... flourishing success with your book!

 Thank you for making your book available online.  For me, this is one way for me to refer to The Manual while I am online and away from the book.  I seem to spend more time online than I do actually sitting down and reading a book.  I used to think that this was a sad thing, until I realized that I am actually READING the entire time (or most of it) that I am online.  

Thank you. 

Plays well with others

In the end, the two things that stand out for me are that 1) the end product is not what I envisioned, and 2) I had no idea what I was doing. But I have to say I like the interaction between the web site and the print version. I think that in order to "use" the practices, they need to be in print. And yet it costs money to print things. On the other hand, the web version makes it much more accessible. Of course, the eBook version is really the wave of the future. So it was interesting for me to see how all these formats fit together.

This is my first venture into self-publishing. I recommend it as an experience. Although it was pretty wierd doing it all by myself. At the same time there is a real sense of empowerment. The most frustrating thing is editing. I had to do all the proofing myself. And it was very difficult finding and correcting little errors, even after publication! It's really true that the writer just can't see mistakes. The current text is now pretty clean, but it was really a challenge for me to get it that way. This text is in the range of 100,000 words. Anything larger would be even harder for one person. It's not impossible, but I'd recommend editorial support. It must be a real luxury to have a publisher do all the dirty work....

Ultimately, this is all about Dick's legacy. That, in itself, made the undertaking really wierd. There are all kinds of wierd undercurrents that you feel once you stick your foot into that river! I'm still dealing with the fallout! Since I was a lawyer, my karma got screwed up a long time ago, anyway. It comes with the territory. I've dealt with a lot of wierdness in the past. This was just one more wierd experience. Somebody had to do it! I guess it was my job...

The last wierd experience I had was with Wikipedia. I updated Dick's profile, and added Gestalt Practice. But there is some really intense wierdness going on, once you stick your neck into Wikipedia...some really strange vibes. So my final act of bravery for the "legacy" was inside the Wiki-world. Anyway, take a look...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Price

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_Practice

Thank you, John, for your hard work and for your clear, concise and thorough writing -- and your ability to be right there with what Dick did. 

I consider myself extremely fortunate that my time at Esalen took place while Dick was still alive, and i got to watch him work and listen to him. And I got to see how he and Chris and Dave actually behaved in relationship with others in daily life in the Esalen community. I am grateful personally for his kindness. 

John, you have refreshed in me the experience of living in a gestalt-practice-based community while digging into personal truth. and using so many valuable tools -- somatic practices, meditation, process groups, holistic health practices, mindful gardening, connection, dancing, music -- and on and on and on. Which is where the profound value of the Esalen experience is found. 

Your Wikipedia entries are a gift to us who value and want to see the work continue. I am SO glad you added the section on Gestalt Practice. And the well-chosen links to the sites of practitioners continuing the work.

Your Manual of Gestalt Practice is a wonderful honoring of Dick and the tradition.  And I am so glad it is viewable on the internet.

Thank you! for braving Wikipedia. I bet you have some good stories out of that experience.

much love to you,

Scarlet

 PS Here are some wise words from a post-Esalen mentor of mine. I think they apply to Gestalt Practice:

Am I even awake at the wheel or
am I off somewhere else while habit is running the show?

  Totally Committed

I give thanks for unknown blessings already on the way

First, thanks a lot for the kind words.

I think the most important part of Dick's legacy is that you don't need a therapist to do Gestalt practice. Two people who are interested in the work can start doing it together. I had a practitioner tell me that she wanted everybody to read the first 63 pages. Two people who do that can start doing the practice right away. I'd add the simple sitting meditation practice, and also the Encounter section (that Dick and Chris developed togehter). And there you have it....a Gestalt community.

At the same time, it is also really good to see Dick in action. Anybody who goes to Esalen can watch a tape of Dick in action. (At least that used to be the case. It's hard to say now for sure, with all the new layers of management.) Danny B. used to be in charge of the media center, and you used to be able to check out a tape, and watch it. I'd suggest that anybody who wants to see Dick work should ask Danny about it the next time they are at Esalen.

Thank you John for that very valuable material and information.  

Having a good editor would be nice for catching typos, etc.  I spend a lot of time catching my errors.  A lot of time.

I wish I could just write and never have to edit.  Editing is hard work.  (For me).  Would love to just do stream of consciousness as I am doing now.  I've gone to Lulu to investigate publishing my old articles...but now will have to reread and edit them.  Stuck at getting the covers to a pdf file fomat which I will work on once I get to my regular PC in Ashland.  I wonder what other places are like Lulu.

 I also put some of them on ezine...which allegedly picks up ones articles and distributes them more widely.  (Maybe one gets paid if a magazine buys them).

Yet your "product" or rather contribution is immense.  You have accomplished something mighty.   (And I bet you have several times this lifetime as well).

Thanks John for your work.