Welcome

I teach leadership and sustainability studies at Hofstra University and write on the relationship between consciousness and sustainability issues, especially emphasizing the contribution of Sufi and Buddhist perspectives to these issues. My most recent articles appear in Resurgence Magazine, The Jung Journal, the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, World Futures, Systems Research, Human Relations, and Organizational Dynamics.  I served for a number of years as the head of the Spirituality and Systems Group of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. I am a senior teacher and retreat guide in the Inayati Sufi Order, and a leader in the Ziraat, a Sufi activity devoted to sacred ecology.

Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Articles

Toward the Source of Thought: Insights from David Bohm on a Sustainable Future by  Felicia Norton & Charles Smith  World Futures, ISSN: 0260-4027 (Print) 1556-1844 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/gwof20    https://doi.org/10.1080/02604027.2020.1730736

The Pattern in Jade: the vision of possibility and the challenge of a sustainable future. With Paul Martorana, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02604027.2017.1357981, World Futures, pp. 1-12. Aug 2017

Cultivating the Sage’s Creative Vision: Insights from Perennial Wisdom on Approaching Organizational Change and Sustainability, with Paul Martorana, Journal of Corporate Citizenship, Volume 62, pp. 78-92, 2016.

Intimacy with The Earth–Insights from the Sufi and Jungian Alchemical Traditions on Transforming our Relationship with Matter, with Felicia Norton, Jung Journal: Culture & Psyche, C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. Volume 9, Number 4, pp. 58–75, 2015.

Embodying Evolutionary Vision: An Action-Based Experiment in Non-Dual Perception, with Felicia Norton, World Futures, Vol. 67, pp. 201-212, 2011.

Nature’s Longing for Beauty: Elegance as an Evolutionary Attractor, with Implications for Human Systems, World Futures, Vol. 66, pp. 504-510, 2010.

Working from the Inside Out: Management and Leadership Through the Lens of the Perennial Wisdom Tradition, Journal of Managerial Development, Vol. 26, #5, pp. 475-483. 2007

“Deception Meets Enlightenment: Towards a Viable Theory of Deception” World Futures, Volume 63, 42-54, January, 2007.

Double Binds and Transcendence in Mentoring, Relationship: A Transpersonal Perspective, with Michael Elmes, Int. Journal of Learning and Change, Vol 4, #6, 2006, pp. 484-498.

“Meeting a World in Crisis: On Unlearning, Fresh Perception and Life’s Fundamental Trend”. World Futures, 61, 600-61, 2005.

“The Interiors Plant Shutdown: Using Dialectic Inquiry in a Complex Ethical Decision”. With Janet Lenaghan. Journal of Management Education, 28 (2), 207-223. 2004.

“Leading Change: Insights from Jungian Interpretations of the Book of Job”, co-authored with Michael Elmes. Journal of Organizational Change Management. Volume 15, #5, 2002, pp. 448-460. This paper received Award of Distinction by Literati Club, 2002.

“Moved by the Spirit: Contextualizing Workplace Empowerment in American Spiritual Ideals”, co-authored with Michael Elmes. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Vol. 37, #1, March 2001, pp. 33-50.

“Small Groups as Self-Organizing Systems: A Research Study”, co-authored with Debra Comer. Human Relations, Vol. 47, #5, 1994, pp. 553-581.

“Small Groups as Self-Organizing Systems”, Human Relations, July, 1991. co-authored with Gary Gemmill, pp. 697-716.

“Deep Structure, Cognition and Rebirth: Propositions for Viability and Vitality in Human Systems” co-authored with Mahmoud Salem. World Futures, Vol. 28, 1990, pp. 1-19.

Self-Organization in Human Systems– A Paradigm of Ethics?”, Systems Research, Vol. 7, #4, 1990, pp. 237-244.

“Managing the Process of Large Scale Change”, Organizational Dynamics, Winter, 1987, pp. 22-35. Co-authored with Gloria Barczak and David Wilemon. Selected for reprint in Engineering Management Review, Vol. 16, #4, December, 1988, pp. 57-63.

“Transformation and Regeneration in Social Systems: A Dissipative Structure Perspective”, Systems Research, Winter, 1986, pp. 203-213.

“A Dissipative Model of Organization Transformation”, Co-authored with Gary Gemmill. Human Relations, August, 1985, pp. 751-766.

Proceedings and Other Publications

“Two Arrows Meeting in Mid-Air, Towards A Dialogue Between Science and The Sacred”. Paper appears in Proceedings of the International Society of the Systems Sciences Meeting, Shanghai, 2002.

“Encounter with the Self: Jungian Concepts Applied to the Problems of Humanity”, Proceedings of the International Society of Systems Sciences Meeting, July 2001, Monterey, CA.

“Krishnamurti and David Bohm: A Dialogue on the Future of Humanity”, International Society of Systems Sciences Meeting, July 2001, Monterey, CA.

“Not One, Not Two: An Exploration of Scientific Inquiry” Proceedings, International Society of System Systems Conference, July 2000.

“Passionate Inquiry in Science”, Proceedings of the International Society of Systems Sciences Meeting, 1999, Toronto Canada.

“Moved by the Spirit: Contextualizing Workplace Empowerment in American Spiritual Beliefs and Practices.” Paper Presented: Eastern Academy of Management, May 10-13, 2000. Co-authored with Michael Elmes

“Dump NAFTA and Let the US Worker Work”, The New York Times, Sunday, June 27, 1993. Business section, p. 11. (editorial letter).

“National Westminster Bank, USA- A Case Study”, In Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases by A.J. Strickland III and A.A. Thompson, Jr., 1992, pp. 371-390. Cases in Strategic Management by Rowe, Mason, et. al., 1993 and in The Strategy Process by Mintzberg, Quinn and Voyer, 1993.

“Self-Organization in Human Systems- A Paradigm of Justice? Proceedings, Meeting of the International Society of Systems Sciences, Aug. 1990, Vol. 2, pp. 413-421., Portland, Oregon.

“The Role of a Radical Dissenter in Systems Transformation”, co-authored with Michael Elmes. Presented within the Organizational Development Division, 1989 Academy of Management National Meeting, August 1989. (Conference presentation).

“The Robotics Decision: Solving Strategic Problems”. 1989 Annual-Handbook for Group Facilitators, published by University Associates, January, 1989, pp. 89-99. Originally presented as a paper at the Eastern Academy of Management meeting, May, 1987.

“The Creative Organization: Lessons from Johann Sebastian Bach”. New Management, Fall, 1987, pp. 4-7. Originally presented as a paper at the Eastern Academy of Management meeting, May, 1987.

“A Process Model of Whole System Change in Organizations”, Presented within the Organizational Development Division, Academy of Management National Meeting, August, 1986. 

“Managing Change in High Technology Organizations”, co-authored with Gloria Barczak and David Wilemon. Vision-Action- Journal of the San Francisco Bay Area OD Network, Vol. 4, #3, March, 1985, pp. 1-7.

Affiliations

Invited reviewer, Human Relations and Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion.

Chairperson, Spirituality and Systems Special Interest Group of the International Society of Systems Sciences, 2000 to 2006

 

Honors

Recipient, Hofstra University Stessin Prize for outstanding faculty research and publication by a non-tenured faculty member, 1987.

Recipient, Hofstra University MBA Association Teacher of the Year, selected by student poll. 1992-1993.

Dean’s Award for Service to the Zarb School, 2005.

Award of Distinction, Literati Club, 2002, Emerald Publications, for the scholarly excellence of a published journal article.