(no subject)
my friend ryan carruth posted this, i just think more people need to read it.
his personal xanga: http://www.xanga.com/chikennose
"...the way to God lies through deep darkness in which all knowledge and all created wisdom and all pleasure and prudence and all human hope and human joy are defeated and annulled by the overwhelming purity of the light and the presence of God (209)."
It shames me to admit, but any claim that I believe in spiritual death as a part of the spiritual interior life is completely deceptive. I've deceived myself and you all by making such grand claims to the dying and rebirth that takes place on every level of life - both natural and spiritual - wait. No, those claims themselves weren't false. I believe them. But I don't make myself a part of them. What is dying to me? Taking a TV and computer out of my room? Spending a few minutes in prayer? Not being lustful with my girlfriend? Not overeating?
.....
The saints make me ashamed. How did they die?
"I sold my law practice, sold everything to the poor, preached, then started a women's hospital (St. Andrew Fournet)."
"I walked naked through the city, sold everything I owned, worked with the lepers, and cared for the poor (St. Francis of Assisi)."
"I worked with the poor, dying, sick, and lonely for my entire life - my feet were deformed because I always took the worst made shoes out of the pile, so my brothers and sisters might have better ones (Mother Theresa of Calcutta)."
I am ashamed.
(I'm sorry if these gross oversimplifications of these beautiful saints' lives offend you - I, of course, did so only in the interest of brevity)
his personal xanga: http://www.xanga.com/chikennose
"...the way to God lies through deep darkness in which all knowledge and all created wisdom and all pleasure and prudence and all human hope and human joy are defeated and annulled by the overwhelming purity of the light and the presence of God (209)."
It shames me to admit, but any claim that I believe in spiritual death as a part of the spiritual interior life is completely deceptive. I've deceived myself and you all by making such grand claims to the dying and rebirth that takes place on every level of life - both natural and spiritual - wait. No, those claims themselves weren't false. I believe them. But I don't make myself a part of them. What is dying to me? Taking a TV and computer out of my room? Spending a few minutes in prayer? Not being lustful with my girlfriend? Not overeating?
.....
The saints make me ashamed. How did they die?
"I sold my law practice, sold everything to the poor, preached, then started a women's hospital (St. Andrew Fournet)."
"I walked naked through the city, sold everything I owned, worked with the lepers, and cared for the poor (St. Francis of Assisi)."
"I worked with the poor, dying, sick, and lonely for my entire life - my feet were deformed because I always took the worst made shoes out of the pile, so my brothers and sisters might have better ones (Mother Theresa of Calcutta)."
I am ashamed.
(I'm sorry if these gross oversimplifications of these beautiful saints' lives offend you - I, of course, did so only in the interest of brevity)