The other day I interviewed members of an immensely talented local band, a sort of reggae/funk ensemble. I asked the drummer what he did when he wasn’t playing music. He gave me a perplexed looked and thought for a moment before replying, “This is what I do…every day.”
Years ago while living at our retreat centre in the valley we were regularly graced with the visits of WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), young people from many nations who exchanged about four hours of work per day for a bed, meals and our knowledge of the land and organics. One such visitor was an enthusiastic young lady from Ireland. She was a remarkably balanced and happy person with a clear vision of what she wanted in life. She spoke one evening over a meal of how her father had positively influenced her and her siblings when she was growing up. He used to tell them that his job was simple. All he had to do was to help them each to find what it was that they really loved and then to encourage them to pursue it wholeheartedly. A wise man and wise words.
Isn’t this the key to happiness? Find out what you love and then do it wholeheartedly. Like the drummer in the band. Simple, isn’t it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Return from Canada
It is now almost three weeks since Asha and I returned from our trip to Canada and what a wonderful journey it was. It is so good to share quality time with those you love. We began our Ontario stay with good friends Vera, Scott and Aidan in Toronto. It was the first time we’d seen them in six years. We ended our trip with a short but sweet sharing with Chris and Carmen and their now grown up boys. I hadn’t seen them in more than eighteen years. In between, we spent part of the visit with my mother in Tillsonburg and part with my sister Cathy and her family in Cambridge. Aside from simple sharing of meals, meal preparation, walks, talks and the viewing of old family slides, there was a trip to my birthplace, Niagara Falls. I spoke with a curator in The Butterfly House near Niagara. Just as I told her of the great movie starring William Hurt, The Blue Butterfly, and describing the time when I was covered in butterflies in China, Blue Morpho butterflies landed on me. There are no coincidences.
Released in 2004 and based on a true story, The Blue Butterfly tells the story of a terminally ill 10-year-old boy whose dream is to catch the most beautiful butterfly on Earth, the mythic and elusive Blue Morpho. His mother persuades a renowned entomologist to take them on a trip to the jungle in to search for the butterfly, leading to an adventure that will transform their lives. The picture is filmed in Costa Rica and Montreal.
Near the end of our Ontario visit I was interviewed about my book by a London (Ontario) writer who was filling in for a Tillsonburg journalist who was off sick. I’m pleased with the article, John Haines’ Search for Simplicity, Jason Rip wrote.
We’ve had mostly amazing spring weather since returning to New Zealand. The garden continues to flourish, responding more than favourably to the almost four years of seaweed and compost it has received. My breakfasts these last weeks have been smoothies made almost exclusively from the fruits of our garden—bananas, tropical guavas, babacos and pepinos. It is so satisfying and nourishing to eat the fruits of one’s labours.
Released in 2004 and based on a true story, The Blue Butterfly tells the story of a terminally ill 10-year-old boy whose dream is to catch the most beautiful butterfly on Earth, the mythic and elusive Blue Morpho. His mother persuades a renowned entomologist to take them on a trip to the jungle in to search for the butterfly, leading to an adventure that will transform their lives. The picture is filmed in Costa Rica and Montreal.
Near the end of our Ontario visit I was interviewed about my book by a London (Ontario) writer who was filling in for a Tillsonburg journalist who was off sick. I’m pleased with the article, John Haines’ Search for Simplicity, Jason Rip wrote.
We’ve had mostly amazing spring weather since returning to New Zealand. The garden continues to flourish, responding more than favourably to the almost four years of seaweed and compost it has received. My breakfasts these last weeks have been smoothies made almost exclusively from the fruits of our garden—bananas, tropical guavas, babacos and pepinos. It is so satisfying and nourishing to eat the fruits of one’s labours.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Book Is Almost Available
Every now and then a book comes along with the power to transform the lives of its readers. In Search of Simplicity has the ability to do just that. It is an autobiographical travel adventure story that reads like a novel. Over the years, when the author has told some of the stories of coincidences that are now contained within the book, listeners began to have (or at least to notice) magical happenings in their own lives.
The timely themes woven through the easy to read narrative include the power of coincidence; ecological, social and economic responsibility; and personal awakening.
In today’s uncertain world of mortgage pressures, global warming and seemingly endless war, many feel powerless in their ability to create positive change personally, nationally and globally. In Search of Simplicity provides answers to this dilemma of uncertainty. It points the way for each reader to find the life of their deepest longing, a life of simplicity and self assurance, while enjoying a rollicking good read.
Advance Praise for
In Search of Simplicity
“Like an innocent child, John Haines lures us to join him in awesome wonder at life’s beauty, magic and mystery. His enlightened temperament oozes on every page into a simple philosophy that life has good, everywhere.”
Roselyn DeGaris, Adelaide, Australia
“As you read the many colorful accounts of John Haines’ true story you find that he has all the color and verve and life experience of an Indiana Jones.”
Elan Sun Star, Photographer-Writer-Teacher, Hawaii www.sunstarphoto.com
“As modern society takes us further away from simple living, the message in this book brings us back to what matters most, by reminding us that ‘simplicity’ is available at any time when we are prepared to open our hearts and minds and engage fully with the world around us. In this way, being present to each moment reconnects us with the preciousness of life.”
Suzanne Stewart, Buddhist practitioner, Wellington
“…interesting, captivating and thought provoking …a great read and a great author. You won’t and can’t put it down!”
Jenny Hamberger, New Zealand
For additional information including excerpts visit:
http://groups.msn.com/InSearchofSimplicity
ISBNs: 1-4392-0731-3 and 9781439207314
Order additional copies on-line www.amazon.com
In the USA call toll free 1-866-308-6235
Elsewhere phone 1-843-789-5000
The timely themes woven through the easy to read narrative include the power of coincidence; ecological, social and economic responsibility; and personal awakening.
In today’s uncertain world of mortgage pressures, global warming and seemingly endless war, many feel powerless in their ability to create positive change personally, nationally and globally. In Search of Simplicity provides answers to this dilemma of uncertainty. It points the way for each reader to find the life of their deepest longing, a life of simplicity and self assurance, while enjoying a rollicking good read.
Advance Praise for
In Search of Simplicity
“Like an innocent child, John Haines lures us to join him in awesome wonder at life’s beauty, magic and mystery. His enlightened temperament oozes on every page into a simple philosophy that life has good, everywhere.”
Roselyn DeGaris, Adelaide, Australia
“As you read the many colorful accounts of John Haines’ true story you find that he has all the color and verve and life experience of an Indiana Jones.”
Elan Sun Star, Photographer-Writer-Teacher, Hawaii www.sunstarphoto.com
“As modern society takes us further away from simple living, the message in this book brings us back to what matters most, by reminding us that ‘simplicity’ is available at any time when we are prepared to open our hearts and minds and engage fully with the world around us. In this way, being present to each moment reconnects us with the preciousness of life.”
Suzanne Stewart, Buddhist practitioner, Wellington
“…interesting, captivating and thought provoking …a great read and a great author. You won’t and can’t put it down!”
Jenny Hamberger, New Zealand
For additional information including excerpts visit:
http://groups.msn.com/InSearchofSimplicity
ISBNs: 1-4392-0731-3 and 9781439207314
Order additional copies on-line www.amazon.com
In the USA call toll free 1-866-308-6235
Elsewhere phone 1-843-789-5000
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Restoring Respect for First Nation Wisdom
I am just finishing the first book by Laurens van der Post that I have ever read. It won't be the last. The book is called A Story Like the Wind and it follows the life of a 13 year old European boy, Francois, living on a remote farm in a country in Africa. His father, a former school superintendent who left public service because he disagreed with the public policy of inferior education for native peoples, home schools Francois. But the true education of this child of the frontier is derived from the native people who help to raise him, principally Matabele and Bushmen. The respect that van der Post paints of the tribal cultures is profound. Laurens was raisedin Africa in the early 1900s in a family with 15 children and he grew up immersed in the stories of the original African cultures. Many of these stories are no longer told. These people had a profound awareness of their connection with the natural world. It is this awareness that we in the West need to foster and expand.
As Europeans colonised the rest of the world they did their utter best, based on a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance, to eliminate all vestiges of tribal culture and wisdom that they could not understand. The European mind, post-Descartes, has been fragmented. Anything that could not be scientifically proven was discarded as primitive nonsense. But the science used to disprove or approve new ideas was flawed. It became increasingly specialized and compartmentalized and reflected the vast collective ‘forgetting’ of the supposedly superior colonisers. Only today with the huge growth in concepts such as ‘The Law of Attraction’ are we beginning to tap into an awareness that pre-existed ours in the wisdom of the ancients. But we colour this new awareness with our culture’s seemingly insatiable need for ‘more’.
I cannot too highly recommend several books that have helped to reawaken in me a respect for the First Nation peoples who have preceded the onslaught of my forebears.. These books have reinforced lessons I have learned while working intimately with nature. I hope you can gain as much pleasure and insight in their reading as I have:
Marlo Morgan's Mutant Message Down Under explores the almost unbelievable powers and practical wisdom of an aboriginal nation during a walk the author shared with them across the vast outback of Australia.
Forest Carter's The Education of Little Tree only became part of my literary milieu in recent years while reading with my children. I continue to pick up the book from time to time and delight in its humour and perception of a native wisdom dying out in the Appalachians.
First Light by Carol O'Biso covers the journey from America to New Zealand and back of the author, who was the conservator of Te Maori, an exhibit that toured the States in the 80s. It is a celebration of Maori culture and the magic it imbues.
Finally, I must mention Millennium: Tribal Wisdom for the Modern World, the compendium of anthropologist David Maybury-Lewis, based on his ground-breaking PBS television series. I continue to dip into its vast wisdom when I feel the need to enhance my awareness of humanity's oneness.
May this awareness grow in each of us daily.
By the way, the touching 1993 film set in Africa called A Far Off Place is based on two Laurens van der Post books.
Love,
John
As Europeans colonised the rest of the world they did their utter best, based on a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance, to eliminate all vestiges of tribal culture and wisdom that they could not understand. The European mind, post-Descartes, has been fragmented. Anything that could not be scientifically proven was discarded as primitive nonsense. But the science used to disprove or approve new ideas was flawed. It became increasingly specialized and compartmentalized and reflected the vast collective ‘forgetting’ of the supposedly superior colonisers. Only today with the huge growth in concepts such as ‘The Law of Attraction’ are we beginning to tap into an awareness that pre-existed ours in the wisdom of the ancients. But we colour this new awareness with our culture’s seemingly insatiable need for ‘more’.
I cannot too highly recommend several books that have helped to reawaken in me a respect for the First Nation peoples who have preceded the onslaught of my forebears.. These books have reinforced lessons I have learned while working intimately with nature. I hope you can gain as much pleasure and insight in their reading as I have:
Marlo Morgan's Mutant Message Down Under explores the almost unbelievable powers and practical wisdom of an aboriginal nation during a walk the author shared with them across the vast outback of Australia.
Forest Carter's The Education of Little Tree only became part of my literary milieu in recent years while reading with my children. I continue to pick up the book from time to time and delight in its humour and perception of a native wisdom dying out in the Appalachians.
First Light by Carol O'Biso covers the journey from America to New Zealand and back of the author, who was the conservator of Te Maori, an exhibit that toured the States in the 80s. It is a celebration of Maori culture and the magic it imbues.
Finally, I must mention Millennium: Tribal Wisdom for the Modern World, the compendium of anthropologist David Maybury-Lewis, based on his ground-breaking PBS television series. I continue to dip into its vast wisdom when I feel the need to enhance my awareness of humanity's oneness.
May this awareness grow in each of us daily.
By the way, the touching 1993 film set in Africa called A Far Off Place is based on two Laurens van der Post books.
Love,
John
Monday, July 7, 2008
Extending Friendship
Whenever uncertainty arises, stop. Be present, fully present. Watch your breath. If this isn’t enough, take a walk in nature, work in the garden or turn to a practice that cultivates stillness and inner connectedness such as yoga, qi gong or meditation.
Life is an ever-shifting balance between stillness and activity. Whenever activity dominates, and this easily happens in our busy lives, consciously cultivate stillness and the sense of peace this engenders. We can spend our lives chasing castles in the sky, when that which we seek has been with us all along. As Peace Pilgrim said, “You cannot give me anything I don’t already have.”
All desire comes from a sense of lack. If there is one message I would like to make, it is that we already have enough stuff. Let’s put our focus on the real stuff of life. As Thoreau said, “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” I might add, “Give me friendship.” For me, this goes further than traditionally understood. Whenever I rest in the stillness, I feel immersed in a warm womb of love. I feel forgiven for all of my errors of judgement, for all of my frailties. I am loved and I Am Love. I know that we are surrounded by unseen, loving friends. They guide us and urge us to aim always for the highest.
Last night I joined our teenage daughters, Amira and Asha, and Amira’s boyfriend, Toby, on the beach for a campfire. The wind was roaring from the west. From time to time, it brought a driving rain. We huddled against a cliff somewhat protected from the elements. The night came on and the stars jousted with the clouds. We watched the fire, enchanted by the constantly changing colours of the flames. The salt in some of the driftwood burned an eerie yellow. Ultraviolet, royal blue, green and an occasional flash of turquoise created a rainbow of fire.
Potatoes, broccoli and carrots were placed in a bed of coals. The tide came in. I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I reflected on what I already had in my life and knew, in that moment, that I was fulfilled.
We dragged the aluminium-wrapped vegetables form the fire with sticks. The aluminium tore and some of the contents spilled on the sand. We laughed. As I ate my salad, the three teenagers munched on charred, sometimes crunchy vegetables. As always happens by the beach, a little sand found its way into the food. We laughed some more. Desert, prepared by Asha, was bananas with chocolate and marshmallow, also wrapped in aluminium. When removed from the fire they were a sticky, delicious mess.
The tide came in further and threatened to smother the fire. Asha, the active one, perched in the swaying branches of a nearby Pohutukawa tree, cackling with glee as successive waves flowed under her.
I relished the exquisite ecstasy of the moment. Immersed in darkness, flames dancing, wind crying, occasional drops of rain finding our sheltered alcove; an unknown bird calling from the water. Times like this remind one of our connectedness with everything. Are not the stars our sisters, the sun an elder brother, the moon a maiden meant for love? The sand crushed beneath us, yet supported our steps. The salty water of the sea and the sweet water falling from the sky cleansed and purified our thoughts. The entire orchestra of nature kept us fully present.
Cultivate a relationship with everything. One cannot feel alone with such a sense of connectedness. This is what I call extending friendship.
Life is an ever-shifting balance between stillness and activity. Whenever activity dominates, and this easily happens in our busy lives, consciously cultivate stillness and the sense of peace this engenders. We can spend our lives chasing castles in the sky, when that which we seek has been with us all along. As Peace Pilgrim said, “You cannot give me anything I don’t already have.”
All desire comes from a sense of lack. If there is one message I would like to make, it is that we already have enough stuff. Let’s put our focus on the real stuff of life. As Thoreau said, “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” I might add, “Give me friendship.” For me, this goes further than traditionally understood. Whenever I rest in the stillness, I feel immersed in a warm womb of love. I feel forgiven for all of my errors of judgement, for all of my frailties. I am loved and I Am Love. I know that we are surrounded by unseen, loving friends. They guide us and urge us to aim always for the highest.
Last night I joined our teenage daughters, Amira and Asha, and Amira’s boyfriend, Toby, on the beach for a campfire. The wind was roaring from the west. From time to time, it brought a driving rain. We huddled against a cliff somewhat protected from the elements. The night came on and the stars jousted with the clouds. We watched the fire, enchanted by the constantly changing colours of the flames. The salt in some of the driftwood burned an eerie yellow. Ultraviolet, royal blue, green and an occasional flash of turquoise created a rainbow of fire.
Potatoes, broccoli and carrots were placed in a bed of coals. The tide came in. I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I reflected on what I already had in my life and knew, in that moment, that I was fulfilled.
We dragged the aluminium-wrapped vegetables form the fire with sticks. The aluminium tore and some of the contents spilled on the sand. We laughed. As I ate my salad, the three teenagers munched on charred, sometimes crunchy vegetables. As always happens by the beach, a little sand found its way into the food. We laughed some more. Desert, prepared by Asha, was bananas with chocolate and marshmallow, also wrapped in aluminium. When removed from the fire they were a sticky, delicious mess.
The tide came in further and threatened to smother the fire. Asha, the active one, perched in the swaying branches of a nearby Pohutukawa tree, cackling with glee as successive waves flowed under her.
I relished the exquisite ecstasy of the moment. Immersed in darkness, flames dancing, wind crying, occasional drops of rain finding our sheltered alcove; an unknown bird calling from the water. Times like this remind one of our connectedness with everything. Are not the stars our sisters, the sun an elder brother, the moon a maiden meant for love? The sand crushed beneath us, yet supported our steps. The salty water of the sea and the sweet water falling from the sky cleansed and purified our thoughts. The entire orchestra of nature kept us fully present.
Cultivate a relationship with everything. One cannot feel alone with such a sense of connectedness. This is what I call extending friendship.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Service Starts at Home
I know people who talk a great story and can quote from all sorts of books but, they're not living what they speak, fully, that is. Actually, do any of us? We can only try. I love family life and gardening because they’re real places in which I can practically express love. Simple isn't it?
When it comes to thinking globally we definitely need to begin by acting locally. A friend, a very down-to-earth gardener, once pointed to his hand and said, "Look at my fingers. Each one represents a place I can serve. The pinkie is for me. I can't serve anyone else properly until I love myself. I can engender self love by growing and eating healthy food, exercising, etc. The ring finger represents family. This can be my immediate family or an extended one like the whanau of the Maori. The second finger stands for my community. There are myriad ways in which I can serve locally. The index finger represents my country. I'm not talking about patriotism here. As you know, patriotism is as dangerous to a country as pride is to an individual. One place to get involved is in politics at a grass roots level; or in simple peaceful movements and protests. Finally, my thumb represents the planet, and if you like, the universe. The internet allows us to shrink the Earth and create global networks of like-minded friends."
I have modified the above 'hand analogy' when working with children in schools. They can apply their love and actions to their fellow students and their teachers, as well as friends, siblings and parents
Think about it. How effective will our efforts be without starting at home? In my mind, since everything is interconnected, every positive action affects the whole. The entire world is contained within me. Therefore, inner peace implies outer or world peace. I need to heal myself in order to heal the world. I need to start with me.
Our words have real, lasting meaning when they totally reflect our being, our presence. When we live what we speak, we do make a difference. I do my best to live up to this intention each day. Some days I succeed. Some days I fail. No matter—tomorrow’s another day.
Here’s an affirmation I made years ago based on a Sting song:
Every step I make; every breath I take; every thought I have; every word I speak brings me peace.
Say that aloud while looking in the mirror each morning with a big, cheesy smile and repeat it to yourself throughout the day. See what happens with your feelings and in your life. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I've got to go. It's time to make breakfast and play a game with Amira. Service starts at home.
Don't worry. Be happy.
Love,
John
When it comes to thinking globally we definitely need to begin by acting locally. A friend, a very down-to-earth gardener, once pointed to his hand and said, "Look at my fingers. Each one represents a place I can serve. The pinkie is for me. I can't serve anyone else properly until I love myself. I can engender self love by growing and eating healthy food, exercising, etc. The ring finger represents family. This can be my immediate family or an extended one like the whanau of the Maori. The second finger stands for my community. There are myriad ways in which I can serve locally. The index finger represents my country. I'm not talking about patriotism here. As you know, patriotism is as dangerous to a country as pride is to an individual. One place to get involved is in politics at a grass roots level; or in simple peaceful movements and protests. Finally, my thumb represents the planet, and if you like, the universe. The internet allows us to shrink the Earth and create global networks of like-minded friends."
I have modified the above 'hand analogy' when working with children in schools. They can apply their love and actions to their fellow students and their teachers, as well as friends, siblings and parents
Think about it. How effective will our efforts be without starting at home? In my mind, since everything is interconnected, every positive action affects the whole. The entire world is contained within me. Therefore, inner peace implies outer or world peace. I need to heal myself in order to heal the world. I need to start with me.
Our words have real, lasting meaning when they totally reflect our being, our presence. When we live what we speak, we do make a difference. I do my best to live up to this intention each day. Some days I succeed. Some days I fail. No matter—tomorrow’s another day.
Here’s an affirmation I made years ago based on a Sting song:
Every step I make; every breath I take; every thought I have; every word I speak brings me peace.
Say that aloud while looking in the mirror each morning with a big, cheesy smile and repeat it to yourself throughout the day. See what happens with your feelings and in your life. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I've got to go. It's time to make breakfast and play a game with Amira. Service starts at home.
Don't worry. Be happy.
Love,
John
Monday, June 30, 2008
Solutions in Education
All crimes, all hatreds, all wars can be reduced to unhappiness.
A.S. Neill 1883 – 1973, founder of Summerhill School.
Our two daughters have been raised in America, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. We have touched on Montessori, Steiner, democratic schools and a variety of state-run public schools. Based on experiences of bullying and teachers who didn't really acknowledge the individual needs of our children, we have been home schooling more often as not.
Amira is now nearly 18 and Asha 15. They have been home schooled continuously for more than four years. We choose to unschool them. We teach no lessons and never have. Each of the girls taught themselves to read—Amira by reading quietly to herself while home schooling at age 6. Asha at 7 by listening to Dutch language tapes of nursery rhymes, and following along with illustrated books that came with the cassettes. Dutch is her first language and she's an auditory and kinesthetic learner.
Both girls are superb readers. We had no television until recently and even today all that gets watched is movies; although I must say Asha is grabbed by Disney Channel. We got our first computer two years ago. That was a conscious choice. While attending school in Holland a few years ago our children were the only ones in their school who didn’t have a computer at home. Amira was recently acknowledged by our district's mayor for having read more library books over a three year period than any other young adult in the area—several thousand books. She writes and has recently become the youngest person to complete the Proofreading and Editing course at the New Zealand Institute of Business Studies. She is currently in the final stages of editing my first book, In Search of Simplicity: A True Story That Changes Lives.
Our main educational inspiration these last years has come from the examples of two schools. The first is Summerhill, founded in England by A.S. Neill in 1921. In his inspiring book, Summerhill, the founder writes of his experiences. Neill believed that the happiness of the child was of paramount consideration and that this happiness grew from a sense of personal freedom in the child during childhood. He went on to say that most psychological disturbances in adults could be attributed to the suppression of the natural tendencies of the child.
Neill’s groundbreaking work greatly inspired the founders of Sudbury Valley School (SVS) in Framingham, Massachusetts, in 1968. Their website is http://www.sudval.org/. The school, an old refurbished estate with extensive grounds and a lake surrounded by national forest is a place where people choose for themselves what they want to study or teach. SVS has pioneered the "one person, one vote" model of democracy in education. Children from three to eighteen attend. None are taught to read, yet every child learns to, some very well. You can do no better than to read Daniel Greenberg’s book, Free At Last, to gain a valuable appreciation for the pioneering work SVS has done. Its example is being emulated all over the world, with schools mushrooming in countries as diverse as Israel, the Netherlands and Australia.
I believe that when we are taught what we should learn, rather than choosing for ourselves, our ability to make informed, discerning choices atrophies. We become sheep and vote for leaders with charisma, rather than substance. I have spent my lifetime unschooling the conditioning of my youth. Travel and life in many countries has helped my eyes to see truth clearly rather than through the filter of conditioning. My wife and I want our children to grow into caring, compassionate adults who choose directions that recognize the unity of humanity and all of life. We have raised them to question everything including us. This can prove to be uncomfortable for a parent at times.
Our girls show no interest in university, contrary to some of their friends and their many adult role models. Like A.S. Neill, they see the value of practical knowledge and skills rather than the purely intellectual.
With the current trends in education to increased testing and assessment the danger is growing that new adults entering the working world will know only competition. Cooperation is the answer to most of the world’s problems; cooperation and education with heart. One day humanity will look back upon these times and wonder at all the competition in the worlds of schools, business, politics and sports. Our descendants will see clearly why we have so often chosen the path of war and oppression. And they will be glad for our example, and happy they have chosen for cooperation and peace.
Today, all over the world, education is moving towards more and more testing, more examinations and more qualifications. It seems to be a modern trend that assessment and qualification define education.
If society were to treat any other group of people the way it treats its children, it would be considered a violation of human rights. But for most of the world's children this is the normal expectation from parents, school and the society in which we live.
From http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/pages/
A.S. Neill 1883 – 1973, founder of Summerhill School.
Our two daughters have been raised in America, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. We have touched on Montessori, Steiner, democratic schools and a variety of state-run public schools. Based on experiences of bullying and teachers who didn't really acknowledge the individual needs of our children, we have been home schooling more often as not.
Amira is now nearly 18 and Asha 15. They have been home schooled continuously for more than four years. We choose to unschool them. We teach no lessons and never have. Each of the girls taught themselves to read—Amira by reading quietly to herself while home schooling at age 6. Asha at 7 by listening to Dutch language tapes of nursery rhymes, and following along with illustrated books that came with the cassettes. Dutch is her first language and she's an auditory and kinesthetic learner.
Both girls are superb readers. We had no television until recently and even today all that gets watched is movies; although I must say Asha is grabbed by Disney Channel. We got our first computer two years ago. That was a conscious choice. While attending school in Holland a few years ago our children were the only ones in their school who didn’t have a computer at home. Amira was recently acknowledged by our district's mayor for having read more library books over a three year period than any other young adult in the area—several thousand books. She writes and has recently become the youngest person to complete the Proofreading and Editing course at the New Zealand Institute of Business Studies. She is currently in the final stages of editing my first book, In Search of Simplicity: A True Story That Changes Lives.
Our main educational inspiration these last years has come from the examples of two schools. The first is Summerhill, founded in England by A.S. Neill in 1921. In his inspiring book, Summerhill, the founder writes of his experiences. Neill believed that the happiness of the child was of paramount consideration and that this happiness grew from a sense of personal freedom in the child during childhood. He went on to say that most psychological disturbances in adults could be attributed to the suppression of the natural tendencies of the child.
Neill’s groundbreaking work greatly inspired the founders of Sudbury Valley School (SVS) in Framingham, Massachusetts, in 1968. Their website is http://www.sudval.org/. The school, an old refurbished estate with extensive grounds and a lake surrounded by national forest is a place where people choose for themselves what they want to study or teach. SVS has pioneered the "one person, one vote" model of democracy in education. Children from three to eighteen attend. None are taught to read, yet every child learns to, some very well. You can do no better than to read Daniel Greenberg’s book, Free At Last, to gain a valuable appreciation for the pioneering work SVS has done. Its example is being emulated all over the world, with schools mushrooming in countries as diverse as Israel, the Netherlands and Australia.
I believe that when we are taught what we should learn, rather than choosing for ourselves, our ability to make informed, discerning choices atrophies. We become sheep and vote for leaders with charisma, rather than substance. I have spent my lifetime unschooling the conditioning of my youth. Travel and life in many countries has helped my eyes to see truth clearly rather than through the filter of conditioning. My wife and I want our children to grow into caring, compassionate adults who choose directions that recognize the unity of humanity and all of life. We have raised them to question everything including us. This can prove to be uncomfortable for a parent at times.
Our girls show no interest in university, contrary to some of their friends and their many adult role models. Like A.S. Neill, they see the value of practical knowledge and skills rather than the purely intellectual.
With the current trends in education to increased testing and assessment the danger is growing that new adults entering the working world will know only competition. Cooperation is the answer to most of the world’s problems; cooperation and education with heart. One day humanity will look back upon these times and wonder at all the competition in the worlds of schools, business, politics and sports. Our descendants will see clearly why we have so often chosen the path of war and oppression. And they will be glad for our example, and happy they have chosen for cooperation and peace.
Today, all over the world, education is moving towards more and more testing, more examinations and more qualifications. It seems to be a modern trend that assessment and qualification define education.
If society were to treat any other group of people the way it treats its children, it would be considered a violation of human rights. But for most of the world's children this is the normal expectation from parents, school and the society in which we live.
From http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/pages/
Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder
The wind blew shrill and smart,
And the wind awoke my heart
Again to go a-sailing o'er the sea,
To hear the cordage moan
And the straining timbers groan,
And to see the flying pennon lie a-lee.
Robert Louis Stevenson 1850 – 1894
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
In 1997 our family headed to the beach for the summer, to a place on the Karikari Peninsula called Whatuwhiwhi—pronounced Fatufeefee, not the way you were thinking.
Our ridge top rental possessed views of the sea in two directions. To the east—the long slow arc of Tokerau Beach and the sweeping curve of Doubtless Bay. Legend has it that when Captain James Cook arrived here on the Endeavour in 1770 he reputedly said, “This is doubtless a bay.”
To the west, across nobly grass covered dunes, lay a series of reed fringed finger lakes, haven to heron and gull, and glimpses of the white sand of Rangiputa. The old, low volcanic dome of Puheke stood guard to the west coast of the peninsula, north of the entrance to Rangaunu Harbour.
Our home for the summer was a two storey Kiwi bach, a functional, if not fancy, house designed for visits in the summer and on weekends throughout the year when the weather was favourable. The absentee owners maintained the basic garden of rough lawn and a few hardy evergreens that withstood the incessant winds of the hilltop.
The vista was superb, like a prince, the garden drab and colourless, a pauper in comparison. We loved that summer, swimming and walking every day. The girls would play on a makeshift swing suspended from a large, beach-side Pohutukawa, New Zealand’s red-flowering Christmas tree. We ate our evening meals on the windy deck on the north side of the bach, struggling to keep kelp granules in the salad rather than on our clothes. The sky would colour majestically as the day waned.
By autumn we knew we had to move on. The wind grew increasingly chilly, and found refuge inside our dwelling, like an unwanted guest. The house had no insulation or woodstove. It was not really an all-season home.
By the time we took refuge in what was to be our sanctuary for four years in nearby Peria Valley, I was craving a garden with colour. It was that summer by the beach that I discovered the importance of flowers in one’s life. Their absence made my heart fondly long for them. Love is beauty and beauty is truth. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
And the wind awoke my heart
Again to go a-sailing o'er the sea,
To hear the cordage moan
And the straining timbers groan,
And to see the flying pennon lie a-lee.
Robert Louis Stevenson 1850 – 1894
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
In 1997 our family headed to the beach for the summer, to a place on the Karikari Peninsula called Whatuwhiwhi—pronounced Fatufeefee, not the way you were thinking.
Our ridge top rental possessed views of the sea in two directions. To the east—the long slow arc of Tokerau Beach and the sweeping curve of Doubtless Bay. Legend has it that when Captain James Cook arrived here on the Endeavour in 1770 he reputedly said, “This is doubtless a bay.”
To the west, across nobly grass covered dunes, lay a series of reed fringed finger lakes, haven to heron and gull, and glimpses of the white sand of Rangiputa. The old, low volcanic dome of Puheke stood guard to the west coast of the peninsula, north of the entrance to Rangaunu Harbour.
Our home for the summer was a two storey Kiwi bach, a functional, if not fancy, house designed for visits in the summer and on weekends throughout the year when the weather was favourable. The absentee owners maintained the basic garden of rough lawn and a few hardy evergreens that withstood the incessant winds of the hilltop.
The vista was superb, like a prince, the garden drab and colourless, a pauper in comparison. We loved that summer, swimming and walking every day. The girls would play on a makeshift swing suspended from a large, beach-side Pohutukawa, New Zealand’s red-flowering Christmas tree. We ate our evening meals on the windy deck on the north side of the bach, struggling to keep kelp granules in the salad rather than on our clothes. The sky would colour majestically as the day waned.
By autumn we knew we had to move on. The wind grew increasingly chilly, and found refuge inside our dwelling, like an unwanted guest. The house had no insulation or woodstove. It was not really an all-season home.
By the time we took refuge in what was to be our sanctuary for four years in nearby Peria Valley, I was craving a garden with colour. It was that summer by the beach that I discovered the importance of flowers in one’s life. Their absence made my heart fondly long for them. Love is beauty and beauty is truth. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
United We Sing
The following words are from my heart and from the epilogue of my soon-to-be-released book, In Search of Simplicity: A True Story that Changes Lives.
http://groups.msn.com/InSearchofSimplicity/_whatsnew.msnw
Should you want to read more post your email address. Looking forward to hearing from you.
In peace,
John
I'm asking you to join this great renaissance of humanity and contribute to the awakening of this planet. There are not more than six billion souls incarnated on Earth at this time for nothing. It is time for us, for the little people of this world, to recognize our power, our brilliance, and our ability to affect change. As individuals, we have been like lone stunted rata trees eking out a fragile existence on the windswept sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands. These trees have been like islands on islands, attracting other flora and fauna to the shade and protection they afford. Eventually they have joined together in one connected mass of strength and diversity.
We individual humans are ready to do the same. Acting collectively we can harness the strength of our numbers and our diversity and become an irresistible force for change. All each of us has to do is find our own unique part in the Divine Plan. All each of us has to do is follow the coincidences that guide us along the path of our destiny. Then we are part of the collective awakening of humanity and of Planet Earth.
The following words came to me in the middle of the night in 2003 during a time in which I was recording a few songs of peace while living in the Netherlands. You are welcome to copy and distribute United We Sing provided you acknowledge the source.
United we sing.
And our voices are heard in the decision halls of the world,
And the intention of our song is felt,
As we the little people of the world see, finally, we do make a difference.
The physical violence stops and weapons are no longer made
As our governments follow Costa Rica's example
And no longer create armies of destruction.
Defense departments are replaced with peace departments.
And their efforts turn to worthy causes so that all of the world's people have enough to eat and have clean, comfortable shelter, and a safe place to live.
And we begin the reconstruction of our natural world
That has been so sadly abused and neglected.
We now have armies of children of all ages planting trees
And the deserts bloom.
As our voices resound around the world our hearts give a collective sigh of relief
And peace descends upon us.
And our children's children will speak of this time with wonder:
The time when the killing stopped;
The time when the meek inherited the Earth
United in song.
Peace in ourselves, in our families, in our schools and communities, in our countries and in the world is not just a dream, it is inevitable.
John Haines
New Zealand
.
http://groups.msn.com/InSearchofSimplicity/_whatsnew.msnw
Should you want to read more post your email address. Looking forward to hearing from you.
In peace,
John
I'm asking you to join this great renaissance of humanity and contribute to the awakening of this planet. There are not more than six billion souls incarnated on Earth at this time for nothing. It is time for us, for the little people of this world, to recognize our power, our brilliance, and our ability to affect change. As individuals, we have been like lone stunted rata trees eking out a fragile existence on the windswept sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands. These trees have been like islands on islands, attracting other flora and fauna to the shade and protection they afford. Eventually they have joined together in one connected mass of strength and diversity.
We individual humans are ready to do the same. Acting collectively we can harness the strength of our numbers and our diversity and become an irresistible force for change. All each of us has to do is find our own unique part in the Divine Plan. All each of us has to do is follow the coincidences that guide us along the path of our destiny. Then we are part of the collective awakening of humanity and of Planet Earth.
The following words came to me in the middle of the night in 2003 during a time in which I was recording a few songs of peace while living in the Netherlands. You are welcome to copy and distribute United We Sing provided you acknowledge the source.
United we sing.
And our voices are heard in the decision halls of the world,
And the intention of our song is felt,
As we the little people of the world see, finally, we do make a difference.
The physical violence stops and weapons are no longer made
As our governments follow Costa Rica's example
And no longer create armies of destruction.
Defense departments are replaced with peace departments.
And their efforts turn to worthy causes so that all of the world's people have enough to eat and have clean, comfortable shelter, and a safe place to live.
And we begin the reconstruction of our natural world
That has been so sadly abused and neglected.
We now have armies of children of all ages planting trees
And the deserts bloom.
As our voices resound around the world our hearts give a collective sigh of relief
And peace descends upon us.
And our children's children will speak of this time with wonder:
The time when the killing stopped;
The time when the meek inherited the Earth
United in song.
Peace in ourselves, in our families, in our schools and communities, in our countries and in the world is not just a dream, it is inevitable.
John Haines
New Zealand
.
Solstice Summary June 2008
We experienced a weekend of intensity at mid-winter. First on Thursday, June 18th was a Gemini Full Moon. This corresponded with an annual world wide event called World Invocation Day. For more information please click on the link below:
http://www.souledout.org/festivals/worldinvocday.html
The Great Invocation is a world prayer, based upon truths common to all religions. It has been translated into more than 75 languages and dialects and is used daily by tens of thousands of men and women of all faiths who wish to bring about right human relations and lasting peace.
On the Saturday we attended a special wedding of two dear friends in nearby Kaeo. Diane is in her mid-thirties, is blind from birth and is an amazingly talented musician and singer. Diane sometimes performs at our Ceilis and a few years ago she became the first New Zealander to win a prize in Scotland for traditional Gaelic singing. She’s also a Buddhist.
Colin is in his early seventies and spent a good part of his working life as an engineer for the British military, specializing in bombs. After immigrating to New Zealand he had a change of heart and now teaches didgeridoo in local schools, heals with crystals, works with dolphins and is an all round lovely man. He practises Wicca.
‘What’s that?’ you ask. Imagine the sort of ceremonies the ancient Druids would have performed at Stonehenge and Glastonbury to celebrate the solstices and other seasonal events.
The ceremony was touching and Diane brought tears to most eyes, mine included, when she sang of her love for Colin. For levity, Colin then adopted Diane’s budgie. It was a marriage like none other. Afterwards we attended a mid-winter Ceili, where we were treated to some items by some incredible visiting musicians. And, of course, we danced all night.
On the Sunday we hosted a Winter Solstice gathering at our place. As always, it was a wonderful, touching reminder of what’s important in life. Love and friendship was shared by people from all walks of life, a number of different religions and children from nine to seventy-five. Dave, the 75-year-young shared a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I’d like to share with you:
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 - 1882. American essayist, poet and philosopher
http://www.souledout.org/festivals/worldinvocday.html
The Great Invocation is a world prayer, based upon truths common to all religions. It has been translated into more than 75 languages and dialects and is used daily by tens of thousands of men and women of all faiths who wish to bring about right human relations and lasting peace.
On the Saturday we attended a special wedding of two dear friends in nearby Kaeo. Diane is in her mid-thirties, is blind from birth and is an amazingly talented musician and singer. Diane sometimes performs at our Ceilis and a few years ago she became the first New Zealander to win a prize in Scotland for traditional Gaelic singing. She’s also a Buddhist.
Colin is in his early seventies and spent a good part of his working life as an engineer for the British military, specializing in bombs. After immigrating to New Zealand he had a change of heart and now teaches didgeridoo in local schools, heals with crystals, works with dolphins and is an all round lovely man. He practises Wicca.
‘What’s that?’ you ask. Imagine the sort of ceremonies the ancient Druids would have performed at Stonehenge and Glastonbury to celebrate the solstices and other seasonal events.
The ceremony was touching and Diane brought tears to most eyes, mine included, when she sang of her love for Colin. For levity, Colin then adopted Diane’s budgie. It was a marriage like none other. Afterwards we attended a mid-winter Ceili, where we were treated to some items by some incredible visiting musicians. And, of course, we danced all night.
On the Sunday we hosted a Winter Solstice gathering at our place. As always, it was a wonderful, touching reminder of what’s important in life. Love and friendship was shared by people from all walks of life, a number of different religions and children from nine to seventy-five. Dave, the 75-year-young shared a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I’d like to share with you:
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 - 1882. American essayist, poet and philosopher
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Cultivating Gratitude
To reach our beach we need only walk along a footpath between two neighbouring houses. These neighbours have turned this public esplanade into a garden of beauty.
At the end of many early morning walks I return to the garden with handfuls of seaweed, mostly kelp that has washed in with a north easterly swell; a gift from the sea. After a storm I may fill several 30 litre bags with seaweed. This then sits covered in the compost area until I have a place to dig it into the garden.
When we first arrived here more than three years ago, the clay soil was heavy when wet, and it dried out and cracked quickly in the hot summer sun. Now, after three years of added seaweed, compost, grass clippings and mulched leaves and twigs, the soil is loose, friable and holds water well without getting sticky.
I allow many of my favourite greens to go to seed – summer and winter lettuces, kale, orach, fat hen, chickweed, amaranth, bok choy, etc. Much of the garden is a year round self sown mesclun mix. Lucia and I eat salad every day of the year from this wild, rich, tender and tasty mix of greens. In addition there are often surprise self sown plants popping up in the garden – tomatoes, passionfruit, alpine strawberries, pineapple guavas….The list goes on and on.
You give nutrients and love to the soil and plants, and they give so much back. One feels so grateful for the freely given abundance of nature.
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
Dorothy Gurney 1858 - 1952
At the end of many early morning walks I return to the garden with handfuls of seaweed, mostly kelp that has washed in with a north easterly swell; a gift from the sea. After a storm I may fill several 30 litre bags with seaweed. This then sits covered in the compost area until I have a place to dig it into the garden.
When we first arrived here more than three years ago, the clay soil was heavy when wet, and it dried out and cracked quickly in the hot summer sun. Now, after three years of added seaweed, compost, grass clippings and mulched leaves and twigs, the soil is loose, friable and holds water well without getting sticky.
I allow many of my favourite greens to go to seed – summer and winter lettuces, kale, orach, fat hen, chickweed, amaranth, bok choy, etc. Much of the garden is a year round self sown mesclun mix. Lucia and I eat salad every day of the year from this wild, rich, tender and tasty mix of greens. In addition there are often surprise self sown plants popping up in the garden – tomatoes, passionfruit, alpine strawberries, pineapple guavas….The list goes on and on.
You give nutrients and love to the soil and plants, and they give so much back. One feels so grateful for the freely given abundance of nature.
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
Dorothy Gurney 1858 - 1952
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