What is to give light must endure burning.
Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning. (via parabola-magazine)
Johannes Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance, c. 1664 (detail). Beautiful. Thank you, touba.
Bill Brandt, London, 1937. Thank you, luzfosca.
When one first begins to work with conscious attention one discovers that the subsystems of body, feelings, and mind function inefficiently and disharmoniously. Yet the simple awareness of misalignment may introduce an element capable of binding the disparate parts into an integrated whole. With sustained awareness comes a heightened sensitivity, openness, a quiet mind. Man’s structure becomes receptive to the advent of fresh, vivifying energies descending from a mysterious source. This creates a field, where higher energies can transform the lower.
William Segal on Meditation. With many thanks to reclusland.
Frederick H. Evans, Westminster Abbey, Apse from Choir, 1911. Thank you, firsttimeuser & elysskama.
“I often recall these words when I am writing, and I think to myself, ‘It’s true. There aren’t any new words. Our job is to give new meanings and special overtones to absolutely ordinary words.’ I find the thought reassuring. It means that vast, unknown stretches still lie before us, fertile territories just waiting for us to cultivate them.”
—Haruki Murakami
Yes. Thank you, apoetreflects.
Claudio Parmiggiani, L’Isola del Silenzio (one hundred thousand books, soot, & church bell) Thank you, kateoplis.
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Dropping the Head & Settling in the Heart
Inspired by this post from earlier today, I wrote an inquiry into this practice over at Intense City:
Usually my center of gravity is in my head, and often I am not even aware that I have a body below it. How does one move from a fragmented and self-centered point of view to a more encompassing and organic intelligence that is responsive to the subtle movements of feeling? In other words, how do you get your center of gravity down lower in the body?…
You must descend from
your head into your heart.
At present your thoughts of God
are in your head. And God Himself is,
as it were, outside you, and
so your prayer and other spiritual
exercises
remain exterior. Whilst you are still
in your head,
thoughts will not easily be subdued but
will always be whirling about, like snow
in winter or
clouds of mosquitoes in summer.
Saint Theophan the Recluse (an orthodox monk from 19th century Russia). With many thanks to The Beauty We Love.
David Moore, Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1947. With many thanks to luzfosca.
