Finally, I'm finishing the last chapter on my doctoral dissertation! The name of my dissertation is Moral Imagination-A Philosophy of Life. Many people have attempted to commiserate with me as to how difficult it must be to write a dissertation, thinking of the tales of agony that they have heard or personally experienced. My response is that to the contrary, this work has been a joy, as I have had the privilege of writing about the unfoldment of a woman with whom I have been working for fifteen years. Our work has been mutually dynamic and growthful, as she has mirrored my own existential questions and those that others have asked from the beginning of time.

As Rachel began telling me her life history and the problems that she had always encountered, I realized that she was a highly intelligent, confused and unusual woman who had had a very difficult childhood leading to an equally difficult adulthood. Throughout her life she knew that she was different from others. She sporadically attempted to blend in with society, yet at the same time she was almost continuously angry because she did not feel that she was able to live openly without the disapproval that had always accompanied her efforts to live authentically.

It was not until five years after I first began weekly treatment with Rachel that I learned about the work of Kazimierz Dabrowski and began to study the Theory of Positive Disintegration. I learned that Rachel was a gifted woman who had a high intellectual and emotional I.Q. Guided by TPD, I was able to further understand and guide Rachel through the inner turmoil that so alarmed her as she lived in a world of frustration.

As our work continued, Rachel became increasingly clear that the bewildering events in which she found herself were her lessons, created so that she would continue to further develop her values, standards and morals. She was learning that how she interacted with people was a reflection of her standards and morality. Rachel had brought two words together that we had often discussed. She understood their far-reaching import and had begun to live the concept. The two words were moral and imagination. Together they represented an idea that could benefit all of humanity.

Last Spring I attended a ministerial meeting as a representative of our church. There I heard the rabbinical scholar, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin tell a story illustrating moral imagination. "There was a poor man who came to his rabbi and said, "Rabbi, I do not have enough money to celebrate Passover. I have no money to buy wine for seven nights, let alone the first night. Will you give me your permission and blessing to celebrate Passover with milk?" The rabbi thought for a moment and said, "No, that is not permissible. You must have money for wine, candles, matzoth, and food to celebrate this wonderful season." He gave the man $1000. The man was astounded by the money and said, "Rabbi, I don't know if I can ever repay you." The Rabbi said, "there is enough. You will repay me when you can, so that others may be helped, as

well."

The Rabbi told his wife what he did and the Rebbitzen was shocked, saying, "You could have given him $100.00, instead of $1,000.00. Why did you do that?" His response was, "He had no money for wine for Passover. Therefore he has no money for food, rent, Sabbath clothing, heat or other necessities for his dignity. He has no job. God has told us to give to others. This money will give him a new start in life."

This is Moral Imagination.

The story is an example of how 'moral imagination' may be lived. It also describes my attempts to live a life of moral imagination, although until that moment I had never heard the phrase. Moral imagination also encapsulates my professional goals, as well, where I work towards the healing of my clients. As I heard Rabbi Telushkin tell this poignant story, it became crystallized for me that I must write my dissertation on Moral Imagination as it exemplifies all that I have been attempting to capture in each psychotherapeutic session and with every moment of my life.

So, you see, the writing of this dissertation has been a joy and a journey

from fear to creativity.

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