Spirituality
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Silence, in a Second Language
An hour into the experience, about 10 minutes before we began to eat, I thought to myself, “how could a dozen or so educated women talk about food for an hour without getting bored and switching topics?” Continue reading
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Performative Authenticity: Mass Society and Private Reality
Since writing this 4 years ago, I never thought that its timeliness would increase as it ages…. ” it should be observed that mass society has crept into the furthest corners of our private lives – to the point that it is corrupting our authentic selves.” Continue reading
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Mental Processing for Study and Life
We only have to remember that to be better is not necessarily connected to what we do or don’t do, to what we think or don’t think. Continue reading
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Naggingly Abstract Freedom: A Critical Review of “Three Cheers for Socialism”
Introduction It is due to my deep affinity to the historical heritages from which this discussion emerges from that I undertake it. My deep concern for my brothers and sisters who value both Chrisitian community and the experience of freedom is that they have become what they criticize. Not uncommonly, they criticize formations of “us… Continue reading
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A Spiritual Worry about Social Justice
“If we stand with others in their reality, rather than focusing on issues, then we are doing much more of what Jesus would do.” Continue reading
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International Students in Canada: Business, Life, and Happiness
“An experience of “resonance” is an indicator what a person ought to be doing.” Continue reading
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Eternity? Right Here.
What is this melancholy we feel? A shining connection I want to steal. No more dwelling and doubting the way that I eat! No more scattered or tattered 2-second tweets! Let’s ask “How are you?” and wait. Let’s walk together, with a slow gait. No more “Where did you go?”, “What and who do you know?”!Let’s… Continue reading
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A Little Bit More
A Little Bit More Some people want just a little bit more,Not just three bedrooms, but maybe four.A view from above, from the second floor,One has a spouse, but wants a whore. A minimalist will say that they want less,To give up want, to need – acquiesce.To unclutter all the untidy excess,And most of all,… Continue reading
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The Sickness Before the Infection, Part 1: Urgently Stopping the Sniffles.
In other words, there is no identifiable locus of the virus. It doesn’t matter whether the virus is transmitted among the community, or brought in on a plane or train. It doesn’t matter whether we have been globally exposed or locally situated, the virus is all around, and it could be transmitted by any of… Continue reading
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Cowboy Conservatism and Budgetary Madness
When I moved to Alberta, I thought that I would encounter a few “Cowboy Conservatives”. You know the type: white pick-up trucks, acreages, kind-hearted neighborliness, and an arms-length relationship with local aboriginal populations. They may be tied to oil-money. They may even feel a bit uneasy with vegetables and say an occasionally cruel comment about… Continue reading
About me: I am a career educator and traveler at heart. My written work includes academic writing in philosophy and linguistics, English acquisition, and most intently in the areas of spiritual engagement with reality and what that means for our public lives.
My education is a mixture of formal study in philosophy, political theory, Biblical studies, and history, along with professional teaching certification in TESOL and in cognitive testing, and international teaching.
My travel experiences include a range of countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. I have lived in Canada, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Thailand. From those places I have traveled to many others besides.
I am a child of the 70’s and a “family man.” That means I have two wonderful kids who have been round the world with me.
Lastly, I am married to a wonderful woman since 2004. She is my partner, my friend, and my muse.
Thanks again for stopping by,
Raymond Klassen - Ideals and Identities 