I've read more writing about Camu's writing than I have read Camu's writing - and I love the perspective. I doubt I could add anything of value to his body of thought, but I'll chip in one idea, which is this:
When you are in a state of despair, when it seems there are few things we might do and probably no sane way out - it's in this moments than I (and perhaps others do too) find the measuring and understanding of what matters to us in our lives are not material things or even abundant food, but instead the necessaries of life - the spark or the lightning strike - of love, someone to give it to whether they need it or not, and someone giving it to us whether we deserve it or not. In those cases, I believe we need 'a wee small part' of our big dreams and wildest wishes.
On this subject one of my favourite quotes comes from Hafiz, the 13th century poet - from the Daniel Ladinsky translations is this:
"I can think of no greater devotion
than to be shore to your ocean."
I thought that was about love, of a man (Hafiz) for a woman.
Then I read further about Hafiz - that everything he wrote was about love, but 'his love of god'.
Now that changes the the way to read that wonderful couplet.
I wonder, when we read Camu and other writers of profound ideas, that we take a minute to understand whether they were writing about their personal circumstances - and try to imagine how we might feel if we were in a similar spot, or how we might interpret any message sent to us from anyone today - or from ancient Persia, anything can be a plea for love, a professing of love, or an act of loving.
Great insight related to despair, Mark. I think even if Camu and Hafiz were writing about their personal circumstances, it wouldn't matter. Their truth resonates through their words, and we react to that truth—albeit as it relates to us personally. In other words, it doesn't matter to me whether Hafiz was writing about his love of god or his love of a man for a woman. I would consider that interesting information, but it wouldn't change how his words make me feel and think or that I love the cadence of the words when I read them.
Yes ... that phrase is magic - and whether or not the translation is perfect, they are perfect words to use - as I have in a relationship of mine I consider precious from many perspectives, because it is a statement of simpatico, of companionship and commitment without shackles, and endless and constant collision of water and rocks for millennia after millennia without destroying water or rocks, without separation and without being bound or contained. If there was ever a better phrase for what thrills, inspires and scares us all at the same time - it's like a life-roller-coaster of being wedded to but never controlled by the other, completely free and captured too, it is bliss that MUST continue together no matter what .... and hopefully, when we make promises or pledge vows, or whisper out loud what we want, we would have Hafiz and Camu cheering us on. I wish for nothing more, and imagining what that would be like, who would wish for anything less?
I've read more writing about Camu's writing than I have read Camu's writing - and I love the perspective. I doubt I could add anything of value to his body of thought, but I'll chip in one idea, which is this:
When you are in a state of despair, when it seems there are few things we might do and probably no sane way out - it's in this moments than I (and perhaps others do too) find the measuring and understanding of what matters to us in our lives are not material things or even abundant food, but instead the necessaries of life - the spark or the lightning strike - of love, someone to give it to whether they need it or not, and someone giving it to us whether we deserve it or not. In those cases, I believe we need 'a wee small part' of our big dreams and wildest wishes.
On this subject one of my favourite quotes comes from Hafiz, the 13th century poet - from the Daniel Ladinsky translations is this:
"I can think of no greater devotion
than to be shore to your ocean."
I thought that was about love, of a man (Hafiz) for a woman.
Then I read further about Hafiz - that everything he wrote was about love, but 'his love of god'.
Now that changes the the way to read that wonderful couplet.
I wonder, when we read Camu and other writers of profound ideas, that we take a minute to understand whether they were writing about their personal circumstances - and try to imagine how we might feel if we were in a similar spot, or how we might interpret any message sent to us from anyone today - or from ancient Persia, anything can be a plea for love, a professing of love, or an act of loving.
My two cents,
Cheers,
Mark
Great insight related to despair, Mark. I think even if Camu and Hafiz were writing about their personal circumstances, it wouldn't matter. Their truth resonates through their words, and we react to that truth—albeit as it relates to us personally. In other words, it doesn't matter to me whether Hafiz was writing about his love of god or his love of a man for a woman. I would consider that interesting information, but it wouldn't change how his words make me feel and think or that I love the cadence of the words when I read them.
Yes ... that phrase is magic - and whether or not the translation is perfect, they are perfect words to use - as I have in a relationship of mine I consider precious from many perspectives, because it is a statement of simpatico, of companionship and commitment without shackles, and endless and constant collision of water and rocks for millennia after millennia without destroying water or rocks, without separation and without being bound or contained. If there was ever a better phrase for what thrills, inspires and scares us all at the same time - it's like a life-roller-coaster of being wedded to but never controlled by the other, completely free and captured too, it is bliss that MUST continue together no matter what .... and hopefully, when we make promises or pledge vows, or whisper out loud what we want, we would have Hafiz and Camu cheering us on. I wish for nothing more, and imagining what that would be like, who would wish for anything less?
Simply beautiful.
Thanks, Jim!
I adore this line,
“we discover the boundless depths
of love and despair,”
Thank you, Gloria!