This category contains a number of conversations and discussions that Wolff recorded, including a lengthy series of conversations he had with Dr. Brugh Joy, which can be accessed with the link below. This category also contains several letters that Wolff dictated, as well as the recordings of two holiday celebrations—the first a gathering for the 1951 winter solstice, the second a 1970 Easter address by Wolff. Finally, this grouping includes the recorded memorial services and tributes for both of Wolff’s wives (Sherifa and Gertrude), Wolff’s stepson (Jim Briggs), and the eulogy spoken at Wolff’s own funeral service.

Brugh Joy was a Los Angeles internist who, after a life-threatening illness, gave up his medical practice and began to explore alternative methods of healing. He authored a number of books, including Avalanche: Heretical Reflections on the Dark and the Light and Joy’s Way; in his own words, Dr. Joy was a teacher of “beinghood.”[1]

Shortly after the death of Gertrude, Wolff’s second wife, Dr. Joy visited Wolff in his home to discuss her death; he then regularly visited Wolff for over a one-year period. He also visited about four years later. Wolff recorded their conversations, which are presented here. The recording of Dr. Joy’s first visit is titled “Discussion after Gertrude’s Death”; the recordings of his visits over the next year are grouped together as a twenty-one part series titled “Dialogue with Brugh Joy.” The recording of Dr. Joy’s later visit is labeled “Discussion with Brugh Joy,” and consists of two parts. Dr. Joy’s intent was to help Wolff work through his grieving process, but their conversations touched on many topics, including: Gertrude’s death, Wolff’s major dreams, the opening of the heart center (anāhata), Wolff’s eye surgery, death, suicide, euthanasia, different forms of medicine, the intellect, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Theosophy, tulku, the Holy Grail, Wagner, diet, therapy, psychological analysis, telepathy, type psychology, intuition, the possibility of Brugh buying Wolff’s ranch, and much more.

Dr. Joy’s visits were an emotional comfort to Wolff, but they also served as an intellectual catalyst. Indeed, there were many points of Dr. Joy’s analysis and outlook that gave Wolff a chance to further reflect, and in a number of ways, to challenge. Wolff chronicled his thoughts in a recording titled “Philosophic Implications of Dialogue with Brugh Joy” and in a seven-part series of recordings called “Reflections upon the Dialogue with Brugh Joy,” all of which found can be found here.

[1] Burgh Joy, Avalanche: Heretical Reflections on the Dark and the Light (New York: Ballantine Books, 1990); and, Joy’s Way, A Map for the Transformational Journey: An Introduction to the Potentials for Healing with Body Energies (Los Angeles: J. P. Tarcher, 1979).