Roberta Chromey 
“May the flow of my pen speak the Truth of my life.” This is part of the prayer I say before sitting down to write these blog pieces. But what is “the Truth of my life”? It changes from day to day. But the crux of it revolves around Jack and the Work. What is … Read more
Looking at ways to bridge the interval in an upcoming seminar, I decided to make an enneagram. A fundraiser for Emberlight (9) was worthy, the presenters came together (1), and the planning was productive (2). But registration (4) doesn’t seem to be happening in the slam-dunk way I thought it would be. At first, everything … Read more
I’m working with an exercise that’s new for me, so I thought I’d review how that has evolved. Until a few years ago, all the inner exercises I knew had been ones Mr. Bennett showed at Sherborne. For years I worked from the notes I took during the course. Later, I was privileged to be … Read more
Everything in me felt like not doing movements as we drove home from Asheville June 14th. I had intended to arrive the previous Tuesday, in time to be rested and ready for the International Movements Retreat. But we decided to stay in North Carolina an extra few days, which seemed the right thing to do … Read more
Transformation—what does that mean? This is my budding enquiry. Like so many words belonging to the Gurdjieff vocabulary, the word is very familiar. Bennett used it to describe the nut of what he was after. We, in this Work, are constantly referencing it. But what do I know about it? Here I am, fifty plus … Read more
Convergence is in my life this month with many threads interweaving, touching and informing me. I’m studying and training at Emberlight Center for Conscious Living and Dying as a Direct Care giver. I’m dealing with an in-law’s newly diagnosed illness. My grandson is transitioning from high school to college. All these strands are providing opportunities … Read more
I’ve been here before. At least I recognized a place I’d tasted in a previous meditation retreat when Jack had cancer. I had gone looking for solace from a tree, finding one I could climb up into and lie along a broad branch to hug. But the tree was dead. There was no life force … Read more
Stretching at any age isn’t easy. The adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is couched in the truth of experience. So where does that leave me as a practitioner of the Work in my later years? How do I stretch when I am thoroughly entrenched and comfortable with my practice – even … Read more
Those who work with death and the dying at Emberlight are attuned to an energy shift that occurs as a person enters the dying process. This seems relevant in connection with Easter. At least it was to me. I had the opportunity last week to “shadow” my good friend Lynne. She was taking a turn … Read more
I caught myself monitoring my energy the other day. Jack was away all week at an art seminar, so my time was my own. I’ve seen in the past when that is the case that rather than being more relaxed, I get busier. I was using the uninterrupted hours to pack more into my day. … Read more