OK, I have to jump on this...haven't heard the poem read, haven't watched the podcast, but I have to let you know my first thoughts on this gorgeous poem. First, I love thinking that this physical body is made of stardust. Second, if joy and sorrow are twins, I have some questions. If they are Siamese twins, are they inseparable? And if one were to separate them, would one have to die for the other to live? If they are Siamese twise who can be separated, why would we not want to separate them? If they are fraternal twins, it makes sense that they do not look (or feel) alike. If they are identical but wearing different clothes, do they sometimes switch costumes to fool their parent(s)? Sometimes we feel that we are not worthy of having joy, but we are infinitely worthy of having sorrow. I have moments of fleeting joy, but then guilt reminds me of how incapable I am of extending that experience...
If all you had written was “we do not wonder why we are happy, only why we suffer”, that would have been enough. Its a big thing to ruminate on. Great book on this topic: The Art of Happiness by Howard C. Cutler and the Dali Lama. One key point that stood out to me in the book is the idea that people who help others are happier. When I lived in China, I noticed people were servile and helpful to each other, always followed with “没事没事”, its nothing its nothing when graciously thanked. Those in collectivist societies seem generally happier than our individualist society. Here’s a homework assignment: if you’re brutally independent, ask a genuinely kind person for help and if you know youre selfish with your time, find an opportunity to help someone with something beyond money. Both will be uncomfortable, yet fulfilling. Final thoughts: a poem I wrote in 2015 hits on some similar ideas.
Chaos Theory
give me some chaos and I'll love you forever
like the universe that was born of it
God had yet to speak of butterflies,
flitting wings in their dreams in his dreams-microscopic dust became this moment
Wow. Beautiful. Evokes mystery and joy and hope for me! I would love to use this next year in an Ash Wednesday gathering. Or maybe before then in a sermon. Thank you thank you!!
OK, I have to jump on this...haven't heard the poem read, haven't watched the podcast, but I have to let you know my first thoughts on this gorgeous poem. First, I love thinking that this physical body is made of stardust. Second, if joy and sorrow are twins, I have some questions. If they are Siamese twins, are they inseparable? And if one were to separate them, would one have to die for the other to live? If they are Siamese twise who can be separated, why would we not want to separate them? If they are fraternal twins, it makes sense that they do not look (or feel) alike. If they are identical but wearing different clothes, do they sometimes switch costumes to fool their parent(s)? Sometimes we feel that we are not worthy of having joy, but we are infinitely worthy of having sorrow. I have moments of fleeting joy, but then guilt reminds me of how incapable I am of extending that experience...
Wow, such rich and resonant reflections—thank you for sharing them. Honestly, feels like the seed of a poem all their own ✨
I admit I had that thought myself. ;)
If all you had written was “we do not wonder why we are happy, only why we suffer”, that would have been enough. Its a big thing to ruminate on. Great book on this topic: The Art of Happiness by Howard C. Cutler and the Dali Lama. One key point that stood out to me in the book is the idea that people who help others are happier. When I lived in China, I noticed people were servile and helpful to each other, always followed with “没事没事”, its nothing its nothing when graciously thanked. Those in collectivist societies seem generally happier than our individualist society. Here’s a homework assignment: if you’re brutally independent, ask a genuinely kind person for help and if you know youre selfish with your time, find an opportunity to help someone with something beyond money. Both will be uncomfortable, yet fulfilling. Final thoughts: a poem I wrote in 2015 hits on some similar ideas.
Chaos Theory
give me some chaos and I'll love you forever
like the universe that was born of it
God had yet to speak of butterflies,
flitting wings in their dreams in his dreams-microscopic dust became this moment
If from chaos we have come,
we are our most fortunate chain of events
Emily Van V
Great sponsor 😊 Eating some Braggs on my salad right now while scrolling
Love it. Wish I could repost and pretend I found it on my own. Thank you for sharing.
Wow. Beautiful. Evokes mystery and joy and hope for me! I would love to use this next year in an Ash Wednesday gathering. Or maybe before then in a sermon. Thank you thank you!!
Wonderful!