When leaves burning red and orange and yellow
shine gold against fading light
As leaves mark again the unchanging rhythms of life-
It is now that we remember- we men with our creations-
our inventions, noisy and dulling, are not the princes here.
It is the hills, privy to the secrets only ages can tell, that remain the true conquerors-
witnesses to the wisping battles of men and beast, played out as seconds in the long sweep of the seasons.
In the hands of these silent, unshakeable sages, we remember the frailty and foolishness that marks our race-
thinking ourselves gods, these hills kindly laugh as we stare- for just a moment- at the fate that we ourselves have sown-
the cruel mortality that leaves us born and dead in the blink of their ancient eyes.
And yet, isn't it the eternity in our hearts that makes this colorful perfection burn sad and beautiful?
Again, it is these hills who know better- for they remember- and hope- that they may one day burn brighter than they have yet known- alive once more as subjects to only the king who called them to be.
And if we are quiet enough- we remember- and we hope- for the day that we know these hills as equals, lighting up with a fiery red that no eye has seen as we at long last behold- and walk these hills with our king.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
A Stick, A Carrot, & String
And the night was cool and clear as glass with the sneaking Snake in the garden grass,
As Deep cried out to Deep, the Disciples fast asleep.
And the snake perked up when he heard You ask: if You're willing that this cup might pass
We could find our way back home, maybe start a family all our own
But does not the Father guide the Son? Not my will but Yours be done
What else here to do? What else me but You?
And the snake who'd held the world, a stick, a carrot and a string, was crushed beneath the Foot of Your not wanting anything.
- "A Stick, A Carrot, & String", MeWithoutYou
As Deep cried out to Deep, the Disciples fast asleep.
And the snake perked up when he heard You ask: if You're willing that this cup might pass
We could find our way back home, maybe start a family all our own
But does not the Father guide the Son? Not my will but Yours be done
What else here to do? What else me but You?
And the snake who'd held the world, a stick, a carrot and a string, was crushed beneath the Foot of Your not wanting anything.
- "A Stick, A Carrot, & String", MeWithoutYou
Monday, October 7, 2013
Fall
Why do we like fall? Why does it bring so much Joy (capital J- see C.S. Lewis' definition below)? Laura and I worked out two possibilities:
1) The association of past falls. When fall comes around the leaves, football, the crisp air- with all of this comes the memories- of elementary school falls when the world was young, of freshman year falls when life was changing. Maybe these memories bring with it a sense of life gone by, of the slipping away of the present.
2) The change of seasons brings with it the idea of upcoming change. While much in our nature inclines us towards constancy and stability, there's also part of us that is excited by change and the possibility of something new. With the physical change of fall, maybe this sense of possibility is aroused.
-----
“I call it Joy. 'Animal-Land' was not imaginative. But certain other experiences were... The first is itself the memory of a memory. As I stood beside a flowering currant bush on a summer day there suddenly arose in me without warning, and as if from a depth not of years but of centuries, the memory of that earlier morning at the Old House when my brother had brought his toy garden into the nursery. It is difficult or find words strong enough for the sensation which came over me; Milton's 'enormous bliss' of Eden (giving the full, ancient meaning to 'enormous') comes somewhere near it. It was a sensation, of course, of desire; but desire for what?...Before I knew what I desired, the desire itself was gone, the whole glimpse... withdrawn, the world turned commonplace again, or only stirred by a longing for the longing that had just ceased... In a sense the central story of my life is about nothing else... The quality common to the three experiences... is that of an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction. I call it Joy, which is here a technical term and must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and Pleasure. Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again... I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world. But then Joy is never in our power and Pleasure often is.”
C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
“I was still young and the whole world of beauty was opening before me, my own officious obstructions were often swept aside and, startled into self-forgetfulness, I again tasted Joy. ... One thing, however, I learned, which has since saved me from many popular confusions of mind. I came to know by experience that it is not a disguise of sexual desire. ... I repeatedly followed that path - to the end. And at the end one found pleasure; which immediately resulted in the discovery that pleasure (whether that pleasure or any other) was not what you had been looking for. No moral question was involved; I was at this time as nearly nonmoral on that subject as a human creature can be. The frustration did not consist in finding a "lower" pleasure instead of a "higher." It was the irrelevance of the conclusion that marred it. ... You might as well offer a mutton chop to a man who is dying of thirst as offer sexual pleasure to the desire I am speaking of. ... Joy is not a substitute for sex; sex is very often a substitute for Joy. I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for Joy.”
― C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
1) The association of past falls. When fall comes around the leaves, football, the crisp air- with all of this comes the memories- of elementary school falls when the world was young, of freshman year falls when life was changing. Maybe these memories bring with it a sense of life gone by, of the slipping away of the present.
2) The change of seasons brings with it the idea of upcoming change. While much in our nature inclines us towards constancy and stability, there's also part of us that is excited by change and the possibility of something new. With the physical change of fall, maybe this sense of possibility is aroused.
-----
“I call it Joy. 'Animal-Land' was not imaginative. But certain other experiences were... The first is itself the memory of a memory. As I stood beside a flowering currant bush on a summer day there suddenly arose in me without warning, and as if from a depth not of years but of centuries, the memory of that earlier morning at the Old House when my brother had brought his toy garden into the nursery. It is difficult or find words strong enough for the sensation which came over me; Milton's 'enormous bliss' of Eden (giving the full, ancient meaning to 'enormous') comes somewhere near it. It was a sensation, of course, of desire; but desire for what?...Before I knew what I desired, the desire itself was gone, the whole glimpse... withdrawn, the world turned commonplace again, or only stirred by a longing for the longing that had just ceased... In a sense the central story of my life is about nothing else... The quality common to the three experiences... is that of an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction. I call it Joy, which is here a technical term and must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and Pleasure. Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again... I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world. But then Joy is never in our power and Pleasure often is.”
C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
“I was still young and the whole world of beauty was opening before me, my own officious obstructions were often swept aside and, startled into self-forgetfulness, I again tasted Joy. ... One thing, however, I learned, which has since saved me from many popular confusions of mind. I came to know by experience that it is not a disguise of sexual desire. ... I repeatedly followed that path - to the end. And at the end one found pleasure; which immediately resulted in the discovery that pleasure (whether that pleasure or any other) was not what you had been looking for. No moral question was involved; I was at this time as nearly nonmoral on that subject as a human creature can be. The frustration did not consist in finding a "lower" pleasure instead of a "higher." It was the irrelevance of the conclusion that marred it. ... You might as well offer a mutton chop to a man who is dying of thirst as offer sexual pleasure to the desire I am speaking of. ... Joy is not a substitute for sex; sex is very often a substitute for Joy. I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for Joy.”
― C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
Mindfulness Thought of the day
Mindfulness is not relaxation. Mindfulness is active focus. The irony is that only while expending the energy to maintain focus on one thing does relaxation happen. But if I "just relax" while meditating, my brain will do it's thing and start jumping all over the place.
I think being aware of the energy required will help me be prepared for my mindfulness times in the morning. Mindfulness is more like lifting weights than taking a nap.
I think being aware of the energy required will help me be prepared for my mindfulness times in the morning. Mindfulness is more like lifting weights than taking a nap.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
INTPs in Relationships
This is one INTPs definition of the needs of an INTP as a spouse or mate. The original author's
Found this on http://personalitycafe.com/intp-articles/300-guides-deeper-relationship-intps.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide to the INTP mate
1. Lots of sex
I dont think it is just me as an INTP who finds this a very important part of a relationship and the most important physical expression of love in a relationship - it is NOT a selfish act for selfish physical satisfaction. but hell, it is damn pleasing, too
2. Moral support
It is a tough world out there for INTPs
3. An equal
INTPs have no wish to dominate, and are crushed by domination
4. Someone who is next to unoffendable.
INTPs tend to lack tact, but also want and need to be brutally honest with thier intimate partners - they want someone who they can playfully insult, who will then either laugh in thier face or give it right back.
5. Someone who can accept them for who they are and not try to change them.
INTPs appear erratic to the casual observer in a relationship, for example - they appear to demand solitude one moment, sex the next. Non-INTPs find this VERY hard to reconcile with their typical conception of "love"
6. Someone who accepts the peculiar WAYS they show thier love.
Be it really, really sappy hopless-romantic type drivel or passionate physical expression, or just a touch or a simple look. The INTP way is very hard to catch, if you blink, you miss it. Non-INTPs tend to want tokens and words, not a slow dance in a room with no radio, not a quiet cuddle in front of the TV at the end of the day, or the other strange and random expressions that INTPs tend to give. [This ties in with #5.]
7. SPACE [as in both physical and emotional space]
In case it was missed, I'll mention it again: SPACE!! INTP men need their free time to pursue intellectual pursuits, and CAN NOT be:
a.) disturbed
b.) told they dont love thier partner because they spend too much time "alone", etc.
INTP men disappear for a while, then come out swinging. this FORCES most non-INTPs to think that the INTP partner only wants them for sex. This is wrong, but if the non-INTP is not capable of #5 and #6, they are forced to believe it.
8. Comforting. [this goes along with #2.]
The world sucks, particularly for INTPs. They are capable of an utterly staggering amount of patience and responsibility, but in the long run, without #2 and #8, the relationship will ultimately die, or the INTP will DIE a very real death. With #2 and #8, an INTP can take a spectacular amount of abuse, responsibility, and patience in life, as long as his partner supplies #2 and #8 in sufficient quantities.
9. An intellect. a person who can hold their own in a debate.
The words "you always think you are right!!" are the LAST words an INTP wants to hear from their mate. The INTP wants debate! Wants intellectual stimulation! If they doesnt get it at home, #7 becomes very very very important. If their mate can not handle #7, there will be PROBLEMS. If the mate can supply #9, the INTP will be very happily occupied with their mate for a long, long time.
10. Someone to learn with. [This goes with #9]
Someone who is interested in learning and intellectual stimulation. The INTP needs someone who they can learn with and enjoy the mysteries and adventures of life with. Someone who can understand their interest in the esoteric, show appreciation for their interests, and even join them in these interests, or introduce them to new ones.
11. Someone capable of self reflection and self analysis.Often the INTP finds that they are the only one "growing" in a relationship, the only one who can see the problems in the relationship. This usually forces the INTP to be the one to change, to be the one to compromise for their partner. Because many non-INTPs have no true ability to self reflect the non-INTP thinks they are ALWAYS right. The INTP spends their life examining themselves and their relationship to see what they need to do to make it work. So they spend all their time critically analyzing it, and the mate does nothing but demand that they change. This will eventually lead to the spiritual DEATH of the INTP, if not the actual PHYSICAL death of the INTP. To avoid this, the INTP person NEEDS a mate who can examine the relationship WITH them, so they can grow TOGETHER.
Found this on http://personalitycafe.com/intp-articles/300-guides-deeper-relationship-intps.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide to the INTP mate
1. Lots of sex
I dont think it is just me as an INTP who finds this a very important part of a relationship and the most important physical expression of love in a relationship - it is NOT a selfish act for selfish physical satisfaction. but hell, it is damn pleasing, too
2. Moral support
It is a tough world out there for INTPs
3. An equal
INTPs have no wish to dominate, and are crushed by domination
4. Someone who is next to unoffendable.
INTPs tend to lack tact, but also want and need to be brutally honest with thier intimate partners - they want someone who they can playfully insult, who will then either laugh in thier face or give it right back.
5. Someone who can accept them for who they are and not try to change them.
INTPs appear erratic to the casual observer in a relationship, for example - they appear to demand solitude one moment, sex the next. Non-INTPs find this VERY hard to reconcile with their typical conception of "love"
6. Someone who accepts the peculiar WAYS they show thier love.
Be it really, really sappy hopless-romantic type drivel or passionate physical expression, or just a touch or a simple look. The INTP way is very hard to catch, if you blink, you miss it. Non-INTPs tend to want tokens and words, not a slow dance in a room with no radio, not a quiet cuddle in front of the TV at the end of the day, or the other strange and random expressions that INTPs tend to give. [This ties in with #5.]
7. SPACE [as in both physical and emotional space]
In case it was missed, I'll mention it again: SPACE!! INTP men need their free time to pursue intellectual pursuits, and CAN NOT be:
a.) disturbed
b.) told they dont love thier partner because they spend too much time "alone", etc.
INTP men disappear for a while, then come out swinging. this FORCES most non-INTPs to think that the INTP partner only wants them for sex. This is wrong, but if the non-INTP is not capable of #5 and #6, they are forced to believe it.
8. Comforting. [this goes along with #2.]
The world sucks, particularly for INTPs. They are capable of an utterly staggering amount of patience and responsibility, but in the long run, without #2 and #8, the relationship will ultimately die, or the INTP will DIE a very real death. With #2 and #8, an INTP can take a spectacular amount of abuse, responsibility, and patience in life, as long as his partner supplies #2 and #8 in sufficient quantities.
9. An intellect. a person who can hold their own in a debate.
The words "you always think you are right!!" are the LAST words an INTP wants to hear from their mate. The INTP wants debate! Wants intellectual stimulation! If they doesnt get it at home, #7 becomes very very very important. If their mate can not handle #7, there will be PROBLEMS. If the mate can supply #9, the INTP will be very happily occupied with their mate for a long, long time.
10. Someone to learn with. [This goes with #9]
Someone who is interested in learning and intellectual stimulation. The INTP needs someone who they can learn with and enjoy the mysteries and adventures of life with. Someone who can understand their interest in the esoteric, show appreciation for their interests, and even join them in these interests, or introduce them to new ones.
11. Someone capable of self reflection and self analysis.Often the INTP finds that they are the only one "growing" in a relationship, the only one who can see the problems in the relationship. This usually forces the INTP to be the one to change, to be the one to compromise for their partner. Because many non-INTPs have no true ability to self reflect the non-INTP thinks they are ALWAYS right. The INTP spends their life examining themselves and their relationship to see what they need to do to make it work. So they spend all their time critically analyzing it, and the mate does nothing but demand that they change. This will eventually lead to the spiritual DEATH of the INTP, if not the actual PHYSICAL death of the INTP. To avoid this, the INTP person NEEDS a mate who can examine the relationship WITH them, so they can grow TOGETHER.
Friday, May 10, 2013
MBTI Thought: Good counselors
MBTI thought of the day: Are the best female counselors thinkers and the best male counselors feelers?
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
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