Children, Sages and Clowns...Spiritual Experience and Gestalt Therapy

I want to offer this quote from a Christian mystic whom I enjoy reading and who is also a great fan of Fritz Perls. I'd be interested in comments from a gestalt perspective, particularly those of you who see links between gestalt therapy and religious/spiritual experience and those of you who experience a strong rejective response to such writings and links.... Brian

"In this age of immense sophistication, vast achievement, and jaded sensibilities, the rediscovery of childhood and consequently the perceptive appreciation of the secret surprise of customary objects is a very rare and precious kind of experience, enjoyed almost exclusively these days by unspoiled children, uncanonized saints, undistinguished sages and unemployed clowns

If we follow the lead of the child, the sage and the clown we may learn to discover and celebrate the sacred within the profane and respond to divine disclosures in both the squalor and splendor of the world. They are, each in his own unique way, at home with things, seeing the shining insides and detecting all the mysterious connections among creatures. They overcome polarities and reconcile opposites. With keen insight and cosmic inscape they can feel the tremors and vibrations of the whole earth. This kinship with all is what makes them superbly compassionate".

William McNamara O.C.D. "Mystical Passion - The Art of Chritian Loving" pages 57-58

• Spiritual Experience and The Field by J. Richard White, 4/26/97
  • Aim to Please by Ed Riemann, 4/30/97
    • Beauty, Spirituality, and Gestalt Theory by J. Richard White, 5/1/97
      • Spirituality and Therapy by Ed Riemann, 5/1/97
        • Spirituality and Therapy: Part Deux by J. Richard White, 5/4/97
          • Reply to Richard by Brian O'Neill, 5/5/97
            • To Brien by Ed Riemann MSW, 5/8/97
• grandpa and children by paulo barros; emailpbjolu@usa.net, 6/16/98
• grandpa and children by paulo barros; emailpbjolu@usa.net, 6/16/98