tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post3788472921085477406..comments2024-01-23T03:58:02.422-08:00Comments on oriana-poetry: JUNG AND BUDDHA: SELF AND NO-SELFUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-5529072997377707732014-05-05T21:23:16.727-07:002014-05-05T21:23:16.727-07:00Here's something that can't fail: since yo...Here's something that can't fail: since you can access my page on FB, please leave a comment under any of the newer posts -- just "Hi there!" I can then trace the comment, and things will be easy from there.orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-54062733758398296032014-05-05T18:45:25.481-07:002014-05-05T18:45:25.481-07:00Okay, am not the shadows, saw that page, then chec...Okay, am not the shadows, saw that page, then checked another and saw my goddaughter on there so I knew it was me. Spent a little time trying to figure out how to invite you a friend but was not sure....ahhh...I will figure this out Oriana, I'd like to think I am not such a buffoon on with all this.<br />Won't get to it till later in the week, must be in Santa Fe tomorrow and Wed (I live an hr north), so will get back to it on my return.<br /><br />LOVE basil.<br />TTherese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-52152796558235341122014-05-04T17:23:52.638-07:002014-05-04T17:23:52.638-07:00Yes, Spong has his own idea of cosmic-consciousnes...Yes, Spong has his own idea of cosmic-consciousness type of god that I can barely follow. If I'm getting it right, then it reminds me of Rilke’s “Angel,” a being of greater-than-human consciousness — except Spong’s god has a consciousness even beyond that. I prefer not Rilke’s Angel, but rather Rilke’s idea that we are building god in the sense of collective psyche (or at least I think that’s what Rilke meant)<br /><br />I find there are many mysteries in the universe and we’ll never run out of them (heck, we don’t even know what gravity really is, and why it’s a weak force). But I have no need to coalesce those multiple mysteries into One Underlying Mystery, something like god or cosmic intelligence or any one thing or entity. Plurality satisfies me more — or the Gnostic ‘pleroma’, fullness. Maybe I'm a polytheist at heart, wanting a choice of gods and goddesses depending on my current needs and interests. Wistfully thinking of such deities, but not making them real. Athena forbid! :)<br /><br />I track Spong’s ideas of the evolution and the future of Christianity, and that’s good enough for me. Wonderful, in fact. The obvious things he points out, e.g. that “bloody ransom” is a revolting, barbarous idea, badly need to be stated again and again. <br /><br />Esther Perel — the most honest voice out there, and the best thinker about love and sex, marriage and romance. Others seem mired in wishful thinking. I know from experience that long-term love exists, but not as it was during the first months. It’s not the high of “being in love.” It’s more what I call the “pact of non-abandonment.” <br /><br />We could go on endlessly, but I hope we’ll soon be in more direct communication. Meanwhile, yes, my mint is intoxicating, and the basil too.<br /><br /> <br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-64182969049324618712014-05-04T16:48:17.787-07:002014-05-04T16:48:17.787-07:00oops, not Carlton high school, but university. The...oops, not Carlton high school, but university. The Therese I found went to Hillcrest High. There is such a school in San Diego, and you mentioned "the beaches of So. California," but I know that Hillcrest is a common name. <br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-47442843246908837212014-05-04T16:29:08.971-07:002014-05-04T16:29:08.971-07:00I tried for the Therese Wolfe with the shadows ima...I tried for the Therese Wolfe with the shadows image, and had no response. <br /><br />One way you could reveal yourself as the "real" Therese is to send a "friend request" to Oriana Ivy. Yes, that's the simplest solution. Please do that.orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-58403401883638528312014-05-04T16:26:50.571-07:002014-05-04T16:26:50.571-07:00Are you on FB under the name of Therese Wolfe, or ...Are you on FB under the name of Therese Wolfe, or is there a middle name or any other "distinguishing mark"? I need to know that only so that the invitation to the Poetry Salon goes to the right e-person.orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-70042998657735793722014-05-04T15:45:16.934-07:002014-05-04T15:45:16.934-07:00I did not go to Carlton HS, and have no images on ...I did not go to Carlton HS, and have no images on my FB page, so that could be me.Therese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-35554554699298895842014-05-04T13:09:50.742-07:002014-05-04T13:09:50.742-07:00Just a quick one to tell you that I initiated an i...Just a quick one to tell you that I initiated an invitation to the FB Salon -- but there is more than one Therese Wolfe! Are you the one with the image of shadows? I think it also says that you (or another Therese Wolfe) went to Carlton High School and joined FB in 2010. Just for now, technicalities. <br /><br />I am of course thrilled that you access to my page, and I also think it's wonderful that you have a plan for limiting your time on FB -- excess can indeed be destructive. More soon.<br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-61787104225772607072014-05-04T12:58:46.283-07:002014-05-04T12:58:46.283-07:00Hi O!
Okay, so I'm slow.
I actually had an F...Hi O!<br /><br />Okay, so I'm slow. <br />I actually had an FB account a few years ago when I was living in Italy and wanted to find my Israeli friend, who actually lives in Israel, and had to join FB to see if the person who came up in my search was who I was looking for, and it was. I just never developed a page. So, long story short, I actually reset my password and was able to access YOUR FB page! <br /><br />Fantastic, of course. Every little entry keeping me engaged for you hit all the subjects that are of great interest to me (LOVE that you admitted sometimes you like 'bad' art...that made me smile).<br />Have not gotten to making any comments yet but wanted you to know that I am over here in NM keeping up with you on this blog and now on FB. Just came over here to make this announcement and have not gotten to the Poetry Salon you mentioned. Is that part of the FB page? Excuse my ignorance with all of this, it's all so new.<br /><br />Thank you for your encouragement of finding my balance with social media, but I am aware that it is not possible for me, really, for it simply is way too alluring (the internet, all of it) and I find myself far from my deepest resources (reading, writing, painting). I admire anyone who can keep a balance with this technology, like you seem to do. When we lived in Italy for three years and had no access to the internet except when we went to town, which was for groceries once a week (we were in the country in Umbria) I got a lot of work done, I mean a lot.<br /><br />On that note, I have decided that beginning of August and for a year, I am going to be in the internet only one day a week. I will let my close friends and family know, of course, that I will only be checking email one day a week. In this way I can keep up correspondence which is so important to me, but can really start to sink into the stacks of books that need reading, the writing to be done, and the paintings to paint.<br /><br />All of this to say how much I appreciate your passions and the intelligent expression of them. I look forward to your next post here and will keep an eye on FB.<br /><br />BTW: Loved Esther Perel; she is great, so clear, so utterly right about Eros and the imagination, so thank you for that connection. And am still listening to Spong and have two of his books here now. Love his 'personal' belief that St Paul was a repressed homosexual....(of course, is what I say). He is a refreshing intelligent, scholarly voice who clearly believes in living life to its fullest yet still embraces mystery. Really like him. I may be in Berkeley in mid July and he is actually speaking there, which, if I am there, will definitely make it to hear him. <br /><br />A warm windy day, summer edging its way to my door. It's always difficult for me when it gets too hot, so I'll just have to stay inside more with the AC! <br />(I am a Cal native, born and raised on the beaches of So. Cal and sometimes I can smell the ocean, even at this distance, so much are the memories of those warm saltsy nights imbedded in every cell, even writing about the ocean I can feel it). <br /><br />Have a beautiful day (smell the mint for me!).<br />With gratitude,<br />TTherese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-63785571894130421282014-04-29T09:13:17.608-07:002014-04-29T09:13:17.608-07:00Please get an FB account. People with good minds a...Please get an FB account. People with good minds are definitely needed to raise the intellectual level of comments and postings. You'll find your balance, i.e. how much time to spend on FB, and which pages to go to (I hope mine and the Salon will be near the top).orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-45029290219270141122014-04-29T07:05:14.341-07:002014-04-29T07:05:14.341-07:00Thank you for introducing me to Julio Romero de To...Thank you for introducing me to Julio Romero de Torres through the gorgeous painting on the post 'Milosz: Love as Non-Attachment. Gorgeous work and I am pleasantly surprised that I had not known his work before this. Always something to learn.<br /><br />AND now Bishop Spong. <br />I like your resources.<br />Will think about FB.<br />T Therese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-68692081899155023492014-04-28T17:22:30.794-07:002014-04-28T17:22:30.794-07:00Hangman's Metaphysics is already on my FB page...Hangman's Metaphysics is already on my FB page, together with Bishop Spong's wonderful video on the invention of hell. <br /><br />Btw, FB would be another venue for sharing your paintings. orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-2313056272572102622014-04-28T14:32:34.310-07:002014-04-28T14:32:34.310-07:00My page is my mental garden: images, music, short ...My page is my mental garden: images, music, short essays, videos, poems, humor, baby animals and animals in general, links to interesting articles. I think you'd enjoy it. The trick to not wasting time is finding a couple of interesting pages to visit rather than scrolling through the newsfeed. And of course you'd have yet another stimulating page to visit: the Poetry Salon. I'd love to have your comments. <br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-87728391968904555142014-04-28T09:06:48.794-07:002014-04-28T09:06:48.794-07:00Yes, the mint has definitely grown since being bou...Yes, the mint has definitely grown since being bought and planted! And that was just days ago.<br /><br />For a post-Jesse-Bering view of various religions and religious experiences, please see this blog (how I wish this would work as a link):<br /><br />http://oriana-poetry.blogspot.com/2012/09/no-coward-soul-is-mine.html<br /><br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-78616633531675802662014-04-28T07:58:28.764-07:002014-04-28T07:58:28.764-07:00Quickly, and I'll be back: Could you post your...Quickly, and I'll be back: Could you post your 'little post' on N on this blog, too? I have never used Facebook, and fear once I begin I'll never get anything done...have avoided it and other social media.<br /><br />* <br />I have always had a bone of contention with the notion of free will. Good Catholic that I was, it took some time to see the motives and falsity behind it. Also, addiction has taught me more about the lack of free will than anything. 'Responsibility' is overrated, I think, in the way we have used it for guilt and punishment (per N).<br /><br />I can't wait to read your post!!<br /><br />I cannot tell you how much I adore Dostoevsky (Crime and Punishment perhaps my favorite, although I cannot say that because whenever I pick up any of his work I am shredded into astonishment. White Nights is a favorite). I want to learn Russian if only to read him in the original. Don't think I'll get to that in this lifetime. But my passion for his work, for his genius, for his entire life (except his antisemitism) is pretty endless. I have to pick his work up often if only to be back in his mind. Have you read Frank's biography on him. Quite good.<br />Also Robert Bird (from the University of Chicago) wrote a critical bio on him. Also very good. Want to go take his classes in Chicago!<br /><br />So glad you ordered Zweig's book. Think you will enjoy it and hope we get a blog post out of it.<br /><br />My mother, who was born in Cairo, used to grow mint and mix cucumber, yogurt (her own), and mint...was very delicious.<br /><br />Convince me to get on your Facebook page.<br />T Therese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-37478195189219051342014-04-27T19:26:31.361-07:002014-04-27T19:26:31.361-07:00Hello T,
Yes, those brilliant Gemini — the trio y...Hello T,<br /><br />Yes, those brilliant Gemini — the trio you mentioned are my favorites. And toss in a Scorpio: Dostoyevski. D’s Crime and Punishment and Brothers K, and Mann’s Magic Mountain — I love novels of ideas.<br /><br />Did I really toss around terms like “divine” so recently? I’d have to see the context. I played with the idea of calling myself a mystical atheist, like Shelley. But I do admit my atheism has deepened in the last two years or so as I’ve read books like Jesse Bering’s The Belief Instinct, about the cognitive errors that give rise to religious belief (though perhaps even more it’s fear — both the fear of harm from nature, and the socially manipulated fear of punishment). Believing in the spirit world is completely out for me — though there are phenomena in quantum physics that are way more astonishing than ghosts would be. Who needs ghosts when we have quantum physics in all its mind-blowing splendor . . . <br /><br />Tomorrow I want to do my little post on N’s Hangman’s Metaphysics — one of the best insights that N had, and it’s not widely known. If you’d like to be friends on Facebook, you could join the Poetry Salon (mainly discussion of poems; not a workshop) — though that particular post will be on my Facebook page, and I think it’s open to anyone who types in Oriana Ivy. <br /><br />You can imagine how attacked I get by a certain crowd, but I'm undeterred — I'm doing penance for years of cowardly silence. As I said, every cell in my body knows that this life is it. I’ve had that visceral knowledge all my adult life. <br /><br />Still, on the minuscule chance that I'm wrong — and who wouldn’t want to be wrong on this subject, given the elemental joy of simply existing — the cosmic intelligence that I can’t in any way imagine would not be punitive, but all accepting. After all our suffering, we need not punishment, but love. So in terms of wishful thinking, I propose a cosmic state of mind where we get lots of love, and it’s wonderful therapy. We also get to be of use, which is fantastic. Maybe usefulness as #1, and love will take care of itself. <br /><br />Of course I wouldn’t say that we humans can know everything. The universe is too overwhelming and too strange for that. But that humanity has managed to know so incredibly much — that stuns me. I am in awe of the collective human genius and the magnificent human brain. <br /><br />I have Zweig’s Struggle with Demons coming to me from Amazon. Thanks for the ref. <br /><br />I'm just beginning to garden, and I could swear that the one mint plant I have grows visibly every day! I think it will be a giant. As will the rosemary and the basil. <br /><br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-54759822535020684032014-04-27T16:16:45.379-07:002014-04-27T16:16:45.379-07:00Hey O!
Very windy here in NM. Not fond of heavy w...Hey O!<br /><br />Very windy here in NM. Not fond of heavy wind but we got some snow last night in Santa Fe, that was magical. Love the cooler weather and glad we have it right now as it's going to get real hot soon and that's when I stay in!<br /><br />Yes, the wind is tangible to certain of our senses, but we do not 'see' it, so visible and invisible, of course, as we see its effects on trees, the ocean etc. I personally do not wholly rely on science or technology to inform me of the world, is all, agnostic or not, for I do not think there is a personal God, nor do I think life is absent of mystery. To think (not saying you are saying this) that we as humans can explain everything is too much hubris and presumption.<br /><br />Did you get the title I sent you from Schutte's book on N? It's quite good. <br /><br />Been reading your other posts (right now MIlosz and Non-attachment) between all my other reading. I appreciate your thoughts on so much, especially the need for perspective. As a painter, it is crucial to step back and take a look at what I've been doing (as in writing, too, but more obvious for me in painting). I noticed in 2011 in that post you use words like 'mystical', and 'divine'. Seems much has changed for you in three years.<br /><br />And I had to really smile when you stated the importance of intelligence in Eros for you...me too! It took me some time to understand this as I am a late bloomer in all things, it seems, especially in understanding my needs! But I am in a relationship with a poet and although 14 yrs later in yet another phase, in uncertainties, our greatest connection is our minds. And that makes and keeps me happy and looking at myself (from some distance) to further learn about who we are becoming, individually, and together. Not easy, but so rich.<br />"The heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of".<br /><br />Ah, those Geminis, watch out: Whitman, Emerson, Mann to name a few. But who doesn't have multiple personalities or selves?<br /><br />Happy day (LOVE Beckett),<br />Therese <br />Therese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-83626327514191701762014-04-17T16:34:33.414-07:002014-04-17T16:34:33.414-07:00Not sure about the "energy that moves everyth...Not sure about the "energy that moves everything." There is chemical energy stored in the seed, and physical factors that move the air as wind (which is visible in a wonderful way as it travels through tree crowns or the grass; it's tangible as well -- who doesn't love to feel the wind in their hair?). <br /><br />I have never experienced those or any other phenomena as caused by a single energy. But maybe there is such energy underlying other kinds of energy (electromagnetic, gravitational etc) -- dark energy perhaps? I'll call myself an agnostic here. orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-44481719337957255512014-04-17T08:26:18.404-07:002014-04-17T08:26:18.404-07:00Mystery IS the unseen.
The wind cannot be seen, a...Mystery IS the unseen. <br />The wind cannot be seen, although heard, yes. We do not see a seed in the ground becoming a tree or flower although, yes, we know something is happening underneath the soil. And even with all our advanced technology, we do not 'see' the seed actually growing. Nor a fetus, really. Sure there are signs that we 'see' of growth, yet there is this invisible force called 'energy' that moves everything. This energy we do not see. It is the unseen. Some choose to call it God, others, the divine, and some simply mystery. It doesn't matter to some to name this energy source at all. <br /><br />TTherese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-70965202372530646022014-04-16T11:29:58.486-07:002014-04-16T11:29:58.486-07:00Dear T, How wonderful to be getting comments about...Dear T, How wonderful to be getting comments about Nietzsche — from now simply N, another bit of the alphabet of my life. M is Mozart. <br /><br />Wonderful how you’re diving into N! His Birth of Tragedy delighted me — second only to the Symposium. And On Truth and Lying in the Extra-Moral Sense. And the various famous N passages, e.g. “Suppose truth is a woman — what then?” And the artistry of the passage on the madman announcing that god is dead. <br /><br />Gems like “Christianity is Plato for the “people.” Well, almost. At least he makes the reader think about Plato’s hopeless dualism. N’s championing of the positive aspects of the Dionysian, the whole affirmation of life, of vitality, beauty, music — yes, yes, yes. <br /><br />I identify with his anti-clericalism, with the struggle against ecclesiastic oppression. Alas, he didn’t kick away the negative part of Christianity and become a humanist. He was poisoned with contempt — a terrible temptation for any intellectual to see himself as “separate, different, and superior.” And that contempt for others gave birth to the proto-Nazi.<br /><br />Sure, in terms of mental capacity he was royalty. You and I are minor aristocracy. I'm saying this as a prelude to stating the principle that’s very important to me: Noblesse oblige. Aristocracy in terms of the intellectual privilege, yes, but in service to others — to people without quotation marks. I know I am not just an isolated individual — I am humanity (Donne put it better). <br /><br />The unseen as wind in the trees and heartbeat — but those can be seen and heard. I love both. And I love the images made possible by both the telescope and the electron microscope — astonishing, all of it. No shortage of mystery. I think atheists are the true worshippers of mystery. They are the ones who feel true awe when they look at the stars. They just don’t put the god label on it. That word has such atrocious baggage, it must go. It will take time — as Ginette Paris says, “It’s still early after the death of god.” <br /><br />I missed the red moon, mired as I was in some practical difficulties I'm struggling with. But there will be another chance in October. <br />orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-53250324458422791402014-04-15T20:16:38.825-07:002014-04-15T20:16:38.825-07:00Just want to acknowledge having received these lov...Just want to acknowledge having received these lovely posts. Will respond tomorrow. orianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-65027456251882462012014-04-15T19:31:45.484-07:002014-04-15T19:31:45.484-07:00And I also said something about the unseen, like t...And I also said something about the unseen, like the wind and your heart beat, and that is the invisible world I refer to, not the paranormal...(but I said it much better than that!...oh well).<br />TTherese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-24580392474532830732014-04-15T19:29:06.218-07:002014-04-15T19:29:06.218-07:00Oh no! Darn...but how to resend? I did not keep a ...Oh no! Darn...but how to resend? I did not keep a copy of it.<br /><br />It did start, though, with "I am all for mystery!" per our not meeting.<br /><br />Then I mentioned how much I loved that line from Wilde on wine and bread because he was poking a finger at the moralists who jailed him. Most likely Christians, or Catholics.<br />Then I mentioned another great book on Nietzsche by Ofelia Schutte, 'Beyond Nihilism: Nietzsche Without Masks' (which title I love):<br /><br />"In this book, she agrees with Nietzche's efforts to deconstruct dualism and rejects nihilism as part of a dualist philosophy. However, she criticizes the political implications Nietzsche writes into his work"<br /><br />per your wise comment on how N has to be read selectively.<br /><br />Can't remember what else I added. Maybe that we had snow, then rain. And did you see the red moon? I passed, but did see one while living in Italy in 2008.<br /><br />TTherese Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-15957128607791246162014-04-15T19:14:31.714-07:002014-04-15T19:14:31.714-07:00The last post I got was the one mentioning Zweig&#...The last post I got was the one mentioning Zweig's book. Did you write after that? If so, I should have gotten it. I block only spam, which is terribly obvious. <br /><br />A long way to say, If you wrote again after the Zweig post, please resend. ~ Oorianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04209366167129773052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760986403290352152.post-68595787051467598252014-04-15T18:37:42.828-07:002014-04-15T18:37:42.828-07:00Oh, Oh, was there a problem with my post?
Did you ...Oh, Oh, was there a problem with my post?<br />Did you get it?<br />TTherese Wolfenoreply@blogger.com