James Grob

About Me

 I am a 76 year old former teacher and school administrator in Seattle.  I've read all of K.Wilber's writings since the year his first book was published.

 After five years in a catholic seminary(back in the l950's) I'd developed a steady meditation practice.  I read, for years, everything I could find on mysticism, meditation, states of consciousness -- christian, buddhist, hindu, sufi.  Only with Wilber's first two books did my own intensive and prolonged meditative experiences of higher states of consciousness begin to make real sense(no -- I'm not a wierd freak experiencing something reserved by God for only a miniscule minority of humans, but, actually a "normal person" experiencing "normal growth results" due primarily to the continuing meditation practice).

  It has always been difficult to locate other "normal people" with experience similar to my own.  This site should answer that need!

  I kept personal notes from the beginning of my "extraordinary experiences", beginning while still in the seminary, and then after the first few years as a husband and father of two sons, resuming as if there had never been a break in my practice.  These notes follow my growth to the fullest "allowable" levels(according to Catholic doctrine) and then beyond, and witness to the dramatic changes in life resulting from the growth from level to level.

  I'd be happy to discuss with anyone who is truly interested the in's and out's(and  up's and down's) of this process of consciousness growth.

  In the meantime I hope all of you signed(and still to sign) onto this site are studying the writings of Ken Wilber.  Underline things, annotate them, cross reference from book to book.  There is so much understanding to be gained from his work!  And, PRACTICE a real method of meditation which will begin and continue your own VERTICAL GROWTH.  

Education

 B.A. philosophy (Catholic University)

  M.A. english literature/education (University of Detroit)

   Ed. Specialist Degree(Reading Instruction) Eastern Michigan U.

Hobbies and Interests

 As a child in small town Ohio I wanted to learn to play the violin.  There was, literally, no one in the town who could both play the violin well, who understood music, and who could teach.

 I learned what I could anyway, mainly through my own efforts.

 I sold my violin in the early days of marriage, to help pay ALL due monthly bills not just a few of them.

  At age 67 I purchased a new(and really excellent)violin.  Bought books on playing written by authentic teachers.  I now have an immense library of sheet music(classical, folk, fiddling,gypsy, klezmer, broadway shoe tunes, etc., etc.)  Two year later I began playing at Nursing  and Assisted Living homes in the area.  I'm drawing close to my 600th performance.  There has been several performances for a Seattle Synagogue(all Jewish music) a few restaurant perfomances for various groups.

  We live on an acre of forest on the side of a mountain in Issaquah, Washington.  I've developed a Japanese zen-type rock and moss garden which covers about 1/3 of the property and continue to expand and refine it.  The garden is my cathedral and it is really filled with Presence, manifesting in the form of squirrels, racoons, deer, coyotes, bear, cougars, at least one bobcat, and birds of a huge variety.

Perspectives

Inquiry Responses and Comments