Dave Colombo Library

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The interfaith center has long had a library in its building, but with Dave Colombo's passing some years ago, he left us a major number of fascinating books across many dimensions. There is a theme in his books however, or most of them, and I'd say it is his interest in development of consciousness and related changes it brings to individuals and the collective. He had a broad and deep ranging mind.

I wanted to write a brief note about his collection of books because of a recent initiative I have taken to start a Ken Wilber & Integral Theory Meet-Up monthly group (1st Wed. of the month). We meet in the Dave Colombo Library. So, I wanted to tell the seven people who came this short story. When I first came to Gaia House in 2009, I went into the library and was very impressed. I love libraries, it tells a lot about where someone is coming from if it is a personal library. The Dave Colombo Library is more complicated as the books there come from many people over decades. Yet, when I walked into it the first time it was like my nose led me into one corner and there I found a Ken Wilber book, then another, and close by several others. This was thrilling to me, as a long-time student of Wilber's work. When I later became Director of Education & Research, a position that didn't last too long before it transformed into Director of the Center for Spiritual Inquiry & Integral Education, I gathered up all the Wilber books (six or so) and put them on my desk shelf in my make-shift office in the corner of the library. There I was sitting in the very space of this one place in Carbondale, a unique space, where I'm guessing it is the only public library space that has a Ken Wilber book. And I found it. And I now work here. It's great everyday I am in that space to know I am carrying on somewhat this legacy of bringing in high quality literature about consciousness to this organization. In particular, that is why the other night with the first Ken Wilber & Integral Theory meeting in the library, I had to tell this story and let people know that when we meet here it is a sacred place and a reminder of Dave Colombo's vision and mind. I like that. -RMF