Meaning Maker
Institute of Noetic Sciences' Visionary Circle, Wisdom Circle, and Board of Directors member Tahdi Blackstone opened last Saturday's Board & Donor Experiential Weekend session with her "Who Am I," an IONS' tradition of authentically sharing one's personal life story. Her potent and touching presentation was celebrated with a spontaneous, heartfelt, and gratitude-filled standing ovation. The following piece is more passionate sharing from Tahdi about her rich appreciation for the Institute.
Tahdi Blackstone:
Everywhere I look people are dying--literally dying--of meaninglessness. Many are loaded with complaints and have no hope, no excitement, no thrill inside. I feel so, so lucky to have the Institute of Noetic Sciences to give me meaning in my life.
Years ago the Dalai Lama said,
I believe deeply that we must find, all of us together, a new spirituality. It would not be religious. This new concept ought to be elaborated alongside the religions in such a way that all people of goodwill could adhere to it. We need a new concept, a lay spirituality. We ought to promote this concept with the help of scientists. It could lead us to set up what we are all looking for--a secular morality. I believe in it deeply. And I think we need it so the world can have a better future... Shambhala Sun, November 1995, p 24What thrills me to the core is IONS IS IT--IONS is the hope we can give the hopeless and those searching for meaning, for something bigger to live for than a BMW or a big house, all the while taking shortcuts that destroy the beauty of nature. IONS is the umbrella of knowledge and intention that can break our hearts open and fill them with purpose, awe, wonder, hope, and meaning.
To me, IONS is the rallying flag for all those who want peace, who want to discover the opening of the heart to the awesome magnificence of what already is-inside and out. And to me that is worship--that is God in my heart calling out for and responding to its likeness throughout the universe. That is what the Institute's mission and research calls to my heart about; that is what the Dalai Lama is talking about!
