A couple years ago I was introduced to Bayo Akomolafe who, among other things discusses post-activism. “What if the way we respond to crisis is part of the crisis?” is one of his questions for contemplation. This, after considering Charles Eisensteins’ invitation to move away from solutionism was/is seductive. It feels ‘right’.
However, it is only recently that I have actually begun to take up that invitation and disengage from the endless commentary and analysis towards contemplation and prayer. Towards engaging with ancestors. Towards responding to requests for prayers on behalf of those in need. Towards finding the joy in the life I have right now - even in the things that have not turned out the way I would have hoped.
As I mentioned in another substack comment to you Jack, there is something emerging from this, though I know not what it is, and I dare not attempt to presupposes what it is, lest I distort its creation and shape and miss its true power in my life. My feeling is that it won’t emerge from devouring more information but during my immersion in the here and now of life.
“Instead, we have become increasingly technocratic, and obsessed with control.”
Technology aside, even in our personal lives we need to be careful with control. There’s a clenching, grasping element within, partly instinctive, partly interwoven with how we talk to ourselves and others, that seems to struggle for control, and gets frustrated when we don’t have it. Living with less control over things, even no control, is an act of faith and deep trust. When I’ve been able to do this, which is not nearly as much as I’d like, I feel a unique sort of peace; nothing mystical, but definitely peaceful and more open.
Jack, I'm so happy to have discovered your substack. Although I am about half your age, I have come to many of your conclusions as I see the insanity of modern life especially played out living in a big city for the past 3 years. Your last Taoist quotation, and your theme brings to mind a saying from Fr. Richard Rohr, "One cannot resolve a conflict with the same level of consciousness that got you into it in the first place." Using more of our technological muscle to try and resolve the problems that techne has gotten us into in the first place is lunacy, if not outright diabolical. I fear that if we don't change, our world will face its very own Butlerian Jihad. Beyond that, however, I believe you are spot on. The contemplative mind is the salvific mind is the mind of Christ that will light the way out of the darkness we find ourselves in precisely because it is "no-mind." It is the mind of the emptiness and ineffable Eternal Mystery we call God.
Thanks Jack for your insightful writing and giving us a peek at the contemplative life in the monastery where you reside! I must admit a twinge of jealousy since I feel somewhat trapped in that information overload which you wisely advise us to eschew! I have spent my last 2 “administrative “ days doing data entry into the electronic medical record to complete notes of patients’ I have examined recently. Thousands of “clicks” I need to complete to satisfy the demands of the healthcare system. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with my patients in person, but loathe the numerous hours I need to spend to document those gratifying encounters. And always the drumbeat from our superiors is for providers to become more “efficient.” When I applied to ophthalmology residency in the early 90’s I included in my personal essay a quote from Milton’s “On His Blindness” which concluded that “they also serve who only stand and wait.” Your quote from Magister Liu was spot on! And btw, I have a plaque of Galatians 5:22-23 on a wall in my foyer! Keep inspiring us Jack! Blessings, Melanie
Btw Jack, not directly relevant to this post, but have you listened to the music of Sigur Ros? They are an Icelandic band, and their music is in my view quite religious and completely mystical.
Particularly I would recommend their albums Takk and Valtari - very mystical and beautiful and moving.
I say this because I've enjoyed your recommendation of that desert music album, which was quite good.
But do check out Sigur Ros - they are remarkable, and the spiritual music of our time.
Thank you Jack, much appreciated again.
A couple years ago I was introduced to Bayo Akomolafe who, among other things discusses post-activism. “What if the way we respond to crisis is part of the crisis?” is one of his questions for contemplation. This, after considering Charles Eisensteins’ invitation to move away from solutionism was/is seductive. It feels ‘right’.
However, it is only recently that I have actually begun to take up that invitation and disengage from the endless commentary and analysis towards contemplation and prayer. Towards engaging with ancestors. Towards responding to requests for prayers on behalf of those in need. Towards finding the joy in the life I have right now - even in the things that have not turned out the way I would have hoped.
As I mentioned in another substack comment to you Jack, there is something emerging from this, though I know not what it is, and I dare not attempt to presupposes what it is, lest I distort its creation and shape and miss its true power in my life. My feeling is that it won’t emerge from devouring more information but during my immersion in the here and now of life.
Be well,
Micah
“Instead, we have become increasingly technocratic, and obsessed with control.”
Technology aside, even in our personal lives we need to be careful with control. There’s a clenching, grasping element within, partly instinctive, partly interwoven with how we talk to ourselves and others, that seems to struggle for control, and gets frustrated when we don’t have it. Living with less control over things, even no control, is an act of faith and deep trust. When I’ve been able to do this, which is not nearly as much as I’d like, I feel a unique sort of peace; nothing mystical, but definitely peaceful and more open.
I nodded my head so much whilst reading this piece that my husband became interested in what I was reading! Spot on Jack. Hope you're well 🙏
Jack, I'm so happy to have discovered your substack. Although I am about half your age, I have come to many of your conclusions as I see the insanity of modern life especially played out living in a big city for the past 3 years. Your last Taoist quotation, and your theme brings to mind a saying from Fr. Richard Rohr, "One cannot resolve a conflict with the same level of consciousness that got you into it in the first place." Using more of our technological muscle to try and resolve the problems that techne has gotten us into in the first place is lunacy, if not outright diabolical. I fear that if we don't change, our world will face its very own Butlerian Jihad. Beyond that, however, I believe you are spot on. The contemplative mind is the salvific mind is the mind of Christ that will light the way out of the darkness we find ourselves in precisely because it is "no-mind." It is the mind of the emptiness and ineffable Eternal Mystery we call God.
Jack,
Thank you for this reflection and update.
A prayer from Wendell Berry came to mind reading your reflection here (and the Williams Carlos Williams quote):
We who prayed and wept
for liberty from kings
and the yoke of liberty
accept the tyranny of things
we do not need.
In plenitude too free,
we have become adept
beneath the yoke of greed.
Those who will not learn
in plenty to keep their place
must learn it by their need
when they have had their way
and the fields spurn their seed.
We have failed Thy grace.
Lord, I flinch and pray,
send Thy necessity.
It strikes me that Berry wrote this in the early 1980s. 40 years later, it appears his prayer is being answered.
Hi Jack
Thanks for this
Really resonates
Thanks for disciplining yourself re waiting for the right words
Funnily enough I am involved at this moment in an online chat where a friend said
‘Confused conversation is standard. . . Babel?’
My sense is that words not birthed in contemplation are simply wind
And it’s blowing a gale at present
Slow words and few
God bless you
I hope you are well
Blessings
Eric
Thanks Jack for your insightful writing and giving us a peek at the contemplative life in the monastery where you reside! I must admit a twinge of jealousy since I feel somewhat trapped in that information overload which you wisely advise us to eschew! I have spent my last 2 “administrative “ days doing data entry into the electronic medical record to complete notes of patients’ I have examined recently. Thousands of “clicks” I need to complete to satisfy the demands of the healthcare system. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with my patients in person, but loathe the numerous hours I need to spend to document those gratifying encounters. And always the drumbeat from our superiors is for providers to become more “efficient.” When I applied to ophthalmology residency in the early 90’s I included in my personal essay a quote from Milton’s “On His Blindness” which concluded that “they also serve who only stand and wait.” Your quote from Magister Liu was spot on! And btw, I have a plaque of Galatians 5:22-23 on a wall in my foyer! Keep inspiring us Jack! Blessings, Melanie
Btw Jack, not directly relevant to this post, but have you listened to the music of Sigur Ros? They are an Icelandic band, and their music is in my view quite religious and completely mystical.
Particularly I would recommend their albums Takk and Valtari - very mystical and beautiful and moving.
I say this because I've enjoyed your recommendation of that desert music album, which was quite good.
But do check out Sigur Ros - they are remarkable, and the spiritual music of our time.
Good luck, my friend.