During the last fifteen years in my first career as a teacher, I devoted myself to promoting holistic personal growth opportunities for students. Although I taught mainly philosophy and religion, in earlier years, I did many different jobs, until a small international school gave me the privilege of teaching a wide range of courses, including algebra, business case analysis, world history, world literature, public speaking, and psychology. We had large numbers from the Middle East, West Africa, and East Asia. These opportunities enabled me to get to know and identify with an ever-widening circle of people. I am grateful for my experiences of travel, study, teaching, and conference presentations around the world. I’m blessed with a cosmopolitan network of friends.
My approach to spiritual teaching unites globalization and localization. On the one hand, spiritual truth is universal, for all humankind, and thus an example of globalization. On the other hand, Jesus taught within the opportunities and constraints of his time and place. This is an example of localization. My blogposts, videos, and podcast episodes are intended for an expanding network of friends around the world; but my way of expressing things is localized in ways that I am partly aware of, partly not.
My first book, The Golden Rule, was a multicultural and interdisciplinary study of the of treating others as we want others to treat us. This principle remains my most trusted and helpful rule for relating with others.
My second book set forth a philosophy of living. People would ask me what I was working on. I would say, “I’m writing a book on truth, beauty, and goodness,” and their eyes would glaze over. Then I started to say, “I’m writing a book. It’s about a life that is based on truth.” And then I would stop and give them a few seconds to take it in; and the light would come into their eyes. “Sensitive to beauty.” More seconds, and a simile would come over their face. “And dominated by goodness.” Again and again, they became genuinely interested in what I was doing. Living in Truth, Beauty, and Goodness presents these as qualities of God and values that we can live.
My emerging second career was launched by the advice of a minister, a dream, and an unforgettable spiritual experience of divine spirit within. I am a follower of Jesus and I select and interpret Biblical teachings. To do this, I draw on science, philosophy, and spiritual experience; beauty in nature (including the human body) and in artistic living; the golden rule and morality; and love and character.
You can write me at jeff.universalfamily@gmail.com
