Process Thought 101: Leaves of Grass
Exploring Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
| WHAT? | Learning Circle |
| WHO? | Terry Goddard |
| WHERE? | Online Via Zoom |
| WHAT? | Four online sessions |
| WHEN? | October 17 – November 7, 2025 Meets weekly on Fridays 8:30 – 9:30 AM Pacific / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Eastern |
About Process Thought 101: The Basics
Process Thought 101: The Basics is a series of learning circles that provides newcomers with an introduction to process-relational thinking. If you’d like to learn more about the basics, join us as we read and discuss together various essays and books on important and fascinating themes. Our reflections will be guided by the Twenty Key Ideas of Process Thought.
Probing Process-Relational Worldviews For Newcomers
Like many of you I do not have a formal background in process thought. My seminary program did not include readings in process theology. However, through various offerings from the Cobb Institute, Process & Faith, and Open Horizons I have received a good and welcome introduction to process thought. My interest has grown with my increased knowledge of process though. My hope is that this learning circle will provide a place for those of you, like me, who are new to read and discuss the books and essays of process theologians and philosophers.
No prior knowledge of process thought is required.
Upcoming
Our next book is Walt Whitman’s 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass. With his book of twelve poems, Whitman changed the genre of poetry. It is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of American literature. It redefined the rules of poetry, while describing the soul of the American character. The edition we will read is the original 1855 Leaves with an introduction by Harold Bloom.
Some may wonder how Whitman might fit, if at all, in process thought. I am not trying to make Whitman a process thinker before Whitehead appeared, but there are, like the transcendentalists Emerson and Thoreau, precursors in Whitman of process thought. His poetry evinces the interconnectedness of all life/universe, the idea that everything changes, in fact he encourages the embracing of change, the idea of nature alive, philosophically he was a blend of transcendentalism and realism, and finally experiencing life was at the core of his poetry. So, while enjoying Whitman’s poetry we will explore it through a process lens.
Meets weekly on Fridays at 8:30 – 9:30am Pacific, Oct. 17 – Nov. 7, 2025
There was a child went forth every day,
And the first object he looked upon and received with wonder or pity or love or dread, that object he became,
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
–Walt Whitman
About the Facilitator
Terry Goddard is a retired professor of history and religion. He has a MA in history from Loyola University Chicago and a PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary. He has served on the Cobb Institute board and as Director of Educational Offerings. Currently, Terry offers ongoing book discussions for Process & Faith and the Cobb Institute.
Terry lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife, Miriam, and their companion – Ollie. Terry is an avid reader of topics in science, nature, philosophy, and religion. He writes a blog on those topics and more. Terry also offers courses at a senior life long learning center in Little Rock. More importantly, Terry and Miriam love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible exploring the beauty of Arkansas’s rivers and mountains – kayaking and sauntering.
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