The Radiance of the Small

Authors

  • Alexandra Fidyk University of Alberta
  • Lorri Neilsen Glenn Mount Saint Vincent University
  • Merle Nudelman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37119/ojs2014.v20i2.183

Keywords:

radiance, suffering, alchemy, mystery, descent, paradox, black

Abstract

The challenge and conundrum are to integrate within ourselves the dark/light cycles of the natural world, yet flourish in times of grief and pain. But how does one lose and be grateful? How does one create harmony between body and soul? Here we explore the lessons of a snail wedded to the earth, astute in its slowness, in its minute shadow; we listen for the small-throated life; we adopt the unapologetic, razor eyes of the raven. Questions lived and explored evoke shadow-answers and other questions. What lessons can be culled in the light of healing? What can we learn by entering moments closely? The suddenness of a death can bring us back to the radiance of the small: to see by means of black and to be at home in suffering.
  

Keywords: radiance; suffering; alchemy; mystery; descent; paradox; black

Author Biographies

  • Alexandra Fidyk, University of Alberta
    Alexandra Fidyk, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Secondary Education, University of Alberta. Her work draws from process philosophy, depth psychology, Buddhism, curriculum theory, and poetic inquiry. She serves as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Jungian Studies.
  • Lorri Neilsen Glenn, Mount Saint Vincent University
    Lorri Neilsen Glenn is Professor of Education at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. She's the award-winning author and editor of thirteen books of poetry, prose, and scholarly work. She lives and works Nova Scotia
  • Merle Nudelman

    Merle Nudelman is a lawyer, poet, editor, and educator.  Borrowed Light, her first book of poems, won the Canadian Jewish Book Award. Her fourth poetry collection, True as Moonlight, is forthcoming. Merle leads workshops on creative writing and on healing through words. She is working on a book of non-fiction.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2014-11-14

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2014): Autumn 2014 Special Issue: [Practices of Poetic Inquiry] in education

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).