36 posts tagged “books”
Excerpt from the book I am reading by Thomas Merton called Raids on the Unspeakable:
"And to have the will to be saved, must one limit oneself very carefully to a few select things that are taken seriously? And must everything else be ignored? In other words, to be saved is to exclude from consideration the possibility that one might be damned?
To take that possibility of damnation seriously is, then, to be lost?
But how do anything else? How not to take it seriously?
(Think of the unspeakable triviality of popular religion which consist in not taking the possibility of damnation seriously anymore!
To be saved, is then, to be rescued from all seriousness!
To fall into the ludicrous and satanic flippancy of false piety, kitsch, Saint Suplice!--or the euphoria of busy and optimistic groups!)
So, unless you can falsify and dominate reality with will, you are lost--and if you can impose your own obsession on reality (instead of having reality impose itself as an obsession on you) then are you perhaps doubly lost?
The question of this book, the deeper question, is the very nature of reality itself.
Inexorable consistency. Is reality the same as consistency?
...
The world of consistency is the world of justice, but justice is not the final word.There is, above the consistent and the logical word of justice, and inconsistent illogical world where nothing "handing together," where justice no longer damns each man to his own darkness. This inconsistent world is the realm of mercy.
The world can only be consistent without God.
...
A god who is fitted into our world scheme in order to make it serious and consistent is not God.
...
To take him seriously is to submit to obsession, to doubt, to magic, and then to escape these, or try to escape them, by willfulness, by the determination to stake all on an arbitrary selection of "things to be taken seriousely" because they "save," because they are "his affairs."
(Note that even atheism takes seriously this god of consistency.)
...
The Cross is the sign of contradiction--destorying the seriousness of the Law, of the Empire, of the armies, of blood sacrifice, and of obsession.But the magicians keep turning the Cross to their own purposes. Yes, it is for them too a sign of contradiction: the awful blasphemy of the religious magician who makes the Cross contradict mercy! This of course is the ultimate temptation of Christianity! To say that Christ has locked all the doors, has given one answer, settled everything and departed, leaving all life enclosed in the frightful consistency of a system outside of which there is seriousness and damnation, inside of which there is the intolerable flippancy of the saved--while nowhere is there any place left for the mystery of the freedom of divine mercy which alone is truly serious, and worthy of being taken seriously.
I bought four more books.
From Amazon.com:
Though love is a perennial topic for writers of all kinds, much of what is written about love is simplistic and unsatisfying. In Conscious Love, Richard Smoley—an expert on the esoteric traditions of mystical Christianity—incorporates insights and wisdom about love from noted thinkers in literature, art, philosophy, sociology, cultural criticism, and even neurology. This remarkable book offers a blueprint for infusing conscious love into human relationships.
This book, What is Called Thinking? is supposedly one of his later books that sort of attempts to revist a lot of the material he wrote in the beginning of his philosophical career, mainly Being and Time. It seemed like a good place to start, because thought I really want to own a copy of Being and Time and I want to read it....it's a little intimidating to be honest.
From an Amazon.com review:
The question is this: Can quantum mechanics tell us anything useful about the nature of reality in the observable day-to-day world? .... how do Einstein's theories of Relativity tie in with our day-to-day experiences and with quantum theory?
He proposes that three fundamental problems are all related: first, the problem of measurement in quantum mechanics; second the problem of time in quantum cosmology and third the so-called "hard problem" in brain science that tries to explain how consciousness can arise form apparently inanimate matter.
....
He comes to the conclusion, rightly, I believe, that consciousness does not emerge from the brain but is conditioned by it. Furthermore, that the entire Universe of mind and matter arises from a fundamental non-dual reality.
From Amazon.com:
"Working from existing translations, Thomas Merton composed a series of personal versions from his favorites among the classic sayings of Chuang Tzu, the most spiritual of the Chinese philosophers. Chuang Tzu, who wrote in the fourth and third centuries B.C., is the chief authentic historical spokesman for Taoism and its founder Lao Tzu (a legendary character known largely through Chuang Tzu's writings). Indeed it was because of Chuang Tzu and the other Taoist sages that Indian Buddhism was transformed, in China, into the unique vehicle we now call by its Japanese name — Zen. The Chinese sage abounds in wit, paradox, satire, and shattering insight into the true ground of being. Father Merton, no stranger to Asian thought, brings a vivid, modern idiom to the timeless wisdom of Tao. Illustrated with early Chinese drawings."
Went to the used bookstore in Santa Cruz with my sister. Walked out with ...5 books.
I just started reading Thomas Merton's The Ascent to Truth, which is about contemplation and mysticism. It seems like it will be a really good book for me, as I've been meaning to get into some of the classic writers in the older Christian tradition, and this book seems to introduce them quite well. He's modeling his discussion mainly after the writings of St. John of the Cross.
In the introduction, he goes into the fact that the biggest danger to Christianity does not come from without, but from within. It is the preoccupation with the external to the point of exclusion of the interior life. He points out that concepts cannot contain God, and anyone who is satisfied with knowing God only through concepts does not really know God at all. Contemplation starts and ends with love.
So far, nothing that I haven't read before, but it is really cool to see him explain and quote people like St. John of the Cross, Blaise Pascal, Gregory of Nyssa, etc etc.
I'll keep posting about it as I read through it. I'm looking forward to delving deeper into classic mysticism, and will probably be buying some of their writings the next time I'm at my favorite bookstore.
Here we go folks!
Movie: The Fountain, Darren Aronofsky
Synopsis:
Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Past, present, future. Through time and
space, one man embarks on a bold 1000-year odyssey to defeat
humankind's most indomitable foe: Death. Hugh Jackman plays that man,
devoted to one woman (Rachel Weisz) and determined to protect her from
forces that threaten her existence. His quest leads him to a Tree of
Life...and to an adventure into eternity. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem
for a Dream) directs, continuing his string of imaginative, involving
filmmaking with a tale alive with ideas and filled with astonishing
vistas. "Not many films can blow your mind and break your heart at the
same time, but this one will."
This film wasn't well received, but I think that's because it is difficult to understand. And if it's difficult to understand, it might just be right up our alley. :)
Extra Credit: The Orphanage, Guillermo Del Toro
It's still in theaters so it's not fair to make it the main movie, but GO SEE IT. It's from the maker of Pan's Labyrinth, only it's *better.* Yes, you heard me. Go watch it and come back so we can discuss it!
Book: His Dark Materials Trilogy, Phillip Pullman
Synopsis:
From Amazon.com: These books are what the very best of Children's literature does. They
are entertaining and fanciful, yet they simultaneously challenge and
educate both the mind and heart. Like hot soup when you are sick, they
are "Good and Good for You."
"His Dark Materials" are a great counter-point to the mindless fun of Harry Potter and friends. Pullman's writing is educated and insightful, his characters are real and multi-faceted. The series is packed with adventure, ideas, beliefs, fantasy, talking armored bears, Texas Balloonists, animals, gypsies, and just about everything else. The tone of the series is serious, and as dark as the name implies.
"Chronicles
of Narnia;" "Prydain Chronicles;" "The Hobbit;" "Harry Potter;" "The
Time Quartet;" "Wind in the Willows;" and now..."His Dark Materials."
Philip Pullman, welcome to the club.
Controversy:
These books have caused quite the controversy, as they were written by an atheist, and the story is said to be very anti-religious. Because of this, I think *everyone* should read them. There's no use debating whether or not they are good or bad, or harmful or insightful if we don't know what we're talking about. No matter where you fall theologically, these books are an exciting ride, and can lead to some pretty awesome discussion!
Note: Normally, we put it to a vote, but this round I have very little time, so I'm picking the book and movie selections based on what I'm already reading/watching. I hope you guys don't mind, and I think they're decent enough choices that we can have some fun with them. :)
Here are the links to everything we discussed regarding Annie Dillard's books!
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
Straying Trail of Blood
Random Quotes
Laura's Reaction
Holy the Firm
Quotes
Dillard and Christianity
Comparing the Days
Not too many people voted, but it's all good. Not too many people participate either, but it doesn't matter. I'd rather have quality than quantity, and boy do we have it. :)
Here's the book for this round:
"As the novel follows the protagonist, Patrice Mersault, to his victim's
house -- and then, fleeing, in a journey that takes him through stages
of exile, hedonism, privation, and death -it gives us a glimpse into
the imagination of one of the great writers of the twentieth century.
For here is the young Camus himself, in love with the sea and sun,
enraptured by women yet disdainful of romantic love, and already
formulating the philosophy of action and moral responsibility that
would make him central to the thought of our time."
Happy reading/watching! ;)
I know it's been a while, but I like to wait until at least more than one of us have finished before we move on. That said, it is now time to vote for the next book/movie! As always, if you don't like the suggestions I put here (they're really more like idea starters) feel free to let me know what you *want* to read! :)
Book Suggestions:
"Elegantly styled, Camus' profoundly disturbing novel of a Parisian lawyer's confessions is a searing study of modern amorality."
Camus is one of the most famous existentialists...although he distanced himself from the movement at the time.
A Happy Death - Albert Camus
"As the novel follows the protagonist, Patrice Mersault, to his victim's house -- and then, fleeing, in a journey that takes him through stages of exile, hedonism, privation, and death -it gives us a glimpse into the imagination of one of the great writers of the twentieth century. For here is the young Camus himself, in love with the sea and sun, enraptured by women yet disdainful of romantic love, and already formulating the philosophy of action and moral responsibility that would make him central to the thought of our time."
The Children of Men - P.D. James
"Near the end of the 20th century, for reasons beyond the grasp of modern science, human sperm count went to zero. The last birth occurred in 1995, and in the space of a generation humanity has lost its future. In England, under the rule of an increasingly despotic Warden, the infirm are encouraged to commit group suicide, criminals are exiled and abandoned and immigrants are subjected to semi-legalized slavery. Divorced, middle-aged Oxford history professor Theo Faron, an emotionally constrained man of means and intelligence who is the Warden's cousin, plods through an ordered, bleak existence. But a chance involvement with a group of dissidents moves him onto unexpected paths, leading him, in the novel's compelling second half, toward risk, commitment and the joys and anguish of love. In this convincingly detailed world--where kittens are (illegally) christened, sex has lost its allure and the arts have been abandoned--James concretely explores an unthinkable prospect."
Movie Suggestions:
Children of Men
To go with the book, if we choose it.
Tsotsi
"Captivating audiences worldwide, this compelling story of crime and redemption has earned countless awards around the globe. On the edges of Johannesburg, Tsotsi's life has no meaning beyond survival. One night, in desperation, Tsotsi steals a woman's car. But as he is driving off, he makes a shocking discovery in the backseat. In one moment his life takes a sharp turn and leads him down an unexpected path to redemption ... giving him hope for a future he never could have imagined."
Magnolia
"An intriguing and entertaining study in characters going through varying levels of crisis and introspection. This psychological drama leads you in several different directions, weaving and intersecting various subplots and characters, from a brilliant Tom Cruise, as a self-proclaimed pied-piper, to a child forced to go on a TV game show and the pressures he faces from a ruthless father."
Oh, and as an FYI, I haven't read or watched any of the above books/films other than the movie version of Children of Men. :)
Happy Voting!
As promised, a look at the days when compared and contrasted. Here's a pretty little chart! Sorry if the thoughts are in fragments. I swear it makes sense when you read the book! :)
More comments on Day Two:
- Heartbreak, "caught holding one end of a love"
- Everything good looks fake
- Chart of possible (bad) reactions to a Day Two event (I didn't even realize that she was providing them until it was pointed out to me):
More comments on Day Three:
- There are no clean hearts, there are no depraved hearts. There is no one but us.
- Ambiguity
- Anything can happen - expect the unexpected
- Danger
- Love
- Perfect faith = bad
- We become the flame, sacrificing ourselves to give light to others
- Irony - holding pairs of opposites together ("I am myself falling down slowly, or slowly lifting up.")
- Christ - Human and Divine, Eucharist - Christ with a cork
- Holy the Firm - Matter and Spirit
- Joy, Bliss
- Difference between Tinker Creek: Enters into human suffering...the *real* mystery of life.
- "Nothing is going to happen in this book."
- This isn't about things changing for us, it's about *us* changing. It is about personal transformation.
- Like Denise Levertov's poem, City Psalm
"I have seen
not behind but within, within the
dull grief, blown grit, hideous
concrete facades, another grief, a gleam
as of dew, an abode of mercy,
have not heard behind but within noise
a humming that drifted into a quiet smile.
Nothing was changed, all was revealed otherwise;
not that horror was not, not that the killings did not continue,
not that I thought there was to be no more despair,
but that as if transparent all disclosed
an otherness that was blessed, that was bliss.
I saw Paradise in the dust of the street."
- In both days 1 and 2, we think we have life figured out (especially in day 2!)
- In day three, we know more than anything that life is a mystery (I only know enough to want to worship).
- The movement from Day One to Day Two is not in our control, and in fact goes against what we want (remnants of Kierkegaard?)
- The movement from Day Two to Day Three cannot be forced either, and often feels like a revelation
- Day Three inevitably collapses into Day One...and the process repeats...but hopefully we progress closer and closer to truth
- Day Three experiences parallel that of mysticism and gnosis.
- Is there any connection to Nietzsche's three stages?
Symbolism (brief):
- In the beginning, the spider web is holding together beauty and violence
- Islands represent eternity coming into time: "Here is the fringey edge where elements meet and realms mingle, where time and eternity spatter each other with foam."
- Who is a moth lit with flame?
- Julie Norwich (Julian of Norwich was an anchoress and Christian mystic)
- The little god
- Annie herself
- The seraphs
- The nun, thinker, and artist
Okay, that's all I have. I hope it helped! :)
This is what happens when I go to a bookstore. Especially a used bookstore.
