Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Emily Conway's avatar

I’m familiar with phenomenology because I used to study 19thc and Edwardian literature. I have to admit that I didn’t give it much thought as a graduate student in my 20’s, just another theory or idea to connect with a particular text, the result being a paper.

So I absolutely love your description of it here, particularly as it compares to mindfulness. I’ve been writing this week about the difference between mindfulness and contemplation. And so I can add phenomenology to that conversation.

Thank you Renee!

Expand full comment
Mark Malinak's avatar

Thank you, Renée. Such beautiful and illuminating writing. At essence, this helps me to hold more deeply this journey into phenomenology. I too, have always disdained “small talk”. Somehow this grief that has tenderized my heart feels warmed and comforted by the slow fire of your wonderful offering. After all, I remember Francis Weller (and perhaps you) saying that the heart is the organ of perception. Somehow I feel as if this is another way of returning home. Ah, my heart hears my words. I feel a warming, an ache, a quickness of breath and such tenderness.

Expand full comment
17 more comments...

No posts