The Whispers Know My Name

By Margaret A. Renner Ph.D.

From her early childhood episodes to her most recent encounters, she depicts how the Whispers have provided inspiration, insight, strength, and courage as she attempts to shape her existence. The text provides not only a step-by-step process but memoirs that allow the process and application to unfold as historic events. The authors purpose is to leave a legacy of wonder about how these historic events establish, maintain, and sustain an on-going dialectic which ultimately determines ones destiny.

This text is the completion of a trilogy. The author revisits the substance of the dialectic in the prior texts so there is no need to have read those texts to follow the process, events, and outcomes depicted in the text. The Whispers were introduced in the first text, Called by Many Names. The nature of the conversation involves mental discourse, listening, reflection and contemplation.

For many, her relationship with the Whispers may appear to be unique, but what makes this text unique is the way and means used by the author to present her experiences. She glides effortlessly through the literary elements and genre styles, as she captures ones interest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475952827

Margaret A. Renner Ph.D.

Margaret Renner received her Ph. D. from Fordham University in Language, Literacy and Cognition. She, also, has an advanced degree in Theology. She presently teaches in several academic settings. She lives and works in New York but spends her weekends in Maryland and Delaware. She has published several academic articles, and presented at Oxford University in opposition to No Child Left Behind’s renewal. She has written two previous texts: Called by Many Names, and The Peacock-Peak Experiences. The messages conveyed in her earlier texts are cited in her new endeavor.

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Copyright © 2012 by Margaret A. Renner, Ph. D.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-5281-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-5282-7 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 10/10/2012

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter1: In the Beginning

Chapter 2: Awareness of the Process

Chapter 3: The Whispers

Chapter 4: A Companion on the Journey

Chapter 5: The Ultimate Conversation: The Whispers

Chapter 6: In Search of a Theory

Chapter 7: Constructing the Blueprint

Chapter 8: Soul Making

Chapter 9: Soul Work

Chapter 10: Passing the Mantle

Chapter 11: Wisdom and Richness: A Series of Events

Chapter 12: A Legacy of Wonder

References

Endnotes

As you look in the mirror remember to say to yourself incessantly: It is I to whom it is speaking; it is I to whom it is speaking . . . .

Soren Kierkegaard

Nature speaks on behalf of the Divine.

Dedication

To my grandfather who taught all of us how to live day by day with grace and dignity even during the darkest hours.

Special thanks to my children and grandchildren who are the joy of my life and inspired this text. They have enabled me to grow in the wisdom of the ages.

I want to remember all of the educational institutions that have nourished my soul and intellect. They provided a sanctuary in difficult circumstances.

The evolution of the text was inspired and supported by my friend, John A. Rich. He continues to provide a rich source of knowledge, mirth and humor for me.

One’s deed is created and shaped according to his/her character; only then does it become his/her’s in the full ethical sense.

(paraphrased from Leo Baeck

in The Essence of Judaism)

Introduction

This text has taken years to construct because the conversation referred to in the title has been on-going and essential to my life. Until recently, I have neglected to put pen to paper and interrupt the conversation even for brief periods. However, it recently occurred to me that I needed to complete a trilogy. (I have written two prior texts which were inspired by this on-going conversation. Therefore, it seems appropriate to describe the inspiration gleaned from the texts and the nature of the conversation.)

The conversation allows me to first acknowledge the presence of the Thou. Then I initiate a step-by-step process which involves thinking, a mental discourse, and listening. If the conversation is about the future, I receive some insight about the future or signs of a happening yet to come. After these encounters, I can generally perceive the next step quite clearly. At other times, I need long periods of reflection about current events or issues that are important to day-to-day living. Then, I need time to piece the data together to achieve a gestalt. Finally, I must go back to the known and assimilate the unknown in order to see my destiny.

Although my desire is to understand and live my destiny, I dislike interruptions when I am thinking and learning. I need silence to listen, but I am also aware of my responsibilities to contribute to the social structure of society. I usually can achieve balance by juggling my need for silence and the social structure; there are times I need to go on retreat so as not to be interrupted. I realize I am on target when I receive the awareness necessary to complete the puzzle.

My challenge, as I begin this text, is to become aware and respond to the changes that will occur as I attempt to express an inner process with limited verbiage. My purpose is to leave a legacy of wonder about how one is able to establish, maintain, and sustain the inner dialogue in order to determine and live one’s destiny. My present need is to attend to and nurture the ultimate conversation that I participate in an on-going basis.

This text uses many events and happenings to illustrate the process and steps. Each narrative has been processed after much reflection. In some cases, you will note that I needed to wait until the events and happenings were processed and then relate them to my destiny at a different point in time. These experiences are written as a memoir. Writing in this genre allows one’s destiny to unfold . . . so patience is necessary. It is my hope that this text will support others during their on-going dialectic.

The two prior texts that I wrote along the way will act as points of reference so that a sense of sequence can be established. It will not be necessary to read the texts, but it is suggested that the reader understand the events being referenced so that his/her prior knowledge will be enriched and more in depth learning can take place.

I will try to remain sequential in my jottings, but when necessary I reserve the right to deviate from the path. As a writer, I know that I have repressed certain experiences in order to survive. When I write about these events/experiences, my emotions will spill on to the page and I may need to regroup and add footnotes. I have no problem sharing these encounters because they will help others.

In some incidences the reader will be aware of the use of flashbacks so as to indicate the relevance of the event and the reflections that transpired. This will be particularly true when I describe the events of my birth and then relate how the events are perceived later in life. Using this technique will allow the reader and the writer to establish connections. The connections referred to are those that result from the ultimate conversation with the Whispers.

The truths divulged by the writer are those that evolved from the ultimate conversation with the Whispers. In some cases it has taken years to put the facts together in order to see the relevance of the events. Some documents, and the process of verifying the truth, have been hard to determine because of the nature of family secrets. In some cases, the death of the individual/s involved had to occur before the truth became evident.

I am convinced that the Whispers have guided my pen!

Chapter1

In the Beginning

Moses professed, "O Thou only God, there is no other God than Thou."

(Freud, 1939, 24)

In the beginning