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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 23:17:48
Stop thinking this is all there is.
Realize that for every ongoing war
and religious outrage
and environmental devastation
and bogus Iraqi attack plan,
there are a thousand counterbalancing acts of staggering generosity
and art
and beauty
happening all over the world,
right now,
from flower boxes to cathedrals.
Resist the urge toward nihiism.
Seek out nuance
and counter argument
and subtle irony
and balance
and perspective.
Realize the divine is not quite what you think it might be,
that old methods of imploring,
say, a cantankerous bearded patriarchal figure
to please, oh yes, smite your enemies
might be a bit antiquated.
Realize that this is the perfect moment
to change the energy of the world,
to step right up and crank your personal volume
right when it all seems dark
and bitter
and offensive
and acrimonious
and bilious, there's an opening.
Remember magic.
and finally, believe you are part of a groundswell,
a resistance,
a seemingly small but actually very, very large
impending karmic overhaul,
a great shift,
the beginning of something important
and unstoppable.
The world needs your help.
This is a time of war mongering and bitterness.
You are being implored.
You can do something.
Now is your chance.
Author Unknown
Posted by Jai Narayan on September 11, 2004, at 9:50:17
In reply to Poem: You Can Do Something, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 23:17:48
Posted by Lou Pilder on September 11, 2004, at 10:22:57
In reply to Poem: You Can Do Something, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 23:17:48
Cass,
You posted a poem by an unknown author that wrote, [...Realize the divine is not quite what you think it might be,
that old methods of imploring,
say, a cantankerous bearded patriarchal figure
to please,oh yes,smite your enemies
might be a bit antiquated.
...this is a time of war mongering and bitterness...]
Could you clarify the following? If you could , then I could respond accordingly.
A. Is the "divine" the same as [...a cantankerous bearded patriarchal figure to please, oh yes, smite your enemies...]?
B. If so, is this a refference to the God of the Israelites?
Lou
Posted by Cass on September 11, 2004, at 13:12:37
In reply to Lou's request for clarification » Cass, posted by Lou Pilder on September 11, 2004, at 10:22:57
I don't think the author is saying that the "divine" is "a cantankerous bearded patriarchal figure". He or she states that the concept is antiquated. I interpreted the "cantankerous bearded patriarchal figure" generally to be the image of the vengeful God from the old testament. I think the author wants us to reevaluate that figure as perhaps not-so-divine. The emphasis of the poem seems to be that we should focus on love and offer kindness and beauty rather than promoting revenge and war.
I thought it seemed pretty straightforward. Do you interpret it differently?
Posted by nicolas on September 11, 2004, at 15:21:10
In reply to Poem: You Can Do Something, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 23:17:48
Hello,
thanks for the poem. It speaks to how I've been feeling these days.
Here's hoping for that
'impending karmic overhaul,
a great shift,
the beginning of something important' ...
it starts, I believe, inside: creativity and compassion will see the world through.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 18, 2004, at 0:22:41
In reply to Re: Lou's request for clarification » Lou Pilder, posted by Cass on September 11, 2004, at 13:12:37
> I interpreted the "cantankerous bearded patriarchal figure" generally to be the image of the vengeful God from the old testament... The emphasis of the poem seems to be that we should focus on love and offer kindness and beauty rather than promoting revenge and war.
Sorry, but even if the main idea is love and kindness and beauty, "cantankerous" and "vengeful" could lead others to feel their faith has been put down.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Cass on September 18, 2004, at 17:05:33
In reply to Poem: You Can Do Something, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 23:17:48
This is the first time I've redirected something, so I hope I've done it right.
I've redirected my response to the administration board:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040902/msgs/392369.html
This is the end of the thread.
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