with morning meditation, followed by breakfast, morning session and lunch, with various optional afternoon activities. Evening sessions begin at 5 pm with meditation and light supper, and the evening talks begin at 7:30. The cost of the entire program is $225 and includes meals.
Scholarships are available: please inquire. If you can't come to the whole program, please feel free to drop in (and give a donation). To register or for further information contact June at
ifnisworld@yahoo.com.

Recent Workshops
In May, Avery Solomon held a Saturday seminar on the theory and application of ultramystic meditations -- disentangling and integrating reality and appearance.

In June, Timothy Smith and Kira Lallas led a workshop drawing on the information and revelations in Paul Brunton's A Search in Secret Egypt. This workshop explored the myth of Osiris, which PB understands as a living symbol of the ego's true death and the awakening of the soul. Through engagement with the Osiris myth we create the opportunity to experience its initiation into awareness of our living immortality.

In July, Jeff Cox, Avery Solomon and Mark Scorelle presented their insights into "Nondualism and the Path to Awakening." Jeff looked at nonduality, then at obstacles to nondual realization such as thinking, "I am the doer, I decide." He also offered some meditations that challenge the dual view. Avery used radical sayings from such great masters as Nisargadatta, Tolle and Brunton and looked at how thought leads beyond thought. Mark used various sources to piece together a picture of the goal of the spiritual quest. "Once It is seen clearly, then the first step to full realization has begun." The workshop ended with considering what realization isn't: common misunderstanding and false assumptions about Awakening and issues that come up after awakening. In the yoga tradition it is referred to as 'burning of the seeds in the heart.'

Also in July, we were honored to have the Korean meditation master Venerable Bohm Hugh Sunim lead an intensive meditation workshop at Wisdom's Goldenrod.

Regular Meditation Schedule
8:00 am every morning
5:30 pm on weekday evenings
5:00 pm on weekends

More about Khamtrul Rinpoche
Lozan Zopa, translator, editor and close student of our longtime spiritual friend in Dharamsala, His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche, is working on the second editing of Rinpoche's autobiography in English. They hope to have it completed when Rinpoche stays at the Center this fall. Below is an excerpt from a letter from Zopa dated 7/18/08: "Greetings from Taiwan. I am here with Rinpoche, His wife Khandroma and [their eldest son] Abhan Tulku. We'll be here until early August before going back to India. Rinpoche does plan to visit the US this fall...
"The best way for people to keep abreast of Rinpoche's movements will be through his website [which contains a few photos at Goldenrod] www.cglmonastery.com. It is ready for viewing but still under construction at present.
"Rinpoche will be leaving India on September 20, with New York City his first destination. He plans to teach at several places in the northeast, including NYC, Holyoke MA, Boston and of course Ithaca. We have not yet set the schedule though we hope to do so in the next few weeks. At this point (though it may change) Rinpoche will probably be in Ithaca from October 10-14. He would be happy to visit Wisdom's Goldenrod, as requested. I will write to Namgyal Institute after I send you this email, for they may also want to extend an invitation to Rinpoche.
"As we discussed some time ago, one of Rinpoche's main concerns at this point is establishing a sponsorship program for the monks of Chime Gatsal Ling. As such, in addition to the teaching program, we would like to organize a tea party with prospective sponsors. At the tea party, which Rinpoche will attend, I will show photos and give a brief (15-20 minute) presentation about the monastery and its monks. You can learn more about the monastery and this program on our website (www.cglmonastery.com).
"With warm wishes, Lozang Zopa"

It takes a little Grace to recognize that we are imprisoned within our own thoughts.
– Anthony Damiani

Vic Mansfield
Vic Mansfield, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Colgate University, died peacefully in Strong Memorial Hospital on June 3, after a valiant two-year struggle with lymphoma. He was 67 years old and is survived by his wife, Elaine; two sons, David and Anthony; and his mother, Virginia Pepitone. He will be greatly missed by many devoted friends, colleagues and students.
Vic was born March 7, 1941 in Norwalk, CT. He attended Dartmouth College and completed graduate studies at Cornell. Vic and Elaine married in 1968 and after a stint as encounter group leaders in California, they bought an old farmhouse with 70 acres of land in Hector in 1972. They were among the founding members of Wisdom's Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies in Valois, where they were students of Anthony Damiani and were later class leaders in their own right. Hector remained their primary and beloved home throughout the years that Vic taught at Colgate. In 2005, they celebrated their commitment to the beauty of the Finger Lakes by placing their land under a conservation easement with the Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Vic joined the Colgate faculty in 1973, armed with a Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics from Cornell University and burning interests in cosmology, computational methods and the conjunction of science and spirituality. In his 35 years at Colgate, he lectured in physics, astronomy, numerical analysis, and in all components of the Core Curriculum, inspiring students with his eloquence, enthusiasm, expertise and high expectations. Students consistently described his classes as rigorous and challenging, yet always a joy to attend. His Core: Tibet course was a perennial favorite with students, who called it transformative, citing Vic's passion, humor, and spontaneity. In April 2008, he was the co-recipient of the Sidney J. and Florence Felten French Prize for inspirational teaching. Vic's interest in understanding the universe was matched by his profound personal dedication to living the examined life. His deep connection to Tibetan Buddhism launched him on a scholarly quest to compare scientific thought with Buddhist teaching. His many years of studies resulted in numerous published articles as well as three highly regarded books. The latest, Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Science (2008, Templeton Foundation Press), was graced by an introduction written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and was presented by Vic to His Holiness during a visit to Colgate in April. This was the culmination of Vic's scholarly endeavors, the most poignant moment of his intellectual life. What could have been sweeter than the affectionate embrace bestowed on him by the Dalai Lama upon accepting Vic's final book? Vic felt that it was worth the physical struggle of the last months to receive this embrace and the French Prize for inspirational teaching.
A memorial service was held on June 8, at The Center. Memorial gifts may be made to Wisdom's Goldenrod or Namgyal Monastery (412 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850).

Gutso Hospital
Each year, the Tibetan recipients of our annual donation express deep appreciation. Generally our funds go toward much-needed medications. There has been a pronounced need this year. In his appeal of April 2, 2008, the Dalai Lama referred to "the provision of proper medical treatment" in Tibet, saying, "We are particularly concerned about the lack of adequate medical facilities." At Gutso Hospital, located on the Chinese side bordering Nepal, northeast of Kathmandu, the staff is comprised of Tibetans who serve other Tibetans in need of basic medical care. Contributions for '08 are accepted all summer. Write checks to Wisdom's Goldenrod with 'Gutso' on the memo line.
Thank you.

Residence and Retreats
Those members interested in a short or long stay at WG can contact us at 607-546-7777 or wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com. Recently several people have taken extended retreats at the center. James Ashmore stayed for a few months last spring. In June, Alpar Erdos (or Hapi as he prefers to be called) came to the center from Romania and Victoria Arenas came from Sweden.
Looking Ahead: Retreat in Ecuador
The Martin Buber Institute for Dialogical Ecology has extended an invitation to Nanci Rose to lead an 8-day retreat in the rainforest of Ecuador, November 15-22, 2009. An ongoing series, taking place primarily in South America, the Martin Buber retreats are professionally organized with strong focus on ecologically sound and comfortable living in the most beautiful natural settings. Retreats include compassionate interaction with indigenous communities, meetings with local holy people, and integration of Buddhist themes into workshop presentations. These retreats tend to fill quickly but the Buber Institute allows individuals known to retreat leaders an opportunity to register in advance of the general public.
It is hoped that Janet Wylde (massage therapist) and Caroline Hoover (Svaroopa yoga teacher) will accompany Nanci as staff members in Ecuador. More information is forthcoming on related websites. In the meantime, contact Caroline at Svaroopa1@yahoo.com for information.

WG Listserves
If you are not already receiving email announcements related to WG and would like to do so, please contact Greg Kramer at grkramer@twcny.rr.com or grk1@cornell.edu. There are two listserves: "goldenrod" for speakers, classes, events at WG itself or under its auspices elsewhere, or directly related to members – and "Goldenrod-Events" for art shows, concerts, personal announcements, or events at other centers. Please specify if you want to be on both listserves or only one (and which one).

Raphael Books
Ten of Raphael's books have now been translated into English and published by Aurea Vidya (www.vidya-ashramvidhyaorder.org) as a result of the hard work of our friends Carlo and Massimo. Please contact Alan or Gran* if you would like any of the following books or for more information about them: The Threefold Pathway of Fire, At the Source of Life, Beyond the Illusion of Ego, Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art), Orphism and the Initiatory Tradition, Atmabhoda, Initiation into the Philosophy of Plato, Vivekacudamani, Drgdrysaviveka, Mandukyakarika.
*alan@fltg.net or gran_rockett@yahoo.com or 387-3789

Fiftieth Fireman's Fair.
This July 24-26 was the 50th anniversary of the Hector Fireman's Fair. Thanks to all the volunteers and pie bakers for helping to make this a joyful and productive event for the local community. The firemen often help us (overflow parking and chairs for our bigger events) in addition to just being there for the community.

Affiliated Websites

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Publications

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Publications

Featured Content

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July Update 2008

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An Update from Wisdom's Goldenrod
July 20, 2008

COMMUNITY NEWS

Recent Workshops. Mark, Jeff and Avery did a great job in sharing and presenting their insights into "Nondualism and the Path to Awakening" during the July 4th weekend workshop. And many thanks to Andrew and Marie for their sponsorship of Sunim's July 11th weekend workshop on "Meditation in the Modern World". Both workshops were wonderful examples of all that Wisdom's Goldenrod has to offer to both longtime members and newcomers alike.

Come Meditate at The Center. It is a lovely time of the year to come out to Wisdom's Goldenrod. Regular times for meditations are 8:00am every day, and 5:30pm on weekdays/5:00pm on weekends.

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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

August 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, and September 1st: Astronoesis Workshop. Thursday evening meditation through Monday evening. This year's theme is "Number". June is the contact person. She may be reached at ifnisworld@yahoo.com.

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ONGOING CLASSES AT WISDOM'S GOLDENROD

Sundays:
Katha Upanishad is an evening class which meets at Tim and Karen Smith's home. This class continues to work on the Katha Upanishad, which deals with death and what survives death. This profound knowledge is learned from Yama, Lord of Death. Our starting time alternates every other week, and the gathering includes meditation session, plus a dish-to-pass supper every other week. Please contact Kira at kiralallas@yahoo.com for more information.

Orpheus, meets twice a month where the "Sonnets of Orpheus" are used to explore the myths of Orpheus. Please contact Barbara at 387-6303 for more information.

Mondays:
Monday School for children from birth to nine is held on the first Monday of every month. Please contact Madhurima at 546-2094 for more information.

Astronoesis, meets at 7:30 to 9:30 in the Main Building. This class is studying the "Interlude on Number", and is currently reading Plotinus' VI.6, "on Number"

Tuesdays:
Emerging Teachers of the One follows Yoga, and begins 7:30 in the Main Building. This class is going over talks of Adyashanti on Self Realization, reading from I Am That by Nisargardatta Maharaj, and watching videos of Tolle, Sailor Bob Adamson and Byron Katie. Contact person is Mark, redtalonii@yahoo.com

Introduction to Emptiness follows G. Newland's book titled the same -"Introduction to Emptiness", available at Snow Lion. The class is held from 7:30-9:30pm at The Library. Please contact Andrew (VECTORART@aol.com) or Lou (desarno@htva.net) for further information, or if you would like to attend.

Wednesdays:
Plotinus' Enneads is held in the Library from 7:45 to 10:00. This class begins with meditation, which is followed by reading and discussion. The class is currently reading "On Happiness". Contact person is Herbert at 277-5685.

Thursdays:
Meditation with Raphael and Discussions on the Quest, meets at 4:15 in the Library. The class begins with a reading as a seed for meditation, and they discuss our own journeys on the path. Contact person is Avery at 546-7300 or aps5@cornell.edu

PB Class meets at 7:30 in the Library or Main Building. This class has been studying PB paras and transcripts of Anthony's commentary on them. Contact persons are Martha and Sam (582-6777).

Video tour of the Wisdom's Goldenrod

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Tibet & Gutso Hospital

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TIBETAN BROTHERS/SISTERS
Some individual WG members have been participating in recent efforts in support of the rights and welfare of the people of Tibet. Many of us have signed on-line petitions and sent e-mail messages to the Chinese government and to Olympics organizers.
A large batch of signed paper petitions was recently mailed to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington.
In Ithaca, the local Tibetan-American community has been holding a peaceful, inspiring support march every Friday since mid-March. The supporters gather at Namgyal Monastery at 6 pm. For details about any of these activities contact Lauren at Lauren@zoom-dsl.com or Richard at nowo@clarityconnect.com.

GUTSO HOSPITAL
In early April, the Dalai Lama released a plea for medical care in Tibet. “We are particularly concerned about the provision of adequate medical facilities.” WG has an ongoing relationship with a small hospital in Gutso, inside Tibet. To make a donation to this hospital just send a check to WG (made out to WG with “Gutso” on the memo line).

Victor N. Mansfield

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VICTOR N. MANSFIELD
Vic Mansfield, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Colgate University, died peacefully in Strong Memorial Hospital on June 3, after a valiant two year struggle with lymphoma. He was 67 years old and is survived by his wife, Elaine; two sons, David and Anthony; and his mother, Virginia Pepitone. He will be greatly missed by many devoted friends, colleagues and students.
Vic was born March 7, 1941 in Norwalk, CT. He attended Dartmouth College and completed graduate studies at Cornell. Vic and Elaine married in 1968 and after a stint as encounter group leaders in California, they bought an old farmhouse with 70 acres of land in Hector in 1972. They were among the founding members of Wisdom's Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies in Valois, where they were students of Anthony Damiani and were later class leaders in their own right. Hector remained their primary and beloved home throughout the years that Vic taught at Colgate. In 2005, they celebrated their commitment to the beauty of the Finger Lakes by placing their land under a conservation easement with the Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Vic joined the Colgate faculty in 1973, armed with a Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics from Cornell University and burning interests in cosmology, computational methods and the conjunction of science and spirituality. In his 35 years at Colgate, he lectured in physics, astronomy, numerical analysis, and in all components of the Core Curriculum, inspiring students with his eloquence, enthusiasm, expertise and high expectations. Students consistently described his classes as rigorous and challenging, yet always a joy to attend. His Core: Tibet course was a perennial favorite with students, who called it transformative, citing Vic's passion, humor, and spontaneity. In April, 2008, he was the co-recipient of the Sidney J. and Florence Felten French Prize for inspirational teaching.
Vic's interest in understanding the universe was matched by his profound personal dedication to living the examined life. His deep connection to Tibetan Buddhism launched him on a scholarly quest to compare scientific thought with Buddhist teaching. His many years of studies resulted in numerous published articles as well as three highly regarded books. The latest, Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Science (2008, Templeton Foundation Press), was graced by an introduction written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and was presented by Vic to His Holiness during a visit to Colgate in April. This was the culmination of Vic's scholarly endeavors, the most poignant moment of his intellectual life. What could have been sweeter than the affectionate embrace bestowed on him by the Dalai Lama upon accepting Vic's final book? Vic felt that it was worth the physical struggle of the last months to receive this embrace and the French Prize for inspirational teaching.
A memorial service was be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at Wisdom's Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies, 5801 Rt. 414, Hector, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wisdom's Goldenrod or Namgyal Monastery, 412 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850. For more information about the memorial service, contact Sam Cohen, (607) 582-6777.

TIBETAN BUDDHISM & MODERN PHYSICS
On March 1st we gathered to celebrate the official publication date of Vic Mansfield’s book Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics. As Vic wrote in his own calendar announcement, “This is not a formal program, but a celebration of community and an opportunity to affirm our friendship.” Affirmed we were, and the evening was deeply satisfying in several ways: starting with the building’s own full tummy (so many meditators!), followed by a lavish meal, and culminating in Vic’s reflections.
These precious moments, a hiatus of well being in a storm of troubles, gave us Vic as a noble dessert: the crust of hardship, the sweetness of gratitude, the taste of longing, and the unmistakable aroma of genius. In addition to the new book, you can visit www.lightlink.com/vic where you can read excerpts from Vic’s works and many other excellent goodies. These gustatory metaphors derive from Vic’s own theme, which may prove one of our lasting legacies: “We didn’t accrue much spiritual merit, but the food was always good!”

Ongoing Classes at Wisdom's Goldenrod

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URRENT CLASSES

Monday

Monday School This program for children and their families meets once amonth. Contact Madhurima at ma24@cornell.edu or546-2094.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Also on Thursday

Sunday

ELSEWHERE

On Wednesday: A group meets for meditation and class at LaurieConrad’s home in Ithaca on Wednesday evenings. Beginners welcome. You can emailLaurie at figaro@clarityconnect.com.

The Goldenrod Spring 2008

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The Goldenrod Spring 2008
The observer enters into every observation, which means that the observation and the observer are united. You can’t have one without the other. – Anthony Damiani

COMING EVENTS

SUMMER SOLSTICE
Join us for any or all of the series of meditations on Sunday, June 22nd starting at 3, 4, 5, and 6 pm.

STUDIES IN ENLIGHTENMENT:
Contemporary Non-Dual Philosophy
This workshop will run from Friday evening July 4th through Sunday July 6th, with a drum circle on Saturday evening. Guest speakers include Mark Scorelle, Avery Solomon and Jeff Cox. The workshop will center around these questions: What is enlightenment? How is it birthed? How is it different from other spiritual states? Is the modern version the real thing? Do the traditional teachings hold up to modern research? Why do some teachers light people up and others don’t have the same results? For more information or to register contact Mark at mark.scorelle@gmail.com or Madhurima at wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

MEDITATION IN THE MODERN WORLD
The Korean meditation master Venerable Bohm Hugh Sunim will return to the Center for a weekend intensive meditation workshop from Friday evening July 11th through Sunday, July 13th. Donations are welcome but not required as Sunim does not like to make a fixed charge for Dharma teachings. For more information contact Andrew at vectorart@aol.com or Madhurima at wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.

ASTRONOESIS: ON NUMBER
This year’s theme is “Number” -- Number and Numbers: in our mundane lives, in our souls, in the Divine Mind, and prefigured in the One. This Summer Studies event will run from Thursday evening August 28th through lunch on Monday Sept. 1st. Contact June at ifnisworld@yahoo.com for further details.

SIEGFRIED WERNERS
Sadly one of the regular members of the Tuesday night discussion group at the Center has passed on. Siegfried “Siggi” Werners was an avid seeker and member of the Tuesday night class. He also gave his support by attending many WG activities. He had a mind filled with curiosity about the path and he was a warm, delightful person. He will be missed.
NON-DUAL TEACHERS CLASS IN ITHACA
Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, Tony Parsons, Sailor Bob Adamson, Gangaji and others; readings from Talks of Nisargadatta Maharaj, I Am That or other similar books; audio and video teachings of current Satsang Teachers of Non-Dual philosophy. All are welcome. We meet on occasional Wednesdays from 7:15 to 9:15 pm in Ithaca. For more information call Mark Scorelle at 280-7785.

REGULAR MEDITATION SCHEDULE
8:00 am every morning
5:30 pm on weekday evenings
5:00 pm on weekends
MEDITATION WITH SUNIM
Sunim will arrive on June 18th for a personal retreat at the Center until June 27th. He will be doing morning and evening meditation sessions and folks are welcome to join him if they wish. Although he will try to observe a mostly silent retreat he is not fixed about that and if people wish to talk to him appointments can be arranged. Contact Andrew at HYPERLINK "mailto:vectorart@aol.com" vectorart@aol.com.
VERNAL EQUINOX
The equinox was celebrated quietly. On March 23rd (the nearest Sunday) a series of four meditations took place. PB has said that the first day of spring should be the start of the new year, and for many cultures, including the Persian, that is the case.
REALMS OF LIGHT
Laurie Conrad’s new book, Realms of Light: Clairvoyant Experiences of Life After Death, is now available on the Authorhouse website: http://www.authorhouse.com. Laurie says, “Some of the messages from loved ones ‘on the other side’ are very touching, valuable . . .This volume is not a textbook on life after death. Rather, it is a volume of clairvoyant experiences of souls in other realms, and the experiences and perceptions of others. The Mysteries of Life and the Soul are vast; no human will ever understand them all. I hope that this book will help many to better understand the ways in which we can and do communicate with those we love in other realms --whether we are clairvoyant or not.”

Make attention the goal. No object or anything – just make attention, pure attention itself the goal. So that means that on the one hand you have no object of consciousness but at the same time you have to be attentive... You’re trying to feel or grasp or grip this thing within you, which you call consciousness. Then, as you grip it and keep it from moving, after awhile it kind of tries to retract and draw you into itself. That’s when it starts getting absorbed back into the Mind. It can be experienced. – Anthony Damiani 7/27/83
Philosophy is broad-based, as big as life itself; it finds proper due for all the different aspects in life; it finds their proper evaluation or their proper place. – Anthony Damiani 1/11/84

Welcome

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Welcome