At Two Rivers Farm, formulating Work ideas was standard practice.  In the last years of her life, Mrs. Staveley left the giving of Sunday “themes” to us, her students.  So there was widespread experience of formulation in our community.  We were encouraged to ponder ideas, not just think associatively about them.  This process took time—an idea would have to ripen before it was ready to bear fruit.

These essays are the best of the fruit of my pondering, selected from 200 or more of my writings.

The essays are of varying scope.  But the ones chosen for this website were selected for their universality, and often for their simplicity.

My writing style is laconic: sometimes a single word will carry the most important idea of an essay (or a story), so I suggest reading carefully.  I try not to be dry: our feelings move us, and I try to have my writing reflect that.

And I hope that you, the reader, will try to understand what I’m saying when you read.

—           Lou Gottlieb                              4/10/2022

NOTE—The following essays are available in Spanish on request:                          NOTA — Los siguientes ensayos están disponibles en español a pedido:

Staying with a Disturbance / The Holocaust and Conscience / Namaste / Jesus and the Crucifixion