A rare disease of progressive muscular dystrophy accompanied Jonathan Kahn during all his life. As a child he used crutches, during his youth he was in a wheelchair, and he spent most of his adult life bedridden, unable to move a limb. The doctors predicted that he would live for only two years, but he lived a fulfilled life to the age of sixty. During these sixty years, he studied, wrote books and found happiness and satisfaction even though he was physically disabled. A wholly functioning body is not a prerequisite for happiness, said Jonathan. Happiness belongs to whoever finds it within his self. During Jonathan’s life, two of his books were published: From Damaged to Perfection - Perfection of life within a Damaged Body (satisfactions), and Landscape of Awareness - Pictures from the Soul (1985). Two years following his death, additional manuscripts and chronicles by Jonathan were published in the book, The Human within Us, edited by Lea Tzivoni. The book is a body of work that illuminates how a severely disabled man contributed his personal vision of humanity. The book contains philosophical analysis and aphorisms suggesting a new insight into human thought. The book also provides a broader view of Jonathan’s life through photographs, illustrations and anecdotes written by his close friends and caretakers. These friends assisted him with many aspects of his life; mobility and access administrative tasks such as getting a visa for his Filipino caretaker, University registration, writing, publishing, coordinating lectures, and paying household bills. He also had Feldenkrais therapists who volunteered to care for him. All of his friends and caretakers, not only assisted Jonathan but they were also rewarded with personal emotional and intellectual enrichment. He enlightened them on how a disabled person can find happiness and fruitfulness in his life. His courage gave them strength during difficult times in their own lives. Now, three years after his death, we are publishing the first collection of his manuscripts in English. These manuscripts are about perception of human abilities concerning space, sleep and dreams. They also indicate his human sensitivity and his high cognitive skills, which enabled him to be able to soar to new levels of thinking. With his mind he charted endless details about the universe. From his small room in North Tel Aviv he created his large world and accumulated vast knowledge in philosophy (Master in Philosophy graduating with honors from Tel Aviv University), Art, Music, Literature and Science. An Intimacy with Stillness is a moving experience, allowing the reader to get to know a magical life within of a physically disabled person. It has a deep philosophical outlook and insight into humanity. This book was prepared for editing by Jonathan himself, but he was unable to complete the task. The manuscripts are published in his style and language. We did not even avoid repetitions. Jonathan knew English well from his family background, and we did not try to improve or change words, so as to be politically correct. For example, Jonathan is speaking about being crippled and not about being disabled. That is his style. That is his message to the world. Many of Jonathan’s manuscripts have not yet been published. All of them carry a message. They offer compassion and hope. In this book one can join him on his sixty year journey and his perceptions of life.
