A Hidden Wholeness : The Journey Toward an Undivided Life review: 5 stars (A book for everyman) - By everyman I mean, of course, men and women, young and old, retired and working, republicans and democrats, believers and non-believers. This is a book I wish I'd found years ago (before it was written)!
Almost everyone lives the divided life. (I suspect the Dalai Lama does not). As Palmer notes, sometimes we have to -- this is a choice we sometimes must choose to make. One of the reasons I love this book so is that Palmer does not have rigid judgmental expectations of us (we probably are harsh enough on ourselves). He offers guidelines and explanations for the human condition, and some help on getting through.
Parker Palmer takes a long time Quaker practice -- the Clearness Committee - and uses it to provide for everyone a Circle of Trust. This mutual support network is unusual -- it isn't an advisory committee but more support for listening to that inner voice which we may joke about, but which exists (you know, the one you should have listened to, that nagging feeling, that annoying little warning sign).
One thing that makes us crazy is the denial of that inner voice, our true self, the divided side of self that knows the questionable aspects of our work life, the one we hush up so we can get by and make a living. This isn't just a teacher's issue or a spiritual issue. For some it may be a spiritual divide; for others, a more humanistic one. In any case, we become emotionally, mentally and otherwise unbalanced if our day to day movements and choices feel separate from -- or in conflict with -- our beliefs and values, and yet we deny that they are so.
We do not allow ourselves to hear that inner voice, afraid of the changes we might have to make. We smush it down, despite knowing intellectually that anything you smush down in one area pops up in another. This book offers recognition of this conflict we are in, and gives us ways we can listen without, necessarily, having to make changes that will make us walk out from or get fired from our daily bread earning jobs.
This is one to have, to give, to read and reread, to keep by the bedside or take on business trips.
5 stars (Circles of Trust) - For most of our lives we have talked about, experimented with, and attempted many forms of spiritual community, often with disappointing results. Not until we met Parker Palmer did we find and learn reliable ways to not only explore our inner lives, but to witness and discover the 'hidden wholeness,' not only in ourselves, but in others, in cirlces of trust. We have been priviiledged to learn this way of living and being in community through working with Parker and other facilitators through the Center for Teacher Formation over the last ten years. Now Parker, in HIDDEN WHOLENESS, shares his legacy, the 'live encounter' thousands of people have experienced through a retreat process he began. Now, the reader can find, in clear, simple language, a description of these practices, and begin to consider a way of being with others that honors the soul and supports us in living the undivided life we all deeply yearn for.
Caryl & Jay Casbon
Bend, Oregon 5 stars (Worthy of at least ten stars * * * * * * * * * * !) - Parker Palmer has gifted us all with his revealing reflections and insights about living an undivided life. He writes about the conflict that we experience when our professional life and our inner beliefs are not aligned.
'A Hidden Wholeness' addressed many questions for me including:
What happens when the person that I have become, shaped by my work experiences, faces decisions that have to be made... decisions that I know will feel 'bad' or 'wrong' because they threaten my integrity?
What happens when I find myself part of an organization or profession that has evolved and changed in ways that are troubling?
What happens when I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place and can't see clearly where to go?
What happens when advice from others and self-help books are of little or no value?
Palmer shows how we can support one another in today's busy and often impersonal world by creating a unique and very special kind of community. The ideas presented in this book are well grounded and applicable to all.
This is an important book for all individuals who are concerned about or troubled by the divisions that exist in the lives we lead. Spending a few quiet hours with Parker Palmer's new book, 'A Hidden Wholeness', may just change your mind about what is possible... and this book is one that you will want to pass on and share!
Looking for a software both entertaining and enlightening? Digital Physiognomy reads person's face and tells you about the secret character traits of the individual with remarkable accuracy. People's facial features - eyes, noses, ear lobes, chins, eye-brows, cheekbones, and foreheads all carry valuable information easily revealed with this software. Don't trust it? Download the free evaluation version and try your own (or a friend's) face.... UNIPHIZ Lab :: personology :: physiognomy :: phrenology :: face :: face reading :: forecast :: future :: fortune telling :: photo :: identikit :: Digital Physiognomy
The StarMessage diary is an excellent way to keep a personal journal of day to day thoughts, goals, feelings, memories, dreams, ideas and important events in your life. The StarMessage diary looks like a real personal diary so you can start using it right away. You can write entries for the present, past, or even the future. You can use it as a planner or a calendar by leaving notes to yourself to remind you of things you have to do... Michael Ioannides :: the :: starmessage :: diary :: michael :: ioannides :: home :: education :: calendars :: planners :: thestarmessagediary deluxe :: The StarMessage Diary
PC Spy Keylogger is a top-rated invisible easy-to-use surveillance tool that records every keystroke to a log file. The log file can be sent secretly with email or FTP to a specified receiver. It can also detection specified keywords and take a screenshot whenever one is typed, displaying findings in a tidy log viewer. It causes no suspicious slowdowns and takes very few system resources... YL Computing Inc :: pc :: spy :: keylogger :: yl :: computing :: inc :: home :: education :: kids :: parenting :: pcspykeylogger deluxe :: PC Spy Keylogger
Use RecallPlus study software to learn faster by changing optimal learning theory into your study habit. This Educational Software improves study technique in 10 ways. Organize notes as diagrams, draw and import images quickly and easily, record sounds in seconds. Make notes that reflect your thoughts rather than how a word processor works. Program TESTS you, taking advantage of optimal revision timing... EvolutionCode Pty Ltd :: recallplus :: evolutioncode :: pty :: ltd :: home :: education :: miscellaneous :: recallplus deluxe :: RecallPlus
GameNow is a funny game tool with a collection of over 1000 addicting pc games, flash games. You can play action games, sport games, adventure games, arcade games, skill games, shooting games, board games, puzzle games, casino games, even multiplayer games and more on your pc. It includes live updates as new games added to the database. GameNow is a better way to play games! Key features: 1... BigPower Software Inc :: gamenow :: bigpower :: software :: inc :: home :: education :: miscellaneous :: gamenow 2 30 :: GameNow
Creative Painter is a magic painting program just for kids. With the Creative Painter, Kids can learn easily and enjoy painting on computer freely. It is easy to learn and operate. In the mean while it contains a lot of magic painting functions and funny music. Includes paintbrush, pencil, marker pen, crayon pen, chalk pen and figures pen, etc. Includes more than 50 especial background pictures. More than 20 drawing special effects... Moko Interactive :: creative :: painter :: 2006 :: moko :: interactive :: home :: education :: kids :: parenting :: creativepainter2006 :: Creative Painter 2006
Weather Forecast delivers realtime weather conditions and forecasts, directly to your desktop. You no longer have to search for weather forecast for every place in the world. With a large selection of predefined locations*, Weather Forecast is the perfect companion software for you. The interface is well organized with attractive graphics, but efforts have been made, to keep the software simple to use... SC EXS CORPORATION SRL :: weather :: forecast :: sc :: exs :: corporation :: srl :: home :: education :: miscellaneous :: weatherforecast :: Weather Forecast
Igneon Test Maker is a comprehensive, professional testing solution. It allows designing, administering and processing tests. This application can be used on a local computer for testing one person or perform simultaneous testing of thousands of people over the network... Igneon Software :: test :: maker :: igneon :: software :: home :: education :: teaching :: tools :: testmaker :: Test Maker
A Hidden Wholeness - The Journey Toward an Undivided Life 
