New blog look, dissertation

I am working towards a new look and feel for this blog. Now, especially after the Earlham School of Religion experience,  I am more integrated, whatever that means, and hope the blog will reflect that consciousness. I'm already blogging here as much about my other passions as about Quakerism. Quakerism has become less a goal I am sailing towards than a ground supporting me or, especially since I joined Stillwater Meeting, the air I breathe. I keep thinking of the Buddhist idea (also very Quaker) that religion is a boat carrying you to the shore of enlightenment. Once you reach the shore, you no longer need the boat. I still need the boat but perhaps have reached a marshy ground ...

More appropriate might be the metaphor of the labyrinth. When you walking the path and seem closest to the center, you are often, paradoxically farthest from the center, and when physically seemingly farthest from the center, sometimes closest to it.

After some delays, I am at the very beginning of starting the process of writing my dissertation through the Woodbrooke program connected with the University of Birmingham. Years ago, I earned an MA in English literature, completed coursework towards the PhD and passed my PhD oral exams in English. Last December, I finished my MDiv. Finishing the PhD  continues the process of integration as the dissertation will be merging literature, theology and Quakerism. I hope to blog about this from time to time.