On July 24, 1986, the inaugural meeting of my Friends of the Spirit study group took place. This was an informal, nonacademic study group, open to the public, and based in Northern California. During its run, in 1986-1987, I produced 19 original essays, which I’ll soon begin to publish in book format, having revised and expanded many of them.
The topics I presented covered spirituality, interfaith religion, and certain Western philosophers, such as Kierkegaard and Thoreau. The small group of participants who attended our meetings discussed these topics after I read a prepared lecture.
Because of my spiritually themed, productive output during this time, I consider the Friends of the Spirit project a highlight in my life. I commemorate this date, exactly forty years ago, with much fondness, accomplishment, and joy.
