Four Levels of Wonder, LLC
Primary Offerings:
A documentary film:
Life Begins In Wonder.
Let Life End in Wonder.TM
A wonder-focused children's book:
The Biggest Why
Consultations on "pure deep wonder"
Documentary Film
Life Begins In Wonder.
Let Life End In Wonder. TM
Aired on Nashville Public Televisions and it's PBS affiliates across the state of Tennessee during October 2022. Aired nationally on PBS starting in the summer of 2023.
"Best Shorts" Film Festival - LaJolla, CA
Winner - "Award of Merit"
Reviewer Comments on Documentary
"I watched it three times - it is simple in its complexity yet complex in its simplicity. I came away each time realizing what a truly wonderful thought-provoking documentary it is.”
Nan P
Nashville TN
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“Beautifully photographed and visually edited. Put me in a mood to consider the unknown, and the wonder of it… I especially appreciated the philosopher's thoughts and input. The music soundtrack is very supportive, doesn't get in the way. I assume this is directed at the end-of -life experience for those entering that part of their journey.”
Bob K - retired physician, jazz musician
Seattle WA
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“Incredible! I love it, Bob. So provocative and professional...Well done and congratulations!”
Mark M - retired Rhodes College professor of religion, Great Courses educator
Memphis TN
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“Very professionally constructed video. I did not view the video as being counter to those who believe, but rather laying the groundwork for expanding on the fact that we can’t truly “know” but only “wonder” about and/or believe in The Great Spirit’s existence to use an American Indian term.”
Bill P - retired physician
Smithfield VA
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"A beautiful expression of the need to allow ourselves to return to the openness of the child’s mind....The images are gentle, they point in a direction in which we are meant to go as we reach the reality of the end of life.”
Margery M
Spokane WA
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"Bob, this presentation is beautiful!!! I LOVE your beginning narrator, Dr John Lachs! The videography is incredible...how do people envision such imagery and overlay of images and flow! Tears came to my eyes right at the beginning seeing the imagery and Dr John and hearing the topic of death addressed.... I noted a few of the text lines - "the mystery
of life is to remember death and yet live joyously" and ”wonder can decrease fear". Deep attitudes to contemplate.”
Barbara S – artist, sculptor
OKC OK
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“Breathtaking, awesome and inspiring.”
Marlene F – artist, painter
Richmond VA
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“WOW! That was really beautiful! I want you to know how impressed I am. It is so very timely for this tragic and pregnant moment! Wonder does not get enough good press. It's hard to speak about without sounding cheesy. Here the combination of personal and the cosmic is just right. I love that the darkness and the horrors of human madness is not papered over but is welcomed as part of the mystery. Good job! I cannot say enough about it.”
Tim H - world renowned sculptor
Helena MT
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“I was very moved - not only by the images, but also by the language and approach. I would really love to see the completed work when it is finished. I found it so resonated with what I am experiencing in my life at the moment - thank you for sharing.”
Jane N - artist, stitcher, teacher
Australia
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“Very nice! The images are beautiful. The interviews are well done too. I don't think you need my advice. You're doing a good job of planting thoughts/ideas and allowing the audience to engage in an act of discovery. I'm glad you're on your way to realizing your dream..”
David A - Peabody Award filmmaker for “Hoxie” and university professor
Memphis TN
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“I’m John Lachs's daughter, Sheila. We watched the film together over last weekend and it was just lovely. You really captured my dad for who he is.....his history, his love for his cats and animals in general and his love for my mom. I know there is more but I was so touched to see it. Dad rarely talks about his childhood and so many people have wanted that from him, so it will be meaningful to so many of his former and current students and friends. Thanks so much for making this film. I think it will mean a lot to so many, including myself. With gratitude.”
Sheila L - daughter of Prime Storyteller
Nashville TN
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I just now watched the film 3 times!; Bob, you've got the touch of artistic genius: it is truly beautiful - the John Lachs opening story and commentary ("children at play ... the best example of self-forgetful love of life") so captivating. The whole piece is cohesive, insightful, has lovely imagery and thoughtful expression - an ode to the joy of wonder. Obviously, I loved it (and for another reason I'll share sometime). I can't help observing: if you are going to do a piece about "wonder", it better be "WONDER"-ful - and boy, is it!!
John L - retired Distinguished Medical Professor, Vanderbilt Medical School
Nashville TN
The Biggest Why
A Children's Book
Tom Robbins, a top 100 novelist of the 20th century, wrote the foreword to The BIggest Why and offered the following overviews.
"The Biggest Why, like no other book in its genre, can give the curious child (and its consenting adult) a lifelong invitation to transportive episodes of exquisite revery."
"The Biggest Why could be the most important children's book of our age - and for that matter, legion is the number of adults who could benefit immensely from reading it with a mind even slightly agar."
Four Levels of Wonder Definitions
Highest Level: Pure Deep Wonder
Pure deep wonder encompasses the realization and acceptance that what exists before birth and after death, indeed, before and after all existence, is beyond knowing, comprehending, defining, naming, or imagining,
Begining Level: Inquisitive Wonder
Inquisitive wonder leads to imagining, curiosity, and learning. It arises in infancy and early childhood and functions to help children learn how to comprehend their world.
Common Level: Wonder of World Uncertainty
The wonder of worldly uncertainty interfaces with doubt we experience throughout life.
Equivocal Level: Awe
Awe is stated to include feelings of reverence, admiration, and veneration linked to religiosity that can induce fear and dread by the perception of extreme power. Research also documents that awe is linked to feelings of smallness and being inferior. Thus it is equivocal as to whether awe equates with wonder.
"Pure Deep Wonder" Consultations
Consultations are based on experience from researching the Four Levels of Wonder documentary & creatiung a life long learning course.
Consultations also reflect experience gained from partnering with a palliative care physician and a geriatric psychiatrist to make presentations on pure deep wonder to patients who have confronted end-of-life challenges and their families (Gilda's Club).
These experiences provide insights on aging and end-of-life issues and the value of embracing pure deep wonder.
To schedule a consultation please see the following acquisition section
then go to fourlevelsofwonder@gmail.com
Products and Services
Send requests for the following products and services to fourlevelsofwonder@gmail.com
1. A 71 page bound color volume of the Biggest Why children's book on wonder can be purchased for $55 plus shipping & handling (limited availability).
2. Documentary presentations and associated lectures focused on pure deep wonder can be reviewed and scheduled.
3. One-on-one telephone consultations on pure deep wonder as related to aging and end-of-life issues are available by appointment for a to-be-negotiated fee.