The Everywhere Oracle

The poems in this collection serve as a witness to the outpouring of grace and guidance available to everyone, everywhere, every day. They celebrate how to listen for the intricate moments of synchronicity and meaning permeating our surroundings, friendships, and experiences in nature. They acknowledge the important role questions play in our development. Finally, they examine the complexities and paradoxes of the change process, including moments of confronting our shadows, resisting change, and growing through its ongoing alchemy of transformation in our lives. THE EVERYWHERE ORACLE is unique for a collection of poetry in two distinct ways. First, by nature, these poems are accessible. They often include a story, a surprising metaphor, or ask a question that invites the reader to go within. Second, the book offers a "user's guide" in the Appendix, where readers are given clear, simple instructions for facilitating book groups. Using the questions written for each poem, readers are encouraged to find their own relationship to the stories and themes, as well as create soulful community dialogue with others. In that sense, this book speaks to the longing for both meaningful community in our society, and a rich communion with the outpouring Spirit all around us. FROM THE AUTHOR THE EVERYWHERE ORACLE invites readers into an exploration I have been pursuing for 35 years as an interfaith minister, professor, writer, spiritual director and retreat leader through Parker Palmer's Center for Courage and Renewal. ABOUT THE AUTHOR For 13 years Caryl Ann Casbon taught and lead programs in the Graduate Studies Department at Lewis & Clark College through the CORE, education, and Courage to Teach programs. For the last 20 years Casbon has been working as a leader, mentor, and program designer for Parker Palmer's Center for Courage & Renewal, and was also co-leader of the Anamcara Project through the Sacred Art of Living Center, in Bend, Oregon. She received the Lifetime Anamcara Award for her contributions in that program. Casbon co-designed the Befriending the Unknown Community Group Program through the Alliance for Living & Dying Well in Santa Barbara while working privately as a spiritual director and interfaith minister.