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In a message dated 05/11/2003 10:07:44 PM Central Daylight Time,
jmcseals@... writes:


> Years ago, I came across a book by the Danish religious philosopher
> Johannes Anker-Larsen. It was called With the Door Open: My Experience. A
>
> passage from it has always stayed with me:
> “The most comprehensive formula for human culture which I know was
> given by
> the old peasant who, on his deathbed, obtained from his son this one
> promise: to sit every day for a half an hour ALONE in the best room. The
> son did this and became a model for the whole district. This father’s
> command has take thought for everything, for Eternity, soul-deepening,
> refinement, history.”
> I’ve thought a good deal about the meaning of that passage. When I see
> a
> baby quietly staring at his or her hands….or a toddler off in a corner
> putting something into a cup and then taking it out, over and over again…
> or
> a preschooler lying in the grass daydreaming… I like to think that they, in
>
> their own ways, are “alone in the best room” of their houses, using the
> solitude they need to find the courage to grow.
>
>

You know, this moved me deeply, and I thank you for sharing it, Jennifer.

My dad was a Class-A jerk in many ways, but as is true of a lot of abusive
people, he had his deep and charming side as well. I tend to focus on his
negatives and forget the many positive things he gave me. I wonder if he
read Anker-Larsen?

I have early memories of a *Thinking Bench* right outside our back door when
I was little -- about 5. Daddy used to make me sit there every day. I hated
it at first, and felt like I was being punished, but I wasn't. This was
never related to punishment at all (he had much more creative ways of doing
that.) I don't know how long I was required to sit. It was likely too long
for a 5 year old, but it still worked its magic on me, over time. I found
inner stillness on that bench. I had my first experiences of BEING. Even I
recognized that it was a prfound experience, although I certainly didn't use
that word when I thought of it -- it was just a magical time for me.
Remembering it still is. Being taught the value of solitude at such a young
and highly impressionable age. I KNOW this changed me. What a gift.

Laura B.


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