“I am of old and young,” wrote Walt Whitman, “of the foolish as much as the wise….”
These words from this issue convey well the fruits of this Summer 2021 edition of Parabola. Our younger selves seed what we become and, as we age, we carry our earlier years with us. A sage elderly woman once told me, “some things you can only understand when you’re old”; yet equally true is that the young can know what the old forget: “become as little children,” Jesus taught.
The young have much to gather from the old, and the old from the young. Jim Kristofic’s essay here, “Return of the Runner,” tells the powerful story of an aging Navajo who runs to remind the young of his people’s history. Katherine Paras’s contribution, “Catch a Falling Star,” by contrast celebrates children’s spiritual awakenings despite the skepticism often leveled by adults.
Young and old are eager to learn from one another when approached openly. In Fred Cheney’s affecting story, “The Lesson,” a young girl gets unexpected and welcome direction from an old man. Lillian Firestone’s “A Hunger for Reality,” a memoir of working with the young at spiritual centers, explores how children and adults can enlighten one another in turn, while Ken Krushel’s inspiring article, “The Desk,” depicts an extraordinary collaboration among schoolchildren, their teachers, and other adults.
With reflections by filmmaker Kent Jones on the special power of classic movies, two haunting folktales, interviews with Sufi master Llewellyn Vaughn-Lee and religion studies pioneer Huston Smith, and much more, we hope that this issue will be of benefit to all readers, of any age.
—Jeff Zaleski
table of contents
The Return of the Runner Jim Kristofic
An older Navajo runs for his people
As Time Goes By Kent Jones
The special power of classic films
Moving Toward the Center Eliezer Shore
Jewish wisdom on ageing well
The Desk Kenneth Krushel
A miracle made of wood
A Path of Love and Freedom Amir Freimann
A conversation with Sufi master Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
Catch a Falling Star Katherine Paras
The wonder of children’s spiritual experiences
Finding the Way Home David Guy
The truth of suffering and release from suffering
The Scout Keith Badger
The profundity of Scouting
Young and Old, Old and Young John Cech
We are the span of our lives
The Lesson Fred Cheney
An encounter to last a lifetime
“Like a Tidal Wave” Richard Marranca
A conversation with religious studies pioneer Huston Smith
A Hunger for Reality Lillian Firestone
An experiment in authentic living
The Dearest Old Man Louisa May Alcott
A delightful tale of young and old
epicycles
The Voyage of Bran Retold by Surnai Molloy
Anonymous / Irish myth
Half a Blanket Retold by Joseph Bruchac
Anonymous / Mohawk-multicultural folktale
book reviews
The Truth About Magic Richard Smoley
reviewed by John Shirley
The Golden Age of Zen John C.H. Wu
reviewed by Samuel Bendeck Sotillos