Charles, I had not read that essay until just now. [Well done, sir.] And you have taught me not to waste my time engaging in debate with those who dispute the by-now-painfully-obvious, to which there is a parallel expressed elsewhere and again briefly below.
There can be some disagreement about what tactic or weapon is necessary or functional in the battle against the Rushmore builders; I don't profess to have the answer. I appreciate your insight on time. I am not opposed to spending some of my time and energy 'sculpting a Crazy Horse monument' (he was a boyhood hero of mine). Another article recently drew upon the response by Dances With Wolves to his tormenting captors, 'You are not worth talking to' , and of the personal expression in today's world of investing one's time away from their games and intent and wholly invested in life and love.
That "they" are winning is not in question; that they will have won in time is possibly up for grabs, for three reasons: First, it appears that, in the sequelae of their hubris, as in prior tragedies, lies their own downfall; they may take many of us with them into the sunset of dust and debris, but not everyone. Second, there are signs of a collective 'quickening', an emergence of understanding if not in precision and detail then in intuition and some gnawing sensation in the gut. Third, whether in terms of re-building resilience, or community, or political and spiritual transformation, there are some (not enough yet) who have given their focus to the transition that will occur when the first two merge. Therein lies great opportunity.
I am 'informed', if you will, by the metaphor used by Derrick Jensen when he speaks of a 'picket pin', that stake driven into the ground to which one tethers -- not his horse for getaway -- but his own self, as if to say 'here I stand, here I fight, here I will die'. [When I speak of battle, it's all metaphorical; I will not be shooting anyone, or bringing physical harm to them, nor advocating same for anyone anywhere.] It has its parallel in "Buddha's square of earth".
I am also 'informed' by the thoughts expressed in the book "Resistance and Contemplation" [1972], recently re-released by Wipf and Stock Publishers, which speaks of metanoia, or "change of mind". Much of my personal energy at this point in my life now goes to the personal expression of growth, and teaching, and the sowing of seeds in the minds and souls of future generations through my own continued reading, writing and personal 'picket pin'.
I don't think we are arguing here, or are at odds with one another; what I sensed earlier was a moment's despair and the need for momentary respite and support by a premier warrior. I have a Buddhist treatise tucked away somewhere --I shall try to find (I bring it out from time to time to renew myself) -- which says, in essence, do not despair, and do not fail to understand that, over time and space, love will always win out.
There can be some disagreement about what tactic or weapon is necessary or functional in the battle against the Rushmore builders; I don't profess to have the answer. I appreciate your insight on time. I am not opposed to spending some of my time and energy 'sculpting a Crazy Horse monument' (he was a boyhood hero of mine). Another article recently drew upon the response by Dances With Wolves to his tormenting captors, 'You are not worth talking to' , and of the personal expression in today's world of investing one's time away from their games and intent and wholly invested in life and love.
That "they" are winning is not in question; that they will have won in time is possibly up for grabs, for three reasons: First, it appears that, in the sequelae of their hubris, as in prior tragedies, lies their own downfall; they may take many of us with them into the sunset of dust and debris, but not everyone. Second, there are signs of a collective 'quickening', an emergence of understanding if not in precision and detail then in intuition and some gnawing sensation in the gut. Third, whether in terms of re-building resilience, or community, or political and spiritual transformation, there are some (not enough yet) who have given their focus to the transition that will occur when the first two merge. Therein lies great opportunity.
I am 'informed', if you will, by the metaphor used by Derrick Jensen when he speaks of a 'picket pin', that stake driven into the ground to which one tethers -- not his horse for getaway -- but his own self, as if to say 'here I stand, here I fight, here I will die'. [When I speak of battle, it's all metaphorical; I will not be shooting anyone, or bringing physical harm to them, nor advocating same for anyone anywhere.] It has its parallel in "Buddha's square of earth".
I am also 'informed' by the thoughts expressed in the book "Resistance and Contemplation" [1972], recently re-released by Wipf and Stock Publishers, which speaks of metanoia, or "change of mind". Much of my personal energy at this point in my life now goes to the personal expression of growth, and teaching, and the sowing of seeds in the minds and souls of future generations through my own continued reading, writing and personal 'picket pin'.
I don't think we are arguing here, or are at odds with one another; what I sensed earlier was a moment's despair and the need for momentary respite and support by a premier warrior. I have a Buddhist treatise tucked away somewhere --I shall try to find (I bring it out from time to time to renew myself) -- which says, in essence, do not despair, and do not fail to understand that, over time and space, love will always win out.
"Where is the intersection between the world's deep hunger and your deep gladness?"