Thank you, Carlo. You have told my story also — this long trail of grief and transformation. You lost Aldo in August 2019, I lost Barbara in October 2019. She was my love and my witness and my “safe keeper” for 25 years. In her death, I have died and drifted into great abysses and then been carried into liminal space over and over. And, yes, this helix of time and memory spiraling and looping back— yet somehow all is reconnecting within a heart that has broken open and now contains the mystery and vastness of the universe. Again, in gratitude and kinship.
If I may ask, what is your source for the David Whyte passage?
Thank you for engaging Mark and taking the time to write. I wish you all the best from afar over here on the other side of the pond. The source for David Whyte is his book of prose Consolations
At least the one comment, Carlo - your quote from Jung:
“People who merely believe and don’t think, forget that they continually expose themselves to their own worst enemy: doubt. Wherever belief reigns, doubt lurks in the background. But thinking people welcome doubt: it serves them as a valuable stepping stone to better knowledge.”
...feels so similar to the one we shared yesterday from Neal Stephenson, to wit:
“The difference between stupid and intelligent people -- and this is true whether or not they are well-educated -- is that intelligent people can handle subtlety. They are not baffled by ambigous or even contradictory situations -- in fact, they expect them and are apt to become suspicious when things seem overly straightforward.”
― Neal Stephenson, The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
Your description of friend Andy's intelligence and charm, including basic questions around whether "he was lovable or loved" points to this kind of doubt, as in the Jung, or comfort with subtlety and ambiguity, per Stephenson.
The cleansing and creative fire of grief over your brother's loss - and all of the infinite looping of your helical staircase - feels similar again. What we know, what we don't, what we question, what we doubt - what we allow ourselves to be curious about through doubt and questioning? It feels to me that these sorts of things make us into the beings we are always becoming...
Thank you, Carlo. You have told my story also — this long trail of grief and transformation. You lost Aldo in August 2019, I lost Barbara in October 2019. She was my love and my witness and my “safe keeper” for 25 years. In her death, I have died and drifted into great abysses and then been carried into liminal space over and over. And, yes, this helix of time and memory spiraling and looping back— yet somehow all is reconnecting within a heart that has broken open and now contains the mystery and vastness of the universe. Again, in gratitude and kinship.
If I may ask, what is your source for the David Whyte passage?
Thank you for engaging Mark and taking the time to write. I wish you all the best from afar over here on the other side of the pond. The source for David Whyte is his book of prose Consolations
At least the one comment, Carlo - your quote from Jung:
“People who merely believe and don’t think, forget that they continually expose themselves to their own worst enemy: doubt. Wherever belief reigns, doubt lurks in the background. But thinking people welcome doubt: it serves them as a valuable stepping stone to better knowledge.”
...feels so similar to the one we shared yesterday from Neal Stephenson, to wit:
“The difference between stupid and intelligent people -- and this is true whether or not they are well-educated -- is that intelligent people can handle subtlety. They are not baffled by ambigous or even contradictory situations -- in fact, they expect them and are apt to become suspicious when things seem overly straightforward.”
― Neal Stephenson, The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
Your description of friend Andy's intelligence and charm, including basic questions around whether "he was lovable or loved" points to this kind of doubt, as in the Jung, or comfort with subtlety and ambiguity, per Stephenson.
The cleansing and creative fire of grief over your brother's loss - and all of the infinite looping of your helical staircase - feels similar again. What we know, what we don't, what we question, what we doubt - what we allow ourselves to be curious about through doubt and questioning? It feels to me that these sorts of things make us into the beings we are always becoming...
Deep, powerful and important. Thank you Carlo
🙏🏼
Wonderful piece. Amen.
I didn’t know you were here Al!! Hello x
Beautiful words, Carlo. Thank you for sharing. Sending 💙.
Thank you Ben, much appreciated