A Symphony Of Distances

The two-fold task of A Symphony of Distances is to provide an overview of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s use of distance imagery with regard to personal distinctions in the Holy Trinity and to offer a critical analysis of him as a modern Catholic theologian. A metaphor of “distance” integrates all of Balthasar’s theological thought as a primary cipher for the many symbols through which he reads the Christian theological tradition in a trinitarian and eschatological mode. The book follows a chronological, four-stage development of Balthasar’s trinitarianism through the lens of this distance metaphor as it occurs across representative texts. The critical analysis employs the conceit of a symphony of four musical movements that correspond to four varieties of theological distance. These distances show certain correspondences of God’s creation and redemption of the world—marked by the first two “distances”—with the relations of the divine persons to each other in the economy of salvation and in the eternal Trinity itself—marked by the third and fourth distances. “Listening” to the four movements of Balthasar’s theological distances enables his readers to “hear” the themes of all four movements in the ascending order of richness, complexity, and inclusivity over the long development of his thought. This fundamentally positive approach of A Symphony of Distances allows for a thorough critique of the internal consistency of Balthasar’s applied method, of the controversial use of gendered trinitarian notions in his speculations on divine pathos, and of his adequacy to the tasks of modern theology. The final judgment is that Balthasar’s theology of distance can be accepted, with reservations, as a positive element of his contribution to contemporary trinitarian theology. The book can thus serve as a critical reference for readers who find Balthasar’s notion of trinitarian distance, and indeed his trinitarianism as a whole, to be compelling, confusing, or frustrating.

"The book follows a chronological, four-stage development of Balthasar's trinitarianism through the lens of the metaphor of "distance" as it occurs across representative texts. The critical analysis employs the conceit of a "symphony of four musical movements" that correspond to four varieties of theological distance, enabling readers to "hear the themes of all four movements" in the ascending order of richness, complexity, and inclusivity over the long development of his thought. This fundamentally positive approach to Balthasar's theology allows for a thorough critique of the internal consistency of his applied method, of the controversial use of gendered trinitarian notions in his speculations on divine pathos, and of his adequacy to the tasks of modern theology. The final judgment is that Balthasar's theology of distance can be accepted, with reservations, as a positive element of his contribution to contemporary trinitarian theology"--

Distance education is arguably one of the major developments in education during the 20th Century. This title explores the array of distance education theories and practices as they have been shaped by the late-20th Century and then positions these in terms of the contemporary circumstances of the 21st Century.

Winner of the 1990 Western States Book Award for Creative Nonfiction, The Telling Distance evokes the yearning expanses of our southwestern deserts and finds them full of sensuous marvels, erratic life forms, eccentric fellow travelers, dry humor, and surprise. In prose that revels in paradox, it reveals desert distances to be doubly telling: they both magnify our spirit and have incomparable tales to tell.

The first edition of A Symphony of Silence: An Enlightened Vision was inspired by the desire to share with humanity, through multiple voices, the ineffable beauty we experience in our lives when the veil of ignorance is pulled back and the wonder of our essential nature is revealed.. The voices emerging from these pages add vitality and validity to our shared experience of the silence of the transcendent. It is not something beyond our reach, but a reality that has always been with us, quietly awaiting an opportunity to unfold. In this second edition of A Symphony of Silence, several new voices are added to the chorus of the first edition. A Catholic priest tells us of using TM as part of his inspired vision of the power of love to transform the lives of abused and destitute children from the streets of South America. The founding director of an orphanage and school in Uganda, who likewise brings TM to children in need, describes to us his compassionate resolve to eradicate suffering within his community. A poet expresses for us in verse the joy of a seeker reaching for the light. A scientist and his colleagues show us the power of TM to reduce stress and alleviate PTSD in the field of law enforcement. An actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur, explores with us his innovative projects for inner city students through “Edutainment.” Women, who for decades dedicated themselves to introducing the TM program to their multicultural community, share with us delightful and very personal stories. A pioneering social activist brings us into the conversation he had with Maharishi in 1968 at a conference in Squaw Valley, California. He talked candidly with Maharishi about the need to introduce TM as a tool to bring inner freedom to the inner cities, helping to fulfill the quest for true civil rights. The voices in A Symphony of Silence create a glimpse into the vast impact that Maharishi has on many lives throughout the world.

"Time differences: Adjusting schedules and adapting to separate rhythms" delves into the complexities of maintaining relationships and managing work across different time zones. It explores the impact of time differences on various aspects of life, including long-distance relationships, business communication, and remote work. Through real-life stories and practical advice, the document addresses the challenges posed by time disparities and offers strategies for overcoming them. It emphasizes the enduring power of love, the resilience of commitment, and the ability to adapt to new rhythms in the face of distance and separation. The narrative weaves together themes of love, communication, and perseverance, illustrating the ways in which individuals can navigate the obstacles presented by time variances and ultimately thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Hester Parker resides in an elegant Victorian house in the town of Bolton, Illinois. She spends her evenings listening to the lush tones of Mahler and Chopin, drinking sub-par Merlot, and reflecting on a life that has suddenly fallen apart. At seventy-one, Hester is as brilliant and sharp-tongued as ever, capable of inspiring her music students to soaring heights or reducing them to tears with a single comment. But her wit can't hide the bitterness that comes with loss--the loss of her renowned violinist husband, Arthur Donovan, who left her for another woman, and the loss of her career as a concert pianist after injuring her wrist. When Hester decides to rent out the attic apartment to Alex, a young college student, she has no idea of the impact he will have on her life and her family. Good-natured and awkward, with secrets of his own, Alex becomes an unlikely confidant and a means of reconnecting with the world outside Hester's window. But his presence also exposes old memories and grief that Hester has tried to bury. Over the course of one remarkable month, Hester will confront angry accusations, long-hidden jealousies, and the inescapable truth that tore her family apart and might, against all odds, help reconcile them again. And her brief friendship with Alex will leave each with a surprising legacy--acceptance of the past, a seed of comfort in the present, and hope for the future, wherever it may lead. "Absorbing. . .brims with quiet intensity." --Publishers Weekly

This volume includes extended and revised versions of a set of selected papers from the International Conference on Electric and Electronics (EEIC 2011) , held on June 20-22 , 2011, which is jointly organized by Nanchang University, Springer, and IEEE IAS Nanchang Chapter. The objective of EEIC 2011 Volume 4 is to provide a major interdisciplinary forum for the presentation of new approaches from Communication Systems and Information Technology, to foster integration of the latest developments in scientific research. 137 related topic papers were selected into this volume. All the papers were reviewed by 2 program committee members and selected by the volume editor Prof. Ming Ma. We hope every participant can have a good opportunity to exchange their research ideas and results and to discuss the state of the art in the areas of the Communication Systems and Information Technology.