Although alliteratively apt, “valiant”, a term most known through an eponymic comic book hero, Prince Valiant, is unlikely often to be
Music by Alice Wildermuth O’Sullivan and Lyrics by Robert O'Sullivan
To get in the Christmas spirit, enjoy the musical gifts of the late Alice Wildermuth O’Sullivan and new words to carols by her husband, Robert O’Sullivan, who emphasizes peace, justice, and care of the earth.
A book review of John Higgs’ William Blake vs. the World
One might not expect a book on William Blake to include a discussion of surfers, athletes, musicians, dancers and others excelling in a selfless and self-transforming cosmic experience sometimes called the “zone.”
The recent death of “Engaged” Buddhist Thich Nhat Hahn has prompted new looks at his remarkable relationship with “prophetic” (proto-progressive?) Christians Martin Luther
I first became aware of how to post on the popular platform almost by accident. I had approached Progressive Christianity, a website which has published my poetry and other writings
Poem about Cambodia, Jackson State, Kent State Resonates Today
How should people honor Martin Luther King on this year’s observance of his holiday on January 17th? It depends. As of this writing there is no clear assurance of the passage of two Voting Right Acts both stalled in that profoundly and structurally undemocratic institution, the U.S. Senate.
A Zoom dialogue with Dr. Roger Lipsey, Hammarskjold biographer 'Hammarskjold: A Life' published by University of Michigan, 2013. His 'Politics and Conscience: Dag Hammarskjold on the Art of Ethical Leadership' was published in early 2020 by Shambhala.
Blessed Christmas-tide even in a particularly bleak mid-winter. One carol includes a metaphorical rose blooming in darkest winter.
KCIW radio host Lee Tuley interviews Robert O'Sullivan about the life and works of William Blake.
Radio interview/podcast with "Reality Check" host Lee Tuley interviewing Robert O'Sullivan of KCIW in Brookings, Oregon.
In an opening address to the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival, reprinted in its program, MLK profoundly related jazz and the blues to universal quests for happiness and the end of oppression, saying: “Jazz is exported to the world. For in the particular struggle of the Negro in America there is something akin to the universal struggle of modern man.
Over fifty years a quadriplegic, Bob Allamand was one of four spokespersons at the historic San Francisco Federal Building sit- in which precipitated the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A remarkable circa 1990 recording of Martin Luther King's favorite gospel hymn, "Precious Lord," has been posted on YouTube, accompanied with visuals and quotations from the Civil Rights Era
William Blake had quite the year in his home city of London in 2019. The Tate Britain Museum had a major exhibition of his extraordinary multifaceted art, something it does every twenty years or so.
Inspired by poem of William Blake
And will those feet in modern time, Walk upon earth’s fair mountains green?
Should a book on a highly gifted, spiritually and intellectually grounded political/diplomatic world leader of the twentieth century have serious impact on life today?
Preeminent German hymn writer Philipp Nicolai was a Lutheran pastor whose small town, Unna, was devastated by the plague during the winter of 1597-8 with over 1300 deaths. He officiated at many funerals, as many as 30 a day.
20th Century Peace Maker and Christian Mystic
Swedish diplomat Dag Hammarskjold, the United Nations Secretary-General, was awarded a posthumous Nobel Peace Prize. After his death, many were surprised at the content of Markings, a kind of personal diary and notebook now recognized as a twentieth century classic of Christian spirituality.
National anthems are often barely singable tunes with bombastic, jingoistic words. Doesn’t that fit the “Star Spangled Banner?”
Like many people, I am absolutely appalled by the ugly, hateful and destructive chaos emerging in this country. I have also wondered what I, a retired Oakland High School English teacher and Berkeley pastor, now living in a small town on the Oregon coast, could do to somehow change the dialogue and direction as to where the nation is going. I hope to do so through … Christmas carols!
Robert O’Sullivan, a retired high school English teacher and pastor, has called for “flash choirs” of Christmas carolers to assemble frequently at the White House and throughout the land, using carol verses old and new to combat destructive chaos and remind people that Christians should work for peace, justice, care of the earth, equality and love, especially as it applies to the most vulnerable.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Joy to the World, Lo, How a Rose is Blooming, In the Bleak Midwinter, Wake, Awake for Night is Flying (Advent hymn)
Sing with them, ye humans bold! Sing of peace, justice unfold! Ring the bells of liberty; Ring them loud ‘til all are free.
These timely new verses seek to update the spirit and language of the carol to today’s earth, “torn with strife,” while reflecting the Old Testament insight that nature sings joyously in honor of the creator.