Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Beautiful Tao Te Ching
I am reminded now of my long ago research and study in Oriental philosophy. I read many of the classics texts when I was a much younger woman and one in particular brings back wonderful memories, the Tao Te Ching, a beautiful book on the natural world and our place in it.
I am grateful to have been able to read this book in my youth. It has all the beauty of springtime in it and all the wonders and natural beauty of our world. Of course, the book can be appreciated at any time, at any age but to read this book in youth gives to the reader something special, something extra. The beauty contained in the words of the Tao Te Ching can be more vividly recalled later in life when after time has brought to bear so many thing that are other than beautiful, situations and circumstances, painful episodes in life, such as loss and or sorrow.
As it is, I owe quite a bit to Eastern philosophy and the classical texts I studied many, many years ago. Reading the Tao Te Ching and other great philosophical texts again and even just being reminded of the book, after time and the tide of circumstances has passed is wonderful. It is as if an oasis exists in some quadrant of the mind, of memory that is uplifting and sustaining and at the same time in my case, a direct connection to my youth takes place.
When we return to the Tao Te Ching or I-Ching or other such philosophical work, it is as if to an old friend or relative for that matter. It is as if a return again to a long ago beauty and the many beautiful concepts of nature and our human place in the natural world these classical texts point us toward.
I am grateful to have been able to read this book in my youth. It has all the beauty of springtime in it and all the wonders and natural beauty of our world. Of course, the book can be appreciated at any time, at any age but to read this book in youth gives to the reader something special, something extra. The beauty contained in the words of the Tao Te Ching can be more vividly recalled later in life when after time has brought to bear so many thing that are other than beautiful, situations and circumstances, painful episodes in life, such as loss and or sorrow.
As it is, I owe quite a bit to Eastern philosophy and the classical texts I studied many, many years ago. Reading the Tao Te Ching and other great philosophical texts again and even just being reminded of the book, after time and the tide of circumstances has passed is wonderful. It is as if an oasis exists in some quadrant of the mind, of memory that is uplifting and sustaining and at the same time in my case, a direct connection to my youth takes place.
When we return to the Tao Te Ching or I-Ching or other such philosophical work, it is as if to an old friend or relative for that matter. It is as if a return again to a long ago beauty and the many beautiful concepts of nature and our human place in the natural world these classical texts point us toward.
The Sad Beauty of Paul Cezanne in Words
Because I love Cezanne and what he had to say that almost made me cry today, I am posting a quote that floated by me on Twitter just now. It is beautiful and sad so be prepared.
Fruits ... like having their portrait painted. They seem to sit there and ask your forgiveness for fading. Their thought is given off with their perfumes. They come with all their scents, they speak of the fields they have left, the rain which has nourished them, the daybreaks they have seen. Cezanne
Fruits ... like having their portrait painted. They seem to sit there and ask your forgiveness for fading. Their thought is given off with their perfumes. They come with all their scents, they speak of the fields they have left, the rain which has nourished them, the daybreaks they have seen. Cezanne
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Lynn, From the Beautiful Neighbor Series of Photographs
Saturday, May 28, 2011
The Gorgon's Riddle Updated and Remixed
And what exactly is the Gorgon's Riddle that has endured the sands of time and is that which takes us to this present day?
The Gorgon (one of the ones who incidentally did not lose its head) gave a riddle for those who wished to seek safe passage and to avoid instant petrification upon sight. The riddle was and remains the following:
"When exactly is a man most like a beautiful flower?
The correct answer which allowed for safe passage and denies instant petrification was and remains the following simple and direct answer.
"Man is perhaps most like a beautiful flower when he plays soccer with his fellows (who include children and young women) in springtime.
Dear reader, you now have the answer to an ancient riddle that will allow you to travel far and wide in safety and humility.
Under the most beautiful conditions (and actual pre-conditions) of fellowship with others, man may perhaps remember that he has become as if a flower playing on the astroturf in springtime.
The Gorgon (one of the ones who incidentally did not lose its head) gave a riddle for those who wished to seek safe passage and to avoid instant petrification upon sight. The riddle was and remains the following:
"When exactly is a man most like a beautiful flower?
The correct answer which allowed for safe passage and denies instant petrification was and remains the following simple and direct answer.
"Man is perhaps most like a beautiful flower when he plays soccer with his fellows (who include children and young women) in springtime.
Dear reader, you now have the answer to an ancient riddle that will allow you to travel far and wide in safety and humility.
Under the most beautiful conditions (and actual pre-conditions) of fellowship with others, man may perhaps remember that he has become as if a flower playing on the astroturf in springtime.
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