Peter- Yes, this is it exactly. I have been thinking about it a lot. We do need to practice leaping into waters. The virtual world is continually both lulling us to sleep and ramping up our fear response to keep us coming back for more. The antidote, at least in general, is a deep plunge into the cold water of reality. I may this in part…
Peter- Yes, this is it exactly. I have been thinking about it a lot. We do need to practice leaping into waters. The virtual world is continually both lulling us to sleep and ramping up our fear response to keep us coming back for more. The antidote, at least in general, is a deep plunge into the cold water of reality. I may this in part quite literally!
In a broader sense this relates to the practice of Wild Christianity. Though my thoughts on it are too vague at the moment to elaborate.
As someone privileged to body surf, the literal 'leaping into the waters' happens regularly and to great effect as an antidote to persistent messages to be dragged into the maelstrom of man-made reality. And while the water cask is also man-made, it is hollow unless it contains the medium into which we are thrown or cast (in which case it cannot save us). So, if it is hollow or 'empty' perhaps it is inviting us to fill it with the ideals of human love, to buoy us up and save us. By way of extended analogy, the idea of a water cask or some other empty 'container' acting as the 'head of state' of human political institutions seems to me to offer a way to externalise, and metaphorically situate, our best and life-affirming aspirations and goals. The water cask then holds the waters of life, of baptism, of cleansing and clarity - not literally but as something to which we can collectively cling. Thank you for a beautiful rendering of rich ideas in this article.
Yours is a beautiful fleshing out of Poe's story. I really do think A Descent into the Maelstrom has great resonance as a kind of myth of our times. A way to frame a response though it isn't itself yet that response. The story can help our practical efforts in fruitful ways. We need to think deeply about our situation but also must take decisive action. There is a necessary tension there that might yield unexpected fruits. --Jack
Thank you Jack, I appreciate your further insight and the idea of remaining open, observant, and decisive in action. I will reread all your post and immerse myself in the flow of ideas, clinging to the opportunity offered by expressing love as freely as I might.
Peter- Yes, this is it exactly. I have been thinking about it a lot. We do need to practice leaping into waters. The virtual world is continually both lulling us to sleep and ramping up our fear response to keep us coming back for more. The antidote, at least in general, is a deep plunge into the cold water of reality. I may this in part quite literally!
In a broader sense this relates to the practice of Wild Christianity. Though my thoughts on it are too vague at the moment to elaborate.
What is the water cask that can save us?
-Jack
As someone privileged to body surf, the literal 'leaping into the waters' happens regularly and to great effect as an antidote to persistent messages to be dragged into the maelstrom of man-made reality. And while the water cask is also man-made, it is hollow unless it contains the medium into which we are thrown or cast (in which case it cannot save us). So, if it is hollow or 'empty' perhaps it is inviting us to fill it with the ideals of human love, to buoy us up and save us. By way of extended analogy, the idea of a water cask or some other empty 'container' acting as the 'head of state' of human political institutions seems to me to offer a way to externalise, and metaphorically situate, our best and life-affirming aspirations and goals. The water cask then holds the waters of life, of baptism, of cleansing and clarity - not literally but as something to which we can collectively cling. Thank you for a beautiful rendering of rich ideas in this article.
Graeme-
Yours is a beautiful fleshing out of Poe's story. I really do think A Descent into the Maelstrom has great resonance as a kind of myth of our times. A way to frame a response though it isn't itself yet that response. The story can help our practical efforts in fruitful ways. We need to think deeply about our situation but also must take decisive action. There is a necessary tension there that might yield unexpected fruits. --Jack
Thank you Jack, I appreciate your further insight and the idea of remaining open, observant, and decisive in action. I will reread all your post and immerse myself in the flow of ideas, clinging to the opportunity offered by expressing love as freely as I might.