Brian O’Donnell
psychotherapist and Pathwork leader
I am proud to be a member of a community that has such a well-crafted and comprehensive journal that covers the domains of consciousness, healing, and engaged civic life.
This Journal continues to grow and flower, sprouting new branches that showcase the wide array of opportunities for well-being and contribution in our area. I often marvel at the incredible variety of offerings and practitioners that occurs here in my back yard.
The Crazy Wisdom Journal, like the many expressions of wholeness it features, is also itself a healing presence. It illuminates, it integrates, it challenges, it links, and it explores what is below the surface.
Picking up the Journal is akin to walking into the Crazy Wisdom store. I feel expanded, relaxed, stretched, and invited to discover new worlds in a beautifully designed layout.
Haju Sunim
Zen Buddhist teacher
We are so much more a community in this part of our state because of the Crazy Wisdom Journal, Bookstore and Tea Room. Our hearts and minds have been opened and many of us, discovered, through the fine articles, pictures, books, performances, and talks which have been offered. Bill's humility, perseverance, and quiet savvy and enthusiasm as the force behind it all are very much appreciated. Gratefully, on behalf of our Zen Buddhist sangha.
Richard Gull
philosopher and author
Making a few contributions of articles and interviews to the CWCJ over the past ten years has been a joyous experience for me in my retirement from U of M, even though two of the articles were eulogies for close friends—Karl Pohrt and professor Immanuel Tanay. An in-depth interview with Professor Howard Brick in 2012 about a conference he organized about the Port Huron Statement, the manifesto of Students for a Democratic Society, followed by an article in 2014 about my experiences at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California taught me about the connection between the New Left and the New Age, which both started in 1962. In 2018, I published a piece derived from my adoption memoir. I loved working with Bill, Maureen, and Carol, who provide thoughtful editing and professional design. CWCJ has been a vital resource for this community, a vehicle for a diversity of creativity. Happy 25th.
Sandor Slomovits
musician and author
First of all, congratulations on 25 years! I have been reading the Journal all these years because it highlights people, communities, and their work within the Ann Arbor community, who I might not have learned of in any other way. I often find things in the Journal that turn out to be interesting and useful in my life.
About six years ago I began writing articles for the Journal; profiles about people and organizations in our community who I admired because of the valuable contributions they make to the quality of life locally, and nationally. I am particularly grateful to Bill Zirinsky and all the Journal staff, for giving me that opportunity. Here is to your next 25!
Cam Vozar
psychotherapist
Crazy Wisdom Journal is about community and connection. It is intertwined with the bookstore, the tea room, and the meeting room. It is a place where I belong.
As a reader, I love the breadth and depth of the Journal from animal therapy to yoga, plus poetry, music, artists, books, and a children’s section. All included in one holistic calendar. Through the deep interviews I reconnect to old friends and meet new practitioners. It is full of social, political, and spiritual learning.
As a practitioner, the Journal was supportive in starting my private practice business. 25 years ago, EMDR and transpersonal therapies were not accepted as alternatives to more traditional psychotherapy. I could advertise a lecture for free and a business card listing for a modest price. I always felt it was a good return on my energetic investment.
When I was featured in an article, I appreciated the professionalism and quality of the interviewer. Crazy Wisdom wants to get the story right. I am grateful to Bill and Ruth for their vision and values that helped make Ann Arbor a place I want to live and work.
Barbara Brodsky
meditation teacher and author
When I moved to Ann Arbor in 1968, and sought people with whom to meditate, there was nothing! My husband and I attended Ann Arbor Friends Meeting and found real spiritual fellowship there, but we also sought companions for broader spiritual exploration. I was delighted to see Crazy Wisdom open its doors in 1982 and meet a few people with similar interests while browsing for books. So many of us longed for connection and dialogue. Later in the 1980’s I began to open my home to people interested in meditation instruction and to talk with Aaron. It was hard to reach people in those days. Word of mouth worked best, and flyers left in the bookstore. So many of us desperately longed for a forum, a way to exchange ideas, offerings and to get to know each other. Thanks to Crazy Wisdom Community Journal for providing that.
One day in early 1990, just a year after the formal start of Deep Spring Center, someone came to my door with a funny story. She had gone into the CW bookstore looking for she didn’t know what, slipped on one of my flyers that had fallen on the floor, caught her fall by grabbing the shelf, which pulled the book “Miracle of Love” about Neem Karoli Baba (my guru throughout this lifetime) by Ram Dass, down on her head. Nothing happens by chance! She picked up the book and my flyer and came to find me. She and her husband were soon regulars coming to our house for meditation and evenings with Aaron and we are still good friends 30 years later. Spirit works in wonderful ways and it is working through CWCJ. Thanks to all who have created this wonderful store and journal for us all. It has been a joy to write some articles here to share my experiences and to read about and meet so many of you. I look forward to seeing where it goes in the future.
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