PointeVierge Insights

“CLINAMEN”

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Latin this time not Greek; from the ancient writer Lucretius (“De Rerum Natura”; “On the Nature of Things) His book was lost to us for a thousand years and then suddenly rediscovered by Poggio Bracciolini in 1417 in the library of a dusty German Monastery. Lucretius used the word “climanem” to describe a “swerve” an inclination, a bias, a movement that originates at the atomic level (Lucretius translating and expanding the thought of Epicurus) but impacts all areas …

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The 3 “Cs” of Enduring Companies

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Companies that endure consistently demonstrate 3 behaviors. How does your organization compare? Enduring companies are particularly effective at: 1. Connecting: They understand their purpose or mission, and realize the value of collaborating with all stakeholders in their business – employees, customers, suppliers, etc. – to fulfill it. They are engaged in the long term success of their business and build relationships rather than processing transactions. 2. Committing: They focus on the future even as they …

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“HAUNTINGS”

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Just completed the new book by James Hollis (“Hauntings”) a Jungian therapist, professor, author and extremely helpful to all of us in the consulting/counseling professions.  He speaks of “hauntings.” For example: “The greatest haunting we all suffer is the lost relationship to the soul” (140) “Becoming a person is actually a very difficult project” (140) There is within us a “vox” (an inner call to vocation) and also “vocatus” (that which the outer world is …

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“Coniunctae Feminae”

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Yes, it is Latin: “Coniunctae Feminae” (Women United). It was the title selected for a women’s retreat in recent days; there being some woman who wanted “more” than the typical business seminar. We divided the themes into four parts. Thus: An examination of Temperament (MBTI) and how we function with it A series of stories told by participants which we described as “numinous narratives” (stories of impact and intervention into our lives: a person, an …

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“STOCHASTIC”

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Currently reading David Bohm: “Wholeness and Implicate Order” which is, perhaps, one of the more important books since World War II. He is exploring ways of making consciousness, rational thought, and physical reality (especially as defined by twentieth century physicists) weave together in a cohesive and sensible and understandable way. A lot of life is “stochastic” (from the Greek “stochos” which means “target” and thus “to aim”). In physics, in neuroscience, in biology, in higher math, …

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“Chindi”

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A Navaho word which could be translated as the “hungry ghost” the “empty ghost.” This is a characteristic of the “empty self” as stated by J. P. Moreland (Love Your God With All Your Mind). The “empty self” is a cultural phenomenon in our society: Extreme individualism  Narcissism (exclusive self-absorption) Lack of empathy for others Infantile personality (“puer aeternus”- – -the eternal child) Passivity thru consumption of entertainment and living vicariously Excessive materiality A multitude …

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“The Numinous”

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It’s from the Latin “numen” meaning a nod or beckoning, particularly the nod of the Gods of ancient myth. It was rediscovered and brought into western thinking by the German Philosopher/Theologian Rudolf Otto in his book “The Holy” (“Das Heilige”) first published in 1917. Otto began a shift away from the rationalism and speculative side of the enlightenment and more toward an “irrational” side of religious understanding; a sense of “power” and “mystery” and a …

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Liminality

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It’s from the Latin “limen”: a threshold, a door, a passage and in our time refers to psychological or metaphysical state of being; to discuss psychological states; rituals of passage. Increasingly the word usage can be found in psychological & theological literature recognizing a sense of the holy, the sacred, and the transcendent; often the threshold between consciousness & unconsciousness (“subliminal”). Some examples from life: The feeling of always being in between and never “there” …

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An Introduction To Spiritual Direction

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We are seeking two volunteers who have interest in seeking pastoral/spiritual counsel and potentially seeking to be of assist to others.  What to Expect: 5 sessions to be scheduled May/June/July as befits participants Structured sessions (60 minutes per session) The relationship is a partnership (not hierarchical) We will focus on one discerned theme There will be homework assignments This experience is from the Christian basis and presumes a denominational attachment We will evaluate and summarize …

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Spiritual Formation Workshop

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Pointe Vierge offers formation and guidance in facing the complexities of a lived life; business, career, beliefs, decisions, and critical issues. We seek to establish an “ensouled” foundation.

Events in the international and national scene point up the need for ongoing grounding in our values and establishing alignment between our personal inner core and our concrete daily lives.

We believe that this alignment is essential in developing a mature response to life’s issues of ultimacy and intimacy. It is core to spiritually grounded decision making.

Our founding partner, Vic Pergola, has spent years in preparation (ongoing) in building a competency in a number of fundamental disciplines to this effort: depth psychology, theology, scripture, Western and Christian history, and the traditions of spirituality.  Please join us!

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