Rosemarie Carnarius' Autobiography

Born into the most turbulent and tragic of times in European history (Leipzig, Germany, 1938), I was already exposed as a child to the human capacity for committing atrocities. As a result, I began to ponder at an early age the causes of hatred, oppression, violence and suffering. At the same time, and in contrast to the darkness and fear around me, I was blessed with deep inner experiences, especially in nature, of a mystical presence, and a love that generously cared for me via the heart and hands of my mother.

After the war, the years under Soviet communism generated in me a strong yearning for freedom and a more authentic way of life. Escaping from communism to West Germany at seventeen, and arriving in the United States three years later with my American husband, I began to realize, however, that the great task of healing our world goes beyond toppling dictators, and in order to be permanent, must include changing ourselves.

The harsh events of my youth led to a strong commitment to universal human rights and justice, regardless of where or by whom the violations are perpetrated. In addition, the contrast of living in the totalitarian society of East Germany and what were then the expansive freedoms of the United States, was instrumental in creating the distinct perspective and breadth I bring to the crucial issues of our times.

On a personal level, I took great joy in raising a son and a daughter in the 1960s and '70s. During that period, I took every opportunity to do extensive reading in history, philosophy and the world's religions, while at the same time deepening my understanding of human nature via such experiences as working with the elderly as Activities Director in a Quaker nursing home.

Formally studying Liberal Arts with an emphasis on the Humanities, espousing civic and environmental causes, giving sermons, lectures and workshops, doing spiritual counseling, being a Religious Education Director and eventually becoming a minister, gave me many opportunities to see more compassionately into the heart of humanity.

In 1991, I received my Master's of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry, an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, and was ordained a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1992.

In the fall of that year, I returned quite unexpectedly to the land of my birth for a 2-month lecture series at the invitation of the German Unitarians. I traveled to 40 locations, speaking and listening to thousands of people. The experience was one of the most important and vibrant ministries of my life. I realized during those travels how much I treasure being an emissary of the heart and a participant in international and interfaith dialogue.

The result of these speaking engagements was the publication of my various sermons and talks in German in a booklet under the title, Brückenschlag (Bridge-building). In addition, an essay of mine, Kein Ganzsein ohne Yin (No Wholeness without Yin) appeared in the quarterly magazine of the German Unitarians, unitarische blätter, in the spring of 2007.

Other publications are Walls, a sermon issued nationwide by the Church of the Larger Fellowship (Unitarian Universalist) in 1990 and Toward a Psychology of Wholeness - a Synthesis of the Knowledge of Modern Science and the Insights of the Mystics, first published by the Unitarian Universalist PSI Symposium in 1979, and reissued as part of its 10th Anniversary edition.

The tragedy of 2001 was a turning point experience for me personally, resulting in the creation and publication of five non-fiction books, each speaking of the urgency for personal and societal transformation.

A few notes concerning my personal interests. I consider music essential to my life, and my taste is wide-ranging, from Wagner to Country Western, from Baroque to Blues, from Madrigals to Mariachi. Opera in particular catches my ear and heart. Photography, especially capturing the beauty of nature, has been a lifelong hobby.

Furthermore, my understanding of self and others has been greatly expanded by the Enneagram, a system of personality typing that I consider to be one of the finest avenues to self-knowledge and an extraordinary tool for inner transformation. This has been validated by the many classes I have offered on this topic and in doing empowerment work. I am convinced that it is ideal for a time such as ours when genuine change is being recognized as every individual's responsibility. I see my works, which now also include five books of poetry, as a valuable contribution to that worthy effort.