In this first post, I’d like to introduce myself. In coming days I will share an 800 word reflection on my decades of experience in the Christian and Buddhist traditions.
Robert A. Jonas, Ed.D. (Harvard University), M.T.S. (Weston Jesuit School of Theology), is the author of The Essential Henri Nouwen (Shambhala), Henri Nouwen (Orbis), and Rebecca (Crossroad). His recent book, My Dear Far-Nearness: The Holy Trinity as Spiritual Practice, is winner of an award from Illumination Book Awards. The book is accompanied by a new website, www.mydearfar-nearness.org.
Dr. Jonas is founder and director of The Empty Bell, a contemplative sanctuary in Northampton, MA whose website (emptybell.org) is an extraordinary resource for contemplative Christians and for Buddhist-Christian dialogue. A retired psychotherapist, he is currently a retreat leader, author, video artist, musician, and environmental steward. A Christian in the Carmelite tradition, Jonas has also received spiritual formation with Vipassana and Zen Buddhist teachers. He has been a guest speaker on many spiritual platforms, including the Spiritual Life Center, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Spirit Matters Talk, The Henri Nouwen Society, The Myth Salon, and Maine Jung Center and the Henri Nouwen Society website. Dr. Jonas has been a guest lecturer at the Northwind Seminary since 2020.
Jonas serves on the Board of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies (www.society-buddhist-christian-studies.org). He is a past Board member of the Henri Nouwen Society (www.henrinouwen.org), and past Board Chair of the Kestrel Land Trust in Amherst, MA.
Dr. Jonas is a student of Sui-Zen, the Japanese bamboo flute (shakuhachi). He has played in many secular and spiritual contexts, including three Buddhist-Christian retreats with the Dalai Lama, highlighted by a performance under the Bodhi Tree in India. Jonas has produced three CD's of shakuhachi music: "Blowing Bamboo," "New Life from Ruins," and "Many Paths, One Joy." “Blowing Bamboo” is available on iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora.
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