About John Sullivan

John Sullivan's abiding interest is the place where philosophy, psychology, and spirituality — East, West, and beyond — intersect and mutually enhance one another. His work has long embraced two commitments: He is Powell Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Elon University in North Carolina and also Elon’s first Distinguished University Professor, and he retired in August 2006 after 36 years teaching undergraduates. He has also been active in the work of Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel, MD, and was principal designer of the Institute’s Master of Arts in Applied Healing Arts Program.

John is author of two books: To Come to Life More Fully (1991) and Living Large: Transformative Work at the Intersection of Ethics and Spirituality (2004). A native of Newport, Rhode Island, he holds two earned doctorates: a J.C.D. from the Lateran University in Rome, Italy, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 

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Workshop

Coming Home:
Spirituality in the Second Half of Life

This day-long retreat focuses on the second half of life and draws upon the spiritual gifts and practices of the seasons, especially autumn and winter.  These seasons also aid us to understand the wisdom of India which offers, in the first half of life, the roles of Student and Householder, and, in the second half, the roles of Forest Dweller and Sage.

The key reminder of the day is we already have all we seek. Nowhere to go, nothing to do, we are already home. In this light, even when we find somewhere to go and something to do, we may live our lives differently.

We think of three invitations in the work of becoming an elder: (1) to keep the big things, big, and the little things, little; (2) to encourage creativity; and (3) to bless the young. We shall explore each with the help of the special gifts and practices of autumn and winter.

Other Workshop Topics

	Awakening to Community: Beyond the Veil of Separateness
	Elders and the Earth: A Green Spirituality for a Green World
	Celtic Spirituality ― Exploring the Sacred Dimension of Nature
	The Sufi Poet Rumi ―A Celebration of Love

Mini Series

Four sessions each ~ $800

The hour-long presentations in the four-part mini-series below are suitable for large audiences and can be scheduled as a daily or weekly series.
Note: Each of these topics may also be done in workshop format.

Stories for the Second Half of Life

Most folktales and fairytales focus on the first half of life. They are stories of adventure, of finding one’s love, and finding one’s work. They often end with marriage and the hope of living happily ever after. Psychologist Allan Chinen has discovered a smaller number of stories that start after the honeymoon and focus on the lessons learned in later life. Here the themes are returning to ordinariness, role reversals, acknowledging evil within as well as without, coping with destiny and death, and experiencing further renewal.

From Complaint to Gratitude — The Story of Destiny

From Expectations to Love — The Story of Stubborn Husband, Stubborn Wife

From Suffering to Forgiveness — The Story of the Stoning

From Illusion to Exploring Wisdom's Way — The Story of the Golden Tree

Bridging Faiths Through Story

All of the great religions have taught using stories that speak to the heart. Sharing such stories is a way of bridging faiths – moving from one’s root faith, discovering the wisdom of other traditions, and returning home enriched.
 

Christianity: Speaking in Parables — Spirituality as Practicing the Presence of God

Buddhism: Zen Stories — Spirituality in the Call of Everyday Life

Judaism: Tales of the Hassidim — Spirituality in the Making of Community

Islam: Sufi Teaching Stories — Spirituality in the Journey of the Heart to God

For some time now, Eastern thought forms with their mindfulness practices― their integration of body, mind, and spirit; their forms of exercise and healing; and their art and poetry― have become better known in the West. This mini-series opens that world in a way that offers ways to deepen one’s life.