I haven't read it, though I am fairly sympathetic to the whole 'philosophy as a way of life' antidote to the scholasticism of the moment.
In case I gave another impression, I never thought you rejected scholarship! It was more of an extended musing on the ways that the mode of expression you wish to grope towards was difficult even in the age of classical daoism, but they did manage it. Your thoughts resonate because I would also like to manage that difficult trick!
Jack. I felt envy as I read your blog. Internally, it’s what I yearn for, and yet while I was there, I found the silence deafening. Without all my distractions, I found myself experiencing uncomfortable emotions and the war in my head! Sad indeed. I did leave with the determination to unplug more from things that make my brain mushy and lean into cultivating beauty and authenticity in mind and soul. I’m thankful for your thoughts. They remind me of that determination.
Sounds like a lovely memory. Ireland is certainly the place for finding the sacred. I live in the Kingdom (Kerry). Apparently they say there's two kingdoms: The Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Kerry! There's plenty of God here though!
I feel truly grateful to live in a place where on a clear night the stars make a masterpiece of the sky. We have a large window where in the cold winter months my children and I sit in candle light looking at star charts and trying to figure out the constellations. Having grown up in a town I know very little about the stars other than their beauty; my children's excitement is a contagion driving my learning.
Thanks for the wonderful post Jack and introducing me to Chinese poetry.
A lovely observation, thanks Jack. Seems like you are putting your monastic experience to good use and i look forward to hearing how it unfolds! God bless you.
My favorite sentence: "We are obscured from the cosmic situation in which we find ourselves and are befuddled. "
I have often had that same feeling when out at night in suburbia... I know there are many people here but all I hear is compressors (ac units) and all I see are the flickers in the windows. Maybe it is worse than befuddled.
I haven't read it, though I am fairly sympathetic to the whole 'philosophy as a way of life' antidote to the scholasticism of the moment.
In case I gave another impression, I never thought you rejected scholarship! It was more of an extended musing on the ways that the mode of expression you wish to grope towards was difficult even in the age of classical daoism, but they did manage it. Your thoughts resonate because I would also like to manage that difficult trick!
Jack. I felt envy as I read your blog. Internally, it’s what I yearn for, and yet while I was there, I found the silence deafening. Without all my distractions, I found myself experiencing uncomfortable emotions and the war in my head! Sad indeed. I did leave with the determination to unplug more from things that make my brain mushy and lean into cultivating beauty and authenticity in mind and soul. I’m thankful for your thoughts. They remind me of that determination.
Sounds like a lovely memory. Ireland is certainly the place for finding the sacred. I live in the Kingdom (Kerry). Apparently they say there's two kingdoms: The Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Kerry! There's plenty of God here though!
It's truly wonderful to read these contemplations. Thanks, Jack.
It's just getting dark here...the clouds are taking centre stage tonight though! Hoping that your sky is clearer than mine come the night!
I feel truly grateful to live in a place where on a clear night the stars make a masterpiece of the sky. We have a large window where in the cold winter months my children and I sit in candle light looking at star charts and trying to figure out the constellations. Having grown up in a town I know very little about the stars other than their beauty; my children's excitement is a contagion driving my learning.
Thanks for the wonderful post Jack and introducing me to Chinese poetry.
A lovely observation, thanks Jack. Seems like you are putting your monastic experience to good use and i look forward to hearing how it unfolds! God bless you.
What a beautifully simple post, thanks!
One of my own favourites (Burton Watson translation of the Shih-ching)
Cold is the north wind,
the snow falls thick
If you are kind and love me,
take my hand and we'll go together
You are modest, you are slow,
but oh, we must hurry!
Fierce is the north wind,
the snow falls fast.
If you are kind and love me,
take my hand and we'll go home together
You are modest, you are slow,
but oh, we must hurry!
Nothing redder than the fox,
nothing blacker than the crow.
If you are kind and love me,
take my hand and we'll ride together
You are modest, you are slow,
but oh, we must hurry!
P. S. thanks for the Chinese poetry --
My favorite sentence: "We are obscured from the cosmic situation in which we find ourselves and are befuddled. "
I have often had that same feeling when out at night in suburbia... I know there are many people here but all I hear is compressors (ac units) and all I see are the flickers in the windows. Maybe it is worse than befuddled.
Clara