The First Letter of Brother Cliff to the Hattiesburgers.
In 1957, this cat Paul Tillich wrote this little 92-page book about what religion is, or more correctly, what it should be, and what it isn’t. It was called Dynamics of Faith. Paul was an Evangelical Lutheran and served as a Chaplain in WWI. What Tillich said was essentially that a religion should address your ultimate concern.
“Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned: the dynamics of faith are the dynamics of man’s ultimate concern.”
So, the “ultimate concern” is whatever commands your entire being, intellect, emotion... will. With unconditional seriousness.
“The ultimate concern is that which demands the total surrender of the person who accepts it, and promises total fulfillment even if all other claims have to be rejected or subordinated.”
There are a couple of things we can take away from this. Tillich, being a deeply religious man, is talking about God as he understands it. All-powerful, All-knowing, All-kind, and All-love. For Tillich, this is the only thing that fits the description of an “ultimate concern.”
That's where, today, I would like to talk about the First Gnomean Principle.
Personal Growth and Learning:
Even though Tillich doesn’t shy away from what he means by ultimate concern, he also doesn’t say your ultimate concern needs to be the same as his. He makes it clear that anything less than his is idolatry (the act of giving devotion to something that is not ultimate... a graven idol, for example). He understood that not everyone names their ultimate concern the same way, but warned that anything less than the truly ultimate risks becoming idolatry.
Tillich also seems to suggest that the ability to better address your ultimate concern is somewhat important. That is, how well developed your true self is, your intellect, your will, and your capacity to love are all better suited to addressing your ultimate concern when they are fully realized. But are these in themselves “ultimate concerns?” Maybe, maybe not. But are they important?
The definition of ultimate concern that Tillich lays out is not wrong, but it categorizes everything within the human condition as either the ultimate concern or it isn’t. It's a penultimate concern. But, penultimate concerns are important. That’s where our “completeness” lies. It's where our earthly happiness and contentment lie. Our ultimate concern might not be what profession we choose, what spouse or friends, or even neighbors, but those things, and how we approach them, are still important. This is where Gnomism comes into play.
From the Webpage of Gnome:
Proverb: “The smallest seed holds the promise of the tallest tree.”
“Personal Growth and Learning is the foundation of the Gnomean way, a lifelong commitment to transformation, discovery, and self-realization. This principle calls us to embrace the understanding that we are not static beings but ever-evolving souls. Growth is not confined to acquiring knowledge or skills—it is about uncovering our true essence, aligning our lives with our values, and approaching each day with curiosity and intention.
In the Gnomean view, growth mirrors the cycles of nature. Just as a garden flourishes through seasons of bloom and dormancy, so too do we experience periods of expansion and quiet reflection. These cycles remind us that growth requires patience, persistence, and the willingness to embrace change. Challenges, failures, and moments of uncertainty are not obstacles but opportunities—each one a gift urging us to dig deeper, to understand ourselves more fully, and to cultivate resilience.
This principle encourages us to see learning as a sacred act, one that transcends formal education. True learning is found in every aspect of life—in the wisdom of elders, the laughter of children, the mysteries of nature, and the lessons hidden within our own mistakes. To grow is to remain open, to listen deeply, and to approach the world with humility and wonder. It is to ask questions that may not have easy answers and to explore paths that challenge our assumptions.
Personal growth is not a solitary journey. It unfolds in the context of community, where we learn from one another and share the fruits of our growth. Just as one flourishing plant enriches the soil for those around it, so too does our individual growth inspire and uplift those we encounter. By sharing our stories, supporting one another in times of struggle, and celebrating each other’s triumphs, we create a shared environment where all can thrive.
May we tend to the gardens of our lives with care, nurturing not only our own growth but the growth of those around us. May we embrace the lessons of every season, finding wisdom in the quiet moments as well as the transformative ones. And may we walk this path with open hearts, knowing that in our growth, we honor the interconnected beauty of life itself.
Blessing: “May your roots anchor you in wisdom, your branches reach for the light of understanding, and your blossoms bring beauty and inspiration to the world.
I hope this becomes a collection Thank you