Making metaphysics mainstream
Jordan Pease, 39, has been a theatrical director and a museum exhibit designer. He's played in a heavy-metal rock band, and raised chickens and sheep as a hobby. He earned a degree in electronics in 1995 and studied sociology, psychology, and theater arts along the way. Jordan, the director of the Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library and Event Center, is open to new ideas.
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Jordan Pease Photo by Debi Smith | For the Tidings |
Carl Sagan — astronomer, author, and one of the pioneers of the SETI program (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) — once said, "It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance between two conflicting needs: the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses that are served up to us and at the same time a great openness to new ideas If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you On the other hand, if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense in you, then you cannot distinguish the useful ideas from the worthless ones." Jordan embodies this balance Sagan referred to, and explains how he's gone from being an electrician to the director of a metaphysical library.
DT: Jordan, please tell us about your interest in metaphysics.
Jordan: I grew up in the San Francisco area in a very mainstream, upper-middle class family. Metaphysical ideas weren't taboo, but they weren't necessarily encouraged either. In 1989, I was living with a roommate who claimed to have had several significant UFO experiences that he would go on and on about. I was quite skeptical, but I gradually became more and more intrigued.
Later, when I was going to school at Sonoma State University, I started picking up metaphysical books here and there. And then I started going to conferences. That's when it really started taking off for me.
At school, I knew it would be risky to write about the things I was learning, but decided it was important to do so. A couple of my professors were tolerant of my experimentation, but overall I felt stifled and discouraged. In January 2001, I went on a quest to find a school where I would be freer to explore new ideas. Eventually I found Evergreen University in Olympia, Washington.
DT: Was Evergreen the place for you?
Jordan: I never found out! Ashland is halfway between Olympia and Sonoma County. I'd been traveling back and forth, getting established in Olympia, and on the last trip back I casually decided to check out Ashland. Within only a few hours of exploring, I immediately felt this incredible attraction and knew I wanted to live here. I'm sure my parents and friends were wondering what the heck I was doing, but I quickly changed my plans and moved to Ashland in March of 2001.
DT: What course did your interest in metaphysics take next?
Jordan: In May of 2001, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to help facilitate the press conference for The Disclosure Project at the National Press Club, where more than twenty military, government, corporate, and scientific witnesses — of the more than 400 who've offered testimony for the project--came to share evidence and personal testimony regarding extraterrestrial phenomena.
DT: Could you give us a couple examples of these witnesses and their testimony?
Jordan: John Callahan was Division Chief of the Accidents Branch of the FAA in Washington for six years, and gave testimony regarding a 747 being followed by a UFO for 31 minutes. The following day, during the briefing of the event with the FBI, CIA, and others, everyone present was instructed, "This meeting never took place, and this incident was never recorded." Captain Robert Salas was an air traffic controller and missile launch officer in the Air Force from 1964-1971. He testified about an incident on March 16, 1967, where 16 nuclear missiles simultaneously became non-operational at two different launch facilities immediately after guards saw UFOs hovering above.
DT: How did this kind of information impact you?
Jordan: After traveling around the country with Dr. Steven Greer and The Disclosure Project, I came back to Ashland with tremendous enthusiasm about everything I'd been learning. I also had this growing collection of nearly one-thousand books and videos . . . and I wanted to share all of it. In January 2002, the Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library opened in a 200 square foot room adjoining the Nuwandart Gallery on A Street.
In five years, our collection has grown to be the largest publicly-accessible collection of its kind in the world. We currently have about 400 members accessing more than 10,000 computer catalogued items on a wide range of topics: mythology, shamanism, comparative religion, Eastern philosophy, personal development, Feng Shui, health and medicine, physics, politics, the paranormal, extraterrestrial intelligence, etc.
In addition to the lending collection, RVML also presents events throughout the month including an ongoing Lecture Series every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m., the "Millennium Generation" Discussion Series for people 18-32 on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., and larger events at other venues several times a year.
I'd like to acknowledge that none of this would be happening without the support of our amazing group of dedicated volunteers, staff, and supporters.
DT: Any new directions you'd like to take the library in?
Jordan: RVML is a 501c3 non-profit corporation. As the resources become available, we see the organization growing into a regional/international destination. We envision a large and comfortable center in downtown Ashland where people can spend the day--researching, learning, socializing, and attending presentations.
It's been a busy five years, and while I sometimes struggle for balance, The RVML is my passion. And when I look at what opening up to new ideas has done for me, I can't help but want to facilitate other people having a similar experience.
The RVML is located at 258 A Street and is open daily from 2 to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on the library go to www.rvml.org.
Debi Smith is an Ashland based freelance writer. She can be contacted at debi@mind.net
