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TAT Forum

February 2022

Convictions & Concerns

TAT members share their personal convictions and/or concerns

Beliefs Point the Way

 

TAT Foundation News

It's all about "ladder work" – helping and being helped

Downloadable/rental versions of the Mister Rose video and of April TAT talks Remembering Your True Desire (details).

Local Group News

New listing for Aiken, SC:
Looking to start a self-inquiry group ... finding like-minded people to talk about Richard Rose and his teachings either online or in-person in a home setting ... to question what it means to find our true selves.
~ Email .

Update for the Amsterdam, NL Self-Inquiry Group:
The group is not holding meetings currently, but email for information.

Update from the Central Ohio Non-Duality Group:
The Columbus, Ohio self-inquiry group, now known as the Central Ohio Non-Duality Group, has continued to meet virtually on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please email one of the people's names below if you wish to get a link to the meeting. Meeting format involves discussion of topics of interest to seekers and often bridges from the concerns, questions and interests of the core members in attendance into the topic which we intend to discuss. We look forward to the easing of restrictions to the point where we feel comfortable meeting again in person. ~ For further information, contact , , or . We're also on Facebook.

Update from the Dublin, Ireland self-inquiry group:
We meet every second Wednesday on Zoom. We are working using two different approaches. The first is the standard confrontation approach of people giving an update on what was coming for them in the previous period, in terms of their path. The second is the distribution of a piece in advance for reflection. We will continue in this vein for the time being, using either a general update or a piece for reflection shared in advance. ~ Contact for more information.

Update from the email self-inquiry groups:
The Women's Online Confrontation (WOC) group consists of weekly reports where participants can include:
     > What is on your mind?
     > Any projects that you want to be held accountable for?
     > Responses to a selected excerpt (in the previous report).
     > Comments/responses/questions for other participants.
     A philosophical/spiritual excerpt with two or three questions is included in each report. Based on what we share, participants ask questions to help get clarity about our thinking. The intention is to help each other see our underlying beliefs about who we are.
     One rule we try to adhere to is not to give advice or solve problems. The number of participants, to make it work efficiently, is between 4 and 7 including the leader.
Currently we have two men's email groups. They (the weekly exchanges, not the participants :-) function like slow-motion self-inquiry confrontation meetings, which has its pros and cons. We alternate by asking each other questions one week then answering them the following week. Participants provide brief updates of highlights from the previous week and optional updates on progress toward objectives that they use the reports for accountability on.
Both the women's and the men's email groups welcome serious participants. ~ Contact or for more information.

   TAT Press publishes Anima's and Art's book: Always Right Behind You: Parables & Poems of Love & Completion.

Update from the Gainesville, FL self-inquiry group:
The Alachua County library reopened its meeting rooms on July 5th, and we were the first group to meet after the reopening. We decided to change our meeting day from Sunday to Saturday, at the same time as previously (2 to 4 PM). Our first meeting was on July 10th, and subsequent meetings are scheduled for alternate Saturdays with an occasional extra week between meetings due to holidays or the TAT meeting schedule and our group's associated retreats. ~ Email or for more information.

   TAT Press publishes three of Art's books: Solid Ground of Being: A Personal Story of the Impersonal, Beyond Relativity: Transcending the Split Between Knower & Known and Sense of Self: The Source of All Existential Suffering?

The Gainesville self-inquiry group is planning a four-day intensive retreat at Horseshoe Lake Park in Fort McCoy, FL on Thursday-Tuesday, Feb. 17–21, 2022. The theme is "Longing & Doing":       What we long for is our ideal of perfection.       "Do all things for the sake of a higher power, and it will correctly guide your every step.” ~ Richard Rose to Lee W. ~ E-mail for more information.

Update from Galway, Ireland:
Tess Hughes is starting a women's group on Wednesday evenings, 7pm Dublin time, using Zoom. It will begin mid September. Sessions last 90-120 minutes usually. Anyone who's interested in joining can contact .

   TAT Press publishes Tess's easy to read, profound This Above All, the story of her journey of Self-Discovery.

Update from the GMT Support Group for Seekers:
We meet every Sunday gmt 17.30, live on Google Meet. Rapport and confrontation, talk and exchange. Someone mostly brings a theme, like a text, poem or whatever to set the mood. Then 10 minutes of silent rapport after which everyone gets their turn on the "hot seat" for 10-15 minutes—the group listens to what the person has to say about the theme then asks friendly questions—depending on how many participants we are. The questioning is aimed at providing material for self-inquiry. There have been sessions in which we just chatted, but that is more the exception. ~ Contact

Update from the Greensburg, PA self-inquiry group:
I am meeting every Saturday morning with three of my former Greensburg SIG group participants who are into non-dualist paths, such as Adyashanti and Mooji. There is also another participant, a professional psychologist who is interested in eastern philosphy and who wasn't in my SIG group but makes a great addition to our proceedings. These fellows are sincere seekers. We spend our time discussing our respective paths and comparing notes. Our new venue is a place called the White Rabbit Cafe in Greensburg. I'm hoping that the lull here has ended and that we're ready to be more dynamic again.
~ Contact if interested in local self-inquiry meetings.

An update from the self-inquiry group in Houston, TX:
The backyard patio meetings are now moved to Zoom meetings, which take place at 4 pm on Saturdays. There are 3 active and inspired participants right now. Topics vary from Mr. Rose's writings to "What is on your mind?" ~ Contact for more information.

"Ignoramuses Anonymous" blog
Ignoramuses Anonymous is for seekers to explore questions together…a fellowship of seekers for whom ignorance of the absolute truth had become a major problem. It started as a blog for Pittsburgh PSI meeting members back in 2009. Welcoming discussion on the path.
To get notices of new posts, you can subscribe by RSS feed or by email.

   See the 2020/11/28 post: Four-day isolation retreat at TAT Center, with photos and YouTube clips.

Update from the Lynchburg, VA self-inquiry group:
We have been meeting on Thursday evenings from 7pm—8:30pm, online, via zoom. Norio Kushi, Paul Rezendes, and Bob Harwood are consistent guests. We've also had some other interesting characters show up from time to time. Topics come from readings or questions brought up by our members. These are sent out, along with the zoom invitation each week. Recently we posted some "considerations" for joining our group:
** Try to frame your comments as questions to Norio, Paul, or Bob. Draw these questions from you own experience rather than generalities. Maintain attention and discussion on the question rather than philosophical musings.
** Question other participants, in the spirit of group-assisted self inquiry, but without attempting to lead them to any particular conclusion or bring attention to yourself.
**Allow for and attend to the silence and the space that is always present. When you aren't speaking, see that as your role—to hold that space.
**Question, in yourself, the use of personal story-telling and quoting others—though sometimes both are helpful and appropriate.
**Consider the way in which you are listening. Does it have a quality of acquisitiveness or openness?
**Continue to question your own intention for coming to this meeting and let that guide any comments/questions/discussion.
~ Please contact or if you're interested in being on the email list.

Update from the New York City self-inquiry group:
The New York City Self-Inquiry group meets by Zoom every Monday from 6-8 PM EST. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3098361863?pwd=anY5OFlMT0pNMld6VXJDb0Z2SjY0UT09. For those joining by phone, the number is +1 929 205 6099 US (New York), with Meeting ID: 309 836 1863, and Passcode: 895478. More details, as well as our weekly discussion topics, are available on our MeetUp page (link above) and via email at .

Update from the recently listed Online Video Confrontation Group:
The Monday Night Online Confrontation Group is going strong with a core group of participants and room for a few more. Now meeting at 7:30 pm EST (previously at 7 pm), using the online video conference platform from Zoom. The goal of the group is to practice confrontation/group self-inquiry. ~ If you're interested, email or .

   Isaac and AJ interviewed Art Ticknor on their Plant Cunning Podcast series, where they "invite herbalists, ethnobotanists, farmers, mages, fungi experts, community organizers and all kinds of other interesting people to the microphone to share their wisdom and experiences with us": Self Realization with Art Ticknor.

Update from the Portland, OR self-inquiry group:
A small group of us meet most Sundays at a coffee shop. The format for our meetings is to give each person 20 minutes or so to talk about whatever is coming up for them in their practice and to answer questions from the others. ~ Email for more information.

Update from the Raleigh, NC Triangle Inquiry Group:
The group is starting up again after a hiatus, now with Zoom online meetings. ~ Email for details.

Update for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area TAT Center:
Bob Fergeson spent a year as resident teacher before returning to Colorado in March. Mark Wintgens continues as our chief-seeker in residence and invaluable caretaker. He is looking forward to hosting retreats and meetings for local group members as well as all TAT seekers. And TAT is looking forward to the possibility of hosting the August 2021 TAT meeting at the Center. ~ Email for information about the TAT Center.

Update from the Richmond Self Inquiry Group:
There isn't a Richmond self inquiry group at the moment…it never really got off the ground. I'm considering a few different approaches for round three, but it'll be at least a few months away before that takes form. ~ Email for information about future meetings and events.

Update from the San Francisco Bay area self-inquiry group:
See the Shawn Nevins interview by Iain McNay of Conscious.tv, kicking off the publication of Shawn's book Subtraction: The Simple Math of Enlightenment. ~ Email for information about upcoming meetings and events.

   TAT Press publishes Shawn's Images of Essence: The Standing Now, which features his poems with photos by Bob Fergeson, The Celibate Seeker: An Exploration of Celibacy as a Modern Spiritual Practice, Subtraction: The Simple Math of Enlightenment, and Hydroglyphics: Reflections on the Sacred, which features his poems with photos by Phaedra Greenwood.

Update from the Washington DC Area Self-Inquiry Discussion Group:
[This group was previously listed as the Rockville, MD self-inquiry group.] We've been meeting monthly at Rockville, MD Memorial Library. While the library is closed for public health reasons, we're participating more in a weekly online book club. Forum readers are welcome to participate. ~ For more information, please email or see the website http://firstknowthyself.org/virtual/.

Members-Only Area

A password-protected section of the website is available for TAT members. The area contains information on product discounts for members as well as a substantial amount of helpful and historical information, including audio recordings, Newsletter archives, Retrospect archives, policies, conference proceedings, business meeting notes, photographs, and suggestions for ways to help.

TAT's August 2019 Workshop was titled Beyond Mindfulness: Meditation and the Path Within and included three guest speakers who each led separate workshops. The following audio recordings are now available in the members-only website area:

• "Mindfulness. Is it just another spiritual buzzword?" with Bob Cergol,
• "The Path of Direct Sensory Perception" with Bob Harwood, and
• "The Art of Mindfulness is the Passion for Truth" with Paul Rezendes.

TAT's June 2019 Spiritual Retreat Weekend was titled Between You and the Infinite. The following audio recordings are now available in the members-only website area:

• "Coming Home (aka The End of Seeking)" by Don Oakley, and
• "What's in the Way?" by Eshwar Segobind.

TAT's April 2019 Spiritual Retreat Weekend was titled Once in a Lifetime is Now. The following audio recordings are now available in the members-only website area:

• "Recognizing the Human Dilemma" by Norio Kushi,
• "Strategies for Self-Realization" by Bart Marshall,
• Untitled session by Paul Hedderman, and
• "A Session in the Now" by Paul Rezendes.

TAT's August 2018 Workshop was titled Beyond Imagination and included three guest speakers who each led separate workshops. The following audio recordings are now available in the members-only website area:

• "Nurturing What We Are" with Jenny Clarke,
• "The Art of Seeing" with Norio Kushi, and
• "Seeing Through Imaginary Traps" with Shawn Pethel.

Please us if you have questions. (Look here for info on TAT membership.)

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Your Contributions to TAT News

TAT founder Richard Rose believed that working with others accelerates our retreat from untruth. He also felt that such efforts were most effective when applied with discernment, meaning working with others on the rungs of the ladder closest to our own. The TAT News section is for TAT members to communicate about work they've been doing with or for other members and friends. Please your "ladder work" news.

 

Humor

"One thing you must be able to do in the midst
of any experience is laugh. And experience
should show you that it isn't real, that it's a
movie. Life doesn't take you seriously, so why
take it seriously." ~ Richard Rose, Carillon

We enjoy presenting humor here from TAT members and friends. Please your written or graphic creations. Exact sources are necessary for other submissions, since we need to make sure they're either in the public domain or that we have permission to use them.

 

Inspiration & Irritation

Irritation moves us; inspiration provides a direction

Please your thoughts on the above items.

 

Reader Commentary

Encouraging interactive readership among TAT members and friends

The Reader Commentary question for the February TAT Forum is:

What is my deepest intention?

Thanks to 21 Questions for a Spiritual Seeker by Chandresh Bhardwaj. "If you consider yourself to be on a spiritual path, you must be having conversations with your soul already. During your conversations, pause often and listen carefully. At times, pause to ask questions too."

Responses follow.

From Sarah J:
To find a way out of this mess.

I: Sarah, ego, identity: 'I’ did not choose this path. I did not choose to be up to my ears in mess and confusion. My deepest intention is to find a way out of this mess. It seems I can’t find a way back, and somehow, my heart isn’t in trying. Which puts me at odds with myself.

So, my deepest intention is simply to get to the other side.

From Brett S:
At a meeting of our local self-inquiry group, the topic was the same as the TAT November meeting: what do you really, really want?

For the first time, my answer was truth. I didn’t start with that answer, but arrived there through a series of questions from the group and my responses. I first said I want acceptance, as a path to lead to love. So, I must want love. But, without certainty I don't know if love is real. So, I must want certainty. But, if I'm certain of something that isn't true, then certainty is worthless. So, I must want truth.

I thought the process was really cool. It felt collaborative, like the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts.

My deepest intention, I think, is to live true to myself. I used to think that meant “becoming the ideal version of myself"; someone everyone would always love (ha!) but more importantly someone I would always love. Now "living true to myself" feels more exploratory. Like, "seeing myself how I am, and accepting that."

From Brian M:
When I think about my deepest intention I feel a wobble. Steady up there lad, why are you wobbling? It feels like this intention is not solid, like a mirage. A fear appears that doubts that I can keep this commitment to the end. This is not sacred doubt but fear of failure, not making it over the finishing line. Am I holding on to a belief that there is a finishing line and a starting line? Of course. How many other beliefs must be brought to the sword? I can't answer but many for sure. Following my deepest intention means that I may have to live without explanation to slyly slip out of the mask of the "I". All projection of my perceived individuality that I appear to be has to nullified and voided. My deepest intention is to be at the right place at the right time for grace to lift the curtains on what I truly am.

From Michael R:
This question is related to “what’s my deepest desire” in my mind. What I appreciate most about these questions is the refinement they cause when really taking the time to answer in a way that hits home and rings true. My deepest intention would be related to my deepest longing. The surface is scratched to my deepest longing when it’s described as a kind of experience - I want to “know” the Truth, I want to “feel” Whole.

This way of talking about it doesn’t really go beneath the surface, though. What I most deeply long for isn’t something “I” can “have,” including a knowing or a feeling, both of which are still “set apart” from me in a way that doesn’t touch the core of this aching curiosity. This aim is not towards an experience, which I know intuitively would always feel removed, relative, and too far away.

The closest phrase I’ve ever heard that touches this is “Knowledge through Identity,” a blend of knowing and being. That’s my deepest desire, to know what I am through direct contact and a somehow aware-identity with my essential nature and source. It’s the basis of every other question I’ve ever had about God, meaning, life, and death. And from that deepest longing springs my deepest intention - to become or realize That.

From RS:
My deepest intention is to be happy ever.

From Art Ticknor:
My deepest intention by age 30 was to become fully satisfied with my life. And I was fully frustrated because I couldn't see what to aim at in order to become satisfied. There was something missing, but I didn't have a clue about what it was.

Then I met Richard Rose at age 33, and he "rang my bell." Actually it was more like a big, brass gong, which I didn't even know I had inside, and the words that did it were: "The answers lie within."

I had been looking outside / in the physical world to find a target. That there was a diametrically opposed direction hadn't occurred to me. So I had an entirely new direction and, before long, I had words that described the target: My intention was to become the Truth at any cost.

When I met Douglas Harding a quarter of a century later and told him about my first encounter with Richard Rose, he said 33 is a magic age, isn't it. See the Douglas Harding page on Bob Fergeson's Mystic Missal for a brief description of why 33 was a significant age for Harding.

From Patrick K:
To live in the truest way I can, to make myself as vulnerable as possible for to see fully who I am. Until I really know who capital “I” is, I'm stranded in the ignorance of a separate self wandering around aimlessly and lost in a world I don't really feel that I belong to.

From Bonnie Y:
I would like to see the ultimate big picture if it's meant to be shown to me.

From Bob Cergol:
I don’t think a lengthy essay is needed to answer the question simply. The universal deepest intention of human beings is threefold. First and foremost is to be, to exist—as an individual. Second is to define that individuality to and for themselves. Third is to avoid looking directly into the core of their being, from whence it springs, because to do so would be to truly accept with finality their individual mortality—not just bodily, but precious, self-loved, ego-identity....

See the rest of Bob's response in the Irritation & Inspiration section.

From Tara S:
My deepest intention seems to change fairly frequently. Or I should say, awareness of my deepest intention is sometimes shrouded. Today, as I type, it seems my deepest intention is to find the answer within myself that will make me stop feeling inadequate. To believe something intellectually is not what I am looking for. To affirm the Al Franken/Stuart Smalley quote, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone it people like me!" won't cut it. My deepest intention is to find out what I truly am, beneath the layers of relative personhood. And the assumption is that, when I know THAT, within every fiber of my being, it will be satisfactory.

From Bill K:
The greatest intentions are the ones that make it obvious that they are not mine. I don't have one, the intention has me. But I have a choice: an intention can drive me, or I can ignore or avoid by directing my attention. I believe the deepest or most profound are of a certain type, in that they are indicative of something more substantial, solid or real than the results enjoyed by other intentions and desires. It seems as if some part of me has either experienced, or is, or has been in contact with something more real and the resulting impression so great as to create an intention to return there. Intention implies action as intent to do, and in this case 'to go' would mean some transformation, a transcendence to something more real but subtle, solid yet however vague. Another belief I have is that there is a way there, through some calling, thread or form of bread crumbs as guidance. I have a choice: be open and move, or ignore or avoid.

Other Reader Feedback

From Gus R., referencing the Online Self-Inquiry Book Club in the Local Group News section:

Rose aligns himself with the method of Zen in its recognition of the impossibility of stepping out of dualistic mentation in a straight line by any means. One cannot think, work, chant, grin, believe, ingratiate, copulate, or buy one’s way into Enlightenment. The step from relative thought to Direct Mind apprehension must pass through the realm of magic. This transformation in consciousness is quickened by a nonrational (as differentiated from rational, and not to be confused with irrational) mode of inquiry. ~ From Chapter 6 of Richard Rose's Psychology of the Observer: The Path to Reality Through the Self by John Kent.

If you asked ten self-inquirers about their methods of seeking, I'd bet you would get ten different and sometimes vague answers. That's not a problem unless you were new to self-inquiry and really wanted to know what it is about. It would not be a problem if you were a seeker and in turning over every stone, were eager to hear every other seeker's story, about their path, their ways and means.

The quote above is the opening paragraph to “Self-Inquiry: Its Meaning and Direction,” one of nineteen chapters of an attempt by one man, having studied with Rose for most of ten years, to put together a comprehensive study of all aspects of Rose's teachings, as a reference work for other seekers and for his graduate school review board. John Kent's effort is the result of many one-on-one interviews and the transcribing of discussions not recorded elsewhere.

For those who knew Rose or are familiar with his writings, John's thoroughness is an amazing compilation. His scholarly style is peppered with often earthy quotes and tones that depict Rose's manner of teaching well. Yet it is only one man's interpretation of what Rose has to offer. Many of his students have recorded one-liners that can pivot the mind as if magically in some direction unexpectedly. Mr Kent has an endless number of these, and he interlaces them like punctuation to clarify effectively. This manuscript is not the final answer, but more a first hand account and thorough explanation—a stone well worth the effort to investigate.

*

The Self-inquiry Book Club has monthly meetings, each focusing on a different chapter of John Kent's thesis detailing Rose's teachings. Chapter 6, Self Inquiry: Its Meaning and Direction," is scheduled for discussion on Sunday, Feb. 13 (invitation to Sunday meetings). There's also a separate discussion board for each month's chapter.

From Don A., referencing the January 2022 Concerns & Convictions article:

“A Part of Thee” (taken from the title of the author's favorite poem by Richard Rose) was one of the best distillations of Richard Rose's teachings I have ever run across. A “Reader's Digest” digestion of just enough key points to portray Rose's approach to self-inquiry as unique and separate from most every current Vedanta and self-inquiry approach out there today.

In case you missed it, here are a few “eye-openers” that may surprise you:
- That self-inquiry is a strategy of going on the offense
- That “no self” is absurd
- Meditation is a practice of looking away
- Who is “My Lord”?
- That “flow” is a wind that blows my boat from birth to death
- And traction against that flow requires friction
- That "Love is the purpose of life. . ."

Excerpts from Rose that begin like “How do we do it?” (from The Direct-Mind Experience) exemplify his boldness; stanzas like the one in "A Part of Thee" (from Carillon) that begins with “Though you should seek me I am with thee still,” his love.

Resourcefully, a good one liner can drive home a point to an obstinate listener, and the author citess a humorous one regarding possibly obstinacy: The word “vegetarian” is derived from a Native American word for “poor hunter.”

Perhaps another would be: New Age Spirituality is derived from “poor seeker,” or that understanding non-duality is the refuge of the tired seeker.

Q: What are your thoughts on this month's reader commentary? Please your feedback.

Richard Rose described a spiritual path as living one's life aimed at finding the meaning of that life. Did you find anything relevant to your life or search in this month's TAT Forum?

We like hearing from you! Please your comments, suggestions, inquiries, and submissions.

Sign up for notices of TAT's four annual events and free monthly Forums by email on our contact page.

 

Founder's Wisdom

Richard Rose (1917-2005) established the TAT Foundation
in 1973 to encourage people to work together on what
he considered to be the "grand project" of spiritual work.

VISITOR’S OR ENQUIRER’S SHEET ~ Sept. 24, 1975 ~ CONFRONTATION, The visitor coming to our meeting for the first time may witness the group in confrontation, and wonder about its function. To many, especially those looking for phenomenal happenings, may think it is only some half-hearted method of encountering. The purpose behind confrontation is to discover the real self, not to provide some sort of therapy. Some therapy may be unavoidable, but it is not the prime purpose. The WHOLE CORE OF OUR SYSTEM REVOLVES in CONFRONTATION. Spiritual self-definition involves the “going within,” a process that is necessary because modern psychology is not adequate in defining man, nor in finding for man a method of finding his essence through mental introspection. The latter process belongs to ancient systems of spiritual discipline. The great undertaking, FINDING THE ESSENCE of man, which simultaneously answers all man’s questions when found… must be started with a simple step. Each step should validate itself for us… by giving us the conviction that we are more aware of ourself with the taking or completion of the step. So CONFRONTATION is the first step. A practice of starting to look seriously inside. It should not be looked upon as a battle with the monitor. The monitor is only trying to help you do your own work. The enquirer must volunteer for confrontation. No one is forced. We say that the first step is ATTENDANCE. The fact that you are here means that you are either idly curious, or drawn by some intuition. THE SECOND STEP is CONFRONTATION, and participation in some form. THE THIRD STEP IS PARTICIPATION IN RAPPORT sessions. There should be no explanation of this step, beyond the information that we have a form of transmission which is employed with the aid of individual rapport. So that the system which you see here is two-fold. It is a mental technique for approaching a knowledge of essence, and an energy implementation for the DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF THAT ESSENCE. We are trying to expedite your enquiry with this sheet, and at the same time avoid the disruption of our meetings with explanations to everyone who comes in. So it is suggested that, in the event you wish more explanation, that you ask the monitor after the formal meeting is concluded, to spend some time with you, or have one of the older members of the group answer your questions. All monitors are more than happy to do this, because it brings to both the monitor and the group the realization that the intuition of the enquirer places him on the unique level of intelligent spiritual searching. If you are from out of town and cannot attend, you can write to: Box 8220, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 * Thanks to Shawn Nevins for uncovering this additional example of TAT memorabilia and sharing it with us. Shawn commented: I think it would be a fine addition to the Forum. You'd know better than I [because I was active in TAT from 1978, and Shawn came later circa 1990 - Ed.], but I see it as Rose's summary of his system circa 1975. Ten years later, perhaps he wouldn't have agreed. Twenty years later, I'd call his system "be celibate and go out into a cabin with a book until you have questions for me." And thirty years later, he was gone. Mr. Rose was still encouraging me to move to cities where he thought we might meet some people who would be interested in "the great undertaking" when I moved from Texas to Miami in 1985 ... establishing a local confrontation group and hopefully a rapport group, both of which occurred and continued until I moved to the Rose farm in WV in 1991 to keep it open for people to do solitary retreats. Shawn's focus was living on the farm as opposed to trying to find people to work with in new locations, and I don't think Mr. Rose would have pressed him to "go out into the world" unless he became disheartened on the farm.

Jacob's Ladder © 2001 Richard Rose. See this transcript of a talk on the topic by Rose.

Homing Ground Update … A spot on earth where people can do retreats and hold meetings; where the emphasis is on friendship and the search. February 2022: There's talk, nothing official yet, that April may see our first official event at the TAT Center. Perhaps we can "run between the raindrops" as Rose would say and see what happens.... Our fundraising goal for 2022 is $39,000. Thanks to two new donors in January as well as our stalwart monthly contributors, we're already at 1.7% of the goal! Shawn Nevins PS: Monthly contributions are a great way to support the TAT Center if making a larger one-time donation seems too much. If you're so inspired, click the Donate button below, then check the box for "Make this a monthly donation" as in the example below:   Let's bring this to life! "The job is upon us," Richard Rose said, "and it is worthwhile." To contribute to the TAT Center, mail a check made out to the TAT Foundation to: TAT Foundation PO Box 3402 Roxboro, NC 27573 Big checks, little checks, all are welcome. Or use the PayPal link above (though we lose 2.2% of your donation to PayPal fees). * See photos and more on the Homing Ground page. * In friendship, Shawn Nevins on behalf of the TAT Trustees

Did you enjoy the Forum? Then buy the book!
Readers' favorite selections from seven years of issues.
Beyond Mind, Beyond Death is available at Amazon.com.