On Sunday we gathered at the Leibowitz apartment for a program on Spirituality and Religion. I gave the talk since a couple of people who expected to speak were unfortunately under the weather. In my talk, I shared about my Jewish upbringing and how I broke away from it, declaring myself an atheist at the age of 12. I outlined my later explorations into various religious traditions and practices, a study of dreams, and so on, before finding a spiritual home at Ethical Culture.
Now that we have moved on from Ethical Culture and are forming our own Brooklyn Humanist Community, soon to be on the road to incorporation as a nonprofit, I don't feel the need for a religious community anymore. I prefer a community of people who are dedicating themselves to living an ethical life, without calling it a religion. My spiritual feelings still come from dreams, music, and from being with a group of like-minded people especially when we get together to accomplish some social action.
Ruth, Antoinette and Selma shared some of their religious history and spiritual views. We had a good talk and I hope that we'll continue this line of discussion at a later time.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
February Reflection
On Saturday night, February 21st, we met at Antoinette and Michael's for our February Reflection with Dr. Kurt Johnson. After a brief and productive Board meeting, we had our potluck dinner of varied and delicious food. Antoinette has a number of sale items she is showing for a friend, so we were directed to the basement to look them over. Jason took photos of the merchandise, and they were immediately uploaded into a digital photo frame so people could get a look at the merchandise from upstairs.
After dinner we gathered in the living room and began with a few moments of silence. Kurt had us start off with a go-around, and then we were invited to share a photo, object, or anything that inspires us. We went in random order with people speaking whenever they felt moved to do so.
Several people mentioned the 2008 election and President Obama as inspirational because of the hope for change he has brought to us. Others had more personal sources of inspiration. Jason shared the beautiful musical composition he found online at a dark time in his life, which he credits with pulling him out of a depression. Antoinette shared a piece of writing she has used with patients, showing that there is a silver lining to the problems we must contend with. Constance shared two poems about aging but remaining youthful.
Kurt spoke to us about the paradigm change we are all facing. As he pointed out, the phrase, "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence has been interpreted for many years as meaning individual happiness, the right to do what is best for the self and the self alone. Now, in this new economic and environmental climate, the "pursuit of happiness" is going to have to mean more than just individual pleasure, it is going to mean pursuing what is best for the all.
He also told us that there will be, of course, those who resist the paradigm shift. I hadn't ever thought about the upheaval that took place when we moved to electricity rather than gas lighting and heating. The gas industry tried to hold back the advance of electricity claiming no one wanted or needed it. Their motive was to protect their livelihood. By the same token, alternative energy is going to face the same challenges.
Kurt also told us that when electricity came on the scene it was possible to set up mechanisms that would simply draw electricity from the air just as we draw radio and television signals, without the need for wiring. This would have provided us with electricity for a fraction of the cost that our present system costs us. However, the corporations won on that one and use the method of delivering electricity to us that costs the most. I never even realized it was possible to derive electricity another way, but apparently some scientific laboratories secretly use this equipment so that in the event of a blackout their experiments won't be interrupted and destroyed.
Personally I think we need to make that information common knowledge.
In any case, with a paradigm shift in the way we live being forced on us by this crisis situation, knowing and holding onto the things or ideas that give us inspiration will be needed more than ever. We are entering a time of chaos, and Kurt pointed out that the Chinese word for chaos is very similar to the word for opportunity. He also reminded us that the word "emergency" is related to "emergent," so that the possibility of something new and better coming forth out of the crisis is very strong, and is reflected even in our language.
Many thanks to Kurt for leading another enlightening Reflection, and to Antoinette and Michael for hosting a great BHC evening.
After dinner we gathered in the living room and began with a few moments of silence. Kurt had us start off with a go-around, and then we were invited to share a photo, object, or anything that inspires us. We went in random order with people speaking whenever they felt moved to do so.
Several people mentioned the 2008 election and President Obama as inspirational because of the hope for change he has brought to us. Others had more personal sources of inspiration. Jason shared the beautiful musical composition he found online at a dark time in his life, which he credits with pulling him out of a depression. Antoinette shared a piece of writing she has used with patients, showing that there is a silver lining to the problems we must contend with. Constance shared two poems about aging but remaining youthful.
Kurt spoke to us about the paradigm change we are all facing. As he pointed out, the phrase, "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence has been interpreted for many years as meaning individual happiness, the right to do what is best for the self and the self alone. Now, in this new economic and environmental climate, the "pursuit of happiness" is going to have to mean more than just individual pleasure, it is going to mean pursuing what is best for the all.
He also told us that there will be, of course, those who resist the paradigm shift. I hadn't ever thought about the upheaval that took place when we moved to electricity rather than gas lighting and heating. The gas industry tried to hold back the advance of electricity claiming no one wanted or needed it. Their motive was to protect their livelihood. By the same token, alternative energy is going to face the same challenges.
Kurt also told us that when electricity came on the scene it was possible to set up mechanisms that would simply draw electricity from the air just as we draw radio and television signals, without the need for wiring. This would have provided us with electricity for a fraction of the cost that our present system costs us. However, the corporations won on that one and use the method of delivering electricity to us that costs the most. I never even realized it was possible to derive electricity another way, but apparently some scientific laboratories secretly use this equipment so that in the event of a blackout their experiments won't be interrupted and destroyed.
Personally I think we need to make that information common knowledge.
In any case, with a paradigm shift in the way we live being forced on us by this crisis situation, knowing and holding onto the things or ideas that give us inspiration will be needed more than ever. We are entering a time of chaos, and Kurt pointed out that the Chinese word for chaos is very similar to the word for opportunity. He also reminded us that the word "emergency" is related to "emergent," so that the possibility of something new and better coming forth out of the crisis is very strong, and is reflected even in our language.
Many thanks to Kurt for leading another enlightening Reflection, and to Antoinette and Michael for hosting a great BHC evening.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
BHC Book Club: The Glass Castle
On February 15th, the BHC Book Club met to act as social workers in the case of the four Walls children, as described in Jeannette Walls' memoir, The Glass Castle. Most of us agreed that the children should have been removed from a home where they were not properly clothed or fed, and where the parents did not take action to protect their kids. But at least one person felt that the bond between the children was so strong that it shouldn't have been broken up by separating them, and that foster care is no great bargain either.
From there we looked at what kind of family problems should lead to a child's removal from home or other interventions. We agreed on physical abuse and neglect but what is emotional neglect, exactly? That wasn't so clear.
Sheila also asked about weird names. I felt that the authorities were justified in removing a child whose parents named him Adolf Hitler. I just can't see putting a name like that on an innocent child who is going to suffer terribly as a result. The counter argument was that in order to prevent something like that we'd have to have a list of approved names and only allow children to have a name that is on the list. I didn't think of it at the time, but I'm sure these people couldn't have gotten a vanity license plate that said "Adolf Hitler," so why should they be allowed to name a child that way?
I couldn't think of other reasons for removing children from the home, but one point Sheila brought up was that there are people who would want a child removed from an atheist home, because the child's soul would be in danger. Good thing we have the First Amendment, but even so, I suppose that's something we'd have to watch out for.
Sheila provided a delicious and varied spread and we had some extras, such as an apple and bean salad, and delicious egg salad sandwiches. Our next book will be Michael Lavigne's Not Me.
Kudos, Sheila, for another great book discussion!
From there we looked at what kind of family problems should lead to a child's removal from home or other interventions. We agreed on physical abuse and neglect but what is emotional neglect, exactly? That wasn't so clear.
Sheila also asked about weird names. I felt that the authorities were justified in removing a child whose parents named him Adolf Hitler. I just can't see putting a name like that on an innocent child who is going to suffer terribly as a result. The counter argument was that in order to prevent something like that we'd have to have a list of approved names and only allow children to have a name that is on the list. I didn't think of it at the time, but I'm sure these people couldn't have gotten a vanity license plate that said "Adolf Hitler," so why should they be allowed to name a child that way?
I couldn't think of other reasons for removing children from the home, but one point Sheila brought up was that there are people who would want a child removed from an atheist home, because the child's soul would be in danger. Good thing we have the First Amendment, but even so, I suppose that's something we'd have to watch out for.
Sheila provided a delicious and varied spread and we had some extras, such as an apple and bean salad, and delicious egg salad sandwiches. Our next book will be Michael Lavigne's Not Me.
Kudos, Sheila, for another great book discussion!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Feldenkrais Fundraiser a Success!
Jean's Feldenkrais fundraiser was a rousing success. Six of us attended the class on 5th Avenue in Park Slope, a full house for the available space. After a brief introduction to the history and theory of Feldenkrais, Jean led us through gentle exercises that immediately helped us increase our body awareness and increase our range of movement, particularly for those who have suffered neck and shoulder injuries.
We left feeling refreshed and more comfortable in our own skins. Jean is thinking of holding one or two more classes, and I will certainly notify everyone when the next one is planned.
BHC received two-thirds of the proceeds from this event. Thank you, Jean, for thinking of and carrying out this excellent fundraiser!
We left feeling refreshed and more comfortable in our own skins. Jean is thinking of holding one or two more classes, and I will certainly notify everyone when the next one is planned.
BHC received two-thirds of the proceeds from this event. Thank you, Jean, for thinking of and carrying out this excellent fundraiser!
Spontaneous Collection Nets $260
At an unofficial function, attended by many BHC'ers, Antoinette shared that Lois Kellerman, whom many of us know as the past Leader at BSEC, was recently injured in a car accident. We immediately signed a card wishing her a speedy and full recovery, and started a collection on her behalf. Our generous members raised $260 to send to Lois along with our good wishes and healing thoughts.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
BHC Fundraising Event Feb. 14th
Last Saturday night we announced that Jean Shaffer will be running a fundraiser for the Brooklyn Humanist Community. On Saturday, February 14th at 1:30 PM Jean will lead an introductory Feldenkrais class for up to seven people. The class will be held at 374 Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn. As of Saturday night four or maybe five people were interested in attending, so there is still room for one or two more. Please contact Jean if you would like to attend. The class is offered for $15 and Jean is donating the net profit less the cost of renting the room. Thanks, Jean, for this generous offer!
Calendar Change
Last night's Board meeting was postponed due to inclement weather and icy street conditions. The Board meeting will take place on February 10th in place of the Program Committee meeting. The Program Committee will reschedule its meeting as well.
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