In Search of the Heart’s Sense of Truth (An Evening with Benjamin Cherry)

**In Search of the Heart’s Sense of Truth (An Evening with Benjamin Cherry):
We are standing at a threshold... leading either towards the grave of all civilization and moral striving, or the birthing of a new kind of world community based on recognition of the unlimited potential that lies dormant within every human being...
This is because within us is not only an intelligent animal or machine but a living power of spirit that can be a force for both evil and good.

Benjamin Cherry has lived, worked and traveled in many different continents and cultures, foremost as educator, writer and gardener. He has helped found more humane child-centered schools throughout the East, from Australia to most notably China. His life-long quest for truth came to birth during his time in Vietnam at the height of the American war and it reached a new level of intensity during the time of COVID.

In Search of the Heart’s Sense of Truth is the fruit of a lifetime. It is a depiction of ways forward through the mighty trials that are racing towards us, so long as we have the courage and mental clarity to recognize what we are, in fullness, as human beings.

At the essence of the huge challenges we are facing today as a global civilization is the question of who we are and what we are being called upon to develop. As is clearly shown in this extraordinarily wide-ranging book, one’s self-image influences how one perceives reality. If we see ourselves simply as advanced animals or pre-programmed robots, the will for self change and autonomous action is weakened. But if we are willing to extend our rationality and imagination to encompass not only the bodily levels of existence, but those of soul and spirit, everything changes. For this extension of scientific method can awaken new levels of strength and compassion in this time of enormous suffering. Such is the ‘sacred mountain’ around which readers are invited to journey during the first three parts of the book. Such too is the ‘lake of self-reflection’ at which, in the fourth part, we attempt to recognize the capacities we have gained through this mighty paradigm, to pioneer new ways through all that is threatening us from the future.

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Location: Portland Branch library on the 2nd floor of St Mark’s Church. 5415 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, Or 97206

St Mark's Church parking: Please enter from the parking lot behind the church at the door nearest the parking lot. If the door is not open please ring the white doorbell and someone will promptly let you in. Take the first stairway up to the 2nd floor and the meeting space will be the first door on your left. If you need an elevator, ring the doorbell and someone will show the way.