The Soul of Morenian Work

[Adam Blatner]

A lateral response about Moreno and Kabbalah... 
     lateral in that I'm not going to be linear or rational: I sense that Anath, Saphira, and others who have met Moreno have experienced an intangible quality that is hinted at in the literal meaning of the word, "enthusiasm," the "-thus-" being really "-theos-"  -- a sense of god-inspiration, filling.
   The scope of his vision also shared this continuing vision from his young years when he participated in co-creating at least the beginnings of an effort at a religion of encounter. 
      At this level of feeling and intuition, there are similar resonances. We're also speaking of charisma, and why I was deeply struck with this weird ol' guy's excitment and animated presence when I first saw / heard him talk in 1966. That's that sketch I did of him. 

      Anyway, what I mean by lateral is that I've been reading some Rumi as part of a discussion group that I'm a member of (i.e., a "Socrates' Cafe" group here at Sun City Texas) , and that's the next topic. Rumi is so crazy (like a fox)... and this non-rational poetry, these paradoxes, resonate with the themes spoken about many true great mystics---and here I guess I would not argue that Moreno might be one of them--- 

   So there's the more rational, linear mind that wants to be a bit careful about our claims about Moreno, with qualifications and all.. and there's another part that has shared the deep sense of feeling moved and inspired by the less tangible elements. I'm reminded of another Hasidic Jewish story, about a fellow who went to see the local saint or tzaddik in a town some miles distant. On his return, he was asked, "So, what did you learn?" "Learn?" replied the man, "I learned... I watched how the tzaddik tied his shoelaces!" 

        Kinda zen, huh?   So bless you---thanks, Saphira, for chiming in---and Anath, for your sharing some personal anecdotes. Thanks Ed for your continuing efforts to bring yet more of Moreno's work to us, some of it through Zerka, some other things you're doing... 
    And all you who are playing. 
       
These are valuable contributions Moreno made, and they're bigger than just psychodrama. They're about communication and also the feelings and attitudes behind a renewed and expanded vision of what effective and constructive communication can be. 

       Warmly, Adam
       
       Warmly, Adam
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: CGayle 
  To: list at grouptalkweb.org 
  Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 2:13 PM
  Subject: Re: Moreno a kabbalist?


  I have found more connections w/ Moreno's writings when I started to read classical/traditional Jewish and Kabbalah sources (which is only tip of surface b/c has to be what has been translated) vs modern texts on Judaism and Kabbalah.  I have been studying Torah in Orthodox circles the last year and one-half.   Has taken my learning, and challenged/inspired my learning, on a much different level...a quantum leap?  It's been an interesting journey...which feeds my soul deeply....yet socially challenging.  People are very welcoming, yet talk about lack of tele!  
  Cynthia Gayle
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