Susan Blackmore is back nearly a year since her last “visit” to my mind (“Blessed by Susan Blackmore,” February 16, 2011). Her name has been ricocheting around once again, and I feel no less than blessed by her. By her wisdom, that is. For she has taught me how not to fight ideas or projects that come my way. That is, how not to choose among them. All I can do is mull each of them over, write a few words about them, and let all of them float away. And this is precisely what I have been doing for years. Not for nothing has my magnum opus gotten such a prophetic title! I was lucky that her wise advice came my way at the right moment, I guess (“The Ultimate Rebellion,” October 21, 2006). One way or another, I feel eternally thankful to her. Amazingly, there is no-one else who has ever elicited such emotions from me, with the possible exception of my mother (“My Own Guru,” December 9, 2000). Hey, what a wonderful thought! My two gurus, and both of them women!

Addendum (March 13, 2018)

It is strange to come across this piece, which happens often enough on my uncharted journeys through my writings. Actually, it is disconcerting, and perhaps even troubling. In particular, likening Susan Blackmore to my mother strikes me as outright insulting so many years later. For we have parted our ways in no uncertain terms a couple of years ago (”Quirky Words of Wisdom,” February 14, 2016). And all the quibbles she has had with me had to do with the pettiest of complaints, such as that I had been quoting her private electronic-mail messages without her permission. Gosh! By implication, my enthusiasm about her writings was of no concern to her. None whatsoever. The best I can do at present is to write yet another addendum, for my enthusiasm about this woman has evaporated by now. Apathy is all that remains in its wake. Returning to my mother, though, my feelings remain the same. And I will be thankful to her till my last day. The only woman guru in my life…