“Isn’t it so very amazing that presumably educated persons can fail to truly know themselves––that nexus of those esemplastic needs and motives and dire intentions that bounce about within themselves when tests arrive presenting challenges profoundly unexpected or unwanted?”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish Existential Ruminations by Gentry Thomason. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
Living in today’s world often means feeling overwhelmed. With constant news alerts, rapid technological changes, and the quiet anxieties of daily life, it can feel as though everything is moving too fast to pause and reflect on the deeper questions. Why are we here? What truly gives life meaning? And how can we hold onto love and hope in an increasingly uncertain world?
These are the kinds of questions Gentry Thomason explores in his book Existential Ruminations. Reading it feels like a gentle invitation to slow down and think more deeply about life.
Born in the heartland of America in 1940, author Gentry Thomason experienced a transformative period during his thirties, a decade marked by unique and deeply personal events. He reflects on these experiences through 198 “poemographs,” a term he coined to describe his short, reflective writings that blend the lyrical quality of poetry with straightforward, conversational prose. These pieces offer insights of significant intellectual and emotional weight.
Thomason holds a B.A. from William Jewell College and an M.A. from San Diego State University. He spent 22 years teaching Literature and Composition within the Los Angeles Unified School District before devoting himself more fully to writing.
Now in his eighties, Thomason has lived a long and contemplative life. His poemographs delve into his personal journey, his doubts, his brushes with faith, and his ongoing search for meaning. The tone is honest, unflinching, and deeply human.
What stands out most in Existential Ruminations is how timely and relevant it feels. Thomason does not shy away from life’s hard truths: human finitude, the fragility of existence, and the complexities of faith. He speaks candidly about the silence of God amid suffering and the human tendency toward self-deception or “bad faith.” Yet, woven throughout is a quiet thread of hope. He reminds readers that existence itself is a gift, that seeking truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, is a worthy endeavor, and that love, for others and for oneself, is the most powerful force holding life together.
Reading Thomason’s reflections feels less like engaging with academic philosophy and more like sitting with a wise elder, someone who has weathered life’s storms, wrestled with big questions, and still has something deeply valuable to share. His words are simple yet resonant, urging readers toward greater honesty, compassion, and awareness of the mystery and beauty that life offers.
At a time when it is easy to become distracted or to feel insignificant against the vastness of the universe, Existential Ruminations offers a comforting reminder: even in our smallness, we matter. Our pursuit of truth, our capacity for love, and our willingness to keep questioning are what lend our lives meaning and depth. Perhaps Thomason’s greatest gift is the message that life doesn’t need to be solved, only lived with sincerity, awareness, and love.
Existential Ruminations by Gentry Thomason is now available for purchase via the ARPress Bookstore.