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2023 FMW Conference Report

July 07, 2023  /  Leave a Comment  /  Trackback  /  Posted in News

2023 FMW Conference Report

Despite several significant diverse challenges, we were pleased to be able to host a unique conference whose easeful intimacy provided the space for deep meditations and sharing. There were three newcomers, one traveling the greatest distance—from Walla Walla, WA.

Aaron Haas, who now also resides in the state of Washington returned, this time as Keynote Speaker on Music and Meditation—his two greatest passions. His presentation revealed dimensions of music that enhanced our understanding and appreciation. As Beethoven remarked, “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and sensual life.” Aaron also played his classical guitar at our Round Table gatherings, finding the views across the valley inspiring.

Ron Leonard talked about the problematic nature of seeking the goal of Realizing Consciousness without-an-Object and without-a-Subject, given Franklin’s pronouncement, “I am already That which I seek, and therefore there is nothing to be sought.” Last year’s talk on Non-Duality emphasized the Awakening Model, whereas this year explored the Developmental Model. Since it is paradoxical to attempt to attain That which one already is, we concluded by circumventing the intellect with a guided meditation based on Ron’s Philosophy Logo—symbolizing the philosopher’s spiritual quest.

Doroethy Leonard gave an account of her life growing up under the profound influence of Franklin and Sherifa. She was just one year old when Franklin was Enlightened. While she was a young girl, she attended “camp” with Franklin’s students during the building of the Ashrama. As she was making the transition to adulthood, Franklin gave her Carl G. Jung’s Memories, Dreams and Reflections, with significant impact. In mid-life, she formalized her commitment to Franklin and the Work that he and Sherifa had established. It continues to this day.

Special Features—This year attendees chose the quotations by Franklin that they found most meaningful or inspirational. Sharing and discussing what we regard as personally valuable in these formulations of Franklin’s thought and philosophy was synergistic, enriching us all. The Closing Ceremony—Baiba Strads’ group Sufi Dance, on the theme of healing—moved some to tears. Also, we conducted a Healing Circle, for those in our lives who have a need, for ourselves, and for the Planet. The Dream and Tarot Circles introduced a further dimension, but privacy prevents revealing its content.

Special thanks to Doroethy’s son James Young and his life partner, Jessica Roberts, for their support managing the GSC facilities, organizing and preparing meals—including two versions of his famous chili—and for upgrading the solar batteries at the Main House. Also, most pertinently for this year, they detected and sealed the cracks in the Main House ceiling to quell the moth invasion.

 

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2023 FRANKLIN MERRELL-WOLFF CONFERENCE

May 03, 2023  /  Leave a Comment  /  Trackback  /  Posted in News

IN the WORLD, but NOT of IT

Dates: Thursday, June 15–Sunday, June 18

Location: Great Space Center, Lone Pine, CA

 

Aaron Haas, Doctor of Musical Arts (Keynote Speaker)—Music and Meditation

Aaron has combined his two great passions, meditation and music. He plans to explore this theme by elaborating his article, “Creativity Through Silence: Exploring the Use of Meditation in Musical Performance.”

Ron Leonard, PhD—Realizing Consciousness-without-an-Object

Franklin says that “Consciousness-without-an-object [and without-a-subject] is neutral regarding the presence of absence of objects” … [but] “to relative consciousness, Consciousness-without-an-object must appear to have objects.” Thus, its Realization does not consist of simply eliminating all objects from awareness. How then is It Realized while ordinary consciousness remains aware of objects?

Doroethy Leonard, MA; M.Ed.—Doroethy’s Lifelong Commitment to the Work of Franklin & Sherifa

Shortly after my birth, we lived with Franklin and Sherifa for a month or so. This was the beginning. My rather frequent time with them helped me to explore life and its deeper meaning. I learned to question, but to honor my feelings. It is a process, and 80 years isn’t long enough.

Special Features—Thursday evening we shall gather in the Main House at 7:30 to become (re)acquainted and share.

Friday morning will begin with a dream circle and Saturday morning a tarot reading, having both personal and collective significance. Bring a dream—preferably recent—that you feel is spiritually significant to you, or to the group—especially one that C.G. Jung would call a Big Dream. Non-dreamers are also welcome. Both mornings, after a break for breakfast, we shall discuss selected quotations from Franklin’s writings. Please bring your copy of Experience and Philosophy, and be prepared to discuss with the group a quotation that you have found particularly personally meaningful.

On Saturday evening—a Special Program (TBA), followed by a Candlelight Ceremony.

The traditional Sunday morning meeting follows the format that Franklin and Sherifa used for many years. (Many dress more formally.) The theme will be Music and Yoga. Following the Closing Ceremony (Baiba Strads) we shall share a noon potluck.

As usual, we shall enjoy communal meals and stimulating “round table” discussions. Doroethy will arrange to provide breakfast, lunch & dinner Friday & Saturday during our program; Sunday lunch is potluck.

Cost: $195 (still trying to hold the line, despite inflation), includes room and board. There is a $25 reduction for camping here in the Great Space, with outdoor propane shower available (Still working great!), or for staying elsewhere. Some scholarships are available upon request.

A $50 deposit confirms your space; please send checks to Doroethy Leonard at:

P.O. Box 758, Lone Pine, CA 93545.

Detailed program and/or map is available upon registration. We will help to coordinate transportation if possible. For information, email Doroethy@cox.net or phone 602-663-2322; alternatively, email Ron (pleroma9@cox.net) or phone 480-395-5023.

Addendum: Despite the need to adjust to the challenges of health and advancing years, we are hopeful to continue the annual tradition that Franklin & Sherifa began 93 years ago, in 1930. We look forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones.

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2022 FMW Conference Report

June 20, 2022  /  Leave a Comment  /  Trackback  /  Posted in News

After an unavoidable 2-year hiatus, we were pleased to resume our annual event (that Franklin & Sherifa began nearly a century ago), on the theme of Wisdom from the Aphorisms. There were 15 participants—5 for the 1st time—2 coming the furthest, from Massachusetts (including a heroic pilgrimage through Death Valley), and 2 from North Carolina (with a heroic pilgrimage through LAX).

Our Keynote Speaker, Thomas J. McFarlane, presented and elaborated on Franklin’s Aphorisms on Law found within his Aphorisms on Consciousness without-an-Object. Tom showed how our thought processes responsible for there being a universe are inherently law-governed, tending toward Equilibrium. This is responsible for the orderliness of scientific investigation, societal organization, the constitution of rules necessary for games, etc.

He was accompanied by his friend Aaron Haas on Classical Guitar (who also shared his gift at the Round Table, enhancing our time together).

Ron Leonard presented Non-Duality, the essential notion (symbolizing Reality) at the core of Franklin’s philosophy, grounded most centrally in his Fundamental Realization of the High Indifference, and expressed in his Aphorisms on Consciousness-without-an-Object. Non-Duality is ineffable because language, concepts and logic—the essential tools of our rational minds—are necessarily dualistic, so to Realize our inherent identity as That, we must transcend the limitations of the rational mind as well as our reification and attachment to objects. His talk culminated in an invitation to Realize Non-Duality, reciting “Trust in Mind,” by the 3rd Zen Patriarch.

Doroethy Leonard was a founding member of the Phoenix Friends of Carl G. Jung, holding most of the Board positions—including numerous terms as President. She drew upon her lifelong study of Jung—whom Franklin suggested that she (and his other students) read—to present and clarify Jung’s Central Notions of synchronicity, archetype, self, shadow, etc.

Special Features—Two sessions discussing the Aphorisms on CWO, in particular those relating to Consciousness-without-an-Object (and without-a-Subject) and the alternative symbol of SPACE, deepened our immersion in the Conference theme—as did Franklin’s recording relating Primordial Consciousness to the metaphysics of The Secret Doctrine.

In contrast, Sultana Parvanta’s Somatic Awareness and Practice for Self-Healing and Baiba Strads’ group Sufi Dance Closing Ceremony provided a delightful sensing & feeling balance to the intuition & thinking so prevalent in discussing Franklin’s Work. The Dream and Tarot Circles introduced a third dimension, but privacy prevents revealing its content.

Special thanks to Doroethy’s daughter Jennifer Young and daughter-in-law Jessica Roberts for their support organizing and preparing meals and to her son James Young for installing solar power—now in all 5 residences at the Great Space—and opening the dwellings to accommodate our attendees, as well as cooking two versions of his famous chili.

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2022 FMW Conference Dates

February 28, 2022  /  Leave a Comment  /  Trackback  /  Posted in News

Note: The 2022 FMW Conference will be held from June 9 (Thursday evening, 7:00 pm) till June 12 (Sunday noon), with potluck lunch to follow. See the previous post for details.

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2022 FMW Conference

February 26, 2022  /  Leave a Comment  /  Trackback  /  Posted in News

The 2022 Franklin Merrell-Wolff Conference will be held from June 9-12 at the Great Space Center. This year’s theme is Wisdom from the Aphorisms.

Thomas J. McFarlane, MA; MS (Keynote Speaker)—The Aphorisms on Law. Beginning with Franklin’s Aphorisms on Consciousness Without an Object concerning the consciousness of objects, Tom will explore the nature of law as related to the laws of mathematics, physics, and experience. The idea of the hierarchical structure of laws, from general to specific, may be extrapolated to the domains of morality, society and regulated games.

Ron Leonard, PhD—Non-Duality. Franklin’s philosophy, based on his Mystical Realizations, and expressed through his Aphorisms on CWO is Non-Dualistic. Ron proposes to explore the meaning of Non-Duality, and how Mystical Realization reveals Ultimate Reality. Then he shall invite the group to move beyond intellect to personal Realization.

Doroethy Leonard, MA; M.Ed.—Synchronicity and Other Jungian Ideas. Synchronicity is not what you think. Over the years, this term, as well as archetype, have become popularized. Therefore, much of the Jungian meaning has been trivialized. Doroethy will be reiterating what Jung said in Structure & Dynamics of the Psyche. He spoke of the concept of synchronicity to Einstein before WWI, but didn’t lecture on it until about 1930.

Special Features—Thursday evening, following dinner (which can no longer be provided that evening), we shall gather to become (re)acquainted and share. Friday morning will begin with a dream circle, and Saturday morning a tarot circle. Bring a dream that you feel is spiritually significant to you, or to the group—especially one that C.G. Jung would call a Big Dream. After a break for breakfast, we shall discuss selected quotations and readings from Franklin’s writings. Please bring your copy of Experience and Philosophy.

On Saturday evening—a Special Program (TBA), followed by a Candlelight Ceremony.

The traditional Sunday morning meeting follows the format that Franklin and Sherifa used for many years. (Many dress more formally.) The theme will be Primordial Consciousness. Following the Closing Ceremony (Baiba Strads) we shall share a noon potluck.

As usual, we shall enjoy communal meals and stimulating “round table” discussions. Doroethy will provide breakfasts and arrange for lunch & dinner Friday & Saturday during our program; Sunday lunch is potluck.

Cost: $195 (trying to cover expenses), includes room and board. There is a $25 reduction for camping here in the Great Space, with outdoor propane shower available (Still working great!), or for staying elsewhere. Some scholarships are available upon request.

A $50 deposit confirms your space ASAP; please send checks to:

Doroethy Leonard: P.O. Box 758, Lone Pine, CA 93545. Detailed program and/or map is available upon registration. We will help to coordinate transportation if possible. For information, email Doroethy@cox.net or phone 602-663-2322.

Addendum: After the pandemic hiatus, we are grateful to resume the annual tradition that Franklin & Sherifa began in 1930. We look forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones. There should be no need for special protocols, as everyone has time to be fully vaccinated.

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