I stopped reading your opinion piece after seeing you call Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodrom “new age gurus”. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Kornfield is a Buddhist monk and Chodron a Buddhist nun who have devoted much of their adult lives to learning, practicing, and teaching Buddhist thought. Buddhism is a valid deep practice that has been around LONGER than Christianity or Christ. To reduce their teachings to new age thought shows you should indeed stick with gardening.
I’m aware of their Buddhist backgrounds. Are you saying they have not been embraced by New Age followers? Because that hasn’t been my experience. Nice to see you again, Cherie. I remember how much I enjoyed your chair yoga and mandala, enough to write that article about you. How long has it been? Almost 10 years, I think.
Yes. I remember you and the piece. It’s why I thought I’d follow you even though I don’t garden. I appreciated the article then and still do!
Just because something has been embraced by new agers doesn’t make it new age. Anymore than Christianity is new age. And there are plenty of new agers embracing that. A discipline loses its depth and breadth when labeled new age. At least in my opinion.
Not sure I ever saw your earlier survey. I would have answered it, I usually do if they seem legitimate. And I would have answered yes to all of the questions, if that was allowed. Though not a trauma like yours to #1.
I also came for the gardening, but am looking forward to your upcoming columns. Thanks.
It took me a long time (decades) to understand the effects of domestic abuse on my personality and behaviour. Gardening was definitely part of that healing process but I find it less necessary now. I suppose it could be about control - while gardening can and does go awry due to weather, pests, etc., you are creating something and changing a piece of land into something that reflects you. That's taking back control. It's not the answer though, just a stopgap which helps on the healing journey. St Teresa of Avila said there are many paths and we all walk different ways to God. A good thought, I think.
I stopped reading your opinion piece after seeing you call Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodrom “new age gurus”. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Kornfield is a Buddhist monk and Chodron a Buddhist nun who have devoted much of their adult lives to learning, practicing, and teaching Buddhist thought. Buddhism is a valid deep practice that has been around LONGER than Christianity or Christ. To reduce their teachings to new age thought shows you should indeed stick with gardening.
I’m aware of their Buddhist backgrounds. Are you saying they have not been embraced by New Age followers? Because that hasn’t been my experience. Nice to see you again, Cherie. I remember how much I enjoyed your chair yoga and mandala, enough to write that article about you. How long has it been? Almost 10 years, I think.
Here’s that old piece I wrote about you: https://www.lewistalk.com/2015/09/28/cherie-althauser-yoga/
Yes. I remember you and the piece. It’s why I thought I’d follow you even though I don’t garden. I appreciated the article then and still do!
Just because something has been embraced by new agers doesn’t make it new age. Anymore than Christianity is new age. And there are plenty of new agers embracing that. A discipline loses its depth and breadth when labeled new age. At least in my opinion.
I don’t think it’s the label that gives some of that thought a lack of depth. Kornfield’s Buddhist background is a bit thin, anyway.
Not sure I ever saw your earlier survey. I would have answered it, I usually do if they seem legitimate. And I would have answered yes to all of the questions, if that was allowed. Though not a trauma like yours to #1.
I also came for the gardening, but am looking forward to your upcoming columns. Thanks.
Thanks, Phil, glad to hear it. Here’s the original survey, which you can still take, as it’s up for good. https://brunettegardens.substack.com/p/a-spring-break-to-stay-whole?r=1n113r&utm_medium=ios
It took me a long time (decades) to understand the effects of domestic abuse on my personality and behaviour. Gardening was definitely part of that healing process but I find it less necessary now. I suppose it could be about control - while gardening can and does go awry due to weather, pests, etc., you are creating something and changing a piece of land into something that reflects you. That's taking back control. It's not the answer though, just a stopgap which helps on the healing journey. St Teresa of Avila said there are many paths and we all walk different ways to God. A good thought, I think.