Serenity

 My quest for serenity comes and goes and has taken me in several directions.  One of them was when I took a job with The Midwest Center for Human Potential.  I found them space on Harrison Street in the South Loop. It was in the 1970’s, a time when Esalen, est, encounter groups and Gestalt Therapy attracted many seekers.

The “money man” who funded the Center called me to his office for a chat.  I had showed up late for a program and he was concerned. I left feeling satisfied that we had cleared the air.

The Board was comprised of four or five therapists active in the Center.  Mr. Money was the President.  “I recorded a meeting with Joan which I will play now”, he announced.  He secretly taped me??? I was appalled.  

As I voiced my strong objections, the “human potential” people sat silently.  So much for serenity. Or for legality. I quit on the spot.

Looking back, I don’t regret this path completely. I met some interesting people. My friend Marsha and I got a lot out of a weekend we spent at Esalen in Big Sur, CA.