Bette Brazel

“The modern family is one in which the divergent values of our separate souls are supported, valued, encouraged. Diversity is not just tolerated, it is affirmed as the radical gift of relationship. Conflict is mediated with accepting love despite disagreement, and no one carries the assigned burden of becoming something other than what they are.”
― James Hollis, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up

“When we see the world through our thoughts, we stop experiencing life as it really is and others as they really are. When I have a thought about you, that’s something I’ve created. I’ve turned you into an idea. In a certain sense, if I have an idea about you that I believe, I’ve degraded you. I’ve made you into something very small. This is the way of human beings, this is what we do to each other.”
― Adyashanti, Falling Into Grace

“Though inland far we be, Our Souls have sight of that immortal sea Which brought us hither.” William Wordsworth,”
― James Hollis, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up

“Those who say that they know what kind of art they like, or what kind of god, or what kind of moral structure are saying that they like what kind of art, god, structure they know, that is that which makes them feel more comfortable. Being pried free of spiritual constraint is the gift doubt brings. The suppression of doubt ensures that we are left with a partial truth, a one-sided value, a prejudicial narrowing of the richness that life has to bring.”
― James Hollis, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up