Impressions and remembrances

Regarding historical perspectives and enduring legacies, it can be observed that people of lasting consequence (in as much as the accolades of history care to recall) fall into one of two categories: either they are notable men of impeccable moral character whose judgements and decisions are above reproach, or notorious men whose infamous acts leave an indelible stain in the fabric of a given social order. From a Biblical foundation the tree is known by its fruit. However, it ought to be taken into consideration that within a highly subjective and relativistic society, it is quite unlikely that one could make a distinction, with any certainty, between the man of turpitude and the one of righteousness.

Furthermore, with regard to ones progeny, it may be asserted that the descendants of a good man are just as easily turned toward indolent proclivities as those of an evil man are turned to pursue sainthood. Since both are subject to the same incentives and temptations, it is reasonable to conclude that the pendulum may swing either way in spite of attempts to direct it in a particular direction. That having been said, often such efforts are merely subterfuge, masking a hidden agenda to establish ones own credibility.

Therefore, since external entities are only prone to influence but never mastery, the aim of paramount importance ought to be the improvement of ones direct faculties, that is, the mind, body and spirit, of which one can accurately exercise complete control.

An obvious surplus of food in Yakima

While walking home after dropping off my dog this evening, I was unexpectedly roused from my introspective ponderings by an egg suddenly hitting me in the thigh. Evidently, the driver of the black sports car that subsequently sped away had had too many eggs in his refrigerator and was hard pressed for a means of disposing of them. Fair enough! Although I can think of far more productive uses for excess food than randomly tossing it out a window at unsuspecting pedestrians.

Interestingly, I had been thinking about ways to cultivate gratitude just prior to being pelted by the incredible, edible projectile, and once I had realized what happened I felt extremely thankful that the egg had not splattered on my trousers, but instead had only broken open after falling to the concrete.

 

• The vagabond’s raison d'être lies in search of answers to questions he knows not.

• Potentially portentous dreams of devils or demons—and I had two such occurrences last month— are evidently unearthed from the depths of unfrequented cognition, as well as regrettable actions, and reveal (at least to some extent) how far compunction has compromised one’s capacity to recognize the truth.

• With apparent credulity, the vast majority of our “developed” societies (myself included) have unwittingly apotheosized an inexorably indolent and presuming existence dependent upon the articles of an inanimate architecture, technological progress being the bannerman’s cry; however, in spite of this pervasively postulated value, one might be hard-pressed to find one in ten who can adequately articulate an idea with any semblance of sagacity or distinguish between the affections many demonstrate for their possessions relative to their progeny.

• Repudiation of goodness occurs when a critically conscientious mind, that is to say, an intellect self-elevated over the preeminent word of an authoritative One, becomes more or less inattentive and otherwise unacknowledging of all the many evidences of providential favour and kindness. Such a scholastic justifies his supposition by the argument of objectivity, for he has been persuaded that no greater trespass can be levied upon a learner than that of arbitrarily accepting a notion. Similarly, the prominent pedagogue will invariably denounce a blessing—although presented through magnanimity—for which his methodological approach finds no substantiation.

• No greater malevolence can be found than that which already exists within a man’s soul.

• As with all personal ideas and purported insights, some may be relevant and even applicable to friends or acquaintances which I have beyond myself; others are, perhaps, mere whims of a fantastical sort meant only for ephemeral contemplation. Therefore, it is encouraged to take that which might be useful and let the dross lie.

 

Of mental reasoning

“Accurate and just reasoning is the only catholic[i] remedy, fitted for all persons and all dispositions; and is alone able to subvert that abstruse philosophy and metaphysical jargon, which, being mixed up with popular superstition, renders it[ii] in a manner impenetrable to careless reasoners, and gives it the air of science and wisdom.”[iii]

How does one correctly assess reasoning as “accurate and just” and by what criteria is it validated? The aforementioned quotation nullifies its conclusion through an assumed premise of truth where none has been presented. At the same time, contextual conclusions within section one of this treatise suggest that Hume’s paradigm attributes credibility to a philosophy established through numerous lifetimes of thorough investigations and arduous ‘mental pains.’ It should be acknowledged, however, that these endeavors alone do not necessarily result in authenticated reason since people often expend an enormous deal of effort exploring notions dictated by the erroneous caprice of an era and of unfounded biases issued by ignorance. Regarding the allegedly irreplaceable role of research, the scholar states,

“…however unsuccessful former attempts may have proved, there is still room to hope, that the industry, good fortune, or improved sagacity of succeeding generations may reach discoveries unknown to former ages.”[iv]

Most would be obliged to agree because the sentiment underpinning this statement is optimistically hopeful. Nonetheless, it is not within the power of humankind to thus affect folly as to make it wisdom, neither will any length of time, nor supposed verisimilitudes cause a lie to become truth. Can it be logical to presume that the intensity or duration of dedication to a line of reasoning has any determinant in its accuracy or fallibility? By the same antithetical token, one might believe that staring intently at an eastern horizon for a prolonged period of time will eventually cause the sun to rise. However, the outcome hardly substantiates the veracity of the supposition.

Ultimately, the point cannot be avoided, nor should it be relegated to the analogs of antiquated thought: reason is dependent upon a cause. The exigencies of human reasoning are far too great if disconnected from their “perfect origins;”[v] for one must know everything to know anything with absolute certainty. Thus, the need for a solid foundation upon which to build becomes equally paramount as the conditional capacity man has for reasoning.

Granted, if the former authority has been applied, then the later pretenses merely present a subterfuge, masking and distorting the potential impact of understanding. In effect, such esoteric rhetoric wrapped in adherence to baseless traditions may inadvertently rescind the actual power of a sound mind, for when did accurate reasoning ever require a semblance of wisdom. These snares are implied to all for whom “The Word” is but an inheritance and to those whose practice of reasoning remains stagnant.      All things considered, “Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”[vi]

 

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[i] Universal

[ii] Accurate and just reasoning

[iii] Hume, David. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Sect 1, 7

[iv] Ibid.

[v] John 1:1-4 The very first word, ipso facto, is preeminently authoritative.

[vi] Luke 7:35

Of nature and obedience

…continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God. (Phil. 2:12b-13 NET)

A devoted life necessitates an obsequious manner in relation to its master. Such is the example that Christ first laid out in taking up a towel and consenting to crucifixion. Yet such deferent vassalage, common to feudal societies of the past, is so adversely opposed to the pervasive systems of entitlement and meritocracy which are perpetuated in neopopular culture. In fact, observing the general public mentality, one could likely descry Milton’s devil in the foreground of many a modern action, blaring: ‘Better to reign in hell…’

I would gladly claim the former if I were not so prone (as deeds have often demonstrated) to the latter; for my religion is a sham, marking its achievements by the validation of those ostensibly venerated whilst pocketing out pennies for the vagrants at its doorstep. But let alone the Source of my religion, lest, as Rameau’s Nephew, my namesake should become an implacable splinter of discontentment upon which I subsist only nominally, never released to find the incalculable worth within.

Never again! Mine is a theophoric nature. My salvation: ongoing. For it depends not upon my working, but on the One who works in me. What is my response then? It mustn’t be any less than absolute submission wrought in a reverent and grateful heart. Such a response inspires obedience and is the substantiation of true love.

Mene Mene Tekel Parsin: The writing on the wall

As I sauntered along the pavement earlier this morn, an implicit conviviality entered my soul from the creation around me. The sun tacitly bid me welcome, spreading the warmth of its auroral rays across the valley. The unadorned trees, though bereft of their natural verdure, seemed to gesture in satisfied salutation as if prompted by some ineffable joy. I would fain reply, if I knew the language of trees. A light mist meandered atop the surrounding hills, adding an almost ethereal sense to the land. And in this, the dawn of day, with creation unabated in its obeisance to the divine King, I found myself inadequately equipped to pay homage with such pristine alacrity as was all around. For I am daunted by the task of explicating to all within my sphere the awe-inspiring attributes of the only immortal being whose residual print remains peculiarly present within my despoiled design. As a philosopher, I would happily begin “making plain the image engraven in men’s bodies, the God of whom they are defaced and leaning monuments” if only the engraving were slightly clearer. (Thoreau, Walden)

Determination separated from its created purpose is a torturous device.

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷ that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for

‘In him we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:26-28a)

Of Motivation

What so thoroughly drives the human heart to invest purpose in unfamiliar soil (metaphorically speaking, an unrealized and thus fantastical future conjoined with those socially pervasive—yet often imperceptible—extrinsic expectations)? Essentially, how can one expect to succeed in the furrowing of clay, the harnessing of irrigative waters, the sowing of seed and the reaping its produce if unacquainted with the ‘earth,’ the very source of its subsistence? I am drawing a parallel but one that I believe to be of pertinence and immense value insofar as I am destitute and in need.

As a general rule it might be alleged that individuals rarely desire that of which they are innately aware, and thus, seldom know what they actually desire. For example, I am acutely aware of my eyes given that they provide me with sight. I would not likely say that I desire sight since I believe that I have it. In truth, I take it for granted, and my actual desire for sight is nearly nullified by the awareness thereof. The degree to which I truly desire sight is perhaps only revealed once it has been taken away. Were it merely a matter of cognizance, I should consider all humankind capable of obtaining their deepest longings; however, sagacity demands far more. I doubt any temporal being capable of rendering desired results if constricted entirely to the limitations of his own labour; for, when did acumen ever accomplish a task that was not first built on some previously provided principle or immutable foundation?

Therein, I suggest, remains the fundamental veracity of life’s ultimate aim: devoting ourselves to that which is preeminently antecedent. The hope for our soul’s most paramount desire is inexorably woven—and I hope you’ll pardon the poetic device—into the fabric of our existence. So intimately infused in our making is this hope, that it casts a shadow upon every other quasi substantiated objective we follow. Sadly, because so few choose to ardently pursue, or even give credence to the costliness of its foundation, many consequently find the attainment of their authentic desires virtually elusive.  To be precise, we know not what we want but go on hoping for it anyway. Such a pitiable state is tantamount to a terminally ill patient poignantly wishing to live, having never tasted what it means to be alive.

Oh that I might be loosed from the fetters of fatalism and façade, to be freed in the wild, unbridled liberty of predestined determination, and there to find my Maker.

 

An Indeterminate State of Mind

 

Recent events in my existence have come and gone much as they presumably have done for all of God’s creatures: pain and joy, laughter and tears, work and play… many of the dichotomies that are part-and-parcel to the daily nomenclature of life. Notwithstanding a notice from my ephemeral source of employment and a disempowering touch of the belly bug, last week’s contents seemed to be somewhat insipid—perhaps the mists which lay heavy upon the valley are at the heart of my lackluster vision, or perchance, it is a restless propensity deep within me. I don’t know.

It is not that the true wonder and majestic nature of life is lost me, rather, that the circumstances in which I have found myself ‘feel’ less potent to evoke such ineffably grand insights (those to which the psalmist alludes: ‘they bring greater delight than drippings of honey, than even the sweetest nectar of the honeycomb’) as I would desire. Humankind has undoubtedly been created to partake in the resplendent riches made available to it ubiquitously; yet, how subtly the creepers and brambles encroach carrying the languor and burdensome cares of the terrene.

In the midst of what appears to be mundanity, I am often cognizant of the Creator’s inescapable goodness. I must confess, however, that I would much prefer to say: I am EVER aware of my maker’s goodness. As such, my thoughts and intentions are again being attracted to the ongoing horizon. The ‘path’ which for many serves as a metaphor is—and I hope that I do not exaggerate—for me, as integral as the air.  

“The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men, gang aft agley, an' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain for promis'd joy!” (Robert Burns) How many have tested the time honored axiom and found it to be true? Thankfully, though many plans are in a man’s heart, it is the Lord who reveals his path. What I say often reflects what I think I intend to do, and what I plan constantly goes awry. I am beset by the imprecations of a blighted past; the way in which to go frequently appears ambiguous, and I am uncertain about decisions, second guessing at nearly every turn. However, of this I am confident: My God will continue to lead.